Violet felt a hand on her back as she stood looking at the grapefruit. She jerked around, expecting to see Ron or one of her other friends. To her surprise, it was Syndrome. Again. Her surprise seemed to please him.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I was actually planning on buying some groceries here. Is that a problem, Miss Parr?"
Her eyes narrowed. "I meant what are you doing in Metroville."
"I'm here to see my family."
"Really? Is that all?"
"Is that not a good reason?"
"Listen, why are you talking to me?" she quickly changed the subject. She didn't like to talk about family with anyone, let alone this man.
"I tend to talk to people I know when I see them in the grocery store. I didn't realize that was a crime."
"You need to watch your tone, mister. You don't want me to tell my father you're here, do you?"
"You haven't already?"
She wasn't sure how to answer that. "I...I haven't seen him since the reunion." Lie.
"You haven't seen your dad in a week?"
She lowered her voice so only he could hear her. "My personal life is none of your business, Syndrome."
"Please, call me Buddy," he answered, as loudly as ever.
Her brow furrowed as she said, "Fine. You still haven't answered my question, Buddy. What do you have to gain from talking to me? And I mean me, specifically. If you think you're going get more information about my family, than you've got another-"
He cut her off. "Maybe I just like talking to pretty girls."
Violet wasn't sure if it was his words, his tone, or the look on his face that made her blush, but she quickly turned away so he wouldn't see. "It's been delightful, but I really must be going," she growled, grabbing the grapefruit and heading towards the checkout line.
With a small wave and a wide grin, he chuckled. "Later."
)-^-
There was a new spring in Buddy's step as he walked up his cousin's driveway and knocked on the door. "Just a minute!" he heard Kim's mother call. "I'll get it!" called another voice - one he remembered all to well. Buddy wore his signature grin. His day just kept getting better and better.
When the door opened, Ron Stoppable stood in the doorway, his mouth agape. "Oh, hello, Ron. It's been a long time," said Buddy.
Ron turned and went back inside without a word. He left the door open, so Buddy followed him into the living room. Sitting in front of the television were Kim's twin younger brothers Jim and Tim, their eyes glued to the screen. "Hey, fellas," Buddy said. They didn't look up, so he stepped in front of the TV.
"Hey, move it, will ya?" Tim said without thinking. Then he recognized Buddy. "Cousin Buddy! Hey!"
"It's good to see you!" said Jim. They jumped up from their seats and hugged Buddy.
"Where's your sister, guys?" he asked.
"Upstairs in her room. I think she's getting ready to go out with Ron," said Tim.
Ron was sitting on the couch staring at the wall. "Are you and Kim going out tonight?" Jim asked him. He continued to stare forward as if he didn't hear. "Hello? Are you even awake?" No answer.
"I think he's broken," Tim said with a chuckle.
Buddy chuckled, too. "What's the matter, Ron? Tired?" His eyes drifted from the wall to Buddy, then back to the wall.
"I guess we'll just find out when Kim comes down," said Tim.
As if in answer, Kim appeared on the staircase. "Oh, Buddy! Hello! I didn't even know you were here." She frowned at Ron. "Is everything okay?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Buddy replied, "You know he doesn't like me."
Kim continued to frown. "Oh, come on, Ron. Pull yourself together." He looked up at her but said nothing. "I don't even know what your problem is, anyway. Buddy's never done anything to you. In fact, I think I'm going to invite him along." She spoke as if Ron was the only one who could hear her.
He jerked to life. "What? On a date? That's ridiculous, Kim, even for you. He'd just be a third wheel. He'd feel uncomfortable."
"As if you care about his feelings," Kim growled. Buddy had never heard her talk that way to Ron. He couldn't help smiling, even if he wasn't interested in joining them on their date. He might even agree to it just so he could make Ron feel uncomfortable. "I meant we could make it a double date. I'll call and invite Vi along." Buddy's smile disappeared. A date with Violet Parr? What was his cousin thinking?
"You know she won't go for it," said Ron.
"She will if I don't tell her it's a double date," Kim replied with a smirk. Buddy had never heard her talk that way, either. He liked the new side of his cousin he was seeing, and he wondered if it might have been caused by Kim's friendship with Violet. He decided a date with young Miss Parr might not be such a bad idea after all.
Ron couldn't argue with the determined look on his girlfriend's face. Apparently Buddy didn't have a choice in the matter, either, because Kim had Violet on the phone before he even had the chance to comment.
"Hey, do you feel like going bowling with me and some friends tonight?" she asked. Violet must have said yes, because Kim answered, "Awesome! Can you meet us at the bowling alley, or do I need to come pick you up?" Apparently the former. "Sounds great! See you there!" She hung up the phone and announced, "A double date it is." Her tone was so matter-of-fact that neither Ron nor Buddy dared to respond.