Secrets

Chapter Three

            Lunchtime, fork ignored, spoon forgotten both laid next to cooling food. Ron sighed, finding his mashed potatoes unappetizing. Instead his eyes shifted to Kim who sat at her normal table, her friends looking at what would probably a bruise on her back. Ron couldn't see it, but he knew it was probably there. It made him sick to know it was he who had placed it there. Barkin was resting against a doorframe, twirling his stupid pen camera. Rufus climbed out, trying to get Ron to eat. The little guy knew how little Ron ate when his folks were home, and how much he did when they were away. It wasn't a very healthy habit. But instead Ron put his forehead on the table, cringing a bit as his bruised body got used to the new position. Worst part was the last thing Kim would remember is how he had hurt her.

No. Even if Barkin was standing there he had to apologize. 10 years of friendship deserved at least that. He stood with his plate and dumped the uneaten eaten food in the trash before making his way to Kim.  She turned to him, anger and hurt in her eyes. When it came to verbal fights Kim was quick to forgive, but physical ones she could hold a grudge about. After a deep breath, Ron placed a hand on the table, trying to steady himself; ignoring the looks from the other people around her.

            "Kim…I'm sorry I didn't-." A lump in his throat threatened to choke him. "I understand if you hate me."           

"I just wanted you to tell me what was going on, Ron. I was trying to help you."

"I know, I'm-."

"And then you shoved me into the lockers? How am I going to explain that to my dad? You know how-."

"Kim, listen-."

"Ron, I'm talking." Ron clenched his fists. She wasn't listening! The one time he needed her to listen the most she was too busy going on and on about her problems. It was so like her. "Why can't you trust me with whatever is going on? I'm your best friend, aren't I?"

"You are, Kim, but I can't-."

"Don't you trust me?"

Hurt radiated from Kim's eyes and Ron tried to keep her good intentions in mind, using it to fight back his anger. He took a deep breath and answered: "You can't get involved."

"I only want to help."

"Well you can't!" Kim stood at this her plate falling to the ground. Now they had the attention of the entire cafeteria.

"Why not?!"

"Because there's nothing you can do! If I wanted your help I would have ASKED!"  Kim opened her mouth to respond but nothing came. Instead she grabbed the table for support. For the second time today Ron had hurt his best friend. He took her shoulders, her gaze meeting his.

"Look, Kim, I came over to apologize." She shoved him away.

"What's so bad that I can't help you with?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"I won't know until you tell me!"

"No! Forget it." He began to walk away, tired of screaming at Kim who still didn't want to listen. But again she grabbed him, her grip tight on his shirt.

"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on." He jerked away.

"I don't NEED your help! You're such a control freak sometimes, Kim. Just leave it alone and for once let me handle it!"

"Why can't YOU face the fact you need my help?" He stepped closer to her, eyes narrowed, voice in a low growl.

"I've got it covered." She reached out and pulled up his sleeve, yet kept her eyes on his.

"You've got it covered alright." That was enough, she had crossed the line and Ron lost control. He pushed her back off of him and stepped away, tears now welling in his eyes.

"Alright! FINE! You want to know?! My parents beat me, ok? I go home, fearing for my life! They smack me around like everyone else and abandon me for months! No one loves me-I'm nothing! Now are you HAPPY?!"

Silence. Every person in the cafeteria had frozen, watching, staring. The pen camera dropped from Barkin's fingertips and Ron could feel everything crumble. He took two steps back and ran for the doors.

There was nothing left now, Ron couldn't go home now that everyone knew, and he couldn't face Kim after that. He had no options and all he knew was it hurt. It hurt so bad he could barely see, barely breathe. Sneakers on pavement told him he was outside in the parking lot of Middleton High. Keep moving, keep running, and don't stop. He just had to get away from his broken home, his broken friendship-broken life. A scream of tires came his way and Ron stood there, welcoming the impact sure to come.

But there was nothing. The SUV had stopped in time, swerving a little to the right, missing the teen. He ran again, making it to the other side and far from the school. Kim hadn't saved him, Ron thought as he ran. Any other time she would have came out of nowhere and saved him in one fell swoop, but he was alone. It was something he'd have to get used to. After all, he was never going to come back again. Not to where no one loved him, where it hurt so much.

He'd rather die.

Jao: Sorry this is so short and I'm very sorry it took so long. I've been focusing on that silly little sequel thing and haven't really had time to sit down with Secrets. Now that Winter Break is now in session you can trust that it'll be updated very soon. Not only that, but I don't anticipate this to be a very long story, but we'll see as we go on. Thanks everyone for the reviews. =3 I love you guys.