Chapter 6:
January 9, 2002
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go your way? I have to admit that I've had tons. Whether it's failing a math test (yeah, that happened today), or fighting with one of your best friends (you guessed it), it just makes your whole mood go downhill.

But then something will happen that will make up for all of those bad things. Yeah, I still failed my math test. And, sure, Simone's not speaking to me right now.

But that doesn't matter. Not anymore. Because I have Miguel now, and that makes everything worth it.

"Simone, why can't he just realize that they're not meant to be together?" Kay complained as she and her best friend watched Miguel walk down the hall with a depressed look on his face. "Look at how much this is tearing him up! If Charity really loved him, she wouldn't be doing this to him, to them."

Simone rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Kay, they haven't even been broken up for a week. Chill out."

"Simone, finally one of my plans is working! Charity broke up with him, and I know that this is my golden opportunity!! You have to help me!"

"Kay, you can't trick someone into loving you. Either they love you or they don't. It's that simple."

"Simone!!!" Kay whined. Why couldn't Simone understand how important this was? This was Miguel that they were talking about, after all! Kay had waited almost 3 years for the opportunity to go out with him, and she most certainly was not about to let it pass her by!

"Kay!!!" Simone replied, imitating Kay's tone.

"Don't make fun of me, Simone! This is serious! I have to get Miguel to go out with me—just once. Then he'll realize that I'm the one for him. Not Charity."

Simone sighed. "Kay, he loves Charity. Not you. Yes, maybe he could have loved you if you had dated, but you didn't. He went out with Charity instead. They're meant to be together, Kay, and none of your plotting will change that. Can't you just accept that and move on with your life?"

Kay's eyes widened. Did Simone seriously believe this garbage she was spouting? If she didn't watch out, she'd turn into Theresa, spouting nonsense about fate and true love and whatnot.

Kay believed in true love, but she also believed that she was in control of her own destiny. You make your own luck, and she was sure as hell going to make hers.

"Whatever, Kay," Simone said, throwing her hands up in the air. "It's obvious that nothing I said got through that thick skull of yours. Give me a call if you ever decide to be rational about this whole situation."

With a flip of her raven mane, Simone turned and began walking down the hall. Kay couldn't believe it. Simone, her best friend and supporter, was walking away from her?

"I am being rational!" Kay shouted after her friend. "I am!!!"

Everyone in the hallway turned and looked at her. Kay knew what they were thinking. 'Who was that loser who was shouting in the middle of the hallway?'

But Simone didn't turn to give her a second glance, and Kay ignored all of the snickering bystanders. She was a senior, dammit, and she'd yell down the hallway if she wanted to!

Kay knew that it would be difficult to think of and carry out a plan all by herself, but she would think of something. She always did, and this time would be no different.

There was no way in hell that she was going to let this opportunity slip from her grasp.

~*~*~*~

"So, Kay, I hear you got your math exam back today," Jessica began with a smirk.

Kay knew that Jessica had somehow discovered that she had failed the test. That little twit! Jessica was trying to get her in trouble, and she usually did just fine on her own. She most definitely did not need Jessica's help!!

"Oh, really?" Grace asked. "How did you do, dear?"

Kay shot daggers at her younger sister who simply smiled gleefully. "Not that hot," she admitted reluctantly. "I'm going to go in and try to figure out where I went wrong. And he did mention something in class today about offering some extra credit."

"Now, Kay, I don't want you to be one of those students who abuses extra credit to sneak by in her classes. You're a smart girl, honey, and you mom and I know that you can do better."

"Yeah, I know, Dad. I'll study harder next time."

Sam nodded encouragingly. "That's good, sweetie. If you need some help, don't be afraid to ask for it."

"I won't," Kay replied automatically.

As the dinner conversation moved towards how sick old Mr. Kingsley was, Kay took the opportunity to glare at her younger sister. Jessica grinned and stuck her tongue out in response.

Kay rolled her eyes and began eating again. At least the dinner was edible, and not some of her mother's health food creations.

Moments later, Kay's plate was clean. "May I be excused?"

"Not yet, honey," Grace replied with a grin. "After all, you wouldn't want to miss out on a piece of tomato soup cake!"

~*~*~*~

Twenty minutes and two pieces of tomato soup cake later, Kay excused herself. God, she wished that they had had a dog. Maybe the mutt would actually like the tomato soup cake!

Kay laughed and shook her head. More likely, it would die from the toxins that had to be within the dessert somewhere.

Ding, dong!

Kay ran towards the front door, certain that Simone had realized that she needed her help to get Miguel. Yes, they would spend the night trying to find a way to convince Miguel that Kay was the perfect girl for him.

At lunch she had subtly dropped hint after hint about how he should take advantage of this opportunity to date some other girls—like her for example. Of course, Miguel had been his dense self and hadn't noticed. Why did he have to be so infuriating?

"Hey, Sim—I mean, uh, hey, Miguel! Reese."

"Hey, Kay," Miguel replied, grinning at her. "Can we come in?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course. What's up?"

"Well, Kay, I've thought a lot about what you said today at lunch," Miguel began.

Kay took a deep breath and prepared herself to support Miguel in his never-ending quest to get Charity back. Besides, if she knew what he had planned, it would make it that much easier for her to 'accidentally' screw things up a bit.

"Anyhow, I realized that you're right. I really should try dating some other girls."

Kay's jaw dropped down in shock. Was he serious? He was actually going to date someone other than Charity? Yes!! Finally, she had gotten her man!

Then it hit her. He had said 'other' girls. He hadn't said he was going to date her. What if he asked out someone like Becky Bellafonte? Oh, she would rather eat three tomato soup cakes than watch Miguel kiss her!

"So, Kay, I was wondering if you wanted to do something on Friday night? Maybe go see a movie or something?"

Kay just stared at him unblinkingly. Had she heard him right? Had he just asked her out?

Yes, he had!! Oh, finally!! All of her dreams were about to come true!!

But, very coolly, Kay replied, "No, Miguel, I'm not busy. What would you like to do?"

Miguel began to talk about some of the things that they could do, but Kay tuned him out. It didn't matter what they did, as long as they were together. Finally, after years of frustration, Miguel was hers!!