Disclaimer
Kim Possible is a registered trademark of Disney Inc. I have no rights to any of the characters. And they have no rights to me.
Providence
A Kim Possible Story
Author: falfurrian
Editor: Spice of Life
Chapter 12
Kim hadn't slept well the night before. Ron kept creeping into her thoughts and her dreams. At least calling him was an option again. But right now, she was late.
Not having Ron to walk with in the morning didn't seem like a big deal, but it threw off her rhythm. With him, she had to keep an eye on the time to make sure they weren't going to be late. Without him, she always felt on time, even if it wasn't true. She just had made it to school before the final bells.
At her locker, Kim watched a girl approach out of the corner of her eye. She was an acquaintance, a senior she thought, always pleasant but aloof.
"Hello, Kim. How's the arm?" She greeted her with a friendly wave.
"Fine," Kim replied not stopping what she was doing.
"So, when does Ronald get to come back to school?"
Kim rounded on the girl, eyes blazing, "What do you want with him? You've never spoken to him once! And now you ask about him like he's an old friend! You keep your paws off him!"
The senior was startled by Kim's reaction, but quickly gained composure.
"Well! I didn't know you had claimed him for yourself!" With that, she turned and walked away in a huff.
Kim leaned her head against her locker door. 'I am so confused! One second I'm mad as all get-out at Ron, and the next all I want is to be with him.' Kim opened her locker and deposited the school related contents of her book bag. Math was her first class, and she did not like to be late. She picked up the required book and notebook before closing her locker. She headed down the hall trying to clear all the mixed up feelings that she was having for Ron.
Shortly after Math, started Kim had decided it was silly to suffer like this. She simply needed to call Ron and get to the bottom of this. He could never sneak anything by her, and with the right questions, she would know all she needed. However, once she decided her course of action, she wanted to act. Now. This very instance. All through Math Kim had to tell herself to focus on class.
The minutes drug slowly. Each loud 'click' of the school clock only remaindered her there were so many minutes remaining in the period. Fifteen, twelve, seven ...
"Kim. Kim, are you with us today?" The teacher said. Laughter from the class accompanied her quip remark.
"Oh, Yes, Mrs. Richards. Sorry." Kim smiled apologetically.
"Okay, then. What is the answer to number 14?"
Kim quickly read the question. 'Simple!' "For number 14, the y intercept is 12 and the slope is -3."
"Very good Kimberly. Susan, can you tell us the answer to number 21?"
'Click' The electronic buzzer, most often call 'the bell' sounded in the hallway. 'Thank goodness!' Kim thought, as she collected her books and ran out the door.
In a slightly less traveled portion of the hallway, she retrieved her Kimmunicator and dialed Ron's room phone number at the hospital. After three rings, the hospital switchboard operator answered the phone.
"Middleton Hospital, how may I direct your call?"
"I'm trying to reach Ron Stoppable in room 312."
"I'll try that room for you."
Kim wanted to tell the woman she had just tried it, but she only said "Thank you."
After a few minutes, she heard a click.
"Hello?" Asked a familiar voice.
"Hey Ron!" Kim sighed heavily. She was very relieved to finally hear from him. "It's Kim."
"Well, good morning! I didn't expect to here from you. What's up?"
Everything sounded all right with Ron. He sounded happy that she called. 'How am I going to ask him if he is kissing other girls without sounding really odd, or even worse, jealous?'
"So Ron, have you had any visitors lately?" Kim held her breath, trying to sound casual.
"What do you mean KP?"
"Well, it was just that you received all those flowers. I thought someone...might stop by to see you ... or something." 'That sounded so stupid.' Kim thought to herself.
"No one but you, and Mom and Dad of course." Ron said in a cheery tone.
After hearing Ron's sincere, honest voice, she decided there was nothing for her to worry about. Besides, this was Ron.
Changing the subject, Kim said "You sound like you're in a good mood. What's up?"
"Well, the doctor just came by and said I can go home. Home, Home, Home!!!" Ron exclaimed, and Kim couldn't help but feel excited as well.
"That's great news Ron! I'll stop by to see you this afternoon." Kim promised.
"That would be great KP!"
"I need to run, Ron. Catch you later."
"Back at ya, KP." Ron replied, hanging up the phone.
Kim headed off to her second class, feeling a lot better about the Ron situation, but not quite perfect. She still didn't know why she had those strange feelings...
Kim ate lunch with Monique, but she did not mention her plight. From comments earlier that day, she knew Monique was still down on Ron. 'I'm feeling better about the Ron front, no point in poking that sleeping dog.'
"Well, look who finally decided to be seen in the same room as you." Monique pointed with her fork to the blond haired boy standing in the lunch line.
Kim had not seen or talked with Josh since last Saturday night. She was still furious at him for driving them home high. Her emotions began to boil as she stared at his back. 'That S-A-B knows I'm over here and will not look in my direction.' Kim did not notice the other students watching her glare at Josh.
"What do you have in mind girl-friend? Brown bag party out back, or are you going to break your foot off in his ass." Monique questioned her with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"The latter is out, he might enjoy that." Kim had not taken her eyes off him. He was at the end of the line and would have to turn far enough to see her. "If he stays in the cafeteria, I'll stay and catch him when he leaves. If he leaves with his lunch, I'll follow."
Josh paid for his lunch and turned. His usual calm expression changed when he saw Kim. Kim wanted him to see her. To feel the loathing she felt for him. Josh only looked back at her like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. It had the desired effect; she looked down at her food, giving him a chance to stay in the caf. She didn't want to chase after him.
'It worked!' She silently congratulated herself. He took a seat on the other side of the dining area with his back toward Monique and her. 'Coward' She thought sourly.
Perfect position for her next move. Kim started eating again, a little more quickly this time. Monique followed her lead. The two girls finished together.
Kim needed to leave through the entrance without being noticed by Josh. They walked toward the entrance, trays in hand. Just before the entrance, they set their trays on a table where a lot of other students were still eating, and continued on out the entrance.
"Monique, I need you stand guard here while I circle around to the exit."
"Got it." Monique nodded.
"If he heads out this way, see if you can get him to go back the other way. If you can't, call me on your cell." Kim told her, staring ahead.
"Don't worry; I'll make sure that slime ball doesn't leave this way."
"Thanks" Kim smiled.
"By the way, what's your plan?" Monique asked curiously. As long as it didn't involve her beating up someone and risking suspension, she was game.
"Right now, it's just talk. But that could change, fast."
Kim ran around to the exit side of the cafeteria. She positioned herself to see the doors and still have time to maneuver into an intercept position. She didn't have to wait long. Josh came out of the cafeteria moving quickly.
He didn't notice Kim until it was too late for him to run. Kim stepped in front of him just as he was walking past a classroom entrance. He stepped back into the short corridor to the class. His only means of escape was through the closed door to the class, or through her. He didn't like his choices.
"Josh, long time no see." Kim said with syrupy sweetness and a mocking smile. Josh tried to move past her but she put her arm against the wall to stop him. "What? You don't want to talk with me?"
"Hey, Kim. How're you doing?" His voice broke in mid-sentence. This was not going to end well. He nervously tried to scoot past her, but she blocked his way.
Anger built in her chest as she studied her former crush. She suppressed the urge to punch him in the nose. "It's a little late to be asking that, don't you think? Oh, that's right... you don't think very well, do you. Especially when you're stoned!" Kim was in his face; Josh was definitely no match for her. She had taken down full grown men 3 times his size.
"You're right Kim, I should have seen if you were okay." Josh was doing his best to look forlorn and downtrodden. "I was just so mad about you dumping me." He put on his best 'innocent' smile.
"You expect me to believe that?" Kim snarled in his face. "You were just too chicken to face the fact that you made a mistake"
Then Josh's cowed expression slowly started to change. "But then again, I really didn't care. You were using me to get home early. Probably so you could call your loser friend. But wait, you couldn't have done that, could you? He was laying in a ditch outside of town!" He laughed in her face.
Josh doubled over from Kim's first punch to the stomach. He twisted awkwardly as she hit him again in the kidney. It required more thought attacking with only one arm. Each punch had to be planned.
'The next one is going to leave a mark on that pretty face!' Kim pulled her arm back for a powerful head punch. She tensed her muscles to deliver the blow just as a meaty hand grabbed her wrist in a powerful grip.
"Possible. I think your talk is over," Mr. Barkin proclaimed in a loud voice. Kim looked in his eyes, they were stern and unmoving. She relaxed her arm. Mr. Barkin loosed his grip allowing Kim to take her arm. "Son, you need to watch that cafeteria food. It can cause serious stomach pain."
Josh looked up in disbelief. "She hit me! I want her expelled!"
"Joshua is it? I think you are mistaken. This is Kim Possible. She doesn't hurt people. As a matter of fact, I think she just saved you life." Mr. Barkin leaned close to Josh's ear and whispered something only he could hear.
"Thank-Thank you, Kimberly. You have been a b-big help." Josh stuttered, not meeting her eyes. Mr. Barkin stepped back and moved Kim out of Josh's way. He quickly moved through the opening down the hall. The anger Kim had felt toward Josh was gone, replaced by shame.
"Mr. Barkin, I don't..."
"Kimberly, how is Ronald doing? You know that punk put my star wrestler out of commission for the season. I'm going to have to talk with him about that when he gets back." Kim looked up at the big man with new appreciation.
"Thank you Mr. Barkin. I don't know what came over me."
"I do. You take care of that arm and your friend."
He headed down the hall telling people there was nothing to see here, and asking whether they had places to go.
