Despite the last-minute programme and despite the various battles I had had to fight during my school time, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed my graduation party. Soon after the 'proper adults' had left, I found myself dancing with Henry. His eyes were shiny, and his grin was wider than that of the Cheshire Cat.

"I met someone," he whispered in my ear. "And I know that you'll like him."

"Is he here today?" My eyes started scanning the crowd, although I didn't even know whom I was looking for.

"No, it's all really new. Besides, I didn't want to flaunt him in front of Derek. I promised him some time, and I keep my promises."

I hugged Henry.

"You are too good for this world, Henry. How can you be so forgiving?"

"You know how I believe in second chances. Plus, Derek told me a little bit about his background. There are reasons why people do what they do. It doesn't excuse their behaviour, but it explains it. I think we should all judge less and question more. Be more forgiving, too. What good would it do me to bear a grudge? It would just bring me down. Instead, I choose to focus on the positive, on Derek's capacity for self-reflection."

"I truly do love you, Henry. You know that, don't you?" He nodded, and I carried on, "So, what's he like, then?"

Henry knew straight away whom I was referring to.

"He is kind and tolerant and not opinionated. He's inquisitive and interested in so many things. We can talk for hours. But we can also laugh together."

"Wow, where do you find someone like that? I'll make sure to go there tomorrow," I joked.

"Look, I know it's early days, but I'd like you to meet him." Henry sounded a little insecure all of a sudden.

"I'd love to meet him," I managed to say before Peter dragged me away from him. I turned around and saw Henry giving me a thumbs-up, a look of relief and joy on his face.

* * * * *

"You look stunning tonight, Cat," Peter said as he put his arms around my waist. "I just had to claim this dance for me. Hope that's okay with you."

I breathed in as much as I could when Peter's arms quite unexpectantly wrapped themselves around my waist. At the same time, I felt myself blush. Smooth, Katherine, smooth. Then I thought, "Who the fuck is Katherine? I'm Cat. Confident and popular." Admittedly, I had had a few, despite the fact that I had sworn off alcohol. It was my graduation party after all.

"Yeah," I managed, hoping that I at least sounded husky and mysterious. Peter might have been the enemy at one time, but he had turned out to be deserving of Henry's famous second chances.

We swayed to the music. It felt good. Peter's right hand traced my cheek.

"You are amazing, Cat, do you know that?"

I remained silent. I had no idea what I was supposed to say to that. After all, I hadn't had many people in my life who had ever paid me compliments. 

I honestly don't know where you came from all of a sudden. I mean, I know that you have been in our grade for ages, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, I never noticed you – until now. How can anyone miss that kind of beauty?"

"Beauty?" I squeaked. How smashing. I was more eloquent than the Bard of Avalon himself. Story of my life!

"I have never seen anyone who vibrates strength and vulnerability at the same time like you do. It is fascinating."

"I'm not strong," I protested, in a desperate attempt to be honest. I had tried to end it all. If that wasn't a sign of weakness, then what was?

"Look, Cat, I won't pretend that I know your story, but I have seen you evolve from some invisible Katherine into Cat; Cat who questions things, Cat who fights for what she thinks is right, Cat who stands by Henry although it would be so much easier to walk away from an openly gay boy of mixed race who comes from a broken home. And that is the epitome of strength in my world."

"You have got to be kidding me, Peter. Henry is my saviour. He is my brother, my confidant. I owe everything to him. Standing by him is the least I can do."

Peter squeezed me harder.

"I wish I was a better guy, Cat. Because I admire you. But I have more skeletons in my closet than Arlington Cemetery. I would never be good enough for you."

Peter's hands felt warm and comfortable on my hips.

"I believe in Henry's second chances, too, Peter," I managed to say, my voice sounding alien even to my own ears.

Very slowly, Peter bent his large frame and planted a kiss on my lips. I started to tremble. Then I realised that it felt right. That it actually felt good. It occurred to me that maybe I wouldn't turn out to be the hermit cat lady I had thought I would be after all. Not that there would have been anything wrong with that. This new feeling just took me by surprise. I honestly hadn't thought I would ever feel comfortable enough in my body to even contemplate a sexual relationship with anybody.

I licked my lips after the fact and noticed that Peter tasted like more.

"I come with a lot of baggage, Peter," I said.

"Who doesn't?" Peter shrugged. "Why do you think I joined Mr Villain's band of merry men?"

I remembered how Peter had hinted at a life lived in poverty. And I felt bad – and aroused at the same time. I kissed Peter back.

* * * * *

The rest of the night passed in a blur. Alcohol mellowed me out. Henry was happy. Peter had kissed me. And it had felt good. It was a start.

Alcohol flowed freely.

Somehow, I lost track of Henry during the night. There was Peter. Then there was Trish. Her date had left her for some bleach blonde. I found her outside, crying her eyes out.

* * * * *

It was around 4am when I finally stumbled home. I dropped onto my bed, fully dressed. What felt like five minutes later, our landline rang. I sat up again. What the hell?

My father answered the phone. A few seconds later, he called me.

Still in an alcoholic stupor, I stumbled down the stairs and grabbed the receiver he held out to me.

"Hello?"

"Cat?" The voice sounded familiar, but, more importantly, it sounded devastated.

"Yes," I answered warily.

"It's Henry's mum. Sorry to phone in the middle of the night, but I know Henry would have wanted me to notify you personally."

I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"Is Henry alright?" I asked, my voice shaking.

There was a sob on the other end of the line, then a deep breath.

"Henry was beaten up on his way home from the party. I'm at the hospital now. Peter is here, too. He was the one who found Henry and called an ambulance." There was a pause. "It's bad, Cat. Henry is unconscious. He lost a lot of blood. But one of the paramedics who brought him in said that the biggest threat is the head injury. I don't know much more at the moment. I just wanted to let you know and ask you to pray for him. I'll phone you when anything changes."

"I'll be there in ten minutes, Mrs Thornton. Stay strong!"

Very slowly, I hung up. Taking a shaky breath, I turned towards my father.

"Henry has been attacked. I need to go to the hospital."

"I'll drive you."

My father put an arm around me.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"He might not make it, Daddy," I whispered.