Summary: Eight year olds TK and Kari are best friends and they do everything together. But what happens when Kari suddenly moves away? Will things still remain the same? You will just have to read and find out...
Listen To Your Heart
"I Wonder"
(I don't own Kellie Pickler either)
"Hey Hope! Good job out there! For someone who learned all those moves in just two days, you were awesome out there!" Yolie praised her.
"Thanks Yolie, it was so much fun! That game was a real nail biter but it kinda seemed like Jake and TK were being ball hogs," observed Kari.
"Yeah, I don't know what was wrong with them tonight. They are the team's best two players and they always play so well together, but tonight...I just don't know what happened," said Yolie.
"Hey Hope!" TK greeted as he ran up to her.
"Hey TK! Good job tonight!" Kari congratulated her friend.
"Thanks," replied TK as he turned to see if Jake was coming, "I was wondering if you wanted to walk home together?"
"Sure," and Kari smiled.
Somewhere on the other side of the court...
"Hey Jessica, do you want to...hang out?" Seth asked.
"Well I really wanted to walk home with TK, just so TK couldn't hang out with that new Johnson girl..." Jessica started to say. "But sure. Monica!" Jessica ordered her friend to come over. "Monica, I want you to follow TK home. Make sure if he does walk home with that Johnson girl that they don't do something I wouldn't approve of. I wanna know everything they do!"
"Ok...But why can't you do it?" Monica asked.
"Because me and Seth are going to be busy tonight," she snapped back. "Now go, I think they are leaving!"
"I'm kinda surprised you guys won tonight," said Kari as she walked out of the gym with TK.
"Why do you say that?" TK asked curiously.
"Well, you guys didn't really play as a team," answered Kari. "Half the time you shot the ball, you were covered but Jake or Davis would be wide open. And when Jake went up for the shot, he'd be covered and you would be open. You guys didn't even pass the ball to each other, which resulted in like a million turnovers! You guys could have won that game so much easier if you wouldn't have been such ball hogs."
"Oh," TK replied, he knew she was right.
"But none the less, you still played a good game," said Kari as she put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm friendly smile, which seemed to lift his spirits.
"Thanks," he replied.
"Well, this is my building. I think I can make it the rest of the way," she smiled again and started walking to the doors.
"Hope, wait," TK said before she went in.
"Yeah?"
"I have to beg you to not go to the dance with Seth...But...To go...With me?" TK asked hesitantly.
"Huh?" Kari was shocked he asked her to go to the dance with him. Of course, she was thrilled he finally asked her but it was too late. She already committed to going to the dance with Seth. Plus, she didn't want to give Jessica another reason to kill her if she went to the dance with TK but it felt good to hear him ask her. "As much as you don't want to believe it, Seth is a good person and I couldn't do that to him two days before the dance. Besides, what about Jessica? I don't think she'd appreciate it if you just ditched her two days before the dance," replied Kari. 'I bet they wouldn't mind going with each other though.'
"I guess...you're right," admitted TK and he turned to leave.
"TK?"
"Yeah?" TK replied.
"Save me a slow dance?" Kari asked and he smiled.
In the moonlight, Hope looked radiant in TK's eyes. Her hair was now down and she was still in her cheer leading uniform, which hugged her slender body perfectly. She looked beautiful in the moonlight. Her eyes sparkled like the stars and her smile was as gentle as the moon. The lights from the apartment building above shown down on her like an angel. TK just couldn't resist giving her a goodnight kiss. He leaned in and so did she. Their lips got closer and closer and closer until...
Kari's cell phone rang. It startled the two and immediately they jumped back.
"Hello?" Kari answered her phone.
"Hey Kari," Tai greeted her in English. "Remember how I promised you I would check up on you?"
"Yeah I remember. But why did you have to call now?" Kari asked in English.
"I just woke up for the day, so I thought I'd call and see how you were doing," answered Tai.
"I'll see you tomorrow Hope," said TK and he turned and started walking home.
"See you tomorrow TK," said Kari with a hint of sadness. Tai had impeccable timing when it came to stuff like this. She sighed and continued talking to Tai as she entered her building.
"Damn it," cursed Monica. "I missed everything! I knew I shouldn't have stopped for a protein shake."
Kari woke up the next morning, happy and peppy just like most mornings. She got dressed and walked to the mirror. Her black eye was barely noticeable, even without any makeup. She quickly grabbed something to eat and ran out of her apartment building to hurry and catch up with the others.
"Hey guys," she greeted cheerfully.
"Hope, you are differently cut out for cheerleading," noted Cody.
"Why do you say that?" Kari asked.
"Every time I see you, you are always happy, cheerful and full of energy," answered Cody.
"Thanks," replied Kari and smiled. "Oh Jake, Davis good job last night."
"Thanks," they both said together as they all climbed up the steps into the school. Jake, Davis, Cody, Yolie, and Ken all rushed off to their lockers which left TK and Hope to talk.
"So you excited for the race this weekend? I bet Mark Martin is going to win, that or Jeff or Jimmie," said TK.
"What?" Kari asked. She was confused but quickly realized what was going on. "TK, have you been watching a lot of Fox Sports 1 lately?"
"No?" TK answered wondering where she was going with this.
"TK," she said to him and tried to hide back a giggle. "Nascar doesn't start for another month or so. If you're trying to impress me, you don't need to watch or like Nascar. I like you for who you are."
"Really?" TK asked and she nodded her head. "But to be honest, I find Nascar kinda...cool," TK replied truthfully.
"You do?" Kari asked surprised. Normally, her friends just made fun of Nascar, it was very rare Kari found someone who appreciated racing like she did.
"Yeah, I think Brad Keslowski is such a raw and awesome driver. I looked at the stats and he's one of the most consistent drivers in the series, behind Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. It's sad, he's such a good driver and he only has one championship," said TK.
Kari was shocked.
"TK...if you haven't been watching Fox Sports 1, how do you know so much about Nascar?" Kari asked in amazement. Never in her wildest dreams, did she ever image TK being a Nascar fan.
"I've been reading books. I know that Jim Roper is the first winner in Nascar but only by default. The first Daytona 500 was broadcasted on national television in 1979 and was quite popular cause of a fight between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison. Richard Petty retired in 1992 which also Jeff's first start. Dale Earnhardt tragically died in 2001 and recent present day stuff," explained TK.
"TK, that is amazing!" Kari couldn't believe what she was hearing from him. "But you probably didn't know, that Mark Martin retired last year," said Kari.
"What?" TK exclaimed and Kari nodded. He felt like such a fool, he was so embarrassed.
"But when Nascar does start back up again in February, I'll invite you over to show you a real Nascar experience that you can't find in any book," she said and smiled. "But we better get to class!"
"We still on for tonight? I got some movies picked out and three different kinds of popcorn depending how buttery you like your popcorn," asked TK.
"Of course, how can a girl pass up a movie night?" Kari replied.
They stopped at their lockers to get their books and headed for first period. TK and Kari entered the classroom to see all the seats taken except for two. One by Jessica and the other by Jake. Kari walked over and sat down by Jake which left TK to sit by his 'girlfriend'.
"The motivational speaker canceled. He said he got a better paying job across town," informed Helen to principal Mr. Matsui.
"What?!" He angrily exclaimed. "Where am I going to get a replacement in just three days? The lyceum is on Monday!"
"I don't know," replied Helen.
TK, Jake, Davis, and Kari were all walking to fourth period gym class. It was the first time all morning Jessica wasn't following TK, so he used the valuable time to talk with Hope and the others, but mainly Hope. The tension between Jake and TK was still there, but neither of them was about to apologize.
"So did you have gym class in America?" Davis asked.
"Guys, just because I lived in America, doesn't mean we didn't have gym. I lived in America for seven years, I am no different than you except that I can speak English...fluently. I still went to school. I still participated in sports and activities. I'm no different than you guys," replied Kari.
Mr. Matsui overheard their conversation and suddenly had an idea for a quick motivational speaker replacement.
"Miss Kamiya," yelled Mr. Matsui down the hallway. Kari, for a split second, stopped dead in her tracks but quickly caught back up with the boys. She started to panic, hoping Jake and TK didn't notice her last name. She carefully watched their body language and was slightly relieved when Jake and TK didn't respond to her real identity. She continued walking with the boys, acting like she didn't hear principal Matsui. "Miss Kamiya," he repeated again. This time, all the boys looked back seeing Mr. Matsui trying to catch up with the small group. It didn't register in Jake or TK's minds what Mr. Matsui wanted or why he was saying 'Kari Kamiya'. It completely slipped their minds.
"What does he want?" Jake asked, pointing back to their fat school principal running down the hall after them. It was a sad sight to see, a fat man running.
"Guys, I think...He wants to talk to me?" Kari asked, acting confused. "Why don't you guys go on without me, I'll catch up later," and the boys continued walking to gym. She walked up to Mr. Matsui assuming he wanted to lecture her about not wearing the uniform and how much detention she would get now. "I know, I know, I should be wearing my uniform. Just give me detention and let me get to my class," said Kari.
"Yes, you do have detention after school but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with your friends on how your life in America was pretty much the same as it is here," explained Mr. Matsui.
"Yeah, so?" Kari asked.
"I want you to give a speech on it," said Mr. Matsui.
"What?" Kari exclaimed.
"Yeah, our motivational speaker cancelled on us and we need a replacement," explained Mr. Matsui.
"So you want me to do it? I don't think so. I don't do speeches," said Kari crossing her arms.
"If you do it, I'll bring up the uniforms at the next school meeting this Sunday night and get rid of them. And if that's not good enough for you, you don't have detention tonight," bribed Mr. Matsui, Kari stood and thought for a few seconds.
"You have a deal," and they shook hands on it.
Kari was going through the lunch line, trying to find something edible. Not much on her plate, she walked and sat down at the nearest empty table, Jake was right behind her. Once again, Jessica dragged TK off to hang out with her entourage. Yolie and the others were still going through the line. So Jake tried out some of his new jokes out on Kari.
"That is sooo funny! Where do you find all these jokes?" Kari asked, laughing her butt off, but Jake shrugged his shoulders. "Have you tried the mushy stuff yet? What does it taste like?"
"I don't know...It kinda tastes...Coconutty," he answered taking another spoonful of the mystery food on his plate.
"Ugh, I'm allergic to coconut! Last time I had it, I broke out in a horrible rash," she replied, disgusted with the food on her plate. "Here, you seem to like it. You can have mine too," and Jake took his spoon and scooped it on to his plate.
'Man, she reminds me of Kari. Kari had a coconut allergy too,' he thought to himself. Jake remembered the time she was at his house and his mom just made a cake. The frosting was coconut flavored, and a half hour later Kari had a terrible, itchy rash. "Did I ever tell you that you remind me of an old friend of mine. Her name was Kari," said Jake.
"Yeah, you told me once," answered Kari, hoping he would drop the subject.
"Oh, it's weird cause you look so much like her." Jake replied, "I had the biggest crush on her. I wonder what she's doing now?"
'Sitting right here, Jake I'm right here! Ugh...I am so sick of lying to everyone!" Kari thought to herself. "Jake?" Kari started to say, "I have something important to tell you."
"Kari!" Jake and Kari looked over to see an angry Ken walking towards them. "Its been five days! You've ignored me and haven't told me what the hell is going on!"
"Keep your voice down! You're gonna cause a scene. I was just about to tell Jake, I suppose I'll tell you both," Kari whispered to Ken. When Kari and Jake got up from the table, Yolie, Davis, and Cody all sat down. "Excuse us guys, but I need to talk to Ken and Jake privately."
The three of them walked around the school three times while Kari told them everything. Starting way back when she was eight years old, alone in her room in Charlotte until present day. Although she was scared, she answered their questions. She was scared they would hate her and wouldn't want to be around her. Worst of all, she was scared they might tell TK.
"I'm disappointed in you Kari. I've never known you to be a coward and...and what you did was very cowardly," said Ken as he turned and walk away.
"Ken wait!" Kari yelled back.
"What?" Ken turned around and asked in an aggravated tone of voice.
"You won't tell TK will you?" Kari asked nervously.
"No," he replied and paused,."Cause you're gonna tell him yourself," and he walked back to the table where the others were eating.
"It's... actually you." Jake mumbled to himself, "It's actually you! All this time I thought it was you and it was!" Jake said excitedly but couldn't bare to look at her. He had a million questions going through his mind, each one waiting to be asked. He was filled with happiness, anger, hate, and joy all at the same time.
"I'm so sorry Jake," she apologized. "I wish I could have told you sooner."
"You could have, right from the start. Like Ken said, I'm disappointed in you. You're not the same Kari I knew when you were eight," replied Jake and he started to walk back to the others. "As much as I want to go tell TK myself, I'm gonna let you handle that."
Jake left Kari standing all by herself outside. She felt better for finally telling someone her burning secret. But she felt guilty and really scared that she still had to tell TK, let alone the entire school. She didn't know what to do, she was scared, emotionally stressed, and couldn't take this anymore.
"I just want to go home, back to America!"