Mad World by Club Café
Chapter 1: When It's Love
Middleton High Senior Prom
Right before the fateful kiss, Ron was contacted by Wade on the Kimmunicator. His father had been in a very bad traffic accident, and was now in the hospital. Ron told Kim he had to leave, explaining to her about what happened to his father. Understanding Ron's need to leave, Kim went back to her house alone. When Ron got to the hospital, he found his father unconscious in a bed, with his mother crying next to him. Upon seeing her son, Mrs. Stoppable got up and clutched her son close to her as she cried. She told him the doctors had said his father was in a coma and would not be coming out of it for a long time. She said they wanted to transfer him to an out of state hospital, where they could facilitate his needs better. Mrs. Stoppable had agreed and was asking what Ron would do. Stay here in Middleton somehow, or accompany his mother and father to Arizona. Ron said he would think it over and left his mother alone with his father. Ron left the hospital and began to walk home. On his way home, Kim, who looked like she had ran from the prom, still in her burnt gown, intercepted Ron.
"Ron…are you ok?"
"KP…Kim...my Dad he's…" Ron paused to wipe some water out of his eyes. He had to be strong now, for Kim. Ron tried to swallow the baseball that had become lodged in his throat.
"Ron…" Kim reached forward and pulled Ron into a tight hug, feeling the sudden heaves of his body as he came apart in her arms. After a few minutes, the crying died out. Ron reached up and grasped Kim gently by the shoulders. Holding her at arms length, he studied her face for a moment before speaking.
"He's in a coma, and they're not sure if he will come out…And…they want to move him to and out of state hospital where they think they can help him recover…" Ron looked away before looking up into her eyes again, his own filled with fresh tears. "I have to go with him Kim…I-I just…"
Kim's eyes began to sting as well.
"I see…"
"Kim I never wanted it to be like this. It wasn't supposed to happen like this! I-!" Ron began only to stop short of yelling.
"I love you, Kim." He whispered softly, before pulling her close and kissing her softly on the lips. Kim seemed to melt into him and the rest of the world just faded away. He could barely feel the hot tears streak their way down the side of his cheeks. The sounds of the night were drowned out by the thundering of his heart as Kim began to kiss back. What seemed like days passed before he broke away from her, eyes closed, head down.
"But I have to go."
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One week later Ron found himself in a small bedroom in the new condo his Mother and he shared in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale Arizona. The first shipment of their belongings would be arriving in a few days, and all they currently had was whatever they could pack into their minivan. A lot of their furniture had to be put into storage, as there simply wasn't enough room in the condominium's tight housing. Rom looked around his new 12-foot by 20-foot room and sighed. Folding into himself, he fell back onto his bed, finding the sheets stiff and starchy.
"Well Rufus, it looks like this'll be home for the next while…" The naked mole rat popped out of Ron's pocket to take a cursory glance about, before a sad face adorned his rodent face.
"Cramped!" He squeaked in disdain.
"Yeah I hear ya buddy…I wonder what Wade and Kim are up to? I think I'll call them." Pulling out his Kimmunicator, he pulled up his good fried Wade. After a few seconds of tone, Wade's bespectacled face appeared on the small screen.
"Hey Ron, what's the sitch?"
"Not much man, just got into my new place. I'm just kinda bored and stuff…ya know…"
"Oh…yeah. Well I got something for you then!" Wade's face brightened as he was suddenly typing quickly on one of his multiple keyboards. A small progress bar appeared at the top right corner of Ron's Kimmunicator, indicating a download was taking place. As suddenly as it had appeared, it vanished and a small chime sounded.
"What'd you give me?" Ron resized the video screen and pulled up his desktop. He saw a new icon labeled 'Zombie Basher DX' sitting there.
"Aw man no way! Is this the new one with online play? Way badicle Wade man! Check it out Rufus! Zombie Basher DX!" Turning the handheld device to his pet, he brought up the title screen fro the game.
"Uh huh!" Rufus nodded happily. He couldn't wait to give it a try either.
"Heh yeah! No problem. Up for a few rounds against the Wadenator?"
"Ha! As if you have to ask! Just lemme call Kim first, K?"
"Sure no problem."
"K two seconds." Ron tapped the disconnect button with his thumb and then selected Kim from his address book. After about ten seconds of tone, Kim appeared on the screen, a towel wrapped around her hair and another wrapped around her body.
"Oh sorry Kim, I'll call back if you want…"
"No it's ok Ron…How are you doing?"
"Good! Dad's settled in at the new hospital, no changes yet but I'm positive things will start to look up."
"That's good to hear. How is your new place?"
" Hehe pretty tight actually. Take a look for yourself" Ron held out the Kimmunicator and panned it around the room.
"Wow, you'd almost be better off in Japan. At least you've got a balcony."
"Yeah. But I've got you guys to keep me company anyways. Wade even sent over the latest Zombie Basher! Me and him are going to play in a bit!"
"Nice!"
"You know it, there's even a Beuno Nacho like a block away!"
"Wow you've got everything you need then!" Kim said with a smile. Ron's smiled seemed to drop.
"Everything but you…"
Kim blushed a bit and for a moment didn't know what to say.
"Hey don't worry though. This will all be over soon, and before you know it I'll be back in Middleton, losing my pants in freak zip-chord accidents."
Kim giggled.
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it."
"Hey if you wanna see my pants off all you had to do was ask!" Ron laughed. He was rewarded with a squeal from the small device.
"Roooon! Seriously now!" Kim had a decent blush going on though.
"Ok Kim, I gotta go now. Take care, ok?"
"Yeah, you too."
There was an awkward silence for a moment before Ron spoke up.
"Thanks Kim." He said with a warm, heart filled smile on his face.
"I'm always here ok? Sweet dreams. And goodnight to you too Rufus!" Said rodent waved cheerfully and blew a kiss before disappearing.
"Bye Kim." Ron pressed the disconnect button, and recalled Wade.
"I hope you packed a decent lunch son, cause I'ma take you to school!"
"Feh! Talk is cheap!"
And much digital violence commenced.
- - - - - - - - -
As the weeks went on, Ron grew more and more bored of things and how they were progressing in Paradise Valley. One could only play so much Zombie Basher and eat so many Nacos. And without Kim and the gang, it just wasn't the same. Even Rufus, with his boundless energy, was beginning to feel the effects of the dry and drab environment.
There was one way that Ron could get his mind off his father and the general present times. About two weeks after he first arrived, Ron discovered the fitness room in the basement of the condominium complex. It linked up with two other condos and was fairly new, the equipment looking as if it had rarely seen use. There was a treadmill, a rowing machine, a stationary bike, a universal gym machine and some free weights. Stacked along one of the walls were a few mats, and stepping blocks. Hanging in one corner was a large punching bag, along with a few leather jumping ropes. All in all a decent setup. With such easy access to a gym, Ron figured he could whip himself into better shape in no time! Well maybe…But after all, it's not like there was much else to do. Ron soon got into a nice routine that switched between working out in the gym and swimming in the outdoor pool that took up most of the inside patio of the complex grounds.
After another few weeks of this, Ron was still bored. There weren't too many missions he could help out on now, since he was so far away. He had been on a couple in which Global Justice had picked him up from his place and flown him to meet up with Kim. They would then head on to their mission, often briefing him during the flight over. But things were still slow on Ron's end. Soon he decided to try and find a part-time job that he could busy himself with. After some searching, he finally found a nearby motorcycle shop that was looking for a part-time cashier and clean up person. The next day, Ron went to the address and told the manager he was interested in applying for the cashier position. The manager, who's name was Brett, interviewed him right there and then. After about fifteen minutes of questions, Ron and Brett shook hands and Ron left. Two days later, Brett phoned him and offered him the position.
"The job is pretty simple. You'll be handling the small purchases that take place in our store. We also make custom choppers, but you don't have to worry about any of those, as I'll be handling those transactions myself. Other than that, you'll just be cleaning up the storefront and in around the shop floor." Brett explained. "You'll be started off at $8.50 an hour for the first month. That'll be your probationary period. If we don't like ya after that, then you're canned. If we do like ya, then you get a raise up to $10.00 an hour."
"That sounds great! When do you want me to start?" Ron was excited about his new job. He had always like motorcycles, but could never really afford one. Now he had a chance to be around bikes a lot and learn some new things about them. He may not be getting a bike anytime soon, but this was the next best thing.
"Well seeing as how we're open everyday but Monday, and today's Sunday, you can come in on Tuesday. I'll show you around the shop and introduce you to everyone. You got a bike of you own?"
"Sadly no, just a scooter."
"Pfah! A scooter? Son we'll have to change that!"
"Haha come on I'm only seventeen! But I can definitely agree…"
"Yeah you better believe it! Well we'll see you on Tuesday then!" Brett's smile was clear in his voice.
"Yes sir! Thanks again!" Ron said before hanging up the phone. After clearing his throat, he glanced about before he let go what he couldn't contain.
"Booyah!"
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