To her surprise, Jared followed her to her locker – but once she saw Kim's eager face, she wasn't so confused. She could tell that he had a real thing for her, as he had spent most of the last period asking her about Kim. It was quite sweet, actually. She let Kim hug her gingerly around the neck, and then stepped back to let the two lovebirds talk. Someone clearing their throat made her turn, a bright smile on her face – expecting Topher.
But she found herself looking right into the middle of a large chest, straining against a thin cotton shirt. She looked up slowly, smile fading as she realized exactly who she was looking at. Paul was watching her eagerly and intently. Kitty shrunk back quickly against her locker, whimpering as the impact jolted her ribs.
Paul's face instantly shifted to worry, and he moved closer, "Are you okay? Where does it hurt?" Kitty watched him with wide eyes as he put out his hands to grab her. She shook her head, and darted sideways.
"Don't-" she started, but stopped herself as she saw Paul's heartbroken face. "W-what do you want? Another apology? I'm sorry, I really am. I should've been watching where I was going-"
"What? No, no. Stop." Paul was looking suddenly angry. "Don't apologize."
"But I thought-"
"NO. Just stop." Paul said through gritted teeth. Kitty flinched back, his loud voice unexpectedly making a flare of pain burst in her head. His eyes flashed, "And stop doing that! I'm not going to hurt you, god!" But Kitty wasn't so sure. He was looking distinctly angry, and even shaking slightly. He took a step closer, and she let out a soft cry of fear.
Instantly, Jared was there, putting a hand firmly on Paul's chest. "Let's all just take a step back. Why don't you two go get lunch. I'll meet you there, Kim." Kim was suddenly at Kitty's side, and gently dragged her away. Her eyes remained locked with Paul's, confused at the horror and anger there. Jared was whispering something into his ear, and Paul finally stopped looking at her, dragging his gaze away and looking at Jared, he nodded, and then turned – running out of the school.
Kitty turned around, and ignored Kim's worried gaze.
Again, she felt like she was missing something – fear and confusion turning her stomach into knots.
Kitty waited for Kim to get her lunch, watching the grey sky through one of the cafeteria windows absently. She couldn't stop worrying about what Paul was going to do when there was no-one there to stop him in their detention.
"Hey, Kit-Kat." She looked up to see Topher next to Kim, grinning. They both took a seat on either side of her. His face dropped as he took in her unsettled pout. "What happened? Did Paul do something? Should I kick his ass?"
There was a laugh, and Kitty looked up from her sandwich to see Jared gracefully swinging his long legs under the table and sitting down. "I'd like to see you try, T-man."
Topher narrowed his eyes. "Don't think I could take him?" he flexed his biceps, and whilst they weren't small, Kitty's quick glance at Jared's arms, and her remembrance of Paul's physique made her very sure her brother would get crushed. He smiled suddenly – his easy-going nature never allowing him to be serious for long. "Look at these babies! They put your bowling balls to shame, J-C."
"Listen, whilst your English and soccer skills are mad, maybe leave the fighting to the big boys." Jared said teasingly, and Kitty smiled. She was glad that Topher had made friends with Jared, so that the four of them could hang out comfortably. Kim nudged her, and Kitty gasped as she brushed her rib.
Kim paled. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Kitty smiled tightly, letting her know it was okay, "I just wanted to know what you were going to do about Claire and Rosemary?"
Kitty's face fell. "Oh no! I was supposed to babysit Claire on Saturday night. I feel so bad."
Topher shook his head, "I'm sure that Rosemary understood. Besides, don't you have babysitting tonight anyway? You can make it up to her then." Kitty nodded.
"I guess you're right."
It didn't stop her from feeling awful though – a job was a job, and she didn't want Rosemary to think she was unreliable.
"I'm always right, Kit-Kat. Now take your medicine." Topher slid her two pain pills he'd pulled out of his pocket.
"Thanks, Toph." Kitty said, smiling. She accepted Jared's water with a grateful smile, and swallowed them down, sighing as she could feel them begin to take effect. "So much better…"
Kitty got through the rest of her day easily enough, because on Mondays, the only classes she had with Paul was the double English. She had Kim last period in her economics, and waved goodbye to her friend sorrowfully as she made her way slowly over to Jameson's classroom, trepidation filling her with every step.
She knocked on the door, and entered. Paul was already leaning against one of the desks, and his face lit up as they made eye contact. He was looking oddly relaxed, and the smirk that slid across his face was distinctively less creepy the others she'd seen.
Jameson made a tutting noise, and shoved a notepad into her hands. "Finally, Miss Faye. I want you two in the storeroom, re-shelving and organizing the supplies. They must all be checked off this list. I want it all done to my satisfaction by 5:30, otherwise you'll be back again tomorrow." Kitty nodded. It sounded fair enough. She followed the teacher to the small storeroom in-between the two classrooms, clutching the notepad with the supply list on it. She gulped as she realized she was going to be in close quarters with Paul.
She stepped in first, and her jaw dropped. "Oh no." she said quietly. The sensation of heat at her back made her aware that Paul was standing behind her.
He growled at the sight of the storeroom. It looked like a bomb had gone off, filled with school supplies. The shelves reached to the low ceiling, higher than Kitty could even hope to reach, and there was barely a space in the room where the floor was clear. They both looked back at Jameson, who gave them an evil smile, then waved his hands as if to say 'get on with it.'
God help her.
