Gueststarring - Thank you! I personally like 'Karlie' best, and you don't have to wait much longer for the party scene because this is where the hot mess begins. The party scene, part one.

Chelocean22 - I'm glad you're enjoying it! We all know how Charlie feels but Kat...well, she is building up to her epiphany just as things begin to get interesting.

"And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays"

- William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Chapter twenty-four - Truth, Reason, Love

Kathleen picked at her salad.

Despite her rush to freshen up, change clothes and make it down to dinner on time, she still found herself lacking in appetite. Knox was sat opposite her, practically radiating excitement, and Charlie kept looking at her with that same odd expression on his face that he had developed as of late. With a sigh, she pushed her plate away.

"Knox? Could I talk to you after dinner?"

"Sure. Is it about tomorrow night?" he asked eagerly. She nodded, her stomach twisting with guilt.

Soon the meal was over and the others left for the common room, leaving Knox and Kathleen alone at the table to talk, at Charlie's suggestion. He nodded reassuringly at her as he left but it didn't inspire much confidence in her, especially when Knox was looking at her with so much hope and happiness shining in his eyes. She had become too invested in it all, she thought wearily.

"What did you want to talk about?"

"I found out something yesterday, and I'm afraid it's not good" she answered. Wincing as his smile dropped.

"Is it cancelled? Can't we go?" He fired off anxiously, "is Chris sick?"

"No, no. Nothing like that" she shook her head, "it's a different kind of not good. Chris and her best friend Ginny felt bad because they both had dates to hang around with, and Nancy didn't. So, they set one up for her, and then we got invited and they found dates for us as well" she explained with a grimace.

"Dates?" he choked out.

"I'm not exactly thrilled either, but they were so excited about it, and they were trying to help us out, as well as their other friends. I couldn't say no" she apologised, "I'm so sorry, Knox."

"Chris felt bad for me?" He grinned, "and trusted me to entertain her friend? Why are you apologising!?"

"Because you're on a date with her friend" she said slowly, "Chris set you up with her friend Jennifer."

"Exactly, her friend who can put in a good word, and get me time with her."

"Oh" Kathleen stared bemusedly at him, "I suppose I didn't think about it that way."

Knox rolled his eyes, "you and Neil are supposed to be the optimists, the cheerleaders, what's wrong with you? You're both so serious lately."

"I'm so relieved" she confessed, "I thought you'd be in the depths of despair."

He shrugged, "I just see it as another chance. A chance that I'm lucky to have, a sign that we're inevitable."

"I'm glad."

"Let's join the others, then" he rose from the table and Kathleen followed, stopping just outside of the wooden doors.

"You go ahead, I'm going to get an early night" she yawned, "I'm still tired from last night and I need to stay awake at the party."

"Of course," he nodded, "I should probably get an early night as well, see you tomorrow."

"Night" she waved, heading straight up to bed.

xxxx

Friday passed like any other, in a flurry of activity underpinned by a longing for the weekend. Once the last bell had sounded, the students spread out across campus to make the most of their freedom, banishing all thoughts about homework with the intention of enjoying their afternoon.

Kathleen was curled up on Todd's bed, reading Neil's book of Tennyson poems while Todd wrote reply to a letter from his brother. Ten minutes ticked by before Kathleen sat up to ask where Neil was.

"Rehearsal" replied Todd, "Charlie snuck out with him today."

"Have you ever been?"

"No, I wish I could but there are too many people and too much chaos" Todd admitted, "but I'll go to the performance."

"We all will" Kat agreed, "do you reckon Mr Keating would take us as an official trip. We wouldn't have to sneak out that way."

"Good idea" he nodded enthusiastically, "maybe we wouldn't have to walk either."

She hummed in agreement, "it'll be freezing in December."

"I'll talk to Neil later" Todd decided, scribbling down a reminder on a torn piece of scrap paper. "What time are you leaving tonight?"

"Six" Kathleen glanced at the clock and rose to leave. "I should probably start getting ready. It's already half-past four. Can you fill me in on tonight's meeting, tomorrow?" She called over her shoulder, pausing with one hand on the doorknob.

"I will" he promised as she left, "and have fun!"

xxxx

Neil and Charlie dismounted, leaving their bikes propped up against the exterior brick wall of the theatre.

"Ready to show me what you've got, Perry?" Teased Charlie as they entered the building, but the sight of the grand interior stunned him into an immediate silence. It was by no means the small community theatre that he had been expecting. Inside was a large, high-ceilinged, square room painted green with gleaming gilded arches around the doors, upper tier boxes and most importantly the stage. The blue carpet was thick and the rows of luxury red seats upon it stretched out before the large stage like an ocean. The stage was a hum of activity with sets moving and people darting in and out of view; attending to the lights, the set and the costumes, whilst a lady with a clipboard stood in the centre of a ring of youths, all adorned in intricate crowns of woven twigs, berries and flowers. More adults were in the front row waving pens and shuffling papers between glances up at the stage.

Neil broke out into a blinding smile as he breathed in the familiar scent of paint and popcorn which always clung to the room. Charlie only stared, open-mouthed, finally able to splutter "Oh shit, Neil. This is the real deal."

"I know" his best friend waved at a huddle of passing stage hands who all waved back, "it's the stuff of dreams, Charlie. I feel alive!"

"Neil!" Cried a girl with curled brown hair who flung her arms around him. "I adore Eric but quite frankly, he's wooden. I can't rehearse with him," she grumbled adjusting the flower crown nestled in her hair. "Oh, who's this?" She asked when she noticed that Neil was accompanied.

"This is Charlie Dalton, he goes to Welton with me" Neil explained. "Charlie, meet Ginny, she plays Hermia."

"Nice to meet you" he shook her hand and her eyes widened in recognition.

"You won't think that in a second!" She laughed, releasing his hand.

"Why would that be?"

"I was at the sleepover with Kat and Nancy last night" she laughed, "I'm Chris' friend and I've heard all about you."

"Good things, of course" Charlie smirked as Neil scoffed.

She cocked an eyebrow.

"Ask Knox about the 'chemistry catastrophe' "said Neil, "that's basically Charlie in a nutshell. Great party story, and one that I don't think Kat has heard yet."

"I'll try" she answered slyly as she eyed the handsome newcomer, spotting an opportunity to test the waters on Kathleen's behalf. "If I can tear them away from their dates. Thomas Baker is a real catch, I must admit that I'm slightly jealous of Kat." She laughed lightly as she watched the two boys try to cover their awkwardness. The look of irritation that had flashed across Charlie's face was almost quick enough to miss but Neil's worried gaze was the confirmation that Ginny had been looking for. Oh, that boy was dead gone on Kathleen and it seemed as if his friends knew it, she thought with a wry smile.

"Really?" Charlie responded politely. "Why is that?"

"Tall, handsome, funny, football star" she listed, "what's not to like?"

Charlie opened his mouth to speak but Neil interrupted. "He sounds great but we should probably start rehearsing, Ginny."

"Probably, but we can't abandon your buddy" she said dismissively, turning back to Charlie. "So, what is Kat's type? Chris showed Thomas a picture of her and Nancy, and he was totally into her. Does she go for blondes? The Hollywood looking 'Tab Hunter' type?"

"I wouldn't know" he replied tensely, feeling the residual negative thoughts from last night come back with full force. But before he could say anything more, another two girls entered the theatre and came to join them.

"Ginny! We've come to see the rehearsal" smiled a girl draped in a large fur coat "have you seen Travis around?"

"We heard that he was in the play" giggled the second girl wiggling a box of cigarettes in the air, "we bought him a little something."

"Yes, but we're just about to begin rehearsals" she said shortly. "Right, Neil?"

"Oh-err. Yes. We are" he nodded, as Ginny turned on her heel and walked away. "Charlie why don't you sit with err-"

"Tina" smiled one girl, "and this is Gloria."

"Tina and Gloria" Neil smiled pleasantly.

"Sure, if that's okay with you girls" Charlie flashed them his trademark smirk, "and afterwards there's a little midnight gathering up at Welton. You can come if you like." He sat down but threw his legs up on the seat in front, lounging about, actively avoiding Neil's panicked looks.

"Welton!" Blinked the giggly girl with another laugh, "of course we'll come!"

"Charlie. Can we talk?" Neil's overtly polite tone had an edge to it.

"Later, Perry" Charlie dismissed him as Tina? Gloria? He couldn't remember which one she was, sat close to him. Their shoulders brushed and her pungent, musky, perfume was clouding his senses, helping him to erase unwanted thoughts of a different girl who always smelled like earth and flowers.

"We'll take good care of your friend, don't worry" assured the other, as the woman with the clipboard called the cast for a gathering on stage.

Neil threw a parting glare at his impulsive, irrational friend and left him for the stage.

xxxx

Kathleen and Knox stood at the end of the Noel's driveway, watching Nancy chat to the boy who had just pulled up in a gleaming red Cadillac convertible, which stood out in contrast to the darkened neighbourhood.

Finally, she turned away and waved the pair over. "Knox, Kitty Kat, this is Johnny" she smiled at the driver, "my date. Who has kindly offered to drive us all tonight and next to him" she pointed at the tanned, blonde boy in a letterman jacket, "is Thomas."

Kathleen muttered a shy "hello."

"And the beauty in the back is Jennifer" Nancy finished the introductions and let Johnny step out to open the door, the three teens slid into the back with Jennifer who smiled warmly at them.

"Hi, you all look great" she greeted them, admiring Nancy's pink and green floral dress and gushing over Kathleen's diamond earrings before telling Knox how good his hair looked, which brought a smile to his nervous face as he told her it was nothing, when Kat knew for fact that it had taken him a full twenty minutes and then another five for her to drag him away from the mirror.

They made small talk during the short drive to the Danburry house. In that time, they learned that Jennifer was on the cheer squad with Chris, while Thomas and Johnny were on the football team with Chet, which was how they knew each other. But mostly, the town kids asked questions about Welton much to their surprise. Kathleen hadn't realised how removed the school was from the rest of the community, Ginny had been right to call its students 'elusive,' because the locals knew very little about the establishment, and seemed to have filled the gaps with wild rumours and imaginative fancies.

By the time they arrived, the ice had been well and truly broken, even Knox had stopped shaking with nerves. He was almost completely calm as the Thomas rapped twice on the front door.

However, the calm was short-lived as the door opened to reveal Chris, adorned in a simple pink jumper and baby blue skirt ensemble that rendered Knox speechless.

"Hey! You made it" she beamed, "bring anybody else?" She peered through the doorway to check before closing the door behind their group, "we've had random people walking in for the past two hours" she explained, looking entirely unperturbed by the invasion.

"We brought a bottle" Johnny stepped forward to hand her a bottle of something alcoholic and Chris took it in one hand and grabbed the lapels of Knox's coat with the other and pulled him along behind her calling for them to come in over her shoulder.

"Ginny Danburry's here- wait" she stopped, focusing on the stairs "I have to go find Chet. Why don't you go downstairs where everybody is" she nodded at Thomas to direct the group to the basement as she dashed up the stairs calling, "make yourselves at home!"

"But I-" Knox trailed off, staring vacantly at the stairs.

"Don't worry about it" Jennifer linked her arm through his, "she's a bit frazzled, understandably, it's hard work to host a high school party."

"Oh."

"We'll catch up with her later" Kathleen patted his shoulder as she passed him to follow Johnny, Nancy and Thomas who were leading the way down to the basement, the music grew louder as they descended the stairs and laughter flooded the air as they entered the large basement which was alive with celebration. Kat's senses were flooded with the scent of smoke, sweat and perfume and her eyes roamed the room, spotting dozens of couples in every nook and cranny attached at the lips. In the centre of the room was the dancefloor and a multitude of bottle and beer cans were littered across every available surface. She turned her attention back to the group, but Nancy and her date had already been absorbed into the dancing. Kathleen stood awkwardly by the wall.

"Can I get you a drink?" Asked Thomas, raising his voice to be heard over the cacophony.

"Please" she nodded "but take Knox with you" she instructed, "I'm afraid Jennifer may be disappointed with her evening." Thomas turned to look in the direction of the pair and saw Knox hovering at the foot of the stairs, nodding every now and then distractedly as Jennifer spoke to him.

"Of course," Thomas assented, calling Knox over to follow him through the crowd to the kitchen. Leaving Kat to wander over to Jennifer who appeared to be feeling just as out of place as she felt herself.

"This is pretty wild already" Jennifer surveyed the room, "I hope the squad won't be roped into clean up-duty."

"Make the football team do it" laughed Kat, "it's Chet's house after all."

"True" she smiled cheekily, perching on the edge of an end table. "it would do their egos some good. Although, I must say you've done well with Thomas, and Johnny's not too bad either."

"He does seem kind" she agreed, thinking of his good manners and easy conversation. He hadn't put a foot wrong yet.

"Oooh, there's Ginny!" Jennifer waved madly to the younger Danburry who flashed the girls a smile as she whirled around the dancefloor.

"I'm glad she's having fun" grinned Kat as Ginny was swallowed up by the throng again, out of sight. Her eyes slid around the room and she saw the boys fighting their way back through the jubilant, drunken crowd. Each held a red cup in either hand.

"Mystery punch" explained Knox, handing a drink to Jennifer "unfortunately it's the only beverage we could reach."

Thomas handed one of the cups to Kathleen who thanked him, taking an experimental sip of the red liquid.

"I'm not sure what it's laced with now, but it used to fruit punch with a dash of happy juice" Thomas winced as the liquid burned his throat, "it's strong tonight."

"It seems like Steve and Bubba got to it already" groaned Jennifer.

"Well, here's to a good time" toasted Knox, taking a sip of his liquid courage.

"Fancy a turn on the floor?" Asked Thomas. Pouring the remainder of his drink into a nearby plant plot and extending his hand to Kathleen.

"I would, thank you" she nodded. Taking his hand and mouthing 'good luck' to Knox over her shoulder as Thomas led her over to the dance floor. He took her hands and they began to sway to music, keeping a respectable distance between them while they danced until they relaxed, prompting them to start spinning around. Twenty minutes later they stumbled over to the sofa, breathless with laughter as Thomas apologised for stepping on her toes for the fifth time. Kathleen had been reassuring him that she was okay when she spotted Chris and Chet a few feet away, dancing; in the corner of her eyes she spotted Knox turning away from the pair with a mournful expression. Where on earth was Jennifer?

"Promise me that you'll tell me if I've killed your feet."

Kathleen snapped back to the present, "I promise" she replied, "but I'm just as bad at dancing. I would be a hypocrite to hold it against you."

"Your too kind" he grinned, "I don't think I'm drunk enough for more dancing. Table tennis?"

"You're on" she smirked, thinking back to all the leisurely summer afternoons at St Mary's spent on the tennis courts.

Ten minutes later she was proved right as she won the third match, with barely any effort at all.

"Come on! You can do it."

"No" he laughed, shaking his head "you've well and truly beaten me." But he tried to hit the ball after she served it over to his side, and subsequently missed.

"Hey, Thomas" shouted a large teenage boy in an antler helmet, "stop letting the pretty girl win!"

"Find your own girl, Bubba" He called back good naturedly, "and your own business."

Kathleen put down her paddle.

"Sorry about him" he rolled his eyes, "another game?"

"I don't want to win this one" she warned.

"It's not polite for me to win against a lady" he apologised, "come on. We were having fun, you're quite cute when your winning."

Screw polite, she thought. The boys had never let her win soccer games, and Charlie certainly would never let her win any of their ridiculous competitions, the competitivity, the trash talk and the bets were half the fun.

"Let's see how cute I look losing" she replied with false cheer, he flashed her his toothpaste commercial smile again, all white teeth and charm. Oblivious to the change in atmosphere. With sudden horror, Kat realised that Nancy might be right about her friendships at Welton ruining ordinary boys forever. She couldn't keep comparing every male to her friends because, somehow, Kathleen knew that she would never find any boy better than the ones she already knew.

She shoved the thought away, concentrating on the boy in front of her. If he wouldn't let her lose, then she would have to make him win.

And that concludes part one.

Part two will be posted next Friday, I don't think I can make you wait or make myself wait two weeks for the next instalment. Part three will be posted on the Friday after that. Depending on how much I get written, this could go back to being updated every week again. We'll see.

Thank you for the follows, favourites and reviews! As always, talk to me. Let me know your thoughts and feelings. It's interesting because different people pick up on/focus on different elements of the story.

- Chloe