Chapter 0.2.

" Well this isn't a good morning after all." Anna groaned, spotting Stacey from a distance.

Stacey Newman, a fellow cheerleading mate and one of the popular girls in Marian Royal high, stood in the midst of the other cheerleaders, totally immersed in conversation.

Pretty with blonde hair and blue eyes, a model's figure and all, she was filled with confidence and attitude, that made most freshmen desire to either be her or be acknowledged by her. Of course with that popularity, some disliked her. She had a way to make the guys fall at her feet and give her all she wanted. The sad part was that once she got what she wanted, she got bored and someone would be tossed aside.

And no matter the warning, some never learnt and found themselves repeating the same mistakes.

Despite being in the same team, there was a bit of tension between them. No matter the tension, it didn't affect the passion and determination to make their cheer team the best. Differences were set aside when it came down to business and all they had in mind was to make it work, till the end.

In truth, putting up pretence sometimes was challenging for Anna, when something rubbed her off the wrong way. Anna was a very determined person and her desire for making it big in life, served as the kind of motivation she needed. She was determined to not let anything get in the way of her future plans, including little high school incidents.

Kate held in her amusement when she noticed Anna's expression. Kate found Anna's expression quite comical and was certain that Anna wasn't aware of it.

" You better hide that look on your face before anyone notices." Kate advised her, giving her a gentle pat on her shoulder before she walked over to her locker.

''If I didn't love to cheer so much, I would have quit a long time ago." Anna responded, sparing a glance to her teammates for a moment, before following her friend.

''I know, but don't let her get to you,'' Kate said as she crouched down to take something from her bag.

In the midst of saying something, Anna got distracted by the sight of someone approaching them, or more like an oblivious Kate. It was clear as day that the intention was to surprise Kate and that is why she agreed to silent watch Nick, her friend's boyfriend, do it.

As if planned, Kate rose to her feet right at the moment Nick got closer. " I think -ah!" A startled Kate squealed , when Nick suddenly hugged her from behind, wearing a huge grin on his face.

Unfortunately he was wasn't aware of what Anna had just seen, which was slight fear flashing through Kate's eyes. He was simply happy to surprise his girlfriend. Nothing from Kate's reaction in which Anna witnessed, was normal. Her heart had dropped a little to her knees, watching her friend try to mask everything with a smile. She had no doubt that Kate didn't want to worry Nick and just wanted to pretend like nothing happened.

'' Hey you,'' Nick greeted, planting a kiss on her cheek.

''Hey.'' Kate replied softly, trying to maintain control over her nerves.

Right when Nick loosened his hold on her and stood in front of her, his demeanour suddenly changed. Concern had taken over when he sensed that something was off.

" Hey, are you okay?" He asked with deep worry in his tone.

" Hmm, y-yes, I'm good. I was a little surprise but I'm happy to see you." Her voice was a little shaky as she responded, which she thought wasn't noticeable but was mistaken about.

She definitely missed the exchange of looks between her best friend and boyfriend, as she was busy packing things in her bag. Both of them pretended that they didn't see anything when she rose back to her feet again.

'' Uh, it's good to see you too Nick.'' Anna intervened with a teasing tone, trying to lighten the mood.

Catching on to Anna's intentions, Nick said, " my apologies, it's good to see you too Anna. It's just that I was distracted by this beauty in front of me." He pulled Kate closer, gently kissing her temple as he passed an appreciative look Anna's way.

" Yeah, yeah, yeah, no need to smooth talk me into forgiving you for making me a third wheel right now. Anyway, all is forgiven." Anna waved him off, wearing a small smile on her face.

The bell rang and people started moving around, most heading to class.

They all sighed in unison when the school bell rang.

" Why does my morning have to start with Mr Martin of all people?" Anna whined as her eyes scanned her schedule. " Couldn't it be anyone different?"

Mr Martin appeared as if summoned. As always, a brief case was in one hand while the other held a coffee. Nick and Kate smiled in amusement, waiting for Anna's reaction.

''I expect you in class in about five minutes from now, Miss Carlson. "Mr Martin said in passing.

"Right behind you sir!" Anna said, dragging her feet as she followed after him, wearing an annoyed look on her face. Kate couldn't help but giggle, watching her friend drag her feet.

Closing her locker door, she turned to face Nick, whose mood had changed. Everything about the expression on his face made her all the more curious about the reason behind it.

" What's wrong?" She asked him.

He didn't respond right away but pulled her closer to him, tilting up her chin as his eyes looked all over her face.

' What is he thinking?' Kate wondered, the longer Nick looked at her without a word.

For some reason it felt like he was searching for something.

Not wasting any more time, he leaned in for a passionate kiss that made her knees to grow weak. Being around Nick was one of the moments she cherished so much, she loved being in his present and receiving his love. His kisses were addictive and she always felt putty in his hands.

Pulling back from her sweet, soft lips, his eyes took her in, admiring her beauty.

' You are so beautiful.' His heart expressed.

Till this day he was thankful that she was in his life. She was just too good for him and he knew that she was the number one person that he adored, along with his family.

Kate couldn't help but sigh out dreamily after their kiss, later on giving him a smile which he returned.

'' What was that for?'' She asked.

'' Mmm, I'm just so glad to have an awesome girl like you in my life." He said.

Giving him a hug, she glanced up at him, with her own eyes searching this time. She noticed concern and she hoped it had nothing to do with her.

She never wanted him to be overly concerned.

The couple walked along the hallway with Nick's arm around her shoulders, pulling her impossibly close. All around her, she knew what the other students were thinking, when they saw her with Nick. It was no surprise that her boyfriend got glances everywhere they walked, Nick was an attractive, muscular jock, girls blushed when they spoke to him and often had those longing looks, whenever they saw him with Kate.

They wondered why he had chosen Kate of all people, when there were so many hot girls around, girls like Stacey. She had liked Nick and sometimes envied Kate for being with Nick but she wouldn't show it.

''I guess I'll see you later." Kate mentioned, when they finally reached her homeroom.

''Yeah,'' he responded.

Kate took a few steps away from him, only to be pulled back by arm.

'' You know that I love you right?'' He said.

''I know and I love you too." She said.

'' Alright, go before Mr Andrews skins you alive." He said.

She giggled, nodding her goodbye before going to class.

Moments in class, Anna took her seat, before taking out a book in readiness for the class. She instantly got lost in thought, thinking of Nick's worried face. He seemed a bit lost too and tried to hide it when he noticed her staring a while ago.

She suspected that something was bothering him and he didn't want to be closed off on her. She wanted him to always be comfortable enough to open up about his feelings because she cared deeply. She wanted more for him and that included happiness. In a way she felt hypocritical for wanting this while she she wasn't as open as she would have liked to. Her being not so open, did cause a bit of tension in the relationship, but she was still learning to open up more. It was still a process, due to her life experience. They have had some ups and downs in their two and a half year relationship, they have always worked through it and came up on top stronger.

She didn't want to lose that or Nick, especially now that she had been distant from Nick and wouldn't have blamed him if he considered being distant himself, but being the sweet and loving person that he was, he didn't and he was there for her and showed her love.

She still couldn't help but have those troubling thoughts linger in mind, because of what she hid and experienced in the past, which had a way of diminishing all normal parts in her life.

************

'' Why don't you just kill me once and for all?'' The girl said.

'' Nah ,it would be too easy and besides I enjoy the company." He said in his deep voice.

She sighed as she felt no hope.

He crossed his arms and stared at her, making her nervous and hoped that he was not plotting something bad against her. She didn't even know who he was and where she was being held hostage.

Of all the crazy things she has done and experienced, she just had to end up with a psycho who was so hooked on a special picture. She wondered who might have been on it and why he needed to rescue the person.

'' Why won't you show your face?'' She tried again.

'' All in due time." That was his response before taking a sip from his beer bottle.

Having this chick was starting to bore him and he didn't need her anymore, not that he ever did. She may have been nice company for a while but her time was running out. He had to set his mind on the one person who ever made sense in his life. He couldn't wait to have her in his eyesight and have her belong to him and him alone. Once she knew it and acknowledged how important she was to him, his life would be complete.

******

Later that day........

{Sorry can't join you, love mom}

Max read the text, which came from his mom. At least his mom gave him the heads up to not wait for her, he understood because she was a nurse and was working the night shift.

She had always done her best to support him despite Paul being present, where he he took it upon himself to be the provider. They had been married for five years now and seemed much in love, Max appreciated how Paul treated his mom with respect and loved her.

He sighed as he looked at his menu.

'' Having trouble choosing what to eat?'' Someone asked.

That voice sounded warm and charming to his ears, which captured Max's attention. The moment he glanced up, he was struck by how pretty she was with beautiful black eyes. There was something captivating about her smile which lightened up the more they looked at each other. There wasn't any doubt that she was his waitress for the time being, as she stood with a pen and notepad in hand yet it felt like he was around someone familiar.

''Um yeah. How about a cheeseburger and chips?"

'' Alright and a soda?" You kind of look like you might need it," She suggested as she noted down before walking walking.

Max found himself staring after her as she walked away, her warmth and friendliness was something that stuck with him. He surely hadn't received much of that from certain people apart from family.

The moment food was served, he enjoyed it. He was taken back to certain memories that made his heart jump, he was once more outgoing than now and he kind of missed that part of him. He let out a sigh as he relaxed in his chair, and the waitress arrived at that moment. He sat up in attention the moment she smiled at him, as she handed over his change.

''I hope you enjoyed your food." She said.

'' I did actually, oh, thanks for suggesting the soda. It did its work."

''I'm glad, I hope you come back again,'' she said.

'' Will do. I'm Max by the way." He said as he got off the chair, already offering a handshake.

''Kate,'' she responded, returning the handshake.

Max smiled, releasing her warm, soft and small hand.

'' Kate, table 1!'' Someone called out.

" Oh duty calls, thanks for coming again. '' She soon walked off, leaving a very sweet flowery scent for it to linger on Max's nose.

When he got out of the little diner, he called a cab. His thoughts lingered on his encounter with the pretty waitress.

'She must be a good person.' He thought.

He hoped that he would see her again.

Back at the restaurant, a colleague approached a busy Kate.

''So who was that guy who just walked out?'' She was asked.

'' Max or something, I think Max. Why do you ask?'' Kate asked, wiping the vacant table.

''Oh nothing, just that he is cute,'' the waitress said.

''Hmm, maybe. But I have a boyfriend, so I won't comment,'' she said.

''Oh come on.'' The fellow waitress waved her off.

Kate avoided her and went at the back, smiling in amusement