Title: Smile
Rating: G
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 366
Summary:Tom was her first friend.
Author's Note: This originally was going to be a part of the fic, As First Times Go, which was going to be a series of firsts between Kate and Tom. That didn't work out, so I'm just posting it separately.

Tom was her first friend.

A room full of five and six year olds stare at her as the door creaks open, wide-eyed with curiosity at the sudden intruder. The flush that rushes across her cheeks makes her freckles stand out even more. Someone coughs as the door slams shut. A high pitched giggle escapes from another little girl and the sound makes Kate tighten her small hand around her mother's (both a bit sweaty) and sends nervous butterflies that weren't there this morning squirming inside her stomach. She fiddles with the hem of her black t-shirt, tugging it down to cover more of her jeans. She's never wanted to run away more in her entire life. But her mother kneels in front of her, blocking her way to the outside world where freedom lives.

Diane brushes a stray curl away from Kates face and briefly touches her cheek, looking directly into her eyes. "Be good."

"Mom-"

The hand wrapped around hers gives a gentle tug. "Promise me, Katharine."

She can't argue when her mother uses that voice, and counts herself lucky that her middle name wasn't included. So she puts on her brave face and steps away from the comforting warmth of her mother. "Okay."

Diane stands, not quite smiling at the teacher, and then leaves Kate standing in the middle of the classroom, the heat of the other kids stares still crawling over her. She skittishly shifts from one foot to the other, converse sneakers letting out a light squeak against the shining linoleum. Then her teacher approaches, a friendly smile arching over her bright red lips. A nice smile. One that even reaches her eyes. It's been awhile since Kate's seen one like that.

"Hello, Katharine."

(She has a nice voice too.)

Her teacher guides her to a desk where her name is neatly written on a piece of paper taped to the top.

"Here you go, sweetie."

Kate catches the eye of the boy next to her as she sits down. He pushes back the floppy hair that's fallen in his eyes and shoots her friendly but shy grin and whispers,

"I'm Tom."

She grins back, suddenly, inexplicably at ease.

"Katie."