The first time that Jade meets Cat, she is being pushed up against her locker by some bullies. It was the third week of eight grade and Cat had just moved to town after her father was transferred from some company based in the Silicon Valley. (Not that Jade knew or cared at the time) Jade easily dispatched of the bullies, kneeing one of the groin and glaring at the rest before they scampered away.
The moment they are out of sight, Cat begins to excitedly thank Jade. Jade ignores her, only telling her that she was in the way of her locker and to go away. After that incident, Cat follows Jade around like a lost puppy, her (then) brown hair bouncing with every step. Jade tells her to go away, and Cat does, for a while, only to reappear moments later as if nothing ever happened.
Occasionally, Jade had the urge to take the girl and shake her so that she would get the message that she was unwanted, but refrained. Jade had a sinking feeling that the girl would break if she so much as place a hand on her shoulder.
Eventually, Jade gets used to Cat's constant presence and simply accepts her as another part of her life that she has no real control over.
One day, though, as they are walking to class she asks Cat why she was always following her. Cat stops for a moment, confused, before saying, "Because we're friends, silly" and continuing to walk on. Jade nodded to herself after this declaration.
What else should she have expected?