CHAPTER 4: AND THE WEEK STARTS

Cath woke up with a start before realizing she was just in her dorm again. It was a shock after 10 weeks in her bedroom in Omaha with Cath. Reagan was still asleep, so Cath got changed quietly. She had enjoyed the weekend, several long walks with Levi and Baz and Simon plot testing with Wren. They had been talking about a new account together, to post other, shorter fanfics. Wren was totally and board, where as Cath was about 65% into it.

It was also big because this was Wren's 'trial' weekend. After going home every weekend for the past few months, the girls had talked

Art into giving Wren a shot at staying at Lincoln over the weekend. So far Wren had been fantastic, and it was looking good for next weekend.

Fiction writing had been moved to Mondays at 9:00am. It was 8 but Cath wanted to see Professor Piper. And she was in luck when she walked in.

The small brunette professor had her back to the door so Cath ran up and tapped her on the back. Professor Piper turned around. "Cath!" She smiled and invited her to lean back on the desk. "How was your summer?"

"Great! I was so happy when the notice for Prairie Schooner came in the mail." Professor smiled. "Things are going to be a bit harder this term. Everyone's in second year or above, so there isn't any waiting around." She looked left and right before straight back at Cath. "Nick's been kicked out under my strictest orders."

Cath's eyes went large. Nick had stolen the story they had written together last year to hand in as his short story. While Cath wasn't mutually hurt by the decision, Professor Piper was. It was under her guidance that meant that Nick's story didn't make it into the Highly Commended Prairie Schooner Journal. In fact, it was Cath's story that lined the glossy pages of it. And boy had that felt great.

"You mustn't tell anyone." Professor Piper said before the door creaked open. A tall, stunning figure was in the doorway. There she was, Grey satin dress pants, white blouse with a large denim jacket and strappy black heels. The one and the only, Lily.

"Cath," Said Professor Piper standing up. "This is Lily Norfleet. Lily this is Cather Avery." Lily laughed a tinkly laugh. "Me and Cather have already made introductions. Not on the MOST pleasant terms, now have we Cather?" Cath smiled. "I think we're all over that now, Lily." Lily brushed immaculately combed hair down over her shoulders. "Are we?" She said and blinked dark, full eyelashes into Cath's face. "Maybe your mom has been a better one to me, but THAT was no reason to brag about it. Are you okay Cathy-Poo? Are you still upset? I hope I didn't hurt your feelings."

Cath gritted her teeth. She knew that Lily was just trying to make Cath feel like it was no big deal. But it was. Cath longed to know how Laura had treated her, how Laura had held her when she was crying and laughed when she was laughing. And when all went down the drain, Laura would be there.

Lily wasn't the daughter Laura had never had. Lily wasn't' the perfect daughter, she was the replacement. Yes Laura could replace Art, and the house and her priorities, but she couldn't replace Cath and Wren, the two girls she brought into the world, accident or not. It was a law of parenthood. Sure, she could live with and love and love another child, but she couldn't block them out, no matter how hard she tried.

"I'm just playing." Lily said. "Now lets start class."

HEY GUYS! JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS STORY WILL BE PRETTY LONG SO PLS BE PREPARED TO MAKE A COMITTMENT! ALSO PLS LEAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR LILY'S BROTHER'S NAMES. I NEED 3 AND ONE GIRL NAME FOR HER SISTER... ANY IDEAS COMMENT BELOW! THANX!

-XOXOXOX GRACERINE