Chapter 11: 'Relationships' and Hardships

Gwen and Michael proceed out of the gym after the practice session. Of course, she still remembers her promise to Michael. She heads to the changing room, with her mind still filled with thoughts about what had happened. Michael, clearly, could not accompany her to the changing room and waited for her outside the gym.

Meanwhile at the Yamamoto household, Ben and Kevin were still accompanied by Julie. This time, Ben is asking for advice in Kevin's behalf.

"You remember Michael Morningstar, right?" Ben asked trying to start his whole helping-Kevin-operation-by-asking-Julie plan.

"No," Julie replied nonchalantly while raising an eyebrow.

"Oh," Ben sighed, rubbing the back of his head slightly, remembering that they haven't met at all.

"Who's he?"

"A creep," Kevin mumbled.

The girl glanced over to him then back to Ben.

"He's right in some parts, Michael's not so much a good...guy," the brunette agreed, but said his words with his mind finding the right words to say.

"Why is that? Hmm...let me guess...you're jealous?" Julie pointed out, towards Kevin's direction.

"I am not!" Kevin responded with his cocky accent, a bit in denial.

Ben and Julie giggled in their seats, figuring out that he really was jealous.

"This is going to be fun," Ben whispered to Julie playfully. On the sidelines, the Osmosian is still sitting with his grumpy face, arms crossed and a hard time trying to ignore the two.

Michael's mind was ecstatic. He was completely overwhelmed by what just happened. He sat down slowly, waiting for Gwen to come out from the changing room, anxious about the events that would unfold later in time.

On the other hand, the anodite's mind slowly drifted away from reality and recalls what had just happened earlier with Michael.

"So...can I come to your tournament as well?"

"Sure."

I said 'sure', but am I really sure?

Gwen shakes her head and sighs lightly. I can't break that promise now, can I? She opens her bag as she entered the changing room and proceeded to change into her usual clothes, blue long-sleeved top with her above-the-knee long black skirt and black stockings with her black shoes. Then she puts her karate outfit in her bag. She looks at herself in the mirror and proceeded to untie her hair, her red-orange straight hair flowing down behind her shoulders. She combed her hair for a while and looked a one last look at her reflection and then leaves, finding Michael outside the gym, sitting down on a bench.

Seeing his companion arrive, Michael quickly stands up and offered to carry the bag she was carrying.

"No, no, it's alright. Thanks Michael," she said in her concerned tone, beaming him a smile as well.

"Okay, then," he replied. Gwen started walking after his reply and he followed thereafter.

Arriving at her home, Gwen said a 'thank you' to Michael before entering her abode. Closing the door behind her, she sank on the door with her back, eyes closed, exhaling a deeply breathed sigh.

What am I to do?

Gwen started up the stairs and entered her room. She closed the door behind her and slumped on the bed, at the same time letting go of her bag and leaving it at the foot of the bed. Her body was randomly placed on the cushions while she faced the ceiling, staring intently yet blankly.

After a few minutes, her eyes begin to close slowly. She felt a vibration from her pocket, it was her phone again. She frowned when she glanced at the one calling her: Kevin.

Gwen groaned. She didn't want to answer since she anticipated what he's going to do. He's going to keep on asking her what happened and she didn't need any of that right now.

Maybe I'll answer you later. She thought to herself and ignored the call.

"She's not answering...," Kevin whined.

"Then call her again!" Ben encouraged.

"Err...," the Osmosian groaned angrily and dialed Gwen's number once again.

His cellphone rang and rang until he ended his call, still unsuccessful. "She's not pickin' up."

"Well, you know what they say, 'keep calling and it will be answered'."

"Not funny, Tennyson. This is serious."

"Just lightening up the mood, that's all. Why don't we go check on her this time?"

Without another word, Kevin hurried to his car, and honked the horn a few several times, signaling Ben to hurry up. Ben on the other hand, was saying 'goodbye' to Julie.

"Thanks, Julie!" Ben said and hurried to the car as well.

"No problem!"

As Ben shut the door, Kevin stepped on the pedal and sped to Gwen's house.

"She probably should be here now," Ben wondered checking the time in the car. It was already in the afternoon. Their date couldn't have had lasted that long. Ben chuckled to himself. The driver on the other hand, was focused, it seemed like nothing could make him smile let alone laugh. He quickly got out of the car and headed for the main door of Gwen's house, his fist clenched at his sides and movements heavy and firm. Ben followed his comrade but was more loosely-mannered.

As Ben observed his friend in front of him, Kevin suddenly stopped in his footsteps halfway before he could get to the door, which made Ben wonder. What's he up to this time?

Kevin turned to his direction, staring indignantly at Ben. What did I do this time? The brunette queried and continued his gaze at his friend's face. Then, the Osmosian's eyes pointed toward the upper window above the patio, at the same time motioning to Ben.

He understood and went ballistic. "What do you want me to do? Are you crazy? She's my cousin, yes, but I wouldn't invade her privacy!"

"Shh, keep down, just check if she's there, duh."

"Why don't you just call her on your cell?"

Kevin shot a long look then retorted, "She won't answer again, genius!"

"Hmm..," the all-powerful wielder of the Omnitrix couldn't do anything but try to think of a new plan, his last help-Kevin-operation-by-asking-Julie plan went...sorta well, now he has to help Kevin fix his problem, since that's what friends do for each other. He likely wants me to turn into Jetray or Big Chill and fly up to her room, I don't see why not, but, Kevin should be the one fixing his 'relationship' with Gwen, I'm just helping, now he's depending on me to look for ways? Should I handle it like this? I'm over-thinking. He then glances from the ground then to his friend's face.

"Well?" Kevin asks impatiently. "Are ya' gonna do it or not?"

Ben was speechless. How is this such a big deal? Just go up there as intangible Big Chill and just check if Gwen was around, no big deal. What am I worried about?

He took a deep breath and exhaled. He cautiously lifted his hand up, ready to slam onto the hologram of Big Chill on the Omnitrix. Here goes nothing.

Hi to all you readers! I'm sooooooooooooo so so so sorry I haven't uploaded for a couple of months but rest assured I plan on finishing this story. I had a little writer's block for this chapter and was stuck in Gwen and Michael's conversation for a long time until I finally decided to insert Ben and Julie's dialogues.

I know most of you want a Gwevin part to happen ASAP and I, too want it soon, but this is what my brain shot out and made my hands type so there's the eleventh chapter. I'm just going along with whatever my brain feels like writing even though I don't want to but there you have it. But just wait and keep on reading since Gwevin will clearly prevail in a GwenXKevin fanfic. A little twist for some chapters is good, I guess.

I think part of why I can't really write is because I'm hooked to reading another fanfic by Hinn-Raven called "Come With Me" it's really cute about Kid Flash and Jinx, and I know Hinn-Raven is a way better writer than I am. No school decreases my vocabulary in English, plus I'm trying to learn Japanese on my own. So now you know why I can't upload new chapters so quickly. But I'm doing my best in writing the new chapter part by part whenever I can so that I can finish the next chapter.

Please also review to give me my motivation

With love and apologies,

WhiteCatX319

:3