KATE'S POV:

Kate Mackenzie looked down at her watch and sighed. He was late. Breathing in deeply, she looked around the bar. Daniel was supposed to be here an hour ago. She froze in dismay; there at the end of the bar, was a face she had never expected to see again. Katie bit back a sigh in relief as she realised he hadn't noticed her yet. Desperately she turned her face away from Jack Mercer. That was a long time ago. Katie wouldn't have come had she knew he would be back in town. She heard more voices coming from the entrance of the bar.

"Katie!" Daniel greeted, walking up to her, gently kissing her.

She glared at him, "You're late, Daniel. What was it this time? Work? Or play?" She immediately regretted saying that as Daniel gave her a hurt look.

"You know I would never cheat on you, Katie. I had a meeting that didn't get out till late."

"I'm sorry, Dan," she looked up at him sadly. "I was just leaving, did you wanna come?"

"I might stay a while, I was hoping to play some pool," Dan's voice trailed off.

"Oh," was all she said. "Goodbye Daniel."

"Catch you later, Katie."

JACK'S POV:

Jack Mercer looked up from his seat at the bar, down to where a young woman was sitting, looking at her watch occasionally. He thought he knew her from somewhere. It was something about the way she moved. Deciding to ignore her, he continued to sit, contemplating the events of the day. He didn't know where any of his band mates were, in fact he didn't even care. Voices from the entrance invaded his thoughts as he turned his attention to the people talking.

"Katie," the man greeted, giving the woman a kiss on the lips.

"You're late, Daniel. What was it this time? Work? Or play?" Jack frowned. He hated it when couples fought.

"You know I would never cheat on you, Katie. I had a meeting that didn't get out till late," Jack smirked, if the lady had any sense she would leave this asshole. Saying something like that only proved his unfaithfulness.

"I'm sorry, Dan," he watched out of the corner of his eye, as the woman named Katie gave Daniel a sad look. With realization, he knew it was her. His best friend ever since he had first come to Evelyn Mercer. He shuddered; he was a broken boy back then. He had all sorts of problems. Katherine Mackenzie was the first friend he had ever had. She was the first friend he had lost as well.

FLASHBACK:

Little Katherine Mackenzie nervously gazed down at her shoes.

"Student's I'd like to introduce to you, your new classmate, Katherine Mackenzie," the teacher looked down at her in distaste. "Care to say anything about yourself?"

Six year old Katie shook her head hurriedly and waited to be told where to sit.

"What are you waiting for, girl?" the teacher barked. "Sit down!"

She almost ran to an empty seat in fright, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. She looked across to the seat next to her, to the boy with untidy brown hair. Catching his eye, she quickly looked away. She watched him smile weakly. Katie thought he looked new too. As she settled herself down to work, she noticed him staring at her. She frowned. It wasn't as if she was that pretty to look at…at least she didn't think so. Katie scrunched her face up in confusion. Why was he looking her that way? Timidly she met his gaze and smiled. She watched as he looked away, as if in shame. Katie shook her head and set herself to the coloring in sheet the teacher gave her. That lesson passed quickly for Katie. She wanted to go home. This was a strange place where people didn't care about her. Looking down at her feet, she gripped her lunch box until her knuckles went white. Everyone had people to sit with and she didn't have anyone. Tears welling up in her cheeks she dashed for the bathroom and locked the door behind her. Sitting down on the tiles, she sobbed out her anxiety. The door to the bathroom opened and someone came in. She tried to keep quite. She heard them kneel down and peek their head under the cubicle door. It was the boy she sat next to in class. A boy was in the girls' bathroom. She turned pink in embarrassment.

"Hello," he said shyly.

"Hi," she looked at her feet.

"My name is Jack."

"My name is Kate."

"Oh."

"Why are you in the girls' bathroom?"

He turned scarlet and muttered, "I- I- I thought that you were crying…and I came to see if you were alright…"

"Oh."

"Are you alright?"

"I guess so," Katie scrunched up her face in distaste. "Everyone hates me."

"No they don't."

"I think they do, Jack. They all look at me funny."

"You're new- and you sound funny."

She glared at him, "You take that back! I don't sound funny! It's you who sounds funny."

He looked hurt. "I'm sorry…maybe we both sound funny to each other?" he suggested.

Her faced brightened, "Maybe you're right. I'm sorry I yelled at you, Jack."

"It's OK."

They spent their lunchtime together like this, until a girl came into the bathroom and told the teacher on them. Jack had time out for the rest of the day.

AFTER:

An older Katie looked at her timetable for the week. She had Maths first period. She hated Maths. Slamming her head on the table she groaned loudly. Jack poked his head from behind the wall in the living room.

"What's wrong?"

"Ugh, Maths first period. You know I hate it and the teacher…"

Jack laughed. He had finished school a year before Katie. "Hey, you should be happy! I mean, hey, you'll get to spend more time with what's-his-name…"

"Kyle," Katie corrected solemnly. "And I don't like him that way…"

"Don't try to deny it to yourself, Katie, you know you want his body. His animal magnetism makes you want him so much…"

Kate rolled her eyes. "You won't be making me embarrassed with that, Jack. In case you haven't noticed I have grown up a bit since then."

Jack looked at her. He couldn't deny that statement. He looked down at his feet. Jack couldn't lie to himself. He had liked her for years. Grumbling slightly, he shook his head and said, "Well…I'm sure you won't have any trouble with Kyle there to save the day."

Katie groaned and slapped her head. "Why was I cursed with an idiot for a best friend since kindergarten?"

"You know you like me," Jack mocked.

She blushed and to hide it she turned around. To tell the truth, she did like someone, but he would never like her that way. She wasn't his type. Kate was too shy. He was into more groupie sort of girls that hung out with his band. She gulped down the last part of her apple juice and stood up. "Well, I'm off then, see you later."

"OK, then," Jack called after her. He shook his head, trying to rid the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. Jack knew it wasn't the best idea it stick around after graduating, but was he supposed to do? Desert her? He couldn't do that. Katie probably didn't even like him that way, anyway…could she?