Chapter 19 – Any other way.
December 1991
"They're like vultures!" Kimberly whispered aggressively into Trini's ear. "They just swarm in and take him away from me!"
The girls were sat at the bar of the juice center, sipping on some milkshakes and watching on as Jason practiced karate with Zack. There was a karate tournament coming up in the new year and Jason was desperate to retain his crown for the third year in a row.
The boys weren't entirely alone however, a mob of girls surrounded them, using the exercise machines as perfect vantage points to stakeout the two young teens.
Trini watched on as Kimberly's face grew redder with each passing second. "Why don't you just ask him then?"
Trini of course, was referring to the winter ball coming up at their school, Angel Grove High.
"Ask him what? To be my date for the ball?" Kimberly snapped back with a look of confusion on her face.
"Well duh! You obviously don't want him to go with anyone else. So, you should ask him."
"It's not like that, I think. Anyway, isn't it supposed to be the boys that ask the girls?" Kimberly inquired.
Trini stirred her banana milkshake with her straw and slowly looked up at Zack. "Yeah. But you know how stupid boys are."
Kimberly was no fool. She noticed the way in which Trini was watching Zack.
"Well, shouldn't you be asking Zack then?"
"Zack? Why would I ask Zack?"
"Oh, I dunno, maybe cuz you're crazy about him!" Kimberly said, a tad louder than she wanted to. Gratefully, not many people heard her. It didn't stop Trini from placing her finger to her lips and ducking her head.
"You're one to talk!" Trini responded in a hushed tone.
Kimberly gave up an turned the back of her head on the boys and looked at a Trini. "I try to show him how I feel, but it's like I'm invisible to him." She stared gloomily into her nearly empty glass of strawberry milkshake.
"Oh come on Kim, that's not true." Trini retorted.
"It is."
"How so?"
"Well, we're best friends right. And well, we spend quite a bit of time together, even you know that." Trini nodded her head, and Kimberly continued. "Well, I try and show him how much he means to me, how much I like him, but he doesn't realise how serious I am. He just smiles and laughs and thinks I'm kidding about."
"Well, you need to just be straight up and tell him how you truly feel."
"And what if he doesn't feel the same way, what if that ruins what we have now?"
"What if it works out and you end up being his girlfriend and then we fast forward a decade and you two are married and have a house and twenty beautiful kids?"
"Twenty is a bit excessive." Kimberly said.
"You know what I mean though."
"I do. But I'm scared." Kimberly confessed, pushing the milkshake away from her, feeling a bit nauseous.
"Hey girls."
Kimberly and Trini twisted their heads around and saw Brittany, Stacy and Ashley walk towards them.
"Hey." Kimberly responded.
Brittany left her two friends and came to sit next to Kimberly. "Kim, I need your help." She said, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.
"Is everything okay?" Kimberly inquired.
"Yeah, it's nothing like that." Brittany quickly glanced at her two friends behind them, and then quickly down the youth center and then back to Kimberly. "You're very close to Jason right? Like brother and sister?"
Kimberly didn't like that at all, but she nodded her head nonetheless.
"Well, you know, there's that ball coming up and well." The young blonde-haired girl bit her lip and swallowed hard. "I wonder if you would put in a good word for me, with-" She nodded her head towards Jason and Zack who were now practicing their kicks on a punch bag.
"Oh ummm, for what exactly?" Kimberly asked, balling her fist underneath the counter, her nails digging into her palm.
"Well, I'd like it if he would want to be my date for the ball."
Kimberly's heart dropped. Her face felt tingly, her hand hurt from her nails digging into her palm and she felt downright sick now.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to be picked on for going with a boy." Kimberly managed to squeeze out, trying to hide the venom in her words.
Brittany glanced at her friend's once more and giggled. "Oh, come on. I told you it would be okay once we got to sophomore. I'm not worried about that now." She said with a smile. Playing with her blonde hair.
Kimberly felt like grabbing that pretty blonde hair and pushing hard on her head until her perfect little nose hit the counter with a thud, and her blue eyes would swell with tears. But she couldn't do that now could she. She fought as hard as she could to conjure up a smile. "I can try. I don't think he's looking to take anyone to the ball. I think he just wants to hang out with his friends."
"But you'll ask for me, won't you?" Brittany asked, looking around at the girls who were eyeing up the pair of guys now finishing up their sparring on the mats.
"Yeah, I can ask." Kimberly said bluntly.
"Thanks girl, you're awesome. We'll be back soon to grab some shakes, I'll see you then?"
Kimberly nodded her head and the next thing she knew, Brittany had her in a quick hug before she got up giggling, grabbing her friends and exiting the youth center.
"That little bitch!" Kimberly snarled through gritted teeth.
Trini daren't say anything right now. She knew exactly what Kimberly was feeling. Her heart bled for her friend who looked like she was about to explode.
"After all that bullshit she put me through last year, now she doesn't care anymore? I bet this was her plan all along. Push me away from Jase and go sweep in herself." Kimberly didn't know whether to scream out in rage or cry. All she knew was, she felt extreme anger and sadness right now.
"Fix up babe. They're coming."
Kimberly heard Trini's voice throughout her inner turmoil and indeed, she was correct. Jason and Zack had finished up their session and were now coming towards them.
Kimberly picked up the towel in front of her, taking care to not grab it with her slightly stinging hand, and walked over to the steps that led to the gymnasium part of the youth center to meet Jason. Trini did the same, picking up the towel for Zack and followed Kimberly to the steps.
"Seriously though Zack, you are getting good. Not only are you blocking me, but ye countering too." Jason said, walking over to the steps.
"Thanks bro. Means a lot." Zack replied, giving his friend a high five. "And come on, you have to agree with me." Zack replied, doing a little twirl on his way to the steps.
"Dude, just, no." Jason said with a laugh. "Hey girls." Jason looked up at Kimberly and offered her a big smile as she handed him the towel with which he patted his slightly sweaty face.
Kimberly looked on as he did so, carefully but greedily watching his muscles glistening as the lights bounced off them.
"Girls, you're going to know better than us." Zack took his towel from Trini and quickly wiped his face.
"Know what?" Trini asked, also checking out the boy she had given a towel to.
The boys leaned in closer and Zack explained what he was talking about. "Those girls working out over there. They're not just working out right, like Jason thinks. They're really there to check us out. Am I right?"
Trini giggled at Zack's cheeky grin, she didn't exactly like it, but she had to be honest with them. "Yes, Zack you're right, but I think Jason is right too. They're working out but they're also there to keep an eye on you two. I mean, you do look pretty bad-ass on them mats."
"There you go bro! See, we have a few fans." Zack clasped Jason's shoulder as they made their way up the steps and towards the bar.
"Martial arts isn't designed to pick up babes man. Just try not to focus on them. If we wanna enter that tournament, we need to focus." Jason responded, taking a seat next to Kimberly at the bar.
Kimberly couldn't help but smile a little. There were literally, at least ten girls that surrounded them, and obviously, Jason wasn't paying attention to them at all. He didn't give a crap about them, at least that's what he was showing his friends. "I ordered you a protein shake Jase." She said, tapping his shoulder, smiling radiantly.
Jason spun around and accepted the shake that Kimberly had got for him. "Thanks Kim, you're seriously awesome." He said, giving her a thankful smile.
As soon as their eyes met, Kimberly's heart gave a little thump. What was she feeling? Was she being possessive and not wanting her friend to have attention from other girls or was it something else? She almost jumped when she felt Jason's hand on hers.
"You're bleeding." Jason leaned towards her and almost whispered those words.
Kimberly looked down at her hand and saw that he was correct. There was a thin line of blood on her palm, probably from earlier when she was balling up her fist so hard, the nails must have cut her.
Before she knew it, Jason had grabbed some napkins from the bar and gently placed them on to her palm, applying a touch of pressure.
"Hey, it's nothing." Kimberly mumbled, not taking her eyes off him.
"It's not nothing."
"Jase, I'm no weenie." Kimberly looked down at her hand. Jason was holding her wrist with his left hand and taking care of her small cut with his other hand. She didn't know why she was protesting, because she was thoroughly enjoying this moment. Weird.
"I know you're not. But I can't let my best friend sit there bleeding now, can I?" Jason responded.
Even Trini stopped admiring Zack for a moment and watched on as Jason tended to Kimberly's hand. She opened her eyes wider and nodded "Now" at Kimberly.
"Jase, can I ask you something?" Kimberly saw what Trini was trying to say. She was going to go for it, Trini was right. It's now or never. She knew she had promised Brittany she would put in a good word for her with Jason. But she had to know herself if this was Jason acting like her brother and looking out for her or if there was more to this. That this wasn't just a mere action of a friend helping out a friend.
Jason lifted the napkin and saw that Kimberly had stopped bleeding now. He looked up at her, a few inches away from her face, moving backwards slowly. So slowly it was like time was being put in slow motion "Yeah, of course." He finally replied.
Kimberly took a big gulp and watched Jason's pupils dancing around in his eyes with slightly amusement. Her throat felt dry and tight right now. Would she be able to even talk.
"I just wondered; you know with the winter ball coming up. Have you-"
"Hi Jason, hi Kim." Brittany walked past them as she returned with her friends as she promised, and they sat at a table in front of the bar, just behind where Jason was sat.
"Oh, Hey Brittany." Jason responded with a smile, his face turning around for a few seconds towards the girls who had just sat down behind him.
Those few seconds were enough for Kimberly.
Jason turned his face back around and looked at Kimberly with a faint smile on his face. "Yeah, you were saying?"
Did she have the nerves to ask him the real question on her mind. Did he just smile at Brittany. That little blonde bitch. Why was he so happy right now?
"Umm, have you got a date for the winter ball?" She asked rather hastily.
Jason's smile widened. "No I haven't…."
"Well, I know someone who's interested in going with you."
Though Kimberly couldn't believe it was possible, Jason's smile widened even more. "Yeah, who is she? "
Kimberly tilted her head slightly towards Brittany and pointed at her with her eyes.
Jason's smile began to dull away and, in its place, his cheeks shone as red as his red tank top. "Oh. Right, okay." Was his only response.
Kimberly couldn't believe how red his face was and how shy he was acting. She knew this guy more than most people. Maybe he liked Brittany after all.
"Jase, come on, time to hit the shower. We gotta be at the dojo in a half hour."
Jason looked back up at Kim, catching her eyes with his. "I'll umm, I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. You need to tell me if you got picked for the tournament. I know you will though."
"Right, thanks Kim. I'll come by yours after?"
Kimberly gave him a smile and nodded her head. He returned it with a little smile of his own and went off with Zack to take a shower.
As soon as they disappeared into the locker room, Brittany and her friends joined her and Trini at the bar.
"Three low fat chocolate milkshakes please Ernie." Ashley said.
"You got it kid. Coming right up." Ernie replied with his trademark, kind, gentle smile.
"So, did you tell him?" Brittany asked nervously, sitting right next to Kimberly.
"Yeah." Kimberly replied curtly.
"What did he say?" The blonde girl asked, biting her lip.
"He didn't say anything. He just got shy and froze a little."
Brittany's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh my god."
"That's good right?" Stacy asked.
"Yeah. Just give him a few days Britt. He's kinda shy with these things." Kimberly explained.
"Right. Thanks Kim, I owe you one."
YEAH, YOU SURE DO! Kimberly thought, smiling at the pretty blonde.
"You don't find it weird do you? I mean, he's not like actually your brother is he?" Brittany asked, scrunching up her nose
"No he isn't." Kimberly tried her best to keep a straight face and not charge forward and thump Brittany in her stupid face.
"But they're very close. Even closer than some siblings, I must admit." Trini joined in on the conversation, making sure she had Kimberly's back.
"Oh right. I'm sorry, if it's weird for you, then let me know, I'll back off." Brittany looked Kimberly directly in her eyes, still as a statue, waiting for an answer.
"Let's just leave it to Jason, shall we? Whatever he decides, I'll be happy with it. Don't worry."
"You're the best, I definitely owe you one." Brittany smiled brightly and gave Kimberly a hug and went back to her table with her friends waiting for Ernie to give them their shakes.
"Yeah, you definitely do, ya skank." Kimberly muttered under her breath.
"Please tell me you were joking. You didn't ask Jason out for Her ."
Kimberly turned around and saw Trini looking quite serious.
"I'm afraid so." Kimberly replied.
"Why Kim. Why didn't you ask him for yourself?" Trini leaned in and whispered to her friend.
"Did you see the way he looked at her. I think he likes her." Kimberly responded quietly. Quickly wiping away a small tear running down her cheekbone.
"I didn't see anything."
"He was smiling at her." Kim whispered.
"Oh wow, he smiled at her." Trini placed her hand on top of Kimberly's. "If smiling meant that we liked someone, that would mean that you and me like the entire school." Trini giggled.
Kimberly didn't giggle back, or even smile. "It wasn't just the smile. When I asked him about her, he went all red and shy, you know, the way he becomes weird when he gets nervous."
Trini nodded her head.
"I think he likes her." Kimberly gave Trini a wry smile and watched Ernie serve the ladies their milkshakes. She wished she could drop a little rat poison into Brittany's shake, maybe that was going a bit too far. Well, she didn't care right now.
"Look, We don't know that for sure. Guess we'll find out right? And we can take it from there?"
"Yeah."
Thankfully for Kimberly, Billy showed up right on time.
"Hey ladies, are you ready to go to mine and partake in some homework?"
Kimberly hated homework. But It's exactly what she needed right now. Something even more horrendously depressing than Brittany. Something that would take her mind off everything.
She followed Trini by standing up and getting ready to leave, she took one last look towards the boys' lockers and took some comfort in the fact that Jason would be coming by her house later on.
She gave Billy a hug and followed him out of the youth center, Billy, bless his soul, thinking she looked rather down had promised to help her complete her homework in a "more than satisfactory manner."
Boys locker room.
Angel Grove youth center.
Jason and Zack had just showered and were now stood in front of their lockers. Both of them taking out their ironed karate Gi's to get ready to go to the Angel Grove martial arts center, it was nearly time to see who would be entering the karate tournament.
"Man, I really thought this was the moment!" Jason lamented, sitting down on a bench facing his locker.
"What did she say exactly bro?" Zack asked, sitting down next to his best friend, pulling on some socks.
Jason picked up the pants to the gi and began to put them on. "Man, she basically said that someone wanted to go to the winter ball with me. And I thought she was talking about herself." He stood up to pull up the trousers and then reached for the top . "But she pointed at that Brittany instead."
"Are you sure she pointed at Brittany?" Zack inquired
"Yeah bro. Clear as day." Jason pulled his karate black belt around his waist, even the sight of that didn't cheer him up.
"That's a bummer. But don't be so down bro. Maybe she was testing you or something. You know how weird girls are."
"Yeah, you got a point."
"Look, if she's playing games with you, you should play them back."
"What dya mean?" Jason asked his friend.
"Tell her that you'll go. And see what she does. She may be shocked as hell that you're saying yes to Britt, so shocked that she might just tell you the truth." Zack said, tightening his brown belt on top of his gi.
"And what's the truth?" Jason asked.
"Hopefully, that she likes you and wants you to take her to the ball."
Jason puffed out his cheeks, not knowing what to do. "What if she is testing me though and me saying that I'll go with Britt, that just ruins any chance I have."
"You do have a point. You'll have to decide which option to take bro."
Jason simply nodded his head.
"Come on, we better split. And if worse comes to worse, go with Britt. She is pretty damn hot."
Jason chuckled as the two grabbed their backpacks, now fully dressed and moved to exit the youth center.
Kimberly Ann Hart was pacing outside on her porch. Her parents had been arguing all evening and she just couldn't cope with it any longer. But truth be told, she was also anxiously waiting for Jason to stop by.
She keenly checked her watch and saw that it was just past seven. Jason did say that they weren't having a real lesson today, it'll only be the announcements for the team that made it to the tournament. Kimberly craned her neck to take a look at Jason's garage. His dad's car wasn't there, so that meant that he must have gone to pick Jason up. He should be here by now she thought, slumping down on the porch bench.
For the past hour, ever since she had returned from Billy's house, she had spent that time mentally scolding herself because of what happened at the youth center.
She didn't have to mention Brittany at all. She should have found the confidence to tell Jason the truth. The truth being, she wanted him to accompany HER to the winter ball. Not Brittany, not any other girl in the whole of Angel Grove. But she screwed it up big time.
Trini had told her to tell Jason the truth. Unless he showed that he truly wanted to go with Brittany. In that case, she should just be happy for him and allow him to take Brittany to the ball. But man, that would be impossible. She couldn't handle it when girls just looked at Jason, she wouldn't be able to survive watching him with another girl.
Acting like just friends, acting like brother and sister during the entirety of their freshman year was difficult, but it was manageable.
Trying to replicate that this year, that was an entirely new objective.
Kimberly slumped backwards into the bench, ignoring the shouts seeping through her house walls.
She couldn't believe how different this year was. She felt close to Jason from the moment she moved to Angel Grove. They got closer and closer with each passing year, but this year, this year was when everything changed.
She started to see Jason in a different light. Yes, Jason had been working so hard in karate and at the gym, his muscles were popping out of his clothes. But it couldn't be just that. There was more to this. She physically saw Jason differently, but she also saw him differently from an emotional and psychological aspect.
Every time it was just him alone with herself, Kimberly couldn't help but feel nervous. Couldn't help but want to get closer to him, couldn't help but levitate towards him, eager to touch him in any way she could. She would often hold his hand, playfully smack him and one evening, watching a movie at his house, she even went as far as to lay her head in his lap. Jason, to her surprise, always allowed her to. Sometimes, he even initiated it.
Then why does he not feel the same way as me. Kimberly thought to herself. Her parents giving it a rest, finally.
He's never asked me out on a date.
Well, he has asked you out on a date though hasn't he?
I don't mean a mate date, a proper date!
Kimberly's discussion with herself was cut short by a car approaching their houses. She quickly sat up on the porch bench and to her delight, the car stopped outside number 177, his house. A red Audi 5000, which belonged to Mr. Scott.
She didn't have to wait for long to watch Jason get out of the car. She quickly turned her head back around and tried to collect herself. She closed her eyes and waited. Please don't forget about me. She thought.
Kimberly's heart breathed a sigh of relief as she heard footsteps approaching her.
"What are you doing outside?" A calming voice spoke.
Kimberly opened her eyes and looked towards the source of the voice.
Jason was stood at the entrance to her front yard, at the bottom of the steps leading to their porch.
"Just umm, I'm just getting a bit of fresh air." Kimberly replied, offering him a smile. "Why are you standing there? Come on up."
Jason did as he was told. He made his way up the three or four steps and sat down next to Kimberly who moved to one side of the bench. He glanced at the house that looked so innocently calm, and then back at Kimberly.
"Is everything okay?" He asked her.
Kimberly nodded her head, blatantly lying as if he wouldn't see right through it.
Here it comes.
"So, it's not getting any better then?"
How does he know EVERYTHING she thought to herself in disbelief. There's another reason why she was so madly drawn towards him. He always knew when something was not right with her.
"Not really. But it's okay. Don't worry about me." She replied. Not wanting to put a dampener on the evening.
"I'm here for you if you ever need me."
Kimberly knew that he could tell what was going on. But what he didn't realise was, how badly she had wanted to see him. Yes she couldn't deal with her parents right now, but the urge to try and patch up the way things ended at the youth center was at the forefront of her mind.
"So, I'm guessing you made it into the team." She asked him brightly.
"How did you know?"
"You're the best. That's how!" Kimberly gently smacked him on the chest as they both leant back into the not so comfortable bench and stared up at the winter sky.
It would be absolutely freezing in most places in December, but this was california. It wasn't exactly warm, but the slightly cool tingle wasn't bad at all.
"I have to prove I'm the best, and win this tournament." Jason broke the comfortable silence.
"I know for a fact that you'll win."
Jason loved his friend's optimism and her faith in him. He moved closer towards her and gave her a quick hug, leaving his arm around her shoulders. "Thanks for the support, Kim. It makes it all so much easier to know that I have you guys backing me up."
Kimberly glanced at the arm around her. She was glad that their closeness was not affected due to the days earlier events. But she couldn't help but feel exceedingly nervous. She offered him a smile to reply to him since she couldn't form the words to reply right now.
"Is everything okay Kim?" Jason gazed into her eyes to try and read her mind to figure out why she looked so almost scared. "You're worrying me." He moved his arm away and positioned himself in front of her.
She had to speak up now.
"I'm fine, don't be silly." She grinned at him, feeling more confident now that he wasn't touching her. Though she wanted nothing more than to lay in his arms right now. Lay down on that uncomfortable bench and gaze up at the stars like in some cheesy romantic movie.
"I hope so. You know that I'm always here for you right?"
"I know you are. Thank you, Jason."
They sat there, just staring into each others eyes. Plenty on their minds, but neither could decide what to say. They both wished they could just forget the stupid ball, forget this year and go back to being Kimberly and Jason. Why did these feelings and these emotions have to surface now and ruin whatever they had.
"Kimberly."
As soon as Jason mentioned her name, her ears perked up like the antenna of a submarine submerged in the deepest depths of an ocean.
"About earlier."
Here it was. Finally, some clarity.
Jason's heart began to beat as fast as the drums of a heavy metal band.
"Did Britt really want to go to the ball with me?"
Oh man, he doesn't believe it. He definitely likes her, he even called her Britt, not Brittany. That blonde bitch!
"Kim?" Jason caught Kimberly's attention once more.
She had to be honest. If this is what Jason wants, then she should be happy for him like Trini said. His happiness comes first. That's what real friends do.
"Umm, yeah. She asked me to kinda sort it out, yano."
"Oh right, well ummm. Do you think I should go with her?"
Oh my god. Why are you asking me. Why are you putting me through this Jason? No you shouldn't go with her. You should take me! You should grab my hand right now and plant a kiss on my lips! Tell me that I am all that you want.
"Kim, are you there?" Jason chuckled, watching on at Kimberly's vacant expression.
"I don't know Jase. That's not for me to decide." She answered, eventually.
What does someone say to that? Why do girls have to be so puzzling. Just tell me if you want me to go with her or not. Tell me if you want me to take you. That's what I want to know!
He had to answer quickly, Kimberly was waiting for his reply, not taking her eyes away from his.
"Just tell her I'll think about it." Jason replied, finally.
Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't say yes, and that was the main thing.
Jason didn't know which option to take. He didn't want to say yes and play games with Kimberly in case it backfired, he didn't want to say no and ask Kimberly to the ball instead. What if that ended badly and Kimberly was disgusted by it. So he decided to go down the middle. And it seemed to work. Kimberly nodded her head and relaxed a little, leaning back into the porch bench.
"Have you had something to eat?" Jason asked. "My mom's made burritos today."
Kimberly crinkled her nose and puffed out her cheeks. "Unfortunately, yes. Mom made meatloaf. She still thinks we're in Seattle."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with meatloaf." Jason said, moving backwards into the bench to be next to Kimberly.
"Yeah but, burritos are way better." Kimberly countered.
"Yes, they are."
Loud voices once again resumed to boom out from the walls of number 173 Beech Grove, which made Kimberly wince a little and she tried her very best to not meet Jason's gaze. It was after all, an evening in which Jason had made the team for the martial arts tournament. She couldn't spoil it for him.
She closed her eyes as she felt Jason wrap a comforting arm around her shoulders and instantly felt relief as though someone had plugged her ears. The voices grew quieter and she was able to open her eyes again, this time, catching Jason's gaze.
"Hey, shall we go get some burritos and maybe play a video game, for old times sake?" Jason asked her, his face not far away from hers.
Kimberly quickly glanced at his lips with almost superhuman speed, before looking deep into his comforting brown eyes.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
Jason helped Kimberly up and they ignored the loud shouts coming from her house and walked over to the Scott's home once again for another evening together.
Angel Grove High.Monday
.
"Hey Kim, did you ask him?"
Kimberly Hart closed her locker and turned around to see a pretty, blue-eyed blonde stood right behind her.
"Yeah." She replied, taking a glance at Jason who was goofing around with Zack in the middle of the hallway.
"What did he say?" Brittany asked, impatiently tapping her feet on the floor.
"He said he'll think about it." Kimberly was so happy to hear those words come out from her mouth and to see Brittany's reaction. This was the same girl who last year, pestered Kimberly about her friendship with Jason, and almost ruined it.
"Oh right. Thanks for asking for me. Let me know if he says anything else." Brittany said before turning around to join the rest of the friends to get to class.
Kimberly offered smiles to the rest of the girls before turning to Trini. "What do you think?" she asked her.
"I don't know. Hopefully he decides not to." Trini said with a shrug of the shoulders. "But, maybe you can tell him the truth now?"
Kimberly once again glanced over at Jason who was now chatting away with Zack and Billy. "I'm scared Trini. I don't want to ruin what we have."
"I understand. Let's see how it goes." Trini replied.
"Yeah. Anyway, has Zack asked you, or have you asked him?"
Trini looked over at Zack and smiled bittersweet smile. "He's been waiting for Angela. I don't think he's interested at all."
"That's bullshit Trini. Even a blind man can see that he's so into you." Kimberly opened her locker again to adjust her makeup with the mirror she had stashed inside it.
"I'm not too sure about that Kim. I think we're in the same boat here."
"It's crazy how we can see it for each other but not for ourselves. I think it would work if we asked them for one another." Kimberly said with a laugh.
"Do you really think it would work?" Trini asked.
Kimberly, satisfied with how she looked, closed and locked her locker. "I was kidding. Don't say anything Trini. Please."
"Don't worry, I won't." Trini said, smiling at her friend.
"Hey babe. Do you have a date for the ball? If not, maybe you can go with a stud like me."
Kimberly and Trini turned around and saw Bulk and Skull walk up to them. Bulk leaned against the locker and moved closer to Trini.
Kimberly gave Skull a disgusted look as he moved closer to her. Chewing away crazily on his gum. The clicks of his jaw sending shudders up Kimberly's spine, making her feel nauseated.
"Get real Skull."
"What about you babe? You ready for some real man?" Bulk asked Trini.
"Hey, is everything okay here?"
Jason, Zack and Billy walked over to the two bullies towering over the girls, unnecessarily close to them.
"Stay out of this, dweeb. It isn't a crime to ask someone to the ball." Bulk replied to Jason.
"It is a crime to talk to women the way you do." Jason retorted.
"I told you to stay out of this!" Bulk threatened, turning away from Trini and facing Jason Zack and Billy.
"Guys, there is no need to escalate this situation." Billy quickly added, being wary and staying out of reach of the big teen.
"Who said you could talk, nerd."
"Yeah, who said you could talk, NERD." Skull echoed.
Bulk turned to his friend, "Let's get em."
Bulk swung his fist wildly at Jason who easily ducked under it, but Bulk came back with a number of punches that were surprisingly quick for a man his size. But Jason parried them all and pushed Bulk away, sending him off balance.
Skull meanwhile, quickly grabbed a hold of Billy.
"It's okay. I've got this." He said to Zack who was about to help.
Bulk gave up trying to hit Jason and saw that Skull had a hold of Billy. He charged forward but Billy ducked and Bulk hit skull instead, sending them both crashing into a trashcan behind them.
Luckily, the bell rang to signal the start of class.
"This isn't over yet, nerds." Bulk called out, dusting himself off, grabbing Skull and running away like scolded dogs.
"Thanks guys." Kimberly said with a smile at her friends.
"They'll grow out of it one day." Billy said.
"I don't know about that." Zack added.
"I liked your move Billy. Are you sure you don't want me to teach you some karate?" Jason said.
"Maybe one day Jason. I am still attempting to conquer bullies by using my brain rather than brawn."
"You looked good there Jason."
The gang turned around and saw Brittany walk past them.
"I mean, well, your karate really pays off. He couldn't even touch you. Very impressive." She continued.
"Gee, umm, thanks." Jason replied to her, his face starting to turn red once again, as it usually did when he was shy.
"Don't mention it. See you in class."
"Yeah, see ya." Jason replied, sending her a little wave.
Kimberly watched on with complete jealousy as Jason spun back around to his group of friends as they walked to their first class of the day. Jason's face blushing more than Kimberly had ever seen.
"Has he said anything about her yet?"
Kimberly was in her bedroom, holding the home telephone speaking to Trini. Jason's silence on the matter regarding the winter ball had her worried. "That's the problem. He hasn't said anything. And you saw him today."
"Yes, I saw him say two sentences to her. They are classmates at the end of the day. They're bound to talk." Trini replied.
"I know Trini." Kimberly twiddled the phone cord around her index finger. "But he spun around to look at her when they spoke, and did you see how red he was. He only gets that blushed when he's shy or embarrassed."
"Well yeah, because it was so out of the blue, I'm guessing he didn't know who was talking to him so he looked to see who it was. AND she did compliment him in front of everyone in the hall."
"I know, but. Does Zack ever say anything about Jason to you, you know, about me." Kimberly asked her friend.
"No babe, you know I'd tell you if he did. But don't be put off."
"I dunno Trini. I think I better give up on him."
"What do you mean? So you admit, It's more than just asking him to a little ball?" Trini asked her friend.
Kimberly didn't respond instantly. She bit her lip and mulled over the facts in her head.
He is one of my best friends. That's clear and obvious. Yes, he means a lot to me and yes, I love spending time with him. Do I find comfort in him like a family member would? Definitely.
But then there's the other side of the coin. Do I catch myself looking at him without warrant? Yes! Do I blatantly check him in some of those cases, not even looking at his face at times but his body? Hell yes! Do I sometimes have the urge to kiss him? I don't even need to answer that one. So do I have feelings for him now that transcend just the winter ball?
"Kimberly?"
Kimberly awoke from her trance once she heard her name from the other side of the line. "Trini, I think so."
"Then you have to tell him babe. You can't just keep going on like this."
"I know, but what if I tell him and he ends up being totally disgusted by the idea and I lose him completely!"
"I know darling. Listen, you have two choices. You tell him how you truly feel, maybe even just ask him to the ball, or then you have to try your best to forget about how you feel for him personally, and focus on the friendship you have. You can't keep doing this to yourself."
Kimberly wiped away a tear that was falling down her pretty face, glad Trini could not see her right now. "I think you're right Trini. I don't think it's worth the risk and losing him. I mean, even if by some miracle, he feels the same and we end up dating, well most relationships at our age don't last a lifetime. The risk is just too high. I want him in my life and I can't have it any other way."
"I totally understand. And you're not alone Kimberly. I'm here with you through all of this. And I will never betray your trust and tell Jason, Billy or even Zack, anything that is said between us."
"Thanks Trini. Means a lot." Kimberly replied back with a sob. She felt her heart rip into a thousand tiny pieces. Her breath caught in her throat with stifling, venomous pain.
Kimberly spent the next week, attempting her best efforts to ignore the urge to tell Jason exactly how she felt. She fought, and fought all week. It wasn't easy since they hung out literally all the time as a group if it wasn't just the two of them alone.
Jason sensed something was wrong, but he put it down to family problems at home and Kimberly tried to avoid any deep conversations with him so that he didn't find the true meaning to her unhappiness.
Brittany didn't relent. She would talk to Jason with every opportunity afforded to her. And Jason always spoke back, becoming blushful every single time.
Kimberly couldn't take it, but she HAD to, for their sake. She spent the entire week thinking of someone to take to the ball, she even thought about accepting one of Skull's offers, but alas, she couldn't accept him. Even if he was the last person on earth, she probably wouldn't pick Skull.
She wasn't short on offers mind you, plenty of boys asked her to be their date. She had to get over Jason and avoid disappointment, but she was yet to give any of the boys an answer. She just wasn't sure of what to say yet.
It was Wednesday now, the middle of the week, halfway there until the ball. Today was a very cold day which signaled that they were truly in the midst of winter.
Even when the gang met up at Angel Grove Park to walk together to school, they almost regretted it. It was rarely ever cold in Angel Grove but as they entered the school, they closed their eyes as they felt the heat warming up their bodies.
"Damn, I wonder why it's so cold today." Zack said, opening his locker, still quivering slightly.
"I do believe there was quite a bit of precipitation in Oregon last night, you know, rain and snow." Billy answered, retrieving his pencil case from his locker. "Most likely, the cold is caused by the wind bringing the cold weather from up there, down to us. It shouldn't last for long though since we're adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and it's consistent climate."
Zack, Jason and Kimberly immediately turned to Trini awaiting a simplified answer.
"California is naturally warm . This cold weather shouldn't last."
"Precisely." Billy responded.
"Hey Kimberly."
They all turned around from their lockers to see Tyler Edwards, the resident pretty boy of the sophomore year, walking up to them, or more specifically, walking up to Kimberly.
"Oh, hi Tyler." Kimberly responded, blushing a little herself now.
Tyler was a very confident guy by nature. I mean, who wouldn't be if they looked like that.
He was tall, especially for his age as he was already hitting the six-foot mark. He had dirty blonde hair that was styled into the progressively popular, front curtains. His blue eyes lighting up his face like little sapphires shining brightly and his dimples sticking out like strippers in a nunnery.
"Hi. I was just wondering if you would like to go to the ball with me. That's of course, if you're not going with anyone else." He asked Kimberly, his prominent dimples showing a rare bit of redness.
"Oh umm." Kimberly didn't know where to hide her face. Her friends were all looking at her, even Jason. "I'm not going with anyone." She answered truthfully.
"Well, would you allow me the privilege of taking you?"
Oooh that's smooth. Kimberly said to herself, glancing at the boy in front of her, trying not to blush.
To go to the ball with Tyler would really give her rep a boost and she would totally floor all the other girls, especially Brittany. But then again… if Brittany went with Jason…what was the point. She had to choose quickly.
"That would be really nice." Kimberly answered, feeling Jason's eyes on her, watching on as Tyler beamed happily. "But I'll ummm, I'll let you know. Is that Okay?"
"Yeah, that's cool." Tyler responded his face now redder than anyone had ever seen. Tyler being shy, that never happened! "I look forward to it. See ya Kim."
"Yeah, see ya Tyler." Kimberly replied, affording the young man a smile.
As soon as he was out of sight, Trini ran up to Kimberly.
"Oh my god. Tyler just asked you to the ball! Tyler freakin Edwards!"
The three boys stood behind them, glanced at each other in disbelief, Jason feeling particularly nauseous.
"I know. That's crazy!" Kimberly replied.
"It's not that crazy. You're hot Kim! Of course, he would ask you."
"Girls, we better get going. We don't want to be late for Ms. Appleby." Jason said.
"I most certainly concur with Jason. This is a most joyous moment, but we best get going." Billy said.
The girls nodded their heads and walked with the boys to the first class of the day, still talking about what happened.
"Did you see the way she looked at him though!" Jason bemoaned.
He was sat with Zack in the boy's locker room. They had just finished a class of gym and had quickly got dressed.
"Yeah man, but all the girls look at him like that." Zack replied.
"Yeah, but he didn't ask them to the ball, he asked her!"
Zack didn't know what to say. Jason was right, Tyler did ask Kimberly to the ball and she didn't say no. But then again, she didn't say yes either. "You're right bro, but did she say yes to him?"
"No, but she didn't say no either." Jason countered.
Zack just shot his last bullet and was now out of ammunition. How could he help his friend feel better. Jason wasn't making it any easier.
"It was definitely more of a yes than a no. I give up. I think I better just accept Brittany's offer." Jason said, hanging his head in disappointment.
Zack hated the look of disappointment on his best friends face.
"It could be worse bro."
"How?"
"At least you're going with someone. Angela has straight out said no to me. And I don't have anyone else to go with. You're in a better position than me."
Jason looked up at Zack who was grinning from ear to ear as he saw Jason's face showing an ounce of amusement. He was right. He wasn't going with Kimberly, but at least he had someone to go with.
"Guys, let's go, we don't want to be late for science."
Jason and Zack looked up to see Billy walking up to them. Fully dressed with his schoolbag around his shoulder, ready for science class.
"But the bell hasn't even rung yet." As soon as Zack said those words, BRRRRNG, the school bell rang. "Damn, you're psychic or something my main brain."
"I'll take that as a compliment Zachary." Billy responded with a chuckle.
Jason quickly tied his laces grabbed his belongings and stood up.
"And by the way, I didn't mean to, but I overheard the last few words you guys said, and well, don't worry. I don't have a partner for the ball either. Many folk don't, so don't worry too much about it."
Zack and Jason thanked their friend and ran out of the building that housed the gymnasium and met up with the girls outside to walk to their next class. Jason was more than ecstatic when Kimberly smiled at him, a smile that he happily returned.
The rest of the week went by quicker than any of them anticipated and that ended their last week before the Christmas holidays. There was just one last thing to do before they broke up for their days off. The winter ball.
The sophomore winter ball – Angel Grove High
Billy was the first one to arrive at the school and was ushered inside and to the gymnasium by a very excited Mr. Caplan. Billy looked very tidy indeed. He wore a three-piece, baby blue suit with a crisp, white shirt.
The five friends decided to come to the ball individually and meet up once inside and that's what they did.
Trini soon joined Billy in a nearly empty gymnasium. She looked absolutely magnificent. A beautiful golden dress that sat nicely on her slim shoulders and went down to her ankles which showed off a pair of white shoes that didn't distract from the beauty of her dress.
Most of the sophomore kids hadn't arrived yet. But that was about to change.
Within the next twenty minutes, the room was full with students. The gymnasium had been dressed up very nicely. The usual boring, beige walls were covered in silver and white tinsel. The floor was scattered with confetti that sparkled like little stars. Tables were spread around the hall for students to sit at and enjoy the drinks and snacks being offered by the various chaperones and rows of beautiful tinsel hung from the ceiling. There was even fake snow gently falling from the ceiling. The school had done a magnificent job in showcasing the Christmas spirit.
"Where are the rest of the guys?" Trini asked Billy, they were sipping on some spiced apple punch.
"Well Zachary is here." Billy pointed out.
Zack Taylor walked into the gymnasium and spotted his friends sat at a nearby table.
"Good evening my beautiful acquaintances. You both look fabulous." He said, walking over to them and wrapping them both in his arms.
"So do you Zack." Trini said to him over the loud music being played. She took a step back to admire him. Zack had chosen a very classy, floral patterned black suit.
"Thank you, mademoiselle." He replied with a smile.
"Did you see Jason or Kimberly outside at all?" Billy asked.
"No, I didn't." Zack answered, accepting the drink than Trini had saved for him.
Jason got out of the car and said goodbye to his dad. He looked around the parking lot belonging to the gymnasium and saw a few fellow students hanging around outside, but not anyone he was waiting for, so he walked over to the entrance to look for them inside.
Jason was feeling nervous, he didn't know why, but he was. He wasn't fully there and that was evident because he bumped into a brown-haired girl who was peering into the gymnasium from outside, almost hiding.
"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't hurt you." He apologized, hoping he didn't stand on her foot or anything.
"Jason?" She slowly turned around, fixing her dress.
"Kimberly? Wow!" Jason panted. He took in the beauty of the girl stood in front of him. He didn't even recognise her for a second.
Her hair was styled, no doubt by her mom, into a beautiful waterfall braid that meshed perfectly with her light brown eyes. It stopped just before her shoulders began, which l supported a stunning, soft-pink, A-line dress made from silk. The dress stopped at her ankles where her painted toe nails were peeping out from her blush, three-inch heels.
"Wow what?" She asked Jason as she checked him out in his simple but classy black suit, supporting a wine-coloured shirt underneath it.
"You Look- You look amazing."
Kimberly couldn't hide her blushes as she ducked her head and smiled. "Thanks, umm, so do you." She was fighting the urge to take another look at him. How did he dress so well without her support. His dress sense was usually way off. But he looked mighty fine tonight.
Jason himself couldn't take his eyes away from her. She looked so beautiful. He tried with all his might not to take a peek at the leg sticking out of the beautiful dress she was wearing.
"Thanks Kimberly. What were you doing out here?" he asked her, regaining some composure.
Kimberly found the confidence to lift her head and look at Jason. "I was looking for umm, I was looking for Trini and the guys." She answered hesitantly.
"They're right over there." Jason pointed out at a table in clear view on which Trini, Zack and Billy were sat.
"Oh yeah, stupid me." She replied, feeling her cheeks burning.
"Well, shall we go join em?"
Kimberly nodded her head and Jason opened the door to allow her to enter first like the gentleman he was. Their ears were greeted by upbeat, wintery music and their eyes were invaded by the sparkling decorations of the gymnasium.
Kimberly walked in first and looked around in awe. She couldn't believe how beautiful it looked. Romantic almost.
Jason followed her in and they walked over towards their friends who were rather close by.
"My my my, you look absolutely stunning Kimberly." Trini said, standing up and wrapping her friend in a cuddle whilst the boys embraced each other.
"Thank you, Trini, so do you." Kimberly replied, stroking her friends sleek, long black hair.
"Thanks babe. So did you two come together?" Trini asked them.
"Oh, no." Kimberly and Jason said in unison.
"We bumped into each other outside." Jason quickly followed up.
"Quite literally." Kimberly added.
"Mmmhmmm." Zack teased, sending them both a wink.
"Sit down guys. We've got you both a drink." Trini said, ushering the two of them down onto the chairs.
"What is it? Kimberly asked, accepting the drink from Trini.
"It's going to get you absolutely wasted." Zack teased.
"Shut up Zack." Trini said, responding to the look of horror on Kimberly's face. "I think it's a non-alcoholic spiced apple punch."
"It is rather delectable I must admit." Billy added.
The teens sat down and enjoyed their drinks and watched on as the party began to really kick in. The gymnasium was full with the sophomore students, a handful of teachers and a few chaperones.
Kimberly broke the conformable silence and turned to Jason. "Where's your date?" she asked him.
"I haven't got one." Jason answered.
"What about Britt then? Did you say no to her?" Kimberly asked, her eyes open with surprise.
"Well, I thought about it." Jason smiled. "And I decided against it. Don't ask me why."
This is exactly what Kimberly needed to make this night better. She had been dreading it all day. She didn't think she could bare to watch Jason with Brittany.
"What about you. Where's your date?"
Kimberly needed a moment to process what was going on. She was so jubilant hearing about Brittany's failure, and Jason's decision. "Well, I never let him know." She said with a mischievous smile.
"Wow, you turned down Tyler. Tyler freakin' Edwards." Jason said, mimicking the girls from earlier on in the week.
"Oh stop it." Kimberly said playfully slapping Jason's hand which was on the table. She had an urge to keep hold of it, but she reluctantly moved her hand away.
"Thank god that's over with. None of us have dates either. We don't need em." Zack said.
"Yes, we have each other." Trini added.
"And that's more fulfilling than any date." Billy said with a big grin.
The group shared smiles and celebrated a bond that was so close, a bond that none of them ever imagined could be possible. They watched on in delight as Mr. Caplan and Ms. Appleby kicked off the dancing with a wonderful version of a bachata dance. It looked odd at times, but you could tell that they had been practising.
The students gave the teachers a standing ovation once they had finished and now it was time for everyone else to take to the dance floor. Students with dates were the first ones to stand up and go dancing. Students without dates were still sat at their tables.
"Billy, would you like to dance?"
Out of nowhere, Brittany's friend Stacy had quietly walked over to their table. Billy looked at her in utter shock.
"I'm not sure. My dancing skills are rather inferior."
"They won't be that bad. It's just a little friendly dance. Would you?" Stacy replied, sticking out her hand.
Billy didn't know what to say, so he looked at his friends and saw them encouraging him with their eyes. Some mouthing yes, some opening their eyes wide as they could, pushing him to accept.
Billy took a big breath of air and stood up placing his hand into Stacy's and being led away to the middle of the room.
"Yes Billy!" Trini shouted, laughing proudly with happiness for her friend. His friends couldn't believe it, but Billy was there on the dance floor, dancing with Stacy, a very popular girl. Brittany didn't look too pleased about it, but it didn't matter. His friends were cheering for him and that was all he needed.
"Damn!"
Trini, Jason and Kimberly turned around and looked at Zack who had just cried out in disappointment.
"Man, Angela's dancing up there with that bastard, Tyler!" He explained.
They all turned their heads and saw Angela and Tyler were indeed arm in arm, dancing away.
"Better luck next time bro." Jason told his friend, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Would you like to accompany me instead?"
Zack turned to his right and saw Trini smiling, offering him her hand. Trini couldn't believe she found the courage to ask him this.
Zack pondered for a moment. A very quick moment. Trini meant a lot to him. He went to her whenever he was upset, happy, excited, scared, and every other emotion a teenager felt. And she did the same. This was a no brainer for him.
"Yes of course my dear. Since you are the most dashing lady in this gymnasium. It would be my pleasure."
Without another word, Zack stood up and took Trini's hand into his. With a quick little elbow into Jason's arm, he led Trini away to join the rest of the students, leaving Jason and Kimberly alone on the table. It seemed like even the gymnasium felt the tension that Jason and Kimberly were feeling, as the fake snow had stopped sprinkling, the lights dimmed and the music changed to a more slow, romantic and heart wrenching offering.
Kimberly and Jason weren't saying a word. They were focusing so much on their friends dancing away, maybe focus isn't really the right word here, since they were both thinking of something else, thinking so much that they hardly noticed their friends dancing.
Something had to give. Most of the students were up now and on the dance floor. Even brittany had found someone to dance with and looked like she was having the time of her life.
Just ask him. He's an awful dancer, he won't ask you.
"Jase-"
"Kim-"
They had both been so quiet and now they had spoken at exactly the same time. They both smiled and finally looked at each other. Just looking at her gave him butterflies. She looked so elegant, so pristine, so perfect.
"Go ahead Kim."
Kimberly shook her head. "No, you go first."
"Okay." Jason took a big inhale and filled his lungs with air. He needed to because he felt like he was being squeezed in the coils of an anaconda. "There's not many options left, and well, I know I'ma crap dancer, but would you do me the honour of this next dance?"
Kimberly's own breathing was now almost failing. She tried to compose herself and not show how excited she was by Jason's proposal. "Yes, you are a bad dancer, but who better to teach you than me?" Seriously, that's your response? She mentally scolded herself.
"So, is that a yes?" Jason inquired.
"I would absolutely love to. Yes!"
Jason pushed out his hand onto the table, inches away from Kimberly's and she instantly placed her hand into his. As soon as their skin touched, they both felt goosebumps traveling up their arms and down the rest of their bodies. Their hairs on the back of their necks stood up and as they stood up themselves, they couldn't take their eyes off one another.
Jason gently led Kimberly onto the dance floor, not far from their friends.
"What do I do?" He leant in and whispered into her ear.
The breath that hit kimberly ear and neck when he whispered those words, felt like dense smoke was billowing down Kimberly's spine. But nonetheless, she grabbed Jason's other hand and placed it on her hip, holding his other hand and raising it.
Kimberly led the way, slowly moving to the sound of the new song, Bryan Adam's, Everything I do . Their eyes were locked together, taking each step brilliantly in sync.
"See, it's not that difficult." Kimberly muttered over the sound of the music.
"It's easy when you have a great teacher." Jason replied to her. Once again sending shivers down her spine.
Just before Kimberly closed her eyes, they found Trini who was resting her chin on Zack's shoulder. She smiled at Kimberly and offered her a thumbs up to which Kimberly smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
They had been worried all week about this ball. Worried that they would have to watch each other being with another person. But here they were. Hand in hand, body to body, gently swaying away to music that they could both relate to. Before they realised it, the next song had already begun.
Every breath you take by the police.
This was perfect. Kimberly didn't care that Brittany was giving her a jealous, dirty look. She didn't care about Tyler, she didn't care about anything other than the moment she was in right now. She was just glad that she was here with her friends and here with Jason. After all the worrying, all the inner turmoil of whether to tell Jason how she felt, she was dancing with him now. Kimberly peered up at Jason who had his eyes closed as she led him with some gentle swaying. He looked so handsome. She decided to press her head against Jason's chest, right over his heart as if she was trying to hear its secrets, to hear it tell her that it was for her only and no one else, but she only felt it beating. That was enough for her right now. She was here with him. And that's what mattered.
Jason opened his eyes when he felt Kimberly's head on his chest. What a week! After all the overthinking, he didn't even have to ask Kimberly to the ball. He didn't have to ask her anything because here she was, holding his hand, his other hand on her hip, ( Wow, my hand is on her hip) her head on his ches t. Whenever life got confusing, whenever they drifted apart, life always found a way to bring them back together.
Jason didn't know what this meant. He didn't care. He wouldn't overthink anymore. If it was meant to be, it will be. She would find a place in his life if that's what was in his destiny.
They wouldn't overthink anymore. Kimberly opened her eyes and looked up at Jason once more and this time, their eyes met. His eyes were filled with happiness and so were hers. Kimberly looked at the wine-coloured shirt Jason was wearing, and once again, rested her head directly over his heart.
They just enjoyed the moment they were having. And they wouldn't have it any other way.
This was a long Chapter. I hope you liked the trip down memory lane.Thanks for reading.Peace outRedDragon
