CHAPTER 1: REUNIONS

"Hey Cather!"

"Sup Cath!"

"How's it going Cath?"

Cath Avery smiled at the faces as she went down the hall. Over the summer, Wren (her twin sister) and Reagan (her roommate) had introduced her to the various people living in the Pound. It meant that, compared to last year, she was bound to have much more of a running start. And then there was Levi.

Oh, sweet Levi.

The last time they'd texted had been that morning about his sister's Jeanette's wedding. The wedding had been postponed to October 3rd, which was right around the corner. Cath had already met Marlisse, (his mother) Krystine, Ryliegh, Jaqueline, (his other sisters) and Silver (his dad). They had been teaching Cath to remember Krystine and Ryliegh's kid's names, which proved a struggle to Cath. She texted him again.

Specials at the little diner just down the road from Ur place. Meet me there 8? (-}{-) XOXOXOXOX

It was a few minutes before his reply came in.

Can't.

Why? =(

New 2nd yr girl transferring from Stratford in California. I'm her 'tour guide'. Starts 2night. XXXXX Talk in the morning, K?

K.

Don't be mistaken. Cath had other things to do that night, like start on a Baz and Simon fic. Carry On had been finished, and had gotten more reads than the eighth dance actually got. The big surprise was when GTL had contacted her in an angry email about how "MagiCath couldn't steal the show" and "Carry On Simon was disgusting and poorly written". Wren had laughed at the email and posted it on Cath's fanfic profile, where thousands of fans had laughed and scorned GTL. But there was one problem. Cath didn't have and idea for a new fic, she had said everything in Carry On Simon. She would spend hours in front of the computer, hands hovering over the Keyboard. She needed inspiration, but didn't have any.

"Cath."

"Cath?"

"CATH."

"Huh?"

A girl smiled back at her. "You've been here in Levi-land for-EVER." Come on, I'll grab your bag and let's get inside." She brushed purple hair out of her face, revealing a set of features Cath knew so well.

"REAGAN. YOU DIED YOUR HAIR PURPLE?" Reagan smiled. "My older sister talked me into it. She hated it once it was done. But I? I LOVE it. Chic, huh?" Reagan turned around so she could see the whole thing." Cath smiled and jiggled her eyebrows. "Ooh La la. Now help me lift this thing in, my arms are about to collapse."

Once they were inside, Cath sat on Reagan's bed as they proceeded to talk about the classes they were taking this semester. Reagan stared at her. "Your doing fiction writing, advanced, AGAIN?" Cath smiled. "Piper loves me now. She can't stop talking about left. Expect it in Barnes and Noble by the end of the year." They heard a knock on the door.

"And these are two super nice girls, go to them if you ever need any help that can't be provided by a male. That's Reagan and that's Cather. Hey Ca-,"

"LEVI!"

Cath practically jumped into his arms. They smelled of Latte, after all, he did work at Starbucks. He picked her up and she felt every bone in her body turn to goo as he kissed her on her head. "Ground Rules!" Reagan shouted from behind and they immediately let go of the other person, but still beamed at the other one's face, it had been too long since they had seen each other.

Levi pulled back. "Cather, this is Lily. Lily, this is Cather."

From the first look at Lily, Cath knew she hated her. She had long ombre hair that went from honey brown to ash blonde. Her brown-green eyes were thickly framed with lashes. While Cath's bottom was curvy, what Lily lacked there was made up in boob size. She was a classic hourglass, looking like she had stepped off the cover of Teen Vogue. She smiled a snow-white smile, that reflected of her dewy tan skin.

"Hey Cather. Levi's told me ALL about you."

It was all Cath could do to keep from socking Lily in the highly sculpted face. "I'm sure."

"Guess I'll see you around, then?"

"'Course."

Lily wiggled her manicured fingers before stepping out into the corridor. Levi pecked Cath on the cheek before following her. Cath slammed the door and slumped down on it. Her head was in her knees.

Reagan didn't look up from her phone. "She looks JUST like Lauren Conrad, don't you think?" Cath didn't respond. Reagan looked up and saw the pathetic 19 year old huddled in the doorframe. "Cath?" Oh geez, CATH." She ran over and hugged Cath. "It'll be ok, I promise, I promise."