Disclaimer: I don't own a thing, obviously. :)

The week seemed to move with lightening speed. By Tuesday mid-morning Kat had learned several interesting things about Patrick and her relationship. Such as the fact the two were sneaking around since Kat moved here. They also had known each other prior to her move, and had been long distance lovers. She had gotten a fake ID so she could sneak into a club with him as well as get a motel room that particular night. And her favorite rumor so far, was the fact he had been forced to take her to the dance because her younger sister had a date and, surprise, surprise, Kat Stratford was alone.

Not that any of this bothered her. Kat was a strong, opinionated woman, these were harmless rumors that were made up to excuse her blow up at lunch.

No, what bothered her was the fact that Patrick had not tried to talk to her again. Surely, surely, if he wanted to talk to her, he would have ignored Monday's little tiff and reach out to her. Tuesday passed, however, and not only did Patrick avoid her like a plague, he made sure that in between classes and at lunch he was invisible. Wednesday was almost similar, other then the fact she had managed to spot him trying to avoid her. Now, being Thursday afternoon, Kat had given up any hope of forgiveness from either party. And while a part of her didn't give a damn, that god-forsaken other part was slowly crumbling.

She slammed her tray down at the table, causing Mandella to look up with a weary look. The gothic girl had said very little on the subject of her friend's minor depression. Because to think that Patrick Verona had this much effect on Kat Stratford was a scary thought. It was a thought best ignored.

"So did you hear about the party they're throwing at Joey Donnor's house this weekend?" Kat looked up, shoving a carrot into her mouth. She lifted an eyebrow, staring at Mandella with a confused expression.

"When did you start caring about the popular people's house parties?"

"Well, everyone is going." Mandella acted as if this was the most logical explanation in the world.

"Which is why I ask, again, when did you start caring?" Kat scoffed. "We don't do juvenile little make out brawls."

"We're invited." Mandella nodded her head. "Joey announced it was for everyone."

"How on god's good green earth do you know this?" Kat placed down her fork, taking in her friend's behavior.

"I have a class with him. I figured you would want to know because I'm sure your sister would want to go." Mandella rolled her eyes. "I'm a little fuzzy with the rules, but don't you have to go if she goes."

Kat opened her mouth, but closed it fairly quickly. Bianca would need a ride to the party, at the very least. Whether Kat had to stay or not was entirely up to their father's mental status at that given moment. Either way Kat would have to at least drive to and from the party.

"I may have to go," Kat said wearily. She shook her head. "You want to go to the party? With all of these people?"

Mandella looked around, her eyes meeting with a certain male on the other side of the court yard. Shame ran through her skin as she turned back to Kat. It was something she would just have to do. If anything to get Kat out of this Verona funk.

"I want to check it out. There'll be liquor and food." Mandella smiled. "We like liquor and food."

Kat groaned, nodding her head. "I'll do with out the liquor, myself, but we can go. I'm sure Bianca is just tearing at the seams."

---

"Daddy! It's the social event of the year!"

"You said that about going to the Burger Barn with the squad after last weeks game. As well as the dance." Mr. Stratford was giving his youngest a look.

Kat, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, was staying out of the conversation. Her job was just to listen to the entertaining production that was 'How wrapped is Daddy around Bianca's finger?'.

"This is different. Chastity has been out all week, she'll be at this party. Not having my time with Chastity after such a long time, it's like, waving the white flag. And you taught us never to be quitters!" Both Kat and Mr. Stratford looked at the blonde girl with confused expressions. "Whatever! I have to go daddy!"

The aging man gave a long sigh, turning to look at Kat who threw him a small smile and a shrug.

"You agreed to go to this party?" She nodded her head slowly, at least slowly compared to the way Bianca was shaking her head.

"Kat's going, and Cameron will be there, as well as Dawn!" Kat rolled her eyes. Cameron was on what Bianca referred to as a probation period. Until he had proven himself worthy, Bianca would allow him to hang out with her on the condition that he kept his nose and his opinions to himself. Cameron, it was safe to say, had more then willingly agreed to these terms. "And it's Joey's house, so you know, I'll be fine."

"The boy who was running around in a pink shirt?" Kat raised an eyebrow while Bianca's cheery face dimmed.

"Well, yeah, but that was not really intentional."

"Bianca, you may go to this party, but," another heavy sigh escaped his lips. "No drinking, no boys, no touching, no close dancing, no fire paraphernalia, no short skirts, no see through tops, no--"

"Daddy, I get it, I'm a nun." Bianca rolled her eyes.

Silence filled the room, and just as Kat decided it was safe to leave, Bianca let out a high pitched screech. Both older Stratfords stared at the bubbly blonde.

"I have to go call Dawn so we can do a fashion phone conversation." Kat was almost positive Bianca had flown right out of her seat and up the stairs.

"Well, that was fun." Mr. Stratford gave a look to Kat.

"How did she get you to agree to a party? I don't think I like it."

"My friend Mandella wants to go. I don't know why she would want to go, but I owe her a few favors." Kat shrugged, moving towards the fridge. "And you know Bianca was going to throw holy hell if she didn't get her way. It is Joey's party."

"I thought he was going out with the mean, popular girl."

"He is, but I think Bianca's crush on him is winning out against Chastity."

"I don't think I like that either." Kat laughed and gently patted her father's shoulder.

"Oh dad, she has two more years left in high school, you're not going to like a lot of the things Bianca is going to want and do." She disappeared out of the kitchen and made her way up her bedroom.

Mr. Stratford made another weary face. "I really don't like that."

---

Kat stood at her locker, bored to tears of all the latest news and gossip for Joey's party. She had to be thankful there was only one class left. On the other hand, however, Bianca had already found her and demanded that Kat get to the car with-in five minutes after the last bell. Apparently the blonde had to primp. Shocker.

She cleared her throat and shut her locker. She turned to walk to class, only to freeze as she came face to face with the boy who had been acting as if she was contagious.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my almost lover." Kat raised an eyebrow at his witty tone and sexy smirk. She grimaced internally. Not sexy, never sexy.

"What do you want Verona?" Kat pressed passed him, knowing fully well he would follow at her heels.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok, you wearing a dress to tonight's festivities?" Kat paused, making a face and taking a deep breath. She refused to turn around.

"How did you know I was going to the party?"

"I have my sources." Kat rolled her eyes and continued walking to her class, listening for the sound of his boots behind her. She was not disappointed.

"I thought you were ignoring me, or avoiding me. I didn't know I reeked that badly."

"No, not that badly." She had to stop due to a slow traffic jam, and before she knew what was going on, Patrick Verona's face, specifically his nose and lips were very, very close to her neck. "You smell decent enough."

His lips moving brushed gently across her skin. She shook her head, causing him to move his face. She looked over her shoulder, glaring at him.

"Personal space much?" She found a opening and started her, on any normal day, two minute walk to class.

"I figured I give you time to cool off before I tried to make amends. I didn't really feel like having another episode like Monday. I like the old rumors about me. At least they make me out to be cool and unapproachable." She had gotten to her class and had once again stopped. Before she could turn to face him, his lips were directly next to her ears. "You make me seem soft."

Kat took a step forward, turning to look at his smirking face. She would either have to kiss him or take that wiffle bat and wail on him. Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she tilted her head to the side.

"I make you go soft?" Her eyes dipped to his pants and then back to his face. "They have doctors for those types of problems."

On one level she had thought she crossed a line, but as Patrick smiled, his little, mysterious smile, she knew he was taking her with a grain of salt.

"I'll see you at the party."

"Can't wait!" Kat made a face and then entered her classroom, taking her regular seat. Mandella, who had already been sitting threw her a look. "Did you know that Patrick was attending the party?" It was rhetorical, but the guilty expression on Mandella's face was not over looked. "Mandella!"

"I'm sorry! He cornered me Wednesday afternoon and ask me to just get you to the party. He figured it be safe for him if there were a lot of people."

"As well as alcohol and lots of empty rooms!" Kat stated in a hush, vicious tone.

"I'd be more worried about him eating you then having sex with you."

One of the girls who sat next to Mandella laughed. "Sometimes they do both."

Mandella gave a weary look to the girl as Kat stared at her, her eyes squinted.

"Gross."

---

Bianca dance across her room, twirling and jumping in perfect sync with her music. Kat walked past the door, an apple in her hand, only to walk backwards to stare into her sister's room.

The blonde girl was wearing a pair of skinny jeans, heels, and a white top that flowed right to the pockets of her jeans. Her hair was in a loose pony tail, with curls cascading from the band. Glitter, which Kat wasn't a hundred percent sure how she got it to stay, but glitter was sparkling brightly against the dim lights of Bianca's room.

"Are you going in that?" Kat, unaware her sister had even known she was there, looked down at her own attire of dark jeans and a t-shirt.

"Uh, yeah."

"But Patrick will be there!" Bianca was looking at her sister. "I thought you were going to woo him!"

"Bianca, he is suppose to woo me!" Kat blanched at her statement. She closed her eyes, placing her hand on her temple. "No one is woo-ing anyone. I am not going to get dressed up just for some stupid, socially awkward, party."

Bianca raised an eye brow.

---

"I bet I look ridiculous!" Kat was not sure, by any means of the word, how the hell Bianca had gotten her to changer her clothes, as well as sit on her bed and let her do her hair and make up.

She'd cough it up to black mail.

"You look fantastic!" Bianca giggled (much like she had the night of the dance, which caused Kat's stomach to twist) and stepped away from her sister. "Look for yourself!"

Kat opened her eyes and jumped up to stare at herself in the mirror.

Her hair was straight, flowing over her shoulders and back. Her make up was very minuscule. A light eye shadow and a touch of black to bring the focus to her eyes. She was wearing a skin tight white shirt, that covered her up, and over it she was wearing a black corset looking thing. Only, thankfully, it was flexible and moved with her body. Black jeans and her favorite boots completed the ensemble.

She'd have to admit, she didn't feel as awkward as she had at the dance. She felt like herself. Sort-of.

"I'm impressed." Kat smirked. "You managed to stay in the lines and control yourself."

"Well, I want tonight to go smoothly, so I have to make sacrifices." Bianca stuck her tongue out.

Kat rolled her eyes, her fingers gently ran through her hair. It looked shiner and felt softer. Not that her hair was a crow's nest or anything.

Her hand dropped to her side.

"Ok, let's just get this over with."

"Jeez Kat, you're acting as if this is your last walk before death row or something." Kat looked at Bianca.

"Well, there might be bloodshed."

"Just be careful, blood is hard to get out of clothes." Kat made a face as Bianca flipped her pony tail and walked out of her bedroom.

"Oh, it's going to be a long night."