authors note: Hi again readers! I'm estatic that you love this story and I'm happy to report Jack and Kim won't fall for each other too fast, so this is going to be a long ride.

Thank you for the wonderful reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin It

Jack's POV

"Jackson Michael Brewer! How dare you!" Mom spat.

Ever since Kim had left after our not so productive tutoring session, Mom had been giving me a lecture on my behavior.

"Why couldn't you cooperate with her? She tried to tutor you, give up part of her day for you, and what do you do to repay her? That's right young man, you ignore her. And you just wasted a good amount of money because your lack of participation. Five dollars, Jack. To top it all off, you're still failing your classes."

"Tutoring isn't going to help. Like I said, why can't we just call Kim already and cancel?"

That probably wasn't the right thing to say. When Mom was angry, it was best advised to not enrage her anymore.

She turned toward me, her entire focus on my face. "Grounded. No parties, friends, or electronics, until you actually start taking part in your tutoring."

I stood there, mouth agape, as her words sunk in. "No. You can't be serious. That's not fair. What if I have a homework assignment that requires a computer? Do you want me to fail those classes too?"

My words seemed to have no effect on her. "In that case, I'll supervise your internet activity. Or better yet, why don't you do it in school? I'll notify your teachers about this arrangement."

I knew Mom was serious. She wasn't changing her mind. That was one of the traits she had. When she made her mind sbout something, she always stuck to the decision, no matter the circumstances.

"Don't worry honey, " she said. "I'm sure you'll crack in a few days."

"I bet you Mom. Fifty dollars that I can last a month. If I lose, I promise to get good grades for the rest of the year."

"Deal."

Mom was wrong.

It was the end of school, on Tuesday. Three days since Mom had grounded me, and one since I had last seen Kim.

Each tutoring session had been the same as the first. Almost. Kim had come to my house, after school, at exactly 3:00 pm. I was always sitting in the living room, quietly, either humming a tune in my head, or just sitting, tapping my fingers against the wooden coffee table.

Kim would try to get me to learn about a certain subject, help me with a homework assignment, but every time, I blocked her out, and only focused on what I was doing.

I changed some aspects of our tutoring the third time though. I had done something differently. That one mistake, it could have cost me everything.

Flashback- Monday Afternoon, Brewer Residence, 3:45 pm

It was rainy that day, and Kim and I almost were to the end of our tutoring session. I sat there quietly, somewhat listening to her voice, her talking about Romeo and Juliet or something.

The pitter patter of the rain caught my attention, and I had walked up to the windowsill and watched as the droplets fell from the rooftop.

"Jack?" Kim's voice seemed to echo.

I turned around, and had sat back down on the cushions.

"Why do I even try? You obviously aren't going to answer me anytime soon, considering you haven't talked a single time in any of our tutoring sessions."

"You know, I have better things to do than ask you questions. Just today Grace and the rest of my friends asked me to go to the movies with them. I had to decline because of YOU. So stop being such an ass and actually answer."

I wanted to scream in her face about how wrong she was, but I knew it was true. She was pratically shouting as she labeled other insults towards me. Finally, she stopped.

Quiet enveloped the room for a while, with Kim cursing under her breath.

She slammed a book shut, and walked straight up to me.

She sighed, "Look. I don't like you, and you don't like me. I get that. But do you really want to risk your grades, your chances of not failing a grade, for some stupid petty rivalry between us? Can we at least try to be friends?"

She seemed to look at me, expecting an answer, or at least some sort of sign. I didn't give her one, but...I still wasn't sure about her question.

Was it really worth it? The chance of being left behind by my friends, because I hadn't liked my tutor? Would it be okay to tolerate Kim for a while?

"That's what I thought. See you later, Jack."

She started walking away, and right when she turned the doorknob, I said one word.

"Yes."

I could tell she was shocked, but she turned my way.

"Remember, this friendship is only until your grades are up. And NO telling anyone. Deal?"

"Deal, Kimmy."

She gave an annoyed look my way, but continued on her way out.

End Flashback

Maybe that didn't clear things up enough. Maybe it did.

Kim...Well, she hadn't been as annoying and whiny, or even bitchy as much in the past few days. That Sunday, I had expected for her to lash out, but she hadn't.

We were also supposed to have a tournament that day, but it was postponed to this Sunday.

Yesterday, well, that was a whole other story.

We had agreed that we were to be friends, or rather more to the point of frenemies. We decided that our friendship was only decided in tutoring, and any other interaction outside of the session was strictly hatred.

We weren't to tell anyone, not Jerry, or Grace. Mom though, we would be extra careful. I didn't see why Kim insisted on not telling her, but I had agreed because I didn't want to lose her bet.

I smiled. Game on, Mom.

authors note: Wow, two deals, a newfound friendship, and a new side of Jack and Kim we've never seen. Next update within next two weeks, sorry about the long wait.

Thank you for the wonderful reviews!

Until next time,

shewhosnameisasecret