Endless Roads
Chapter 4 - Talking Again
It had been twenty minutes since Kim had gotten up to go to the washroom. Everyone was concerned asking themselves why on earth she left all of a sudden. Jason sat there a little worried because he had a feeling he knew what was going on. Was Kim starting to feel a bit insecure? Was talking about how great everyone's lives were, intimidating? If only he was a girl, he'd rush into that washroom and see what was wrong with her. He looked straight across from him to see the confused faces on Tanya, Adam and Tommy. He felt a little bit saddened knowing that they had no clue about anything that Kim had been through. How on earth was Kim going to survive suffering the effects of her life in Florida, while lying her way through when she should have been getting support from her closest friends. Something gave him the urge to tell them flat out, right then and there. Kim was gone, giving him the perfect chance to inform them about what really happened to their friend, but Jason was a noble guy. He couldn't betray Kim's trust like that.
"Do you guys want me to go in there and check up on her?" Tanya asked.
"Yeah you go do that… she's been in there for a while now." Adam responded.
"I'd be careful." Jason blurted out, catching the attention of the three.
"Why?" Adam asked.
"Um…" Jason mumbled, regretting what he had said. "Well, Kim told me she's hit that time of the month… and you know how woman act."
"Well in case you haven't noticed, Jason. I happen to be a woman myself, so I'm sure I know EXACTLY what Kim's going through."
"I'm sure you do." Jason thought to himself. "Sorry Tanya… I didn't mean it that way."
"It's okay." Tanya smiled, making her way to the back of the store. She passed the cashier and read a sign that hung from the ceiling that read 'Restrooms' on it. She followed the arrows, which led her to the ladies room. She carefully opened the door to see Kim standing there in front of the mirror. In her hand she held a scrunched up piece of tissue. Tanya looked at her face; her eye make up smudged across her cheeks. Kim looked at Tanya's reflection in the mirror surprised to see her there. Kim gave a little sniff, took the tissue and wiped the mess off her face.
"Didn't expect you to be here." Kim quietly replied.
"Kim, are you okay." Tanya asked.
"I'm fine." She answered, turning on the water faucet.
"You sure don't look like it."
"Gee, thanks." Kim responded, sternly.
"You know what I mean."
"I do know what you mean, and I told you. I'm fine." she stammered.
"Then why the tears?" Tanya asked. Kim paused looking at herself in the mirror. Her mind had been flooded of awful memories that she wished would just go away. Flashbacks of the dreadful night would appear in her mind. She hated the awful sight of her face. It was the sight of shame and humility, and it disgusted her. She looked down at the water running out of the faucet. She placed her hands underneath it and splashed some water on her face.
"Kim, there's obviously something on your mind. Why don't you share it?" Tanya whispered, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Tanya, I appreciate your want in helping me, but I don't know you that well… all right." Kim replied, stepping away from Tanya.
"So you're admitting that there is something wrong with you." Tanya said.
"Look, there nothing wrong with me!" Kim snapped.
"Well you just said that you appreciate me helping you. Helping you with what?"
"Look, it's none of your god damn business, all right!"
"Kim, I know we don't know each other that well, but I honestly want to help you."
"Then do yourself a favor, and don't."
"Why are you getting so mad about this."
"Because I don't like people butting into my business!" Kim yelled. "Especially people I don't know!"
"I understand that, but look at you. You're a complete wreck, and I'm sure that I'm the only one here right now in this washroom, that can help you. If only you would tell me what's wrong!" Tanya yelled back.
"Why don't you get the hell out of here! I don't need your help!" Kim snapped.
"But Kim…"
"GET THE HELL OUT!"
"FINE!" Tanya shouted. "Maybe Jason, Adam or Tommy can knock some sense into you then."
"NO!" Kim blurted out. "Not Tommy or Adam." Tanya looked at Kim and saw fear in her watery eyes. She was confused. Why didn't Kim want her to tell Tommy and Adam?
"What?"
"Look… just get Jason over here okay. But not Tommy or Adam."
"Why?"
"Please Tanya, I beg you." Kim walked towards her and grabbed her shoulders. "If you want to help me, you won't tell Adam or Tommy… or anyone. Don't tell them about this argument we just had, just forget that this even happened."
"Why… so you can hide what an awful person you really are." Tanya replied. Kim swallowed hard. Tanya's words were like a punch in the stomach.
"Tanya, I'm sorry if I made out to be this mean person… it's just… it's…"
"You're at that time of the month?" Tanya interrupted.
"Huh?"
"Jason told me earlier."
"… yeah." Kim replied confused, following along.
"Fine, I won't tell anyone about what just happened between us." Tanya retorted. "I promise."
"Thanks." Kim smiled, as she watched Tanya walk out of the washroom. She made her way back to where the guys were sitting to tell Jason that Kim needed to see him. Tanya couldn't understand why Kim didn't want her to tell anyone about the way she acted. She couldn't help but think that the reason why Kim didn't want her to tell was because she didn't want them knowing how nasty she acted, but something made her feel like it wasn't that. All Tanya knew was to go over to Jason and tell him that Kim needed to see him, but when she made it to the lounge area, Jason was gone.
"Where's Jason?" Tanya asked.
"Oh, he got a call from work on his cell. They said that one of the other instructors called in sick, so Jason left to go sub in." Adam explained.
"Crap." Tanya whispered.
"Why?" Tommy replied.
"Kim needed to talk to him. You guys should see her, she's a complete…" Tanya paused. She remembered that Kim didn't want her to tell what happened, and good thing she stopped or else she would have blabbed out everything.
"She's a complete what?" Tommy asked.
"Uh… I forgot what I was going to say." Tanya mumbled.
"You said Kim was something… what were you going to say?"
"I told you. I forgot."
"Okay…" Tommy muttered, confused.
"Hey Tommy, I think I'm gonna head out… I got some things to do for my mom today." Adam replied, getting up from his seat.
"Wait, what about Kim. She's still in there." Tanya replied.
"Oh you guys go ahead." Tommy spoke. "I'll take care of her."
"Okay… but be careful." Tanya joked. "You know… she's hit that time of the month." The three laughed.
"Well see ya man." Adam replied, as he and Tanya walked out of the store. Tommy stood there alone for a moment. He didn't know weather to wait outside, for Kim to come out, or go over there, and get her out himself. He then decided to walk over to the restrooms to check up on her. Kim had been in there for over half an hour now, and it did seem a little strange that it was taking her so long. Tommy walked to the back of the store, and stood in front of the ladies room, and quietly tapped on the door.
"Kim?" Tommy replied.
"Jason, I can't do this anymore!" Kim snapped, quickly swinging the door open, shocked to see the person standing before her wasn't Jason. "Tommy?"
"Kim, are you okay? What's wrong?" Tommy asked, stunned to see Kim looking like… well, shit. Kim quickly wiped the tears of her face, nervously. Her hands were shaking like crazy.
"Where the hell is Jason?" Kim quietly replied.
"Uh… he left. He had to go to work. But you didn't answer my question. Are you all right?"
"I-I'm fine… what do you mean he had to go to work!" Kim replied… trying to get the topic off of her.
"They called him on his cell. They said that one of the instructors called in sick, so Jason's gonna be a substitute."
"What the fuck!" Kim yelled. "He just left without even telling me?"
"Kim, I'm sure he didn't mean it on purpose." Tommy said. "Look, are you sure you're okay. You've been in the washroom for a long time now."
"I told you! I'm fine." Kim snapped.
"Kay… well you want to get out of here, 'cause Adam and Tanya already left."
"W-with you?" Kim stuttered.
"No, with the eighty year old man, sitting at the table near the door… OF COURSE ME!" Tommy joked.
"Um…"
"Unless you have a problem with that." Tommy replied.
"No. No… there's no problem." Kim responded.
"Okay… well, let's go." Tommy said, as he and Kim walked out of the store… together.
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Kim and Tommy walked down the parking lot towards Tommy's car. She could feel the awkwardness grow between them, as every second passed by. She wondered what he was thinking and what he was feeling. This was the most interacting the two had done ever since she had gotten back, and it still wasn't much. She walked behind Tommy, watching him lead the way to his car. His long brown hair rested on his big, broad shoulders, as he held his car keys in his hand while they dangled in the air making clinging noises. It was just so hard to look at him the same way. Although she was only standing a meter behind him, it felt like miles. Tommy was a grown man now, living on his own, maintaining a job that she never pictured he'd do, and not doing martial arts. That was what Tommy was all about, Karate. And he didn't even do that anymore. It was shocking, probably as shocking as the news about her not doing gymnastics. But Kim had a reason. What was Tommy's? What made him change his mind about what he wanted to do in life? Was there a tragic incident that occurred, just like Kim? There were so many questions Kim wanted to ask him, but her lack of confidence wasn't helping. Suddenly her thoughts went back to what happened in the café. The flashbacks of the horrible night back in Florida kept appearing in her mind. Memories that she wanted to forget. Kim remembered what Tanya said to her earlier in the washroom. "Kim, there's obviously something on your mind. Why don't you share it?" Tanya was right, and it scared Kim half to death to know that her feelings were shining right through her, when they were supposed to be hidden away from anyone to see. Kim had to forget it all and move on, but the memories kept coming back, as everyone kept asking her what went on in Florida. Kim stopped, when a huge jolt of pain struck her brain. She took her hands, and tightly held her head, giving out a quiet groan.
"Kim? Are you okay?" Tommy asked, noticing that Kim stopped walking. She just stood there, with her hands on her head. A look of frustration appeared on her face, which concerned Tommy a lot.
"Kim?" He asked again, still not getting a response. He quickly started walking towards her, with greater concern. "Hey… Kim!" Tommy yelled out.
"Huh?" She quickly jerked her head up and made eye contact with Tommy.
"What's going on?" Tommy replied.
"Oh nothing…" Kim blushed, and started walking again. She turned her head, looking across the street. "Hey… when did they put that park in?"
"Oh that place?" Tommy pointed out. "That's been there for about 2 years now. They got tennis and basketballs courts… and this new picnic area."
"Cool." Kim mumbled.
"You wanna go check it out?"
"Yeah…" Kim nodded. "I could use the fresh air." She replied, rubbing her temples.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tommy asked.
"Yes! I'm fine!" Kim snapped.
"Okay…" Tommy muttered, as the two made their way across the street. Tommy watched Kim make her way through the trail of the park. She had been acting really mysterious ever since Tommy arrived in Starbucks. She was constantly spacing out, not paying attention to anything, like there was something really important on her mind. Tommy felt as if he was the only one who noticed it. And then when Kim disappeared into the washroom, not coming out almost half an hour later, it started to worry him even more. He wanted to dig deep into her thoughts and figure out what it was that was bugging her. And somehow, Kim's behavior started to become worse. The crying wreck she portrayed when she bursted out of the washroom, her quick snap backs at him, and the strange actions she had done in the parking lot a few minutes ago. All these things seemed strange to him, causing his curiosity grow. The two continued walking through the park, under the gigantic cedar trees standing tall above them. The cool shade that it provided was relaxing. Kim had a smile on face, overjoyed at the peacefulness of the walk through the park. Tommy looked at her; he couldn't help but smile as well. Her smile was contagious. Kim quickly glanced towards Tommy, startled that he was looking at her. She quickly turned her head and looked towards the direction in front of her. Tommy gave a little chuckle. He was surprise, how well he was taking this. He wasn't nervous at all, not a single bit of fear hit him, and it was great feeling. He felt that he had the confidence to talk to her, ask her things that he'd always wanted to know; and what better time, than the present.
"I bet Florida is way more exciting that this." Tommy replied. Kim glanced at him.
"I wouldn't say exciting." Kim said. "Yes, Florida was interesting, but not exciting."
"Oh come on, Kim. You don't seriously mean that. I mean all the things you can do there. I'd die to go to Daytona and watch the racing."
"Like I said, it was interesting."
"Right."
"Hey why don't we chill over there." Kim replied, pointing over to a picnic table.
"Sure." Tommy nodded. The two made their way over, and sat across from each other on the table.
"You know… this place it actually nice." Kim complimented.
"Yeah…" Tommy muttered, looking at his surrounding, and then at Kim.
"Listen Kim, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions."
Kim's eyes widened in shock, knowing what was coming next. Her mouth went dry, hands shaking, and her palms getting moist. Although her nervousness was getting the best of her, she still had enough strength to collect all her confidence to speak.
"About what?"
"You." Tommy quickly responded.
"Me?" Kim's eyebrows raised.
"Yeah." He nodded. "I've noticed something, ever since you've came back. You've been acting really weird lately Kim… I just want to know what's up."
Those words were like an intense punch to the stomach, with Kim taking the hit. She froze, with her answer at the tip of her tongue. How was she supposed to explain it to him? Should she explain it to him? Her eyes stared deep into his, the fear of him knowing, shining through. Tommy had a puzzled look on his face waiting for Kim to answer. But the longer he waited the quieter and more intense it got. Kim promised herself she wouldn't tell a soul and she was sticking to it.
"I'm just not feeling well, that's all." Kim responded, lying through her teeth.
"You're sick?"
"A little."
Tommy looked at Kim. Somehow, he didn't believe her. There was this expression on her face that he couldn't point out, but it told a lot. And one thing was, what she had just said… wasn't the truth.
(Author's Note: Okay… so there was chapter 4. I promise you Kim's secret will be revealed REALLY SOON!!! So the waiting will be over, very soon. Hopefully you guys liked this chapter; it's kinda questionable to me. But this is my first fic… so I expect it not to be the greatest. Anywayz, thank you guys so much for the great reviews. I love reading what you guys think!!)
