No interruptions - she finishes and leaves for university

Once Kat escaped the musk, the rest of her task was easy. She set it to wash, threw the washed clothes in the dryer, ironed the dry clothes, and was out the door with 40 minutes until class. With campus being a quick drive away, she’d easily have time for her walk. Kat gave her mom a kiss goodbye, and left for university.

She arrived at Stagg University, and practically skipped from her car to the coffee shop. Today had gone much smoother than she could ever have anticipated. Suddenly the looming dread of her 21st birthday seemed like an overreaction. Something she needlessly worried about for years. Today marked a change, not the end. She still had time to enjoy simple freedoms.

Kat eagerly sipped her dark roast as she walked through the campus courtyard. There was a faint nip in the air. Soon, the sundress she was wearing wouldn’t be warm enough on its own. Stray yellow leaves peppered the trees, and a few had already made their way to the ground. A cool breeze echoed through the air and bristled against her skin. She smiled feeling the warmth of sunlight on her face.

“Still, can’t figure out why a woman would need to go to college,” a voice said from behind her.

Kat knew that voice too well. “Not now, York.”

“This isn’t a place for pets, Kitty Kat.” York laughed.

She rolled her eyes. “Go bother someone else. Can daddy’s money not buy you a friend or something?”

She turned just in time to see his stupid grin fall.

“The fuck got your panties in a bunch?” he asked.

“I’m looking right at him.”

“You extra feisty today, Kitty Kat,” York said.

“Astute of you.” Kat sighed.

She tried to control her temper. She remembered the lessons they drilled into her head. “Even if he isn’t family, it is still unladylike to be aggressive towards a man without just cause.” Nothing ever seemed to be “just cause.”

York shook his head. “Just proves my point though. Bitches are too fucking emotional about everything.”

“This ‘bitch’ is trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. Do you mind?”

York snickered. “God, you are so uptight! Maybe I should loosen you up.”

She hated him. She hated putting up with his obnoxious bullying. He was living proof not all men deserved their status.

“Fuck off, York.”

“Who are you to talk to a man like that? You forget your place?” York barked.

Kat smirked. “I’m not talking to a man. I’m talking to you, York.”

“Ha! You really are a cunt. I’m gonna enjoy owning that bitchy mouth, Kitty Kat.” York eyed her up and down.

Today of all days, that made her especially nauseous. “For the millionth time, in your fucking dreams. Don’t you have a class to be sleeping through?”

York shrugged. “You know what? For once, you’re right. I do gotta be going. Catch you later, Kitty Kat. Oh, and happy birthday.”

Kat froze. “How did you know that?”

York didn’t answer.

She couldn’t relax the rest of her walk. York Harrington was a douche, but he was a rich douche. She didn’t think her dad would like a guy like that. Still, dread crept its way back in.

York knowing her birthday wasn’t impossible, but it was creepy. Granted, creepy was in character for York, but it wouldn’t have been something he just stumbled across. Adult women didn’t really celebrate birthdays. They didn’t share any friends. Her Registry account didn’t go public for two more hours.

Suddenly, Kat was being scooped into a hug.

The startled redhead squeaked, “Oh my God!”

She looked up and saw her friend, Samuel.

He smirked. “Sorry, Red! Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You’re fine. Didn’t expect to see you today,” Kat said.

Samuel chuckled. “And miss your 21st birthday? Yeah, right. Hey, I got you something.”

He held out a blueberry bagel with cream cheese. She accepted it with a smile.

“Extra cheesy, just the way you like,” Samuel said.

Kat made a face. “Ugh. I don’t love thinking of cream cheese as cheese.”

“What else would it be?” he asked.

“Cream?”

“As they say, at least she’s pretty,” Samuel snickered.

Kat scoffed and playfully hit him on the shoulder. There was an awkward pause. They worked so hard to ignore the inherent weirdness of their friendship. Samuel was her “superior,” even when they pretended otherwise.

Kat checked the time. 4 minutes until the class started.

“Uh oh. I gotta get to class. Thanks for the bagel!” She turned to leave.

“Oh, uh, yeah! See you around, Kat!” Samuel said.

Kat hurried to the East Wing. If she kept at this pace, she’d still get there on-time. She hated the anxiety of running late, but it was almost a relief to have a distraction. Anything was better than thinking about York fucking Harrington.