A/N: Hellooo :) I hope you all had a lovely holidays! I know I love being off from school. The idea for this story just hit me over the head almost as soon as I started break. I started writing it, not really knowing where it was going and then WHAM! There it was! And this is a pretty long one too... I think there'll be about 5 chapters to this one...
Anyways! Think of this as a little Christmas present from me to you! I'll post a chapter a day until I'm done!
Keep your trays in their upright and locked positions, remember that I do not on Kickin' It, and enjoy the story!
Fireworks
"Hey Kim!" The voice came from behind her in line at her favorite coffee shop.
"Hey Jack," she turned around and smiled at her best guy friend. "What are you doing here so early?"
"I could ask you and all these people the same question." The taller boy looked around at the bustle around him, "But, in answer to your question, I am grabbing some coffee before my mom and I nab a Christmas tree."
Kim nodded, "A little last minute, if you ask me."
"Hey! We've got like a week before Christmas! And my mom has this thing about making sure the tree is fresh. She says that even if it isn't wilting, she'll know it's dying. I tried explaining that it's dying the minute it's cut down but it's no use arguing with her."
Kim smiled as they stepped closer to the barista taking orders, standing next to Jack now.
"So what are your plans for the holidays?" Jack asked Kim, smiling.
"Oh, not much. Christmas with my family, my aunt and uncle are flying down with my cousins, and then I'm working at this fireworks stand leading up to New Years."
"Wait, so you're working until the ball drops, or...?" Jack trailed off as they moved up in line
"Yeah, till the ball drops, I guess you could say." Their conversation ended briefly as Kim placed her order for two white chocolate mochas and Jack placed his order for a gingerbread latte.
"Why in the world would you willingly work on New Years Eve?" He gave her this open-mouthed look that shared the incredulity of his voice.
Kim shrugged, "I mean, I don't have any party to go to, and it's not like I have anyone to kiss at midnight, so why not just make a couple extra bucks selling fireworks?" Kim's voice not only outlined the practicality of the situation, but brought to light the sad fact of the matter too. She would ring in the New Year alone. But it was nothing new to her, most of the year came and went in the same manner, so why would this year be any different?
"But that's just so sad!" Jack's voice interrupted her reverie.
"Really?" Kim crossed her arms, her stance indignant, "Got any more insults about my life you want to throw my way?"
"No! I didn't mean it like that-" Jack held his hands up, as if to stop Kim's rising temper as she grabbed her coffees from the counter.
"Oh really? Then how did you mean it?" Her toe tapped an impatient rhythm, waiting for Jack to grab his coffee and perhaps an answer to her indignant question.
"I just- I don't think anyone should be alone on the holidays, that's all."
Her temper abated, she explained as they made their way to the exit, "I'm not going to be alone, there'll be other people working the booth with me."
"Those are co-workers. How many of them are you actually good friends with?"
She picked at the fringe on her carefully knotted scarf, not answering as she exitedd through the door Jack opened for her.
"Exactly! And you know what? I'll going to give you a reason to not work this New Years-" at this she groaned in exasperation, "No, no! Just hear me out! I want you to come to this New Year's Eve party I'm having. It'll be fun!"
She gave him a look that handed him a list of reasons why, in fact, it would not be fun, ranked and color coded in increasing order of irritation. "I've already said I would work, Jack, and Kim Crawford does not go back on her word."
Jack let out a sigh, his breath clouding the air outside the coffee shop. "Fine. Work at that fireworks stand, but if you change your mind-" he reached into his pocket with the hand not clutching the gingerbread latte, producing a black invitation with gold calligraphy, "-here's the invite. All the information is on there, time, location, you know the deal. I hope you change your mind."
She juggled the coffees and eventually got a grip on the card in her gloved hand, stuffing it in her jacket pocket. She smiled, "Thanks, Jack, I'm sure it'll be fun and I wish I could go, but I doubt you'll be seeing me there."
The brown-haired boy gave her a half-smile and a look that suggested he would be seeing her there before departing. Kim smiled and waved goodbye as the black Toyota made it's way out of the parking lot.
"So how's your boyfriend doing?" Grace asked, climbing out of her car.
"Grace, I've told you, he's not my boyfriend." Kim handed one of the coffees to her dark haired friend.
Grace took a sip, "White chocolate mocha. You know me too well."
"So, off to the mall?" Kim asked as they clambered into the compact car.
"To the mall!" Grace cried as the engine came to life and heat filled the car.
Coffees long since gone and bags full of presents for family and friends, Kim and Grace headed to their favorite store to do some personal shopping. They made their way through sweaters and practical clothing, arms laden with clothes as they headed towards the changing rooms. After many decisions, Kim came out with a pair of cords and a sweater, Grace decided on a long sleeved dress and a carmel colored corduroy blazer.
The two girls, items in tow, passed by the formal wear section of the store, glittering dresses with swaying skirts proclaiming to be the "best for ringing in the New Year with that special someone!" Grace gasped, "Kim! Look at that dress!"
A gorgeous strapless number hung off the mannequin who did it no justice. "Now that is a dress all dresses want to be."
"Oooh..." Grace danced in place and looked much like a child in need of a bathroom break.
"You really want to try it on, don't you?"
"Yes..." Grace whined as she gave Kim puppy dog eyes.
"Fine! You can try on the dress..." But unfortunately for Kim, that one dress led to another, which led to another, which led to Kim trying on a multitude of dresses that were, in Grace's words, "Just perfect for you, Kimmy!" Before she rushed off to the changing rooms behind Grace, Kim noticed a dress hanging behind an awful feathered number. A modest blue, it was cute and definitely something Kim could see herself wearing. And it wasn't like she was going to buy anything she was trying on, this was just for fun, so why not?
"Are you coming, Kim?" Grace asked. Kim nodded and followed Grace to the changing rooms, emerging to show Grace her dresses and vice versa. The gorgeous dress Grace spotted on the mannequin was even better on grace, it's champagne tone bringing out the carmel in Grace's hair, floating down past the empire waist to brush her toes. Unfortunately, it was destined for the red carpet or a black tie benefit ball, neither of which were going to magically appear on her social calendar.
Of Kim's selection, composed mostly of silly dresses with either too much glitter or too many feathers, the she plucked from behind the ghastly others managed to look absolutely fabulous. She pulled aside the curtain from the dressing room, stepping out to show Grace.
"No fair!" Grace called, standing an an unfortunate lime green mermaid style dress with feathers peeking out the top, "You look gorgeous while I look like a toucan."
Giggling, Kim looked in the multi-angled mirror at the end of the room. The dress was blue with a sliver beaded pattern somewhat reminiscent of the 1920s prohibition era. It's loose shape drew attention to Kim's petite frame and made her golden hair shine even more. "It is gorgeous," Kim admitted while twisting to see the back of the dress, "But I have no where to wear it. It'd be a waste of money."
"Waste of money?" Grace squawked as Kim padded back to her dressing room, "That dress is amazing. More than amazing, it's- it's... Flawless!" Kim chuckled at her friend in her dressing room as she pulled on her socks and shoes. "The only way that dress could be a 'waste of money,' as you put it," Grace continued as she emerged from her dressing chamber, "Was if you didn't wear it to Jack's party on New Years."
"How do you know about the party?" Kim queried as she exited the changing area.
Holding out her smartphone, "I got the facebook invite like two seconds ago."
She smiled, Jack really did cover all his bases... But, the fact of the matter still stood, "I can't go to the party." Grace's mouth fell into an 'o' shape, not exactly the most attractive face to make.
"And why not? This is your perfect chance to nab Mister Karate-Pants! You're in love with him, he's in love with you, New Year's stroke-of-midnight kiss? It's the recipe for the perfect rom-com!"
Kim groaned as she trudged to the cashier wit an indignant Grace in tow, "I'm not in love with Jack, or 'Mister Karate-Pants' as you called him," she grumbled, "I have to work. And I'd love to go, it does sound like it'll be a lot of fun... But I already promised, and I don't go back on my promises, Grace, you know that."
Rolling her eyes, Grace responded, "Yeah, yeah... I just want you two to get together already."
A glare from Kim shut Grace up quickly. The duo made their purchases and exited the store, "I'm starved, falafel?" Grace asked, looking at Kim.
"Absolutely." Kim affirmed as the two best friends made their way towards the best (and only) falafel joint in town.
A/N: So... What'd ya think? I think it should be pretty cool!
A little note on the story: I do work at a fireworks stand for New Year's, and it's actually quite fun. I was just thinking about my job and I was thinking about Kickin' It and boom! This story was born! I gave Kim my job, gave Jack a party to throw, and here you go!
At this point, the gang is in their senior year. Just FYI. And I find it kinda funny that in my last story, Grace was kinda a bitch, whereas in this one- well. You'll see ;D
Thanks again for reading, I'd love if you'd review!
x Em