Who I Am When I'm With You

Chapter Two: Meetings

"Have a good day munchkin. Learn something." He said sweetly as they reached her class. "And then maybe you can beat me at Scrabble."

"Duh, I learned to read when I was 3, remember?" He laughed. "Of course I will."

"Sureeee." He joked.

"You better not get in trouble." She warned. He rolled his eyes.

"I won't..."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart." She smiled. He leaned to put on her backpack. "You all set."

He remained quiet. "It'll be okay Rick." She told him.

"Oh no doubt about it." She sighed.

"I'm going in now..."

Rick laughed touching her nose softly."Go. Be smart."

No smart comeback? Oh man was he going to cry?

Rick had to admit his little sister was braver than him. She had started first grade with nothing more than a quick hug and wave from the door. His had been a different experience. His mother and Sally had accompanied him and he was a puddle of tears before they left. "Richard Rodgers." A familiar voice said behind him. "Are my eyes deceiving me?"

"Mrs. Monroe." He turned to face her. An older Mrs. Monroe. Sure, he'd seen her around but Hannah's classes where in a different building so he'd hadn't really stood there in a long while.

"You grew tall." She said with a warm smile.

"I did. Nice of you to notice." He smiled. "Ate all my vegetables..." She looked at him warmly.

"How is your mother?"

"She's good. Still fighting her way to the lights of Broadway." He didn't know why that admission had slipped his mouth, specially now, but Mrs. Monroe actually knew Martha. She was a dreamer. A good mother, she'd do anything for her children, but a dreamer nonetheless.

"I see." Mrs. Monroe told him in all seriousness. "It's good you're taking care of your sister. I have always known you to be a very good boy Richard."

"Rick." He said. "I go by Rick now. Only my mother calls me Richard."

"Of course. You need to stay current, don't you?" Rick gazed at her. "It's really good to see you Rick." He saw only kindness in the woman's eyes. "You should really go to class."

"Oh yeah." He huffed. "I should." He smiled.

Well, that was the start of a very weird first day.

In 9th grade. It had only hit him he was closer to leaving school by the second. Grow up and move out. He walked towards class, completely on his own world as he thought about what would happen this year.

"Rick!" Espo caught his eyes. "Dude, where have you been?" Javi had been his best friend since kiddie school. Mrs. Monroe herself had seen them and Ethan cause trouble wherever they went. Javi's life was a very complicated one , way more than Rick's.

His dad wasn't in the picture either. His mother struggled to take of him as she couldn't her job, he had no Sally though, so she'd care for him too. She took no crap from anyone. Not even Javi and that amused Rick the most. It was a staredown almost when she and Javi would go head to head.

His best friend was in the loosing side. No one could beat Sally.

"Hey." He waved at him. "I had to take Hannah to her class."

"Oh man, where there tears?"

"Yes, mine." He joked. "I saw Mrs. Monroe though." Javi seemed lost for a moment. "Remember our first grade teacher? Her son is meant to be in our class."

"Oh, yeah. Did she check you out?"

"You heard what I just said about her being our first grade teacher and the fact that Stevie is in our class, right?"

"So?"

"Forget it." Javi could sense something was bothering him. "Let's just get to class." He was thankful he had not gone any further. He was not going to tell him about Martha being gone. Not right now anyway.

"Katie?" Kyle asked as they walked hand in hand to class. "Do you think they'll like me?"

Oh, sweet Kyle. "Of course. You'll be the coolest kid in there." She tried.

"No I won't." He laughed. Kate bit her lip. "It's just so big."

"Well, think of it this way, they'll be more kids in there than there ever were at home." She told him.

"Okay." He let it go at that. "But, do you think they'll be nice?"

"I hope so, why wouldn't they be?" She told him. Kyle shrugged.

"Katie?"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't mom take me to class?" He asked. "She always has. Is she too busy?"

Oh.

"I'm sure once we've settled, she'll be able to buddy, it's just been crazy with us moving." She said sweetly.

"Yeah I guess. Maybe I can pretend tomorrow is my first day again so when she comes she'll be here to wish me a good first day."

That kid was too smart for his own good.

"But I don't want you to feel bad, you taking me is okay too." He told her quickly.

"Well, thank you. I'm actually flattered." She gazed down at him. "I think we're here."

"Oh hello, how can I help you?" A woman asked kindly. "First day I presume?" Kate smiled. "You seem a bit to tall for first grade."

"This is Kyle." Beckett said glancing at the six year old. "He'll be going in."

"Yes, Katie already went to first grade. She's over with the big kids." Kyle informed the woman with a charming smile.

"Oh is she now?" The woman said examining her for a second. "She better get going then, she'll be late if she doesn't hurry." Kyle glanced at his sister.

"I guess this is goodbye." He sighed. His face fell a bit. Kate knelt to his level. She could see the woman was staring. "You make a lot of friends too, okay?"

"Hey, it will be a great first day, I promise." She shot him a smile. "Come here."

"Kyle!" A familiar voice said. "Oh, I almost missed it!"

"Mommy!" His face lighted up as Joanna made her way to them. "I thought you had work?"

"Well I did, but school is just on the way so I thought I'd surprise you guys." She picked the little boy up.

He bit his lip which made Kate smile . "Why didn't you take us to school?"

"Why does it matter?" Kate told him. "She's here now."

"Of course. I wasn't going to miss my babies first day at a new school." Kate rolled her eyes at her.

"I'm sorry, but the children really need to be going in now." The woman at the door touched Joanna's shoulder. "Mrs. Beckett I presume?"

"Yes. Joanna Beckett." She shook her free hand with her. "She's right you two, I'm keeping you, go and have a great first day. I love you."

"I love you too mommy." Kyle hugged her tightly. "I'll be good for sure."

"Of course you will and you better tell me all about it!" She kissed his cheek as she put him down. "Go on baby, Katie will be here to pick you up later, alright?"

"Okay. Bye mommy, bye Katie..." Kyle walked towards the door with a smile on his face.

Her brother, the ever optimistic. Her on the other hand.

"And you too honey."Joanna said. "You have to promise me you'll learn a lot okay. Learning is important."

"Mom..."

"What? Are you too embarrassed?" She joked. Kate smiled. "You are almost a teenager, you have to let me enjoy these last few months." They both laughed.

"I'll never be as bad as Julia..."

Joanna rolled her eyes.

Thankfully her mother didn't walk her to school. She just held her for a few moments more and kissed her cheek.

Now Kate Beckett was on her own, adventuring in some foreign territory known as Hamilton Middle School.

And now with thanks to some regained faith from her mom's surprise visit she was going to get ready to face what life might throw at her.

Almost. Anything.

It had all happened too fast, she didn't know how she had ended on the ground. So much for a great first day. She had already almost been knocked unconscious.

"Are you alright?" Someone asked. She felt a hand been extended her way. Her head pounding. "Are you bleeding?" He pulled her easily. He smiled softly. Oh man.

"No..." Her vision became clear now. A tall boy, dark brown hair. Blue eyes. So blue. "I don't think so..."

"Ethan you stupid!" Someone yelled. "Now we really gong to get it, and on our first day..."

"I didn't do nothing. She was on the way of my game." She could listen to them arguing. But all she could see was that boy.

"What's going on here?" A voice bellowed. "I should've known it was you three."

She saw the other two boys freeze, but the other one was still holding her. "Are you alright?"

Someone was talking to her she realized. "Miss?"

"Yes. I think. I'm fine."She said with a weak smile. "Thank you."

"Are you sure? I could take you to the enfermery. I'll take her Mr. Carlisle."

"Yes, better make sure. Thank you Rodgers." Rodgers? That must be his last name. "Just for that, you might not be in so much trouble as your friends here. Go on, I'll inform your teacher and Miss's..."

"Beckett. Kate. I'm..."

"Seventh grade. Yes. You come from New Jersey..." Kate looked at the boy still holding her. He shrugged. "Go on you two, don't delay."

"But..." Kate heard the other two boys say as she walked on the other direction.

"Are you sure nothing hurts?" The boy asked after a moment. "It was quite the fall..."

"Maybe just my pride..." He smiled, He had such a nice smile. "And my head a bit."

"I can carry you if you want..."

Yes please. Wait... what?

"I can walk...I've told you..."

"Kate, right?" He said. "I just don't want you to overdue yourself. Head injuries are serious."

She laughed. She actually laughed and he looked at her, almost letting her go completely.

"Sorry..."

"What was that for?" He asked rising an eyebrow. "Maybe you're starting to lose your senses..."

"My senses are fine. I just..." Kate was losing and she knew it.

I'm nervous. There's a boy here holding me. Offering to carry me.

"What's your name anyway?" She asked suddenly.

He smiled again. "I'm Rick..."

"Kate..." Oh stupid

"So I heard. Nice to meet you Kate." He offered her a smile. And she smiled back. He put his free hand forward. She shook it,

What was this thing that she was feeling? It seemed as if something had suddenly clicked and...

She must have had hit her head real bad. Because she was actually starting to like someone in New York. A boy named Rick, who was probably her brother's age and he'd never take any interest in her.

What did you guys think? I really liked how this one turned out! Thank you so much for everyone supporting the story! We still have a long road ahead of us.

As always, mistakes are mine and reviews are love...

See you soon!