Cat & Mouse OR Wolf & Spouse

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Chapter 2

Jared's POV

Do I know Kimberly Connweller? Sure, she's been a classmate of mine since 2nd grade. I sit with her in English. She's the one with the French braid, combat boots, and cargo pants, right?

I don't really know her. Not like we talk or anything.

Why? I don't know. Never got around to it I guess. She's not really my type.

Her mom has ADHD. She's constantly moving and when she talks… you're lucky to catch every 3rd or 4th word.

Nobody's even at the friggin house. It's cool outside, with winter coming and all. I'm actually not feeling well. Really tired and really hungry. I want pizza. With garlic sauce.

"Be patient Jared. We'll give her another 5 minutes before we pack up." Dad lights a cigarette, leaning against the porch railing. I tap my foot against the porch. I could be asleep right now, dreaming of hamburgers. With cheese. And onions.

2 more minutes.

Finally.

"Here they come." Dad finishes his drag, crushing it beneath his heel as a truck pulled into the driveway. I squint at the driver. A girl in white. Bopping her head to unheard music. That's not creepy.

The passenger side door opens and a little girl bounds up to us. "Hi-ya Mithter Thane!" She grabs his hand, pointing behind her. "Look at Kimerly! Doesn't she look like a princess?"

Dad grins down at her. "Hello there Lisa." He whistles as Kimberly… stalks her way up the driveway. In a wedding gown. Hmm, didn't know she was getting married. Wonder who the sucker is?

"Hello there Miss Kimberly. Don't you look spiffy?"

Kimberly snorts softly, grinning in bemusement. "Evening Mr Thane. You guys must be getting chilly out here." She attempts in vain to hold her many skirts and veil to the side. In doing so, her tripping becomes inevitable. I automatically reach out and grip her elbow to steady her. "Sorry about that." Tugging her elbow free, Kimberly shuffles up the porch steps to the front door. Her little sister walks up beside her, proudly holding the key in her little palm.

"I do it self?" Kimberly smirks down at her, allowing Lisa to stretch to her toes and just manage to fit the key into the keyhole and turn. For the love of pete let's go already! Not like it's spring out here!

"So Mom told you about our faucets?" Kimberly kicks off a pair of white skimpy heels and her bare feet slap against the wood floors as she made her way to what had to be the kitchen. Or she would've made it through. If she wasn't so fat.

Kimberly frowns at her dress, attempting to walk and wedging herself further between the doorframes. "Um-" her knuckles gript the walls as she propelled herself to move forward.

"Do you need some help?"

She flushes, shaking her head at me. "No, give me a second."

"Careful little lady, don't want to rip your dress."

Beside me, Lisa claps her hands in glee, jumping up and down. "It's just like Enchanted!" Enchanted? Fairytale?

"I couldn't care less about the damn thing." She mutters under her breath and wiggles her hips. She came through with a pop. "There." She sighs, cleaning off her hands before placing them on her wrinkled hips.

Dad nods, watching her in amusement. "You getting married anytime soon Miss Connweller?"

Kimberly blushes a faint pink. "Sadly no Mr Thane. Just dressing up tonight." Dressing up? No girl dresses up in wedding gowns for fun.

Do they?

Nah, they're not that stupid.

I glance around the kitchen. The counters are spotless, there are pictures of the three Connwellers on the fridge door, and the walls are a bright yellow. I turn to see Kimberly watching me with a raised eyebrow. "There's the sink." She points for me. Wow, first acknowledgement and I get pointed out the obvious.

"Thank you. I was worried."

Kimberly smiles at me before turning to Dad. "I'll be upstairs so if you need anything, let me know."

Probably rewriting your wedding vows. Love sonnets and the like. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

"Shouldn't be a problem." Dad assures her.

"Kimerly," Lisa pulls on her big sister's hand. "I'm hungry." Kimberly's head whipped down to Lisa, as though just remembering she was even there.

"Right. Do you two mind if I whip up some dinner while you're working?" She bit her bottom lip, fiddling with her fingers.

"Shouldn't be a problem. Now Jared, let's take a look see." I roll up my sleeves, opening the cupboards and taking a look under the countertop.

Kim's POV

I scramble upstairs, cursing Mom for ever making this skirt so poofy. I got stuck in front of Jared. This is just superb. I'm lucky he didn't have a camera or a phone with him.

Firmly closing my door, I do a quick strip. I find some black cargo pants and white tank top. I grimace at my curls and quickly pin it in a French braid. After a quick once over, I jog back down the stairs to find the Lisa watching Enchanted and the guys already pulling our sink pipes apart.

I pull some hamburger meat from the fridge, glancing over at the two. Should I invite them to dinner? The clock showed 7:40. They've probably eaten. What's the social convention for this? I shake my head. They've watched me get stuck in a doorframe and realize what a giant snowball I truly am; they can starve for all I care.

"I'm making spaghetti. Have you eaten?"

Or not.

Stupid mouth. Stupid MANNERS is what it is.

Jared glanced up from his toolbox, an eyebrow raised. "It's nearly 8. Yeah we've eaten."

Whoa, take it easy buster. "Excuse me Thane. Didn't mean to raise your hackles." I turn away, avoiding his next expression and pulling out green peppers and spices.

Mr Thane cursed under the counter after a pinging noise sounded.

"Kimerly, what does son of a bitch mean?" I whirl around to see Lisa standing in the door-hey-lets-trap-the-poor-begrudging-bride-in-her-overly-disgusting-poufy-gown-of-doom-infront-of-a-classmate! Jared snorts as he studies a piece of out of shape pipeline. Mr Thane flushes.

"Sorry about that kiddo." He mutters, turning back to his task. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Men.

"Spaghetti will be ready in 20 minutes Liz." If Mom hears her asking that, she'll kill me and declare self- defense.

"What does son of a bitch mean Kimerly?" Persistent little child ain't she? Jared glances over at her in speculation.

"Did you know polar bears are left handed?" He directs his question at Lisa. Her brow puckers.

"Lef handed? Weally? Why?"

"Because penguins are right handed so the polar bears are left handed." No likely.

Lisa tilts her head to the side, puzzling over this newly found information. "Oh. Are you left handed?"

He smiles, shaking his head. "Nope. Right handed all the way."

"Me too."

"We're alike then." He winks at her before handing his dad a pair of pliers. Lisa grins, returning to the living room to finish her movie.

"Nice save son."

Jared grins, looking up at me. I shrug, fighting back a returning smile and frying the hamburger meat.

… Why is Jared staring at me creepishly?

Probably just remembered who I am.

Jared's POV

Why did I have to open my fat mouth and say anything? Spaghetti would really hit the spot right now.

I conspicuously glance over at Kimberly frying the meat. The girl had to be at least 6'0. The transformation from the abominable snowman to tough chick is astonishing. All curls and frills; gone. I watch her fingers as they move over the frying pan, adding tomato sauce and spices of all sorts. (drool, drool)

"Quit yer salivating Jared. You're making an ass out of yourself." Dad mutters, wiping his hands on a greased cloth. I duck my head, closing the toolbox. Dad rises to his feet. "Well, that about does it Kimberly."

She glances over her shoulder. "Kim." She nods to me as well. "You two did good." Using a large spoon, Kim loads a small plate with noodles and spaghetti. "Liz, supper's ready!" She crosses her arms, leaning a hip against the table. "Sure I can't convince you to eat something before you leave?"

Kimberly seems really worried about feeding us. Come on Dad, say we can stay.

Dad scratches his head. "I don't think-"

My stomach growls.

Lisa walks into the kitchen. "Someone souns hungry." She slips a bib mechanically over her neck, digging her fork into the meat. "Mmmmmm." She licks her lips, already covered in sauce. "Eat!"

Kimberly frowns at her. "Don't talk with your mouth full Liz." She raises an eyebrow at me, her face questioning.

I turn to Dad. "It's rude to reject a woman's cooking." Ignoring his muttering, I quickly heap food onto my plate. I hurry to the table and plough in.

Yum.

I open my eyes to find Dad and Kimberly staring at me in shock. She slowly turns to Dad. "You starve him?"

"Sadly no, he's just a glutton."

I glower at the pair. Lisa has no problem with my eating abilities. "You said I could help myself."

Kimberly raises her palms towards the sky. "Take it easy Jared." As Dad snarled, "Smarten up."

Kinda sounds like TaksmartenitupeasyJared.

Lisa breaks the awkward silence. "Ith's so nice to have comp-any for thupper." She smiles tomato- saucily at us before slurping up noodles.

Kim's POV

Memo to self: Never get between Jared and his food.

Mr Thane's POV

Memo to self: Slap Jared upside the head.

Lisa's POV

'emo to thelf: Beg for ice cream!

There, my 2nd chapter is complete! Muhahahahahahahahaha- ahem. Review dearies!!