Tatum sat on Joels lap playing with his little mohawk. She kissed temple. "I love you."
"I love you too Tate."
A crisp beeping began and Tatum looked up. "There's your alarm." She said sadly.
"I don't want to wake up. I want to stay with you a little longer." Tears started to form in his eyes.
Tatum smiled and kissed him gently on the lips. "You can't hold onto me forever." She got off his lap and started to walk into the kitchen.
"But Tatum, I love you. I want you to stay."
"I can't. You know I can't." She started to cry. "I want you to be happy, not hold onto me forever."
Joel hugged her. "I'm happy with you and no one else." He breathed in her perfume. "I don't want to lose you again. I lose you everyday."
"Then stop dreaming of me." She pulled away and fingered his jaw line. "Goodbye Joel."
The beeping grew louder. Joel seemed to be pulled away and standing still all at the same time. He woke up alone in the bed, like he had every morning for a week.
"Goodbye Tate." He whispered, putting his head in his hands. The beeping continued; he grabbed the alarm and threw it against the wall.
Joel slowly got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He looked in the mirror; his eyes were bloodshot from crying in his sleep.
Joel came down the stairs and saw Chelsea sitting on the couch with Cat. He shrugged and went to the basement.
Chelsea sat on the couch and tried not to cry. "It's my fault Cat. It's my fault she died."
"Chels, you sound like Joel. It's not really your fault, or his. I mean, did you make her crash? Did you get the other driver drunk? No. You only screwed Joel." Cat tried to make her feel better, but through her own feelings made Chelsea feel worse.
"Exactly. It's my fault she got in the car." Chelsea covered her eyes. "I didn't mean to. I was drunk." She started crying.
Cat sighed and hugged Chelsea. "Who hasn't done stupid shit while they were drunk?"
"But has most other peoples stupid shit killed thier friend?" Chelsea asked a little coldly.
Cat didn't know what to say. "Listen, you're not the only one who lost her. We all did. We all feel responsible. Kat, Sky and I sat there and watched her get in her car." Tears started to form in her eyes. "I heard the arguement, but did I try to stop Tate? No, I didn't."
"It's still my fault." Chelsea wiped her eyes.
Cat sighed. "Fine. Believe it's your fault. whatever." Cat went to the kitchen and sat at the table with Benji. "She's impossible Benj."
"I know." Benji took Cats hand. "But baby, she feels guilty."
"So does Joel."
Benji sighed. "Yes, I know." He sat there thinking. "They're going to feel guilty for a while. Remember when you broke my guitar string? Remember how bad you felt?"
"Yes, but this is a person Benji, not a guitar string."
"Exactly. So let them get over it. Don't tell them to."
Cat nodded and moved her chair closer to Benji. "You're right. I can't make them stop feeling this way."
Benji hugged her close and kissed her temple. "I know I am. For once."
"Yea, for once." She grinned.
Benji smiled and held Cat close. "Cat, I know this is sorta the wrong time to ask, but..." He sighed and stuck his hand in his pocket.
"What?" Cat asked, slightly confused.
He placed a ring on her finger. "Will you marry me?"