Hey, guys! I'm back!
It's been a while, I know. I hit a serious writer's block for a while and other crazy stuff's happened but I think I'm ready to trudge forward again! Yay. Although, I will need dental work done so my next chapter may or may not come out promptly the next week (BUT it is in the works). Just an FYI.
Since It's been so long, and I apologize, I don't remember which reviews were responses to my last chapter but just know when I do reply, I am not trying to leave anyone out. If I do and you did leave a review to chapter 10, IM me and I'll include you here in this section.
Now, on to the very long ago-written reviews that deserve replies!
ClassyUlysses: That Ron-Bon idea sounds great! Possibly! I'm pretty heavily interested in this story, actually, but I would love to take on that challenge for sure.
NeoTyson: We'll have to see how the whole Tara-Bonnie thing goes. Will they clash or mesh? And we already know what Bonnie thinks of Ron, for sure. Let's see how she reacts to her hanging around him this lovely Monday!
TheKPFan: I felt it was rushed too, however, there wasn't much I could think of that would have kept the story moving forward. I might re-do that chapter. I have some other things I COULD add. I'm debating it, though. Bonnie won't be in this chapter, however. She is going to be probably in the next one but hold on to your seat. It's getting really good!
darthrodrick: Okay. I'll put that away and keep in mind. I think right now, it should just be Ron. In terms of the Bonnie thing, yes! :)
derekctomlinson: Thanks, derek! I guess we'll wait and see on that but it's soon! :D
GoatedReads: Thanks for all the replies to all my chapters! I'll just respond to them here for the previous chapter.
Yeah, I wanted chapter 10, the chapter before they go back to school, to show a calm and relaxed Ron. That he was gradually getting over Kim and he was moving on with the help of his best friends, especially Tara. Hope you like this one!
jeff: Haha. You got it, man! Enjoy!
On to the story, my friends!
It was now Monday morning. The dreaded back to school day. As unpleasant as this day, he knew, was going to be, this morning turned much darker than he thought it would.
Monique had texted him just an hour ago, informing him that he was now the hot-topic among the student body. It appears that word of Kim's dumping him for another guy was discovered and word spread by mouth to the masses.
She told him that her phone started blowing up around Sunday evening, which also happened to be right around the time Tara left for home. The messages ranged from complete shock such as, "OMG did Kim and Ron really brake up?!" and wacky conspiracy theories such as, "I think he probably found a mind-control potion in a top secret lab and brainwashed her into dating him in the first place and now the effects wore off so she left," to just flat-out, brash comments like, "Lmao what a loser sux to b him so embarrassing".
Ron was confused and afraid. This just came out of left-field and he had no time to react to it. He didn't know what to do. He never liked the spotlight. He was always okay with letting Kim do the interviews, getting the tabloids, and just following her lead. But now here he was, in a situation where he couldn't rely on her for help and his mind was in a whirlwind.
Ron began to panic. Monique, however, assured him that she was going to work damage control and that she was going to fix everything. That didn't help much, but just added to his confusion. How was she going to get this storm to cease? What ace could she possibly have up her sleeve?!
Monique elected not to answer any of those questions when he asked them, but half-an-hour later, replied back: "It's done".
Ron was still in a semi-panic. What was done?! Ugh, this was so frustrating!
He fired back another reply. This time, doubting whether or not he even really wanted to go to school today or even know what she did. How was he going to be able to face the school now?
She merely texted back, "It's fixed. Be ready in ten."
And there she was, still being mysterious. Ron was going to make up an excuse but he knew she could read him like a book. It was then he knew there was no getting out of this. Especially considering the fact this is Monique. When she tells you to do something, you do it.
He slouched his shoulders and grabbed his backpack, resigning himself to a day of probable humiliation and awkward stares and murmers about him, and proceeded to wait outside for Monique.
Exiting the house, though, he could he see a silver convertible with the roof down, pull up to the curb of his yard. Inside of it was Tara wearing her sunglasses and wore a bright, sunny smile.
"Hey, Ron! You ready?" She called out.
Ron stood in awe at her car for a second but pulled himself out of it as he started to head towards her. "Uhh, yeah."
She giggled. "Come on, stud. Get in and let's get to school!"
Ron frowned as he opened the car door.
"I've never seen anybody so happy to go to school on a Monday morning." Ron said flatly as he sat down and closed the door.
Tara giggled. "Okay, yes. I am happy today. Today, I start a new life at a new school. And my god! I can't wait to try out for the cheer squad."
Ron looked at her. "I wish I had reasons to share your optimism."
They were off to school. "Ohh, Ron. It's not that bad. Look, Monique talked to me and she told me about how word leaked out about your.. breakup. She told me everything is going to be okay and she sent me to come get you. She wanted to make sure you would come to school today and said she would have driven to pick you up herself, but she was already there. I told her I was more than happy to."
Ron smiled awkwardly, "Heh.. yeah, that's Monique for ya."
Tara looked at him, sympathetically. "It's going to be okay, Ron. Really. Monique said she was able to turn it totally around."
Ron sighed. "I hope. I still don't know what she means by that, though."
Tara shook her head, concentrating on the road ahead. "I have no idea, either."
"Well, whatever," Ron moped. "I suppose everyone was going to find out sooner or later but..."
"Not like this? Now, of all days?" Tara asked.
"Yeah," Ron replied glumly, Of course, this was going to happen to me. Just my luck, you know that? I didn't want anyone to know about how it happened. I wish people would mind their own damn business."
Tara looked over at him with a soft expression of concern and placed a hand on his. "Well know matter what, I... We've got your back, Ron." Tara assured him.
"Thanks." Ron mumbled as he stared out the window, looking the other way.
Tara frowned. It hurt her to see him sad. Who could be so cruel to discover something and then go snooping into the details of a horrible breakup and tell everyone about it? People had no morals these days and liked to blab for gossip.
I pray to God Monique was right about this.
Tara killed the ignition and the two blondes approached the steps of the school building.
"I've seen this place before."
Ron looked at her. "Yeah?"
She nodded. "I've been here a couple times for cheer leading competitions. We would come to Middleton to play the Mad Dogs every other year, but we didn't actually come here to the school. I believe the football stadium is not far from here."
Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh, yeah, it's behind the building, near the gym."
The walked up the steps towards the double doors.
This was it. They pushed the doors open and everything was hustle and bustle with kids going every which way, trying to navigate around in the halls. That was until everybody saw them and stopped.
Ron, nor Tara, could move either. Everything just halted for them. All eyes just stayed on them.
They saw some people's mouths drop, some took pictures while others and began firing off texts, while others didn't really seem to care and continued on with their day.
Tara reached for, and squeezed Ron's hand for comfort.
That did it.
Ron could hear one of the football stars in the back yell, "He shoots! He scores!"
And just like that, everyone was chatting about what they just saw.
Ron looked at Tara and asked her, "What's happening right now?"
Tara looked back at him just as puzzled and shook her head. "I don't know, but my god, is this so uncomfortable."
"Ron!"
This had both he and Tara locate the voice as being Monique's. They walked over to her.
"Monique, what is going on?"
Not one second after he asks that, does one of the more popular guys named Jackson come up to him. "Hey, man. I know I haven't been cool to you over the years. But what Kim did to you, also wasn't cool. Good for you, man, that you've clearly moved on." He smiled, looking at Tara.
"Uhh.. thanks, um, Jackson."
"No problem. Well, I gotta run. I'm happy for ya, again." He winked at Tara.
"Thanks?" Ron asked. Tara was just confused.
Ron turned his attention again to Monique who had a big smile plastered on her face.
"Wow, Monique. What did you do?" Tara asked.
"I told them the truth. The whole story. That's all there is to it." She said and turned to Ron. "You see, the original person, who we still haven't identified, and who appears to have found out about your falling out with Kim, had not mentioned how she was to blame. When they left out any and all context, rumors started being created about they were overwhelmingly about you, Ron."
"Naturally.." Ron sighed.
"So I, being the queen of the gossip mill, and don't ask me how I did this, was able to wield my wand of influence and make all your troubles go away." She said, wistfully and playfully, pretending to whirl around a wand like a fairy."
Tara and Ron blinked.
"I told everyone she cheated on you and now your name is cleared of all rumors and wrong-sick ideas." Monique clarified.
Tara gasped. "Woah.. Incredible! You're off the hook, Ron!" She said, happily.
"Hey, Stoppable!"
Ron turned to look behind him and saw two skater-looking dudes staring at them amused.
"Nice catch!" Blake said.
Ron lifted a brow in obvious confusion.
"Yeah, bro!" Nick said, as he chewed gum. "How can I get so lucky?"
For some reason, that got Ron really angry. How dare they make light of Kim cheating on him! He was about to go over and give them a peace of his mind when the bell rang.
"Op!" Monique said, "That's the first bell. We better get to class."
"Oh, shoot! I still haven't found my locker yet or anything! I don't even have my class schedule." Tara said.
"Ron can help you with that." Monique said. "But we will have to get moving or Mr. Barkin will cut all of our heads off."
Tara turned white.
Monique laughed. "It's an expression. But seriously, he's strict. Especially when it comes to Ron for some reason."
Ron gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "I hate it, too. He still hasn't gotten over that stupid look I gave him, freshman year. Like come on, man! Get over it!"
Monique laughed and shook her head, amused. "Okay, well, let's get going baby boy."
That's chapter 11. Chapter 12 will be a lot more involved and rich!
Next time: Tara vs. Bonnie... fight? No... yeah?
