At school the following Monday, Rachel came up to Kitty, acting as if nothing had happened between them. Rachel Tabor never wanted to drop a friend unless it was her decision.
Kitty didn't even feel like continuing the argument, so she just accepted Rachel's warm behavior as the unspoken apology she knew it wasn't. Back at school, everything seemed so normal. It was like the week before had never even happened. As if nothing had changed.
But something had changed. Kitty felt it the moment she saw Lance, and she knew it was something real, something significant. A feeling deep inside her told her it wasn't a chance meeting.
She looked for him everyday for the next week, hoping that he'd come back to school, and somehow they'd fall madly in love, making everything perfect. At the time she thought she believed it was possible because of fate and knowing something was "meant to be." Years later, she'd chalk it up to the naïveté of youth.
Lance didn't show back up at school. Kitty stopped looking for him. Not so much because of a loss of faith that she'd someday see him again, but because her life was going on around her. She had classes, cheerleading, Saturday outings to the mall with Rachel, Miriam, and Leah. She went on being an average teenage girl, with yearnings for star-crossed love taking a backseat to other things.
Almost three months went by before Kitty saw Lance again. Even though he'd rejected her, as soon as she saw him again she couldn't stop herself from approaching him.
"You're the last person I'd ever expect to find working at a GAP."
Lance wheeled around, staring at Kitty in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"Shopping. The GAP is one of my favorite stores."
"Figures," Lance muttered. "So can I help you with anything?"
"No…I was just looking around." Kitty paused for a moment, then said. "Look, do you have a break coming up or something? Maybe we could talk a little…"
"I may be wearing khakis and working at the GAP, but I'm still not your type."
"Lance…"
"If you're not going to buy anything, just go. I have customers."
"Fine," Kitty said, storming out of the store. She refused to cry. She wouldn't give Lance that.
*** *** ***
Lance saw Kitty sitting in the food court sipping an iced coffee when he went out for his lunch break. Against his better judgment, he walked over. "Hey, Kitty."
Kitty looked up. "Lance?"
"Yeah. Um, could I sit down?"
"No, sorry. That seat's reserved for someone who's 'my type.' Oh look, a guy just walked out of J. Crew. Why don't I go hit on him, and we can be shallow preps together!"
"Kitty, that isn't what I meant. Look, I'm sorry if I seemed snippy back there. It's just, well, you're a nice girl, and I don't want to lead you on."
"Then why does it have to be just leading me on? You obviously like me. When you kissed me in you car—that's not the way you kiss someone you're not in the least bit interested in," Kitty said.
"We're not right for each other…"
"Answer me honestly, Lance. In the three months since we last saw each other, how often have you thought of me?"
Lance stared down at his hands. "Every day," he admitted softly.
"But you're okay with letting me walk out of your life?"
"I'm not a nice guy, Kitty."
Kitty rolled her eyes. "Right. I forgot. I'm Little Miss Perfect and you're the Bad Boy of Deerfield."
"Kitty…"
"Look, I'm not stupid, all right? I know what I'd be getting into with you, but I don't care. I like you, and you like me. Why can't we at least give it a try? We may surprise you, Lance."
"You're too good for me."
"Why don't you let that be my decision?"
"You honestly like me that much?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Just do."
"I'm off in four hours. Meet me in front of the GAP then if you're really interested."
"I'll be there."
"I won't blame you if you're not." Lance walked away.
*** *** ***
Kitty was waiting for Lance. He saw her and a lump grew in his throat. She was so perfect, way too much so for the likes of him. But he was drawn to her—like mosquito to a bug zapper.
"Hey, Lance."
"You came."
"I said I would."
"You can still leave if you want to."
"I don't want to."
Lance stared at her for a moment, trying to decide if he should stay and let himself get in too deep, or run while he still could. "We could go somewhere else and talk for a little while—if that's all right with you."
"Know a place that's quiet?"
Lance thought for a moment. "Don't take this the wrong way, but we could go back to my apartment. I won't try anything, I swear. We just…wouldn't be bothered there."
The sensible part of Kitty's brain told her to walk away—or at least go somewhere where there would be other people—but she didn't want to be sensible. "Mind if I follow you in my car?"
Lance shrugged. "Works for me."
They walked off together, close but not touching.
*** *** ***
Lance's apartment was pretty much exactly what Kitty had expected—small, dark, and dirty. "Sorry it's not much," Lance said.
"It's fine," Kitty replied.
"What something to drink? I have, um, tap water and cheap beer."
Kitty giggled a little. "Water'll be fine.
Lance gave her a crooked grin, and Kitty had to keep herself from swooning. "You can have a seat on the couch," he told her.
Kitty nodded and walked over to the couch while Lance went into the small kitchen. Kitty sat down carefully, surprised to find that it was actually sturdy and comfortable.
"It doesn't look like much," Lance said, walking in and handing Kitty a glass of water, "But I got it second-hand for a good deal. And it pulls out, which saved me from having to buy a bed. Especially nice when the only other rooms in this place are the kitchen and the bathroom, too."
"It's comfortable," Kitty said, taking a sip of water.
Lance sat down beside her, downing half a glass of water in one gulp. He seemed to be shaking a little. Kitty raised an eyebrow. "Nervous?" she asked.
"No. Why?"
"You seem like you are," Kitty replied with a shrug.
"What would I have to be nervous about?"
"I don't know."
A long silence followed. Kitty looked down, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger. "So…how's school?" Lance asked.
"It's all right," Kitty said. "Just trying to get through so I can have a real life."
"Better than being a loser drop-out like me, I guess."
Kitty winced a little. "You're not a loser, Lance."
"Right. I'm just a victim of circumstance. Some people are born with upper-middle class bankers for fathers, and some people aren't."
"Lance, don't say that. It's not fair to either one of us."
"I'm not good enough for you."
"I swear, Lance if you say that one more time, I'm going to lose my mind! Do you like me?"
"Kitty…"
"Answer the damn question, Alvers."
"Yes."
"Okay then. I like you and you like me. Maybe it's not a picture-perfect match, but it's a match all the same. I want to do something about it, and if you were being honest with yourself and me, you'd admit you do, too."
"We'll only end up hurting each other."
"Not having you hurts, Lance. Every day since my party I've thought of you, and the idea that I might never see you again makes me ache. I don't know what it is about you, but from that moment we bumped into each other in front of the school, I knew you were meant to be more in my life than a mere acquaintance."
Lance sighed heavily in resignation. "I feel the same way."
"Then let's just see where this takes us."
"We're playing with fire."
"I'm not afraid of getting burned."
Lance didn't reply with words, instead he reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He wondered how long it would be until she realized she was making a mistake.
*** *** ***
For the past three hours, Lance had been doing nothing but talking to Kitty. They ended up sitting on the floor, eating a pizza and laughing more than Lance remembered doing in a long time.
Lance glanced down at his watch. "It's getting late," Lance said. "Won't your parents be worried?"
"No," Kitty replied. "My parents go off all the time. Dad has business, and mom takes the opportunity to get out of the house whenever he's gone. My theory is she has a boyfriend, but I've never asked her about it."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "Are things not happy at home?"
Kitty shrugged. "My parents have their problems. I just take care of myself, and everything's fine."
"When are they coming back?"
"Tomorrow night."
Lance was silent for a moment, wondering if he should say what was on his mind. He decided he might as well give asking a shot. "You want to stay here for the night?"
Kitty looked suddenly nervous. "I…I've never…I mean…"
Lance smiled warmly. "I know—and I'm not going to try anything like that, I promise. I just want you to stay, because, well, I like talking to you. It gets lonely over here."
Kitty smiled. "All right. I like talking to you, too."
Lance reached over pulled Kitty over to him so her head was resting on his shoulder. "What is it about you?" Lance asked. "I've tried to convince myself that we'd be better off apart, but I can't seem to believe it for long."
"Maybe that's because you know it isn't true."
"You've put a spell on me, Katherine."
Kitty sighed contently. Lance wasn't the only one bewitched.
*** *** ***
Kitty had agreed to stay the night with Lance, but the later it got, the more nervous she became. Despite what she wanted Lance to believe, she was very much the Good Girl. Even with her parents gone as much as they were, she'd never been one to sneak around behind their backs. She was home by curfew whether they were there to check on her or not. Now here she was, ready to throw away her perfect track record for what? Lance had promised he wouldn't try anything, but what would happen once they were actually in bed together?
"Kit? You look tired. Wanna go to sleep?"
"No, I'm fine." She was betrayed by a yawn.
Lance frowned. "You don't have to stay here, you know. You can go home, and I'll call you tomorrow."
Kitty shook her head. As nervous as she was, she didn't want to tell him she was having doubts. "I'll be fine."
"I'm not going to take advantage of you," he told her. "I'm not that much of a jerk."
Kitty smiled, his words making her a little more comfortable. "I know. I've been here all night and the most you've done is lightly kiss me."
Lance took her hand, stroking it with his thumb. "I just want you near me. I've tried to fight what I feel for you—I can't."
"I don't want you to fight it. I don't care what anyone thinks. I want to be with you."
Lance leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Want me to get you something to sleep in?"
"Yes, please."
Lance went to his small closet and pulled out a T-shirt. "This should be pretty long on you, but I can get you some sweatpants, too, if they'd make you more comfortable."
"This will be fine," Kitty said, taking the shirt. "Thank you."
"There's a spare toothbrush in the drawer in the bathroom. Feel free to use anything in there you need."
Kitty smiled. "Thanks. I won't be long."
Lance stared forward long after Kitty had already shut the bathroom door. What was happening to him?
*** *** ***
Kitty watched her reflection in the mirror. What was she doing? She was standing in the bathroom of a man who, in all honesty, she barely knew. She laughed softly, yet almost hysterically. She was looking at herself, but she certainly didn't feel like the same Kitty Pryde she'd always been. She was dressed in Lance's shirt, and it swallowed her whole, reaching down to her knees.
She looked like Lance's girlfriend.
She smoothed her hair before walking out into the main room. Lance had pulled out the couch and was standing beside it in only his boxers. Kitty swallowed hard, then blushed when she realized she was staring.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Lance asked.
"No," Kitty replied. "Just…tired."
"You can still go home if you want," Lance offered.
Kitty steeled her nerves. "I want to stay here." She walked over to the couch bed and sat on it. "You coming to bed or not?"
Lance responded by switching off the light, making the room dark save for the faint glow coming from the street beyond the window. He lay down and reached out for her. Kitty moved into his arms, all her apprehension fading away when he held her chastely. "Sleep tight, Kitty," Lance said, kissing the top of her head.
Kitty smiled, already drifting off. "You, too, Lance."
Lance held her throughout the night. It felt so good not to be alone…
*** *** ***
Kitty woke up feeling safe and warm. She stretched, then suddenly realized she wasn't alone in the bed. She tried to sit up, but a strong arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her in place. "Where ya goin'?" Lance asked sleepily.
Kitty relaxed when she realized where she was. "Nowhere. Good morning."
"Mornin'." Lance gave her a gentle kiss. "I don't have to work today until seven. I work at a garage some, and I work nights from time to time. Helps Rick—that's the owner of the place—get people their cars back quicker. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to do anything today."
"Sounds good," Kitty said.
Lance smiled. "You know, when it's just the two of us like this, I forget all the reasons I've come up with for us to be apart."
"Just keep forgetting those." Kitty kissed Lance, this time not letting him break the kiss after a couple of seconds. Lance pulled her closer, the passion he'd shown her that night in his car starting to rise to the surface again. Kitty whimpered and tangled her fingers in his hair.
Lance held her against him, wanting her so badly it hurt. He tore himself away. "Kitty," he said, trying to catch his breath, "we need to stop, or we're going to spend a lot more time in this bed than we planned."
Kitty gazed at him, her eyelids lowered. "Would that be so bad?"
Lance shivered, her husky words going straight to his groin. "I don't want to rush things with you," he said, reminding himself of just why he wasn't pouncing on her. "You're better than that. Every woman I've ever been with had been just sex. I don't want that with you."
"You don't want to have sex with me?"
"No! Er, um, I mean I want to have sex with you—just not now. If I'm going to be with you, I want to do it right. Relationship first."
Kitty smiled a little. "I guess that'll work."
Lance kissed her once more, softly. "Come on. There's someone I want you to meet."
*** *** ***
"So this is where you're working tonight?" Kitty asked as Lance pulled up to a place with a sign out front that read "Rick's Garage."
"Yeah," Lance said. "Rick is just about the nicest man in the world. He and his wife Linda have sort of taken me in over the past couple months. Linda's been helping me try to get my GED."
Kitty held Lance's hand as they walked towards the front door. A guy about Lance's age was sitting behind the counter. "Lance! Dude! I thought you had the late night shift with Mike tonight."
"Hey, Jeff," Lance said with a sigh. "I do have the late shift. I just came to see Rick. Is he here?"
"Yeah, he's in the back. Dude, aren't you gonna introduce me to your chick?"
"Uh, yeah. Kitty, this is Jeff, Jeff, this is Kitty Pryde."
"The Kitty Pryde?!" Jeff asked. "The one you were droolin' all over when you were sleepin' on my couch? Dude!"
"Yes. That Kitty."
"You were right, dude. She is hot. Bag 'er yet?"
Kitty's eyes grew wide. "Jeff!" Lance exclaimed. "Really, man."
"I was just askin', dude," Lance said with a shrug.
"I'm going back to see Rick. See you late Jeff."
"See ya, dude. You, too, dudette."
Kitty nodded a goodbye as Lance pulled her away from Jeff. "Sorry about him," Lance said once they were safely away from Jeff. "He has the I.Q. of a gnat. It's best to ignore ninety-eight percent of what he says." Lance paused for a moment and then added. "His heart really is in the right place, though. He's helped me a lot. Gave me a place to stay for a while and helped me get this job." Lance reached the end of the hall and knocked on the door in front of him. A voice from inside called for them to come in. "Hey, Rick," Lance said, opening the door.
Rick looked up and smiled. "Hey, Lance! And who's this pretty girl you're with?"
"This is Kitty Pryde. My girlfriend."
Rick broke out into an even bigger grin. "Girlfriend, huh? Well come over here and let me get a look at you."
Kitty let go of Lance's hand and walked over to Rick. "Well aren't you a pretty little thing!" Rick said. "Lance is sure lucky to have you."
Kitty blushed. "Thank you."
"You keep him in line now, sweetheart. Lance needs a good woman to make sure he behaves himself."
"I'll do my best," Kitty said with a smile. "I'm not sure if keeping Lance under control is a job only one person can handle."
Rick laughed loudly. "I like this one, Lance. Bring her by the house for dinner sometime. Linda would love her."
Lance put his arm around Kitty's arm proudly. "I'll be sure to do that."
*** *** ***
Kitty felt a warm feeling towards Lance. By introducing her to Rick, she knew he'd done the closest he could to introducing her to his father. As much as he told her they were wrong for each other, she knew he really did want it to work as badly as she did.
Lance took her hand again. Kitty smiled. She loved feeling her hand in his. "Anything you want to do?" he asked.
"Mind if we get something to eat?"
"Works for me. There's this little diner around here that I go to a lot. Wanna check it out?"
"Sure."
Lance drove her to the diner. "Lance!" the woman behind the counter exclaimed as soon as Kitty and Lance walked in. She was a hefty woman, probably in her late forties.
"Hey, Suzie. This is my girlfriend, Kitty."
"Well, hey, Kitty!" Suzie exclaimed. "Ain't you the lucky one, gettin' a cutie like Lance."
Kitty giggled. "He is pretty cute." She gave Lance's hand a squeeze.
"Let me get you kids a booth." Suzie walked out from behind the counter with two menus, then seated Kitty and Lance. "Just holler when you're ready to order."
"We will, Suzie. Thanks."
"People around here sure do like you," Kitty said once Suzie was gone.
Lance shrugged. "They're probably just nice to everyone."
"I don't think that's it. You don't give yourself enough credit, Lance."
"How do you know I'm worth anything? Dammit, Kitty, you barely even know me."
Kitty took his words like a physical blow. He'd seemed to be changing the attitude he'd had previously, but now he was falling back into it. "If that's true, it's only because you won't let me in. We could've been together months ago, but you ran. I obviously want to get to know you. You keep acting like you're the scum of the earth, but I don't believe that for a second."
"I'm not worth that much, Kitty. No one's ever wanted me. It's like I'm…broken."
"I want you."
"Why?"
Kitty gave him a wry grin. "Beats me." She sobered. "Seriously, Lance, you're handsome, funny, kind, and a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for. You've always carried around the label of the bad boy who doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, but the more time I spend with you, the more I see that isn't true."
"You really do like me, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do."
"I'll do my best to give you what you deserve."
"And I'll do the same for you."
Lance felt suddenly happier than he ever had before. For the first time in his life, he believed maybe he was worth something.
*** *** ***
"I don't want to leave," Kitty said, standing outside her car in the parking lot of Lance's apartment building.
"I don't want you to, either, but I don't think your parents would be too happy if you ran off with a juvenile delinquent."
"They'd find some self-help guru to help them cope," Kitty said with a laugh.
Lance chuckled. "I'm not working Thursday night. Wanna catch a movie or something?"
"Sure. Sounds great."
"I'll call you and get directions to your place. Unless you'd rather I didn't pick you up…"
"Why wouldn't I want you to?"
"I might be an embarrassment."
Kitty stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Never, Lance."
Lance grinned from ear to ear. "See you Thursday then, baby."
*** *** ***
"So Kitty, are you like, going to the mall with us?"
"When, Rachel?"
"Thursday."
"Oh, sorry, Ray, but I can't," Kitty said.
"You can't!" Rachel exclaimed. "But you never miss mall night!"
"Sorry. I already made other plans."
Rachel frowned. "How can you possibly have other plans?"
"I hate to break this to you, but you're not the center of my social life."
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Well, what's the all-important event then?"
"I have a date."
"A date?!" Rachel repeated, practically squealing. "With who?"
Kitty considered lying. She didn't. She held her head a little higher. "Lance Alvers."
Rachel's jaw dropped. "Lance? I thought you were over that."
"No. Lance is my boyfriend, as a matter of fact. You better get used to it."
"I was going to ask if he managed to get you in bed, but the answer is obviously no, since you seem to still think he has an interest in you."
"Lance isn't like that, Rachel."
"Oh no? He sure was with me"
"What?!"
Rachel looked almost smug. "Lance and I had a thing a while back. He took advantage of me, and then just left without as much as a good-bye. He's probably only with you to rub salt in my wound."
"I…I don't believe you."
"Kitty, I'm your best friend—I wouldn't lie to you about something like this. I'm only trying to protect you."
"But Lance wouldn't do that! He isn't that type of person!"
"Not when he's trying to seduce you."
"Why are you just now telling me this?"
"I didn't want to upset you. When I saw Lance was gone from your life, I thought you'd be safe, but now… Even though I'm humiliated, and I thought I could never bring myself to admit what happened, I have to tell you now. It's for your own protection."
Kitty didn't want to believe anything like that about Lance, but at the same time, Rachel was her best friend. "Ray, I…"
"I was a virgin," Rachel said, tears suddenly forming in her eyes. "He told me he really cared about me, and I believed him. He broke my heart—just like he's going to break yours."
"Rachel, I…" Kitty looked away. "I just don't know."
Rachel put her hand on Kitty's shoulder. "I know it's hard to accept, but you need to. For your own safety."
Kitty just nodded, the sick feeling in her stomach growing.
*** *** ***
Lance called Kitty that night. He could tell in the way she said "hello" that something was wrong. "Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes…no…I don't know."
"Kit, what's wrong."
"I talked to Rachel today. She said…she said you slept with her." Her words were followed by a moment of dead silence. "Lance?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Well, is it true?"
"Yes."
Kitty felt the tears start rolling down her cheeks. "How?"
"We were at a party, and we ended up making out. She asked me if I wanted to go upstairs to one of the bedrooms. We did, and we had sex."
"That isn't what she told me."
"What's her version?"
"She said you made her believe you loved her, and it was the only reason she gave her virginity to you."
Lance snorted. "Rachel Tabor a virgin. Right. And I'm the pope."
"Lance?"
"Look, Rachel has a reputation with the…less-respected male population of Deerfield. To put it bluntly, she's a spoiled little rich girl who likes to slum it."
"I've known Rachel since kindergarten and she's never seemed that way to me."
"Come on, Kitty. Look at what she told you and compare it to what you know. Rachel said I convinced her I loved her? Has Rachel ever talked about guys she thought she was falling in love with before?"
"Yes."
"So don't you think if she'd been falling in love with me, you would've heard something about it?"
"I don't know."
"Kitty, please, believe me. Think about the other night. If I was what Rachel says I am, don't you think I would've done a little more than hold you?"
"I…I don't know."
"Katherine, I didn't do what she's saying I did. I did have sex with her—no point in denying that—but trust me, there was no deflowering of innocent virgins taking place."
"Why didn't you mention this before now?"
"I didn't want to go spreading Rachel's personal life around. I figured if she wanted you to know, she would've told you."
"I need to talk to Rachel."
"Kitty, don't…" Lance stopped. "All right. Fine. Call me if you ever decide I'm not scum."
"Lance, that isn't…"
The line went dead. Kitty started to cry in earnest.
*** *** ***
Kitty went over to Rachel's almost as soon as she regained her composure. She had to get to the bottom of things. "Lance says you aren't telling the truth about what happened between the two of you," she said as soon as she was sitting on Rachel's couch.
"Of course he said he didn't do it!" Rachel said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "He wants to get you in bed, and he knows he can't do that by admitting he slept with your best friend."
"Actually," Kitty said, "he did admit to sleeping with you. He just said it happened differently that you claimed."
"Well he's lying."
"You don't even know what he said."
"It's a lie, whatever it is."
"How long were you with him?" Kitty asked.
"Um, about a month, I guess," Rachel said after a pause.
"And in that month you never told me—your best friend—that you thought you were falling in love?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Please. As if I'd admit to loving someone who probably lives in a dumpster."
"If you really loved him, you wouldn't have felt that way about him."
"What do you know?"
"Enough," Kitty said, heading for Rachel's front door.
Rachel jumped up. "You're not actually going to believe him over me!"
"I've known you for over ten years. I've learned to tell when you're lying."
"Kitty! You can't believe some guy over your best friend!"
"Best friend?! Dammit, Rachel, what kind of 'best friend' are you? You're selfish, controlling, manipulative, and dishonest! You want what you want, and you don't care who you step on to get it. You're just a bitch."
Rachel narrowed her eyes. "If that's the way you feel, Katherine, then this friendship is over. And I'm warning you now—I'm not the kind of enemy you want to have."
"I'll take my chances." Kitty stormed out the house, slamming the door behind her.
*** *** ***
"Lance, come on, I know you're home! Just open the damn door!" Kitty banged on Lance's door until it suddenly flew open.
"What?!" Lance snapped.
"I want to talk to you."
"Why? So you can accuse me of seducing another one of your innocent little friends?"
Kitty bit her bottom lip in an effort not to cry. "No. I'm sorry, okay? I don't believe Rachel."
"Why not? I'm just scum after all."
"Lance, please, don't start that shit again. I was confused, okay? I've known Rachel for a long time, and it was a little hard to accept that she's not the type of person I thought she was."
"But it wasn't hard for you to see me as that type of person?"
"That's not what I meant! Dammit, stop twisting my words! It was just a lot for me to take in, okay? I didn't snap to a decision on either side. I just…needed some time to figure it all out. I believe you, Lance."
"Yeah, well, I'm not sure if I believe you believe me." He stumbled a little.
"Lance, are you drunk?" Kitty asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No. Okay, maybe a little."
Kitty took his hand and led him over to the couch. She walked over to the door, shutting and locking it. "What are doing?" Lance asked.
"Taking care of you. Got any coffee?"
"Yeah. Instant stuff in the kitchen."
Kitty nodded, then pulled out her cellphone as she walked towards the small galley kitchen. "Who ya callin'?" Lance asked. She put up her hand, signaling for him to be quiet.
"Hey, Mom. I'm over at a friend's house. She called while you were out. She just broke up with her boyfriend, and she asked me to stay over the night and comfort her." Kitty stopped talking for a moment, rolling her eyes. "Yes, I'm aware of the fact that it's a school night. I won't miss any classes tomorrow, I promise. All right. You, too. Night, Mom." Kitty clicked off her cell and started making the coffee. "How much did you drink?" she asked Lance.
"How much isn't in that bottle."
Kitty did a double take when she saw the Jack Daniels sitting on the counter. "Lance, that bottle is almost empty."
"Yeah, well, I was depressed."
The microwave beeped, and Kitty took out the water and mixed in the coffee. "How do you take your coffee?" she asked.
"Black." Lance sighed. "I thought you hated me."
Kitty carried him the mug. She sat down beside him on the couch and brushed his hair out of his face. "I don't hate you, sweetheart." Lance's hands trembled, and she reached out to steady them so he wouldn't spill the hot coffee on himself.
Lance looked up and met her gaze. "You really are gonna take care of me, aren't you? No one's ever done that before. Not even my own mother. She…she just had me take care of her."
"I'm here for you, Lance."
Kitty helped Lance drink the coffee. He sighed. "You're an angel."
"It's the least I could do, seeing as I drove you to drink and all," she said with a small smile.
"No. No, never you, Kitty. You're so perfect."
"I'm not."
"Better than any other woman who's spent her time with the likes of me."
"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself."
"How can I not be? God, look at me! I'm a drunk bum."
"No, you're not." Kitty took the empty coffee mug from him. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"You gonna stay with me?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I sleep better when you're here. I hate being alone."
Kitty helped him to his feet. "What do you have to do to get this bed out?"
"Take off the cushions and pull on it," Lance said, leaning against the wall for support. "Sheets are on it, and the pillows are in the closet."
Kitty fixed up the bed, then led Lance over to sit on it. She helped him get undressed, then guided his head to the pillow. She pulled the sheet over him and kissed his forehead. "I'm going to borrow one of you T-Shirts again, okay?" Lance nodded. "Be right back."
Kitty went into the bathroom, then came out a few minutes later and climbed into bed. Lance pulled her to him. "I don't want to be my parents," he said after a moment.
"What?"
"My parents drank all the time. Dad would hit me and Mom. And she…she'd just forget about me. I had to take care of everything myself, and I was always afraid. Social services came and took me away when I was eleven. I went into foster care. Things didn't get better. I was always alone."
Kitty held Lance tighter. She felt pain for the little boy he'd been, and couldn't believe anyone would turn their back on their own child. "I'm here for you now, Lance. Anything you need, I'm here."
"You don't need everything that comes with me, Kitty. You have a bright future."
"I'm not turning my back on you."
"You could have a boyfriend with so much more that me. Class president, captain of the football team, prom king—anyone of them would be happy to have you."
"You're what I want. Accept it."
"Hard to when I've always lost the good things in my life."
"I'm not going anywhere."
Lance didn't say anything else. He decided he better be grateful for what he had, while he had it.
*** *** ***
Kitty woke up to the sound of Lance paying the price for the night before. When she went into the bathroom, he was brushing his teeth. "Why don't you go back to bed? I'll clean up in here."
Lance rinsed out his mouth. "I can't ask you to do that."
"You're not. Get in the bed."
"Kitty…"
"Now, Alvers."
Lance decided his head hurt too much to argue with a woman. He lay back down on the bed. A little while later, Kitty came out, fully dressed, carrying a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. "Thank you," Lance said as he took them from her.
Kitty smiled. "Thought you might need that."
"I did."
"I have to get going," she told him. "I'm already going to be late for first period."
"I'm sorry," Lance said.
Kitty kissed him lightly. "Don't be. I'll call you after school to check up on you."
"All right. Kit, could you do me one more favor?"
"Sure, hon."
"Call Rick and tell him I can't work today. It's my day off from the GAP, so I told him I'd come in during the day."
"What's his number?"
"It's over by the phone."
Kitty went into the kitchen and found Rick's number among a few others stuck to a cork board by the phone. She dialed the number.
"Rick's Garage, this is Ric speaking."
"Hey, Rick, it's Kitty—Lance's girlfriend."
"Well, hi, Kitty. Is Lance all right?"
"Yeah, he's just…he isn't feeling well."
"It's okay, Kitty, you don't have to try to cover for him. I ain't gonna fire the kid."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Sure ya don't. Look, tell Lance to call me when he can see straight again, all right?"
"Yeah, I will."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Kitty was frowning when she hung up the phone.
*** *** ***
Later that day, Kitty was over at Lance's house, eating the food she'd brought over with her. "You should've just let me pass out and wake up in pain," Lance said.
"I couldn't do that, and you know it. You needed someone to help you, so I did. Simple as that."
"But I did it to myself. I deserved anything that could've happened last night, Kitty."
"Knock it off. You are not evil incarnate."
"No, but I'm not the kind of guy girls like you end up happy with."
"Would you stop it!" Kitty yelled. "Dammit, from day one all you've said is how you're not good enough for me. It's insulting. I like you, and I want to be with you. If you're no better than pond scum, then what does that say about me and my judgment, huh?"
"Kitty, I…"
"No. I don't want to hear anymore about it. Either you're going to accept that you're good enough to be with me, or I am going to walk out that door. What's it gonna be?"
Lance reached over and grabbed her hand. "Don't go, please."
"You going to stop degrading yourself all the time?"
"I'll try."
"Try hard, all right?"
"I will."
*** *** ***
It didn't take Kitty long to learn just what being Rachel Tabor's enemy meant. Almost overnight she'd gone from popular girl to school pariah. People pointed and whispered whenever she walked by. Everyone she'd once considered a friend revealed that they were anything but. She decided people could say what they wanted about her. She wasn't going to crumble.
"Kitty, sweetie, can I talk to you?"
Kitty looked up from her math homework. "Sure, Mom. What is it?"
Theresa Pryde sat down on the edge of her daughter's bed. "Well, I'm worried about you. You never do anything with your friends anymore, except with a boyfriend neither your father nor I have ever met. Frankly, I'm nervous about the influence that Lance boy is having on you."
"What makes you say that?"
"I'll just be honest. I talked to Rachel's mom, and she said that her daughter isn't hanging out with you anymore because of your…promiscuity."
"You can't actually believe that!" Kitty exclaimed in shock. "I'm not Rachel's friend anymore because she lied to me in an attempt to sabotage my relationship with Lance, and then spread rumors about me all over the school."
"I know, sweetie, it's just…well…maybe if your father and I could meet Lance we'd be more comfortable."
"Lance has been over to the house several times. You and Dad have just never been home."
"Then why don't you invite him over to the house for dinner when both your father and I can be here."
"When will that be, Mom? Sometimes I wonder if you and Dad even live here anymore."
"Is that what this is all about? Your father and I aren't home a lot, so you think you need to find companionship in a boy's bed?"
"Mom! Lance and I haven't even had sex!"
"Have you…um…been intimate with anyone else?"
"No!"
"So you're still a virgin?"
"Yes!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Geez, what type of question is that anyway? Look, talk to Dad about when would be a good time to have Lance over, and I'll see if he's free."
"All right, sweetie. Are you sure you're…"
"No, Mom. I have periods of blackout in which I throw myself at every man who walks by."
"Kitty…"
"Just leave me alone so I can finish my calculus."
Mrs. Pryde left without saying anything else.
*** *** ***
Kitty made sure to get the door before her parents. She smiled when she saw Lance. "You look nice, baby," she said, giving him a quick kiss.
"I figured if I bought something at work it would do for meeting your parents."
Kitty took his hand and led him into the house. "Well, you do look very nice. Not the Lance I know, but nice."
Lance chuckled. "Thanks, I think. You look as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you."
"Lance?"
Lance looked up. "Mrs. Pryde?"
Kitty's mother smiled. "Yes." She shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to finally get to meet you."
"You, too."
"Why don't you and Katherine have a seat, and I'll let you know when dinner is finished," Mrs. Pryde said, gesturing to the couch.
"All right, Mom," Kitty said, taking back Lance's hand.
No sooner had Mrs. Pryde left, than did her husband walk in. "Kitty, go help your mother in the kitchen. I'd like to talk to your boyfriend here."
"Dad…"
"Your mother needs your help, Katherine."
Kitty glanced over at Lance. He gave a small nod, and she rushed off into the kitchen. "When I found out that my daughter was as smitten with you as she is, I checked up on you," Carmen Pryde began. "I found a few people who knew your father, and a few who could tell me about you personally. You're not the kind of man my little girl needs to be with. You come from the wrong side of the tracks, and boys like you only want girls like my daughter so they worm their way into our world. Well, that's not going to happen as far as my Katherine is concerned. You want money, then I'll give you money, as long as you promise to stay away from her."
Lance stood to his full, impressive height. "What I want is for people to stop assuming that since I wasn't born to parents who gave a damn, I'm not worth anything either. I don't care about your damn money. If you'd talked to anyone who actually knew me, they would've told you that I've never wanted anything that I didn't earn honestly, and tricking sweet young women into handing over their trust funds is lower than I would ever even dream of sinking. I want Kitty because she's a wonderful person who makes me happier than anyone else ever has. If you can't see that someone would love your daughter because of the person she is and not because of the money attached to her name, you're a terrible excuse for a father."
"I take it that means you're not accepting my offer."
Lance made an expression of extreme disgust. "Tell Kitty I said goodnight," he said, walking out of the house.
Kitty ran into the living room when she heard the door slam. She looked at her father. "What did you say to him?"
"Nothing, I just…"
Kitty didn't wait for his explanation. She ran outside, calling to Lance. He froze, leaning up against his car. "I'm sorry, Kit," he said when she reached him. "I just couldn't stay and listen to that."
Kitty reached out and took Lance's hand. "What did he say?"
"He offered me money to stay away from you."
Kitty turned pale. "Lance, I'm so sorry."
"I'm gonna go, all right? I'm sorry I couldn't get along better with your parents."
"Lance, this isn't your fault. My father was way out of line. Let me come with you, please? I don't want to be here anymore than you do right now."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea tonight. Your parents…"
"Either you take me with you, or I follow you. What's it gonna be?"
Lance sighed. "Get in the car, Pryde."
*** *** ***
As soon as they were in the apartment, Lance sunk down on the couch, burying his face in his hands. Kitty sat down beside him, reaching over to gently kneed his shoulders. "It's all right," she said, her voice soothing.
"I never cared about money. Hell, I never even minded being poor until I met you, and now the only reason I care is because I feel like I should be able to give you more."
"Lance, you give me more than enough. I love you." She held her breath for a second, wondering if she should have said those words.
Lance looked into her eyes. "You really love me?"
"Yes."
Lance pulled her into his lap. "I love you, too."
Kitty moved so her knees were on either side of him. She put her lips right beside his ear. "I want you to do more than hold me tonight."
"Kitty, baby, I…"
"Do you want me?" she asked, pushing herself against him.
Lance groaned. "Yes."
"I want you, too. And I know what I'm doing. Nothing could make me regret making love to you."
"I want you so bad," Lance said, kissing her all over her face and neck.
"Then take me. I need you."
Lance's last bit of resolve broke as he lowered her down to the couch.
*** *** ***
Kitty woke up feeling incredibly happy despite the soreness between her legs. She snuggled closer to Lance, relishing the warmth of his body next to hers. She realized he was awake, too, when he kissed the top of her head and murmured, "Good morning, beautiful."
Kitty stretched. "Good morning."
Lance stroked her face. "You aren't sore, are you?"
"A little," Kitty admitted. "But it's all right. Reminds me of what it's like to have you that close."
"So you're okay with what happened last night?"
"I told you then I was."
"I know, but sometimes things look different in the light of day."
"It was so wonderful, Lance. How could I regret it? I love you."
Lance crushed her to him. "I love you, too. God, I love you. It wasn't too long ago that I didn't even believe in love. What have you done to me, woman?"
"I don't know, but whatever it is, you're doing it to me, too."
Lance gave her a leer. "Wanna see what I can do to you?"
Kitty reached down and took hold of him, making him moan. "I think I can feel what I do to you."
Lance pulled Kitty into his arms, knowing he could forget about everything but her, at least for a little while.
*** *** ***
I apologize for the time gap between chapter 1 and chapter 2. My computer was getting fixed, and I had this story written out on notebook paper, but no way to get it all typed up. Chapter 3 is now in the works. Leave me some feedback!!!