Chapter Two

Tommy had woke up early the next morning. Packed his things and loaded up his car. He had made sure the cabin was the way it was the day he had arrived, the week before.

He made sure that the cabin was locked up, then he got in his car and started it. He pulled away and started down the gravel, dirt road to the highway, for his way home.

ºººº

It was almost noon by the time Tommy had made it to Angel Grove. He drove down the streets, occasionally looking at the houses and buildings passing by.

He stopped at one of the red lights, waiting for it to turn green. He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing, as it, in a way felt good to be home again.

The light turned green and he put his foot on the gas. He turned down the street, which the school was on. He wasn't ready, yet, to go home. He needed to blow off some steam. And the best place for that would be the weight room, at the Angel Grove Youth Center.

He pulled into the Youth Center parking lot, found a place to park and headed inside, grabbing his duffle bag from the back seat.

ºººº

Jason and the others were sitting around one of the tables, talking and drinking smoothies.

Jason looked up, just as Tommy walked in the door. His face lit up as he saw his best friend. Standing he started walking over to him. Kat and Tanya looked up, both girls squealed, as they saw Tommy. They hurried to him.

"Tommy!" Kat yelled, excitedly, throwing her arms around him. "You're back."

"Yeah," He said, returning Kat's hug.

"Where you've been man?" Jason asked, as the two did their hand shake.

"I went away for a little bit. Had to clear my head," He told them, as the four of them started walking to their table, where Rocky and Adam sat.

"Welcome back," Adam said.

"Thanks," He said, grabbing a free chair, pulling it next to the table, taking a seat. "It's good to be home." He yelled for Ernie and asked for him to bring him a strawberry smoothie.

"Was everything all right while I was gone?" He asked. "King Mondo didn't give you much trouble?"

"For a change, no," Tanya told him. "There wasn't much activity while you were away."

Ernie had brought him his smoothie, paying and thanking him.

"So, where did you go?" Kat asked.

Tommy took a sip of his smoothie, putting it on the table in front of him. He took a deep breath and told them. "I went to my uncle's cabin. I needed some time to myself. A few things I needed to work out."

"Oh, is everything okay? You had us all worried when you just left without telling us," Tanya said.

"Yeah, everything is fine. And I'm really sorry for just leaving like that."

"It's okay," Rocky finally spoke up. "You're back now, and that's all that matters."

ºººº

Kat sat there silenced, wondering what it could have been to make him leave like that. Then it hit her, she knew. The letter that he had gotten from Kimberly.

A hurt look played over her face, as she remembered how upset, hurt he was after he got done reading the letter. She didn't like it. She wondered how she could have hurt him. He's nice, caring, warm hearted, would do anything to help you if you were in trouble. Good looking, God was he ever.

She liked him, liked him a lot. And she was jealous; boy was she ever jealous, of the relationship between him and Kimberly. She wished that it was her instead of Kim. But, then had realized that they were better off as friends, because she knew she couldn't come between them, no matter how hard she tried. And his friendship meant the most to her.

ºººº

Kat's thoughts were broken away, by Tanya asking her to come with her to get more smoothies for the guys. Without a word, Kat stood and left.

"Well, guys, I came to work out. I have some stiff muscles in my back and legs that I need to work out. We'll catch up later and talk more," Tommy told them, as he stood. He grabbed his bag, putting it over his shoulder.

"Okay. Catch you later," Jason said. He could sense that it was more then that. He didn't want to say anything, but would wait for him to come to him.

Tommy flashed a smile and walked away, heading to the back room, where the weights were kept.

He stretched his muscles, wrapping white tape around his hands and walked over to the punching bag.