AN: Welcome to the original first chapter of this story. Like I said I wrote this a couple years ago. But I had to add the Sara part in there after that episode (who's name I don't remember) when Sara got suspened 'cause she blew up at Ecklie. I had to bring Sara's past in and that seemed like a cool way.

This chapter is dedicated to JoonSanders (who was "too lazy to log") who told me Bobby's last name. Oh and by the way, other school systems could be diffrent, but I live in CT in the U.S. Here it goes Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, just to let you know. Yeah the high school is going to be modeled after my school system, 'cause well, I don't know any other school system. Sorry for any confusion this may cause. :). On with the story.

Warrick Brown walked into third period English Lit. Honors. A class normal taken by kids in their Junior year, Warrick was happy to be taking this class. He clutched his books as he walked into the class. A protective gesture and a good one. Someone in the front row of desks stuck their foot out in Warrick's path. He tripped over it and failed to keep his balance. He crashed to the ground and laughter erupted in the classroom.

Catherine Willows sat in a desk near the back of the classroom. She had an argument with her friends yesterday and was currently not on speaking terms with most of them. She saw a poor kid in the front of the room trip and fall. She recognized him my face and nicknames only. Nasty nicknames. He was a big target for the bullies. All the nicknames had to do with his (lack of) height, glasses and eyes.

Because she felt sympathy for the boy and anger at her friends, Catherine got out of her seat. Catherine walked to the front of the room and felt several pairs of eyes on her. She was used to this. Catherine was a popular girl. She brushed the golden-red curls out of her face and stood in front of the boy. She smiled widely showing off her white, even teeth.

From his place on the floor, Warrick looked up and was met with the smiling face of Catherine Willows. At first he thought he must be hallucinating or having a really bad dream, but the image didn't disappear.

Catherine stuck out her hand. For lack of anything else, Warrick took it. Catherine helped pull the small boy to his feet and helped him gather his remaining books. Already feeling reckless, Catherine did something that was semi-phenomenal.

"Do you have a permanent seat," she asked. It was a stupid question because she already knew the answer.

Refusing to look at anything or anyone besides Catherine, Warrick shook his head. Catherine walked back to her seat and taped the desk next to her.

"Sit here," she said, flashing him another beautiful smile.

Quite frankly, this girl scared Warrick. She was pretty, popular and people watched her constantly. She was always being observed. Not the kind of girl Warrick wanted to hang around, not that that would ever happen anyway. He was a dork and preferred to fly under the radar. But it was too late now. This would be around the school and back by munch time. So he took a deep breath and sat down in the desk next to Catherine.

The room erupted into murmurs and whispers that didn't stop even when the teacher walked in. Warrick could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on him, but he refused to look up from his paper. He kept his head down and tried to concentrate on his work. He felt like he was a bug under a microscope.

Periodically, Warrick would glance up and look at Catherine. Once Catherine caught him looking, and gave him another dazzling smile. Warrick told himself stubbornly that the butterflies in his stomach were due to all the whispers carrying his name. That the shivers running down his spine when Catherine smiled had nothing at all to do with Catherine herself.

Catherine had done something that the school would be talking about for a long time. Catherine: beautiful, popular, the only freshman to go to both the junior and senior proms, the only sophomore to do the same and the only junior who already was prom queen as far as anyone was concerned. Catherine: smart, brilliant dancer, a 16 year old with connections to several casinos in Vegas.

Warrick: African-American shorty with an afro, troubled kid with big feet, thick glasses and green eyes that glowed in the right light, all objects of intense ridicule. Warrick: dorky sophomore who had a thing for numbers, would bet on any school spots game, but preferred to fly under the radar.

Catherine Willows, arguably the most beautiful and easily the most popular girl, helped Warricxk Brown, the dork from a bad neighborhood, to his feet and invited him to sit next to her. It was a monuments moment.

After class, Warrick could get out of there fast enough. He grabbed his books and practically ran in the direction of his next class. Catherine, however, took her time.

"Cath," came a voice. Catherine turned and saw Cassy, one of the only friends she wasn't having a fight with.

"Cath," Cassy said again coming up next to her. She had a look on her face halfway between anger and shock.

"Please tell me the rumors aren't true," she exclaimed. Catherine gave her friend a look of confusion.

"What," Catherine asked, having a very good idea 'what'

"You and Cat-Eyes," Cassy demanded. Catherine still had that look of confusion on her face, but she recognized the nickname.

"Shorty, bottle cap, four-eyes, Dracula. Any of this registering with you Cath?"

"Where'd Dracula come from," Cath asked, slightly amused now. Dracula was a new nickname.

"That's besides the point Cath," Cassy exclaimed.

"So who are you talking about," Catherine asked. She was defiantly amused now and her smile showed it. Cassy sighed and rolled her eyes.

Warrick Brown," she said softly like using his name was a personal offense. To her not Warrick.

"I'm not dating him if that's what you're asking. I helped th kid off the floor."

"The point being? You've been on dates with guys you know less. You've done-"

"I get it Cassy," Catherine snapped. If it was anyone else, Catherine would've slapped them. But Cassy and Catherine went way back. They've been best friends since grammar school, and Catherine had a high tolerance for her.

"I helped the guy up off the floor. That's it, okay."

Cassy studied Catherine as though trying to figure out if she was lying or not. The Catherine spotted someone over her friend's shoulder.

"Hey Warrick," Catherine called.

Warrick was halfway down the hall and hoped desperately he could get away, just pretend he didn't hear. But he felt dozens of eyes on him again and knew escape was pointless and impossible. He turned around and walked slowly to Catherine.

"Hey," he said weakly, attempting a small smile. Catherine apparently didn't notice Warrick's discomfort, or if she did, she ignored it.

"Warrick, this is my best friend Cassandra Knoson. Cassy, Warrick Brown."

Cassy looked Warrick up and down. warrick felt like he was being inspected for some contagious germ or something. He hated being under Cassy's eyes more then anyone else's. For Catherine's sake, Cassy didn't scowl, but it was clear she didn't really approve of Warrick.

"I had a...falling out with my other friend. Want to have lunch with us," catherine asked, smiling again. cassy looked like she was about to object. Warrick looked like he would faint. He knew he shouldn't but he couldn't resist that smile. Unable to unstick his throat, he simply nodded.

"Good," Catherine said happily. Then she walked off to her next class, Cassy following her. The small audience they had acquired started to disappear. Warrick sighed in relief, glad the hallway was starting to empty. So much for flying under the radar.