Chapter One: Introduction

"I'm Kathryn. I just moved her from New York City."

"I like her."

"Kathryn's a threat."

"Kathryn? What are you doing here?"

"She's probably not only kissing Seth Cohen, but Ryan too."

"She's like Theresa."

"You don't look horrible. You look beautiful."

"Why not? Why am I not allowed to want you?"

"I'm sorry."

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

"Would you just hold me?"

"Who is it? The other girl?"

"Cinderella, I'll never throw you away."

"Summer has a heart, Summer has a heart."

"Ryan Ryan Ryan Ryan Ryan."

"Hello, 911."

"Ketamine is a horse tranquilizer."

"Coop? You can't be gone!"

History Repeats Itself

Knock, knock.

Kathryn got up to answer the door. She wondered who it could be. Probably Aileen, the woman who lived above her apartment, who always needed to borrow things, like rosemary. She opened the door, thinking about what Aileen would want to borrow.

It wasn't Aileen.

"Seth? Seth Cohen? Is that you?"

Seth looked up. She was exactly the same, yet completely different. Her hair was down to just beneath her chest and very curly, whereas before it had been mid-length and straight. She had put on a little weight, and had become curvier and sexier. He could see her underwear poking out of the top of her jeans, still sexy, still awesome. Somehow, she was still the same inside herself. Her voice was still low and husky, her scattering of freckles were still as pink as ever, and whenever she moved, there was still that poetry and grace that could only come from within her.

"Yeah, it's me. Could I come in?"

"Of course...make yourself at home."

She hadn't seen him since the day they had graduated high school, three years ago. Now they were twenty one, he was much more mature, in his way. His face was slightly tanned, his hair still dark and beautifully curly, his eyes still as brown as Starbucks' Hot Chocolate.

"I don't mean to sound rude, but what are you doing here in New York? How did you know where I lived?"

"I got the address from your parents. I hope you don't mind."

"No, of course not."

"I'm actually here because, well this is weird, but my parents are renewing their vows this Christmas, and you were the closest thing they had to a daughter, and my mom was wondering if you would be a...bridesmaid. Summer is going to be her ring bearer, and Ryan will be my dad's. I'm going to be the best man, and Hailey's going to be the Maid of Honour."

"Oh, my God. I don't know what to say. Yes!"

"Yes? Oh, awesome! Come down when you can, you guys need to talk about...I don't know...dresses, and stuff."

"Okay, Seth. Thanks. This really means a lot to me."

"It's no problem." Seth awkwardly kissed her on the cheek, and walked toward the door.

"Bye, Kathryn."

She waved at his retreating form.

"Goodbye, Seth."

Bing bong

"Coming!" Ryan walked to the door, and slowly opened it, for some reason fearing what could be on the other side.

"Hi, Ryan," Kathryn stood shyly in the doorway, holding a bag in each hand. Her hair was up, and she was wearing grey jeans, a khaki v-neck top, and a black velvet blazer. She had sunglasses perched on top of her head, which seemed to set off and unexplainable glamour.

"Kathryn," he breathed. "Are you here for the bridesmaid thing?"

"Oui," she smiled. "Would you mind if I came in to put these things," she looked at the bags, "down? I haven't stopped at my hotel yet, and these are really heavy."

"Sure," Ryan felt annoyed at himself. How could he forget? "Here, I'll get this," he took one of the bags from her and helped her carry it to the poolhouse.

"Thanks...uh...is your mom around? Seth said I should talk to her about...you know, stuff."

"Yeah, I know, but she's not here right now. You wanna just...hang out?"

"God, how I've missed this," Kathryn sat in the Jacuzzi and felt the bubbles all around her..and the smell. "EW! Ryan!!" she splashed water at the accused farter.

"Ryan? I noticed bags in the poolhouse with women's clothes in them. I hope to God that they're not yours, dude. Is Hailey here or something?" Seth walked out onto the patio.

"No, just me," Kathryn waved up a hand. "I'm going to go get changed, okay?" the two boys watched her make her way back to the poolhouse.

"Damn," Ryan breathed. "I forgot how hot she is."

"I know," Seth agreed. They looked at each other. "Look man, we both know that if we both go after her, she'll choose you again. Do we really want to ruin the "I have a hot friend" thing we have going for us?"

"Well...yes!" Ryan laughed. "But I understand you. Okay. So neither of us goes after her, okay?"

"Right."

Kathryn cam out of the poolhouse, wearing khaki jeans that were slightly flared at the bottom, and a red shirt that she had cut the sleeves and bottom off of, so it settled just above her nice inny belly-button. She had a skateboard tucked under one arm, and a baseball cap on her head, only just holding the mass of hair underneath. She turned to Seth:

"You ready?"