Disclaimer - I do not own Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.
Chapter 3.
"C'mon Kick, It's not as bad as it seems." Gunther addressed the shorter of the two. Kick had his helmet against a wall, banging both repeatedly together.
The boy halted the continuous pattern to glance incredulously at Gunther. "Won't be as bad as it seems?" he repeated dully. Gunther winced at the strangled look on his face. "Gunther," Kick said, the look becoming more pronounced. "There are two of them. Not one, two. I can hardly deal with one of them. And now I'm stuck with two. On a date. I HATE mushy stuff… and those two are the living proof."
Kick diverted his gaze for a second, then focused it back on Gunther. "The only way this could be any worse is if Gordan Gibble was involved somehow."
"Kick! The phone rung! Some girl said you and her were going to see someone called Gordan Gibble, doing a speech or something. Have fun on your date, deary!" An orange head pooped back into the window.
Kick resumed his head-banging. "I stand corrected."
His friend tentatively patted his shoulder. "It's okay, Kick. It'll be over soon."
"To think," thump! "I have to," thump! ", stand those two," thump! "things!" thump!
Kick stopped and looked at Gunther sadly. "Too bad that you can't come… with… me…" He stared at Gunther blankly.
"Um, Kick, are you okay?" Gunther asked, eyeing his best friend uncertainly. He waved a hand in front of him.
"That's it!" Kick jumped, shoving Gunther's hand out of the way. "YOU can come with me, Gunther!"
"Me?"
"Yes, you!"
"But Kendall said no," Gunther bit his lip.
"No worries. It's covered. You could sneak around in the bushes until I'm done with the torture."
"Umm…" Gunther 's eyes slid from left to right in quick succession.
"What d'ya say?" Kick asked, his face betraying relief. "This way, it'll be more bearable."
His face shone eagerly waiting for Gunther's agreement. But soon, the grin slid off his face as the boy opposite stayed silent.
"What do you say, Gunther?" Kick repeated, his face slipping from disappointment to hope.
Meanwhile, Gunther shifted his feet uncomfortable. "Uhhh…. Kick? Uh… normally, I'd love to, but now…? Kick's chest leapt to his throat, "I can't. I'm sorry, buddy. Kendall scares me to death, and if she sees me, I'm going to be dead. She has eyes better than a hawk's," he said, emphasizing his point. He trembled slightly. "I'm sorry, Kick. Really I am."
He turned away, slight shame in his step. After a few minutes, he turned back, decidedly more cheerful. "But I can give you advice. Remember Kick, do it all and then some. Kick Buttowski never fails, remember?"
"But this is Kendall," Kick said painfully, "doing kissy stuff with Ronaldo. I'll give up Cheetah Chug to never see those two again!"
"But you're Kick. You never give up."
"I… I guess you're right," said boy mumbled.
Gunther raised an eye at his atypical behavior. Wow, he must really be out of it, he thought. "Just hang on, okay? It's only as bad as you make it." He headed for his home, leaving Kick with his thoughts.
Kick sighed. He was on his own.
… The nest day …
Today was the day. The dreaded day.
People passing by gave strange looks at the pacing daredevil, the sight of him frazzled curiously unusual.
It's okay, Kick. Remember what Gunther said: do it all and then some. I'm Kick Buttowski… he never fails… I'm Kick Buttowski… I'm Kick Buttowski…
The boy was up strangely early. Gunther had wished him luck earlier, and now he stood at the entrance of the Battle Snax, no delicious scent wafting from it, being so as it was closed. Kick paced on the spot, his posture tight, and his hands folded behind his back.
He never remembered being so… out of place. He lived for rush. Nothing was ever so… slow to him before. The solution always came to him. Now… his mind was caught up on what would happen. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd ever be in the vicinity of his nemeses. Never. Had you suggested the idea to him a few days ago, he'd have laughed it off. Spending time with them… really? Such a thought would've been the product of a late night snack – his nightmares, or something…
But now?
It was reality.
Maybe I'm in a bad dream, Kick thought desperately. I should just wake up, and bug Brad. Yeah, that'd do. He pinched himself, and yelped. "No, still awake," he groaned.
The daredevil slumped on to the pavement, head lolling. "Worst idea ever. And I had many bad ideas," he muttered to himself.
He didn't notice a looming shadow behind him. It stopped a couple of feet away, then spoke.
"Clarence? Why are you talking to yourself?"
Kick squeezed his eyes shut. That voice. It would be hard to ignore even in sleep.
"Where's the sap?" he said, not bothering to turn around. Kendall frowned. "Ronaldo is waiting for me at the Mellowbrook Science Emporium. He needs stuff for his lab." She smirked. "We're going there, you know. That's where your torture starts." She grinned evilly.
"Woohoo for me. Are you done yet, or can we just get this over with?" Kick heaved himself off the floor. Kendall scowled at him. "No backtalk, Clarence. Or the bet's off."
Nothing would make me happier, Kick thought sarcastically. But another part of his brain countered protesting for it to continue, or no showdown. That's the only reason I'm going through with this. Kick thought, well, that, and the fact Kick Buttowski never fails.
"Ugh, just come on, Clarence. I'll show you the way, since I doubt you even know what Science is." She motioned for him to follow her.
"I know this town like the back of my hand." He shoved his hands into his pocket. "I don't go there 'coz it's not my thing. And also, I'm not a nerd."
Kendall glared daggers at him. "Are you insinuating me and Ronaldo are nerds?"
"No, just stating facts," Kick said simply, relishing the angry look dawning on Kendall's face.
"You just don't give up, do you?" she scowled.
"Nope," Kick said, hands still in pocket.
Kendall kept the scowl on her face. She wanted to see his discomfort. That was part the reason why she even suggested this. Huh, as if there's any other reason why I'd wanna spend time with Clarence, she scoffed. Her scowl softened. No matter, Kick would crack soon, and she'd be on his side waiting to see it. With glee, no doubt, she resisted the urge shuffling her hands together.
"Hellooo, my dear," Ronaldo greeted her with affection. They arrived at the Emporium. The walk there had been silent, for the most part, aside from the occasional exchanging of insults. Kick never thought he'd ever experience that kind of… stiffness before. Kendall had been unusually laconic. She seemed to be going through some sort of internal conflict with herself. Kick concluded she'd been debating ways to make him squirm.
Her presence is enough, he thought sarcastically.
At the moment, he was feeling just annoyance. An d the need to barf. "Kendall informed me you'd be here." Ronaldo said coldly. "But how delightful… I and my dearest get to make you squeal. Succumbing yourself for tickets? How pathetic." Kendall joined him in his laughter.
Kick clenched his fists, but said nothing. You don't want to get yourself into trouble… he reassured himself.
"So, Ronaldo sweetie, what do we need to get for your lab?" Kendall said sweetly, laying a hand on Ronaldo's arm. He smiled, "oh, nothing much. I would very much like to purchase a neutron obliterator."
"Do they even sell those?" Kendall asked, perplexed.
"But of course, it's only the hottest thing for brains like me to own."
"But it's going to be expensive. You have enough money?"
"Kendall, darling, what do you expect I do with my brilliant inventions?" he cooed.
Before Kendall could answer, Kick spoke first. "As entertaining as this is, shouldn't be get a move on?" Like now, before I barf… Kick thought.
"Maybe Clarence is right. We have a lot to do today, don't we, love?" Kendall hurriedly agreed with Kick. The smaller boy raised an eyebrow curiously. Kendall never agreed with him. He had a sneaking feeling she wasn't enjoying herself as much as she let on. That, and the liveliness in her eyes was subdued somehow.
Interesting.
Ronaldo smiled happily at the nick-name, so readily obliged. "Yes, Buttowski's right… for once. After I find the obliterator, I'll give you a ring, is that alright, my sweet?"
Kendall flashed a toothy smile, and flipped up her pink phone. "Okay! And don't worry, I'll give Clarence here heck from us," she smirked.
Kick didn't pay attention. Her liveliness returned. Did Ronaldo have something to do with it?
Ronaldo, in the meantime, smirked. "I know you will, darling. Ta-ta!"
She smiled again, "bye!" After her boyfriend's back was turned, she forcefully grabbed Kick's collar, and headed the opposite direction. "Come on," she said gruffly.
Kick hauled himself out of her grip, and glared. "Don't touch me!" he snapped. Kendall rolled her eyes. "Stop being a baby. Just follow me, Clarence."
'What's up with you?" Kick gave her an eye. "Ronaldo roll of the wrong side, or something?"
"Shut up, it's none of your business! He didn't do anything."
"Oh really…?" Kick grinned, happy he struck a nerve. "So you, and the jerk aren't having kissy issues?" Kick suppressed his laughter. He knew he wasn't supposed to 'back-talk', but that didn't mean he wasn't going to have fun with this. His grin only doubled when he saw Kendall shiver in anger.
"NO, WE AREN'T!" She blew up. Kick froze, he knew she would overreact, but this much?
Kendall puffed in and out, and when she calmed herself, she found she attracted unwanted stares. "Sorry," she said bashfully. "Nothing wrong, carry on." One by one, the gazes disappeared, and Kendall breathed in relief. Turning, she saw one gaze hadn't left her,
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kick asked. Clearly, something was bugging her, and it wasn't him. For once.
"Yeah… yeah. I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," she breathed shortly. Kick frowned at her, but spoke nothing of the matter. He was about to step forward, when her voice stopped him.
"It's just…" Kendall stopped. Kick froze yet again. He knew that tone. His mother used it when she wanted to talk about her feelings. Ugh, he thought. She's gonna ask me how to deal with her… couple things. Kick had to spit the words out. Such concepts were foreign to him. Maybe he should bolt.
But it's only polite to listen when someone's down, a part of his brain said. Kick sighed. Curse common courtesy.
He stayed on the spot, and took an uninterested muse. The torture begins… he thought glumly.
"… I just need to tell Ronaldo something, and I don't know how to tell him. I don't know how he'll react," she said in a breath.
Kick gave her a stare. Was it what he thought it was…? Gunther told him about this kind of thing – apparently it came up a lot in Nordic soaps.
Kendall looked uncomfortable, and so was he. How was he supposed to deal with this? He was a dare-devil, he didn't know anything about the romance department. The limited amount he did know came from Gunther. He mentally face-palmed. He should really think about expanding his horizons.
So what was he supposed to do? Women were a mystery, and Kendall… did she even fit in it? She was alike and at the same time, so unlike most of the girls he met. While most were obsessed with fashion, pop stars e.t.c, she buried herself in books. If it were some other girl, he could just hand her one of those sappy magazines, but Kendall was somehow different… in more ways than one.
The only other girl he remembered that didn't fit in was Scarlett. She too was different, but she had only one track of mind. It was stunts, like him. Maybe that's why he fit so well with her. Scarlett was a girl version of him. The first girl that wasn't afraid to do the things he did. He was drawn to that.
But she wan't exactly like him. She was only able to go on one track at a time, and it took someone to divert it. She never wanted to stray outside the lifestyle she knew, unless she was made to. Kick, though, was willing to try new things (as long as he could do them the way he wanted.)
But though she had quirks, Scarlett had an awesome personality, maybe the total opposite of Kendall, and she hardly failed to impress him. She could always capture a part of his mind. Something Kendall managed to do of the opposite. Many times.
But did Kendall really fall so far behind? Kendall did manage to surprise him more than once. And he thought the only way she could do that was if she dropped a book. They had been able to co-operate on (rare) occasion.
He'd admit one thing; Kendall confused him. Here was a girl again unlike others, only she took up a studious personality. But at times, she'd do things so… un-her. Things so unfit for her persona. Take the time she 'let the air loose' to throw off Brad.
Did girls even fart? His mother and Brianna proved otherwise. Same went for Gunther's mum, and it was practically a tradition in their family.
Which again brought him to the point that Kendall came from a world of her own. She was unlike.
But was that a bad thing…? No, she just confused him. A lot.
He was thrown off his thoughts by Kendall's voice.
"You know what, just forget whatever you heard." Kendall said in annoyance. "I don't know why I even told you… let's just go."
Kick silently followed her, frowning as he sunk more into his mind. But fate wouldn't let him have peace just yet.
"Kick! Run!" Kendall said suddenly in a panic. She tugged his collar, and threw him behind a table of beakers. "Wha…" he started, but Kendall slammed a hand to his mouth. "Shh… Stay here, okay? And don't speak!" she hissed, and with that, ran off to another section of the place.
Kick didn't have to wait long to see what the commotion was about. He popped his head above the table (when did he ever listen to Kendall?), but soon wished he hadn't.
"Hiiii, Kick!"
Oh no…
"How did you find me, Wacky Jacky?" he said not bothering to correct his mistake.
"Duh! I followed the scent of awesome!" Jacky swung about, while Kick rolled his eyes. "I heard about your bet…"
"And how'd you do that? I didn't tell anyone." Kick said tiredly. "I spied," she shrugged. "Wherever you are, I'm watching. Doy! I'm your biggest fan!"
"That's unbelievably creepy," Kick said dryly. "Just go, Jacky. It's bad enough here already."
"Oh, I know," she said sadly, not quite getting the hint. She stood there, unmoving, a solid grin plastered on her face. Kick raised an eyebrow. "You're still here."
"I can't let you suffer alone, Kick," Jacky said emotionally. "So I thought, who better to end your sorrow than," she took a breath, "your biggest fan!" she said extravagantly, unnecessarily pointing at herself.
"No. No, no, no, no, no, NO!" Kick shook his hands wildly as he backed away from the girl.
"Aw, c'mon Kick, it'll be like a daaate," she cooed, coming closer to him.
Kick grimaced. Urrrgh.. "Sorry Jackie. I'm wrapped up enough with Ronaldo and Kendall."
Please let her buy it… please let her buy it… he pleaded mentally.
"Fine." The grin slid off her face like butter. A scowl replaced it. "Okay, fine, but if you don't let me come with you, I'm telling everyone you're hanging out with Kendall and Ronaldo!"
"But that's blackmail!" Kick frowned. Were fans even supposed to do this?
"So?" said Jackie. "I reeeallly wanna spend time with you, Kick…" she gazed dreamily at him.
And I don't want to… Kick stared her desperately. I say no, and I lose my rep. This day went WAY beyond worse…
"Oh, Kick!" she threw her arms around him. Too tired to care, Kick just let his head fall in desperation.
Aw, biscuits.
A/N - Haha, yeah, Kick and Jacky are on a date. A very forced date. Never thought you'd see the day, huh? Anyways, to be clear, Ronaldo and Kendall are not going to break up in the next chapter. He still has a prominent roll.
I wanna thank ALL my reviewers for my last chapter. I don't have too much time right now. Spent all of my spare time typing this chapter. (2 hours) Anyway, all your reviews meant so much to me. I wish I could reply to each and everyone of them. I hope those same people and all the others like this chapter. Oh, and I'm very sorry for updating so late. See, I went on a trip. All my stories were home. Sorry. I also hope Ronaldo wasn't too out of character.
A quick note, school starts soon, so my time will be limited. But don't worry, I'll try and update as much as I can.
So what will happen in the next chapter? What is it Kendall wanted to say about Ronaldo? And how will Kick react throughout the date with Jacky? Oh, also, you might have noticed Kick mused about Scarlett a bit. Yeah, that doesn't mean this suddenly turns to Kick/Scarlett, and Ronaldo/Kendall. Heh, all part of the plot... to find out what drama's gonna ensue, read the next chapter... ;)
Please review, guys! :) It'd mean alot! :) Thank you for reading!
