A/N: As you may have noticed, for those who have been reading this story, I've completely started over. And for those who have been following, some of the content in the early chapters will be the same as before. In the last month, I've took some of your advice to heart and took some of your ideas and edited my story, creating an outline that I intend to follow. However, that outline isn't finished as of yet. So, ideas are still open to you guys :) But I do have several important events in mind for these two as well as an ending to this entire story.

So, enjoy :) ... again? lol.

...

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick.

RIIINGGG!

As the bell rang, the students of Newark High School quickly exited their classes, intent on catching up with friends and passing on the latest news and gossip in the span of five minutes. There were the basic, stereotypical cliques-the jocks, the cheerleaders, the band geeks, the smart people, and the nerds-but what high school didn't? But most of the students at Newark didn't fit into any one category. In a way, they were drifters, sampling and appreciating each aspect of their four year institution. Students, more or less, had a variety of friends. And some were closer than most. But there were always several student people tended to hate for whatever reason. But that's high school. Nothing new there, right?

Kate made her way to her locker, already wishing the school day was over. She took out the books she needed for the rest of the day and tossed the ones she wouldn't need for homework later that night. Checking her shoulder bag, she made sure she had everything before closing her locker. With a hand on the metal door, she was about to slam it shut when something down the hall caught her attention.

Down the hall, near the Senior lockers, groups of boys were goofing off, which occurred on a regular basis. However, today, Kate was intrigued by an unfamiliar figure commanding the attention of a group of boys he was with. From her vantage point, she estimated he was about six feet in height. The tousled dark brown hair gave him an added boyish charm. He was dressed in a fitted baby-blue shirt paired with dark blue jeans and black and white Nike sneakers. Definitely a new student, she quickly thought. But on further observation, it seemed as if the guys around him were spellbound, laughing and joking around with the new student as if he had always been one of their own. Strange, she thought. Even the best of them aren't accepted that quickly. Suddenly, he looked up in Kate's direction, as if he knew someone was watching. She quickly averted her eyes, hoping he didn't see her.

"Hey, he's kinda cute," said a voice from behind her. Startled, Kate spun around, closing her locker in the process.

"Oh, hey, Lanie! I was just—"

"Mhmm. I know what you were doing, girl." Kate blushed slightly. "But, I don't blame you. That boy is damn fine!" Lanie peeked over Kate's shoulder, admiring the object of their conversation. "Very fine, indeed."

"Lanie!"

"What? It's true!"

"Lanie, for all we know he could just be another jerk with a big ego. If he is, he'll just end up making everybody's lives miserable." Just then, several girls joined the group down the hall, flirting with the new addition to Newark. He readily flirted back. "Case in point."

"Dramatic much?" Kate rolled her eyes. "Girl, you don't even know his name, and you're stereotyping him from what you see. Give him a chance. And even if he is what you say he is, he's still easy on the eyes. There's no denying that. He's hot. Period." A smirk appeared on Lanie's lips.

Kate chuckled. "What would Javi think?"

"Oh, hush! Just because I'm taken doesn't mean I can't appreciate a hot guy when I see one!"

Just then, Javi walked up to them. Kate rolled her eyes. "Well, speak of the devil."

"Hey, Kate," greeted Javi.

"Hey, Javi."

Turning his attention to Lanie, he kissed her lightly on the cheek as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Hey, baby. Missed ya."

"Missed ya, too," she murmured as she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.

"So, what were you ladies talkin' 'bout?"

"The new student," answered Kate, nodding her head down the hallway.

Javi's gaze traveled down the hall, spotting the new kid surrounded by an audience.

"Oh, him. Yeah, he's a nice dude from what I've heard. Have some classes with him, I think. But he hasn't come to any yet. Name's Rick Castle. Hear he moved from the NYC."

"Oh, a city boy? Even better!" said Lanie.

"Hey! I thought I was your man," he said in mock offensive.

"You are." She hugged him tightly in reassurance. "My only man," she added, giving him another kiss.

Kate shakes her head. "All right, lovebirds. Let's get to class before we're late."

As they started walking, Kate chanced another glance at the new student. She gasped lightly. He was looking in her direction. And there was no doubt that he was looking at her. A smile appeared on his lips as he waved to her. Speechless, Kate returned a shy smile. As she turned away to catch up to her friends, she thought to herself, Did that just really happen? No, it couldn't be. It must have been meant for someone else. Daring herself, she looked over her shoulder again. He was still staring at her, but this time with a lopsided grin.

...

Rick took his sweet time walking back to the guidance office after he said goodbye to his new found friends. He had been in that damn office all day. It wouldn't be until Monday that he would be able to go to his classes. The reason they gave him was that they needed to sort out his file from his previous school as well as get him acclimated to Newark. When he was told this, he thought, Seriously?

It wasn't as if the guidance counselors weren't friendly. They were. And the gossip that rippled through that office was beyond comprehension, which amused Rick to no end. He learned more about the secret lives of his teachers than he would have ever known in his lifetime. But he felt trapped. He needed an out... at least for a period or two.

Rick walked into the guidance office, greeted the secretary, and made his way to see his assigned counselor. Her name was Mrs. Donovan. She was in her late fifties with silver hair and a pair of half-moon glasses. She was the classic image of a grandmother. It fit her well. In many ways, she had a thousand grandchildren to take care of, and she was always happy to help all of them.

"Mrs. Donovan?"

"Yes, my dear. How can I help you?"

"Uhm, well, it's almost the last period of the day. And I was wondering if I could go to my last class, if it's possible." Rick tucked his hands into his pockets as he hesitated. "So, uh, may I go? Please?"

"It's against school policy," she said, and Rick's face fell. "But, I'm going to allow you to go." His face brightened at the sound of freedom. "Just let me check your schedule on the computer before I accidently send you to the wrong class."

"Thank you, Mrs. Donovan."

She typed and clicked away at her computer until she brought up what she was looking for. "You're welcome, Mr. Castle. And you're off to room 222 for Creative Writing." She scribbled a piece of paper. "Just give this to the teacher and you'll be all set," she said smiling, handing Rick the note.

Rick thanked her again and went on his merry way, grinning from ear to ear. As he exited the guidance office, the bell rang. Creative Writing, here I come!

...

One more period, she thought. Then, I'm home free!

Kate stepped into her last class of the day—Creative Writing. She greeted her teacher, Mr. Matthews, and took her seat in the back of the room.

Just as the class was about to start, they were interrupted by none other than the new student. Walking over to the teacher with a note, he stood confidently in the front of the room as he scanned the seas of faces.

Taking the note, Mr. Matthews read its contents before introducing him to the class.

"Well, class," he started. "I guess we have a new student in our mists. Everyone, welcome Mr. Richard Castle—"

"Rick, please," he interjected.

"—I hope everyone will help Mr. Castle get acclimated and up-to-date as to what we've done in this class so far. If there are no more questions, Mr. Castle, you may take a seat beside Ms. Beckett in the back row."

Oh God, this can't be happening, she thought. Oh, but it was.

Rick looked over the heads of his fellow classmates. He smiled when he recognized a familiar face.

Kate repeatedly muttered to herself, Why me? Why me?

She slowly lowered herself into her seat with each step he took. Once he reached the desk, he whispered a soft "Hey" and smiled at her before taking his seat, just as the teacher began his lesson.

"Uh, hi." Kate tried a small smile, but it ended up being a cross between a pout and a frown. Could this day get any worse?

Midway through class, a messenger from the main office knocked on the door, handing a note to Mr. Matthews before leaving from once he came.

"Ms. Beckett, Principal Montgomery would like to see you at the end of the day." Kate nodded. Okay, maybe this day could get worse.

"Don't worry," said the human being that was seated beside her. "I've had my share of visits to the office. It isn't that bad," he whispered only loud enough for her to hear. "That is, until they ruthlessly hit my ass with a ruler."

Kate looked over at him, skeptical. She snorted softly. "Oh, I bet."

Rick gasped, furrowing his brow. "Ms. Beckett, I'm hurt you would think that of me!"

But the smirk that crept onto his face told her he was just pulling her pigtails. "Right..."

"Anyway, after all these years, I can still feel the sting of the ruler hitting my precious baby bottom." He shuddered.

Kate rolled her eyes at his theatrics. She shot him a glare as he chuckled and turned his attention back towards the front of the room. She sighed. This is gonna be a long year, she thought.

...

I will try to make updates once per week. But, no promises I'm afraid :/ School work will always have to come first.

So, you know what to do :) ...again? lol.