Maryland State Trooper #1153
The Test Trial Uber
by Red Hope
Chapter 4
Katie was bent over her organized desk. She was working hard to finish up her homework for her accounting class.
"Come on, Katia," Erin fussed. "It can wait 'til Sunday."
"No," Katia replied while she kept working. "I'm not last minute like the rest of y'all."
Erin came up behind her seated roommate. She swiftly grabbed the back of the chair and yanked it because the college's deskchairs were semi-rockers.
"Erin!" Katia hollered when she was sharply rocked backwards. "Jesus." She swatted her roommate away. "Let me at least finish this problem."
"We're going to be late." Erin wandered out of the room and went to the bathroom.
"It's a party," Katia muttered, "there is no set time." She punched in some numbers into her graphing calculator. She grinned at the right numbers, then she wrote it into her notebook. She was satisfied.
Erin returned, and she sighed at seeing Katia still at work. She said nothing and went to her closet. She fished around in it for a clean top instead of her teeshirt she wore. "So why did you stay at Ashley's last night?"
Katia rolled her eyes, but she finished writing her answer down in her notebook. "I was too tired to drive back."
"Well if you had a nap after the movie then you should have been fine," Erin casually remarked. She had a smirk.
Katia set her pencil down, and her eyes traveled over her desk until she stared at the folded up piece of paper. It was a note from Ashley that'd been left on top of jeans to greet her first thing this morning. Ashley had left for work fairly early and never once disturbed Katia.
Erin twisted around and looked at her silent roommate. "By the way, Sara told us about your little bet."
Katia groaned at Erin's words. "Don't get me started." She proceeded to close up her notebook and textbook. She picked up her graphing calculator and was about to slide off the lid when her cell phone silently lit up from an incoming call. She quickly put the cover over the calculator and read the name on the cell phone screen. She scooped up her phone.
Erin had finally selected a black top, and she was about to ask Katia something. She fell short at hearing Katia's voice.
"Hey, Ash."
Erin had wide eyes at what this could mean. She tossed her blouse onto the foot of her messy bed and listened to Katia's conversation too.
"Really?" Katia encouraged. "Well, when do you finish?" She waited a beat then touched her forehead. "As in one in the morning?"
Erin came over and sat down on the foot of Katia's made bed. She curiously studied her roommate.
Katia bowed her head and seemed to be listening. "Um... I think so." She lifted her head up and peered over at her roommate with an apologetic look.
Erin became slotted her eyes and hissed, "You better not, Katia Danforth."
Katia held up her hand at Erin to be quiet. "What time?"
"Katia," Erin hissed, "you promised you'd come."
Katia glared at her roommate in warning to be quiet. "Yea, I just need to go to the mall to pick something up. So that'll work out perfect." She waited a beat. "Do you like Quiznos?" She chuckled. "Alright. I'll see you then... Bye." She closed her phone and was instantly bombarded by Erin's wrath.
"You are not going with her!" Erin pointed a finger at her friend. "You said you were going to this party tonight... with us."
"And I am," Katia fought. "I'm just going to have dinner with Ashley."
Erin groused and stood up from the bed. She knew she wasn't going to win anyway so she decided to just go pick out her clothes for tonight.
"She's not getting off work until one in the morning," Katia informed.
"Why's that? Didn't she start work this morning?"
"Yea, she started at eight," Katia explained. She shook her head. "She said there's just a lot of changes going on at the barrack. They're a little short handed."
Erin pulled out a pair of khaki pants but asked, "What time are you meeting her?"
"At seven," Katia replied. "I need to get ready. I want to pick up a new pair of black boots at the mall." She stood up and glanced at her silver watch; it was indeed almost five o'clock.
"So we'll see you at the party around eight then?"
"Right around there." Katia was at her closet. "Ashley said she had an hour long break because of her double shift." She pulled out the clothes she'd decided to wear for the party. "Is Mike and Sara meeting us there?"
"Yea, I'm going with them probably." Erin sat on her bed so she could change out of her jeans. She was amazed by how fast Katia could move and get ready. Usually her roommate could lolly gag but lately that wasn't so much the case.
Katia soon enough was ready and merely grabbed her small wallet and cell phone from her desk. She stopped in front of her seated roommate. "I'll text you when I'm headed to the party." She then hastily grabbed up a bottle of perfume and sprayed the blue bottle's contents near her neck.
"You know how to get to Haley's?"
Katia rolled her eyes at Erin's smirk. "Byeee." She went to the door but stopped at a second thought.
"What?"
"I almost forgot my card." Katia blushed and jumped back to her desk. She scooped up her Gull Card then hurried out of the room. "See ya, Erin." She darted out of the door.
Erin was shaking her head and muttered, "Have a nice date." She chuckled to herself.
Katia left college campus and drove to the mall using Route 13. She mentally sighed at how slow the traffic was because it was a combination of rush hour and it being Friday. She imagined people were still going to the beaches because the October weather was still very nice. Once she made it to the mall, she was lucky to find an easy parking spot, and she rushed into the mall. She had to hike to the opposite side of the mall to make it to the discount shoe store. The process to find the right, low cut boots would take her at least thirty minutes.
Katia had finally settled on a pair that would suit her for this winter. She checked the time again and saw it was a little after six o'clock. She figured she'd make it to the Quiznos down by the barrack in no time flat. She actually had time to kill. As Katia paid for her shoes, she received a message from Ashley. The message asked whether Katia could meet Ashley at the Quiznos that was down by the university. After a mental curse, Katia replied that she would meet Ashley there instead.
The college student hurried out of the store and went down to the opposite side of the mall where the food court rested. She was parked down by the movie theater and such. She soon approached her car, but she walked slower once she realized a slight problem. Some idiot had horizontally parked his car to the back of her car. She was completely blocked into her parking spot.
Katia suddenly lost her good mood. She set the shoes in the back seat of her car and climbed into her car. She started it then peered up her rear view mirror. She was certainly locked in and there wasn't a bit of space. She knew the owner wasn't far because the SUV was still running. She then spotted what she suspected was the owner.
The car to the left of Katia's had a young woman in it. She was buckled in but her driver's door was fully open. Then there was an older man stooped down and chatting with the driver. He seemed quite focused on her assets below her neckline when he spoke.
Katia waited a minute to see if the guy would notice she needed to leave. She was losing her patience so she put down her driver's window. "Hey," she called.
The other driver and the SUV owner stopped chatting and looked over at the college student.
"Is that your SUV?" Katia hollered.
"Yes," the guy replied.
"Can you move it? I'd like to get out of here." Katia could tell that the woman was relieved by Katia's interruption.
"In a second," the guy promised. He went back to talking to the woman.
Katia became further annoyed because she knew a second would turn into minutes. She slightly lifted her hips from the chair and fished out her phone. She closed up her window and decided she'd get her own solution to the problem. She looked up Ashley's name in the contact list then pushed on the send button. She suddenly had a wicked smile on her face when Ashley answered.
"Hey, Ash are you busy?" Katia chuckled at the response. "Do you mind saving a damsel in distress?" She glanced over at the other female driver, who looked none too happy to be in her situation. "Make that two damsels in distress." She waited for Ashley's question then she explained the problem. "There's this idiot parked behind me at the mall. He won't move his SUV, and I think he's harassing this girl in the other car. She at least doesn't look so happy to have been caught by him." She waited a beat. "Actually yea... by the food court." She twisted around as much as she could go. "He's definitely got us both blocked in here."
Katia straightened back in the seat. "Alright. Thanks, Ash." She lowered the phone and saw that Ashley hung up first. She slipped her LG phone back into her pocket then patiently waited and turned up the music. She put the window back down and decided to listen in on the conversation between the pair. It was quite apparent now that the guy was bothering the woman by the way she kept trying to cut the awkward conversations.
Katia looked over her left shoulder and gazed past the parked cars next to her. She focused on the dark, distinctly marked Maryland State Trooper car that sped along the mall's road. She smirked and contently sighed. She couldn't wait to see what Ashley would do with this one.
The patrol car zipped through the parking lot and took an open parking spot. The car was left running but out stepped a tall, dark trooper that was obviously annoyed. She removed her trooper hat and set it on her driver's seat. She closed the door then made her way around the SUV that was inappropriately parked.
Katia swallowed her laugh, but she had an evil smile. She amusingly watched Trooper Ashley Carver approach the kneeling man and easily capture his attention.
The guy jumped up to his short stature, which was quite short compared to Ashley Carver.
"Is this your SUV, sir?" Trooper Carver started promptly.
"Uh... yes," the man stuttered.
Ashely placed her hands on her hips, which were well equipped with numerous issued weapons and tools for being a trooper. "You're illegally parked, Mister..." She raised an eyebrow at the man for his name.
"James... James Littleton," the man supplied.
"If you can't move your SUV promptly then I can help you get it moved," Ashley informed. "And you can pay for the towing fees."
James Littleton shyly smiled, "Yes, officer."
Ashley kept stoic, but she peered down at the woman. "Is he at all bothering you, ma'am?"
James became slightly more nervous.
The woman had noticeably calmed since the trooper's surprised arrival. She looked from James to the trooper and quickly replied, "No, officer. He's fine."
Ashley didn't full believe it, but there wasn't a whole lot she could do otherwise. She turned back to James and asked, "Do you have your license, Mr. Littleton?"
James fumbled for his back wallet, but produced his driver's license.
"Come with me," Ashley ordered to James. She didn't want to leave him with the lady. She started back to her trooper car, and she sensed James behind her. She didn't dare glance at Katia and give away why she'd come here in the first place. Once she came to the rear of her patrol car, she told James to wait for her there.
Katia watched from her rear view mirror. She then glanced over at the other driver, who seemed relieved. Katia felt a lot better that she'd called Ashley now. She then made eye contact with the lady, and Katia briefly passed understanding with the woman.
Ashley came out of her trooper car after running the man's information. She had some history on him but there was nothing outstanding that could let her do anything. She handed him back his license and indicated his car again. "Get it moved... now."
"Yes, officer." Mr. Littleton made is escape and went to his car.
Ashley Carver waited until he was gone, then she went back to the woman. She stood in the open door but was bent forward. "If you have anymore trouble with him, ma'am then I suggest you get the police involved next time." She reached to her shirt's pocket and pulled out a card. "I'm Corporal Ashley Carver." She held out the card.
"Thank you." The woman took the card and studied it for a moment. "I'm Jessica Littleton... formally." She then shook hands with the trooper. "My husband and I are separated and preparing for divorce so we're just..."
"I understand," Ashley replied. "Don't hesitate to call me if you have any troubles with him."
"Thank you again."
The trooper nodded then straightened up. "Have a good day, ma'am." She went back to her trooper car and sat in it with the door left open.
Jessica Littleton closed her door, started her car, and put it into reverse. Just before she backed out, she gave Katia a wave then finally left.
Katia sadly smiled and watched her go. She'd heard much of the conversation, but she set aside her thoughts once the lanky trooper was by her car now.
"Do you realize you're double parked, ma'am?" Ashely taunted.
Katia laughed and smiled up at her friend. "I didn't know you were a meter maid too."
Ashley glared at the smart remark. "Well I didn't realize I was an on-call personal cop for you, Miss Danforth."
The college student look offended and ghastly inquired, "You mean you're not?" She covered her chest over her white blouse and teased, "I thought you were since you that night you saved me from that cornfield."
Ashley laughed. "Between the cornfields," she reminded.
Katia nodded a few times. She lowered her hand back to her lap. "So what was that all about?"
"You know the usual... husband and wife get separated. The husband isn't so happy."
"Harasses the wife," Katia continued. "Yeah." She sighed then peered up at her tall friend. "Hungry?"
"Mmmm." Ashley rested her right hand on the roof the Mercedes. "You ready?"
"I am. Are you?"
"Yeah." The trooper stayed hunched over so she could see through the car. "I'll meet you over there." After Katia's nod, she strolled back to her waiting patrol car and hopped into it. She got settled into the seat, buckled up, and reversed out of the spot. She spotted Katia right behind her. She was happy to finally make it to the Quiznos that was deeper in Salisbury than the other one. She pulled into an empty spot and parked her car.
Katia parked beside the dark trooper car. She climbed out of her car and stretched some. She smiled at her friend, who waited for her. She approached her and asked, "So why the double shift?"
Ashley strolled along side her friend. "There's a lot of changes going on. We're short handed until next week when a few green troopers come out of the academy."
"Well that's good then," Katia argued.
"It is and it isn't... we have to ride with the green troopers for a few months until they've adopted to being troopers." Ashley grabbed the door for Katia and her. "The academy is different than being in real life."
"True," Katia granted. She entered the busy, small restaurant and went right to the line. "Is it just being short handed that's the problem?"
Ashley stood behind her friend. She easily towered Katia and could make out the fine print menu against the wall. "No," she replied in a distant voice, "we have a new captain too."
"Really?" Katia was surprised. She slightly turned and gazed up at Ashley. "Who is he?"
Ashley focused down on her friend and slightly grinned at the question. "Her name is Caitlin Jonson."
The college student smirked, faced the line again, and folded her arms. "Have they ever had a female captain in charge?"
"No, actually." Ashley then sighed and mentioned, "She's a bit of a hard ass, honestly."
"Ashley," Katia warned.
The trooper softly laughed and inched down the line. "But I think she'll be good. She'll get the job done right."
Katia was going to reply, but she fell short when the server behind the counter spoke to her.
"Hi, is this for here or to go?"
Katia smiled at him. "For here. Can I get the honey mustard chicken?"
"Certainly. What size?"
"Regular." Katia then continued her order. She then stepped aside and let Ashley take care of hers. Then something caught her eye, and it was third customer down from her in the line. She furrowed her eyebrows and tried to definitively determine whether that customer was male or female.
Ashley was going to ask Katia something, but she felt short. She noticed Katia was staring at something or rather somebody. She easily followed Katia's line of sight and spotted the person of interest. She grinned at the butch woman in the line just ahead. She turned back to the cooler that had several drinks, and she picked up two bottles of lemon ice tea.
Katia now had a better profile view of the customer, who clearly sported a set of breasts. Well that answered that question, Katia mentally concluded. She turned back to her friend, who had the bottles of ice tea in hand.
"Here." Ashley handed over a bottle.
"Thanks." Katia suddenly blushed once she realized that Ashley understood her taste already. She shook her head and looked away before Ashley caught her blush.
The trooper had seen it, easily. But she decided not to comment. She instead nudged Katia when the server behind the counter asked if Katia wanted any extras on her toasted sub.
"Can I just get lettuce," Katia answered the server. She then scooted down the line. She spotted the chocolate chip cookies in the basket by the register. "Hey Ash, you like chocolate chip?"
The trooper had ordered a large sub, but she could always do with a dessert afterwards. "Grab one, K."
Katia grinned because her friend understood her idea. She and Ashley were close to paying but the woman, who was presumably gay in Katia's opinion was paying now.
"Is this for here or to go?" the cashier inquired.
"You're the first person to ask that," the woman stated. It was clear she was somewhat annoyed.
The server that added the extras onto the sub looked at the cashier. "Sorry." She looked at the wrapped sub then picked it up. She hastily worked to get it unwrapped and into a black basket for the woman.
Katia glanced at her sub, which wasn't wrapped to go luckily. She waited until the other customers were done paying then she paid for her stuff.
Ashley's sub was still being finished up, but Ashley paid for it anyway. Then she and Katia stepped aside and waited for the server to finish loading Ashley's sub up properly.
Katia now had a clear view of the servers working together. She realized how inefficient they were, and she leaned closer to Ashley. "That server is messing herself up."
"I know." Ashley folded her arms and sighed. She watched the server finish up with her sub then set the sud next to Katia's. She then glanced at the cashier, who was too focused on the current customer to notice hers and Katia's were ready.
The cashier then was looking over the readied subs and started mixing things up.
"Um, Ash I think they're about to give that customer our subs."
The state trooper was very annoyed at this point. "Wait here." She handed Katia her bottle of tea.
Katia warned, "Be nice, tiger." She caught Ashley's wicked smile then the trooper was up there at the register again. Katia chuckled at listening to Ashley's clipped tone and how she straightened out the cashier and the server in a matter of seconds.
Ashley walked off from the counter with her and Katia's subs. She flashed a grin at the petite blond.
Katia chuckled, but she went over and collected several napkins then joined Ashley at a table. She sat comfortably and set the napkins between them. She also gave Ashley her tea then put the wrapped cookie off to the side for later.
"It's so nice having my own personal trooper," Katia casually commented.
Ashley softly laughed while she freed her cell phone from her side. She set the slim, metallic phone on the table in case she was needed for some emergency. "Let me guess, you would have stood there the entire time until they realized it was your sub."
"Nah," Katia argued. "I would have waited half the time then said something." She picked up her sub but mentioned, "I'm only half assertive as you."
The trooper shook her head, but she began to eat. She didn't believe Katia's assessment because she bet if Katia was frustrated the right way then she'd be fully assertive.
Katia set her sub down after a few bites. She then commented, "Besides it's more fun watching you be assertive."
"I have noticed you seem to get a certain kick out of it," Ashley teased. Her point wasn't argued but instead reinforced by Katia's chuckle.
Katia then slightly jumped when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She removed the offending object and read the message on her top screen. It was from Sara, who reminded her about the 'Ashley is Gay' bet. Katia held back her groan, and she put the phone into her pocket. She obviously had to do some probing because Sara would be asking tonight at the party.
Ashley kept from being nosy and continued to eat.
Katia ate a little bit, but she nodded at Ashley's phone. She hadn't really noticed it until now. "You have a pink phone, Ashley." She knew it was the Motokrzr phone.
The trooper had a disgusted look and argued, "It's not pink. It's a fire phone." She glanced at the sleek phone then back at her friend. "I call it my bat phone... direct connection to Commissioner Gordon."
Katia laughed at the joke. "Don't you mean Captain Jonson?" She shook her head. "And you call me a nerd?" She thought over Ashley's unique personality. It was true that she was beginning to adore Ashley very much. Katia considered all her friends, who meant a lot to her. But then there was Ashley, and it was harder for Katia to define things just yet. For some reason, Katia stared over at the woman, who she assumed was gay. It gave Katia an idea.
"Hey, Ash."
"Mmmm?" The state trooper was mostly finished her sub. She was taking a small break and drinking her tea.
"You see that woman that's behind you."
The bemused trooper raised an eyebrow. As if she could see behind herself? She twisted around and glanced at who Katia might mean. "The one by herself?" She suspected it was the butch gay by the window.
"Yeah." Katia took a small bite from her sub.
Ashley straightened back in her chair. "What about her?" She forced her grin down because she knew exactly where Katia would go with this conversation.
Katia kept her voice down so nobody but Ashley would hear her. "You think she's..." She gave Ashley a look similar to the words 'you know'.
Ashley played dumb and shook her head. "Do I think what?"
The college student became frustrated, but she made herself say it. "You think she's gay?"
Ashley kept to her dumb role and shrugged. She glanced back at the very butch woman then turned back to Katia. "Well, I am assertive." She started to stand and added, "Let me go ask."
"Ashley!" Katia grabbed her friend's hand and yanked her back. "Don't you dare."
"Well you wanna know, right?" The trooper had the chair pushed back, and she wouldn't sit yet. "I'm sure she doesn't mind discussing it in public with a stranger."
The college student stared dumbfounded up at her friend. "Sit down," she warned.
Ashley had a sparkle in her eyes, but she did sit down finally. She became comfortable once Katia released her. "I can ask her, K."
"No," Katia hissed.
"Why not?" Ashley was having too much fun with this. She knew it, and she needed to end it quickly before it caused too much trouble.
"Because..." Katia stuttered on her answer. She sighed and stared darkly at her friend. She now picked up on Ashley's amusement that'd been well hidden.
The trooper leaned closer to Katia and was suddenly serious. "Most gays have the privilege to hide who they are because it's personal to them... sometimes they can't hide it." She tilted her head and added, "And sometimes hiding it isn't a privilege at all because they have to hide it." She waited a beat then slowly raised her eyebrow again. "So, if I were you, Katia I would try to understand and appreciate that about gay lifestyle before asking if somebody is or isn't gay."
Katia dropped her shoulders after Ashley's speech. She knew Ashley made a good point because she had two close friends that were gay. She'd heard from Mike, first hand, how hard it was for him to come out when he was still in high school. It'd sent chills down her back to hear it.
"You're right... I'm sorry." Katia mentally berated herself now.
Ashley brushed her hand over Katia's in brief comfort. "It's alright." She picked up her tea again, but she decided to answer the earlier question. "And yes, she's most likely gay." She set the bottle down after a moment then added, "Whether she knows it or not that's another story." She capped the bottle then studied her mostly finished sub. Did she really want the rest?
Katia brushed back her hair then pushed her sub aside. She'd lost her appetite. She then felt curious blue eyes on her so she met them.
"Why so worried about it anyway?" Ashley already knew the purpose of Katia's topic. She just wanted to see what cover Katia would use on her.
"I..." Katia lost her words. She realized she could lie right now or not. First, she knew it would be stupid to lie to a state trooper. And second it would be very wrong to lie to her new friend that'd helped her out so much. But she knew Sara would be after her if she renagged on the deal so she came up with another part of the truth.
"You met Sara, remember?"
"Sure." Ashley shrugged and waited to hear where this would go.
"Well," Katia started, "Sara always told me about this thing called 'gaydar' that gays have." She carefully phrased her pending words first. "She told me only gays have it." She watched Ashley's nod, and she continued to talk. "I sometimes think I have it." She didn't want to exactly spell it out, but she led to the idea that all her friends had about her being gay too.
Ashley shrugged and leaned back in her chair. She considered Katia's words and what Katia was secretly trying to say. "I can tell some people are gay." She tilted her head at Katia. "Does that make me gay?"
Katia had no answer and decided on silence. She wasn't about to step into that area with her friend.
"There are plenty of straight people that can pick out gays," Ashley informed. She stretched out her legs, past Katia's chair. "Some gays are easier to notice than others... so I don't think that exactly qualifies as making it gaydar for somebody like you."
Katia had her head slightly lowered. She was thinking about Ashley's explanation. It made plenty of sense, but she peered up with a perplexed look. "Well what if say... I could pick out somebody being gay that isn't easy to pick out normally?"
Ashley was unnerved by the topic somewhat. She suddenly straightened up then leaned closer to Katia. "Katia, if you're looking for answers to another question then I don't think two plus two is going to equal five here." Ashley sighed and pushed the black basket aside. She lowered her voice and explained, "You can't sit there and definitively conclude that somebody is gay just because they have gaydar. That's probably the worst way to make some conclusion."
Katia sighed then asked, "How does somebody figure it out then? Experimenting?"
Been there and done that, Ashley thought to herself. "Sometimes that works." She then thought more about it. "If somebody feels stifled to a small space about who they are then sometimes it's just going ahead and realizing that is the initial problem. Then from there they can decide to be themselves, and they may just learn they're gay." Ashley watched Katia carefully and tried to decipher how her words were impacting the younger woman. "Sometimes changing a person's environment helps. Or talking to somebody they trust whether that's a friend or even a therapist." She laced her hands together. "There's a number of ways, Katia."
Katia nodded a few times.
Ashley tilted her head some then asked, "Okay?" The concern filled her tone and features.
Katia nodded again but replied, "Yeah." She sadly smiled at her friend. "Thanks."
The trooper softly sighed because it was far from resolved. She could sense though the small talk had helped on some level. She glanced over at her phone and pushed a button. She read the time and realized she needed to get back on duty shortly.
"Why did you want to meet here anyway?" Katia commented.
Ashley grumbled and focused back on her friend. "The new captain wants me to get use to the local area. I'm doing city patrol."
The college student chuckled and teased, "Lucky you."
"You're telling me," Ashley muttered. She then grabbed the cookie that was set aside. She opened it while she spoke. "What you doing this weekend?"
"Homework." Katia sighed and mentioned, "I have a lot of accounting work to do."
The trooper grinned and tore off a piece of the cookie. She handed it to her friend. "I'm sure you can handle it."
"Math isn't my strongest suit." Katia thought about it while she ate. "I do well if I stay focused."
"Then stay focused," Ashley insisted. She grinned and popped a piece into her mouth.
"I am." Katia grinned back and broke another piece of the soft cookie off. "I guess you'll be unpacking this weekend...?"
The officer sighed and leaned back in the chair again. "I hope to have it done by Sunday."
Katia chuckled and took a last piece from the cookie. She wanted Ashley to finish the rest. "I can come by and help," she promised.
Ashley smiled at her friend. "I could use it. Thank you." She took the rest of the cookie and finished it off quickly.
"You ready?" Katia stood up, tossed the cookie wrap into her basket, and took both their black baskets. She handled getting rid of them.
The trooper capped off Katia's tea then stood up with both of them. She handed Katia's off to her then strolled out of the restaurant. Once out the door, she suddenly had a slow walk. "Oh great," she muttered.
"What...?" Katia followed her friend's stare. She was surprised to see another trooper car next to Ashley's. She then became wide eye at the beautiful, tall blond that rose out of the car. She blinked and whispered, "Is that your blond twin?"
Ashley sighed and continued to the cars. "Not exactly." She stopped once the fellow trooper was before her. "Haden."
"Hello, Carver." The blond bombshell had cold blue eyes unlike Ashley's. She lowered her gaze to the petite blond beside the trooper.
Ashley knew she had to do introductions. "This is Katia Danforth." She held looked from Katia to her fellow trooper. "This is Corporal Alexa Haden."
Alexa Haden kept her eyes locked on the curious woman beside Ashley. She noted the lanyard from Katia's right pocket that had the distinct university logo on it. "You're a college student here?"
"Yes," Katia replied. "I'm a sophomore." She tried to estimate how old Alexa was, and she guessed around Ashley's age.
"What is your major?"
Katia felt suddenly under the grill by this stoic, cold trooper. She cleared her throat then replied, "It's currently business."
Alexa folded her arms and studied the young woman. "What are you switching to?"
"I was thinking about English, but I'm not quite sure yet."
Alexa nodded once. "I'm sure you'll get it decided." She then lifted her ice blue eyes to Ashley Carver. "The captain asked me to report to you that you and I will be working together this evening."
Ashley tried very hard not to roll her eyes. She wasn't in the mood for Alexa Haden's clipped attitude tonight. "Alright." She then touched Katia's mid back in hidden signal to go. "I'll see you in an hour, Haden."
Alexa simply nodded then stepped around the trooper. She only went a few feet, stopped, and called to Katia, "It was nice to meet you, Miss Danforth." From the corner of her eye, she could tell her words had ruffled Ashley Carver's feathers.
Katia was dumbfounded, but she quickly replied, "You too." She wasn't sure whether to say Trooper Haden or Alexa or officer so she decided on nothing.
Trooper Haden turned and continued her way into the restaurant.
Ashley shook her head and walked Katia to her car. "Sorry about that. I didn't expect to see her."
"And wow." Katia laughed and leaned against her driver's door. "She was something."
Ashely wasn't sure how to take that comment. "She's been a trooper at the barrack for a few years." She glanced at Alexa's patrol car. "She's not too keen on me."
"Because you're new?"
Ashley grinned and folded her arms. "Because I'm better than her."
Katia laughed and teased, "It sounds like a pissing match to me."
"No." The trooper went more serious. "Haden just has something to prove." She focused back on Katia after a second. "A lot of female officers do because it's a male dominated career."
Katia hadn't thought of that, but she understood now. "Come on, you better get to work." She pulled out her car key from her left pocket. "I'll call you tomorrow morning."
"Late tomorrow morning," Ashley emphasized. "Please."
Katia laughed, but she nodded. "I promise not until late." Then she had an awkward moment because she wasn't sure how to say goodbye properly. She felt the urge to hug Ashley, but she wasn't sure how Ashley would take to it especially with being on duty.
"Come here, cornfield." Ashley moved forward.
Katia smiled because she felt like her mind was read. She pushed off the car and was engulfed in a warm hug. She hugged Ashley back tightly.
"Thanks for having dinner with me," Ashley whispered.
Katia realized their hug was turning longer than most normal hugs. She didn't care either. "Thanks for the talk, Ash."
"Anytime." The trooper finally released her friend then started back to her car. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," Katia called. She then climbed into her car after getting it unlocked. She left the parking lot after Ashley zipped out. She made a right onto Monticello Street and wound her way through the backstreets to get to Haley's house. She wasn't the least surprised to find the front street packed with cars so she went down a ways and parked. She climbed out of her car, locked it, and walked back to Haley's house.
Many people by the door turned their heads at seeing the petite blond that entered. One girl slipped past a handful and came right to Katia. She smiled brightly.
"Hi, Hale." Katia warmly hugged her friend.
Haley Danver squeezed back then pulled away from Katia. She still had a bright smile, and she scanned over Katia's features. "You look cute."
Katia flushed. "Thanks, Haley."
Haley slipped an arm around her friend's shoulder and directed her through the house. "I've heard rumor that you have some new friend." She waved her freehand around in the air. "A cop or something."
Katia groaned. "Yes, she's a state trooper."
"Oh even better," Haley teased. She brought Katia into quieter room from the music.
"There's straight girl," Sara taunted.
"There's the gay girl," Katia instantly shot back.
Haley's presence made an instant circle of friends, which included Katia, Sara, Mike, and Erin. She had her full focus on Katia though. "So what's her name? Ashley, right?"
Katia placed her hands on her hips. "Can we talk about something else?"
Haley laughed and shook her head. "No because you're never late to any of my parties. So the fact that this trooper stole you away makes it interesting."
Katia groaned and dropped her hands from her hips. "There's nothing interesting about it."
Haley smirked, but she winked and whispered, "We'll talk about it later." She chuckled at Katia's groan, yet she turned her attention to everybody. "Make sure the beer doesn't go to waste, ladies."
"Hey," Mike argued.
"I'm sorry." Haley waved a hand at Mike. "I meant girls too."
Mike folded his arms and glared at Haley.
Haley blew a kiss to him then mentioned, "I think some of the guys want to do beer pong."
"Oooh, let me know." Erin had a grin because she was one of the best players.
Haley had a wide grin. "I gotta keep mingling. I'll see you, ladies." She moved away but paused and looked at Mike. "And girls." She escaped before Mike could make a nasty comment.
Mike huffed and muttered, "I hate blonds."
"Hey," Katia argued.
Mike smiled suddenly and slinked over to his best friend. "Except for you, Katia." He hugged her just for extra effect.
Katia softly laughed, but she sensed Sara's inquisitive eyes on her. She glanced at Sara and asked, "What?"
"So how'd it go?"
"It's was a nice dinner," Katia offered.
Sara laughed and stepped closer to her friend. "No, I meant how is Operation Lesbian going? Any clues yet?"
"No." Katia was short with her response. She then made a choice and argued, "I don't want to do the bet anymore." The thought about Ashley's talk at dinner came to mind briefly.
"That's because you know she's gay," Sara teased, "And you don't want to lose."
Katia glared and began her argument. "I don't care if she's gay, straight, bi, or purple."
Mike bit his lower lip and glanced at Erin, who was trying so hard not to laugh.
Sara poked Katia in the chest with each of her words. "Ashley is gay."
"I... don't... care," Katia angrily fought. "Nor is it my business to go snooping around." She came toe to toe with Sara. "If she wants to tell me, she will and I'm not going to pry."
"Oh that's real funny." Sara slotted her eyes at Katia. "You had no problem prying me or Mike to find out if we're gay."
"Well you two make it a little obvious," Katia snapped.
"I resent that," Sara fought.
"I don't," Mike cut in, "I'm proud of it."
Sara glared over at Mike for his lack of help. She turned back to Katia. "You made a bet so don't renag on it unless you plan to automatically lose and ask Ashley out."
"I'm not doing the bet, and I'm not asking her out." Katia could barely hold down her temper.
"Then I'll ask her on a date," Sara challenged. "We'll get our answer then won't we?"
"Sara," Erin tried. She sensed that her roommate was about to explode. She quickly got between them and offered, "Why don't we just stop for a second." She held up her hands between the pair. "Sara, instead of making Katia pry into Ashley's life why not just wait it out."
Sara turned her head to Erin. "Wait what out?"
"To find out if Ashley is gay," Erin offered. "When Ashley brings it up in her own time."
"If she's gay," Katia argued.
"Oh she's is, honey," Mike interrupted.
Katia sighed and thought about Erin's idea. She didn't much like it. "No, I'm still breaking her confidence. If she is gay then it's obviously her personal business. I'm not going to come squealing it to everybody else."
Sara had an annoyed face. "What exactly makes Ashley Carver so special? You have no problem discussing Mike and I being gay."
"I don't tell anybody outside our circle," Katia hotly replied. She narrowed her eyes at Sara. " And I don't appreciate having that thrown in my face, Sara." She lost her control and pointed a finger at Sara. "The bet is off. And if you dare ask Ashley out then there'll be Hell to pay." She didn't wait for a response and walked away into another room.
Mike slipped up behind Erin, touched her shoulder, and murmured, "Damage control." He darted off to find Katia.
Erin waited a beat then asked, "What was that, Sara?"
"What?" Sara glared at her friend.
"You know what." Erin shifted closer to the brunette. She pushed some of her curly hair back then mentioned, "I've never seen you push Katia like that."
Sara held out her hand in the direction that Katia went earlier. "She pisses me off." She dropped her hand.
"Apparently." Erin searched her friend's eyes then asked, "But why?"
Sara sighed and looked away.
Erin reached up and pulled Sara's face back to hers. "Come on, Sara."
Sara took Erin's hand from her face and held it. She didn't care about the handful of people spread out in the room. "It's just this Ashley girl shows up from nowhere, Erin. And suddenly Katia is absorbed by her." She swallowed and argued, "Now the rest of us are chopped liver."
Erin released a deep breath then thought about it. She shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Erin, she's with Ashley all the time."
"And are you her mother to say when she can or can't be? Or how often?" Erin saw she'd stopped Sara's fight. "No, you're not. That's me and Mike's job."
Sara chuckled at the aged joke about Mike and Erin being Katia's mother. She went more serious though. "I guess I'm a little jealous." She lowered her head and narrowed her eyes.
"About?" Erin encouraged. She felt she wouldn't get a response so she pressed her position. "You're jealous of the fact that Katia is close to Ashley suddenly? The relationship between them?"
"I suppose." Sara made eye contact again. She studied Erin's amber eyes, then she noticed Erin's smile. "What?"
"That's pretty silly." Erin freed her hand from Sara's. She felt her smile switch into a grin. "You and I spend a lot of time together anymore."
"True," Sara shyly admitted. She sighed because she felt dumb now. She grumbled and pushed several long strands behind her right ear.
"So can Katia and Ashley be friends?" Erin asked in a teasing tone.
Sara mock glared at her friend. "I suppose so." She now grinned but threatened, "Katia just better not move in with her or somethin'."
"Let's go find 'em." Erin started to the slow walk. "Well, if Katia takes a U-Haul on the second date with Ashley then..."
"She's fucked," Sara swore.
Erin harshly smacked Sara in the stomach. "Stop it." But she couldn't help her laugh about the stereotype joke about lesbians.
"Well," Sara ranted, "you know the urge-
"To merge," Erin finished with a laugh. "I am hanging around you too much."
"Hey, I took that as a good thing earlier," Sara argued. She slipped her arm over Erin's shoulders and jerked her close. "It isn't that bad, Er."
Erin rolled her eyes at the nickname. While they hunted around for Mike and Katia, she tried to guess how Mike was making out on his damage control.
Mike shifted closer to his best friend "Katia, I understand. I just don't think Sara meant it that way."
"I don't care what Sara did or didn't meant," Katia fought. "She should understand perfectly well what I was saying because she's gay too. She has to know what it's like and relate to Ashley if it so happens Ashley is gay."
"I don't think Sara considered that part," Mike debated. "She wasn't looking at it from that angle... none of us really were." He had to admit he really hadn't thought about it either. "She just wanted to egg you on with Ashley."
Katia sighed and folded her arms. She scanned the people in the room she'd escaped to from Sara. "Why is everybody on my case about Ashley anyway?"
Mike frowned because he hadn't realized how badly it was bothering his friend. "We're just teasing you, Katia. We're not trying to upset you."
"But it is," Katia softly argued. "I just want to get to know Ashley, and everybody blows up and makes a big deal out of it." She dropped her arms.
Mike reached forward and took Katia's smaller hands into his. He played wiht her fingers and gently explained, "It's just not often you become... so curious about somebody, Katia."
"I spent a lot of time with you when we first met," Katia reminded.
Mike sighed and nodded. "Yea, we did." He studied their linked hands, then he met Katia's concerned features. "I'll tell them to lay off. Sometimes Sara's teasing gets to become too much."
"It's not just Sara," Katia fought. "I mean that was the first thing out of Haley's mouth when I got here."
Mike bit his lip then became apologetic. "I'm sorry. I told her, Katia. She was just asking what was new with you and why you were late."
Katia squeezed her best friend's hands that were still holding hers. "It's alright."
"We'll stop," Mike gently promised.
"Just cut back on it is all," Katia insisted. She waited a second then commented, "If Ashley is gay, I don't want to push her into telling me... especially over a stupid bet. I'll feel guilty about it."
Mike was thinking over something. He stared down at his hands with Katia's, and he ran his thumb over one of Katia's short nails. "If I ask you something, will you answer it honestly?" He lifted his head. "It'll stay between us."
"Alright," Katie murmured.
"If it turns out Ashley is gay," Mike softly started, "will it change anything between you two?" He slightly tensed because he wasn't sure if he composed his words the right way.
"Not negatively," Katia replied. "It didn't when you and Sara told me."
"I know." Mike paused but explained, "But I mean in another way, Katia."
Katia searched Mike's face and slowly translated what Mike was really asking her. She lowered her head and stumbled for an answer. "I... I'm... I'm really not sure, Mike."
Mike nodded his head a few times then whispered, "Then maybe that's something you should think about in case Ashley does reveal that she's gay... or not." He lowered his head closer and decided on a fair warning. "For sake of argument, if Ashley were gay, and she's spending this much time with you already... she could be interested by now or getting to that point. So you have to be ready for that possibility."
Katia freed a hand and rubbed her brow. "This is getting complicated. I just want to get to know her."
"And you should be," Mike agreed. He waited until Katia looked at him again. "But things can happen so you just need to have that in sight is all. You don't need surprises, Katia."
"I hate those." Katia chuckled and lowered her hand. She nodded. "Thanks, Mike."
Mike squeezed his friend's hand then let go finally. "Anytime." He then hugged her and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too." Katia tightly hugged back Mike, but she spotted Erin and Sara coming to them. "Here comes PITA."
Mike separated from Katia and spotted Erin and PITA or rather pain in the ass as Katia jested earlier. "Be nice, Katia."
Katia grumbled and waited until the pair met them.
"I'm getting drinks," Mike announced to the reformed group. "You want anything, Erin?"
"Whatever you're getting, Mike." Erin always liked Mike's selection in beers.
Mike then looked at Sara. "Too young." He then pointed at Katia. "Way too young." And he left so that Erin could finish the rest rest of damage control.
He better pick a damn good beer, Erin mentally chided now that she was left to do this on her own.
"I'm getting a beer too," Sara decided. She made two steps before she was yanked back to her place.
"Oh no you're not." Erin planted Sara back into her spot. "Talk to Katia."
Sara groused, but she knew Erin was right. She focused on Katia. "Katia, I wasn't really pissed about the bet... more the fact that you're hanging around Ashley so much."
Katia now realized the real issue at hand. She sighed and argued, "She's not a replacement... just an addition."
"I know," Sara softly agreed. "But... you know us lesbians. We don't like competition in the herd."
Katia softly laughed and grinned at her friend's joke. "Just give her a chance, please."
Sara nodded and finally had a smile. "You bet."
"Please, no more bets." Katia sighed then shifted away from Erin and Sara. "I do need something to drink though."
Sara and Erin tagged along, and they all found their way into the kitchen. Mike appeared with a beer for Erin. Katia decided just on a soda while Sara was quite tempted to get a beer. She was the driver tonight though when typically Katia drove everybody. It was a rare event when Katia sat back and drank beers or anything else for that matter.
The group slowly migrated back to the front of the house. They either chatted amongst each other and eventually Katia broke away from her regular friends. She talked to a few fellow classmates from her general education classes.
"Didn't we take a class together?"
Katia switched her attention to the guy that was about her age. "I think so." She seriously thought about it and asked, "Wasn't it Earth Science last semester?"
"That's it," he agreed. "We didn't have the same lab though."
Katia smiled. "No."
He stepped forward and held out his hand. "I'm Bobby Fluehr."
"Katia Danforth." Katia briskly shook hands and still smiled. "How'd you do in that class?"
"I got a B. How about you?" Bobby took a drink of her beer.
Katia shrugged and replied, "I had an A." She didn't want to mention that she thought the class had been fairly easy. She loved the class though.
"That doesn't surprise me," Bobby commented. "You always asked a lot of questions."
Katia had been sipping on her soda, and she almost choked on it. She pulled the cup away and coughed.
Bobby grinned but seriously offered, "I'm sorry."
Katia shook her head. "No, it's okay." She cleared her throat. "I suppose I do ask a lot of questions." She softly laughed at herself and the memory of the class. "You sat behind me a few rows back."
"I did." Bobby smiled at her excellent memory from the spring semester. "What's your major?"
"Right now it's business."
"Any specific track?" Bobby questioned."Finance, Management, Marketing...?"
Katia shook her head and replied, "I haven't really decided. I'm still working through my gen eds. I've started some of my business core classes." She paused then questioned, "Are you a business major?"
"Yup. I'm doing Management," Bobby replied.
Katia smiled and moved closer to Bobby. She continued to chat with him and get to know him better.
Bobby wasn't much taller than Katia, but he was a rather bulky guy. Most likely he worked out regularly as many guys at Salisbury were known for it. He had bright red hair but it was buzz cut like he was in the military. His cheeks were slightly rosy and became round whenever he smiled or laughed. His voice was deep and almost commanding in the room.
Erin had been wandering through the rooms. She spotted her roommate and came over to her. She was quite curious about the guy she was talking to so energetically. "Hey, Katia."
"Hey, Erin." Katia smiled at her roommate. "Oh this is Bobby Fluehr."
"Hi." Bobby shook hands with Erin.
"This is my roommate Erin Mathews."
"Nice to meet you." Bobby released hands then asked, "First time roommates?"
"No, unfortunately," Erin jabbed.
Katia swatted her roommate. "Thanks, roomie." She sipped on her soda.
"This is our second semester, actually." Erin held a new beer that she'd recently picked up. The condensation on it dripped off the bottom. "I had a really bad roommate last fall, and she luckily dropped out of school. So then Katia transferred from Chesapeake College in the spring."
"You haven't looked back since," Katia teased.
Erin chuckled and smiled at her roommate. "Nope." She then mentioned, "I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be back."
"Here." Katia reached for her friend's beer. "Let me hold that." She didn't much like the idea of Erin setting it down somewhere without it being minded.
"Thanks." Erin patted her roommate's shoulder then left the small living room.
Bobby smiled at Katia and commented, "That's smart." He sighed and folded his arms but with his beer on the outside. "There's a lot of problems with people slipping drugs in girls' drinks."
Katia was quiet for a second, but she nodded. "Yea I know." She then decided on another topic, but she lost it when there was a lot of noise from another room.
Bobby laughed and hollered, "I think they just turned up the music."
Katia shook her head and complained, "That's not smart."
"I think they're playing beer pong in there... that's why." Bobby then grinned and offered, "Let's go see." He made his way to the loud room.
Katia was curious too, and she followed along. She almost wanted to cover her ears when she entered the room. Suddenly several college students cheered out when a pong landed in a beer cup. She shook her head and grinned.
Bobby chuckled and watched the game between some guy and a girl.
"That's my friend there." Katia pointed at the guy. "His name is Mike."
Bobby visually inspected Mike, who was average height with sandy, short hair. He had a goatee and rather feminine manners. "You close to him?"
"My best friend," Katia replied. She then cheered for him when he threw a pong.
"Turn down the music!" Haley came rushing into the room. "Oh my god, turn it down now!" She darted over to the stereo that was blasting through the whole house and most likely outside. She had it down and warned everybody. "Have y'all gone insane? That new damn noise ordinance will bite me in the ass."
"Um, Haley I think it already did," a guy called from the entrance of the room. "The cops are here."
"Oh... shit, I hate my neighbors." Haley cursed. She hurried out of the room but called, "You better clean up that mess, y'all." She rushed to the front door, which was promptly opened by local police. "Good evening, officers."
"Are you renting this house?" the first officer inquired.
"Yes, I am." Haley smiled nervously. She then stepped back as more officers flooded into the house. She prayed that every underage drinker was smart enough to make an escape.
"This one, Carver." The first cop pointed at Haley. "She's renting the property."
Haley Danver put on her best smile when a very tall, dark trooper with annoyed blue eyes filled her front doorway. She felt quite small before this trooper. "Good evening, officer." She read the name badge, and it struck her dumb that this was Katia's Ashley. Oh just fricken great, Haley silently sighed.
Trooper Ashley Carver revealed her citation pad in her right hand. "You're in a violation of the Salisbury Noise Ordinance that was recently passed this summer, Miss...?"
Haley nervously cleared her throat. "Haley... Haley Danver."
Ashley Carver opened her pad and flipped to a clean page citation. "I'll need your driver's license and information, Miss Danver."
"Of course. I'll go get my wallet."
"Make it quick," Ashley clipped. She already started to initially fill out the citation. She briefly peered up after Haley hurried off. She scanned around the foray, but she couldn't find her temporary partner. She had to listen to Alex Haden's earlier criticism about college kids never learning.
Haley soon reappeared with her wallet. She puled out her license and handed it over. She decided to take a chance and quietly questioned, "Do you happen to know a Katia Danforth?"
Ashley Carver stopped writing and peered over her pad with hooded eyes.
Haley felt the mistake before she saw it. "Um nevermind, officer."
The trooper debated whether to say anything at all, but she went back to filling out the citation. "What's the street address here?"
Haley sighed and reported her street address. She wondered how her friends were making out in the other rooms. She briefly thought she heard either Sara or Katia's voice from another room, but she wasn't totally sure.
"She was holding it for me," Erin hotly fought with the officer.
Katia's frustration clearly showed. She couldn't believe she'd been caught holding Erin's beer and what made it worse was that it was Trooper Alexa Haden that'd found her. She hadn't even thought of the beer in her hand until Alexa Haden commented on it and her age. "Erin went the the bathroom. I didn't want her to set the beer down."
"Regardless," Trooper Haden explained, "you are under the age according to your license." She was looking over Katia's license, which showed Katia wouldn't be twenty one until August of 2008. "It isn't just illegal to consume alcoholic beverages but also handle them, Miss Danforth."
"But I was-"
"It is illegal to even hold them, Miss Danforth," Alexa reminded in a cold tone. She removed a pen from her shirt pocket. "I'll have to give you a citation."
"You can't be serious," Sara cut in. "This is bullshit."
Katia then recalled Alexa's comment from the Quiznos about Alexa and Ashley working together tonight. She quickly asked, "Is Ashley here?"
Alexa had her citation pad out already and was starting the form. She paused and studied Katia seriously.
Katia swallowed nervously at those sharp blue eyes. They weren't anything like Ashley's, but Katia imagined Alexa had to be another person off duty. "I want to talk to Ashley." She now hoped Ashley could get her out of this.
"She will concur with me, Miss Danforth." Alexa clicked her pen and retracted the ball point. "But I will get her." She turned on her heels and marched into the foray.
"You think that's really a smart idea," Erin commented.
"You know that cop?" Bobby inquired.
"Which?" Katia looked at Bobby. "I know that cop just now because I met her earlier this evening." She then spotted tall, dark, and irritated trooper coming towards them. She suddenly lost her nerve and muttered, "I think I don't want to know this cop right now."
Mike bit his lower lip and slipped behind Katia. He leaned closer to her and whispered, "I think you were better off with that first trooper."
Katia felt her shoulders drop at Mike's words. She had to agree with Mike's assessment. She then shyly smiled at Ashley Carver, who now loomed over her and her friends.
Ashley held Katia's driver's license, and she read over it. She lowered it to her side and focused on Katia. "You're twenty, Katia."
Katia sighed deeply then went into her explanation. "I was holding the beer for Erin." She indicated her roommate beside her. "She went to the bathroom, and I didn't want her to set it down."
"And that's doesn't supersede the law, Katia."
"She was trying to help out," Sara fought. "You can't give her a citation for that."
"She's getting a citation for holding a beer while being underage," Ashley reminded Sara.
Sara shook her head several times.
The trooper then asked, "How about the rest of you?"
"Trooper Haden already checked them," Katia answered in annoyance.
Ashley knew it was true because she'd asked Alexa prior to coming over. She then ordered, "If you four could excuse us." She waited for Katia's friends to file out of the room. She briefly scanned the room and spotted local officers dealing with other college students.
"Ashley, you can't be serious about this."
The state trooper sighed and moved closer to her friend. "I don't have a choice, Katia." She kept her voice low so nobody would overhear them. "If Alexa hadn't found you with the beer then I could overlook it. But if I don't write you up then Alexa will report me to the captain."
"I can't believe this," Katia hotly fought. "I'm trying to keep Erin from getting date raped, and I'm getting a citation for it."
"You were found holding a beer, Katia." The trooper glanced away for a beat. "That is illegal... your intentions were good though." She paused then whispered, "I can't rewrite the law for you as much as I'd like to do it for this brief second." She licked her lips then lifted the citation pad that Alexa had already started. She had a pen in her right hand along with Katia's license. She set the license on the pad and finished up the form.
Katia was furious, yet she worked hard to maintain her silence so she wouldn't say something she'd regret. She clenched and unclenched her hands a few times.
Ashley came to the bottom and signed her name. She clicked her pen shut then handed Katia her license back. She then carefully tore Katia's copy from the pad. "Listen to me, Katia. Take this citation to court, okay?" She held it out to her friend.
Katia swallowed against the lump in her throat. She was between breaking down from anger or upset emotions. She took the yellow paper.
"If you take it to court," Ashley softly explained, "I promise you'll will against it." She could tell that Katia was on the verge of tears and there wasn't much she could do about it. She hated being the cause of it. She lowered the pad to her side then whispered, "I'm sorry, Katia." She finally had to walk away and put space between them. She realized she never felt shittier than at that point in her trooper career. She'd never once ticketed or cited somebody she cared about because everybody had been just a plain name and face.
Mike came back into the room and saw Katia with the yellow citation in her hand. He felt deeply for her and came up to her. "Oh, Katia I'm sorry." He pulled her into a hug.
Katia tightly hugged her friend back and closed her eyes against the sting.
Mike pulled back after a beat. He sadly smiled and jokingly commented, "If it makes you feel any better... Ashley gave Haley a fine for noise violation."
Katia laughed for a second then started to cry. Mike pulled her back into a hug and tried to comfort her. She closed her eyes to stop the few tears that came down her cheeks. She couldn't believe this.
Alexa Haden stood next to Trooper Carver in the foray. "I believe everything else is under control."
"Mmmm." Ashley closed up her citation pad. "The locals can handle the rest."
The corporal felt the same way. She started for the front door but paused when Ashely didn't follow her.
Ashley had moved a few steps, but she hesitated and glanced through the doorway into the room that Katia occupied. She spotted Katia tightly hugging Michael Sunn.
Alexa glanced that way and saw the hugging pair, then she read Ashley's features. She argued, "She broke the law, Carver."
Trooper Carver focused back on Alexa, and she joined her side. "Thanks for that reminder, Haden." She brushed past Alexa and went outside. She stomped down the wood steps, past several college students, and went to her patrol car.
Alexa Haden left the house too and followed Ashley's cold trail down the sidewalk. She'd parked in front of Ashley on the curb. She slipped between the cars and stopped near Ashley, who had opened her driver's door. "Carver?"
Ashley sighed but glanced over at her comrade. She truly wanted to curse Alexa Haden out for putting her in such a bad position with Katia. On one hand, she knew Alexa was doing her job and so was Ashley, but it just didn't make it any easier.
"I'm sorry about your friend," Alexa seriously offered. She touched the trunk of her patrol car.
Ashley could tell that Alexa still had something else to say.
"I've lost a few friends because of similar things." Alexa nodded once then started to her driver's door. "So I understand." She opened her driver's door and climbed into her dark patrol car.
Trooper Carver softly sighed and muttered, "Lost huh?" She shook her head. "Great." She opened the door and climbed into the car. She buckled up, started the car, and waited for Haden to pull out first. Just before she pulled out onto the road, she saw Katia and her friends come out of the house together. She felt the urge to go check on Katia, but she knew there was nothing she could do right now. She instead put her car into gear and pulled out into Camden Avenue after keeping it somewhat blocked with her car.
Katia stood on the top of the steps. She watched the state patrol car pull away. She knew it was Ashley because the license plate was the same as the one Ashley had earlier. She shook her head but then Erin's soothing hand was on her back.
"Let's get back to campus," Erin commented. "Where'd you park, Katia?"
"Down that way closer to Pinehurst."
Erin nodded then glanced at Mike, Sara, and Bobby. "I'm going to ride with Katia."
"Alright." Sara then looked at Bobby. "Do you need a ride back?"
"No, I drove here. I'm fine." Bobby came down the steps to Katia and offered, "Let me give you my number."
Katia nodded and pulled out her cell phone. "What is it?" She punched in his number into her phone then called his.
Bobby pulled out his phone and saw Katia's number on it. "Thanks. Call me this weekend."
Katia smiled at the offer. "Thanks. I'll see you later, Bobby." She then headed off with Erin.
"See you back at the dorm, Sara," Erin hollered back from down the sidewalk. She then focused back on her roommate. "Sorry that I got you in trouble, Katia."
"No, it's not your fault." Katia thought about the citation folded up in her back pocket. She still couldn't believe her awful luck. "I just really can't believe that."
"You need to fight it," Erin argued. "If you don't fight that citation it could go on your record."
"That bad huh?"
"Yea, I've heard of some students getting their license suspended." Erin hesitated but offered, "That's usually for underage drinking. I don't know how different it is for being in the possession of alcohol." She then had another thought and asked, "How much was the fine on it?"
"Two hundred," Katia replied.
"Ouch." Erin cringed. "Actually that's not too bad. Most students get three hundred to five hundred. I bet most of those underagers did tonight."
Katia shook her head then sadly joked, "I bet Haley will never have another party."
Erin laughed despite things. "Probably not." She went more serious. "Ever since that noise ordinance was put into affect it's been a real bitch."
"When was it passed anyway?"
"I know it was late August." Erin thought about it more. "I think Sara said August twenty-seventh."
"This year?" Katia argued.
"2007," Erin agreed. She then spotted Katia's car just ahead. "I just want to go back and crash in bed now. This has been a fun filled night."
"No kidding," Katia muttered. She pulled out her car key and came to the driver's side. She inserted the key and popped the lock. She climbed into her car like Erin then started the car right up. She pulled out onto Camden Avenue and headed for the college.
"Katia?" Erin tried. "Don't hold it against Ashley if anything. I don't think she wanted to do it."
Katia was silent for a minute, and she stopped at the one traffic light near the university. She glanced at Erin. "Yea, I know." She wouldn't say anything else about it and continued through the light. She thought about what'd happened and how Ashley handled the situation. She had to admit that Ashley was between a rock and hard place with being Katia's friend and a state trooper. Then it occurred to Katia that she'd promised to help Ashley tomorrow with the unpacking. Just great, Katia silently chided, just fricken great. Katia agreed with Erin about going to bed, but she personally didn't want to face tomorrow.
Continued.