Phew... Just so you know, I'd planned for 12-20 Chapters for this story. I think I might be able to do this in 14-15 chapters. So yes, the end is coming. That SOO doesn't sound mysterious and eerie! (note sarcasm)

Kim

I looked up when I heard a soft knock on my door. Sighing pathetically, I got up from the rocking chair and opened it.

Only to stare into those brown eyes I couldn't ever not get lost in.

"J-Jack? Wh-What-" I was interrupted by Jack picking me up. "Hey! Jack!" I screech, almost playfully, but he was completely serious

"You need to let go of what happened, Kim. I need you to be the Kim I used to know," he told me sternly.

"You want me to be the old Kim? Let. Go. Of. Me. NOW." I hit his arms multiple times before he finally dropped me on my sofa with a thump.

"Ow," I groaned as I got up and walked into my room.

"Kimberly Anne Crawford, you better not be going into that room to-" And then I promptly slammed the door on his startled face.

"Never come into my room when I'm getting changed!" I retorted as I pulled on a green short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. I yanked my hair into a ponytail, and opened my small jewelry box.

In it was a bracelet of Beth's that I'd forgotten to give back. It was one of those handmade striped bracelets, with blue, white and green stripes.

Those were Beth's favorite colors.

Struggling to hold in my tears, I slid the bracelet on and opened the door.

Jack smiled, giving me a once over. "You ready?" he asked.

"Where are we going?" I shot back.

Jack only gave a cocky smirk. "You'll see," he replied, picking me up bridal style and dropping me in his car.

Without another sound, but with an amused and hopeful glance directed towards me, Jack started the car.

"Here?" I gaped, staring at the place I hadn't been in for 2-3 months.

Bobby Wasabi Dojo

"We're having a party... for them," Jack explained, his voice thick. "Jerry, Eddie, Milton, Amanda, Mariela, Rudy, Grace, Kelsey, Julie and Alex Woods are in there," he elaborated. Then, he mumbled, "and Jeremy Woods too. I thought... you'd be okay with him around."

I stared at him in shock. If Jack was willing to invite a guy he clearly disliked, then I better suck it up and let myself go.

"Let's go," he interrupted, pulling on my arm. I laughed and followed him.

On a table was a collection of pictures. My deceased friends laughed and smiled in every one of them, most of them showing Beth and Kevin doing couple-y things, like holding hands, kissing, and going on dates.

It hurt to know they're buried, never moving or speaking.

But at least they're together, right?

Then, a slow song started playing. I watched Jerry lead Grace out onto the dojo mats, swaying slowly, Kelsey and Eddie beside them. Milton was talking to Julie about his latest project, while Jeremy led Mariela out. Even Rudy was slow dancing, with a woman I'd never seen before, but whose name was Michelle.

"Wanna dance?" I looked up, startled. Jack was offering his hand to me. Wait, WHAT?

"But you hate dancing," I pointed out. Jack shrugged.

"Anything for my best friend," he smiled. Grinning (like an idiot, I must add,) I took it.

And that's how my night ended, with us dancing in the middle of the "dance floor."

Two weeks later, I was still listening to Jeremy talk about Mariela.

"When I met her parents, they were so nice to me. They were supportive of her. I know where Mariela got some traits from," Jeremy gushed. And when I mean gush, I mean GUSH. Who knew the stiff motorcyclist could be all love-dovey when in love?

"Jeremy!" I interrupted, covering his mouth with my hand. We were at a diner, as friends, like usual. "I love you to death as a brother-slash-friend, but you're not making me any more interested."

Jeremy took my hand in his, pulling it away from his mouth and holding it casually. We both knew we were just friends, almost like brothers.

"So, what was it like, finally knowing Mariela was yours?" I asked leaning back in my seat.

"Amazing, I guess," Jeremy shrugged, turning back into his nonchalant self. "It was a great feeling, knowing that someone liked you more than on a friends-to-friends basis. When we first kissed..." I interrupted him with a "ahem."

"I don't need to hear about it. Keep your memories to yourself, motorcyclist," I smiled.

Just then, I heard a "ahem." And it wasn't me.

I whirled to face Jack.

He looked angry, furious even.

"What are you doing here, Jack?" I asked pleasantly, hoping his grudge wouldn't really lead to disastrous measures while I'm still grieving, no matter how small.

Without another word, Jack dragged me outside. "How can you be with him knowing that he's cheating on Mariela with you?" He growled.

"What?" I gasped. "I'm not dating Jeremy!"

"Oh, really? Then why were you holding hands with him?" he shot back at me.

"We're just friends, Jack! Why can't you understand? I want Jeremy to stay with Mariela, I wouldn't go out with him when he's with Mariela!" I defended, my temper rising.

"What if Mariela saw that? You're lucky she didn't and that I interrupted you, before she becomes brokenhearted again!" Jack shouted at me.

"Jack, STOP!" I screamed.

"Jack." I whirled. There was Jeremy, standing there, glaring at Jack with a fury I'd never seen in his eyes. "Stop acting like an idiot. I'm not cheating on Mariela."

"Says you!" Jack screeched, before he launched himself at Jeremy. Thank goodness Jeremy's a 4th degree black belt, otherwise he wouldn't hold his own against my best friend.

"Jack, STOP!" I screamed again, trying to pull the two apart. Finally, I yanked them apart.

"What's with you, Jack! Why are you so overprotective of me nowadays? You never cared before, remember? You were dating Abigail, remember? You ditched us, remember? Do you realize how hurt we all were when you left? NO! I cried for weeks! Jerry didn't dance for five days, which you should know is long for him. Milton didn't talk about his latest schoolwork, which you should know he likes to brag about. Eddie didn't sign up for any eating contests, which you should know he loves to do. Amanda stopped bringing her laptop everywhere she goes, which you should know she does all the time. Beth and Kevin didn't talk at ALL for a week, they only stared absently at each other, which you should know they never go without some form of verbal communications! Jack, you never knew, did you? We were hurt. Beyond any pain we could have ever experience. And you can't go waltzing back into my life and take CONTROL of it! Jack... I'm so SICK of you sometimes!"

And with that, I ran away.

Dialing on my phone, I called Rudy.

"Hello?" I heard Rudy answer tentatively.

"Rudy, it's Kim. I just wanted to say... goodbye," I took a deep breath.

"Why?" I could see Rudy's eyes bulging.

"I just can't take it anymore. I'm sorry I'm hurting you even more, but there's nothing you can do to stop me," I hung up before he could make an attempt to stop me.

I was at my destination.

The pier.

Without another hesitation, I threw myself off it.

No one was going to stop me this time.

The end came faster than I'd expected.

I really need to stop making depressing chapters. But don't worry, this isn't the end of Kim's life.

~squirmyorchid~