Mr. Hackett had indeed incorrectly marked Rick's test, much to Kate's chagrin. Things just weren't going her way.

As the party drew near, Rick continued to pester Kate about keeping the bet, making certain she would attend and wear a costume. He would have made her come, even if he hadn't won the bet in the first place.

By the end of the week, Rick and Kate found themselves at her locker—which had oddly become a daily routine for the two of them. Kate let out an exacerbated sigh as Rick proceeded to discuss the party for the umpteenth time.

"So, whatcha gonna wear to the party," he asked excitedly, his eyes shining with child-like innocence. Kate marveled at the fact that a six foot tall eighteen year-old guy could still be enamored with costumes and fantasy. While pondering this thought, she threw her textbooks into her locker with probably more force than necessary as Rick rambled on. "Snow White? Belle?" Then, Rick leaned more heavily against the locker door, decreasing the space between them. "A sexy nurse? Oh, wait, I know, I know! A sexy cop!" Kate looked up to see a suggestively raised eyebrow and a smirk. "I'd love to see you arrest me for indecent exposure," he murmured.

Kate furrowed her brows together. "How did your mind go from fairytale princesses to the gutter in less than two seconds?"

He shrugged. "I'm a guy. What do you expect?" Kate rolled her eyes, and returned her attention to her back pack. Until Rick spoke again that is. "So?"

"Castle, I am not going to wear anything." Rick's eyes widened before his lips turned into a smirk and his eyes glistened with mischief. Kate rolled her eyes as she saw his expression, knowing exactly where his mind had gone. "As in no costume," she clarified. Kate watched as his expression dropped into disappointment. Amused, Kate continued, "It's a silly holiday anyway. I hate Halloween, remember?"

"Ah, right, so you do," he replied. "I'll just have to fix that."

"Like that will ever happen."

"You're no fun," he replied, as his brow furrowed.

"Of course not," she said sarcastically, chuckling. "And, I thought you didn't want people to know who you were. Having a party at your house is gonna make people ask questions," she pointed out.

"Whoever said it was at my house?"

"Where else would you have a party?"

"At a small function hall downtown. Big enough to have a fun Halloween party and small enough that people won't ask how I could afford it," he said proudly.

"Well, aren't you smart."

"Do I hear a compliment?"

A small smile crept onto her lips as she rolled her eyes. "So, who did you invite?"

He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and rubbed the nape of his neck. He looks cute like that, she thought as she hid a smirk. "Oh, just about everyone I guess. I made an event on Facebook, but I haven't checked who'd be attending."

"Ugh, now I really don't want to go," she replied, a frown now forming.

"And you wouldn't want to go because?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing is something."

"That makes no sense whatsoever."

"Yes, it does!"

Suddenly, Rick's appendages were yanked away from him. He looked and saw that Gina and Meredith had draped themselves on his arms. Although not too happy that they interrupted his conversation with Kate, he politely gave them a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Kate, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at their antics. She promised herself she would never be one of those girls that fawned over Richard Castle like a gold digger. Never. But looking at the girls in front of her, she felt inferior, small. Keeping her eyes downcast, Kate wondered what it would be like if she was as popular as the bimbos draped on Rick's arms. She wished she could just let go and let her feelings be. To have the knowledge that she was the most desired girl in school. If only. Then, maybe she would be the one flirting with him. Maybe, Lanie's right, she thought. Maybe he does like me. Maybe… just maybe, I… No. I can't have feelings for him. He'll just use me and go on to the next girl.

Gathering a little composure, Rick greeted them. "Well, hey, girls. What's up?"

Gina flashed Kate a menacing stare before she batted her eyelashes at him. "We were just gonna tell you that we're coming for your Halloween party!" Meredith nodded in agreement.

He tried to sound as excited as he could. "Oh, that's great. What are you guys gonna wear?"

"We don't know yet. But something sexy of course," Meredith purred in his ear, which caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand up on end. As much as he liked that they were going to wear something provocative to the party, he wasn't particularly excited. He glanced up at Kate, seeing her eyes were downcast. A concerned expression flashed briefly across his face before he again assumed the role of excited host. Rick was relieved when they freed his arms from their possessive hold.

"Bye, Ricky," they said as they walked away giggling like wild hyenas.

"Bye, girls." Rick let out a heavy sigh of relief before directing his full attention back at Kate, who was now looking at him with disapproval.

"What?"

She looked down the hallway at their retreating forms. "The she-devils."

"Who, them?" he asked, confused.

Kate nodded.

"Oh, c'mon, they're nice," he said. Actually, they're like vultures waiting to feast on the newest arrival of dead meat—in other words… me, he thought to himself.

She began shoving her books into her locker so hard that Rick felt bad for the poor, inanimate storage compartment. "Pfft, to you maybe! But, to everyone else—"

"You just don't know them like I do," he said, cutting her off. Why was he defending them anyway, he thought. It wasn't as if he liked them particularly either…

"Of course not," she replied sarcastically. "And I hope I never do." With that, Kate closed her locker and walked away, leaving Rick utterly confused.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He yelled after her, but his efforts were futile.

…

The rest of the gang met at lunch. But the only thing her friends wanted to discuss was the Halloween party. Kate feigned interest, absently moving her food around with her fork.

"Hey, Kate, you goin' to Castle's party this weekend," asked Javi, trying to get her attention.

"Hmm? Oh, uh, no."

"But, didn't you lose a bet," he asked again.

"So?" she replied, annoyed by their questioning.

"So… you've gotta go! It's the code." Javi crossed his arms across his chest.

"Yeah, the code," repeated Kevin, as he mimicked his friend's pose.

Kate rolled her eyes at the both of them. "There is no code. And even if there were, I still wouldn't go."

"C'mon, what's stoppin' ya?"

"Nothing. I just don't want to dress up and go to a Halloween party."

"C'mon, girl, it'll be fun," exclaimed Lanie as she gave her best smile and nudged Kate in the ribs.

"Fun my ass," retorted Kate.

"Fine," Lanie replied. "But, Castle's gonna be disappointed that you're not coming though."

"Sure, he will," Kate said sarcastically.

Lanie gave her one of her looks and thought, You have no idea, girl.

…

Rick scanned the crowd of people. It seemed everyone was having a blast, which was great. But, he was still waiting. Then, he spotted the gang in the corner of the function hall, laughing at a joke Javi told.

"Hey, guys" Rick greeted as he walked up to him. "Where's Kate?"

"Well, you see," Ryan began.

"She's not coming," finished Javi.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know," said Kevin.

"It's probably because you invited everyone," Lanie replied.

"Including the bitches from hell," Javi added.

"Wait. Who?"

"You know… Meredith… Gina… all those people," said Lanie.

"How would that be relevant?"

"Castle, you don't understand. Kate has a history with them. Trust me, it's better off that she's not here to kick some ass," she replied, placing a comforting hand on Rick's arm.

"Actually, that would be quite entertaining," interjected her boyfriend.

"Javi…"

"Well, sorry, baby. But it would be nice to have someone put them in their place once in a while."

"I second that," Ryan replied.

Lanie gave them both a glare.

"What exactly happened between them anyway?" asked Rick, pulling Lanie's attention away from the boys.

"I can't tell you," she answered. "This is something she'll have to tell you on her own time."

"Don't worry about her," Javi said.

"Yeah, it's a great party. Kate doesn't know what she's missing," added Ryan.

Rick's shoulders fell, defeated. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

…

Halfway through the party, Lanie finally succumbed. She texted Kate.

L: girl, u have some explaining to do

K: about wat?

L: u know wat! y aren't u here?

K: cuz I didn't want to go

L: that's no excuse

K: actually, it technically is

L: w/e :P … anyway, writer boy asked about u

K: when did u start calling him writer boy?

L: don't try to change the subject. he wanted u to be here!

K: so?

L: so? he's moping around at his own party!

K: ya… ur point is?

L: hello! he's miserable cuz ur not here.

K: haha, that's funny :P

L: u r so stubborn! do u want me to spell it out?

K: no, but u will anyway

L: HE. LIKES. YOU. D:

K: no, he does not

L: grr. yes, he does!

K: no, he does not. he likes the popular bimbos

L: -_- sure, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like u

K: see? point made

L: no, not point made! he's like a lost puppy with his tail between his legs because ur not here

K: i'm sure… lol

L: not kidding here

K: *sigh* can we talk about this later? I have a report to finish

L: sure u do…

K: i do

L: mhmm, i'll let it go for now. but this conversation is so not over!

K – of course it's not :P

…

Sitting quietly in her room, Kate continued to focus on her homework rather than the party she was missing. Out of the blue, she got another text. Oh, god. Not again, she thought. She let out a heavy sigh when she saw the name.

RC: You're not here. :(

KB: nope.

RC: Why?

KB: because, I didn't want to go.

RC: But you lost our bet. You have to be here! :(

KB: no, I don't.

RC: Yes, you do!

KB: no, I don't!

RC: Yes, you do!

KB: w/e.

Arguing with him was pointless. She thought that text would have ended their conversation, but a minute later, she got another message from him.

RC: I miss you :(

Cute, she thought. But she couldn't let him know that.

KB: right…

RC: It's true!

KB: mhm..

RC: Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a thousand needles in my eye. x_O

She actually chuckled a little at his antics. She sighed.

KB: sure. must be missing me when the she-devils are drooling all over you.

RC: They're just good friends!

KB: they are obsessed with you!

RC: So, what if they are? You jealous?

Oh, crap, she thought.

KB: hell no.

RC: You're lying.

KB: nope.

RC: Yes.

KB: no.

RC: Yes!

KB: NO!

Rick felt a little disappointed. He typed out, "Well, I would be if the roles were reversed", but deleted it. Too revealing, he thought sadly.

RC: I really wish you were here :/

KB: sorry, castle.

RC: Make it up to me? *heart*

Did he just send me a heart? She shook that thought away. This is Castle we're talking about.

KB: we'll see.

RC: :)

KB: have fun, castle. night.

RC: I would if you were here! Until tomorrow ;)

A/N: Okay, yell at me. I deserve it -_-