Chapter 29- Driving to the Normans' house

The next day,

"Okay class" Mrs. Gibson chirped in her merry little voice to her bunch of 3rd graders with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling behind the spectacles. "How about we start with prepositions today?"

"Yes ma'am" the class sang in their customary chorus.

"Alright then, out with your grammar books then."

The young 9 year olds proceeded to turn around and rummage through their bags for their grammar texts. There was a peaceful silence in the class, and only the sound of shuffling of papers echoed as they pulled out their books and scrambled through the pages for the prepositions lesson.

That is until a loud scream pierced the class. Almost instantly, all heads spun around, and the teacher's head snapped up at once, only to stare at the young girl with two braids pulled on her brown locks responsible for the scream.

"Katie? What's the matter?" Mrs. Gibson asked, the concern apparent in her persona.

Suddenly, the terrified nine year old sprang up from her chair and threw her bag to the ground, her books flying out in the process. Her classmates gasped in both shock and terror as they caught sight of the contents strewn all over the floor.

Now highly worried herself, Mrs. Gibson hurried towards the scene created in the midst of the classroom. The moment her eyes fell on the floor, a gasp escaped her own lips.

"Katie!" she cried. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I didn't do it Mrs. Gibson!" protested the now angry Katie as the reality began to sink in about the dreadful sight that lay amidst her precious books.

"Then how did these dead bugs magically appear in your bag? There must be some explanation for this!"

'It was John!" the young tomboy blurted out.

"What?"

"Yes ma'am" her voice was now trembling with anger. "John did this! He put the dead bugs in my bag."

"Katie Norman, I'm gonna need a better explanation for this" the teacher now spoke in a much softer but a more puzzled tone.

But Katie paid no attention to her words. Right now, she was fuming with rage at her brat of a neighbor's tactics. His disgusting smirk accompanied by those horrible dimples now flashed in her head and she grew angrier by the minute. Her own revenge now began to plan itself in her mind, despite the fact that she was still in class. It was only the voice of her teacher that brought her back to the real world.

"Katie?"

Green eyes looked up at the bespectacled woman gazing at her with a concerned look.

"Katie?" she said again. The tomboy frowned slightly at her. What was up with her voice? She suddenly sounded different. More young and soft. Definitely not like her own self.

"Huh?" she gave an uneasy reply, as she squinted at her teacher.

"Katie, wake up!"

What?

"Wake up, something just happened!"

"Mrs. Gibson?"

"Wake up girl, you have to see this!"

And then altogether, the dream suddenly vanished and the green eyes belonging to the Massachusetts native snapped open. And the moment they did, she shrunk back in surprise because another pair of very familiar green eyes was right up on her face! "Huh? What's going on here?" she asked in a raspy voice that came from just being woken up.

As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the scene that stood in front of her gradually adjusted to her eyes and she finally saw the two blond long-legged beauties standing in front of her.

"Are you alright Katie?" questioned the Legs of the WWE, the concern evident in her voice.

"Where am I?" she asked, ignoring the Rosedale native's question.

"You're in my room Katie" replied the Boise Belle, frowning slightly in confusion. "Do you remember anything about previous night?"

Katie froze "What happened last night?" she asked, trying to hide the anxiety from her tone.

"You had fallen asleep on the divas' locker room couch. And your face had traces of tears on it."

"What happened with you last night Katie?" Stacy asked curiously. "You just dozed off like sleeping beauty. No one could wake you up. For a moment, we thought you had fainted."

Katie's brows crossed in a frown "Well" she finally said wearily. "I guess I've become a heavy sleeper nowadays." She tried to bring a lightness in her tone as she said this but the divas knew there was more to this than just heavy sleeping.

"Were you crying last night?" asked the Idaho beauty in an equally curious tone.

"No" Katie lied blandly.

"Yes you were" put in Stacy, folding her arms across her chest. "It's kind of hard to lie in this matter Katie 'cause your face clearly said everything."

"And did you take a look at your message box Katie?" Torrie asked, eyeing the new diva's phone. "You might want to 'cause you just happened to get a message from a very unexpected personality." She exchanged glances with her blond friend.

The frown on the West Newbury native's face grew even deeper and she reached for her phone. She clicked for the message box and glanced at her newest message. It was from an unknown number. Giving a brief glance at the two blond beauties, she opened the anonymous number's message. It was quite short but it sure did manage to raise Katie's eyebrows and bring a highly nauseatic feeling to her stomach. This is what it said,

Katie,

Meet me at the parking lot half an hour after breakfast. We'll drive together to your sister's place. I know it's quite early but I thought I should just remind you that she wants us to come early. See you later.

John.

"Lita did tell us about Kari inviting John to spend the day with your family" Torrie said with a shrug. "But none of us know what actually transpired when you went to meet John later that night."

"Guys" Katie said in a flat tone, as the message began to sink in her stomach "I really don't wanna talk about it right now. I'll tell you what happened afterwards. Right now, I'm baffled as to where he got my number from."

Saying this, the brunette got up and trudged to the washroom, leaving the two blond friends alone. All the two could do was sigh together.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

During breakfast, the brunette sat in subdued silence. The divas all tried to get her to talk but she never did. All she did was hang her head and play about her casserole with her fork. The divas were all worried for her.

They did a quick scan around the cafeteria but there was no sign of her blue-eyed enemy. Sable wasn't there too and they wondered if the two former lovers were up to something.

Suddenly Stacy's phone began to ring. Quickly wiping her mouth with a napkin and muttering "Excuse me", she flipped her phone and glanced at the screen. Instantly, a smile spread on her face at the name blinking in front of her. Yes of course, it said "Randy". Why else would this huge smile come on her face?

Fortunately, the divas were too busy eating and worried about the new diva to notice her grin.

"Hello?" she said in to the phone.

"You look more beautiful today baby" came the husky voice on the line causing a tint of red to grow on her cheeks.

She glanced around her surroundings but the Viper was nowhere to be seen. However she knew he was somewhere around, watching her and smirking his famous smirk.

"Where are you?" she asked with a sigh.

"Oh don't worry about me Stace. I can see you perfectly from where I am."

The diva blushed again.

"Just wanted to tell you am ready for round 2 of our date."

"Today?"

"Ahan. You aren't busy are you?"

"No I am not."

"Good. In that case, we'll spend the whole day together. How does that sound to you?"

"Great" she whispered happily, smiling hard.

"Okay then, meet me half an hour after breakfast. John's going somewhere too so might as well leave with him. See you late baby. And yeah, one more thing."

"What?"

"You look more beautiful when you smile like that." And then with that, a click was heard and the line went dead. Stacy sighed contentedly and slipped the phone back in to her pocket, looking dreamy all of a sudden.

Suddenly, the Extreme diva's voice broke in her reverie "Uh Stacy?"

"Hm?" she said, twisting her fork in her salad and not bothering to look up.

"Might as well tell us what's up with that smile you've had on your face for the past 5 minutes?"

The Rosedale beauty looked up, only to find all eyes around the circular table were on her, wearing weird looks on their faces.

She could only offer a sheepish smile in response.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Half an hour after breakfast

"You ready Katie?" asked the red-head as she watched the Massachusetts beauty examine her dressing in front of a full view mirror.

"I guess" she mumbled, smoothening down her green shaded blouse and the short black half-sleeved jacket she wore on top of it. Her legs sported denim tights and she wore purple-black supras on her feet. Her long brown locks fell loosely on her back and there was a bracelet on her right wrist.

Just then, a more stylishly dressed Stacy Keibler entered the room. "You ready Katie?" she inquired eagerly, obviously dying to go downstairs and to the parking lot. "Yeah" mumbled the brunette and trudged towards the door where she was standing.

Trish, Torrie and Lita looked on, wishing them a good day and especially good luck to the new diva. And when they finally left, Trish mumbled "I hope they don't bicker in the car. Something bad can happen you know."

"They won't" Torrie assured, placing a hand on the Canadian's shoulder. Then she added uncertainly "At least I hope so."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The two divas walked in silence towards the parking lot, busy in their own deep thoughts. While the blond beauty looked and was way too excited for her date, the brunette was equally disheartened and dreaded what was gonna happen when she faced her enemy again.

They emerged out on the sunny parking lot and didn't have to search hard for their respective men. Both the bulky best friends were chatting together near a car and didn't seem to notice the two figures moving towards them. Katie swallowed a gulp when she saw her enemy and her companion for a whole 30 minutes drive.

The clicking of Stacy's heels on the concrete caused them both to turn around. And when they did, John's eyes immediately fell on the brunette walking next to the Legs of the WWE.

Green eyes met his gaze and for a moment, it seemed that they were lost in yet another intense eye-contact. However, Katie looked away but was aware of the blue eyes still fixed on her. But inside, she couldn't help but admire his fine appearance.

He had put on a plain white shirt, and a checkered blue loose jacket on it. He had on baggy denim jeans and high whites on his feet, the kind he wore to the ring. But the most striking of all was the way his soft brown hair was spiked up in front. It made him look more appealing to Katie's green eyes.

The two women went up to their respective men, talked for a few more minutes and finally separated. John and Katie stood there till the couple got into their Chrysler which was parked near where they were standing and waved them goodbye. The car then pulled out of the drive and soon, the two enemies were alone again.

He turned around to look at her but she had her eyes to the floor, almost as if she was afraid of looking back at him. Her nose twitched a little as the heavy smell of his cologne drifted towards her. Sighing softly to himself, he said,

"Come on, our car is over there."

With this, he began to walk ahead while the green-eyed beauty followed.

As they reached the red handsome Dodge Viper they were gonna ride, John stepped towards the passenger seat of the car and opened its door for his enemy. That is when she looked up at him, slightly surprised.

"Go on" he gently said, his eyes fixed on hers.

Mumbling "Thank you", the diva slipped into the seat and the Champ closed the door for her. Then he walked around the front and opened the driver seat door before slipping inside. And now, they were officially alone.

Though there was this new car smell in the interior, it was defeated by the Champ's manly scent which almost made Katie swoon. She looked out the window to avoid any unwanted eye-contact with him or any conversation, lest they make things more awkward then they already were. So when John looked back while putting the gear in reverse, he cast a brief curious glance at Katie and somehow realized that she was trying to ignore him.

Not gonna happen Katie, he thought to himself.

And then, he put the gear in drive and slowly steered the car out of the lot.

This was gonna be a long, long ride.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Katie watched the cars, trees and buildings rushing pass her as she gazed out the window. It somehow made it easier for her to ignore the blue-eyed West Newbury native sitting right next to her, busy driving. He glanced at her a few times and was slightly annoyed at the fact that she didn't even bother to look straight ahead. Then to distract himself, he reached out and pressed the button for the radio.

That is when Katie slowly turned around in her seat.

At that very moment, the car stopped at a traffic signal. Sighing to himself, John began to shuffle through the songs on the radio, not really bothering to listen to any of them. He had seen Katie turn around in her seat from the corner of his eye but didn't try to make any effort in glancing at her again, lest she felt uncomfortable. But deep inside, his blue eyes longed badly to do so.

And just when he skipped a Backstreet boys' single, out came her quiet voice, breaking the long silence they had in the car.

"Let that song be. It's one of my favorites." She glanced at him cautiously only to find him staring at her intently like he always did.

"Which one, the BSB one?" he questioned.

Katie nodded in response.

John pressed a button twice and instantly, a melody drifted out the speakers. It was "Quit playing games with my heart."

Katie leaned her head back on the seat and a small smile danced on her lips as the intro music relaxed her heart. She absolutely loved the melody that played in the beginning. But it wasn't until the singing started that she realized something,

Even in my heart, I see

You're not being true to me

Deep within my soul, I feel

Nothing's like it used to be

These lyrics had a remarkable similarity to a certain relationship she shared with a certain blue-eyed Champ. Coincidently, he happened to sit right next to her and the same realization had just hit him too.

Sometimes I wish I could

Turn back time

Impossible as it may seem

But I wish I could, so bad

Baby

Quit playing games with my heart.

The lyrics of the song just seemed to say everything she tried to hide in her heart. What with nothing being like it used to be, and all the conflicts Katie had in her mind and heart, she definitely wished she could quit playing games with herself and stop herself from being on the verge of having complete twisted thoughts about a man she claimed she hated, rather despised.

If only she knew, that very same man had mutual feelings too in his heart.

As the song played on and the car finally began to move again, Katie had the dire urge of casting a glance at him. But when she did so, he glanced at her at the very same time! Immediately, the two enemies looked away. Katie's cheeks went slightly hot with embarrassment at the fact that their eyes had met. She hoped he hadn't caught the emotion which dwelled visibly in her green eyes.

Little did she know by that one glance, John had understood that she was feeling the same way as he was. It was hard not to because the way she had looked at him, her eyes spoke a thousand words. And being a keen observer, he immediately noted it and was convinced that the song was bringing the same feelings he had in her heart too.

Though John longed to talk to her, he kept his mouth shut. Not because he thought she'd snap at him again, but because he didn't want to break the magic that was flowing around them because of the song. It had such a mesmerizing affect on him too that it really felt like the song expressed the unspoken words in his heart.

Oh baby, baby, the love that we had was so strong

Don't leave me hanging on it forever

Oh baby, baby, this is my ride

Let's stop this tonight.

When it really said "love", both enemies, without realizing each was doing the same, directed it towards their hate-relationship which instantly changed the lyrics to "the hate that we had was so strong." And when they did, the lyrics automatically fit their bond.

I don't want to hang on our hatred forever John, Katie thought to herself as she closed her eyes and let the music take over the job of expressing the hidden feelings in her soul.

She couldn't even guess, John was having the exact same thoughts run through his head.

But what both failed to realize, things were changing slowly between them.

Just because of one song.

They didn't even know, the impact it had made on their hearts was gonna change everything for the good.

And this change was gonna be seen in just about a time which was gonna come very soon…