Exposing Kitty Langley (2 page)

“You’re breaking my heart, Reed—but
a deal is a deal. You lost the bet fair and square, and now you have to pay up.
And don’t forget—I’ll be wearing a purple eye mask. And the kiss better be
good.”

“Oh it’ll be good. Don’t you worry
about that, but one kiss and that’s it. Then my debt is paid—got it?”

“Got it. Geez, it shouldn’t be this
hard to get a guy to kiss me,” she mumbled.

“I already told you, Haley, we’re
just friends, okay? I don’t wanna mess that up.”

“I know, I know. It’s no big
deal—one kiss and you’re free. I’ll see ya tomorrow night. Don’t be late, or I’ll
come looking for you.”

“Fine, see ya.” I slammed my locker
closed and headed down the hall toward my last class.

I really wished Haley would just
accept that I only see her as a friend. We got along so much better before she
started in with the dating crap. I just couldn’t see myself dating her—ever. I
mean, she’s a great girl, and I even think she’s cute, but I just can’t feel
that way about her. I’ve tried. I even went out on a date with her once, her
persuading, of course, but it was too weird. I never entertained the idea
again. And it seems I’ve learned my lesson to never make a bet with her ‘cause
she’ll win every time and then I’ll get stuck having to kiss her, like Saturday
night at the dance.

I wasn’t even going to go to the
dang dance until she pouted and threatened not speak to me. It’s not like she’s
my only friend, but I hate the idea of her being angry with me. I’m a sucker, I
know. Then I lost that stupid bet. She used that to not only get me to the dance,
but to kiss her there. I had it all figured out though: find her, kiss her
quick, and then get out of there. My music keeps me busy enough without all the
hassle of girls. Who needs ’em? If I stuck around at the dance, girls might
want to dance with me, and the last thing I needed in my life was drama. If I’ve
learned anything from living with a house full of females is that wherever
there are girls—there is always drama.

Kitty

I appraised myself in the mirror.
The nineteenth century gown was exquisite. It was worth the hundred and fifty
bucks I paid for it. My dark auburn hair was pulled up into a fairly believable
style for the era, and my makeup was perfect. At least as perfect as it was
gonna get. The mask would cover most of it anyway. I didn’t really know why I
was going to the dance. None of my friends would even answer my calls. I guess
I felt like I needed to apologize to Bunnie. I mean, I suppose I was slightly
out of line. Anyway, I was going to the stupid dance to find Bunnie and
apologize. If she didn’t accept then at least I tried, and that was all I could
do. Actually, I didn’t really care if she forgave me or not, except I wasn’t
overly fond of the idea of getting my butt kicked. I’ve always been a wimp when
it comes to pain.

“Oh, Kitty, you look amazing,” my
mom said, snapping off a picture or two.

“Thanks, Mom. Where’s Dad?”

“He’s working late. He should be
home by the time you get back tonight. Don’t be late. 11:30—no later.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay, baby. Have fun.”

“I will,” I lied. I was sure the
dance would be anything but fun.

When I arrived, the place was
packed. I glanced around for the B’s but so far they were a no show. Then again
everyone was in costume. Maybe I just hadn’t recognized them yet. I was making
my way around the room when I spotted Trent Alexander. He was shoving through
the crowd headed right toward me—and he looked angry—very angry. Surely he
wasn’t mad because I didn’t show up at his party the night before. How could I have
gone with the B’s angry with me?

Then he began to shout, pointing
straight at me, “Kitty! You’re mine!”

Oh no! That didn’t sound good.
Instinctively I turned and pressed my way through the crowd. Good thing I’m
short. It makes escape a lot easier. What was his problem anyway? Truth is I
thought it best not to find out.

After a few turns and ducks I’d
managed to lose him.

I was peeking around Jonathan
Edwards when I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned, my eyes settling on a
chest. I glanced up to find a tall figure staring down at me, his blazing blue
eyes captivating me. I suddenly found myself at a loss for all rational
thinking. I didn’t have to be a genius to see that this guy was gorgeous even
with a mask covering most of his face. His lips were magnificent. I couldn’t
seem to tear my eyes away from them. Until, without warning, they came down gently
on mine. The shock quickly faded as I felt myself melting into it, opening up
and welcoming it with eagerness. At first his lips were like a feather, gently
grazing mine, but the moment changed quickly and our lips began moving in a
deep rhythm as if it were rehearsed over and over again. My nerve endings were
instantly on fire, burning every inch of me from the inside out. It was a kiss
unlike any I’ve felt before. I was sure he felt it too.

He slowly released me and peered
down at me, his eyes going wide in surprise. “Wow, Haley, that was—”

Wait. What? “Haley?” I asked in
confusion.

He appeared puzzled as he reached
for my mask. Pulling it down, he froze. Then his expression turned to disgust.
“Kitty Langley!” he snapped, ripping his mask off to reveal a dashing Reed
Reynolds beneath.

My mouth fell agape. “Reed Reynolds!
No way!” Before either of us could react further I heard Trent yell out to me,
running toward me with fervent speed. I squealed and shoved past Reed, bolting
out of the gymnasium and into the hallway. I ran with urgency down the darkened
halls, turning right, left, then right again. At the end of the hall, I spotted
the door leading to the parking lot and sighed in relief. I ran and pressed my
full body weight into the door only to discover it was locked. I spun to see
Trent come to a dead stop at the top of the hallway.

“There you are! You won’t escape
what’s coming to you! You think you can humiliate me at my own party and get away
with it? I don’t think so, little princess.”

I tried the door one more time as he
ran at me, grabbing me around the upper arms and slamming me against the
lockers. I squealed in pain. “Trent, I don’t know why you’re angry with me! I
wasn’t even at your party!”

“Shut up, you little b****!” He
slapped me then, causing me to bite my lip. I licked and tasted blood.

“Trent, stop!” I screamed as he
began ripping my dress, pulling at it in all directions, not stopping until it
was a ball of shredded fabric at my feet.

Reed

I stood there in total shock. What had
just happened? Had I just kissed Kitty Langley, one of the most hated girls in
school? And worse—did I enjoy it? I licked my lips, remembering the sweet taste
of her and then quickly shook it off, coming back to my senses. Wait, she was
wearing a purple mask. Haley had said she would be wearing a purple mask. Had I
misunderstood? Before I could comment she had bolted past me, the look of
horror on her face as Trent Alexander ran after her. What was that all about
anyway? Oh well, it was none of my business what was going on between the two
of them. And yet, she looked terrified. I couldn’t fight the feeling that she
was in serious trouble. Hated or not, I couldn’t turn my back on a girl in
trouble. I was raised better than that. And I couldn’t get her terrified
expression out of my head. Why, of all people, did it have to be Kitty Langley?
“Ah man!” I huffed as I made my way out the door and after them.

I heard her screams coming from the end
of the hall to my right. I picked up speed and froze as I rounded the corner.
Trent was towering over her, ripping her dress to shreds.

“Now it’s you who will be
humiliated,” he chided. “There’s no way for you to get out of here without
being seen by everyone. And now your dress is ruined.”

She just stood there, hands covering
her face in defense. Had he struck her? With that, I gave no further thought to
my actions as I bounded toward him, tackling him and putting his head into the
lockers. I knew he was out cold before we hit the floor, his body going limp at
once. I jumped to my feet, looking down at the still figure. I actually couldn’t
believe I just did that. Did I just do that? I was more surprised at my strong
instinct to protect. Where had that come from? I felt a little strange until whimpering
brought me back to the moment, and the small girl trembling against the lockers
as tears soaked her face.

“Are you all right?” I ask,
cautiously approaching. She didn’t answer. “Um, Kitty, did he hurt you?”

She looked up at me then, her big
eyes seeming disoriented and confused.

“Kitty, I need you to answer me. Did
Trent hurt you just now?” Then I noticed the blood on her lips. He had struck
her.

She began to slide down the wall to
the floor. I took hold of her arm and held her up, trying to keep my hands from
touching her bare skin as little as possible. After all, she’d just been
attacked.

Suddenly, I heard several girls’
laughter coming from somewhere else further away but heading in our direction.
I knew she would be humiliated to be found this way. I really shouldn’t care. I
mean, she had spent years being nasty to practically everyone in this school.
This was really not my concern. I let go of her arm then, letting her slide
gently to the floor. I was about to take a step, leaving the girl to her fate,
when I spared one last glance at her. She looked pitiful, her face in her
hands, resting her head against her drawn-up knees, and crying—of all things
crying. I really hated that sound. It wrenched at me like nothing else. And I
knew I couldn’t leave her there to be found like that. Mean or not, she was
still a person.

I can’t believe I’m gonna do this.

She gasped as I scooped her up in my
arms, but rested her head on my shoulder as I stormed toward the door. I
reached and pulled for the knob. It was locked. I heard the girls’ laughter
getting closer. I took a step back, and then kicked the door hard with my foot,
sending it flying open. It hadn’t been locked after all—only stuck. I rushed
through the door and into the cool evening air.

In the safety of my car, she seemed
to relax, the tears stopping at least. “Do you want to tell me what that was
about?” I asked as I pulled out of the parking lot, heading for where I didn’t
know.

She slowly glanced over at me. “I
wish I knew. Trent has never acted that way before. Not that I know him that
well, but I’ve never heard of him being aggressive before.”

“What did you do to him?”

“I didn’t do anything to him.”

“Oh come on. You must’ve done
something for him to react that way.”

“Listen, Reed is it?” I nodded. “Well,
I appreciate your help, really I do. Without you I’d be back there being
humiliated as everyone got an eye full. It was really nice of you to take me
away from that, but I’m not in the mood to be accused any more tonight, if you
don’t mind.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. Do you have
any idea what set him off then?”

“He said something about humiliating
him at his party. I tried to tell him I wasn’t at his party, but he wouldn’t
listen. I guess I don’t blame him. My guess is that the B’s set me up to take
the fall for this. It’s the only thing that makes any sense.”

“Well, I heard about the falling out
you had with them, but do you think they’d do that to you? I mean, you guys
have been friends for a long time, right?”

She glanced over at me then.
“Obviously you don’t know them at all.”

“No, I don’t and never want to.”

She lowered her head then, seeming
sad.

“Are you all right? I mean I saw the
blood. Does it hurt?”

“It’s nothing I don’t deserve. I
actually deserve worse by the way I’ve acted all these years. I figure this is
just the beginning.”

I was surprised at her words. It was
the last thing I expected Kitty Langley to say. I figured after the initial
shock of her attack wore off she’d be angry. Then I would see the venom I’d
been told about. But it didn’t come. She seemed humbled, something that I found
surprisingly endearing. I shook my head. Okay Reed, don’t get suckered in by
some helpless beauty. Use your brain! She’s a monster.

I peered over at her small frame,
clad only in bra and panties, and shimmied out of my jacket. “Here, wear this.”

She took it eagerly, quickly
wrapping it around her slight shoulders. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

As I drove down the windy, mountain
road, she sighed. “Reed?”

“Um, yeah?” I answered.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Sure, I guess.” I shrugged, trying
to sound indifferent.

“Tonight—for the first time in a
long time, I feel free. I mean aside from being confused about Trent’s attack.
It feels a little bit like I’ve been born again, if that makes any sense. I
mean, I’ve been with the B’s for so long that it’s almost like I became someone
else. It felt so good to fit in, and they looked up to me. I’ve never felt that
before. I found that I liked it. It made being mean easier because I wasn’t
doing it alone. I know that sounds crazy, even as I’m saying it, but that’s how
I felt. But now everything is different. The moment I stood against Bunnie in
school yesterday I knew it changed everything, and I thought I’d be sad about
that, but strangely I’m not. I feel free. In fact—”