Chapter 7

Kat knew that she was experiencing the longest fifteen minutes of her life. Jason had kept up a stream of conversation the whole ride. Unfortunately, most of his comments or questions were aimed at Kat. She had kept her answers as short as possible, and completely ignored the personal inquiries. When he had asked her if she was in the mood for some real fun in the most lecherous voice she had ever heard, she decided she had put up with more than humanly possible.

"Tell your coach that your swim caps are way too small; they've obviously squeezed the common sense out of you."

"Kat, you are too funny. And with a body like yours, you're the perfect package."

Kat wasn't the only one who had had enough. Bianca couldn't believe her date was more interested in her sister than in her. Jason had told her how much nerve it took to ask her to the dance, yet now he was acting like a player. She couldn't believe how wrong she had been about him. Now she worried that the rumors had some truth in them. The question is, which Stratford sister would he decide to have this real fun with: the sweet, younger one or the tough, older one?

"Jason, why don't you keep your eyes on the road. I think Chastity's house is coming up on the left."

Realizing he might have been too obvious about his ideas for Kat, Jason turned to Bianca and apologized. It wouldn't do for his back up plan to lose interest.

"Sorry, babe. I didn't want your sister to feel like the third wheel. You know I only have eyes for you."

He parked on the side of the road, after which Kat made her quick escape. She entered the house and took a quick look around, whether to check out the furnishing or try to find Patrick she would never tell. Unfortunately, Patrick wasn't anywhere she could see. Knowing that Bianca wasn't naïve enough to have missed Jason's diverted interest, Kat decided she would hang out on the second floor. It was where most of the bedrooms were and the horrid music wasn't as loud up there. Plus, the less of her peers she was forced to interact with, the better. Walking up the stairs, she suddenly felt a hand grab her ankle. Stifling a scream, she looked down while kicking her leg.

"Ouch, Kat. Relax. No need to get violent."

Patrick looked up at Kat from underneath the staircase. He had seen her come in and look around, but had decided to wait before going up to her. Her going up the stairs allowed for the perfect opportunity to have some fun with her. Unfortunately, he miscalculated how fast she would react to a surprise touch. Too fast to be normal. Did Jason cause this reaction, or someone else? He let go of her ankle and followed her up the stairs into a long hallway. She went all the way to the end of it and sat on the bench there. He leaned against the wall to the left of her.

"Forgive me for getting violent when grabbed unexpectedly. Only weirdoes and stalkers hide underneath staircases. Which one are you?"

"I'm whoever you want me to be."

"Yeah right," she said derisively, "you have way too big an ego to change for someone."

"You're one to talk. I'm surprised you gave in enough to go to this dance and party. I know you think it and these people are beneath you."

"Not beneath, just less enlightened. And you don't know everything about me. You have no idea what I was like back in Ohio. I could have been a completely different person. Just like I don't if you were always the bad boy, or if that's a new persona for you."

He wondered if she knew how much she had given away when she said "a completely different person". The look on her face was clearly disgust, with a few other negative emotions thrown in. No wonder I find this girl interesting. She holds so many secrets. I can't wait to uncover them all.

"I doubt you were ever a different person, Katerina. Maybe you were a fake one, though."

"There's a difference?"

"Yep."

"Well?"

"You'll have to find that out for yourself. You're right in that I don't know who you were in Ohio. Unless you want to tell me?"

"I'd rather eat human flesh."

"Aww, does that mean you're willing to change your lifestyle for me? I'm touched."

"No. It means I'd rather break one of the biggest social norms than tell you about that part of my past."

"I hate to break it to you, Kat, but we are not part of the social norm."

They continued to banter back and forth for the next hour, ignoring the coming and goings of various couples and random noises originating from the rooms. They both always checked to make sure Bianca wasn't one of the ones entering the rooms, but other than that made no move to investigate further. That ended up being the downfall of their plan. Patrick eventually decided to get something to drink. Getting up from the seat next to her, which he had migrated to after the first twenty minutes, he spoke.

"Dancing and talking to you takes a lot of energy. Do you want anything?"

"I don't drink." She said flatly.

"No surprise there, but I'm sure alcohol isn't the only drink available."

"If there are unopened cans of soda or sealed water bottles, grab me one."

"Aye aye, Captain."

He sauntered down the hall and stairs. Jason finally saw his moment. He had been watching them from the room farthest from where they had been sitting. He hadn't been able to hear what they had been talking about, but he could tell Patrick wanted this girl too. Just as obvious was the fact that he hadn't had her yet. Man this chic is perfect. Great body, challenging rep, and Verona wants her too. I'll be a god after tonight. He had already come up with the perfect plan. Putting it into action, he tiptoed out of the room while she was fixing her belt and ran towards her, pretending to be out of breath.

"Something is wrong with Bianca! She needs your help."

Kat looked up in surprise. Jason Johnson stood in front of her looking out of breath, yet not very flushed. Where had he been hiding?

"I'm not going to fall for you worried and concerned look, Johnson. Bianca would never have anything to do with you after you practically ignored her on the ride over."

"I know I totally screwed that up. She refused to speak to me when we got out of the car. I tried to apologize, but she wouldn't listen. She started talking to this other guy, instead. He's a football player. I guess she decided to prove to me, and you, that she could keep a guy's interest. And she did. I had moved on to better pastures when I noticed her and this guy, Beau, start walking to the game room downstairs. It's the only room down there that locks, and I'm sure he knows that. I decided doing a good deed might get you to give me a chance."

Kat wasn't sure if she believed what he was saying, but she also knew she wouldn't risk Bianca getting taking advantage of because she decided not to believe him. She was more worried by the fact that Patrick hadn't returned yet. She might need some back up to deal with a football player, and Jason wasn't exactly Mr. Trustworthy. Deciding she couldn't waste time waiting for him, she stood up and followed Jason down the stairs and through a hallway. Jason went first and shook the doorknob, but it didn't open. Muffled whispers could be heard inside. He took a step back, gripped the handle, and shoved against the door. It opened and he rushed in. Kat followed when she heard a feminine, urgent whisper. She turned on the light switch and stared, not believing what was right in front of her. She turned around to see Jason closing the door solidly behind him and turning the lock, placing a chair underneath the handle.

"Let's have some real fun, Stratford."