The next morning the ride to school was silent. There was a tension between Rick and I. If Lexi noticed it, she was smart enough not to say anything. We arrived at school quickly enough and I saw Esposito in the parking lot. He was standing next to his car which was right next to the spot I was going to pull into.

"Hey tough guy, you do valet parking?" I asked him after rolling down my window.

"Oh, sorry," He quickly moved out of my way.

"I'll tip you next time," I told him as I passed him on the way into school. I groaned; the first three periods of the school day were long and painful, Rick purposefully sat next to me in every class just so he could glare at me. By lunch I decided I'd had enough of his menacing looks.

"Rick, no matter how much I love your death glare, it's not going to change a thing. Even if I didn't want to be friends with Alexis there is no way I could shake her loose!" With that I picked up my lunch tray and walked over to a table with Esposito and a scrawny looking kid with blonde hair. I decided that if I ever needed someone to be a Robert Patterson look alike I'd ask him. He had bright blue eyes but they were no match for Rick's. He was slim and was quite the contrast from Esposito. Not that Esposito is fat, just buff.

"Hey Beckett, come to join us?" Esposito asked. I nodded and sat down.

"Beckett, this is my wing man, Kevin Ryan. Ryan this is Kate Beckett but she likes to be called Beckett." I nodded at Ryan.

"Hi Beckett, do you like math?"

"I guess?" I was wondering where this was going when he spoke up again.

"Math league meets today you should come. We're always looking for new members! This year math league is the biggest it's been in years! We have a grand total of twelve members." I smiled at him. He seemed sweet but also a little dorky. Alexis would love this kid.

"Dude." That immediately made him shut up.

"Well, I'm not joining math league but I think I know the perfect girl for you."

Ryan turned to Esposito, "See, she knows the perfect girl, this is why you should introduce me to your friends more often!" Espo shook his head.

"Espo, what clubs are you in?" I asked. He looked at me.

"Football booster club."

"What the heck is that?" I was extremely confused. The only clubs they had at my old school were purely academic. Maybe that's why I wasn't in any.

"They raise money for new uniforms and stuff."

"Oh, so it's a club for football players?"

"No, it's for cheerleaders or anyone who likes football."

"Well hell, sign me up!"

"Nice, it meets today." I was happy that it met today. I would have somewhere to go when Alexis was at math league.

I grinned at the two and went to throw my trash out. When I got to the trash can Castle was waiting for me.

"Kate, I just don't understand how you could do this to my little sister," he said sharply.

"Rick, she wanted me to. She died my hair to; you don't see me screaming over that, now do you?" I replied coldly.

"Your hair looks good so it makes you even prettier because it fits your personality, Alexis' hair used to be sweet and nice, just like her, now she has that damn streak. She's not supposed to be rebellious Kate!" I paused for a moment then started giggling. Alexis, Rebellious, as if!

"Rick, Alexis is in no way rebellious! She's like a perfect child! I would wish I could be as sweet and innocent as her but I know there's no way in hell that's happening! I'm not trying to influence her, if anything I should be trying to imitate her! Seriously Rick, I have a tattoo, she has a purity ring, she's as good as they come."

"You have a tattoo? I-uh, er, eh wh-where?" I raised my eyebrows as his eyes trailed up and down my body suddenly I felt warm all over. Who knew he was so easily distracted? I wanted to tell him to find it himself but I then remembered that we were in a crowded lunch room. I'm adventurous, just not that adventurous.

"So are we ok on matters concerning Alexis?" He nodded his head. He was probably still a little pissed but that's ok, he'll eventually get over it.

After lunch the school day passed quickly. I easily found Espo once school was over and we made our way to football booster club. After, of course I sent Alexis to math league.

Football booster club was fun and there was lots of people, so I hung back with Javi and found out some interesting facts about him. His girlfriend's name is Victoria Gates. She hates my guts. Vicky threatened me; she accused me of stealing her boyfriend. I laughed. Espo is hot but our relationship is more like a brother, sister relationship. I told her that if I wanted to steal her boyfriend that he wouldn't even remember her name by now. She took that offensively. I also found out that the next fundraiser is on Saturday, they're having a car wash.

After our clubs were over I drove Alexis and Castle home. Rick went inside the house, but Alexis stayed.

"Kate, I need to talk to you. Will you come in with me?" She asked excitedly. Once in the safety of Alexis' room she divulged the information I had been dying to know.

"Kate I met this boy during math league today! He's so cute and he asked me out!" She gushed.

"Oh my gosh! That is great Lex! What's his name?" I asked.

"His name is Kevin Ryan! He's a junior, Kate! A junior! "I grinned. We talked for a while as she filled me in on all the details. Soon though it was getting dark and I figured it was time to go. We walked downstairs and Martha saw us.

"Hello ladies! What was all the giggling about before?"

"Alexis has a boyfriend." Martha smiled. Out of nowhere, Rick walked in.

"Kate, come talk to me in the kitchen for a moment?" I laughed. Alexis and Martha had looks of shock on their faces.

"Sure thing, Ricky," I walked swiftly into the kitchen. He was holding the door open and shock waves went through my body when I brushed passed him. I looked into his eyes. He looked truly angry.

"Kate how could you do this? I thought you understood that Alexis was not supposed to be like you! You put that damn streak in her hair and now you got her a boyfriend! You're a bad influence! You even have a stupid motorcycle, now she is going to want one!" I laughed a little at his outburst.

"Castle, I signed Alexis up for math league! I really did not expect her to meet anyone there. And the motorcycle is inevitable. It's what women want when they realize they can't have a pony." With that I walked out of the kitchen, nodded to Alexis and Marta who were eavesdropping and went home. I knew I shouldn't take what Castle said personally but I still did anyway.

That night I felt awful and the next day at school was no better. I was excited the day after that. It was Friday. Alexis was going on her date and the car wash was tomorrow. I sat with Javi at lunch.

"Hey Beckett, you going to the dance tomorrow?"

"Nah, probably not." Javi looked at me funny.

"Beckett , have to come! We usually go to the dance right from the car wash."

"Alright I'll go but won't I be the odd man out? And are we going to the dance in our shorts and t-shirts?"

"Nah, we leave our clothes in the locker room and you can hang with Ryan."

"Doesn't Ryan have Lexi?" I asked

"Who?"

"The girl he's dating." I told him. He looked confused, and angry.

"I'm gonna kill him, why didn't he tell me? Don't worry; I'll set you up with someone." I looked at him skeptically.

"You need to meet new people at this school." I rolled my eyes, but didn't object.

"Alright, later Espo." I said before going to class. The day passed quickly I was about to go to bed when the phone rang. I forgot Lexi and Ryan's date was tonight.

"Lexi, how'd it go?" I asked.

"Amazing! We went to see footloose! And guess what? He kissed me! We are officially going out! He's so sweet and nice! Oh Kate, I can't wait to see him again." I grinned Alexis seemed happy. Knowing that I was kind of relieved, I had been on edge when it came to their relationship because of my fight with Rick. I went to bed excited for tomorrow; I couldn't wait for the car wash.