AN: This idea has been floating around in my head, I always wanted t write about Jack and Kate in college, but never did now because of Jack and Kate's real age difference, but I decided to give it a try, and see if anyone else likes this idea as much as I do. And if not, it's cool, because in order for this story to work I had to take certain liberties with the characters, as, Kate is 17, and Jack is 18. On most parts their life history is the same. Jack still has daddy issues with Christian, and Kate has issues with her mom Diane, and Wayne. Jack's character is a not as much of a leader now, and more of a partier…just because I doubt he would behave the way he does now at 18…and those tattoos…had to come from some wild period in his life. This story will be 100 jate, that's what I'm working towards, and like the title suggests…it will be all about Jack and Kate finding their 'Safe Haven' which would be in each other.

Chapter 1- She's Damaged Goods

"So how does it feel to be back home Jack?" Christian asked seconds before taking a sip of his wine. He nodded his head in appreciation and then placed the glass back down next to his plate of salmon.

Jack shrugged indifferently. Three weeks into his first semester at Haven University he wasn't expecting to see his family so early. Going to college in Massachusetts was all about getting away from home, but somehow in three short weeks he was already having dinner with them. Instead of answering Christian's question Jack dug his fork into a heap of mashed potatoes and shoveled it into his mouth.

Sitting next to his dad was his mother Margot. She wasn't saying much of anything, just sitting back in her seat with her red wine clutched tightly in her hands. Margot's lips were pursed, and she looked around the upper class Boston restaurant behind a steely glare. She was miserable that was no secret.

Jack shifted his eyes away from his mom and looked back at Christian who was staring back at him in disdain. Jack cringed. He hated when his father looked at him like that. Judging him for something or the other, even at dinner he was criticized. Jack fought the urge to throw his napkin down on the table and storm out of the restaurant. Boston was thirty minutes from Haven University, but he'd rather walk back than endure any further 'dinner torture' with the parents. He was going to be the bigger person and ignore his father.

Christian cleared his throat. "Your mother and I flew all the way from California, the least you could do is show us a little respect." His hand was clenched.

Margot glanced at Christian and then back at Jack. "We'll be out of his hair by tomorrow and not a day too soon."

Jack clenched his jaw. He was practically counting the seconds until their plane left from Logan to LAX. He took a sip of the Pepsi in front of him which felt like acid in his stomach. Today had been his busy day. Three Classes back to back, and Bio lab. Fun, fun, fun. So far this semester he was having trouble focusing; maybe it was the thrill of being away from home, or the girls, either way at some point he had to get his act together.

"Are you going to say anything at all Jack," Christian asked calmly. The anger in his eyes had died down ever so slightly. "Well if you won't talk then I guess were done here." Christian waved his hand for the waiter impatiently, "Check please,"

The waiter nodded, "Any boxes,"

Jack raised his hand but Christian told the waiter they didn't need any. "Actually I need one," Jack spoke up.

After the waiter left Christian turned back to Jack, "So you still can talk."

"I can talk, I just have nothing to say."

Margot passed Jack a withering look and then cleared her throat loudly. She placed her hand to her graying blonde hair which was tied up in a stiff bun. "Just stop forcing him Christian. I'm exhausted and I just want to get back to the hotel and get some sleep before the flight tomorrow."

"How is money?" Christian asked.

Jack shrugged, "You sent me a check a week ago,"

"I don't even remember getting a thank you," Christian sighed. "I would expect at least a thank you after that…but what do I get, nothing."

"I said thank you," Jack scowled. He could swear at times that his father just wanted to pick fights with him. It probably made the man feel good to call his son out on every minor fault in order to better himself. If Jack allowed his self esteem to be in the gutter because of his father then he would be a sad story. But over the years he had built a backbone. When Christian told him repeatedly that he wasn't good enough that only inspired him to work harder, to strive, and attain whatever goal Christian said he couldn't.

Jack glanced down at his watch. "I have a Physics exam tomorrow,"

"Oh really," Christian said with an arched eyebrow. "I could've sworn that when I looked at your schedule Physics was on Tuesdays and Thursdays…which means that if you were going to have an exam then you should've had it today."

Damn. Jack helplessly looked around. Chandeliers hung from the ceilings. Exquisite chandeliers adorned with thousands of tiny lights sending a radiant shimmer down onto the marble floors. The restaurant was called 'La Marymount' and it was full of what Jack would consider pretentious rich snobs, whose biggest worries fell along the lines of which new car to get each year.

Christian took out his checkbook and a pen. "How much do you need?"

"I'm good for now," Jack said quickly. As usual Christian ignored him and continued to write the check. In order to feel as if he was in control of his own life he needed to make his own money. Jack thought about telling Christian that he planned on getting a job on campus, but he didn't want to give him the satisfaction of laughing in his face.

"One thousand sound good?"

"I barely need that much money." Jack accepted a box from the waiter who had just come back. As he packed away his steak and potatoes, Christian slid a check over to him. This kind of behavior Jack didn't understand. Christian was always hard on him, and barely ever told Jack that he was proud, but yet he was always shoving money down his throat. Jack just didn't understand. But if his father was going to give him $1,000 dollars then he would take it.

After Christian paid for dinner the Shephard family left the restaurant. Jack quickly took the back seat. He rested his head against the chair and feigned sleep. After they dropped him off they would go back to Los Angeles, and life would return back to normal.

Late nights of Comedy Central after drinking, hooking up with random girls, and Thursday night parties, would welcome him back after Christian and Margot left. Speaking of which he was supposed to be going to a Frat party with his 'friend with benefits.' Jack smirked. His thoughts were momentarily distracted by the classical music filtering through the sleek black car.

Margot was sleeping up front and her quiet snores wafted to the back.

Jack opened his eyes and placed his hand against his cheek. He watched as the Boston skyline came into view. Towers hovered in the dark night, and bright yellow lights beamed down onto the harbor. Jack closed his eyes once more. The classical music was surprisingly calming…and he needed all the calming he could get. After a disastrously awkward dinner, and a D on his first Psychology test, he wasn't feeling the best. Jack groaned to himself. He still couldn't figure out how the hell he got a D on a Psychology test.

"How are the girls at Haven?"

"Fine," Jack said. Talking about women with his father was another path that he didn't want to take tonight, so he would change the subject at his own expense. "Mark is still dating his girlfriend from back home," Jack felt like kicking himself. How obvious was that.

"I wasn't asking about Mark, I was asking about you." Christian turned down the stereo. "Believe it or not, the house feels a little empty without you Jack,"

If Jack had been in a good mood then he would've laughed so hard that he could've started crying. Did Christian just admit to missing him? That was hilarious. "You miss me?" He had an edge of sarcasm in his voice.

Christian nodded, "Who else can I boss around…no I'm only kidding. But you're room is still the same way you left it and if you want to come home…your room will always be ready for you."

Jack's eyebrows furrowed low over his eyes. Was his dad high now? Jack wasn't sure what to say to that so he just remained silent. Christian turned around to look at Jack.

"But I'm sure after seeing what else the world has to offer the last place you want to come is home."

"College is nice," Jack mumbled weary not to make himself to comfortable with his father's current subdued attitude.

"And besides friends…what about your classes, in order to be a doctor, you have to be serious Jack. College is about having fun and growing up, but at the same time, you have to stay focused…you can't get into Medical school with a 3.0…"

"Medical school?" Jack said.

"Right, one does have to go to medical school in order to be a doctor," Christian chuckled. "You sound like you have another profession on mind."

"It's freshman year," Jack reminded slightly annoyed.

"Now is the time to start preparing for your future. I know your advisors tell you that you have plenty of time but in reality you don't. You hear me Jack, you need to keep your grades up so you can go to Medical school and prove me wrong, since that seems to be your main purpose in life,"

Jack's mouth dropped open slightly.

"Prove to me that you have what it takes Jack, because I want to be proud of you…and that's the honest truth."

Jack looked away. How many times did Christian have to remind him that he wasn't proud? Jack got it. And he didn't need to be reminded of that every single conversation. Jack shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He would just bite his tongue and keep it all in. He didn't want to fight with Christian tonight. Not tonight, because he was going to get so wasted that this talk…and dinner would be repressed in some deep, dark, and ugly place.

It hurt. Who was he kidding to pretend as if he didn't care. The things Christian said demeaned him greatly, it wore him down, but he just needed a couple of hours to remind himself that he was in charge of his life and no one else.

And he wasn't going to be a damn doctor.

"I'm sorry Jack, but you could've been at Harvard. If only you had applied yourself a little more in high school then you…"

"I'm at Haven, it's a good school, and Harvard didn't accept me. I'm fine with that…so can you just move on." His tone was sharp and more emotionally charged than he had planned. Jack resented his ability to get worked up so easily, especially around his father. He massaged his temples as he bent his head.

Christian whistled, "No need to wake your mother Jack. She's sleeping in case you haven't noticed."

"I have noticed because that's all she does…drink, and sleep." Jack muttered only loud enough for him to hear.

"What was that?"

"I just said that I'm tired and I don't want to talk about this anymore," Jack dared to meet Christian's ice blue orbs in the mirror. Christian looked away signaling that he would back off.


Kate Austen released the tongs and watched as a greasy serving of broccoli and cheese slumped onto the student's plate. He smiled in appreciation and then headed off to the cheeseburger stand to grab some artificial beef. The sickening smell of cabbage and carrots drowning in oil filled her nostrils, and she couldn't run from the stench of the 'ground beef' which was an unnatural shade of light grey. Kate wrinkled her nose as she looked away.

If there was one thing she hated about Haven University it was working at the diner. It wasn't because she was too proud, that was definitely not the case. Coming from a middle class family bordering on poor in Iowa, she was used to working, and working hard. During the summer just before leaving Iowa and moving out to Massachusetts with nothing but a pillow, comforter, and flannel sheets, she held down three jobs. So it wasn't that she was proud, just beyond nauseated by the rancid smells of diner food.

Another student came in her line. Kate tried to smile and be as polite as possible. But such a simple task was difficult when she barely smiled at all. There was nothing to smile about, with the exception of leaving home. College had given her the perfect excuse to run away from Iowa, from the sadness, tears, and bad memories. Here, she could start over, but Kate wasn't sure how to do that just yet.

Three weeks at Haven, but yet she still felt burdened by life's tribulations even on the eastern seaboard. Hopefully her running away would make life easier at some point. Kate cast her hazel orbs on the overly made-up girl standing in front of her. Right, 'too much eyeliner, and lip gloss' girl asked for corn and string beans. Kate opened the glass coated with steam and added a heap of corn and string beans to the girls' plate.

It was almost time to head back to the dorm. On most Thursday nights Amherst Hall was crowded with rowdy college students getting their 'pre-game' on, which included the activities of streaking each and every hall naked whenever RA's were out of sight, guzzling down four or more beers before heading to a Frat party to drink more, and the most annoying of all music turned up to the highest volume.

Thankfully Kate had no plans of studying because she could never get anything accomplished in Amherst on a Thursday. Her roommate Lauren Wallace, Kate's only 'friend' at Haven University had invited her to a fashion show with the Caribbean students Association, but Kate had to decline politely because she had other plans. Her cheeks grew warm at the thought of her boyfriend Tom.

Kate crossed her arms as she leaned against a bulky silver refrigerator holding various cookies and cakes. Tom was her best-friend in the world because he understood her, he knew what she went through in Iowa, and it didn't hurt that he genuinely loved her. Tom's love made her feel human, because as silly as it sounded all her life she felt like an empty shell until Tom showed her that it was okay to let her guard down.

If it wasn't for Tom then Kate knew that she wouldn't be here today. As Kate glanced off towards the swaying trees and speeding cars outside she pictured what Tom would look like now. Just three weeks had passed, but she wasn't used to that long passing without being with him. Kate wondered if he had cut his hair, he said he would since he was going for a new look. She smiled wistfully to herself because she hoped Tom kept his hair longer.

Kate took in a deep breath as she looked down at her watch. After her shift ended at the cafeteria she had an hour to prepare dinner, it was going to be a mess cooking in the community kitchen but she wanted to go all out for Tom, because he deserved it.

"Hey girl,"

Kate snapped out of it and smiled back at Lauren who just strolled into the diner with her friends Jamie Kim, and Jordan Monroe. "Hey, just thirty more minutes until freedom,"

"Only you can make that dreadful purple barney suit look good, and you're wearing that tan cap," Lauren laughed playfully.

Kate blushed. Lauren always complimented her on how pretty she was, but Kate couldn't see it. There was nothing special about her. She looked like any other girl. "Can I get you anything," Kate showcased the assortment of choices each one more unsettling than the next.

Lauren wrinkled her nose, "That ground beef doesn't look all the way cooked. I think I'll pass,"

"Me too," Kate added.

"So your boyfriend is coming from Brown tonight. Should I make an extra point of coming back later just in case you two want to catch up for lost time?" Lauren asked with a mischievous twinkle in her almond saucers.

Kate placed her hand to her forehead shyly. "You can do whatever, it doesn't really matter,"

"I'll come back later just to give you some time, enjoy him sweetheart," Lauren waved and followed her friends towards the yogurt and salad line.

Kate doubted that she would be sleeping with Tom tonight. Especially since the first time, the summer right before Haven, was still fresh in her mind. She could still taste the blood in her mouth from getting slugged by her father, and the taste of her tears. Kate believed that her 'father' would've killed her that night if it hadn't been for Tom.

Her eyes were now glistening with tears. Kate quickly tried to divert her attention away from Tom and Iowa. Traffic in the diner was now starting to die down. Kate checked her watch once more. It was almost time.

Fifteen minutes later Kate rushed back to Amherst Hall. She had to rush. There was a shower that needed to be taken, dinner to be cooked, and a side of the room to be cleaned. Kate searched around in her pants pocket for her ID swipe card to get into the building. "I don't have time for this," She murmured to herself.

"I got it from here dad,"

Kate turned around and scooted to the other side of the door as the young male approached. She had seen him around campus often…his name was Jason…James…maybe…Jack, that was it. Jack looked at her and then passed her a small smile. A smile you would give to a stranger that you've seen around campus, but yet someone you don't know on a first name basis.

Kate watched as the car pulled away. She assumed that the two people in the car were his parents. Obviously she wasn't the only one with family issues. Kate was just assuming of course.

Jack pulled his swipe card from the pants pocket of his khakis. "Forgot your card?"

Kate looked up surprised. Was he talking to her? Jack glanced over and smiled. "If only they would keep the door open then it would be a little easier to get in."

"It would, but then anyone and everyone would be breaking into our rooms," Jack said as he held the door open for Kate.

"Thank you," Kate said. She pulled the diner cap off and her chocolate curls cascaded down her back. Jack swiped his card once more to bring the elevator down to the 1st floor. Kate stepped inside with a group of students carrying a pizza. Tom loved spaghetti so somehow she was going to find a way to make him some in the lounge kitchen.

"What floor?" A guy with a black Mohawk asked Kate.

"Um…"

"Fifth," Jack answered. "She is on the same floor as me,"

Kate closed her mouth and looked at Jack who stood in the corner with his hands tucked in the pockets of his black sweater. She thought they were on the same floor but she hadn't known that for sure until now.


"Dude, where have you been? Amber had been haunting the dorm room waiting for you to come back," Mark Silverman explained to Jack as soon as he came in.

Jack snorted, "Well hi to you too,"

Mark waved his hand, "Hi, but that girl won't leave. I told her to call your cell, but she said she would rather be here when you came back, and she's been here for three hours! Three hours of watching Bravo, eating our food…and did I mention haunting our dorm room!"

Jack smirked in amusement as he went over to his computer to check his mail.

"She was on your computer too," Mark pointed out as he picked up a dirty sock on the floor and sniffed it. "What the fuck!"

"That's your sock…it's about time you wash your clothes…and come again Amber was on my computer?" Jack swiveled in his desk chair to look at Mark. "What was she on my computer for?"

"Looking for porn…pictures of naked girls, I don't know." Mark tossed the sock into his over spilling laundry basket. "That girl isn't even your girlfriend and she's clinging onto you…like moss on a wet rock."

Jack snickered, "Good analogy."

Mark placed his hands on top of his short red hair. "Thanks, my English 101 class is paying off. But seriously man, you need to tell that Amber girl to back off. She gets jealous when she sees you with other girls, does she really deserve the right to get jealous? She's a random girl you hooked up with at a party, life goes on, tell her."

"There's a better way of doing things," Jack said to himself as he checked his mail for any e-mails from his professors. "I had dinner with the parents,"

"How were they?"

"Just as evil as they were before I left California. My mom she was drunk by seven, and my dad…well he was just himself. I hope they don't come back until…well I actually hope they never come back. I just need to figure out what I'm going to do about Thanksgiving and Winter Break,"

"I just saw the hottest girl the other day," Mark sat down on the edge of Jack's bed. "She lives with um…Lauren Wallace you know her?"

"Sounds familiar," Jack commented as he started typing away. "But honestly right now all I want to do is get so drunk that I forget about…" Jack paused for a second and thought about the glass of wine in Christian's hand.

"You okay?" Mark asked surprised.

"Good, just thought about my dad. But I don't care anymore I'm going to have some fun tonight."

"Music?" Mark turned up the stereo full blast and then started to dance around idiotically.

"Stop dancing, you look dumb."

Jack sighed at the sound of Amber's voice. Mark wasn't lying she really was haunting the dorm. He was reminded of her presence when Amber placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned forward and kissed the top of his head. Jack closed his eyes. He didn't want to be mean to her, but Amber just wasn't his type. At the moment he really didn't know what his type was…he just didn't want to be lonely.

"Are you going to the Frat party?"

Jack thought most of the Frat guys were obnoxious but he never turned down a party on Frat Row. Amber squeezed Jack's arms and slid her free hand down his chest. While she touched him all he could think about was his father. What the hell did he feel the need to bring up Harvard for? Any attempt to make Jack feel bad. Christian just always had to have the upper hand.

"After the party I was thinking that we could do whatever you want," Amber brought her hand lower.

Jack let out a ragged breath and looked deep into Amber's blue eyes. Her lips curled into a suggestive smile, and her honey locks cascaded down his shoulders. If drinking didn't do the trick, then hooking up with Amber would give him a temporary release. Temporary was the key word…because no matter what he didn't want to lead Amber on to far. "All I want to do is have fun,"

"We will man," Mark said with wide eyes.


Kate stepped out of the shower and traipsed through the halls towards her dorm room. She hated the community shower and the embarrassing walk back to her dorm afterwards. Kate kicked off her blue flip flops, and placed her shower caddy next to numerous textbooks. She allowed her towel to slide to the floor and as she changed into one of the three jeans that she possessed, Kate reflected on her new found freedom. It was a welcoming change to be able to sleep through the night and not have to worry about waking up with someone's hands around her neck. Kate shivered at the thought alone. If she allowed herself to feel bad about leaving Iowa then she would end up going back, which was why she wasn't going to give herself the opportunity to feel bad.

Her mom refused to leave so that was on her. After Kate was dressed she looked into the small mirror hanging on the back of her door. Her freckles were more pronounced than usual…she hated them. Since there was no time to fret over her freckles, Kate closed the closet door and finished getting ready for Tom.

After she was dressed Kate checked the lounge to see if it was free. Luckily it was…but the stove was absolutely disgusting. What looked like salmonella was caked around the burners and a mysterious white liquid was splattered on the front handle. Kate wasn't even going to question what that was or touch it.

"Ramen noodle time," Jack announced to himself. He blushed in embarrassment when he realized that Kate was also in the lounge. "I keep seeing you today,"

"We do live on the same floor," Kate placed down the ground beef, and various spices inside the steel pot, and placed that on a couch. She had to go back to her room to get the cleaning supplies she and Lauren shared.

"Hey,"

Kate stopped in the doorway and glanced over her shoulder.

"Are you seriously going to leave an unopened package of ground beef, and seasoning just lying around. On this floor I can guarantee by the time you come back it will all be gone,"

"Right,"

Jack held up his hand, "But…lucky for you I was looking for the perfect excuse to stay in the lounge a little longer. I'll watch your food."

"You don't have to do that," Kate said quickly. That was nice of him but at the same time she barely knew Jack…Kate didn't even know his last name. "Go ahead and start your ramen noddles…"

Jack shook the small box in his hand, "I'm not cooking these. I ate already…um…not that you care but…" He chuckled. "I'm digging myself in deep here, but the offer still stands I'll watch your ground beef."

There was a charm to this guy that Kate found attractive. Seeing as though she was getting side tracked Kate guessed it was okay to leave the ground beef with Jack.


"You were ground beef babysitting for a girl you don't even know?" Mark asked in confusion as Jack explained his whereabouts thirty minutes ago.

"Lauren Wallace's roommate, the hot girl you were talking about."

Mark laughed out loud and then patted Jack on the back, "You should've gotten her number, or at least invited her to the party!"

"And then what sleep with her?" Jack asked as he placed his hand against his head. "Do you have any advil or something…where is Amber is she gone for the night?" He stood up and started to search around for some kind of medication. "I hope she's gone because I really don't want to bring her to this party."

"She ran down to the snack machines; she'll be back in a couple of seconds." Mark sighed exasperatedly. "Kick her out Jack, who cares about being the nice guy all the time."

"I'm not the nice guy,"

Mark laughed, "You try not to be…but below all that brooding you're one of the nicest guys I know." Mark pulled out a blue and white stripped polo from his closet. "How does this look…does this shirt scream 'I'm going to be getting lucky tonight' or "Going home alone dude."

"The later,"

Mark scowled, "I wore this to a party the first week and I at least got this girls number,"

"You called her and it was the number to a retirement home." Jack stared back at Mark blankly. "Take my words, not that shirt."

The door opened once again.

"I come bearing food before the party." Amber had two candy bars in her hand. "Who's hungry because I know I sure am…more so for Jack than the candy…but hey can't feed the beast just yet."

Jack placed his head on the desk. Amber was not helping with his headache, she needed to just leave his dorm. Amber placed down a Mr. Goodbar next to Jack's head.

"You might need a sugar rush after all the activity you're going to be engaging in tonight."

"What I need is Advil, do you have any of that?" Jack grumbled.


Dinner was prepared, her dorm was somewhat presentable, and she was ready. Kate examined her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was up in a high pony tail, and she wore a light blue graphic tee, jeans, and flip flops. It was next to impossible to be pleased with the way she looked. Kate closed the closet door and started doing last minute adjustments on the carpet in the middle of the floor which was slight crooked, hiding the AV cable behind the television, and then the phone rang. Kate raced over to get it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Kate,"

It was Tom. Kate's cheeks flushed with warmth. He was here. "Tom! Hey, where are you?"

"Um…Salem Hall, you live in Amherst right."

"Amherst and Salem is in the same community. I'll be outside in one second just try and find somewhere to park okay."

"Will do,"

"Okay, bye Tom," Kate placed the phone back in it's cradle and frantically made one last attempt to find her card key. A minute later she decided to give up so she took the stairs. The Thursday night party scene was officially in swing. Girls were walking around in short skirts, and tube tops even though it was fifty nine degrees outside. "Excuse me," Kate said to them as she rushed to the door.

Kate caught a glimpse of Tom's blue Ford. She fought the urge to squeal. Because squealing was not her, but Tom was here! She could squeal for him if she wanted. Kate stepped out into the breezy New England night and walked towards Tom's car. His radio was blasting 'Take me Home Tonight', they were the biggest 80's music geeks in the world. Kate could still remember cruising down the Iowa country side with Tom in his car listening to Tears for Fears, and old Michael Jackson songs, before the whole freaky transformation.

Tom stepped out looking completely different, but yet still handsome. He wore a cream sports jacket, over a long sleeved black shirt and jeans. Tom had cut his hair, it was buzzed close to the scalp, but not close enough to make him bald.

"Hello Brown University," Kate taunted enthusiastically.

"I can't recall the last time I saw you smile like that. Hey beautiful," Tom embraced Kate warmly and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Kate wondered why he didn't kiss her on the lips but she was glad to see him so it didn't matter. She rested her chin on his shoulder. "Is that cologne I smell?"

"Yeah," Tom said sheepishly.

"I don't remember you wearing cologne."

"It's the whole college thing," Tom blushed. "So can we go inside? It's freezing out here."

"Of course," Kate quickly ran to catch the door after a few drifters slipped in. "Are you staying over here tonight or going back to Brown?"

"Brown,"

Kate forced a smile. Tomorrow was Friday and he had classes so she could understand. But he didn't even hesitate to turn down the invitation. Kate led the way to the stairs. Besides the haircut, clothes, and cologne, there was something else different about Tom. He wasn't as warm, and the Tom she had grown up with was always warm. Kate didn't want to trouble herself in longer with these crazy thoughts, because she was happy Tom drove to Haven to see her

"I made dinner,"

"Wow, Katie you cooked?"

"I did," Kate said with a nod. She clasped her hands together. "I nearly burned down the campus three times, but finally I got the noodles to stop catching fire…don't ask, it was a mess. But I tried the spaghetti myself and I think it's partially edible at least," Kate smiled.

"You're really happy here aren't you," Tom asked with caring eyes.

"I'm happy to be away. But it's not this place that's got me all giddy like this…because we both know that I don't do giddy."

"I know," Tom said as he pulled off the blazer and draped it around Kate's desk chair.

"I'm just happy to see you, because whenever you're around everything is okay…and stability in my life becomes a reality not just a dream." Kate bowed her head in embarrassment. "I sound ridiculous I know."

"You don't,"

Kate crossed her arms as she looked back at Tom. He was staring down at the textbooks on her desk. Something was wrong. She couldn't deny that any longer. "Are you tired?"

"Not tired, just…sad,"

Kate's eyebrows furrowed low over her eyes. She walked over to Tom and sat down on the floor in front of him. Kate thought about placing her hand over his, but she managed to refrain. "Why are you sad Tom?"

"Kate…I love you,"

Tears of happiness filled Kate eyes. She loved Tom too, and it was because he loved her despite all of her shortcomings, and esteem issues. Tom showed her that she was worthy of love even though she still has problems believing that.

"I love you, but…"

But? Kate tilted her head to the side and waited for Tom to say more.

"We're in college now, and not even in the same state. I'll always be here you know that, but maybe we need a break, just some time to enjoy freshman year at least and…"

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"No…yes, I love you. But right now I don't want to be in a relationship. I'll have your back always Katie, because you're like my family…"

Kate stood up. Tom's words were mixing in her head in a scattered jumble. He drove all the way here to dump her? But how could that be when Tom had always cared so much. Did he really just break up with her? The one stable person in her life was letting her go. She was going to cry.

Memories of Tom kissing away her fears, and promising to run away with her flooded her mind. She was still in shock. Kate didn't want to look at Tom until she had time to digest his sudden news and pick her mouth up off of the floor. She walked towards the door in an unsteady gate.

Tears were spilling down her cheeks already. Tom stood up, Kate didn't want him to see her like this. Because this side of her Tom had seen many times before, the fragile girl that was tough on the outside but damaged on the inside. Tom called her name, but Kate didn't hear him because she was running.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was sobbing. It wasn't like Tom was just some boy she met in high school and fell in love with, they had been friends before, and he had always been the one to save her from herself. She thought Tom loved her and cared. But he didn't. Kate didn't care that she could be overreacting. She pushed the stairway door open and started running down the stairs two at a time. People looked at her in uncertainty. They probably thought she was drunk and having an emotional fit, but at that moment Kate didn't care what they thought. She just needed to get away from Tom. He was the one that she always ran to, but now she needed to run away from him.

Kate made a sudden turn into the laundry room. Thankfully it was propped open. Kate stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She placed her hand to her rapidly beating heart and allowed herself to cry even harder. Her sobs came out in loud wails. She couldn't pretend as if she didn't care that Tom was dumping her even if she tried. He was the only good thing in her life and now there was nothing else.

No hope for being something better than she was.

A washing machine closed.

Kate opened her teary eyes in surprise and her hand dropped from her heart. In front of her Jack stood in his boxers, with a bottle of detergent frozen over the washing machine. He saw her crying. Kate thought about running out of the laundry room but then she risked running into Tom…and right now she just couldn't deal with him.

Jack placed down the bottle. Even though he didn't know her, his eyes were filled with sadness.

Which only made Kate cry harder. "I'm just drunk," She spat. Kate turned away from him and placed her hand against the door so she could cry in privacy. She knew that Jack was still watching her closely but Kate didn't care, because she couldn't hide the train wreck even if she tried.