AN: Thank you so much guys for the reviews last chapter. Reading them really makes my day:) Here's another chapter for ya'll, I really should be studying or something, but I enjoy writing this story a little too much, and I also wanted to give you guys a new chapter since ya'll have been amazingly supportive on this story. I have finals coming up so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next, but I will work on it ASAP, along with my other stories, Fragile, Slow Heat & Lost Hearts. I haven't forgotten about Lost Hearts, Marisa. Thank you for giving this AU a chance Jater, and after that last episode of Lost my 'Jate faith' was restored Kate x, so don't worry guys I'll keep writing the Jate as long as ya'll keep reading the Jate lol. Once again if anyone has any questions at all regarding this story feel free to ask and I promise I'll answer through the 'reply message' feature. Thanks to Sonia for betaing this…and no more rambling from me. Here's the next chapter, hope ya'll enjoy…

Chapter 4- Into you like a Train

"Dude, whose bra and panties was that taped to our door?" Mark asked through a fit of laughter as he stepped into the room with Jack.

Jack who had been sleeping yawned tiredly and then placed his hands to the bridge of his nose. He peeked open an eyelid to glance at Mark who was pointing to something outside. The television was on full blast and MTV was playing in the background. Jack had been watching mindlessly while catching up on his reading for English 101. As Jack sat up he looked down at the thick novel that had unmercifully put him to sleep with the strength of a sedative. He groaned and then pushed it onto the floor. Of course when he tried to be productive on a Friday night he fell asleep. Jack pulled his tangled covers from around his legs and then placed his feet on the floor.

When he had started reading it had been around four. Jack reached on his desk tiredly, knocking down paper cups and a few worksheets as he checked his alarm clock. Jack scowled when he realized that it was six now.

"Don't tell me that you don't know about the bra and panties," Mark replied as he sat down a bag of food on his desk. "Get up man, come look." He had a wide grin on his face as he tugged at Jack's arm.

Jack pulled his arm from Mark's grasp and stood up. "What are you talking about, bra and panties?"

"This," Mark motioned towards the door.

Jack's mouth dropped open in surprise and then he laughed a little because he couldn't believe his eyes. On his door was a bra, a black lacy one, and mismatching panties, they were red. And his memo board someone had scribbled. "Jack Shephard is the best damn lay at Haven University."

Jack promptly erased the message along with a few other suggestive ones. For some reason he didn't want Kate to see that.

"Hey, some girl is leaving you her undergarments and calling you the 'best lay' in the school, you should've kept that up there." Mark strolled back into the room. "Who do you think wrote that?"

Jack shrugged as he removed the tape and then the panties and bra. "It was probably Amber, just seems like something she would do." He playfully tossed the underwear onto Mark's bed.

"I don't know where that's been!" Mark exclaimed flinging the panties back at Jack. "Especially if it's Amber's panties, because you know that girl has been around the block a couple of times."

Jack shook his head, "Whoever she is, I hope she comes back for these soon because I have no use for them."

Mark turned down the television as he sat down at his computer chair. "I never thought it was going to come to this, but dude I'm seriously starting to get desperate. How long have we been here, and how many girls have I slept with."

"There is more to college than sex." Jack said honestly even though he knew he couldn't talk. .

"Yeah, you can say that with a straight because all the girls at this school practically fall into your hands like your some sex god or something…"

"Sex god?" Jack snorted. "Are you kidding me?"

Mark made a face, "Yeah, that was a bit much. But still. The girls come out of the woodworks for you." He reached in his bag and pulled out a plate of nachos from the diner. "What are you doing that I'm not?"

"Well first of all I'm single." Jack sat back down on his bed and relaxed his back against the wall. "I don't have the guilt of having a girlfriend back at home. But you're going to catch up to me soon because my wild days are over."

"I am not guilty over Leah, and what do you mean your wild days are over?" Mark said referring to his girlfriend back home in California.

"I'm slowing down, and trying to avoid drunken nights every Wednesday-Friday, and the random girls." Jack responded.

"Why? Sounds like you're the one with girlfriend now, dude,"

Jack shook his head, "Okay, change of subject, what are you doing tonight?"

"Partying like it's 1999" Mark smiled.

"Again?"

"Well it is Friday, there isn't much else to do around here." Mark popped open a can of soda and took a swig. "Maybe you're right, I like Leah and all, but she might be holding me back."

Jack started to zone off as Mark discussed the reasons why it made sense to end his long-term relationship with his girlfriend, even though it was so hard. He cared about his friend but Mark had a habit of talking in circles at times, and making the simplest decisions more difficult than it needed to be. The bottom line was that Mark was in a relationship now, and that made everything complicated..

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her right?"

Was he waiting for an answer? Jack glanced at Mark with a blank expression. "I'm not a saint by any means but you know what I'm going to say to that. If I was in a relationship then I wouldn't have fooled around with most…well all of those girls." Jack blushed. It sounded weird voicing his drunken 'dirty deeds.'

"You were such a slut." Mark laughed obnoxiously. "Our first week at this school and you were racking in the girls."

"I don't remember," Jack replied quickly.

"I remember Pamela, Taylor, Carla…um…" Mark started counting off on his hands. "And after Carla I forgot the rest."

Jack shook his head, "I got caught up in the whole college scene, the freedom of it all. That's my excuse."

Mark smiled, "I just wish I had your confidence."

"I don't have confidence," Jack directed in Mark's direction. "You know that when I'm drunk I turn into someone else…it's like I'm two different people." Jack clenched his jaw. "Which is one of the main reasons why I don't want to go out partying that much anymore."

"Are you coming with Joshua, Tyler and I to the concert at the union?"

"Probably not," Jack picked back up his literature book. "I'm probably going to stay here and be a good boy tonight. I think I could get in a little less trouble with Macbeth than at a rock concert with those guys."

"Are you seriously going to read Macbeth on a Friday? That should be like a sin or something. Macbeth?"

"No, what should be a sin is to have a C- in English 101. I had straight A's up until I came here, at the beginning of the semester I lost my mind a little and now I'm trying to get everything together. I don't want to spend my Friday reading Macbeth, but I have a paper due on Monday."

Mark thought over Jack's argument, "Well can't you just read it on Saturday?"

"I could…but no, I want to get this over with." Jack winced as he opened the text book once again. "Have fun with those guys."

"They'll probably be stoned before the band starts performing. You sure you don't want to go Jack?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah, I don't think it's the best idea to get wasted tonight."

"Well if you change your mind then we'll be at the union." Mark crumpled up the remaining food and tossed it into his trashcan. "You nearly sold me the idea of staying here and salvaging my grades, but its Friday, I just can't."

As Jack started to read once again he felt his eyelids start to grow heavy. Macbeth was going to put him to sleep again. Jack closed the book and stood up. He figured that if he took a hot shower, and picked up some dinner to bring back to his dorm then he would be better suited to stay up. Jack grabbed his Haven University Bears sweater and pulled it over his tee-shirt. "I'm going to get some food,"

"I'll probably be gone by the time you get back," Mark opened his closet and pulled out a tee-shirt and jeans. "Behave yourself tonight, because we both know how dangerous Macbeth can be,"

Jack rolled his eyes, "When I get an A on my paper it'll be worth it in the end. There will be other parties to go to," Jack opened the door and was surprised to see Amber staring back at him with wide blue eyes. Her hand was raised as if she was getting ready to knock. "Hey," He said in a monotone.

"Hey Jack," She said sweetly.

Jack shoved his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. He just nodded because Amber wasn't saying anything, and since she came to visit him he didn't see why he had to be the one to initiate conversation. "Is there anything you need?"

"My bra and panties would be nice," She giggled and then covered her mouth as she looked down. "My friends thought it would be a great idea to tape them to your door. I don't know what the hell is wrong with them."

"I don't either," Jack disappeared back into his room and returned seconds later with Amber's undergarments. "You're friends obviously don't have anything better to do."

"Why are you being so snappy with me?"

Jack stared back at Amber in silence and then looked down the hall towards Kate's dorm. He wasn't sure how to explain to Amber that he was trying to get his act together. "I'm just not in the mood for games that's all."

Amber nodded, "I understand I guess," She tucked her bra and panties in her oversized purse. "There is some rock concert at the student union, it's some local band, but word around campus is that they're good, wanna come with?"

"No, I have a thing," Jack stammered.

"A thing?" Amber asked in confusion.

He wasn't going to admit to anyone else but Mark that he planned on spending his Friday inside with a Shakespeare novel.

Amber placed her hand on Jack's chest and then teasingly dug her fingernails into the fabric of his sweater. "I hope you're still not mad at me,"

"No," Jack said. He watched from the corner of his eye as the door opened down the hall. Jack was distracted by Kate walking towards him. He wanted to say hi to her, but he wasn't sure if she would say hi back. Just as he was about to open his mouth Amber stroked his cheek. Jack snapped out of his haze and looked back at Amber in irritation. Kate walked by without a word.

"Why were you looking at that girl like that?"

Amber was obviously jealous but Jack could see that she was trying to hide it. Instead of answering Amber he brushed past her and started walking towards the door. Kate didn't even look his way. As he suspected Amber followed after him. "Jack Christian Shephard," She sang playfully.

Jack whirled around in anger and shock. "What?"

Amber placed her hand to her heart and smiled in surprise at how red Jack's face had gotten. "Hon, I was just kidding. I figured I'd get your attention by calling you by your middle name."

"You did get my attention," Jack turned away as a dark shadow lowered over his face. "Don't call me by my full name, my name is Jack," It felt elementary to reiterate that point but Amber didn't know about his relationship with his father, and besides he wasn't even sure how she found out his middle name.

"Okay," Amber held up her hands in mock surrender. "I have a feeling that you hate me right now so I'm just going to leave you alone,"

"I don't hate you," Jack said truthfully.

"But you don't like me either," Amber pouted and crossed her arms. "My girls told me not to fall in love with you,"

Jack smirked in disbelief. Was she kidding? Fall in love with him, how could she when she barely even knew him. Kate suddenly flashed into his mind. Jack looked down, so they both were crazy. He was finished with this conversation. Jack turned around to walk away but Amber grabbed his arm. "I'm trying to get to the diner before it closes for the night,"

"I'm not in love with you Jack,"

Jack nodded, "Good to know, now if you will let me go then…" Jack tried to ease his arm out of Amber's grasp without being too forceful.

"But if you gave me a chance then I could love you," Amber smiled to herself. "I sound ridiculous I know that, but my attraction to you goes deeper than just sex Jack,"

"The diner is going to close soon," Jack used his other hand to pry Amber's fingers from around his wrist with gentle ease. He felt as if he should suggest that they talk about it later, but he didn't want to do that. "I'll see you around Amber,"

"Fine Jack, go to the diner, I'll leave you alone."

Jack felt the slightest bit of guilt as he walked towards the staircase leaving Amber standing behind him.

Kate closed the door behind her. She had seen Jack outside talking to some girl, and she was touching his face; maybe that girl was his girlfriend. The thought of Jack being linked to someone else made Kate feel slightly uneasy. It wasn't jealousy because she barely knew anything about Jack to care if he was in a relationship or not, but yet still she felt weird. Kate pulled off her diner cap and placed it on her desk.

Lauren was listening to R&B music while curling her hair.

Kate stared at her roommate in surprise. She figured that it was okay to push her problems aside for the time being and focus on Lauren. Lauren seemed to always be in a good mood, Kate envied that. "Hot date?" She asked as cheerfully as possible.

"I wish, but he's too shy to ever ask me out," Lauren unplugged the curling iron and then placed it carefully on her desk. "How do I look?"

"Very pretty," Kate said honestly. She sat down on her bed and pulled off her sneakers. Her thick curls cascaded down her shoulders and she pushed her hair back with her hand as she sat up. "Who is he?"

Lauren smiled. "His name is Hunter,"

"I remember him," Kate replied.

"Yeah, he invited me to dinner on the pier…shy Hunter invited me to dinner," Lauren reached for a pair of hoop earrings, "Should I wear these, or…" she held up her hand and then picked up a pair of 14 karat earrings. "Which pair would look better?"

"The hoop earrings I guess,"

"Thanks Kate," Lauren put on the earrings and then fluffed her hair once more. "Someone's been calling for you all day." She pointed to Kate's cell phone which still rested on her press hooked up to her charger.

Kate reached for her cell phone which she rarely used and glanced at the screen. It was Tom. She sighed and took in a deep breath as she checked how many times he had called her. Kate bit her quivering lip when she realized that he had called six times. Her eyes were watering now.

Oh god, not now.

Kate pulled her hair forward so she could cover her eyes and then placed her cell phone back on her press. Lauren turned down her radio and sat down on the bed next to Kate.

"Lauren don't worry about me. I'm just exhausted that's all." Kate lied.

"You sure that's it sweetie?"

"Positive," Kate looked at Lauren and smiled. "You shouldn't be worrying about me anyways. Hunter will be here soon so you should finish getting ready for him."

"I am never on time. Hunter knows that so he can wait a couple of minutes for me."

Kate was slightly uncomfortable. Lauren was sweet and caring, but she wasn't used to this. Kate closed her eyes. She didn't like to share her feelings. It was best to keep everything locked inside, because that way she could hide her weaknesses, and no one outside could hurt her. Kate's hands started to shake as she thought about Tom. She placed her hand to her face as helplessness started to overtake her. Lauren was making her cry.

Kate tried to get up but for some reason she couldn't.

She wanted to carry this load on her own, but then again she didn't. How was she ever supposed to accept that Tom didn't want to be with her anymore? Kate sniffled and then turned her head to the side in embarrassment. "Lauren, Hunter will probably be here…"

"It's Tom isn't it,"

"Who?" Kate asked.

Lauren shook her head in understanding. "Tom, you're boyfriend."

"He's not my…" Kate sighed. She didn't have the will to lie anymore. "He was my boyfriend."

"You were so excited about seeing him yesterday, what happened?" Lauren asked softly.

Kate tilted her head backwards and looked up towards the ceiling. "I was…god this is so hard."
"What is hard," Lauren asked encouragingly.

Kate looked at Lauren with tears cascading down her cheeks. "This…I'm not used to sharing my feelings. It's hard to admit…" Kate buried her face in her hands.

I'm strong. I'm strong. I'm not this weak.

Lauren placed her hand on Kate's back, "You know what. Tom is an idiot. One day he's going to look back and realize that he gave up something special…"

"I'm nothing special," Kate grunted through her closed hands.

"But you are," Lauren said. "I'm not sure what happened between you two, and I won't ask because I know this is hard for you, but Kate you have so much to offer. Maybe Tom was the love of your life, but if he makes you cry like this…then he just doesn't deserve you."

Kate wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. She wasn't ready to sit up just yet so she remained in the same position. The truth was she didn't even know why Tom dumped her. She didn't even give him a chance to explain. Once Kate was positive that she had dried her tears she sat up and stared blankly ahead. "Lauren you don't have to do this,"

"I don't, but you're my roommie, my friend, or at least I hope." She placed her hands in her lap. "If I feel like there's something I can do to help out in any way then I'm going to do it. I just want you to know that if you ever need anyone to talk to then I'm always here."

Kate closed her eyes. "I don't even know why he dumped me,"

There was a pause.

"You deserve to know, why didn't he tell you?"

"I made him leave." Kate rested her hand against her cheek. "I was acting all hysterical and I hated that…I was acting like I am now, and I went into defensive mode, I pushed him away before he could hurt me anymore than he already had." The tears were coming once again. It was like a relief to confess all of her burdens, but then again she was disgusted.

Kate didn't want to come off as this overly emotional girl anymore. She was tough, she had to be, so it was time that she got her act together. Kate stood up and walked towards her closet. "I'm fine now, thanks though Lauren."

"If he gives you some half ass excuse to why he let you go then you should move on," Lauren forced a smile, "Kate, you deserve someone that will stick by your side no matter what."

Kate sighed. She thought Tom had been that guy.

"Maybe it's the romantic in me talking, but someone who really loves you would never leave you to cry like this." Lauren tilted her head to the side. "I think you should call Tom and if not for closure then for the comfort of knowing what happened. Because you deserve the truth,"

Kate smiled sadly to herself, "Thank you Oprah,"

"You're welcome Gayle," Lauren teased jokingly referring to Oprah's best friend who frequently appeared on her show. "I know that you don't like to talk about feelings and all…so I'm sorry for making you open up to me. But I couldn't bring myself to leave the dorm until I was sure that you were okay."

"I'm fine, thanks Lauren," Kate said softly.

"I hope you're not lying to me because I will cancel with Hunter and stay in this dorm with you all night so we can talk about feelings and guys…"

"No, no, I'm good." Kate had to admit that she did feel slightly better thanks to Lauren. She glanced up at the box where all of Tom's belongings were kept away. Maybe Lauren was right and she should call him. Kate hesitated. Was she really ready to speak to him? Kate watched as Lauren fretted between high heels and flats. "Have fun with Hunter,"

"I will,"

"You like him?" Kate asked relieved to get the attention off of herself.

"He's cute, not really my type, but he's growing on me." Lauren decided on the flats. She put on the shoes and then turned around in model fashion. "I wonder if Hunter will look at me the way Jack looks at you."

"What?" Kate asked surprised. She couldn't believe that Lauren was talking about Jack again. "I'm telling you he doesn't like me,"

Lauren grinned, "It's all in the look, but I'm not going to say anymore. Call your ex for piece of mind at least, and if he hurts you again then I'm going to go to Brown and kick his ass myself." She nodded and then dusted her hands off. "But one thing you can rest assured in is that if Tom does break your heart then he's just not the one for you."

Kate shrugged indifferently. "I was never big on love before him anyways, so I guess I won't really care about finding prince charming anymore."

"He's out there Kate,"

"I am not a romantic like you Lauren," Kate pointed out.

There was a knock at the door.

Kate quickly disappeared into the closet searching for something to wear for bedtime as Lauren went to get the door. Kate just wasn't in the mood to meet and greet right now. She knew that she looked just about as crappy as she felt.

Kate pulled out a tee-shirt and pajama bottoms.

"Hey Lauren," Hunter greeted.

"Hey you,"

Kate placed her clothes on her bed and waved at Hunter. She wasn't in the mood to socialize but it would be rude not to see Lauren off. Self consciously Kate tucked her unruly long curls behind her ear. Hunter looked handsome in a forest green polo, and denim jeans. He was tall, and built with light brown skin and gorgeous hazel eyes.

"I'll be back later Kate," Lauren called as she linked arms with Hunter.

"See ya Lauren, bye Hunter." Kate waved. After they had closed the door behind them Kate went to retrieve Tom's box from the closet. Kate sat down on her bed with the box still in hand. She clenched her jaw as she pulled off the top. Lauren was right, at some point she had to call Tom because she did need closure.

Tom had tried to reach her all day. What they had was special. If their relationship was over then there was nothing she could do about it, but Tom had always been her friend. Kate was going to try to put her bitterness aside for now so she could get the truth. Tom hurt her last night, but all this time he had always had her back. Kate wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and try to understand why Tom dumped her.

Of course she would be biting her tongue throughout the conversation but she knew that Tom wouldn't dump her unless he had good reason. At the moment Kate couldn't think of anything except for another girl…but in her heart she knew that Tom wasn't the type of guy to do that. He was sweet and caring and…well she didn't want to think too highly of him before calling.

Kate picked up her cell phone and just as she was about to dial Tom's number. She got a call. Kate's eyebrows furrowed low over her eyes when she looked at the screen. The number read Massachusetts. That was odd. Hesitantly she answered. "Hello?"

"Sweetheart, it's me…mom,"

Jack should've seen it coming. Friday night and Macbeth the thought was almost laughable. Even though he was supposed to be reading somehow within the last hour he ended up working out. Now Jack was on the carpet in between his and Mark's bed with his arms crossed doing curl-ups. Jack was on his 50th curl up, he was taking it easy, nothing too strenuous. At the moment he just couldn't concentrate on Shakespeare or school for that matter, but later tonight he would. It was already an accomplishment that he had decided not to go out for the night.

Jack sat up and placed his arms on his knees. For now he was done.

Amherst was quiet, on Thursdays everyone partied, but on Fridays everyone went home. Jack hated Fridays at Amherst. Since he usually went out with Mark, and some other guys so he didn't have to stomach the loneliness that surrounded him right now. He stood up and paced around his room in search of something to do. Times like these reminded him why he got wasted and brought back random girls. He didn't like feeling as useless as he did now.

Jack pulled off his shirt and tossed it into the blue laundry basket by his door. Now he wished that he had gone out tonight. Jack pulled down his black sweat pants and tossed them with the shirt. He couldn't do it. He needed to get out of his dorm. Jack turned on Mark's radio as he rummaged around for something to wear.

Jack had no idea where he was going but he just needed to get out.

He wondered what Kate was doing now. She had ignored him in the hall. Jack knew that Kate had seen him. He shook his head. Even though Kate probably didn't care either way if he was dating Amber or not, it still mattered to him. Jack smiled at his foolishness. Did he seriously think that Kate cared if he was single or not?

Well he could only hope.

Jack pulled down his boxers. After his shower he would take a ride around Haven, just to clear his mind and get some fresh air. No beer this time.

"Kate, are you still there?"

Kate thought she had heard her wrong. "Who is this?" she stammered.

"It's me Kate, your mom, you still remember me right?"

Was this some kind of sick joke? Kate pressed the phone against her ear and rested her back against the wall for support. She wasn't sure how to react to her mom calling her out of the blue. Since she had left Iowa her mom hadn't bothered to contact her, and vise versa.

"I know that I'm probably the last person that you want to talk to right now, but I'm your mother Kate, you can't just shut me out like this."

"I never shut you out," Kate said quietly.

"We were going to bring you to Massachusetts, but you left…you left with Tom without so much as a goodbye."

Kate blinked away the tears. She thought she had her emotions under control, and then of course her mom has to call to send her right back to wear she started. Kate angrily wiped at her cheeks. A headache was starting to form with all of the crying. "You know why I left with Tom,"

"Katherine…"

"Mom,"

There was silence on the other end.

"He's not my problem anymore, he's yours."

"He is your father Kate,"

"Fuck that,"

"Katherine Anne…" Diane scolded.

"Spare me please," Kate cried as she rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. She wiped underneath her eyes once more and then hung her head. "There was only so much I could do, but when it comes down to it, I can't save you…not from him, because you don't want to be. But me…I ran,"

"He loves you Kate,"

"Stop!" Kate screamed.

"Katherine," Diane started again calmly. "During the time that you've been gone Wayne and I had sometime to talk,"

"I have to take a shower mom,"

"Your shower can hang on,"

"Bye mom,"

"Katherine!"

Kate squeezed her eyes shut and looked around her room helplessly. "What,"

"We had some time to talk and Wayne realized that he has made a lot of mistakes in the past, mistakes that we all aren't proud of. Katherine your father is not perfect by any means, and he's taking the steps to fix…"

Kate was beyond disgusted to hear her mom standing up for that man. The same man that beat them both up whenever he got a chance. Kate would fight him, but her mom never did, she just took it. And she was taking it again. How could she be so naive! So fucking stupid! Kate was crying again because she hated feeling this much loathing towards her mom…but she felt it. "Do you hear yourself? He nearly killed you…and I'm sure he still wants to. Wake the hell up mom…just…oh god, I can't do this. I'm here now…and you're there, just leave me alone. I can't do this right now…I just can't."

"We have to get through this as a family."

"My only family is Sam," Kate said.

"Sam walked out,"

"You made him," Kate retorted. Her eyes were puffy now and irritated. She was going to hang up now before she said something that she really regretted. She just needed to say goodbye. "I have to go,"

"Can you please come downstairs Kate?"

Kate's eyebrows furrowed low over her eyes. "What?"

"I knew that you wouldn't want to talk to me over the phone Katherine, so your father and I took a trip to your school so we could…"

"What!" Kate jumped up in fear. The small room suddenly started to close in on her, and a sense of panic swept over her body. Oh mi god. They were in Massachusetts, her safe place, uninvited, they were here, Wayne was here. She didn't have the time to ask if her mom was bluffing because she was already packing. Kate grabbed a duffel bag from underneath the bed and then ran to her drawer. She was pulling out clothes. She didn't have time to check and see if she had any jeans or not, just whatever she could grab.

They were here. She had to run.

Kate was out of her room in seconds. Her heart was beating rapidly and the world was a blur. The white washed walls littered with bulletin boards, and Amherst Hall social events had all mixed into an ugly blur. All she could hear was the sound of her flip flops padding against the shiny floor and her heartbeat.

Was she dreaming right now? She surely felt like it.

The door opened down the hall.

Kate stopped dead in her tracks and then the staircase door opened. No time to think, just time for action. She wasn't going to pretend as if everything was okay. She left Iowa for a reason and she was going to be damned if she would let Wayne try to convince her that he wasn't an abusive drunk, and that he really loved her mom. Before Kate could even see who was coming through the staircase door, Jack's door opened.

A blind fear had overtaken Kate and she wasn't thinking straight. She wasn't breathing or seeing, as she barreled into his room. She crashed into someone. Kate couldn't tell who it was. They were falling. It was a guy, he fell hard onto the ground and let out a grunt. Kate placed her hand on his mouth and closed the door with her foot.

"Which room is hers?" Wayne asked from outside.

Kate squeezed her eyes shut she looked backwards in terror to make sure that Jack's door was closed. It was thank god. She had to get the hell out of this school. She had too! A couple of seconds Kate realized that she was still on top of whoever she had attacked. She looked down at his face for the first time, and Kate couldn't explain the relief she felt to see that it was Jack.

He would help her, she knew it. Without having to explain a thing he would help her, because he was a nice guy.

Kate searched his hazel eyes fearfully.

"What's wrong?" He asked hoarsely after Kate took her hand off of his mouth.

Kate placed her head against his chest. What was she doing? She was just so scared. Her mom and Wayne were here, and she needed to get away. Kate was about to lift her head but Jack rubbed her back very quickly and then stopped. She had to get off of him. Kate slowly stood up and then removed her leg from in between his legs. She hoped that she didn't knee him on the way down. God, how embarrassing. Kate pulled her tangled curls out of her face as she helped Jack up. The towel that he was wearing slipped down and he pulled it back up.

Kate could see the confusion on his face. Right, she owed him some kind of explanation for her crazy behavior. Kate swallowed nervously. "I'll be out of your hair in a couple of seconds I just need…" Kate glanced over her shoulder at the door. A large picture of Jenna Jameson blocked the wooden frame. She looked away.

"That's Mark's," Jack said with a smile.

Kate stared back at him awkwardly. Why was he smiling even though she had attacked him just a couple of seconds ago. "Okay," she stammered. Didn't he want some kind of explanation?

Jack looked back at Kate curiously, "I take it you're trying to avoid someone,"

"No, I just um…" Kate frowned. How else could she explain ending up on Jack while he was on his back. She placed her hand to the side of her face. "Yes, my ex boyfriend I don't want to see him."

"This is Kate's room," Diane said from outside.

She was talking loud. Kate leaned closer to the door.

"We flew all the way from Iowa Diane, we'll just wait until she comes back,"

Kate's eyes widened. They were going to wait for her? She couldn't stay here. Kate picked up her duffel bag on the floor. "Could you give me a couple more minutes and then I'll be gone," she said to Jack.

"Who are they?"

"My aunt and uncle…I um…I lied," Kate replied. "I just don't want to see them,"

Jack looked down at the duffel bag in Kate's hand, "Where were you planning on going?"

"Anywhere they can't find me, and once again I'm sorry for all of this," Kate sighed.

"Don't be, I was looking for something to do anyways."

"They can't stay there all night," Kate said to herself.

"He said that they'll be here during the weekend." Jack replied hesitantly. "I'm not going to ask any questions because it's none of my business but if you have a place in mind then I can take you there." Jack motioned towards Kate's duffel bag, "Unless you already have a car or someone to take…"

"Thanks, but I'll be fine on my own."

Jack nodded and walked back towards his bed. His shower had been interrupted so he wasn't sure whether to get dressed again, or wait for Kate to leave and then go shower. He wanted to help her.

"You should think I'm crazy by now," Kate whispered as she walked over to him.

"I don't think your crazy," Jack whispered back.

"Why not?"

Because I love you. Jack thought. "I just don't that's it."

Kate crossed her arms and nodded. She looked around Jack's room. "Would you really help me get out of this school for the weekend. Even though you barely know anything about me?"

"Without a doubt,"

"I don't understand why you're being so nice,"

"I'm a nice guy," Jack said with a smile. "Besides as I said before I have nothing to do tonight and I hate being bored. By the way I'm Jack," he extended his hand.

Kate was surprised that he wasn't asking her any important questions. "I know your name,"

"You do,"

"You live on the 5th floor down the hall," Kate gave Jack a small smile and shook his hand, "I'm Kate, and thank you for not thinking I'm crazy."