Chapter 15
Things Change

Kate

What was it about Scott?

The minute he started talking to me that first day in the piano room I suspected him, and with good reason. He'd been sleeping with Jess. He'd never talked to me before. And there didn't seem to be any innocent reason for him to start now. But he was a good talker, irrefutably charming, and put on such an earnest pursuit that let down my guard rather quickly. A few days later, I found myself saying the kinds of things to him that I only ever told Johnny.

I don't know that I was never in love with Scott, in the traditional sense of the word, but the thought of that as a possible future development was never out of my mind. The idea of reforming him was definitely an enticing, seductive one—after all, who doesn't want to be the girl who finally made a difference? And besides that, there was something else that nobody expected: we really got along.

Looking back, I'm sure that Scott was commissioned by Rachel to deal with me. Back then, Adrien and I were getting along quite fantastically as well, and Rachel was fading into scenery. And then Scott happened.

When Scott started talking to me, it threw me off. It wasn't him at first—he was still just the guy who'd been sleeping with Jess. But it was the idea he represented. Let me explain. I'd never even entertained the thought before that there might be someone else for me out there, some one other than Adrien. But when Scott started acting interested, it suddenly seemed like a legitimate possibility. I wasn't sold on that person being Scott. But I began to think that Johnny might be right after all—maybe Adrien and I wasn't ever going to happen. Maybe I was holding out for nothing. Maybe something else was meant to be.

And so, in the end, it was me who took the first step back, as far as Adrien and I went. And he drifted back to Rachel, exactly as she had planned it. It was a stupid move on my part, a mistake. I'd developed this idea that if I tried, I would just stop loving Adrien. The idea turned out to wrong. But, God, I believe it back then.

And Scott, he was certainly distracting.

The thing was that he talked to me. I mean, really talked to me. About important things—religion, our goals, the war on terror, Johnny. He always expected me to have an opinion. When he asked a question and I answered that I didn't know, he would say, "Yes you do. You're just not saying." And usually he was right.

One day he asked me about Adrien. We were, the two of us, wandering around the yard when it came up. I was giving him a tour of the gardens, which since I typically weeded them I insisted that he appreciate. It was particularly bright and hot that day. I was wearing a tank top and shorts—less clothes than usual—and a pair of sunglasses, holding my heavy hair off of my neck with one hand. Scott was generally complaining about having to be outside on such a day when he suddenly asked, "So why do you love him?"

By now I was used to these kinds of intrusive questions coming from Scott, and I wasn't really startled. I thought about pretending not to understand him, but then I didn't see the point. Like I said, I'd already let down my guard, and I was beginning to like telling the truth.

I shrugged. "Why not?" I asked. "Everyone thinks I shouldn't love him, but no ever has a good reason for that."

"Oh, I'm not saying you shouldn't. You probably should." We were walking past a bench and I paused and sat down on it. Scott stood in front of me and continued. "I'm just curious as to why. In your position, I think a lot of girls would've gone more for Johnny."

"Like Rachel?" I challenged. I wanted to see if he would give something up.

"She's not in your position."

True. I don't know how attached Scott was to me at the point. At any rate, his loyalties were still with his sister.

I leaned back in my chair and looked up at him. Scott wasn't the best looking guy I'd ever seen. There was nothing glaringly wrong with him. He just wasn't striking like Rachel was, or like most girls found Johnny. But, when you knew him, his understated appearance only seemed to add to his charm.

"You're probably right," I admitted. "Most girls would go for Johnny. He certainly is the more romantic figure—you know, with the whole rebel-without-a-cause thing he's got going on. But I don't know. It just didn't happen that way." I smiled. "That probably says something about me."

Scott crossed his arms. "It probably does," he said, raising his eyebrows. "But I'll save the psychoanalysis for later."

I frowned behind my sunglasses. As much as I was beginning to like Scott, I still had trouble believing he was ever entirely genuine. He was really too charming.

Feeling I'd done my fair share of soul-bearing, I turned the interrogation back around on him. "So. Why Jess?"

Scott quickly became uncomfortable, determined as he was to show me only his best side. "Kate," he almost groaning, rubbing his forehead with one hand. "Don't do that."

"I answered your question," I said.

He sighed and fell onto the seat beside me. He leaned back, resting his arms on the back of the bench, and thought for a minute. Then he said. "Well, like you said, why not?"

I could think of a lot of reasons why not, so many that I was almost exploding with them. But I bit my lip and kept quiet Scott was watching me.

"I can see what you're thinking, you know," he said.

"Okay. There are a lot of reasons why not."

Scott dismissed my opinion. "That depends on your belief system."

"How post-modern of you to think so," I said tersely, and then I wondered how I had actually managed to say such a thing out loud. I wasn't used to being impertinent.

Scott laughed. Then he proclaimed, "I'm a work in progress, Kate. Not all of us are born with Adrien's halo."

The censure in his tone was impossible to miss. "That was a mean thing to say," I said.

"Well." He leaned forward and looked pointedly at me. "That was a mean question to ask."

He meant the question about Jess. I could suddenly see that he was right, and I was again surprised with myself. Hanging out with Scott was definitely changing me, for better or for worse.

"I could argue that the question about Adrien was mean too," I said.

"Oh please. You don't mind. It's not like it's a big secret." He stood and offered me a hand. I took it and he pulled me up after him. We continued our walk.

"I guess it's not," I said. He was right again. I wasn't mad about the question. "Besides that, I'm think I'm getting over it. Him. I think I'm getting over him." I really did think that. And I suppose would have gotten over Adrien eventually, if things had run their course.

"Now that's something I'm glad to here," Scott said. Scott and I were generally so chummy, it was easy to fall into thinking we both intended for things to plateau at the friends level. But then Scott would say something like this and make it all too clear that he was pursuing me. I did what I usually did in these situations: ignored it.

"Okay, it's getting too hot for me now. Let's go inside."

Scott always took my refusal to acknowledge his suggestive comments in stride. I think he thought it was funny. It was all part of the game.

"Yep," he said in his amused tone of voice. And, hands in his pockets, he followed me in.

- - - - - - - -

Although Mr. Mansfield had made me officially part of the family, I still did occasional chores for Aunt Lucy. I didn't mind. That evening she had me washing the pots and other assorted dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher and had been piling up for weeks. It wasn't a bad job. I had the radio on and I was huming along.

Adrien wandered into the kitchen. Whether he was looking for me or not, seeing me he smiled. Hejoined meand nudged me over to the rinsing side of the sink, taking over the washing part for me. Neither of us said anything. I rinsed and dried the dishes he handed me. The silence was so comfortable. I almost appreciated it more than all of Scott's repartee, which, engaging as it was, could sometimes wear me out. I wondered whether I would ever be able to be quiet with Scott.

It wasn't until a good five minutes had past that either of us spoke. Then Adrien asked, "How are you, Kate?"

It was, coming from him, almost a strange question. Adrien was supposed to know how I was. It hit me how much time I had been spending with Scott.

"Fine," I said. "Good."

Adrien nodded and went quiet again. After a moment he asked. "You like him?" I couldn't read anything into his tone, and then I realized that I shouldn't be trying to. It was just a question. And I was just going to answer.

"I don't know yet," I said. "And even if I did, I don't know if I trust him completely. Besides, he just wants to be my friend."

"Well, that's a credit to him," Adrien said, always generous. I smiled because the comment implied some nice things about what Adrien thought of me.

Adrien was washing the last dish now and handed it to me. I rinsed it, dried it, and he put it away.

"Done." he said. "Come on."

Together we left the kitchen and headed into the living room. Mr. Mansfield was there with his paper. So was Rachel, which surprised me a little. Adrien immediately left me for her, but it was right of him to do so. Later Scott joined us, which gave me, as always, plenty to do.

I don't know how it came up, but somehow it did: my birthday was fast approaching. It was, in fact, a week from Friday. Scott and Adrien were getting somewhat animated over the subject, and Mr. Mansfield must have been listening in. He, apparently, wasn't over his Kate-is-part-of-the-family kick yet, and before I knew it we were planning an event.

An event. For my birthday.

Rachel was more excited than any of us about the idea. Presumably, because it gave her something to do. Adrien was chuckling in a sweet, admiring way at her adorable enthusiasm.

Still confused about how I'd suddenly become so important, I caught Scott's eye and he nearly laughed at my bewildered expression. I switched to a smile and slowly shook my head.

Everything was changing.

- - - - - - - - -

To: Johnny Mansfield
From: Adrien Mansfield
Subject: Kate

As I'm sure you are well aware, Kate's birthday is a week from Friday. Dad, who has finally decided to welcome her into the family, has also decided to throw her a birthday party—black tie, you know, the sort of stuffy thing we were always having for Jess and Manda. After much reflection, I've concluded that the best thing I have to offer Kate on this occasion is you, as sad as that is. Please come.

Adrien

- - - - - - - - -

To: Adrien Mansfield
From: Johnny Mansfield
Subject: RE: Kate

I'm there. Don't tell Kate.

- - - - - - - - -

A/N: That was a horrendously slow update. Sorry guys. This story has gotten really hard to write, so I encourage everyone to review and make me happy :o) At any rate, Johnny will be making his long awaited return in the next chapter, and the more the reviews I get, the quicker I'll be inclined to get the next chapter up (but that's not a bribe or anything – ha ha)

cookie: Scott is one of my favorite characters to write because he has so many layers. He can be real genuine at times but then he has the capacity for cruelty as well. I'm glad you like the story :o)

kristie: LOL. Well, Scott might just get his heart broken (poor jerk) but I reckon Kate will be okay in the end. :o) Sorry, that was a really slow update. Hopefully it'll be faster next time.

a: Johnny's back next chapter. Hurray! As to why I called the chapter "Piracy"… Well, I titled the chapter before I wrote it (not my usual method – usually I write the chapter fist then title them). But anyway, I kind of see both Rachel and Scott as pirates of sort – sweeping in and sabotaging these relationship, stealing affection that didn't belong to them in the first place. I was going to make a point of that in the last chapter, but I guess I kind of forgot to. I probably should've re-titled it, lol.

Radiant: Oh man, sorry for the interminably slow update. I'm getting so lazy. Anyways, yay you liked Kate in the last chapter! I thought she was cool too. As evil as Scott may be, he seems to be giving her more confidence…

NotreDamegirlie: Oops. Typo. Thanks for catching that, it has been fixed. :o)

Rapsody's Song: Ha ha. The chat abbreviations just suddenly seemed like something Manda would use.

Auriela: Lol. I think Scott is kinda charming. But you're right, he is slimy as hell. Evil!

embracing: Dude, everyone thinks Rachel should die :oD Lol. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful review. I hope you had a good holiday!

BeyondtheSea: Don't worry, I'm working up to the chandelier. Lol. If only. Yeah, I think Manda's gonna be a good ally too.

Jill: Okay, I am going to very timidly say that I think I kind of like this chapter. God, this story makes me so nervous now. Anyways, now to your review of the last chapter. I realized, upon rereading that chapter that Scott very often sounds like a spoiled child. He's all: "I don't want to" and "You can't make me" Shannon: "God, Scott, grow some balls! Seriously!" However, I'm not particularly upset about this characterization of Scott as I think it's fairly accurate. I'm just saying, I can see why your loathing knows no bounds. But I still hold that he will improve and thus (perhaps) begin to grow on you (hey, I can hope). Anyways, having no experience with Bridezilla, I, like Scott, thought that the two-week wedding thing was a little unrealistic, but it happened in Mansfield Park and so it had to happen here. Despite my subtle attempts to give Manda a character and some dialogue, I realize that she remains largely expendable. Oh well. It's safe to assume she won't be BAM!-ing quite like Supermodel Sophie. Ah, see, this is what I'm going for with Scott: he has these rare moments of decency. People with rare moment of decency cannot be lost causes! Ha! As for Rachel's motives for walking Scott out of the church… who knows. I will admit that I have completely given up trying to understand motive for anything. I really have no understanding of this character whatsoever, which is weird because I am writing her. Huh. Now that we have reached the Rachel-and-Scott scene part of your review, I'm going to restrain myself from going into my whole The-Reason-Adrien-And-Kate-Had-To-Be-So-Abhorrently-Couplely-Was-So-This-Scene-Could-Happen diatribe because you've already heard it. I kind of wanted to see "Casanova" now that you mention it. Incidentally, the last movie I saw was "The New World" which was a very strange combination of random outdoor footage and voiceovers. It was like watching a nature documentary – seriously, there was like two lines of dialogue this film. Also, I find it very hard to believe that every man in colonial America had such beautiful hair. But back to it. Piano scene: ha! See! Scott is growing on you already. It's inevitable. You'll be sad for him by the end of the story. I can't promise any Johnny-Rachel action (okay, I know we've gone over this. like a zillion times). But I can promise you Johnny in the very next chapter. In fact, I'm toying with the idea of making the chapter Johnny's perspective, as he just has so much to do and so many people to talk to (he definitely has to talk to Kate, Rachel (only for you), maybe Scott, and then somehow end up having the Fight to End All Fights with Adrien. Why does he have to have this fight? Because it will make it more dramatic when Johnny's all almost going to die and Adrien's can be like: "Oh my God, do you know what the last thing I said to him was?") But, in the end, I will probably not make the chapter a Johnny chapter. It would be just too random and inconsistent wouldn't it? I don't know. What do you think? In closing, I would like to ask you: what in the world has happened to Caleb and his wonderful sponge-like goodness? You're sending me into some serious withdrawal.