The following weeks Niomi came to see the crew at school. Andre was more excited than all of them combined. After bailing Beck out of the one nighter in jail for misconduct that only he and Niomi knew about, they all decided she was good people. She would arrive at their school twice a week and each time she did in disguise and enjoyed startling Cat. When asked why she dressed so randomly, she told them she loved to be someone new. Each time she dressed differently she acted differently. And when she showed up once dressed in black combat boots with a black lacy outfit Cat ran away from her.

Niomi then met them again at the haunted house she worked at the theme park they loved to visit on their long weekends. Andre was hinting at everyone that he wanted her for himself and she let him think so. But when Cat found out she was alone in the great dark house she found herself in Niomi's embrace in a corner away from any by passers. They never said much but Niomi understood Cat needed a hug now and then away from reality. Did looking like Jade help?

Tori had pulled Niomi aside one time at a club and with the loud dull thud of the bass inside she confronted her about Cat. Niomi had only replied that she had no intentions on anything, after all, she had just recently met the girl.

"That doesn't mean anything," Tori said with a sigh, hand on her forehead. Niomi only shook her head and smiled, shrugging. "What can I say Tor, I'm just trying to enjoy life. Maybe you shouldn't worry so much and actually just enjoy life too, right? You're too young to be worrying about other people."

"Cause she's my friend!" Tori exclaimed in defense. "Now that her girlfriend isn't here I'm taking it upon myself to look out for her!"

Niomi half raised her arms. "I'm pretty sure Cat can take care of herself. And I'll bet you anything I doubt her GF was anything but supportive instead of possessive the way you are acting." She then shrugged again. "But hey, you know them better than I do. But ya know if you think I am invading then I'll back off. After all, you're all kids. It seems so strange watching you all take things way too seriously."

Tori shook her head and jabbed a finger at herself, "Sure we're kids, but we're kids that look after each other as a family. It tore me apart when I found out what had happened to those two. I was there when each of them would come crying to me or put me in the middle. I saw everything they went through, how much they struggled to be together and when finally you think they caught a break all chaos broke loose and Cat is the living proof of that relationship. She's a mess! I want to keep her safe .Why? I don't know why the hell I do that cause, hey, like you say 'she can take care of herself'. That's not the point! I care about my friends!" and completely switching the topic she inputted. "And I sincerely hope you are not playing games with Andre's heart too."

Niomi looked flabbergasted, "His heart?" she threw up her hands in defeat. "How is it none of you can take a compliment?"

And that was the end of that conversation when Andre and Robbie burst through the doors looking for them. Niomi wondered why there was never any privacy with a single one of them without the rest showing up unexpectantly. But then she should be expecting that with how tight knit they were.

However come the next Monday Niomi texted Cat while she was in class to come see her at the haunted house. Niomi didn't actually expect her to show up 30 minutes later. "I meant after class silly goose!"

Cat suddenly blushed, hiding her face with her long sleeves. She had acted on instinct. At first she had hesitated to give the Halloween freak her number but Andre had insisted. She was trying hard to concentrate on the script the teacher had put out for them to fill in. All her answers were coming out morbid instead of the cheerful comments she used to put in. When she crumbled it up her phone vibrated in her pocket. Upon seeing the text she was elated. She took a few minutes to put the phone away but the letters popped out at her more than anything. "I want to see you."

Cat had quickly sneaked out of class and caught the bus heading towards the theme park. All the while she stood gripping the bus's handles she was trying to calm her breathing. Why was she feeling so excited? The doors opened, the sunlight caught her in the face and she rushed out blindly towards the haunted house that was deep inside. Niomi had given them each a three month pass and they used it any chance they got. So now that she stood in front of Niomi she didn't have any words. She stood breathless and a little dizzy from running.

"I didn't think you'd be here this quick," Niomi chuckled. "Still kinda at work."

"So kinda hide with me then," Cat teased with a dimpled smile. Niomi smiled, "You are a minx." Niomi took her hand and pulled her towards one of the haunted rooms with a bed with fake blood all over it, making it seem like a murder scene. She closed the door and Cat walked into the room dimly lit by a red light in the upper corner. She covered her mouth with a sleeve and stared at her surroundings. She turned around when she heard Niomi slide off her black wig to reveal her blonde hair, ruffling it.

"Did you want to talk to me about something? Or did you just want to look at my cute face?" Cat kept teasing, raising her chin with a grin. Niomi smiled and rubbed the back of her head. "Well I was hoping we could go for ice cream."

"Oh, so you meant the whole crew then."

Niomi shook her head and looked away from her, hands on hips. "Pretty sure I said I wanted to see you."

Cat lost her smile and she tucked her hair behind her ear, "About that…"she said idly turning away.

"It's just a harmless snack, kitty-" Niomi quickly caught herself from saying the nickname Cat hated. "Just wanted to chill with you alone. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like your friends but I actually kept coming to see you, but you keep running from me." She sat down on the edge of the red crusty bed and gazed up at the redhead who had her back turned to her.

"Harmless," Cat repeated. She played with the frayed edges of her sweater, not knowing what to say.

"Just looking for a friendship with you Candy Crown."

Cat burst out in giggles and whirled around to face her, "What's with you and nicknames?"

.

After Niomi's shift ended and she had changed they went to eat at the food lane. Cat loved sweets and Niomi liked salty treats. Cat reached over to take one of Niomi's fries and she nipped at Cat's cone who squealed in shock, slapping her arm. "That took a lot! That was a big bite you big mouth!"

They stood in line for the twin dragon rollercoaster and played 21 questions while they waited. Niomi leaned back against the railing and Cat stood in front of her in the tight space, playing with the tips of her hair. Niomi was careful with her questions, keeping it small and simple.

"Favorite color," Niomi asked.

Cat pointed to her head with a wide grin, "Hint, hint! Okay my turn, what's your favorite color?"

Niomi rolled her eyes with a smirk, running her tongue over her teeth. Her questions were going to be original it seemed. Not. "I like all kinds of colors," she replied finally.

"Your favorite," Cat pointed out jabbing her in the stomach making Niomi chuckle. "Ah, okay, if I had to pick one… hmm… I'd say orange."

"Why orange?" Cat tilted her head to the side. Niomi imitated her, "I like sunsets and campfires." Cat laughed and nodded, accepting the answer. They moved two feet along the line and resumed their previous stances. Niomi looked up at the rafters and thought a minute. "Hmm, okay. What's my favorite holiday?"

"Heeeey," Cat said slightly disappointed. Niomi chuckled, "A question is a question."

Cat rolled her eyes and clapped her hands. "Halloween. Even though it's technically not a –" Niomi covered her mouth in mock strangle. Cat pulled away and put her hands over her chest and rocked left and right. "Okay! Okay, okay what's my favorite holiday?"

Niomi's grin faded and she inspected Cat's hopeful gaze. "I don't know… you're going to have to fill me in on that one." Cat smiled to herself and tucked away the same strand that kept escaping her ear. "I guess you'll just have to find out," she replied with a cute shrug. Niomi nodded, "If you let me, sure."

After the Twin Dragon ride they went to the log ride and got soaked by just standing under the waiting area. With water sprinkling on them, Niomi couldn't help but stare at Cat as she glistened with the sun rays. She tried to mop her face with her soaked sleeves but giggled in her attempts to stay dry under the splash wagon. Niomi laughed and hugged her to her chest to prevent her from getting more wet.

After that ride, where Cat clung to her while screaming and getting splashed in the face, they went to get dry by lying on the grass. The sun was still high enough and they passed the time with idle chatter. Upon saying she was thirsty, Niomi flagged down an Icee truck and a crowd formed around the sno-cone guy. "Another question," Niomi turned to Cat. "What's your favorite flavor?"

Cat giggled to herself, "Guess."

Niomi shook her head once and looked at the colors. "Uhm … Cherry."

"Yaaaaay!" Cat gave her tummy a few jabs with her fingers happily. "You did it! I didn't even have to tell you!" Niomi laughed as she received the two cones and gave her the red one. "Would you have told me otherwise?"

"If you were taking too long sure," Cat replied with a shrug. Niomi shook her head again but chased her back to their spot on the grass.

.

After eating their cones they decided to go for a walk. Their clothes were still a bit damp so they decided to let the breeze and the sun dry their clothes as they walked. They strolled through Game lane and watched people play their luck. Niomi commented on a kid how he was going to lose cause the game was rigged. When the barker heard her, he offered her a ball for the bottle pyramid. Niomi rolled her eyes and took it. "First shots free lil lady!"

Niomi muttered that of course it was and she wouldn't hit it anyway. Sure enough it bounced off the pyramid with a dull clink. She lunged forward and placed her foot on the bench wanting to climb in and beat him with the lead bottles but Cat held her back. "It was a free shot, Niomi, it's okay!"

"Don't humiliate me, Jack, you dumbshit!" Niomi yelled over her shoulder as Cat dragged her away by the arm. "Let's get cotton candy!" Cat exclaimed trying to distract the wired up girl. Niomi turned to her, "More sweets?"

Cat smiled widely, "I love sweets. And I wanna ride the swings!"

.

Later that night Niomi took Cat dancing without the crew. Andre was texting her like crazy but she put it silent. She wanted to know what Cat was like without her 'supervising' friends. As soon as they hit the club Cat was already bouncing in anticipation when they got through the V.I.P. "I feel like a celebrity!" she cried out in awe as the red rope was lifted and Niomi took her by the hand, leading her up the stairs. Everyone they passed on the stairs was bobbing to the music, greeting them with smiles and raised glasses.

"What you drinking?" the bartender asked Cat. When she took a minute to respond, Niomi ordered her a Hypnotique. Cat chugged it the second she got it. The bartender and Niomi stared and then chuckled to themselves. "So thirsty," Cat breathed out finally. She licked her lips. "And yummy too!" she ordered two more.

In short time they were dancing, Cat being goofy and slightly tipsy danced like she was rowing a boat and climbing a ladder. Her antics made Niomi and everyone around her dance like it was the end of the world. Niomi sensually circled her hips and dipped with Cat when Cat turned her back to her and mimicked her sexy movements. Niomi placed her hand on Cat's hip from behind and the men hooted at them to grind. Cat, strong with liquor, obliged and pushed back against Niomi's midsection. When the crowd rose around them at a new song, Cat was bumped into Niomi. Niomi caught her and laughing they continued to dance.

.

Cat slumped onto her bed in a happy giddy heap. She quickly got up and bounced a few times while she excitedly told Niomi about everything in her room. Niomi slowly spun in a circle and stared at the walls of colorful posters. She was surprised that she didn't see pictures of Jade anywhere. Maybe she kept them hidden. "It's a … very … pink room," Niomi commented in amusement at the frills everywhere. "Frills huh?"

Cat kept bouncing on her knees. "Jade likes frills, except she likes them black. I thought that'd be weird in a pink room."

Niomi shrugged and crossed her arms, standing in front of Cat. "I think black and pink make a hot couple." Cat stopped bouncing and blushing pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. As if a thought just hit her, she got up off her bed hastily. She walked past Niomi who turned slowly to follow her with her eyes. "Ya know," Cat softly whispered, not turning around. "I'm not even sure why you remind me of Jade."

She spun around finally to face Niomi. "Jade's hair isn't black, it's dark brown. Jade has green eyes with a shiny eyebrow hoop thingy and every time she'd raise her eyebrows in that judgemental way, I'd stare at it." She said these things almost carelessly while looking up at her. Niomi stayed silent and stared back. "And she does this thing where she makes you think she's not listening but actually she heard every word you said and locks it up and she never forgets. She cares without caring. She smiles without you knowing exactly why she does. She likes things that remind her of pain, things that throw her back to her past. She says she hates it, but I think she hates more that it can't be erased. Can you erase a past?" Cat shook her head, answering herself and she started to pace, nervously wrenching her hands. Niomi wondered if this was the liquor still in her system or just tired.

"We were only together for a short time, but I felt like we've been in an abusive relationship ever since we met. It's been a rollercoaster. Actually I shouldn't say that huh? We both had boyfriends at the time. And this guy I was dating …" Cat froze a second and looked ready to cry. "Why did she pick me?"

Niomi thought it was time to intervene. She grabbed Cat by the hand and forced her to look at her. "I'm sure Jade sees you like no one else will ever see you. What you two have is sweet. She is the ice cream in a glass bowl and you are the hot syrup that dripped all over her and life is scooping the two of you together as it should be."

Cat giggled at the thought and smiled genuinely. She looked over at her clock and gasped at the time. "It's three in the morning?!"

"What?" Niomi looked confused. "Do you have a strict sleeping schedule? Shoulda said something."

"I... I wanted to hang out with you as long as possible," Cat said shyly. Niomi tilted her head, the things this girl said in the same few minutes was strange. "You can stay here!" Cat exclaimed excitedly. "Like a sleepover."

"Oh?" Niomi straightened up, "Your parents won't mind?"

Cat shook her head as she turned to her bed. "My parents took my brother somewhere and won't be back till next week."

"You're by yourself?"

"I can take care of myself."

"Not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?!"

"Cat, I'm not sure what you're getting upset about."

"I'm not upset!"

"Excitably upset?"

Cat turned away with a frustrated sigh. Niomi caught sight of her forearms when Cat pulled her dress off. Why didn't she see those before? Was this the reason she wore long sleeved shirts in the heat of summer? Cat seemed to forget she had them. She twirled around and spread her arms, exposing them neglectfully with a serene sweet smile on her face, brown eyes sparkling with the invitation. Niomi swallowed hard.

Cat… what's happened to you?

She kept the question to herself. Instead she plunged into Cat's embrace and bore her down to the bed.

.

I'm writing I swear! Please review and you can even tell me what you don't like lol I know my writings not that great, but hopefully I'm putting down what I'm learning XD