Jack lazily kicked a rock, sighing with boredom. He had just walked to the park, after a hard day at high school. Jack was 16, and he was roaming around. He looked around for a shady area and found a tree, sitting alone in the middle of the park. Smiling, Jack walked over to it.

Sitting down and leaning against the tree, he observed the kids who were happily playing tag and riding on the swing set. He heard the leaves in the tree shake, which startled him. Looking up, he saw nothing but… leaves. Of course. He shrugged to himself, thinking it was the wind. The tree shook again.

He stood up immediately, standing in front of the tree bark. He looked up at the leaves and saw a girl, grinning down at him, amused.

"What are you doing up there?" Jack asked, cautiously taking a step back. The girl simply shrugged, continuing to grin.

"Can't you see?" she asked, looking around. "I'm on a tree. I just climbed it."

"Well, you might fall or something," Jack said, crossing his arms. The girl laughed out loud, leaving Jack standing and feeling embarrassed.

"I assure you," the girl said, leaning forward, "I won't fall" But the girl lost her balance as she leaned forward. Crying out, she fell forward to the ground. Being the quick thinker he is, Jack rushed over to her, ready to catch her. His arms spread out, the girl fell on Jack, leaving both of them on the ground, gasping and coughing.

"And you said you wouldn't fall," Jack said, chuckling. The girl could feel her face getting red. After she got off of him, they both started to laugh, sitting on the grass. Jack stared at her, who smiled shyly at him. "I… don't know you're name."

The girl smiled, saying, "It's Kate."

Jack smiled back, looking down at the grass. "Jack."

"So, Jack," Kate said in a playful tone, "what are you going to be when you grow up?"

Jack shrugged. "A doctor, probably. My dad could help me, anyway. It would be easier. Why? What would you like to do when you grow up?"

"Um…" Kate thought, her vision going skyward. She looked back at Jack. "I… don't know, really."

"Well, it doesn't matter," Jack said, shrugging. "What were you doing on that tree, anyways?"

"I told you already," Kate said, rolling her eyes playfully. "I was climbing it."

"No," Jack said seriously. "What were you doing on it?"

Kate's smile faded. "Resting," she replied quietly.

"Well," Jack said, chuckling, "that answers my question. And good thing I caught you, too, because you could've gotten seriously injured. What are you doing in the park?" He looked confused. "What am I doing in the park?"

Kate giggled. "I just wanted to… um, hang… out?"

Jack looked at Kate suspiciously. "Okay…"

"Well, who is this?" a voice called out.

Kate looked behind Jack, and Jack turned around. Jack heard Kate sigh. Jack turned around to face Kate again. "Hey, Kate, who's he?"

"Some total jerk who likes to tease people. C'mon," she said, standing up, "let's ditch."

Jack stood up, glancing at the boy again. He smiled at Jack, then spat on the ground. Jack looked away and started to follow Kate.

"Hey! Kate!" the boy called out. Surprised, Kate looked back.

"How does he know your name?" Jack asked quizzically.

"We met at the park the other day. Now c'mon, let's go," Kate answered impatiently.

"Now lookee here," the boy said as he walked up to Jack and Kate. "Who is this, Kate? Your boyfriend or something?"

Kate stopped in her tracks, turned around slowly.

"Leave me alone," she ordered quietly. "Go away."

"Why should I?" the boy asked, crossing his arms. "You want to be all alone with your new boyfriend? By the way, what's your name, kid?" He looked at Jack crossing his arms.

"The name's Jack. Jack Sheperd." Jack smiled half-heartedly at him.

"Now go away!" Kate cried, louder this time.

"Whoa," the boy said, raising his hands up defensively. "I'll leave you alone…" A smile crept on his face. "Does he know, Kate? Does he know your 'secret'?"

"Secret? What are you talking about?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh," the boy said, smiling mischievously, "so he doesn't know."

"Shut up, or I'll…," Kate glared at the boy, crossing her arms.

"You'll do what to me, huh?" the kid asked, laughing. "What are you going to do now, Freckles?"