Secrets
Chapter Two
"Watch where you're going, dork!" Ron was shoved aside into a water fountain, which sprayed water on him. He stood only to fall on the water, gaining the laughter of the other kids. Should of known better than to take this hallway, but it was the only way to avoid Barkin. Ron had stupidly fallen asleep in class again and if Mr. Barkin were to find him who knows what would happen to him. His eyes feel downcast. He knew what Barkin was after-a parent teacher conference. Not a Barkin thing you say? Not when he knew it was obviously the one thing Ron seemed to fear most. Principal? No big. Detention? Who cares? Parent-Teacher, now that made him shudder and it was a reaction Barkin lived to see. Especially when you fall asleep in the middle of his lectures. Before could react he found himself on the floor again after yet another collision.
"There you are, Ron. Why are you all wet?" Ron took Kim's hand and returned to his feet.
"Evil water fountains, Kim. They're all against me you know." Kim raised and eyebrow and Ron bent to regain his books. "It's true, KP. You shoulda seen me and the water fountain from the A hall. We're talking battle of the century!"
"Yea, anyway, are we going to Bueno Nacho after school?"
"Of course! It's not officially a Wednesday until I down three chimmeritos and a extra large soda." Rufus popped outta Ron's pants rubbing his pink belly.
"Stoppable's going no where, Ms. Possible. He and I and his parents have a meeting." Ron's heart stopped as he looked up at the towering teacher. Never had Barkin look so imposing.
"Y-you can't s-s-schedule a p-p-p-p-."
"Spit it out, Stoppable," Mr. Barkin growled.
"It's not fair!" Ron exclaimed, stretching out his arms, dropping his books. Then dropping on his knees he went to begging position. "Please, Mr. Barkin, please anything but the PTC!" Barkin leaned down, his face so close to Ron's he flinched at the teacher's hot breath.
"I'm going to enjoy this. Have them here by 8, got it, Stoppable?" And with that Barkin left. Ron fell forward onto his hands as well, trying to contemplate this only to feel Kim help him back up.
"Ron, don't worry, it's just a parent teacher conference." She had no idea.
"Y-yer right, KP. It's nothing I can't handle."
There was no way he was going to survive this. Ron tried not to think about it once they were at Bueno Nacho. He tried to hide behind his food because he knew if he looked too worried Kim would ask questions. It didn't help that Rufus looked just as worried as he felt. Thankfully she was too busy ranting about cheerleading and homework to notice. Ron put on a listening face and ate his food, trying to make this last moment of peace last as long as it could.
And too soon the food was gone and the trays abandoned on top of the trash cans. Walking home felt more like a death march. Rufus poked a worried face up at him, which brightened as the mole rat realized something. In a series of hand motions, which Kim didn't notice because she was still in that annoying rant mode, Rufus had reminded Ron that they'd probably not even be home. Ron straightened and grinned. That's right. How could they go to a PTC when they're not-?
For the second time today his heart had stopped because there, in the driveway lay both his parents' cars. On all days for them to come home…
"Earth to Ron. Were you even listening?" Ron blinked and turned to Kim. She looked so disappointed; I mean after all her problems were soooo important.
"Sorry, KP. What'd you say?"
"Never mind, Ron. See you tomorrow?"
"If I survive that long." Kim shook her head and waved before leaving for her own warm loving house. He watched her leave and plopped down on the curb. Rufus scurried outta Ron's pants, offering a sympathetic look. "What am I gunna do, little buddy? I can't let them know. Mom's going to scream and I don't even wanna think about dad."
"What's wrong, Ronald?" Ron wasn't surprised. Twice in the same day he shoulda expected someone to sneak up behind him at the worst time. No escaping it now. Ron stood and met his father's eyes.
"I-I have a Parent-teacher conference scheduled for tonight." The shorter, stout man's eyes narrowed.
"What is it now? Drugs? You're some kind of pot head, aren't you?"
"No sir."
"Get in the house, we'll talk about it there." Public opinion was always big with Mr. Stoppable. If his reject kid ever ruined his reputation as a good father it would surely be the end of Ron. He rushed to the door but not before taking in the beauty of the day light, knowing full well by now never to take it for granted when his parents were home. His mother was on the couch watching TV and didn't even move to greet Ron as he stepped into the house.
"Can you believe it? Ronald here has a parent-teacher conference tonight of all nights. Looks like we can't go out to see the movie now, dear." The slam of the door made Ron flinch. Mr. Stoppable stood there, arms crossed blocking the door indefinitely. Ron's mother turned to glare at him through her thick glasses.
"What's wrong with you?" Her voice was so harsh, long devoid of the warm tone it once held so long ago. Ron opened his mouth to respond but she stood and smacked him before he could say anything. "How dare you be so selfish? Your father and I never get to do anything and now we have to deal with you! What is it now? Back talking?" Ron didn't answer, fear had gripped him like how his mother was now gripping his collar. "Answer me, boy!'
"I was sleeping in class." Don't stutter, don't show fear, he repeated it over and over in his head.
"You're worthless." She threw him onto the couch. Mr. Stoppable stood next to her, both looming over him.
"It's that Kim, isn't it?" No. He couldn't-he wouldn't! Ron grabbed at his chest praying his father wouldn't say what he thought he was going to say. "You're so busy doing who knows what with her that you can't get any sleep. Well that settles it." Ron's eyes pleaded, but his father just kept going. "I forbid you from seeing her. As of right now you are not to talk to her or see her. I don't want you leaving this house other than to go to school, and I don't want you around her family. If I find out you disobeyed me there will be hell to pay, understood?" Ron sat up, his own anger showing through.
"You can't do that! Kim's my only-." Despite his size the older man was able to lift the teen to his feet before throwing him hard onto the coffee table. The edge of the wooden piece of furniture meet ribs.
"I don't care! You will listen to me." He forced himself over Ron, grabbing, lifting and shaking the boy. "I own you."
The conference went by quickly, everyone putting on happy faces. Ron's long sleeves, loose high collared shirt and long baggy pants always did a good job of hiding bruises, cuts and so forth. After all, his parents were always careful not to hurt him in a place that showed, and if they did they'd blame it on his clumsiness. Ron was known to trip over just about anything. There was just one thing good out of all this and that was the look of disappointment on Barkin's face. He was expecting Ron to be hiding under his chair, or scratching at the door. Sure, all things Ron wanted to do, but to embarrass his parents like that would be fatal. Instead he kept quiet, his head down, and hands in his lap like a good boy. Well trained over the years. Rufus' warmth was a reassurance as well and Ron was real happy that in the entire thrashing he had back at the house he never landed on his little buddy. If anything were to happen to Rufus now Ron would have no one at all. Don't cry, don't cry. He clenched his fists, repeating it like some chant of desperation.
Mr. Stoppable looked over at his pastey son. He could remember when he held out hope that Ron would be great-an athlete, because they knew he'd never be very bright. He was going to be strong, proud! But instead he had this. This scared, pansy, good for nothing. And Mr. Stoppable had to deal with the reality that his son would be nothing for over 6 years.
It was at Camp Wannaweep. He had sent his son, a boy who loved to play outside, his clay to be molded out into the woods on his own for a rite of passage. Sure he was only 10, but he needed some real experience on his own in an environment where he had to think and survive. Ron was supposed to come back with the camp ribbon he was supposed to have been the best. Instead he called every five minuets, made crafts and cried. When they had come to pick him up and Ron clung to his mother for dear life was when he knew Ron would always be a coward. A failure of a man that hid behind a woman. Well that was about to change. As soon as his "wife" left he'd make a man out of him yet. No more Kim, no more mother. Just father and son and if Ron wasn't his spiting image by the end then there was no hope for the boy and he might as well put the teen out of his misery.
"Thanks for coming, Mr. And Mrs. Stoppable. I'm sure your…son will be more alert in class from now on." Mrs. Stoppable shook Barkin's hand, while Mr. Stoppable's hand grabbed Ron's shoulder and squeezed, his face moving into a smirk.
"You can count on it."
"Tell her it's over, I don't care. Just get it done." Were his mother's words as Ron left for school, hungry and cold. He glanced up the hill at the Possibles. Their house was so nice, radiating warmth, so far from all of this. An unreachable paradise. He got to school as quickly as sore legs could take him to end up almost late for the first bell. He sighed with relief at the clock that told him he still had 3 minuets left and walked to the lockers. He paused though. What if he ran into Kim? He had two choices: first he could tell her everything or do as his father said. Either way he'd lose her. But if he was able to stay in Middleton at least he could see Kim. No wait! His father had no authority over him in school. He could talk to her here.
"Ah. Stoppable. Just the private I was looking for." Ron turned to see Barkin looming over him like always. "I've got my eye on you. Your father asked me to give a full report on your behavior including who you talk to and when. I even get a chance to try out my new pen camera." He took it out and took a picture of Ron. "I hear your father doesn't want you around Possible. Wise man." Jut like Barkin to crush his hopes and happiness. He grunted and walked away from Barkin, ignoring the rest of his rant.
"Hey Ron, how'd the PTC go?" Kim's face was so bright…cheerful. And he had to make a decision. Talk to Kim and defy his father, or not say anything at all and end their friendship? Or he could spill right here and now. It was all so hard! There was no way he could decide.
"Ron? Hello?"
"Don't talk to me." It was barely over a whisper. Maybe she had heard wrong so she stepped closer.
"What did you-?"
"KP, please…Please, just don't talk to me." The class bell rang and Ron turned to leave, his books now gingerly in his arms, one that Kim then reached out and grabbed. Ron hissed and dropped his books. Kim lifted his sleeve to see a long deep colored bruise.
"Ron, what happened?" He jerked it back and picked up his books.
"I-I fell, ok? Just-just leave me alone." She reached for him again grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer.
"There is no way I'm going to let you leave until you tell me what's going on."
"I SAID-." Kim backed up startled at the way his voice had raised to her. He took a breath and tried again. "I said it's nothing. Let go."
"No not until-."
"Kim, Let me go, I'm going to be late."
"Wait a sec-." They were playing a game of tug of war. Rufus popped his head out only to duck back in and take cover.
"Ron, just tell me-."
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
BAM! The sound of bending metal echoed down the hallway and everyone stopped and stared. Ron's mouth dropped open, hands shaking.
"K-Kim, I'm so…I didn't mean-." Kim pushed herself from the lockers Ron had shoved her into, realizing the pain in her back didn't compare to the hurt in her heart. He offered a hand to her but she swatted it away.
"Forget it, Ron." She took her books and ran as far from him as she could. The last bell before the beginning of first period rang and Ron knew he was now late. He leaned against the lockers, letting the books fall from his arms, slid down the dented metal and cried.