Camera Obscura-Katrick, Rated K+ for crude language and sensuality.

10

Note: I am afraid I offended at least one person with one of the earlier chapters. That is never my intent. Unfortunately, it's made it hard to concentrate and difficult to write, and it hasn't helped that I've been having computer problems too. So this chapter took a lot longer than usual. I hope it's worthwhile.

Baby, what can I say?
I know this won't go away.
I've got a feeling all I need is to see you today.

I've Got a Feeling, Lyrics by Ivy

*****

Monday dawned way too early, just like it always did. The weekend had been a rollercoaster of emotions; the lows of anger and depression, and the highs of pure joy and desire.

So it was that Patrick found himself in front of the mirror, coffee close at hand while he shaved, Ivy playing in the background, every song reminding him of Kat.

Here in his loft, Lucia couldn't touch him. He could sneak down the back stairs and be on his bike before she caught wind of his departure. And a quick pass through the fast food line would take care of his gnawing hunger. Much as he hated to admit it, he was always ravenous after great sex, and all it had taken this time was a girl who knew the art of kissing.

She hadn't been the only one reeling last night. As he'd driven behind her up the freeway, he felt punch drunk, high on the October breeze caressing his skin and the gorgeous night skyline strung out like jewels at his feet. Kat had turned off near an expensive enclave, but zipped past all the mansions until pulling in front of a fairly large home that hinted at upper middle class. He had pulled alongside her and waved before taking off, not quite ready to encounter her parents.

Truth be told, he didn't know what her story was. He had seen compassion, extreme passion about her causes, stubbornness, and the sarcasm she wore like a badge of courage. But other than the bubbly presence of her sister the cheerleader wannabe, her home life was cut off from him, just as his had been walled off from the world. Now that Lucia had cracked open the dam, it was only a matter of time before his life came roiling out, forcing him to relive the grief and anger he'd carried with him since the accident that had claimed his parents' lives, caused by his drunken father.

That was only part of the reason he wanted to avoid his cousin. She meant well, in that interfering way that all the women in her family had, but he needed some peace right about now. He shoved his books into his backpack, took the stairs two at a time, and started moving the bike out on foot. Since Lucia was an early bird, he knew the sound of the engine would bring her running out, ready to dispense the advice that was so freely given if rather grudgingly received.

With one last triumphant look back at the house, he slid down his visor, revved the engine, and took off for another day in paradise.

*****

Kat discovered a hickey just behind her ear and smiled as she brushed her hair down to cover it, thankful that she hadn't chopped her locks for a cancer cause like she'd been tempted to do.

Her eyes were clear and bright after a day spent pissing and moaning about her behavior on Friday night. Last night's episode was another story, and seemed carved out of someone else's life. That starry-eyed girl who'd literally swooned over a guy was not something Kat Stratford did. At least, that wasn't who she used to be. She took one last look and wondered what would transpire today. Maybe he'd act like last night never happened, or maybe like her, he had no idea what he was doing.

Reflecting further on her little melee with Lucia, she knew she'd been rather mean with the comments. The woman was clearly looking out for Patrick's best interests, and she respected that...to a point. But Patrick was a big boy, and he didn't need his cousin to fight his battles for him. She got behind the wheel and sighed as Bianca flounced on the seat next to her, complaining about Chastity's continued obnoxious behavior.

The ride seemed interminable and she was almost happy to see Padua's ugly façade. Even better was the sight of Patrick leaning…oh, man, did he have the body to lean with the best of them…against his bike with crossed arms, clearly waiting for her to show up. After Bianca trotted out of sight with her new friend from the web show, Patrick's lips quirked upward as she approached. "So," she said uncertainly, letting the single word flit away into the air with all the promise of a new romance.

"Yeah." Patrick nodded, clearly tapped into the same thought vein as Kat. He picked up his back pack and walked next to her as they made their way into school.

"Are you sure you want to be seen with me? People will talk."

"Don't care," he replied, threading his arm through hers. "We're together, and that's all that matters."

"But are we…together?" Kat was so nervous that she was stumbling over her words, something that only happened with him.

Patrick drew her closer and murmured, "What do you think? Wasn't last night enough proof?"

"Well, I figured maybe in the light of day…you'd realize your folly and call it, this, off."

He kissed her cheek. "Like I said before, you think too much. I'll catch up with you at lunch."

They rounded the corner and almost collided with Bianca and Cameron, who were laughing about something that Michael had done. Bianca's eyes widened and Kat could see her quickly put it all together as Cameron ducked his head into his locker. "Umm, Bianca, this is Patrick."

Bianca extended her fingers. "Everyone knows who Patrick is. By the way, thanks for helping Cameron with that bully."

Patrick's smile was genuine. "Don't mention it." With a shrug, he went off in the opposite direction and Kat was left to explain things to her sister.

"Wait until Dad hears about this," Bianca said mischievously. "He'll have to let me date now!"

"Hold your horses, Geronimo. We're not exactly dating…yet."

"But it's only a matter of time, right? I've seen how he looks at you. The guy is over the moon for you."

Kat's head was full of howling wolves at the mention of the moon. "Look, you can't say anything to Dad until I know how things stand."

Bianca pouted but finally nodded her head. "OK, but don't wait too long. There's this cute guy who has his eye on me, and he's a junior."

"All right." Kat rolled her eyes and continued further down the hall, where the Mandella and Charlie Woo gauntlet awaited her. "Oh, goody, I can hardly wait." She figured this might well be the longest day of her life.