To Kiss Kate

17. the city (2)

Jackson Michaels Point of View:

I was obsessed with Kate. It was settled. Any ounce of insecurity I had had vanished with the day. She was bright, confident, funny, and could talk or get along with anyone. The day was amazing, dinner was fantastic. I could tell that I was so fucked, I was so far gone after such little time.

Now, we were at the party. It was basically just a high school reunion, and I sort of wished it wasn't. I much more enjoyed my high school friends as a group, instead of at a party with the 100 most popular kids. But, Kate was here. That's the only part that I cared about truly.

Harper Baker had stolen Kate away almost as soon as I felt like I had her. I knew exactly how they knew each other. Harper's grandparents had lived in Hamilton, and Harper's parents couldn't be bothered to parent her during the summer, so instead of some expensive summer camp, they just shipped her off to Hamilton.

Harper was good friends with Angela, and I wondered if she was here. I truly hoped not, for everyone's benefit including my own.

Right now I was talking to Ava, Gia, and Carson, about Kate.

"I didn't get that vibe at all, Ava. I don't think you talked to her as much as I did. I even did the scandal test. She didn't even flinch. Shes one of us, Jack. You do me so proud." Gia said, I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, hey. Fuck you for that, Gia. Jenna Meadows is literally never a good topic. What the hell was that?"

"It was a test, duh. It had nothing to do with you, Carson. Brad told me Jenna and Jack and Kate all had an altercation. It was purely just a coincidence. Don't be churlish." Gia said. Watching them banter was fun, and I was glad Gia liked Kate. Gia was somewhat the 'leader' of the girl group, and it was nice to have her on my side.

"I'm the one who's being churlish? Ya, okay Gia. You set this girl up for an argument to see how she would react." Carson argued, Gia thought on this one for a moment.

"I have to test them to see if they can handle us. We don't want Jack dating someone crazy. I would do the same for you, Carson. Is that really so churlish of me?" She said, twinkling her eyes in the classic Gia way.

"I cannot believe I'm at a party and I'm listening to the two of you argue about the word churlish. Who even says that? I don't even know what that means. Just go make out already and get it over with." Ava said, a bit grouchy if you ask me. Gia scoffed and took a drink, so did Carson. I knew that Ava was right, and within a half an hour they would be locked in a bedroom upstairs together.

They were the hometown hook-up couple. Every thanksgiving, every winter, and every time they had both come home, it happened to be the same weekend. Nobody knew if they actually talked or if it was strictly a home thing, but we all kind of secretly rooted for them. They were both geniuses, in the best way possible. They were the rare kids who had strong personalities, and strong heads, like Kate.

It had been awhile, and I was suddenly starting to get a little worried about her, especially after the last real party we went to together didn't end so well. Kate drank a lot, a lot, so I wasn't worried about her handling herself etc, just didn't want her to be alone. I stood on my toes and scanned the crowd, seeing her talking to Harper and-oh god- Angela. I watched as Angela walked towards them, only for Harper to swoop her away and wave goodbye to Kate. I had never been more thankful for Harper in my life, if I had ever been thankful for her at all before now. I poured another drink, making it twice in the same cup so I could share with Kate when she came back.

When I left the kitchen to find my small group, Kate was chatting incessantly with them, laughing like they had all been best friends forever. Anjo and Brad had joined the group and I liked the little circle we had going.