Skipping Beats

Chapter 4: Home Coming

Katharine swung the door to her house open, phone still in hand. It was shocking, to say the least, for her to find Avian at her front door. He looked different from the last time she’d seen him. He looked tired, and a little worn out. It was the smile in his eyes that showed he was in good health.

“Are you going to invite me in?” He laughed, closing his cell phone and putting it into his pocket. Katharine nodded and stepped aside, allowing Avian inside. Avian sighed when he entered the house, feeling more at home here than he had anywhere else in a long time.

“You’re here,” Katharine said from behind Avian. She watched as he shot her a grin and continued to look around her house. It was weird to have him there. He looked so out of place in her small house. He was a rock star, travelling all over the nation, and he was standing in her house.

“Good observation,” Avian finally said, turning around when he noticed she hadn’t move. She looked scared. “Are you mad I didn’t bring Nikko? I’m sure he’d come if I called him. You know the kid loves you.”

“No. No, it’s just unexpected. I think I’m in shock,” Katharine laughed at herself. She guided him into her kitchen. “No, it’s not shock. I’m in awe.”

“You’re in awe? Really? Of me?” Avian asked, blushing. Katharine found it absolutely endearing the way his face brightened at the simple words.

“You’re blushing,” she teased, squeezing his cheeks between her fingers. Avian laughed, turning his eyes away from her. The proximity of their bodies was too much for him, but he wouldn’t push her away. Avian didn’t think he could push her away.

Katharine laughed and let go, walking towards the fridge to get them drinks and snacks. Avian watched from the counter, taking a seat on a bar stool.

Everything in Katharine’s house was homey. There were photos everywhere of the family. The photos weren’t vacation photos, but just everyday pictures of them smiling. Avian wondered idly what it was like to have a whole sum family.

“Those pictures are embarrassing,” Katharine sighed, placing glasses of water and a plate full of various fruits in front of Avian. He smiled in thanks, taking the water and drinking most of it.

“Kathy, they’re amazing,” he replied, “I don’t have as many photos as I’d like with my family.”

“Tell me about them,” she asked, leaning over the counter. Her brown eyes stared at him, but not in an intimidating way. There was pure curiosity in her eyes, unblinking and true. Avian smiled before telling her his story.

“I had an older sister named Sarah, and a younger one named Ayano. My dad named Sarah, but my mom named Ayano and I. Dad left right after Ayano was born. Times were tough and he couldn’t hold down a good job, so he just up and left. My parents never fought, my dad never drank, and we were a healthy family. I was eleven when dad left. He’s never come back since, not even after I got signed. Sarah and I figured it was because he’s ashamed. Ayano doesn’t talk about dad, since she’s never met him,” Avian said with half closed eyes. Talking about his dad was hard, because the memories were still fresh. “Sarah and Ayano are inseperable, it’s like they don’t even notice the huge age gap between them. My mom did the best she could, working as a manager of a Wal-Mart. We grew up in a small apartment building, fairly happy. Sarah went to college on a scholarship. Ayano’s in middle school.”

“And you left on the day of your high school graduation to pursue music,” Katharine finished for him, a smile lingering on her lips. The corners of Avian’s lips turned up, seeing her smile. He simply nodded.

“That’s about it. I’m not a child of abuse or provety. I’m pretty middle class,” Avian shrugged, not really sure if the topic interested Katharine. “I’m probably too boring to be a rock star, huh?”

“No way, it’s more admirable,” Katharine said, her smile still supportive. Avian liked her smile, and just about everything else about her.

A/N: I know. This is ridiculously LATE. I'll admit my faults: I lost interest, I was tempted to delete it all together, and I just didn't care anymore. Then I received an e-mail asking me to update and it pulled on a heart string. I'm ready to take this story by the hand and run with it. I'm ready for Avian and Kathy. Let's do this. This is leading into a very interesting Chapter 5. Just so you know. (;

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