KATHERINE WASN'T EVER the talkative type. She was almost always the listener in any sort of conversation.

That was her thing, you know? Letting people talk about what was on their minds, and later speaking hers, which wasn't a lot. Or at-least, she always made it seem that way.

She just enjoyed listening to people, and it might've been because she simply liked the art of understanding who people are.

However, she and Lucas were supposed to be a team and talk to each other for their current assignment. Aka, the one thing she's been dreading having to do all day.

How great.

At the moment, they were sitting at the table as Riley, Maya, and Farkle moved to the bay window behind them.

They've been reading different books about people and technology for the past ten minutes, and although she loved reading, Katherine was getting mildly bored.

It also didn't help that she kept reminding herself that if she and Lucas didn't do the assignment right, it was bye-bye, academic validation, and she wasn't about to let that happen because she couldn't talk to her enemy.

No way.

So reluctantly, she glanced up from her book and turned to Lucas. His gaze was fixed on his own book, which oddly reminded her of the day they met at the subway.

It made her stomach spoil like rotten milk.

"Look," Kat spoke up, "Although we clearly don't want to talk to each other, we kind of have to for the sake of our grade, and I am not about to fail an assignment because of you."

"And I'm not failing an assignment because of you, either."

"Shh!" the librarian hushed at the two unexpectedly.

Their heads shifted to hers. "But, we're not saying anything," Lucas argued.

"I know."

"Then why are you shushing us?" Kat frowned.

"Because I can't take it anymore. You guys are horrible at this. Get your butt over here, Katherine," the librarian motions for her to come by her desk.

She throws Lucas a confused glance before going to her table.

"Couple of sweet kids like you and you sit there like a couple of lumps," she complained. "And what's the deal with you and that boy? All the talk I've heard from you two has either been playful threats or remarks, and the tension between you two is so potent, even I can feel it, and I'm all the way here, woman!"

Kat rolls her eyes at her exaggeration. "He's just the most annoying person I know. But I'm paired with him for an assignment for history, so I have to try to tolerate his presence...I just don't know how."

The librarian sighs. "Well, my advice? Look around," she instructed, watching Kat briefly do so. "Nothing here but books about boys and girls and men and women and what they say to each other. Open any one of them and you-" she stops as Kat tries to pick up one of the books in front of her, but she snatches it away. "No, not that one." Kat tries to pick up another book, but the librarian stops her again. "Oh, boy, not that one!" she assures, putting those books away in her drawer. "Look, all these books have one thing in common."

"And what exactly would that be?"

"You start on page one, and each page you turn brings you deeper into the story." She looks behind Kat, asking then, "What's his name?"

Turning a heel, Kat eyed her partner's figure from afar. "Lucas."

"You like a good story, Kat?"

"You know I do," she grinned.

The librarian chuckled. "Well, then—start at the beginning."

Kat frowns, not fully understanding what she meant at first. "How do I do that?"

"That's up to you to decide, Katherine." And before she could leave her side, the librarian included, "And more word of advice; some things are not what they seem at the surface. Life has a good way of sending you in loops of surprises. Be sure you're ready for them."

Kat nods. "Okay," she replied delicately before wandering back to her partner.

But before she could sit back down, Kat stops at the edge of the table and sighed. "Hi."

Lucas looked up from his book at her. "Hi?" he spoke in question. "Is there a reason you're just saying hi, red?"

"I—don't know, actually..." Kat admits, unknowingly holding her own breath. "I just think I didn't want the start of something to be so bad after all." She sits down and adds, "And don't you even try to question what that means, got it?"

Seeming like she was back to his normal, Lucas chuckled. "Whatever you say, red."

She bites back a smile. "Well, on the topic of questions, I've been missing Philly lately, and I guess I'm curious to know if there was anything you missed about your sweet homeland of Texas?" Kat inquired, getting obnoxious at the end.

He laughs. "Well, there's a lot things, actually. But—I guess the thing I miss most about Texas are the pets I used to have."

Kat's brows snapped together. "You had pets?"

"Yeah. I had 24 horses," Lucas revealed.

Her jaw drops as a chuckle flees her lips. "Wow! 24 horses? You really are the epitome of southern boys, aren't you?" she joked, making them chuckle together, for the first time. "But I'm curious. Tell me about them."

Lucas folded his hands together. "One day after school, Sofia was foaling."

"Foaling?" Kat's forehead creased. "Doesn't that mean she was about to give birth or something?"

His eyes widen. He didn't expect her reply, or to even know anything about horses, of all things. But here she was, surprising him.

"Not too bad, city girl," Lucas commented. "And there was no one there, so I called Dr. Galendo and he talked me through it." He stops then, though it seemed like he wanted to go more in-depth. "Anyway, that was all."

Katherine knew better than to believe that. "Hey, now. Don't you dare go hesitating on my watch, Lukey Pookey."

He tilts his head. "You and Maya are really never going to stop with the nicknames, huh?"

She smiles. "Just continue please, before I regret letting you talk for more than five minutes."

Unsurprised, Lucas shook his head and proceeded. "Well, did you know that a baby horse stands in the first hour after it's born?"

"I did, actually, cowboy. I went to this ranch when I was nine and they talked about it. I even got to ride on one—not a baby horse, of course," Kat giggles at the end, only to watch Lucas do the same again.

"Well, it was the coolest thing I've ever seen, and sometimes even I can't believe was a part of it." They stood in brief silence before Lucas spoke up. "Kat?" he sounded hesitant.

"Lucas?"

"I've never told this to anybody before..."

Her gaze clouds with confusion. "And you're telling this to me because?"

"Because I already know you're bound to find out and make fun of me for it. So—why not just tell it to you now?"

He wasn't wrong, for once.

"You're finally understanding my habits, Texas. I'm proud of you," Kat smirked. "Anyways, tell me what you were gonna say? Where you going to tell me you saved a horsy by helping that doctor do surgery or something?"

He chuckles before letting his truth out. "No, but honestly, I think someday—I might actually want to be a veterinarian."

Well, that was quite an unexpected thing to admit out loud, especially to me. Kat thought.

"That's interesting—cowboy."

"You think so?"

"Mhm," Kat hummed.

Silence wraps around them for a moment until Kat breaks it with hesitance, "You wanna know what I might want to be too?"

A spark of bewilderment appears in his eyes. "You're willing to tell me that?"

"As long as you don't judge me too much on it."

Lucas sputters out a chuckle. "Well—that depends on what it is, red."

She rolls her eyes, before dropping them to the table. Was Kat really going to tell him this? She's never told anyone about it, only Riley and Maya. Not that she thought it was a weird, or unobtainable job, it was just something personal to her.

Was she really going to tell Lucas Friar, of all people, something like this?

Noticing her conflicting silence, he tried to assure, "You know you don't have to tell me-"

"I think I might want to be a teacher," Kat said, almost too fast for her own brain to process, "Oddly."

To say that Lucas was shocked she'd actually say it would've been an understatement.

He gulped before parting his lips. "Really?"

"Yeah," she sighed with a chuckle.

"Why?"

She bit her inner lip in thought. "I think it's because every single day, teachers go to work and make a difference in students' minds and lives. And in that sense, I think I want to be able to do that too...To impact people, to help them become better people in a way." Katherine chuckles amid her own thoughts. "I also think I want to be like an English teacher, and definitely not a history teacher but don't tell you-know-who I said that."

Lucas zips his mouth. "I won't tell a soul."

"Sure, sure..." Kat trailed off, rolling her eyes, obviously not believing that for one second.

"I can see it honestly."

Kat blinks. "What?"

"You being a teacher."

"Seriously?"

"I mean, you got the bossy attitude and authoritative demeanor for it."

"Shut up," she barked, punching his shoulder, softer than the other times before. "But seriously, cowboy—do you think I can do that?"

"Yeah...I mean, do you think I can be a vet?"

"Oh, of course! I can already see it too; you cuddled up in your vet place, swooning all the ladies with your Texan charisma while telling them their turtle's shell will be alright."

"Texan charisma?" Lucas repeated, "Is that what you're calling it?"

"Just accept it, would you?"

And at that point that night, that's exactly what he did.

"But come on, buckaroo, tell me more about this veterinarian dream of yours."

He smiled sheepishly. "I think I want to be one for a lot of reasons. I mean, I once delivered this beautiful palomino. I'd show you her picture, but I don't have my phone."

Kat assured, "It's alright. I'm sure you can show me later just-" she pauses, keeping her gaze stuck to his, "Just keep talking, I guess."

And boy, did they do a lot of talking that night.

For two people who went into the library despising each other's presence, they left with a somewhat changed idea of the other. Not enough to change the fact that their existences were vexing to each other, but in a way they couldn't understand at first.

And if Katherine was honest with herself, it was the conversation of her life. Because it was the first time in a long time, she finally let someone—in. Even if it was her enemy.

She couldn't even recall the last time someone her age (besides Riley and Maya) had asked her so much questions about herself. Let alone, care about what she had to say, and seemed like they were interested to know her.

So when Riley went back home that night, she opened the door to her father, uncle and mother still at the kitchen table.

"So, sweetheart, how was it?" Topanga sought to know.

"It was amazing, mom!" Riley gleamed, skipping her way to them.

Maverick raised a brow at her excitement. "You, Maya and Farkle did a lot of talking?"

"Oh yeah, obviously," Riley replied like it was nothing, which to her was the least exciting thing about her evening. "But Dad! Your plan worked!"

Cory's forehead puckered. "My plan worked?"

"Yeah! I mean, knowing them, they probably won't admit it, but Kat and Lucas were on fire! They really bonded tonight. They were smiling, and laughing, and she kept punching his shoulder every five minutes while smiling and laughing...I'm honestly surprised his arm was still working when we left." She continues with this brightened look on her face, "I'm very happy you paired them up."

"You are?" Cory snaps his head to Mav and Topanga. "She is?"

Maverick snorted. "She sure is, Cory."

Riley lets out a lengthy sigh. "I shall now go to bed and dream about owning a hundred bunnies," she smiled again. "Goodnight guys," and with that, she's gone into the hallway.

Cory looked back at Topanga and Maverick; who had different levels of confusion on their faces. It hits him then on what he indirectly did. "Oh god, what—did I just do?" he asks to them, and to himself in disbelief.

"I don't know..." Maverick trails off. "But judging by what Riley said, my daughter seemed happy tonight, so thank you....but also what did you just do, Cory?"

"I don't know! But I don't think I anticipated that happening," he points to the door.

Oh boy was he screwed.

⤵︎

     KATHERINE SOON ARRIVED back to her haven of a bedroom eventually, having two new books in hand that Lucas recommended earlier that night.

She learned he was more a reader than she thought he was. She honestly thought he only read to try to visibly impress people, but he actually enjoyed the hobby, and liked the same kind of books as her.

Making her way to her bed, she sat down and couldn't help but sigh, still feeling queasy in her stomach, a sensation that followed her all the way home.

She was proven wrong this evening. There were some things to like about Lucas Frair. Well, not necessarily like, but to tolerate. It all was weird in her mind; being wrong, especially about her enemy.

Was he still her enemy after this evening? She may not have had much of an enemy, nor a hateful relationship with anyone in her life, but she knew they didn't do stuff like this.

Then again, Kat had to do this for the sake of her grade. She was the determined type of student to do whatever it takes to get the A. Call it pride, but she knew she could be an amazing student when it came to her academics.

But this evening had left her questioning whatever was between her and Lucas, which was another thing she didn't think she'd be doing today, but here she was.

"You're back."

Kat flinched back to reality, not expecting anyone there, only to realize Kim was at her slightly cracked door.

The older sister grinned and arched a brow. "Had a good evening?" she asked, an interested look cemented in her eyes.

Kat chuckled. "It was alright."

"Just alright?"

Kat nodded. "Just alright." She wasn't lying, but she was also downplaying her thoughts of the night. "Uhm, shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Well, I'm the one that has a mental disorder that makes that hard for me to sleep so..."

Kim rolled her eyes, knowing the point she was trying to make. "Fine, fine, just—get some, please?"

"I'll try."

Kim grinned. "Okay, goodnight sis."

"Goodnight, Kim."

She shuts the door eventually, leaving Katherine alone in her room again.

Her eyes look down at the books she put to her side. She wasn't tired, and knowing her, she wouldn't be for another hour or two. So until then, she decided to read one of them.

She grabs the top book, which was One Day by David Nicholls and went to her bay-window to read, knowing one thing in mind.

Whether she had a good evening or not, it wasn't going to change the way she thought of Lucas completely, or the feeling of scorn in her chest every time he was around. The universe could try, but stubbornness was a gene that was potent in the Decker family. It was going to take more effort on their end.

So for now, Kat and Lucas were still enemies. They just knew each other's favorite books, dream occupations—and more. But that wasn't going to change their dynamic.

Well, for now, at least.

⤵︎

THE VERY NEXT DAY, in an act of putting life back to the way it was before, Cory ended up giving each of his students back their phones. Which was something that confused everybody, but they didn't mind.

He clapped his hands together. "Okay, guys, the great technology debate. Let's boot it up!"

The fivesome stood up and walked to the front of the room with Maya, Riley, and Farkle going first.

Farkle raised his hand up with his phone in hand. "I have always believed technology would help us fulfill our potential as a species. But when Farkle does rule the world, no matter what devices we come up with, we should also never forget what we can do with a pencil, a piece of paper, and our own imaginations." He grabs a paper from his pocket and unfolds it, showcasing it to the class.

It was the drawing Maya had done last night while Farkle was rambling to her and Riley. He thought it was easily one of the greatest things he'd ever seen. Well, the fact that Maya drew it might've made it more meaningful to him, but either way, Farkle was still amazed by the art, even if he'd spent all morning gazing at the piece.

"I've been keeping this in my pocket where my phone used to be. I keep looking at it-" he pauses, as a line formed on his lips. "I'm fine."

Maya grins. "Thanks, Farkle."

"Look in my eyes."

"No," the blondie deadpanned.

He turned to the Matthews next to him. "Don't even ask," Riley warned.

Straying the conversation away from them, Kat speaks on her part. "You know, I honestly didn't think of myself as someone who couldn't live without my phone, but as it turns, even people like me can get carried away with technology to forget to exist with the people around us. You never know, maybe taking the time to get to know someone without technology can change your idea of them...Well, not all the time, of course." She folds her fingers together as she drew a breath. "But in the end, you don't need your phone to connect with people."

"Allow us to demonstrate," Lucas says.

He and Kat turned their figures to each other and innocently grinned at the other.

"Hi," Kat greeted simply.

"Hi," Lucas greets her back, his smile widening—well—just a tiny bit anyway.

Turning back, Kat smiled cheerfully as she asked her classmates, "Now, was that hard?"

No—no it wasn't after all.

⤵︎

FINDING HIMSELF AT the public library, Cory was sneakily looking for Maya with a black box in his hand. When he reaches a book shelf he knew she was across of, he slides a gap on the bookshelf on the top row.

"I'm not that tall," Maya says. Cory opens up a gap in the bookshelf on the second row. "Really?" her tone is foul this time. He opens up a gap in the bookshelf in the fourth row, revealing Maya on the other side. "How you doin'?" she grinned.

"You will keep an eye on Kat and Riley at all times. You will send me message alerts. You will send me pictures," he instructed firmly.

The grin on Maya's face broadens. "You're really scared, aren't you? Especially about Kat?"

"I'm a father. And she's my god-daughter. Her dad is also counting on me to make sure she does well here." Which was half-true. He was the one that really wanted Kat to do well here, probably just as his best-friend too, but this was more personal to him.

"Yeah, sure," Maya tsks at his excuse. "But you know she doesn't really like him, right?"

"Believe me, I've witnessed this story before, Hart. There are things under the surface that will play out." He knew that for a fact, considering one of his best friends lived through it.

Maya sighs. "But you're forgetting, I don't have the technology."

Cory places the black box on the shelf. "Now you do."

She stands still for a moment before wrapping around the shelf to grab and open the box, revealing a phone inside. "You got me a phone?"

"Uncle Maverick did. You can thank him later," Cory assured. "Besides, our motives were completely selfish."

Maya steals a skeptical glance at him. "I'm not sure they are, Mr. Matthews."

He then grabs something from his back pocket. "Well, I was the one that got you these," gesturing for Maya to take it.

She does so, and her eyes narrow. "Colored pencils?"

Cory nods. "Yeah. You let me know everything that's going on with the both of them. And if something beautiful ever happens—paint me a picture."

And just like that, his feet wander away from Maya to go, leaving her alone for a bit before she eventually follows him out with her new things in hand.

lani's talking!

when i say kat is gonna be the most stubborn, oblivious person ever, I truly mean it.

and obviously the reasoning is bc she's never fallen in love before, or liked someone so much. so please give me girl some slack, she is just a (soon-to-be) teen trying to navigate through her newfound feelings, while also being the stubborn girl she is.

and honestly, i kinda realized that i planned out this story as a slowburn, but it's also kinda of not like a slow slow burn. you'll understand the more you read lol.

anyways, the next couple of episodes are going to be very interesting I'll tell you that haha (iykyk)

but thank you guys sm for reading, I really appreciate all the reads, votes and all the lists you put my stories in (especially the funny ones), and I will see you all next chapter!

byeeeee <3