Puzzles

Tommy Pickles

Chapter I

Tomorrow is the day. The moment I have waited for my entire life. At this time tomorrow, 5 o'clock p.m., I will be marrying the love of my life, Kimi Finster. Since the early ages of fifteen we have been together, and we have never looked back. You see, today marks the seventh anniversary of the morning that I made my move. Or at least that's what I thought.

Flashback:

It was the day before homecoming, Friday October 24, 2007. As I made my way through the hallways in between third and fourth period, I went over my excuses to my friends as to why I would be going to homecoming alone. I would say something like 'oh, you know, I just wanted to hang out with you guys all night', or something of that matter. That obviously wasn't the case. It was because I'm in love with my best friend's sister. I know what you're thinking. I'm afraid of Chucky or I don't want to ruin our relationship. But that's not the case. Actually, it is because Kimi already has a date for homecoming. Only her "friend" Z. She claims their only friends, but I see the way they look at each other. Last year, after one of Chucky's many failed attempts to get rid of Z, Kimi lost it. She stopped talking to him, threatened him, the whole nine yards. So now Chucky stays out of her business. In fact, they rarely have any communication about anything personal outside of the group. It's kind of sad really.

But back to my problem. I don't have a date, and I really don't want one if it's not her. The ring of the school bell brings me back into reality. I have to go to period is my favorite class- math. Yeah I know right, so exciting. Well, actually it is exciting because my favorite person in the world is in this class, and we sit right beside each other in the back of the class. This allows us to talk as much as we want, for the most part.

As I walk into class I quickly notice things aren't right with Kimi. Her face is an unusual shade of red, especially around her eyes, and her make-up is streaked down her face. No one says anything though. No one cares. That doesn't surprise me much, though. We're not the most popular of people. Besides my older cousin Angelica and her friend Susie, of course. But Chucky, Kimi, Phil, Lil, Dil, and I really don't get along well with everyone in our school.

As expected Chucky is the same nerdy spaz he's always been, except he can drive now. Phil and I are a lot alike. We're just normal teenagers I guess, not great or poor. We cope with our hobbies. We both listen to the same music and watch the same T.V. shows. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Phil is my new best friend. Phil's twin sister Lil doesn't have the time to hang out with us as much as she used to. Lil is one of the best soccer players in the area, and is constantly traveling around the southwest United States in tournaments. She really has little social life anymore. My brother Dil is way more normal than he used to be. He has mellowed out a lot. He started making friends his own age last year, and he has started to slowly change. He listens to heavy metal music and has unfortunately been put under the influence of Marijuana as well. As a matter of fact, I would call it more than a phase with him. I haven't seen him sober in two weeks. Finally there's Kimi. Kimi is too different to fit in to the popular crowd, and that's one of the many things I love about her. She loves punk music, skateboarding, and has started to delve into some drugs as well. However I don't think that's something that she really likes, I just think it is something that she does because of Z.

As I sit down by Kimi to ask what's wrong, the newborn conversation gets started fast and furious.

"Hey Kimi, what's wrong" I ask worriedly.

"What do you want Tommy?" She snaps coldly.

I was shocked. Kimi never spoke to me this way. In fact, she never speaks to anyone this way, except for Chucky and occasionally Phil whenever he annoys her. I definitely know now that whatever is wrong with Kimi is pretty bad.

"I was just wondering what is wrong Kimi. I never see you this upset."

"Fine. I'll tell you Tommy. Mr. know it all. Mr. Always tries to fix everything when it's not his own damn business!"

The anger starts to build up inside of me now. I want to yell and fight with her just as she is doing to me. But that's not how one gets to Kimi Finster. She can sit and fight with someone all day long and it won't bother her. Nope. The way you get to Kimi Finster is with the silent treatment. Not the kind of silent treatment that conveys anger, but one that conveys disappointment and shame.

So I just say, "sorry Kimi, I…uh…didn't know you felt that way" as I put on the biggest puppy dog face and look down as I pull out my book and notebook from my duffle bag.

We sit through the rest of the class in silence.