Something Missing

My face became white.
"This is the house Laura grew up in, before her parents became part of the rich society. When they were going to sell it Laura jumped at the chance and told them she would buy when she had the money."
So this is where I remembered it. I remembered visiting Laura a few times with Mackenzie. I remembered this room and where I used to play.
"I know this room," I said quietly.
"You do?"
"I used to come here with Mackenzie and play... Laura was here too and she and Mackenzie were really close."
"You... knew Laura?" he asked. He sat down next to me and smiled. "What do you remember about her?" he asked.
"She was lovely and I was both envious and jealous of her because she was the person Mackenzie loved best. She was always nice and she was always smiling. She was gorgeous. I loved her short brown hair and brown eyes. She was like a sister to me. I... loved her." I looked up to see Mr.Cartier crying. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't mean to cry."
"Crying is okay, remember that was what you told me... so don't cry... al..."
Just then he reached over and grabbed me. He brought me into a tight embrace and held me... like a lover would.
"Mr.Car..."
"You're so like Laura," he said.
I felt my heart break a bit. So that's how he felt about me... But then again that's how I used to feel about him at... how I wanted him to be like Mackenzie. To BE Mackenzie.
"She won't come back..."
"What?" he said.
"Laura is not coming back!"
He pulled me away from him.
"She's dead! She won't come back just like Mackenzie won't ever come back!"
"What are you saying..."
"Mackenzie and Laura are dead! D-E-A-D!! They won't come back no matter how much you wish for it! All I need is you, Mr.Cartier! And all you should need... is me," I said softly, tears lightly rolling down my cheeks. I leaned over and kissed him.

 

"Stop! Katherine stop it!" shouted Mr.Cartier and he pushed me away. "What has gotten into you!" he demanded.
"I love you! I love you, I love you, I love you!" I sobbed. "Please..."
"I'm sorry."
I sobbed even harder.
"I'm sorry..." he whispered and he once again reached out and took me in his arms. He embraced me gently and kissed the top of my head. "I'm so sorry."
I held onto him tight and ended up falling asleep.

When I awoke I was still at Mr.Cartier's. He was still beside me and he still held me in his arms. I felt tears flow down my cheeks once again.
"I love you," I whispered. My heart ached. I loved this man... but I knew he wouldn't love me back... I leaned back down and closed my eyes. A few minutes later I heard Mr.Cartier groan. He had awaken. I was still very tired so I didn't bother to wake up and greet him.
"Damn it Katherine..." he said quietly. I felt his hand on my cheek and my heartbeat became faster. "Damn you for making me fall in love with you," he whispered and he leaned over and kissed my lips. "Damn it... I love you," he said before he left the room.
Once he left the room I immediately sat up. My heart racing. I lightly touched my lips. The sensation of his kiss still lingered on my lips and tears lightly fell. He loved me... He loves me!

 

While he was driving me home I really wanted to talk to him about the kiss he gave me but I knew it was something he didn't want me to know about.
"You're quiet," he said. Then he looked over at me. "Are you alright? Do you feel sick?"
"No. Just tired."
"Okay good," he smiled shyly before turning his eyes back on the road.

When we entered through the main gates and onto the driveway. My mother stood waiting for me. I quickly got out and shut the door loudly before I told Mr.Cartier to leave. He did so and I watched him leave.
"So? Another date with the teacher?" he asked.
"That's not what it was."
"Oh. So you two were just fooling around? Where were you? At his house? What were you two doing?!" she demanded.
"Nothing! Damn it mother! I fainted outside school and he took me back to his place! That's all it was."
"Yeah but what did he try to do while you were asle...."
"He didn't try anything!!"
"How do you know?! You were asleep!"
"God mother!" I shouted and I ran past her. She grabbed my arm and pulled me right back.
"Lyle."
"What?"
"Lyle is the only one you need. I will make sure that the two of you DO marry. I will not have you fooling around with a teacher who doesn't even love you!"
"But he does love me!"
She let go. "What?"
"He told me he loved me... I was pretending to be asleep at the time and he told me he loved."
"Bull shi*! You will marry Lyle!" she demanded. Her face became flushed and she went back into the house.
"Katherine?"
My eyes widened. I turned to see my father! He was home!
"Dad!" I shouted and I flung myself onto him.
"Why are you and your mother fighting?" he asked. He looked at me and then looked at the house.
"She wants me to marry someone I don't love..." I said.
"Oh... Who?"
"Lyle Olver."
"Olver?! I'm sorry... I don't want you to hate me but... I think that is a good choice... more or less..."