Chapter 9
... new beginnings start.
Kim
She did her morning routine as she normally did. Kim ate breakfast with her mom, avoiding conversation at any cost. She knew her mom would ask why she didn't grab breakfast to go, like usual, to catch up with Jack. She didn't though and Kim was glad she didn't.
She walked to school by herself staring down at her phone, reviewing old messages between Jack and her. She stopped because it was just making her upset. Kim looked up and spotted Lori. This is weird because she always rides to school with her brother.
She contemplate calling her name and walking with her or walking alone. She was tired of walking alone but, she just didn't know about walking with her.
Suddenly, her phone buzzes. She look down to see that it's her mom telling her to have a great, safe day. Kim smiles and looks up at Lori again.
Just do it.
Kim half jogs up to Lori and taps her shoulder. She turns and looks at her, tired and agitated.
"Hi?''
"Hey," Kim says perkily.
"Not in the mood.'' She replies blandly.
"Oh, okay."
Lori looks over then sighs.
"Sorry. Didn't have the greatest weekend."
She sounds irritable.
"Its alright, I didn't have a good one either." Kim replies.
They walked in silence for a few moments until the school came into view.
"Boys... suck."
"Yup."
./.
They walk up the steps of Seaford High solemnly. She opens the door and Lori follows behind her.
"See you later." she says with a small smile.
Kim waves and makes her way to her locker. It's weird because its just her, Jack usually walks with her. As she walks past groups and pairs of people past she become annoyed. She never realized how clique-ish her school is.
Probably because I was in one of those cliques.
No, the Wasabi Warriors are a family and always will be.
Kim reaches her locker and puts in the combination. Just as she open her locker, someone walks up behind her.
''Jack-''
It wasn't Jack.
"No, its Drake."
"Oh, hey."
"Hi, I was wondering if you could come over tonight?''
He was so cute with his bright smile but, she couldn't stop thinking about the Wasabi Warriors. She knew for a fact that she had karate tonight.
"I actually have karate tonight. Maybe tomorrow?''
"Yeah, totally."
Then he did something that caught her off guard.
He hugged her.
Drake was so warm and strong.
He squeezed lightly, "didn't mean to catch you off guard, just looked like you needed a hug."
He pulled away and smiled at her. Kim smiled back best she could.
"See ya."
"Later."
Did she really look that depressed? She looks in her phone and taps the camera. She looks at herself and realizes that her expression was a dead giveaway. She tried to smile but, that just made her look even worst. Like she was faking it.
Maybe the day will get better.
It is school though so really anything could happen.
./.
Kim walks alone, again, to the dojo. Drake gave her a ride and told her to call him if she needed ride home. He's been so helpful and sweet. Even when she refused to tell him what's wrong.
She opens the glass doors of the dojo and stalks inside. Jerry and Jack are on the mats talking and laughing.
Jerry see's her first, ''sup, Kim.''
She waves and immediately makes her way to the girls locker room.
''Kim."
She stop dead in her tracks and turn to face him. He doesn't move from his spot.
''Hey,'' she musters up the best smile she can.
''I didn't see you at lunch. Or at all, really, today.''
She nodded. It wasn't that she was avoiding him, it was actually the other way around. Kim didn't want an argument.
''Would you quit it?''
She sighs, exasperated, and glances at Jerry who is looking between them both. The tension was palpable, making Kim irritated and uneasy.
"I'm not doing this, not now.''
She turns and makes her way to the girls locker room.
If I can just get away from him.
"Kim, I know we're in a weird spot right know but that doesn't mean-''
Gosh! He is an idiot.
''Weird spot,'' she turns and faces him, "WEIRD SPOT!"
He was taken back slightly by her risen voice but, Kim didn't care. She couldn't believe he is blaming this all on her.
"You're the stupidest, most obvious guy I've ever known, Jack. I said our friendship is important to me and I meant it! I'm sorry so so so sorry that I'm human and have feeling! I'm also sorry that they were for you!"
"Whoa whoa whoa. You said you didn't want to ruin our friendship but, you avoid me. I'm just so confused! What was I supposed to do!"
He took a few steps closer.
"Chase after me!'' I was close to tears.
He just stands there and stares.
"Or not. It doesn't matter, you made it clear that you don't feel the same way.''
He looked like he was about to cry. Kim takes a deep breath, it was obvious that she would not be practicing today. She tries to calm myself down to no avail. She just needed to leave and everything would be fine. For now, at least.
"You had your chance."
With one last look at him, she turns and leaves at a brisk pace.
./.
He must have seen her through his window because he met her about a half a block away from her house. By that time, the rage and regret had faded. Kim's mind became preoccupied with other things like homework and what she was going to say to her mom when she walked in the door. That was the case until Drake jogged up to her with a big grin and a 'great' idea.
We're in his house, or his dad's studio, to be more specific. Apparently, when creative people have problems they do something creative to deal with it. Kim laughed so hard when he told her that. She didn't necessarily disagree though, everyone has their own way of dealing with problems. Then she remembers every Taylor Swift song she ever listened to or just plain pop music, she realizes he's right.
Go figure.
"So, you got any favorite songs? Besides Swiftie of course."
She giggle a little, ''Favorite? I don't know."
"Well, do you know Yuna?"
"Of course, I love Yuna." She stated excitingly.
He strums his guitar softly, "well, do you know, 'Broke Her'?"
"Kind of, heard it like maybe three times." her smile gave it away.
He smiled right back, ''it's simple just sing-"
"Whoa, hold up. I don't sing."
"Come on now. I bet you have a beautiful voice."
Kim's face burned, she tried to hide it with fake coughing. He got up and plugged the bass into the amp. Then he pulled a seat up in front of her, making her nervous. He started playing the beginning slowly. He looked up at her as he approached the first verse.
Tell me is this alright with you
Having me in your life
I always thought maybe I could be your wife
And I wouldn't mind living in a lie
Still I keep my hopes on
I'm out there
Out there lightning the dark
Your words they come so easy
Girl, I just wanna be me
All of sudden I'm not on your team
Replaced by the prettier things
When I see you with all these girls
I just don't understand
I guess I'm not like the rest of them
Is this my punishment, punishment, punishment
Cause baby I'm in pain, I'm in pain, I'm in pain
I'm just trying to overcome
The fact that maybe I was not enough
The only thing that I could think of
Is whether I should give up
Kim stop singing as Drake played on.
She couldn't.
She started to realize how much it hurt when he rejected her and she saw myself. Kim also came to the understanding that she had to more on. Staying stuck would only hurt her. Yes, Jack was her best friend. Yes, he probably liked her too but, its too late. He had his chance, twice. The more she thought about he angry and upset she got. Kim couldn't get the thought out of her head that he was playing her.
Stop it. It doesn't matter. I am moving on.
"You alright? Kinda loo-''
Kim abruptly pulled Drake by his t-shirt into a kiss. His hand met her face as he deepens it. Kim gets all warm and fuzzy inside. She pulls away slowly and looks at him. He is speechless.
"I uh you... what?"
"Don't talk about it. Not now at least. I'm just... goodnight, Drake."
Kim rushes out of the room as quickly as she could.
"At least let me walk you home." he called.
"No, I'm good."
She rushes across the street to her house and pushes the key into the hole. She doesn't know why she's still a nervous wreck. It wasn't like it was her first kiss. She tries to shake the anxious feeling as she closes the door behind her and locks it. Before, her mom can say anything, she rushes up the stairs and almost trips twice.
When she makes it to her room she manages to close the door softly. She locks her door and slides down her door to the floor. It wasn't sadness that pushed her to the floor though. It was the weight of everything that happened today. Jack avoiding her, walking with her supposed nemesis Lori, arguing with Jack, ending things with Jack and kissing Drake.
Kim didn't know whether she should jump for joy or cry or do both. So, naturally she did the thing that always calmed her.
Music.
The pop music station was her go to. A Chris Brown unknown to her started playing. She didn't care, it sounded nice. She stood up and started to dance. Eventhough, Kim couldn't dance to save her life.
Eddie
He strums the guitar slowly and hums the melody making sure he got it right. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
You got this.
Eddie opens his eyes and plays the first chord. Then he starts to sing.
This may be my last time, so I'm a do whatever
This may be my last chance, for me and you together
I can be your honeycomb
And we can fly together
You're so sweet, I taste it baby
I just, I just
He pauses for a moment. It feels like its been so long.
I wanna see you putting it together like a number
Multiply the times we done took it all off
Or maybe, we should just add up our love
I know your heart, your kiss
Drives me crazy, babe
We don't gotta fake this shit when we're loving
Cause the other ones got it and they be lying about it
Can't live a day in our life
Just do what you you like
Do what you like
Do what you like
Do what you like
Come on baby, It's your world I wanna live in, and I'm loving this feeling
Do what you like
Do what you like
Do what you like
Just like that, girl I know you like that
And we only got time to love
He stops and takes another deep breath. He smiles wide for what it seem forever. He rubs the back of his head and looks around him. Old paper full of unfinished songs litter the ground. It was a nasty habit of his to start what could be a great song but, never finish it because of lack of inspiration or lack of focus. He was older now though. His focus has improved and inspiration was burning inside him like a wildfire.
I'm a genius.
Eddie thought if he got his mind off his own music for a second then the right words would come to him and he was right. The song was coming together. He smiled as his progress. He didn't regret skipping practice one bit.
Eddie stands up and cracks his back, he had been sitting for a while. He walks out his room and down the stairs to the kitchen. He opens the fridge and grabs his strawberry and mango health shake. He drinks it down in gulps. Eddie has learned to love fruit and frozen yogurt. No matter how girly it may have seem. He finishes off the drink and checks the clock on the oven. It read 8:34.
Time for a jog.
./.
He keeps a steady pace and controls his breathing as he turns the curb. He was on Kim, Jack, and Drake's street. Eddie slowed down when he seen Kim rush out of Drake's house and basically run to her house. Eddie was a little less than a block away but, he could Kim's face clearly. She looked happy.
Really happy.
She got in the house and slammed the door behind herself. Eddie looks between Drake's house and Kim's house.
Nothing happened.
He didn't even believe himself. If he was sure Kim and Jack had a thing going on.
"Whatever."
He jogged on until he reached Kim's house. Her light was on and he could see a figure moving around violently.
Yep, they definitely kissed or-
"HELP!"
The sound of a young girl sounded through the previously silent neighborhood. Eddie listened for any other sounds. The yell was close.
"HELP ME PLEASE!"
Eddie was sure this time it was coming from Drake's house. He ran over to the house past the MINI Cooper, to the front door. He almost started to bang on the door until he heard a kick behind him. He whirled around to see the MINI Cooper shaking violently. Eddie moved close to the car carefully. He could clearly see one figure in the car. It was a guy and he seemed to be fighting his way to the backseat. Whoever was in the back was fighting hard though because they kicked the guy in the stomach multiple times but, he was too strong.
Eddie gets to the window and catches a glimpse of long hair. It was brown and blonde.
Lori!
Eddie pulls at the back door handle but, its locked. So was the front door. The guy had successfully made his way to the back and was on top of Lori doing who know what. He was starting to panic. He looked around everywhere for anything to open the door or at least bust the window. That's when he spotted a path of big rocks leading the front door on the neighbor's lawn.
He takes off for the rock and picks up the closest one easily, to his surprise. Then he chucks it at the window, successfully shattering the glass and making the alarm go off. Eddie gets to the window and grabs a hold of the guys leg. He yanks with all his strength and manages to get the guy halfway through the window. Eddie then grabs his t shirt and pulls him the rest of the way out.
The guy cowers, "wait, stop!"
He presses a button on the car keys in his hands and the alarm goes off. Eddie grabs the guys collar and lands a hard one on his jaw. It hurt Eddie's hand pretty hard, he was too angry to notice. He punches him again, this time in the temple.
"Stop! Let me go!"
"Eddie?"
He looks up to see Lori holding her torn t shirt close. The guy used the distraction to his advantage. He kicks Eddie back and get to his feet and into the car. He starts the engine and rushes out of the driveway then down the street. Lori was slumped on the ground of the lawn, silently crying.
"Lori, what happened?"
"Don't tell Drake."
"What?"
"Don't tell Drake. Don't tell my dad. Don't tell anyone, please." she pleaded.
Eddie sighed and sat down on the lawn beside her.
"I would give you my shirt but, i'm not exactly ripped."
"You kidding me? You chucked a rock from at least a yard away, yanked Walt from the car and busted his jaw. I think your pretty capable."
Eddie smiled. This was all new to him. It was usually Jack who did this saving thing. Eddie would usually just help or watch helplessly. This time though, Eddie took to action and beat up a bad guy.
All by himself.
Eddie was also new to the compliments. He got them sometimes but, this was different. It was from a pretty girl and she was basically telling him that he was ripped and it was okay if he took his shirt off. He shook the thoughts. He had to figure out what just happened.
"Uh, Lori?"
"Yeah?"
"What happened?"
She adjusted herself so that she was sitting crisscross, "I guess you deserve an explanation, you saved me after all."
Eddie looked at her intently.
"That guy's name is Walter. Call him a forbidden lover. Except for the fact that I don't love him. Ever had, never will."
"Then why were you two in the car?"
"I was sitting in the back doing homework. I hate being in the house when Drake is in the studio, he's so loud. Plus Kim was up there and... Yeah, well I didn't know he was in the house. I woke up when Drake got home. I went in the car with my homework and I guess he followed me. Before I knew it he was in the car smiling at me like an idiot."
Eddie could tell she was getting uncomfortable. Girls had been uncomfortable around him for years, it was easy for him to tell.
Comfort her.
He raised his hand a bit to her back but, lowered it.
No. She doesn't... Whatever.
Eddie placed his hand on her back. Lori tensed a first but, soon relaxed. Eddie scooted a little closer and she leaned into his chest.
"Its alright. You don't-"
"No, I'm gonna get this out."
Eddie smiled a little at her bravery. She barely knew him.
"I told him to leave then I started back on my homework. He started to talk about something but, I wasn't listening. Then he started yelling, he was mad I was ignoring him. He kept asking me if I loved him. I didn't answer and before I knew it he was trying to get on top of me."
He got angry again. He almost wanted to leave her here and run after that MINI Cooper.
"Then this big, buff black guy throws a rock at the window, drags him out and beat the snot out of him."
Eddie chuckled lightly, "trust me, I didn't get in a quarter of the hits I wanted."
She laughs with him this time. When she goes silent, so does he.
Its a school night. Mom's gonna kill me.
"Let me get you inside before it won't matter what I tell your brother."
She giggles as he stands carefully and helps her to her feet. she is unbalanced.
"I got you."
Eddie picks her up bridal-style and wonders if its just because he's high on giddiness or if she is just light. He easily gets to the door, opens it and closes it behind himself. With her directions, he gets to her room and sets her on her bed.
"There you go."
"Thanks." She smiles.
Just as he turns to leave she grabs his shoulder and kisses his cheek. He turns to her to say something but, she puts her hand on her lips. He smiles and waves as he closes the door to her room behind him. He crept out her house and sprints toward his house. The giddiness from the kiss had him on cloud nine.
SNYOW!
Yeah, I did it. I mixed 'snow and 'yo' together. Why, you ask?
Because we have been out of school for almost a week because single digit degrees and on and off snow. It was cool at first until I was stuck in the house with nothing to do.
I need a car.
Besides the point. How was the chapter? What did you like in it? What didn't you like in it? Do you love brownies?
Again, off task. lol
Please review, follow and favorite.
Love you all, even though I can't see you.
-Angel
