Katie sighed to herself, resolving to do what she should have done already: find Arch, and break up with him at last.

As soon as she mustered enough gall, Katie left the dinning hall in hopes of finding Arch and getting it over with as soon as possible. Quick and painless, they didn't really know each other all that well anyway, right?

While still in emotional and mental turmoil, Katie searched everywhere franticly, the library, the seat in front of a window with a lovely sky view on one of the higher floors that he liked so much (Katie avoided looking out of it, heights + Katie no), the rec room, and even a few closets that couples were not-so-secretly making out in.

Finally, just when Katie was prepared to give up and was turning around to go and find Nicole, (though not because she wanted to, but because she had to it was her civic duty to make sure that Nicole didn't maul anyone...) she nearly walked right into Arch.

"Oh!" she said, exasperated. Why the hell hadn't she noticed that he was behind her? Had he been there the whole time? "There you are."

"Were you looking for me?" Arch asked, face lighting up some, obviously finding the concept of her wandering around for what felt like hours trying to find him cute.

Katie's innards felt as if they were being filled with lead, a sinking feeling in her stomach, her throat constricting painfully. "I-" she began, but her voice was choked up. She cleared her throat, sighing and beginning again, "Yes- I... well... Arch...I'm really sorry..." she began.

Arch's face fell considerably, his big blue eyes large and puppy-dog like, "What is it..?" he asked, sensing the ominous way in which Katie had begun her sentence.

Katie whimpered mentally, how could she do this to him? He was so cute... all he ever did was like her... But it would be better if he were with someone who felt the same way, her conscience reminded her, pushing her for courage. "I'm sorry but, I just don't feel the same way you feel about me... I just... we're all wrong for each other... you're good and cute and caring...you remind me more of a brother than of a boyfriend.."

Arch could only blink helplessly at her, not really wanting to hear the rest of the inevitable 'its not you...' 'I just wanna be friends...' that would follow her statement. Oh, he didn't want to be her brother! He wanted her to like him too!

"I know this sounds cliché... but... it really isn't you, it's me, and I'm really sorry..." Katie backed up a step, feeling like the worst person on the face of the planet, at the hurt look in his eyes. "But... I just can't... I mean...couldn't we just be friends...? I just... I don't want you to hate me for this... If our relationship had progressed... you would be miserable with me because of my adverse feelings..." Katie continued, each word becoming more and more painful as Arch's face contorted slightly in pain.

Katie tried to lock her knees, trying to resist the urge to keep backing up and run away, however nice it sounded. The look on his face was just too hurt for words... "I'm... really sorry about this, But it would hurt you so much more to keep trying... if I didn't feel the same..." Katie felt her lip tremble, hating herself for having to do this. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, so...so...so..." she choked on the words, feeling tears trail warm paths down her cheeks. She allowed herself to run then, not wanting Arch to see her cry, not wanting him to pity her when he was in his own personal pain. She ran with her tears stinging her eyes and clouding her vision.

This was horrible. How could she do that to Arch? He was such a nice, sweet boy... but she had to have this... thing for a teacher of all people! Scott. Why? Why did Scott's bright blue eyes look so much better than Arch loving ones? Why did Scott seem so much more appealing when he smiled with those dimples, than Arch did?

Looking about, trying to avoid anyone she knew, she found a deserted alcove outside of the library, and plopped herself down on the window seat there. Drawing her knees up to her chest, she put her face down and cried, partly for what a bitch she felt like she'd been to Arch, and partly for how horrible she felt at how wonderful she felt when Scott smiled at her.

As the tears began to dry on her face, Katie looked up to survey her surroundings. The hallway was completely empty. It figured, people weren't exactly willing to visit the library on the weekends, along with the fact that hardly anyone knew there was a library. Still sniffling, Katie wiped the remaining tears on her shirtsleeve and got up. She really should go and see Nicole.

Besides, she couldn't be upset about a breakup without a best friend's shoulder to cry on. Their argument really seemed sort of petty in light of the most recent events. Fighting over a dream that Nicole would have been able to hear anyway... and a dream that Katie wasn't even supposed to be having at all at that.

Hopefully Nicole wouldn't decide to hold a grudge... Katie was usually the one to hold things over people, but one never knew with Nicole. Getting up she started off towards the dining hall/room, figuring it was as good a spot as any to start looking for Nicole... The halls closer to the food had a few more students, and she passed more than one passionately making out couple, which did not put her into a better mood. Hiding her face, trying not to make the tearstains obvious, she nearly walked into someone she knew.

Pyro backed up ever so slightly, grinning down at Katie's tear streaked face. "Hey there Katie... why the long face?" he purred in a soothing manner, reaching up and wiping away the trails left in Katie's foundation by her tears.

She twitched, not exactly liking the way he touched her so boldly, and not necessarily disliking it, either. "I... I broke up with Arch," she mumbled, not really wanting to spread the news, but not wanting to lie either.

"Oh?" he inquired, unable to hide the glint of triumph in his eyes. Katie spotted this but disregarded it. Yet another girl he could hit on without guilt. Not that he felt guilty for hitting on and/or feeling up 'taken' girls. "That's too bad Katie; I thought you guys were really great for each other..." Pyro stroked the side of Katie's face gently, toying with a lock of hair that had fallen into it.

Katie sighed, really not up for his games... but his hand was warm and she needed some sort of comfort right now...

Scott, hands in his pockets, was wandering about outside, enjoying the warm sunny day. For once he was almost glad to be wearing the sunglasses, as there was quite a glare. Looking about him, unconsciously scanning the windows, he stopped dead.

Katie was standing in front of one, looking obviously distressed. That would have been enough to make him feel bad; had not the player Pyro been making a move... he tried to squish the spark of jealousy. What claim did he have?

Pyro's faux-sympathetic face did not waver, but his eyes looked triumphant that she had not moved to push him away.

Scott failed to suppress the jolts of jealousy that coursed through his veins. It was just like Pyro to try and jump into a girl's pants right after she'd been dumped. The fact that said girl was Katie at the moment didn't exactly help the situation... You know that it would be better for her to be with Pyro, even if he is a slime ball; at least it would be legal eh..? sneered a particularly nasty part of his conscience, said voice sounding exactly like, and drawing up a vivid picture of Logan. Scott made a soft noise of aggravation, kicking up a pile of freshly raked leaves. Damn it!

Katie sighed again, though less heavily. "Well, it's over now, so..." She trailed off with a shrug. Hopefully Arch would be able to move on, no trailing around like a kicked puppy or deciding to hate her and making her life a misery (not that she needed the help). She also found it necessary to squash the mental note that if she was single, she could go find someone else "more suited to her tastes"... it's not like she'd have more luck there!

"Did you see where Nicole went?" She asked Pyro, gently disengaging herself from his reach. Flirting was nice and all, but she needed Nicole more.

Pyro grinned, "When I saw her last she was coming in from staring at that old twisted up tree for a good half hour... grumbling and muttering something about needing a box of tissues." he laughed, shaking his head. That girl was weird sometimes... she'd been staring at that poor on the edge of death-tree as if it were the cause of all of her problems...

Katie couldn't help but smile and giggle, it was always funny to hear what Nicole did without people around to entertain her. "Do you know where she is now?" Katie asked, trying to force her face back into a more somber one. She'd just dumped the nicest boy in the world after all...

Pyro shook his head, shrugging. "Dunno, but Ice Cu- I mean Bobby has been looking all over for her, but hasn't seen her. You might try and look for her in the Library, or maybe in one of the student studies... she's the only one who seems to enjoy being alone and reading at the same time in this school.." Pyro commented blandly.

Katie nodded at Pyro, glad for the information, if not quite for his company. "Thanks. I'll see you around I guess..." she turned towards the library before catching herself. "Wait-" Pyro looked at her expectantly, as though hoping for her to throw herself at him in the throes of passion. "Can you keep... this... on the down low for now? Just don't tell anyone yet... I don't know if he'd want it all over the school before lunch."

He nodded, though he did look vaguely disappointed. "Sure."