Notes: This "Time After Time" version is by INOJ. Some of the words don't fit, and I contorted the song to fit the story, so no copyright infringement. I also forgot to put the disclaimer for "That I Would Be Good" by Alanis Morrissette. Just so you know, all my chapter titles will be named after songs, that fit the chapter. I love music, I play music, and I listen to music, so it was natural to put my two loves together: Writing and Music.
Charity looked back and forth between Simone and Jessica wondering what was up. She wanted to sit down and think about her and Miguel, have a nice long bath, and go to sleep. She was tired and really didn't want another problem to add to her list. Charity raises her eyebrows expecting a volunteer explanation. Jessica and Simone just stood there looking very interested at her room's carpet. Jessica found out that carpet really didn't match to the room, and Simone just found that hand stitching would definitely be a pain in ass. All in all, it wasn't very productive. Charity, finding that they aren't going to volunteer anything, she decides to take matters in her own hands.
"Guy's are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Charity asked, now getting suspicious. Simone and Jessica just looked at Charity with blank looks on their faces. Simone just shrugged, and Jessica was just hoping the floor would swallow Charity, so they would have an excuse to leave. Charity just stood there, still expecting them to say anything.
Nothing.
Trying not to get angry, Charity counts slowly to 10.
Still nothing.
"Okay, what are you doing in my room?" Charity asked, really trying to get a hold of herself. This day was really stressing her out. She looked at Simone, frowning. "Simone, I thought you were in Boston?" she asked, now getting confused.
Simone and Jessica looked at each other again, knowing that they couldn't evade her questions any longer. Quickly trying to think of an excuse, Simone tried to a lead on things. "Um, we just had to talk privately and Kay was in their room." Simone said, hoping to God that Charity won't ask anymore questions. Knowing Charity, that wouldn't be too likely. However, Simone felt that she didn't know anything about anyone, now.
Jessica immediately brightened. "Yeah, we were talking privately!" she said a bit too brightly. She wasn't used to lying to Charity like this. 'But you do what you got to do for family.' Jessica silently repeated. She owed it enough to Kay, at least.
Charity just looked at them, knowing that they were hiding something, but decided to drop it. She has problems of her own to deal with. Exasperated, she surrendered and shook her head. "Okay, fine."
"If you would excuse us Charity, Jessica and I have to finish this conversation." Simone said looking at Jessica meaningfully.
"Yeah, bye!" Jessica said in a rush and they quickly scampered out of her room. Charity looked at their backs, shaking her head. Sighing again, she close the door, getting ready for bed. Suddenly, the ground was right in front of her.
"Ouch, I'm starting to get klutzy," she mumbled. Looking around to see what has tripped her, she looked at the small bottle that laid right next to her left foot. Picking it up, she furrowed her brow in confusion. It read "Prozac."
'So that's what Jessica and Simone were talking about!' she thought with triumph. She frowned as the next thought came to mind.
Who would be taking these?
~*~
Simone and Jessica stood outside, on the Bennett porch pacing back and forth. Well, Simone was anyway. Simone never thought her day would end like this. The day was filled with so much promise. Summer was here; no more worries about school and homework. Whitney wasn't after Chad, she even volunteered to drive her to the mall to go see him. Only one phone call just changed everything around. Now she had to deal with a mentally sick friend. She could almost laugh at the irony. How many times did Kay said that she was going to put Charity in a Mental Institution? KAY, was now ready to go to that institution!
On another hand, Jessica was wringing her hands out, frustrated that Kay was like this. She snooped around their room plenty of times and didn't see any evidence that she was going crazy. She winced knowing how cruel she had treated Kay for most of their life. They never did the sister bonding that they saw on sitcoms. The guilt was beginning to gnaw at Jessica. She knew her sister was in love with Miguel even before Kay knew herself. She knew and understood how painful it was to see your best friend and the love of your life just run to the arms of another girl instead yours. Hell, she was there when she cried in her sleep about *him* last year. Ever since she found out that Kay was taking the pil-
Then, she remembered. 'THE PILLS!' she thought, 'Lord almighty, Charity is sure to find out! This turning into more of a mess.'
"Simone! Stop pacing!" Jessica practically shouted.
Simone was ready to burst. Everything was slipping away from her. Jessica bringing out of her thoughts really didn't make matters any better for her either. "What is it?!?! Besides the fact that my best friend and your sister is so depressed that she has to take Prozac?!?!?!" Simone yelled back at her. "God, do you know what this means? It means that Kay is going to the mental institution. Hell, I'LL be going to go to the place if we don't figur-"
"The pills! Where are the pills?" Jessica interrupted, knowing that it was better to stop while Simone was ahead.
Simone stopped dead center in the room and looked at her confusion. Jessica looked at her expectantly, waiting for her answer. Then it dawned on her. They were gone. 'Great, now this gonna be a bigger mess, not that it isn't it already.' Simone thought with dismay. Why did everything had to get complicated so quick? She didn't even need to think about what happened to it. With their luck, it was -
"Charity. Oh great. Now she has be in this too." Simone said to Jessica.
"No, no she can't be in this," she said shaking her head. 'The less people in this, the better. Kay hates to be smothered.' Jessica thought silently.
"How are we going to explain it to her then? Because she saw us in the room Jessica. There is no way we can run from this without telling her. Besides, we can't handle this all alone!" Simone said, resigned. This was getting too hard on her and with Jessica looking up to her for answers, she needed to have Charity, she couldn't handle it by herself.
Jessica looked at Simone. She knew this was killing as much as it was her. 'Maybe Charity can help,' deciding against her instincts. She nodded, "Yeah, but I don't think that we will get anywhere now. It's getting late."
Simone looked at her watch. Jessica was right. It was getting late. "Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow, first thing in the morning." Simone said.
"First thing."
"Bye, and call me if anything changes." Simone waved and called back to her.
"I will." Jessica stated and then left to get ready for bed, though she knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep at all. The more rest, the better.
She had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a long day.
~*~
Where : Harmony - The Lopez-Fitzgerald Home - Miguel's Room
When : 7:05 AM Thursday, June 15, 2000
Sunlight filled the boyish room, giving away the gorgeous June day ahead. The room was covered with pictures of his life, capturing only the happy moments. It didn't give away his father's abrupt disappearance and mysteries that are still uncovered to him. It was a regular room. But spectacular as it can be.
He stirred smiling at the dream that lay before him. Snuggling deeper in his bed's blankets, he tried to grasp it as it soon faded away. Not before an envision of the person who captured his dreams and thoughts.
"Kay," Miguel mumbled.
He was dreaming of the baseball game when he and Kay was much smaller. When they were eight years old.
"Come on Kay!" little Miguel cheered on his best friend. Fist raising high above, baseball cap precariously perched on top of his head, he hooted and whistled knowing that Kay was scared. This was her first official time going up to bat. She was so nervous that she rejected his mother's cookies. She never rejected his mother's famous chocolate chip cookies. Now that's nervous.
Kay looked at Miguel shyly and nodded her head in the affirmative. Smiling at him gratefully, she took a deep breath as she grabbed one of the bats. Butterflies were going a hundred miles per hour in her small stomach. She wouldn't even be going through with this if it wasn't for Miguel's insistence. Kay would love to be cheering him on instead of him cheering her. Still, she was proud that she made Miguel feel proud of her.
"Awww, look at Miguel, cheering on his little girlfriend!" said one of the team mates. His name was Charlie and he was the bully on the team and in school. Kay and Miguel were always picked on because of their friendship, and Miguel being Miguel, just ignored it. Kay was a little worried that he would stop being her friend, but Miguel was more of friend than to abandon her like that. If it didn't bother Miguel, then it didn't bother Kay, and that was the end of that. Charlie's little group of friends, snickered, going along with the comments.
Miguel slowly turned around, not suprized. At school, it was different, but here it wasn't. This was his turf. He ruled the game, literally. And no one, messes with Kay when she's nervous. She's more prone to make mistakes that way. Hands on his hips, he narrowed his eyes on Charlie, the stare made of ice. It would make any kid freeze in terror and any grown up laugh. Still, he maintained his position as he slowly made his way to Charlie. Nose to nose, Charlie gulped nervously. This was NOT the way he had had planned. Miguel wasn't a wuss; he just didn't fight, but Miguel fought when it was a matter of whom he cared for, and Charlie seemed to forget that.
"Kay Bennett may be a girl, but she is my best friend and your team mate. You better start cheering for her now, or you're going have to deal with me." To make his point, Miguel punched his fist into his hands, and spat on the dirt ground, never breaking eye contact. He was serious.
Charlie's eyes nervously darted across to Kay and slightly nodding his head. Facing away from Miguel, he clapped loudly and started to yell Kay's name with energy he had never had before. Miguel may have a girl for his best friend, but he had older brothers. Big, older brothers.
Satisfied, he slowly turned to Kay, making a big show out of a wink and started to cheer for Kay again.
Kay, who had heard everything Miguel just said, smiled as bright as the sun, knowing that she could count on Miguel to protect her, for better or worse. Filled with the knowledge, she walked up to the bat, ready to make her best friend proud. The pitcher did a double take and started to chuckle looking at the girl who was up to bat. Filled with determination, she looked ready to pounce at the ball. That made the pitcher chuckle harder. 'A girl. Hmmm, this won't take long.' he thought.
And it didn't.
"Crack!"
Kay stared in shock amazement as the baseball and bat connected together sending the baseball to the outer edge of the field. Dumbfounded she looked at Miguel, forgetting what to do. Miguel's jaw dropped open at the fast disappearing baseball. As the other teams right fielders try to get the ball, he quickly turned to look at Kay, shook his head out of his wonderment, and started to give instructions to Kay.
In other words....
"Run Kay!" he screamed. The team, by then was shaken out of it, and started to cheer Kay on.
"Not so bad eh Charlie?" Miguel asked the opened mouth boy. Flies could come in to make a home and he wouldn't notice it. Smirking, Miguel, turned back to cheering Kay.
"Go Kay!"
"We knew you could do it!" Were the shouts, and the small Harmony crowd stood up, anticipating.
"Wow, what a woman," a boy said dreamily. He bore thick glasses, tape holding it together. The baseball pants were higher than others, and he certainly didn't look athletically inclined. Maybe, that's why he was the waterboy. His name was Reese.
Eyes wide, Kay ran as fast as her long legs could carry her. Touching every plate, she was nearing home when the other team was catching up to her. The ball was flying everywhere, trying to reach her, but it couldn't.
Gritting her teeth, she dived ensuring her win. When she was determined, world, look out.
A cloud of dust enveloped her young, thin frame. Both teams looked nervously trying to find the ball and Kay. As the dust settled, the umpire blew his whistle, signifying his decision. She looked to the umpire hopeful.
"She's safe! The Harmony Hippos* win!" he said.
Both shell shocked and happy, she didn't notice when Miguel picked her up, grabbing her into the hugest bear hug that was ever given to Kay. Picking her up, not with much effort, he twirled her around and released her to face him.
"Kay, I'm so proud of you! You know what this means? We're in the finals!" Miguel shouted, hugging her again.
Kay never felt so happy in her life until then. She laughed and screamed in delight, knowing that Miguel and her can never be apart. Never. 'Miguel and I will never leave each other.' she silently promised. "Never," she voiced outloud.
Miguel stopped. "What did ya say Kay?"
"Oh, nothing. But can you let go of me now? As much as I like your hugs, I need to breathe," she said in a raspy voice.
Miguel saw what she meant. Sheepishly, he let go of her. "Sorry, I got carried away there," he said, his head looking down.
She smiled, knowing she embarrassed. Deciding to put him out of his misery, she wrapped her arm around his neck.
"It's okay Miguel. What are friends if they can't get hugs?" she asked.
"Best friends," he corrected, "but, Kay, you amaze me."
"You know, I get that a lot."
He laughed. She sure did, more than anyone could know. Wrapping another arm around her, he led her to the rest of the team.
"Come on and let's go celebrate, friend."
"Best Friends."
"... and now to the local weather, Jim?"
"Yes, sunny skies, and a cloudless day. Put those umbrellas away for now...."
Miguel groaned at the interruption. He was dreaming on Kay and him on the little league team. Kay's first baseball game and it was a first for Harmony to even have a girl in Little League. He smiled knowing how much practice it took just for Kay to hold the bat right. However, she was determined and got the swing of it. Even he was suprized at how she won the game for the Harmony Hippos Little League.
Kay. It's been a long time since he spent anytime with her. He usually spent his free time with Charity. And school, baseball, and everything else, their friendship has been on the back burner. Rather, he was the one he put it there.
Miguel frowned, knowing he needed to make it up to Kay. She had been acting really weird this past year. Shaking her out of his thoughts, he brought up the subject of the current hour. Day, Week, and Month.
Charity.
Charity was well, more Charity than usual. More uppity, more nervous, and more ditz... forgetful. He corrected himself, quickly. 'Charity is not ditzy! She has been under more stress lately and...' Miguel paused.
What stress?
'She must be hiding something from me,' he thought. It was the only logical thing he could come up with. Maybe that's why she seemed dazed and confused. Granted he had been pushing her away, lately. Not much, but still. Maybe she was becoming more suspicious, or more aware of what was going around her.
Miguel knew what it could be. But, that, THAT, was another subject entirely. It was a subject that he didn't feel like going through his head right then.
'It's going to come up sooner or later, but why sooner?' he decided.
With that, he left his bed and got ready for the day.
Hopefully, avoid Charity long enough to know what was what with him.
~*~
Where : Harmony, Maine - The Bennett's - Kay and Jessica's Room
When : 7:48 AM Thursday, June 15, 2000
She woke up with a startling realization. Today was the first day. The day she finally start to move on with her life and forget about him. She knew her feelings would never be returned, so why should she dream and set herself up for heart break again?
'Dreams never come true anyway. They just give you an excuse to escape reality, temporarily' she thought with a heavy heart. Yes, today was the day she was going to set things right and finally learn that there are other dreams; other opportunities just waiting to be picked.
Maybe so, but it still didn't make this any easier.
Groaning, she turned over to face Jessica's bed. She furrowed her eyebrows at the made bed and the time it was now. Jessica NEVER woke up early on weekdays in summer. She usually came down to earth around 11:40 am. 'Well, she must have an important thing to do today,' Kay assumed.
Getting out of bed, she remembered. Her parents were coming home today! Jessica, Charity, and her had a lot of straightening up to do. Not that there was much of a mess, but any excuse is a good excuse to get your mind off of someone.
Kay got out of her bed and opened the window. She pushed it as high as it could go, poked her head out, and took a deep breath of the fresh air. The sun warmed her with a greeting and she felt okay. Not complete, not exactly happy, but okay.
"Everything is gonna be all right, Kay. You're gonna be all right," she said to herself.
In that moment, she let herself believe that.
~*~
Meanwhile, Jessica and Charity were sitting on the kitchen table eating what was left of Frosted Cheerios. The silence was very uncomfortable. Charity kept glancing at Jessica hoping she would say anything about last night. Jessica, however, was avoiding her gaze and anxiously looking at the phone hoping for Simone to call as she had promised.
Finishing the last of the cereal, Charity put her bowl in the sink, rinsed it out, and banged it hard in the washing machine. Jessica looked at Charity abruptly from the noise. She knew what was wrong, but was playing dumb. Jessica didn't want to say anything until Simone and her had a plan. She gave Charity a blank stare, not saying anything.
Charity stared right back, not breaking any eye contact. Tired of this very, very stupid staring contest, Jessica got up to empty her bowl.
Charity grabbed Jessica's wrist, making sure Jessica was looking at her. Finally, she asked the question of the hour. Well, past day actually.
"Who pills are they Jessica?" Charity asked. The blue eyes were filled with question and some concern. Confuse and distraught brown met with blue, clashing. Jessica sighed knowing that there was no way out of it. She had to tell Charity, but she didn't want to do it by herself. Something told her that telling Charity wasn't the brightest idea, but it was the ONLY idea they had anyway.
Finally deciding that stalling was the best option, she gave her answer. "Charity, I can't tell you right now. It's complicated and the only way I'm going to tell you is if Simone was here also." Jessica stated. Charity heaved a sigh, knowing that she was telling the truth. She decided that they'll tell her later. Besides, she had a lot to do today.
"Okay, I'll settle for that for now. But you guys are going to tell me, right?" Charity asked.
Jessica nodded her head but crossed to fingers behind her back. "Right"
"I'll be home before Aunt Grace and Uncle Sam gets back, but I'll be out with Miguel later on. Bye Jessica." With that, Charity was gone.
"Bye!" Jessica said and waved, happy to see her go. Thanking God that Charity, didn't put two and two together. 'As nice as Charity is, she probably say it was five.' Jessica thought.
Of course, if Charity had enough brain cells that wasn't damaged by the smoke, she would have known that:
A.) Simone was Kay's Best Friend
B.) Jessica was Kay's Sister
C.) There was only one other person in the house that was living with them that could possibly be taking the pills. With the exception of Grace and Sam.
Duh!
Quickly switching on the dish washer, she grabbed the phone to call the Russell home. She was getting really nervous now. Simone should be calling her by now. After a few rings, a breathless Whitney answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, Whitney, it's me Jessica. Is Simone around?" Jessica played with cord nervously, hoping for a yes.
"Yeah, hold on." As Whitney started to yell for Simone, Kay bounded the stairs into the kitchen.
"Morning Jess." she greeted.
Jessica paled slightly, knowing that this was definitely not a conversation that she wanted to do public, especially in front of the subject.
"Uh, hey Kay," hoping that she'll just get an apple and go on her merry way. Well, merry wouldn't be the correct word.
Kay walked over to get something to eat. Looking at the lack of food, and a casserole dish that have definitely seen better days, she decided that she wasn't hungry and would just much on some cereal. Closing the fridge door, she went to dig in the cupboard shelves. While doing this, Jessica studied Kay's appearance. Today Kay wore a long, dark, gray skirt and a crimsion red, hooded sweatshirt covering a tight, white, tank top. Red, Polo Sport, tennis sneakers adorned her feet matching the whole outfit. It wasn't really Kay's style, but it fit her somehow. But the most suprizing observation was that her face was make up free with only lip gloss on. She pulled her hair back into a regular simple ponytail.
As Kay started to pour the cereal in a clean bowl, she looked up to see Jessica studying her hard. Kay looked at herself quickly and finding nothing out of place, she stopped. "What?" Kay grumbled slightly bothered. She really didn't like it when people spend a lot of time staring at her. It made her feel self - conscience. She didn't like that feeling.
Jessica snapped her head up and Kay's voice. Blinking, she covered the mouth of the phone. She was still on hold, so there was no worries of making Simone wait. "You look, uh, different." Jessica stuttered. Now she was nervous. It was weird knowing that your sister is depressed, but she doesn't know you know.
Looking at Jessica, she wondered who was on the phone. Absentmindedly, she smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle on her skirt. "I decided that it was time for me to change my style." Kay responded coolly.
"Oh," tapping on the counter, she uncovered the receiver of the phone. She heard a lot of rustling and some voices, more rustling, and then she heard a click.
"Hello?" Simone finally asked. Things were getting tense around here with Whitney and her. Namely because of a boy named Chad.
"Yeah, it's me. Uh, since you didn't call -"
Simone groaned, quickly she tried to explain, "I'm sorry Jessica, but things around here got as little, um, strained." She quickly glared at her sister, Whitney. Whitney just rolled her eyes and left the room. Simone just scrunched up her nose in disgust at her sister. She turned around to go to the matter at hand.
"Did Charity ask questions?" Simone asked.
"Yes, and we got to tell her today. Who knows who she might tell." Kay couldn't help but listen in on the conversation. Jessica phone calls were never this interesting. From what she had heard so far, it looked like Jessica was having some personal problems. 'My little sister was growing up and already stealing other people's boyfriends! She even has a black mailer.' Kay thought with a small smile, 'Maybe I could help her out or something. But she'll probably die from shock over her sister actually helping her. But still family is family, no matter what planet they were born on.'
"I think it's safe to tell her." Simone responded, "Besides, I'm not really good in making up stories, Kay is."
"Um, I think I should talk you in person."
"Why?"
"Because..." Jessica tried to convey her message in her voice.
Simone stared at the phone, brows furrowed. "What?!"
"She's......."
Simone still looked at the phone like it had a contagious disease.
"Jessica, why don't you tell what's going on?"
"I can't!" Jessica practically screamed. Kay looked up, not trying to conceal her eavesdropping. She just stared at Jessica as if she grown two heads and they were singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to the tune of the Goo Goo Doll's "Dizzy."
Jessica corrected herself. 'This is no time to get frustrated Jessie,' she thought to herself.
"Jessica, what's going on?" Simone and Kay asked at the same time. She looked at the phone and Kay trying to find a way to tell Simone at the same time get Kay to leave.
"Uh, nothing is wrong KAY," Jessica stated, making Kay's one syllable name seem like four. Simone could be heard gasping. Kay, however just raised her eyebrows, knowing that she was going to get the answers later. With or without Jessica telling her. Deciding that it was time to show off the new and improved Kay, she made her exist, leaving without a word, and forgetting her Cheerios.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she decided to give it to Simone. "Simone!? Why the hell did it take so long to figure that one? You know Kay is an early riser an-"
"Jessica, stop. I know, but more importantly, how was Kay? Did she look different, sound different, act?"
Jessica pinched the bridge of her nose. She usually did that when she was trying to calm down. They almost blew it there and unlike Charity, who can be a ditz, Kay was pretty smart.
"Kay, definitely look different, as in no make up, more plainer clothes. It was more like Charity's style than anything. But, the strangest thing was she didn't ask about Charity or Miguel. In fact, she was pretty decent to me this morning."
Simone felt like she was entering the twilight zone. Kay without makeup? Kay dressed more like Charity? Kay not asking about Miguel? Kay actually decent to her sister?
What the hell was in those pills?
"You're right." Simone blurted.
"Huh?"
"We need to see each other in person." Simone nervously chewed the nail on her pinkie, wondering.
Jessica looked at the clock on the microwave, thinking. It was 8:46 AM, which gave her about six hours before Mom and Dad comes home.
"Fine. Meet me in the Harmony Park by the duck pond in one hour. We can take it from there."
"Good. But when should we tell Charity?" Simone asked, a bit worried about that too.
"We'll figure it out. I gotta go. Until then?"
"Yeah."
~*~
Where : Harmony, Maine - The Streets of Harmony**
When : 7:48 AM Thursday, June 15, 2000
Kay walked down the street looking around. It was reasonably quiet for such a good day in Harmony, but it was still early. The slight, ocean breeze coming from the Harmony beach, filled her senses and engulfed her in a sense of peace. It brought back bitter sweet memories. Sweet because of the wonderful memory. Bitter because of the current present and the situation. But she let the memories take her back to a time where everything was perfect and new.
Before everything changed.
~*~ Lying in my bed I hear the clock ticks and think of you
~*~ Suitcase of memories
She had a tight grip for a thirteen year old girl. That was certain. She held on to his hand as if that was the only thing that separated her between life and death. To her, it sort of did. He on the other hand, felt that she was going to crush all the bones if she held on for two more minutes. Yet, he didn't complain one bit. It was the sort of thing that makes you feel proud of yourself. It was as if *she* depended on him. And to his amazement she did.
"Come on Kay, there is nothing to be scared of." Miguel said, the owner of the crushed hand, trying to coax Kay to get into the ocean. Their families decided to get together for a day at the beach, with the Russell's too. Miguel had been looking forward to it ever since they announced the plans. He even made a count down. Kay, on the other hand, had a fear of the ocean. She had no problem swimming; just swimming in the ocean.
Her fear stemmed from the time her older brother, Noah, had been watching Jaws. Her mother and father forbade her to see it, however, it just fueled her determination more. So when her mother thought she was asleep, she snuck down the stairs just in time to see the blood oozing from his big, white, sparkling death trap. It wasn't a good image to have engraved in your memory, especially at her young, impressionable, age. All the people trying to swim away from the angry shark with one less limb than they had before they went into the water didn't help matters much. Needless to say, Kay was very wary of going near anything that looked remotely like the ocean.
Kay snorted. "Easy for you to say. That," she pointed to the water, "is not the safest place to swim. Let's just go back and just explore or something." She folded her arms and tapped her foot as she waited for his answer.
Miguel frowned at the idea of exploring the beach, again. They always did that before, and it always bored him to death. This was their first time that they were allowed to swim without anyone coming to look after them. His independence as a boy was at stake here!
"We can always explore, Kay. But we get to swim by ourselves! Where's your sense of adventure?" He knew that even saying that wouldn't cut it. Kay could beat out a mule in a stubborn contest with hands tied behind her back, that's for sure.
Annoyed to have to wait for so long, for that answer, she didn't even bother to mask her nervousness. "Where my sense of sense is. Now let's go. If your not coming, don't think I'll go with you." She motioned him to follow her and started to walk.
~*~ Time after -
~*~ Sometime you pictured me
~*~ I'm walking too far ahead
Miguel looked on sadly as he watched her head back to her Mom and Dad's blanket. Then he came up with an idea to get her in the water. The kindness in his eyes disappeared and was replaced with the hidden mischievousness that he got from Kay. Quickly he ran to ocean and started to swim as far as he possibly could.
Kay was slowly trudging up to go spend the rest of the afternoon with her parents. It wouldn't be exciting, but it was safer than the water. She shuddered at the thought of sharks. Yes, she knew that sharks live in the South part of the Atlantic Ocean, but hey, you could never be too careful, right? She was disappointed though. She thought Miguel would be right behind her, but he stayed to go swimming. She knew it wasn't fair for her to make him come back with her, but he was still her best friend. Come on! That had to mean something to him.
~*~ You're callin' to me I can't hear what you've said
~*~ You said: "Go slow, I fall behind " the second hand unwinds
Half way up, she suddenly heard his voice. Thinking he was coming towards her, she smiled, but the smile quickly faded when she saw Miguel bobbing up and down, flaying his arms. He looked like he needed some serious help! Kay broke out into a run without a second thought. She didn't even think about getting a lifeguard. Time was of the essence, and wasting precious seconds for some bleached blonde to get his ass out of the lawn chair, didn't seem like a good choice. 'Please God, don't let him die on me,' were the words she thought as she entered the water.
~*~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me
~*~ Time After Time
~*~ If you fall I will catch you,
~*~ I'll be waiting Time After Time
Forgetting her fear, she swam as fast she could. Miguel was still thrashing about as if he was caught by something. The thought fueled her more. Kay's lungs were burning with the lack of air, her arms were tired, and ocean water could be tasted in her mouth, but she didn't care. She had to get to him, even if it was the last thing she did. 'I love him too much.' Kay almost did a double take, mid stroke in the water. She loved him? Where did that come from? But she didn't dwell on it. 'First things, first,' she thought and the thought was replaced with Miguel.
Miguel saw Kay coming and inwardly grinned. It worked! She was so concerned for him, she forgot her fear. It seemed perfect at first on land, but he wasn't to sure if it work once he started to play victim. In fact, he had some doubts that she would come for him, and not ask a life guard or someone else to help. But, she did. As he watched her coming towards him, risking her safety just to save him, he knew then that he could count on her to always be there for him. 'I promise that Kay could count on me for anything, while I'm still alive. I'll always will be there,' he swore to himself.
~*~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me
~*~ Time After Time
~*~ If you fall I will catch you,
~*~ I'll be waiting Time After Time
When Kay reached Miguel, boy was she suprized when she found him swimming on his own. And boy, was Miguel suprized when Kay punched him HARD on his arm. Kay was really angry. One thing you learn from Kay is that hell had no fury compared to her when she is angry.
"Ouch! What did ya have to do that for?!" Still a bit reeling from the pain, he looked at her forgetting the obvious. Kay never hit him. On purpose anyway.
Well, most of the time.
Kay felt like crying and dancing at the same time. However, she was so pissed at Miguel for even doing that to her. 'Doesn't he know how much he means to me?' Emotions on high, she didn't respond and started to swim back to shore.
~*~ I turn, my picture fades and darkness has turned to gray
~*~ Watching through windows you're wondering if I'm OK
Miguel almost smacked himself. He had hurt Kay. "Kay, wait! I'm sorry let me explain." He started to swim trying to catch up to her. Kay still wasn't listening or maybe not even responding. She didn't even turn around to acknowledge him. Kay heard him, but thoughts were just going through her. 'Miguel, dying, love, swim, air, sharks, scared, ocean, Miguel, love, I love you....' She wasn't even bothering to hear him. She didn't even notice the tears streaming down her face. So when, Miguel grabbed her waist in the water, turning her to face him, she just went straight in his arms and sobbed. The santuarary she sought day after day. Miguel just held on her tightly, stroking her wet hair. He never thought the emotions ran so deep for her or him. The guilt that claimed him, was choking him to death. HE felt like crying with her. 'God, I'm sorry. Please tell me she'll forgive me,' he expressed looking at the light blue, cloudless sky.
~*~ Secrets stolen from deep inside
~*~ The drum beats out of time
~*~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me
~*~ Time After Time
~*~ If you fall I will catch you,
~*~ I'll be waiting Time After Time
Kay cried, releasing all the pent up feelings that was building inside of her. Miguel was her world; she didn't know what she would do if she lost him. To God, or to anyone else. When her tears subsided, she knew that this was where she wanted to be. These would be the only arms that could comfort her and these were the arms she wanted to run to, in time of joy or need. She closed her eyes trying to remember the feel forever.
~*~ If you're lost you can look and you will find me
~*~ Time After Time
~*~ If you fall I will catch you,
~*~ I'll be waiting Time After Time
As he heard her tears stop, he felt himself relax. For the past year, it was her who was giving the comfort. With the mess of his father, it put a strain on the whole Lopez - Fitzgerald family. That's why his mother agreed to the go to the beach with everyone. It was an overdue vacation from reality. He let out a sigh, and Kay relished under the coolness of his breath on her skin. It felt so right to be with him, but how could she tell him? Did she want to tell him?
"Forgive me," he whispered.
Startled from her turmoil of thoughts, she pulled back slightly out of his caress. Looking straight in his eyes, light brown somehow melting to his dark, she saw his pain. But what got to her was something else that she saw. Something she was sure she would never see, but still couldn't identify it. While waiting, Miguel had some time to reflect on Kay. She had changed over the years, but somehow stayed. She'll always be a tomboy at heart, but she was becoming more of a girl, no, woman; more of her own person. Stubborn to the core, sarcastic to no end, and sensitive as always. Her eyes seemed to search for something, but -
~*~Time After Time
"Miguel," Kay started, "I- I forgive you, but please don't scare me like that again." She closes her eyes remembering the feeling she felt when she thought Miguel might die. Eyes still close, she continued. "I couldn't bear if something happened to you." Her voice started to crack and she stared down to look at the water, trying to ignore the pricks of tears stinging on the backs' of her eyes. Funny how sharks didn't seem to frighten her now.
~*~Time After Time
Letting go of one arm, he gently grasped her chin with his fingers, making sure she looked at him when he said this. "Kay, what I did was stupid, and I never meant to hurt you." Miguel tightens his hold on Kay. "I wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to you, either. I could always count on you Kay and you can always count on me."
One look in his eyes, and she knew he was being truthful. Her heart swelled up in delight and happiness. Eyes still swimming with left over tears, she smiled whole heartedly and hugged him back like there was no tomorrow.
And she wished there wasn't.
~*~Time After Time
However, time seemed to change everything. As Kay, left one of the many memories of him, she looked around her. Her feet seemed to walk on auto pilot because she was now standing by Reese Durke's home. She winced how bad she had treated him this past year. Obsession was always her weak point, especially her object. She understood, and sympathized with his crush on her. It was sweet, but it could be irritating. That's why it was so easy to dupe him. Coming to the front door of his house, she pushed the doorbell, creating a soft ring. Reese was an only child, so most likely he would be home alone while his parents were out to work, Kay deducted.
Waiting, she thought of what she was going to say and how she was going to say it. 'I never thought that this could be so hard. Who would have thought?' Kay thought to herself. However, she didn't think about it anymore since Reese opened the door. Reese who didn't realize who was at the door, just opened it, not looking up from his calculator. Kay raised her eye brow, but coughed loudly to get acknowledged. When he looked up....
Let's just put it this way, he was suprized.
Why?
Because the calculator seemed to become very slippery and slipped through his fingers. Dropping on the floor with a, not very promising, clunk. His eyes seemed to be bigger and his face grew visibly pale. For what is was worth, he really was trying desperately to remain cool, but instead he knocked down the house plant. Literally.
By now, both of Kay's eyebrows were so high up, her mouth dropped open to what she would call a disaster in nearly fifteen seconds.
Wow, he just broke his own record!
Restraining herself for not making a smart remark out of the situation, she really looked at Reese. His face, which was white as a sheet, turned beet red in self disgust and pity. Mumbling under his breath about clumsiness, he looked up to see Kay still there. For the second time in a row, he was surprised. Kay actually stuck around? This must be important.
Deciding it was time to tell him why she was here, she stepped around the mess and entered the house. Forgetting the mess for the moment, Reese closed the front door and turned to face her, questioning why she was here.
Taking a deep breath, she started the inevitable. "Reese, I have to tell you something. And I think you should sit down because, it's gonna be long."
~*~
* Hey, it was the only name I could think of! Hellcats was being used for the high school, so what was I supposed to do?
** The Streets of Harmony is just that. It's not a name for a street.