PART IV

11:00 AM

Lunch break and the whole senior battalion were taking the cafeteria by storm. The pre-graduation party at Ryan's was the talk of the town.

But!

It wasn't being talked about by a certain table right by the end of the hall.

"Well… At least she asked you out." Summer ate her sandwich nonchalantly.

She did hate mustard.

Her best friend, Marissa, was a different story though.

"I'll always be second choice. I mean I can't even make her ask me first before my sister." Marissa sighed resting her chin on the table.

She felt embarrassed. She felt nervous.

Well, ok.

She felt deeply disappointed with the fact that Alex Kelly asked Kaitlin to accompany her to the party later that night. Your own sister gets ahead of you. How would you feel if it happened to you?

That's right. It sucks the hell out of your ego and your self esteem.

"You know, all you had to do was ask her out. Or… At least told her you liked her. You hardly talked to her. How was she supposed to ask you?" Summer patted her friend's back.

"But Kaitlin? Why Kaitlin? They don't even go to class together."

Summer pretended to think before making a reply.

"They shared a room on a school field trip? They play together on the soccer team? They're the Junior-Senior tandem for Math quiz bees… Her boyfriend, Johnny, surfs with Alex. They have lots of things in common."

"And Alex and I don't?" Marissa asked incredulously.

"When was the longest conversation you had with her?"

"Today. In class. Besides she's been my seatmate since freshman year." Marissa retorted obviously in a defensive mode.

"Yes! Freshman year. And she doesn't even know you like her since then. You forced yourself to date Ryan. For all we know she thinks you're straight as a ruler." Summer rolled her eyes.

11:15 AM

Alex Kelly lounged under a tree in the school quad. She was still reading and rereading the letter she got. Though with her facial expression, Alex was definitely cool and composed. Inside she was beginning to get confused.

"Why would she write me a letter now if that's the only thing she wants to say?" Alex mumbled to herself.

Her eyes were starting to burn because of the partial heat of the impending summer wind. She didn't feel any better since she had forgotten her lunch bag. Her stomach was starting to growl. Worrying over her secret lover didn't help either.

Just then, a sign of hope walked towards her.

Volchok with a plastic-full of McDonald's goodies.

"Yo! Seems like you need some company here El-Presidente. Here's a quarter pounder just for you."

Volchok. Resident goon. More specifically, Alex's goon. He's not the typical bully. Bullying the bullies are his best suits.

"Thank you. Now, I have fewer things to worry about." Alex smiled taking a quick bite.

"Woah! Who's worrying you boss? Let me at them! Let me at them!" Volchok replied punching his own palm for added measure.

Ah… The wonders of a testosterone induce body with the will to protect a lovely maiden. How great is that?

"Easy boy. We're graduating. We don't want to miss graduation now."

Volchok nodded obediently. He always trusted Alex. The blonde was the reason he wasn't going to summer school.

"I'd like you to do something for me though." Alex continued as Volchok nodded once more.

"I want you to get surveillance tapes of the past 2 weeks around my locker. Are there any?" Alex rubbed her chin trying to remember if there were indeed security cameras around their side of the lockers.

"There's one in the east side of that hall. Thing is, boss, it's a bit far. I doubt we'll see a face. What's this about?"

"I'll tell you when I get more info. Run along now. I need those tapes."

"Aye! Aye! Mon-Capitan!"

"Did you just demote me?" Alex replied raising an eyebrow.

"NEVER!" Volchok stood up making a mock salute.

He took off and left Alex to contemplate more.

11:30 AM

The person stood by the window, eyes still looking at the blonde who was alone. The person sighed. At least now, Alex Kelly would find something or someone worth remembering.

11:45 AM

Most of the juniors were now out and about in the cafeteria, creating some sort of space issues. Kaitlin Cooper, however, didn't have that problem. Taking her tray, she went straight to the table right by the end of the hall.

"What's up?" She beamed only to receive a glare from her sister.

"Don't mind her. She's just jealous because Alex asked you first." Summer explained receiving a glare from Marissa as well.

"You're going out with her. What's the big deal about whether or not she asked me first?"

"She asked you first." Marissa blew away strands of her hair.

"So? We're friends. You, on the other hand, didn't even like to talk to her."

"I do want to talk to her." Marissa whispered.

"Oh yeah? How about that time I invited her to dinner and you faked sick because you felt you weren't pretty enough? She told me she felt bad. She thought she was the reason you didn't want to eat dinner. She thought you didn't want to spend time with your family because she was around!"

Marissa pouted. She was always scared of her feelings. There were times she thought they were wrong. There were times she thought they were too much to be real. There were times she just wanted to sink into her own world and watch the others through a giant telescope. Much like stars.

Rolling her eyes, Kaitlin didn't have to think twice. She pulled her sister near her and gave her a hug.

"She's my friend. That's why she asked me out. You're an acquaintance. For all we know she would have asked you but took my feelings in consideration first. Just in case, Johnny wasn't taking me. This is your chance now sis. You can't just sit here and feel sorry for yourself. You can still tell her how you feel. How you felt. It isn't over yet. Who knows? You're going to be roommates in college. You might hook up with her right?" Kaitlin whispered feeling Marissa's tears on her shoulder.

"Uh. Riss. Try not to cry too much on my shoulder. It's Dolce and Gabbana. Mom will kill me."

12:45 PM

Alex was already back at the gym reading the graduation program. It was only 15 minutes before the rehearsals and she needed to make sure there were no items forgotten. Today was their general practice. It should flow like the real thing.

BEEP! BEEP!

Volk: Boss, got some good news and some bad news.

Alex read her blackberry with cold hands. This was going to be big.

Alex: Bad news first.

Volk: I didn't have time to search all the tapes for the two weeks you told me.

Alex: The good news?

Volk: I only had time to scan one tape. Two days before clearance day. I saw someone drop something which looked like a piece of paper on your locker.

Alex: Who?

Volk: I couldn't make out the face but it's a boy.

Oh goodie…