Disclaimer: The thought of a hiatus kills me inside...

A/N: Don't hate me...

~Rose

Chapter Ten

"Stay with me"

Two weeks quickly pass since the conversation in Kate's living room. Kate had certainly listened to Rick when he told her to let him in because the two were practically inseparable now. Their classmates constantly gave them odd or wondering looks but the pair was really good at ignoring them. Rick was never one to care what the public thought (a good trait to have for a boy who wanted to be a writer) and the only person's opinion Kate cared about was Rick's.
It had been sort of an unsaid agreement between the two of them that Rick would continue writing about the world of Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook. Rick spent all his classes and his spare time, when he wasn't hanging out with Kate, writing. It could almost be said that Rick was obsessed with Nikki, but Rick didn't care. Writing about Nikki made Rick feel closer to Kate.
Kate. Rick couldn't help developing feelings for her. She was different than all the other girls he had dated. He cared if she stuck around. He wasn't going to rush things like he had with Gina and Meredith, two of his previous girlfriends. He knew if he asked Kate out any time soon she would run like a deer in the headlights. She had come a far way from when he met her, but she hadn't come that far. He couldn't let her go like he had Kyra. No, Kate was special. She had let him enter into her life and he didn't want to leave it any time soon.

~O.o.O.o.O~

AP history was quickly becoming Kate's least favorite class. As much as she loved learning about the world's history, the teacher, Mr. Holmes, was so dull that she could barely pay attention. The worst part was, unlike Lit, she didn't have Richard Rodgers to distract and amuse her. She didn't talk to anyone in that class, but then again there were only two people she was friends with. Ever since that infamous meeting in Starbucks Kate had kept in touch with Lanie Parish, and oddly enough the two had become fast friends. The two weren't as close as Kate and Rick had become but Kate had to admit that it was nice to have friends.
She was reading about the differences between Hitler and Stalin when the classroom door opened and she experienced a strange sense of déjà-vu. A fairly tall, good looking, brunette boy walked in the door, clearly new here. The whole class stopped what they were doing and stared at the new kid, and Kate had to feel sorry for him as only a short month ago she was in the same position.
"Class this is Tom Demming," Mr. Holmes said in his monotone voice, "now go sit down and read chapter four."
Tom looked around for an empty seat and found one next to a pretty brunette girl. He turned to her and smiled. "Tom," he said extending his hand to shake hers, which was a rare thing for a teenager to do.
"Kate," she replied, taking his extended hand and shaking it.

~O.o.O.o.O~

An hour later Kate walked out of the classroom with a smile on her face and a coffee date after school. The two had talked for the rest of class and as the two new kids they decided to stick together. Tom had asked where the best place to get coffee was so she told him she'd show him the nearest Starbucks after school.
"Hey Kate," Rick called out walking towards her. He had a huge smile on his face and opened his mouth to say something before he noticed the good looking male standing next to her. He quickly closed his mouth and gave the pair a wondering look.
"Hey Rick," Kate responded brightly, "Rick this is Tom Demming. Tom, Rick Rodgers." The two boys nodded at each other in acknowledgment and extended their hand out to shake them. Rick squeezed a little harder than he normally would as he sized up the boy. Rick had to admit that this Demming kid was good looking and he sort of felt threatened. His saving grace now was the fact that it took a lot to get Kate to trust him and let him in; she wasn't going to let this new guy in just like that.
"Well I guess I better go attempt to find the rest of my classes," Tom sighed, "See you after school Kate."
"See you Tom," Kate responded smiling. Tom walked away to go find his locker and Kate turned to face Rick. Rick had a clear scowl on his face and crossed him arms. "What?" Kate asked him, with a bit of a snippy tone now.
"Tom huh?" Rick questioned. He raised an eyebrow and Kate crossed her arms now.
"What do you mean 'Tom huh'?" Kate semi-snapped, "Am I not allowed to talk to other people, or are you the only person I'm allowed to associate with?"
"Of course you're allowed to talk to people Katherine," he snapped back, his voice dripping as he said her full first name. "So you're planning on seeing this one later huh?" Rick wasn't even trying to hide the jealously in his voice.
"As a matter of fact, I am," she told him smugly, "we are going to Starbucks after school today."
Rick's face fell. She was supposed to go to Starbucks with him after school today. Rick wasn't used to losing and it disheartened him. He wanted to tell Kate "No, don't go with him. Stay with me; I'm the one who's crazy about you," but he didn't. "Well then," he said with attitude, "have fun with your handsome new kid."
"What, am I not allowed to make friends Rick?" She retaliated with venom in her voice. Rick was acting ridiculous and she was tired of it.
"Of course you are! I would just prefer if you didn't make friends with guys who are clearly just going to use you!"
"Oh that's rich!" Kate snorted, "Aren't you just using me for a book character?" Rick was outraged now. Of course he wasn't using her for a book character! He actually cared about her. "It's my life Rick and you can't tell me what to do. Call me when you grow up!" she snapped before turning on her heel and storming off in the other direction.

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