"So how were your classes?" Kat asks, holding up a lime green dress and shaking her head in disgust.

Both Kat and I are shopping at Forever XXI; located at the centre of Times Square. She let me in on some of the Sophomore gossip and is now holding a red shirt up to her chest.

"My classes are fine, how are yours?" I answer, trying to avoid the incident with Austin, though it's been on my mind all day.

"What's eating you?" Kat asks, peering at me through a strand of hair that fell into her face.

"Nothing, well..." I start.

"Go on." Kat urges.

"Last night, when Colby and I were at The Rave, I met a guy an-"

"YOU MET A GUY?!?" Kat shouts, causing death glares from some of the other customers.

"Hush, and yes, I met a guy named Austin." I inform quietly.

I fill Kat in on all the details and she listens intently.

"Wow." is all she says when I finish, "Arrogant much?"

"I know, he's a bit full of himself." I agree.

"A bit?" Kat laughs.

"Alright, a lot!" I laugh back.

It was always so much fun when it came to a night out with Kat. She was always kind, thoughtful and helpful. I was always able to tell her everything and for that I was grateful.

"I don't really know if we're friends or..." my voice trails off as I look out to the street of New York.

Standing less than a few feet away is Austin, checking his phone. I stare and Kat follows my gaze before a smile plays on her lips.

"Is that him?" she asks.

"M-maybe?" I lie, trying not to look at her.

"Ah, well lets go find out." Kat says wickedly, walking towards the exit.

"What about your shirts?" I call out.

"This is much more important!" Kat calls back.

I hurry after her not wanting to be left behind. I follow her all the way to Austin, who doesn't even see us coming. Kat carefully positions herself behind him and expertly falls into his back, catching herself last minute.

"Oh!" she calls out.

"Hey, watch it!" Austin yelp, spinning around to face us; his eyes soften when he sees me.

"Sorry! I'm so clumsy sometimes." Kat laughs effortlessly.

"Ah, it's alright, just be more careful, you scared me." Austin turns his gaze back to me, "How's it going Sophia?"

"Fine." I grumble, shooting Kat a look only to get her smile in return.

"Oh, you two know each other?" Kat asks innocently.

"Yeah, I'm Austin," he nods her way.

"Austin? Austin...why does that name sound familiar?" she asks, turning to me.

"I don't know!" I whine, feeling uncomfortable.

"Oh! That's right. Sophia's been telling me about some guy named Austin that she met at The Rave las night!" Kat finishes, beaming at the both of us.

"Has she?" Austin asks amused, with his eyebrows raised; I can see the smirk forming again.

"Yes, in fact, we were just-"

Kat is cut off by the sound of her cell phone ringing, "Sorry, it's Neal, gotta take this!"

I watch Kat scamper off, standing a ways away giving Austin and I some privacy as well.

"So, your friend is quite the actor." Austin smirks.

"Wh-what?" I ask shocked.

"I know that she 'fell' on purpose. It was pretty amusing honestly." he laughs.

"Whatever." I grumble.

"So what's up?" he asks, looking down at me.

"Really nothing." I sigh, looking at Kat and watching her frown.

"And your first day was?" Austin pushes.

"Fine, no thanks to you." I snap.

"Did you talk to Mr. Peterson?" he questions.

"Oh shit!" I curse, having completely forgotten.

"Ah, see, if you hadn't left so quickly, I would've been able to remind you." Austin says smugly.

"If you hadn't given me a reason to leave, I wouldn't have." I counter.

We both stand there staring at each other, amusement dancing in Austin's eyes. I turn to see Kat walking to us slowly.

"What's wrong?" I ask immediately.

"It's Neal..." Kat whispers hoarsely.

"What has he done this time?" I sigh.

"I don't want to talk about it!" Kat snaps, wiping her eyes, "I'm going back to the dorm."

"But, what about dinner?" I ask.

"Get it yourself." Kat groans.

"But Kat I-"

"I'll take you." Austin offers, and through Kat's tear stained face I swear I saw her smile.

Notes

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