At lunch, the gang got together and told each other what happened. The boys laughed their pants off, and started to plan out how they would annoy Rick with their knowledge of his epic failure.
Afterward, they all headed to their next class—one of which they all had in common: Psychology. It was Kate and Lanie's favorite class of the day.
The boys walked in first.
"'Sup, Hackett," they greeted in unison.
"Afternoon, boys," he replied, looking away from his computer.
The girls walked in after them with smiles on their faces.
"Hey, Hackett," they greeted.
"Afternoon, Bexs, Lanie," he greeted again, as he readied his power point presentation on his computer.
The gang sat in the back corner of the classroom, furthest from the windows. As the girls walked to their desks, Kevin and Javi shook their heads.
Noticing them as she took her seat behind Kevin, Kate asked, "What are you guys shaking your heads for?"
"You guys are total creeps," Javi said as he looked between the two girls.
"Pfft, no we aren't," Lanie exclaimed soft enough to keep the conversation between them.
"Mhm. That's what they all say," Kevin replied as he rolled he eyes.
"Oh, really?"
"Yep," they both replied.
Kevin dared to mock Kate. "It's always Hackett this, Hackett that. Oh, Hackett—"
Kate smacked his arm. "Oh, shut up, Kev!"
"Baby," Javi began as he directed his question to Lanie. She turned in her seat to face him. "If we were ten years older, you wouldn't leave me for him, would you?"
Lanie toyed with him. "Hmm… let me think…" Javi's face began to show signs sadness and disappointment. Lanie giggled softly and kissed him for reassurance. "No, baby, of course not."
Javi perked up, and leaned closer. "Good, because I would have fought him to get you back."
She mirrored his move. "My knight in shining armor, huh?"
"Yes, ma'am." Lanie smiled before kissing him again.
"Hey, no canoodling in this classroom," Mr. Hackett yelled jokingly across the room. The rest of the students were giggling silently—just another day in Psychology. "Think you guys can wait until after my class?"
The gang chuckled. "Whatever you say, Hackett," Javi answered.
"Good," he said. "Now, let's—"
There was a sudden knock at the door, and Mr. Hackett motioned for the person to enter. As they conversed, Kate took in a deep breathe and let it out slowly.
"Well, looks like we've got a new student. Rick Castle, am I right?"
"Yes, sir."
"My name's Mr. Hackett," he said, holding out his hand. Rick shook it firmly before scanning the room. "I'm your Psychology teacher for the year. So, take a seat wherever you like." Mr. Hackett looked around the room, and then focused in on the back row. "There's a seat open by Ms. Beckett in the back. You can sit next to her or any other seat of your choosing."
He muttered a 'Thanks' to Mr. Hackett. Rick knew exactly where to sit, much to Kate's displeasure. He walked down the third row and sat in the last seat… next to Kate.
"Yo, bro," Javi greeted, reaching across the row to give him a fist pound. "Name's Javi. That's Kev." Kevin waved. "And this here's my girl, Lanie." Kate and Lanie exchanged smiles at Javi's sweetness.
"Hey," Rick greeted back. "Didn't know all of you guys were in this class." Then, his eyes landed mischievously on Kate. "No short-shorts? I'm very disappointed!"
"Hey, Hackett?" Please be my savior, Kate thought.
"Yeah, what's up?" Mr. Hackett looked up from his notes on his wooden podium.
"Does he have to sit next me?"
Mr. Hackett's brow furrowed slightly as an amused expression appeared on his face. "It's his choice, not mine. Afraid of cooties there, Bexs?" he asked, a soft chuckle accompanying a smile.
"No, no… it's just…" Mr. Hackett waited for Kate's reply, but no matter how she worded it in her mind, it would have sounded so childish out loud. Kate sighed. "Never mind."
"Alright… Well, let's get started."
As Mr. Hackett began class, Rick whispered, "Meanie."
"Says you," Kate shot back.
Lanie shushed them. "Oh, just shut up. Are you guys an old married couple or somethin'?"
Kate rolled her eyes, still annoyed that Rick chose to sit next to her of all people. As she began taking down class notes, Rick took in glimpses of her from the corner of his eye.
He noticed that she furrowed her brow ever so slightly as she concentrated on Mr. Hackett's lecture. He even noticed the way she bit her bottom lip as she contemplated what was just said. He loved that she didn't fall for his charms like all the other girls—not yet that is. He could see that she was a fighter—and stubborn. But, she was beautiful. No, not beautiful. Extraordinary.
"What are you doing?" Kate could feel his eyes on her.
"Watching," Rick whispered.
"Well, stop. It's creepy."
"I'm just admiring," he said as he let a smile grace his lips.
Having kept her ears on high alert for any conversation between Kate and Rick, Lanie smiled smugly at their exchange.
…
A/N: Well, I'm off on Winter Break :) So, I will most likely be able to post regularly for the next month. After that, I probably won't be able to post until my Summer Break, which starts in May. Sorry about that…
This chapter was actually enjoyable to write because it was based off one of my favorite teachers in high school :)
And thank you for the reviews. It's much appreciated :)
