Chapter 2
"I thought your dad had that rule about dating. How can she have a date when you don't?"
"She told dad Cameron was her date, and even my dad can see he is totally harmless. He'd probably be the one to freak out if sex were mentioned. So he agreed to let her go with him. I know, though, that there is no way Bianca would go with a nice guy when tonight is a perfect opportunity to raise her level on the popularity scale, which is the main reason I planned on going to the dance. I need to scope out this guy she's meeting here, make sure he's not the wrong type."
"The wrong type?"
"Yeah, you know, the guy who decides a dance is the perfect way to get some girl to hook up with him. After parties always have alcohol at them. Considering how my sister is with peer pressure, I wouldn't doubt her having at least a couple drinks. I don't think she weighs more than 100 pounds, so that would be enough to get her tipsy and into a bad situation where she might decide popularity is important enough to do something incredibly stupid that she can't take back."
Patrick decided Kat's protectiveness would be his way of getting her to agree to go with him tonight. Who knew Bianca could be of help to him?
"Sounds like you'll be busy tonight, watching over your sister. I know you can protect yourself, but you can't have your eye on Bianca at all times to make sure she stays out of trouble."
"I'll try my hardest, and Kat Stratford does not fail when something is important enough to her. Bianca and I might not have a lot in common, but she's still my little sister."
"I get that, but your feelings can't make Chastity's house any smaller. If the rumors are correct, her house has at least eight bedrooms, not including various other rooms where couples could wander to have some fun."
"Sounds like you have some experience with that brand of fun."
"Enough to know you wouldn't want your sister having it."
After giving her a moment to let that sink in, he continued.
"I'll tell you what. I'll go to the after party and help you keep an eye on your sister. Two sets of eyes are better than one, right?"
Kat was surprised by his suggestion. She knew he had a soft side he kept well hidden, but after seeing how gentle he could be when he held her in that classroom, she knew there was a lot more than meets the eye when it came to Patrick Verona. Knowing all this, she knew he could be really helpful tonight, but she didn't want him to have a horrible night when he didn't have to. He had no reason to worry about Bianca. Did he?
"Why would you want to ruin your night by babysitting my sister?"
"Ahh, but I'm not just babysitting your sister. I'm babysitting her with you. There's a big difference. We'll have to meet up and plan how to keep an eye on her, and during the night we'll need to catch up with each other to put together our information of what's going on at the party. That'll look a little suspicious though, might start some rumors that we are sneaking around or doing something we don't want anyone to know about. But, being the amazing Patrick Verona, I've already come up with a solution."
Kat knew something weird was going on with Patrick after the second sentence left his mouth. Flatter wasn't his usual way; sarcasm was. So the question was, what did he have up his leather sleeve? Until she figured that out, getting him to keep talking seemed best.
"And what is this amazing solution, Oh Wise One?"
"I knew you thought I was wise! You can no longer deny it. As to the brilliant plan, it's simple. We go to the dance together." Before she could retort, which he could see she was ready to do since her mouth had already opened to shut him down, he continued quickly.
"No, it's perfect. Really. People won't pay attention to which girl I bring to the dance, since I always have a date to these things. They'd watch me more if I came solo, making it harder to get away and follow your sister. You could wear a mask with your costume, and I will to. No one will notice or bother us, since we already have a date. That gives us plenty of time to snoop around. It'll be even better if we wear matching costumes; no one will try to dance or chat us up if we look like a real couple, not just a one night kind of thing."
Kat was trying to keep up with his quick words. His explanation made sense, but she couldn't help but feel she was missing something important. Even without it though, she knew she already had her answer for him. And anyways, going with him would give her time to figure out what was going through his mind.
Looking at his face, she was surprised to see that he looked a bit nervous. It made him look quite endearing. Deciding to play with him a bit, she waited a minute before replying.
"Well. I guess I can see your point. Plus, your reputation won't be hurt this way since everyone will think you brought one of your usual dates. Luckily for both of us, a mask won't look weird with the costume I had planned. Not being recognized was part of my original plan. So I'll go with you, on one condition."
At this moment, he would do whatever she asked. He couldn't believe she caved in so quickly.
"What is it?"
"I am not changing my costume to match yours. You'll have to change your costume."
"Aww, come on. Mine is perfect for me. I even have my motorcycle as a prop. Which reminds me, wearing a skirt or dress might make you uncomfortable."
"My costume requires neither, thankfully. And it's not going to change. Mine is perfect for me; it goes with my reputation."
"What is your costume?"
What is yours?"
"I asked you first."
"I don't care. You are the one who came up with the plan to go together. We can scratch that plan and you can find someone with no spine who will do anything you say to go as your date. She'll probably wear as little amount of clothing as possible while at it. I'm sure you'll enjoy your view and your night. Even if she has no brain."
"Someone sounds a bit jealous to me, Katerina." Patrick smirked.
"I would never be jealous of a girl with nothing in her head but air and not enough self esteem to act like herself instead of who she thinks a guy wants her to be. So what's your decision? You going to change or not?"
"Whom are you going as? I not going to go as Heathcliff or someone else like that."
"Relax, that won't be necessary. You'll have plenty of guys to choose from since my alter ego is part of a group. I'm going as The Rogue."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope, totally serious. Is that a problem with you?"
"Not at all. It's even more perfect than you can imagine. Interesting choice."
"Thanks. So I guess that means you have no problem with changing your costume?"
"It won't be a problem."
"Ok then. You know I'll still have to do my photography job, right?"
"That's fine. People watching is always a good laugh. You can take as many photos as you want."
Looking at each other, neither knew what to say next. They were going to a dance and after-party together, when ten minutes ago they both thought the night would be pointless. Both were shocked with who had ended up being their date, though they had already imagined the other in that capacity. All they knew was that the Halloween Dance had just become a lot more interesting, and nothing was going to stop them from being there.
"Ok, so, what time can you pick me up? You'll have to come to the door and meet my dad. If you're lucky, he'll be in a good mood and not give you the third degree. But I apologize in advance if he does."
"It won't be a problem; I can understand his protectiveness when it comes to having two beautiful teenage daughters."
Kat blushed. She had definitely not expected that response. She doubted his usual dates had a dad like hers, but he didn't seem fazed by it. Him calling her beautiful was another surprise, not that she minded. Deciding she had showed enough of her Katerina side since he joined her at her locker, she replied with her usual Kat Stratford sarcasm.
"I think you having a motorcycle will be his biggest problem, not me having a date. I've got my handy taser. Remember that."
Realizing what she was doing, he gave her his trademark smirk. If Kat was back, then so was badass Patrick Verona.
"Oh, I'm not worried, Stratford. You'll enjoy tonight. I guarantee it. I'll be there at seven sharp. Be ready."
And with that parting shot, he stood up from where he had been leaning against her locker and walked off through the now much emptier hallway. He wondered how many people had noticed their long conversation, then shrugged. Let them think what they want. I'm taking Kat Stratford to a dance. Tonight is going to be memorable, one way or another.
AN: There's Chapter 2 for you. It's a rainy day, so I'll probably write some more and update again either late tonight or sometime tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review. Thanks!
