Disclaimer: Spider-Man and all characters related are property of Stan Lee and Marvel Enterprises. Kim Possible and al related characters are properties of Disney.
Chapter 8: The Prom: Part 1
Cruel
to the eye
I
see the way she makes you smile
Cruel
to the eye
Watching
her hold what used to be mine
Why
did I lie?
What
did I walk away to find
I... can't breathe easy
Can't sleep at night
'Til you're by my side
No I... can't breathe easy
I can't dream yet another dream
Without you lying next to me
There's no air
- "Breath Easy" edited by Blue
----
Spider-Man swung over the central part of Middleton, enjoying the cool morning air. He took a hard swing and landed on a large flagpole to catch his breath. He smiled under his full mask as the sun began to peak over the Upperton skyline in the distance. If nothing else, he enjoyed the swinging through the city and looked forward to moving to the big city after high school. The swinging potential alone made him chuckle.
Then his spider-sense tingled and he glanced down looking for the disturbance. It was hard to miss. Black Cat was climbing out the skyline window of a jewelry and dress store, with two shopping bags and a dress bag held over her shoulder.
"Got a receipt for that?" Spider-Man asked, flipping down behind the cat burglar.
"I'm just loaning them out, Spider," Black Cat smirked, taking a quick roundhouse kick at the web swinger, "I'll bring them back … someday."
"Unless it's horizontal stripes, I don't think it's your color," Spider-Man shot as he leaned back to dodge the kick, "Why don't ya just give up? You know, they have free cable in jail now."
"This cat won't be caged without a fight, Spider," She said, flipping away from the hero.
Spider-Man chuckled and took off after her. The two costumed teens maneuvered from rooftop to rooftop until Spider-Man finally cornered the cat-burglar.
"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty …" Spider-Man said, slowly moving toward the girl on the corner of a tall building's roof. "Can't get away now, can ya?"
"Looks like you got me …" Black Cat sighed, seemingly lowering her guard.
"Glad to see you're as bright as you are cute," Spider-Man said, walking toward the girl casually. But, as he was about to take her loot, his spider-sense went off, yet he was too close to react.
Black Cat's calf and knee shot up between Spider-Man's legs before he could jump away, colliding with his most prized physical possessions. "Sucker!" She mocked as Spider-Man dropped to his knees, groaning in pain. "Might want to put ice on that, Spider, ta-ta!"
Spider-Man watched as Black Cat sultrily walked away. "Women … can't live with them … and God, they hurt …" he groaned as he rolled up in a ball on the rooftop.
---
"Kimmie, time for school." Mrs. Possible said, climbing up the steps to her attic bedroom, "Kimmie, you awake?"
She walked across the slightly messy bedroom. She glanced around at the walls adorned with both posters of boy-bands as well as wanted posters for her own 'rogues gallery'. She made her way to the queen-sized bed and smiled sadly at her daughter. It was something of a disheartening sight: Kim lay curled in a ball on her bed, the covers kicked down to her waist. In her arms, she held an old frame with a photograph of her and Ron when they were ten years old. Her face held a serious yet sad expression as tears slowly leaked from the corners of her closed eyes.
"Kimmie … wake up, sweetheart," Mrs. Possible whispered as she shook her daughter's shoulders. Taking note of the shirt Kim was using as sleepwear: one of Ron's jerseys he had left at their home and never picked back up. "Kimmie?"
"RON! DON'T GO!" Kim said loudly as she sat up, almost knocking her mother back. "Huh? Mom? What's up?" Kim said, rubbing her eyes rapidly.
"I don't know; is something bothering you?" Mrs. Possible asked, sitting down on her daughter's bed.
"Nothing's bothering me …" Kim said, forcing a smile.
"So, crying in your sleep every night is normal, then. Or that you've taken Ron's clothes as your own, which is the first time I've seen you in something without the Club Banana logo since you were fourteen. You're sure there's nothing out of the ordinary?"
"Um …" Kim said, biting her lip nervously.
"You know, Kimmie, I haven't seen you cry as much as you have in the last couple months since before you started preschool," Mrs. Possible mused. "Are you upset about graduation in a few weeks?"
"No, well, not completely, anyway …" Kim started before letting out a heavy sigh.
"Hey, I'm your mom; you can talk to me about anything," Mrs. Possible said, snaking an arm around her daughter, "Why are you so sad? You've been acting like you lost your best friend … oh …" Now Mrs. Possible bit her lip, knowing she just hit the nail on the head.
"Kimmie, have you and Ron had another fight?" Mrs. Possible braved the territory.
"No …" Kim sighed, knowing she had to talk to someone about this. "Just … he's been seeing that … Felicia and … I've been busy with Josh … we hardly talk anymore … we used to talk on the phone every night 'til we got sleepy and went to bed … I haven't talked to him outside of school for months … not since he started seeing … her." Kim sighed before blinking back a few tears. "I thought we'd always be like that," She said, crossing her fingers "… we have been for so long … why would it ever change … now, I'm going off to college, and Ron's talking about getting a job in photography … how he got into that, I'll never know … and now … now, after graduation … I'm going to lose my best friend … I know it …"
"Kim, have you talked to Ron about this?" Mrs. Possible asked, rubbing her shoulders.
"It wouldn't do any good. I've treated him horribly for all four years of high school, mom!" Kim sniffled, "The last few months without him has given me lots of time to think about it and … I'm an idiot, and he has every right to hate me as much as he obviously does."
"How do you know he won't listen?" Mrs. Possible pressed.
"Why would he? He doesn't need me …" Kim stated angrily, "Felicia's done a fine job of filling the spot I walked away from."
"Maybe he's just been too busy to swing by," Mrs. Possible shrugged, "You could try to talk to him; he might be climbing the walls as much as you are about your lack of contact."
Kim blinked in confusion, "For three months? School's almost over and …"
"Talk to him," Mrs. Possible said firmly, "One thing I've learned, young men hide behind many types of masks. You just have to find a way to get past them."
Mrs. P patted her daughter's shoulders, "Chin up, it's prom tonight. You're going to have a blast. I really enjoyed my senior prom when I was your age."
"Did you go with Daddy?" Kim asked curiously.
"Go with James? Heavens, no!" Mrs. P laughed, "Your father was my best friend, but … I thought the more popular guys were better, so I went with a jock. Dated him a while … gave him what he wanted after senior prom, and he dumped me the next morning."
"That's horrible … what happened then?" Kim asked, getting into her mother's story.
"Your father happened. He ended up getting beaten to a pulp trying to defend my honor. He missed his own graduation because he got suspended for that. I asked him why he did it, and he said because Mankey hurt me." Mrs. Possible shrugged.
"Josh's father did that?" Kim blinked, "Josh wouldn't do that, though. He's a great guy."
"If you say so, dear," Mrs. Possible sighed before standing up, "I have to get to work. I'll be home to help you get ready if you like, Kimmie, but don't forget what I said about boys and their masks."
Kim watched her mother leave and then, with a sigh, got up to get ready for her day.
---
Kim walked into the school and gulped down her fear when she saw Ron standing alone at his locker. 'Felicia's nowhere around … here's my chance.' Kim thought as she dug for her courage and stepped toward her lifelong friend.
"Hey, Ron, I was wondering if you …" Kim started, but blinked when she saw his face pale and pained, "Are you ok, Ron?"
"Yeah, KP," Ron said in a slightly higher pitch, "Never … better …"
"You sure?" Kim asked with concern.
"Positive, Kim," Ron said in an irritated voice before trying to walk away.
"Ron, wait!" Kim said, struggling to keep up with him, "I just wanted to talk."
"You mean put down Felicia?" Ron asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"No … I wanted to talk to my best friend," Kim stated somewhat timidly. "I've missed him."
Ron blinked at her, "I didn't know Monique had a sex change … I'll let her know you were looking for her when I see her next."
Kim had to bite back her tears before speaking up again, "Not Monique. You've been my best friend since we were four."
"Nice way of showing it," Ron said, starting to walk again, "You barely speak to me anymore."
"Ron … I can explain …" Kim started.
"Explain what? Why you've only had time to speak to me in passing for the last couple of months?" Ron stated, "I've tried to talk to you, but every time, you'd run off like I had the plague or something."
"Ron, I was … just scared to face you. I know we're probably going to part ways after we graduate and … I couldn't face it before, but I'm ready to try to fix my mess if you'll let me." Kim asked pleadingly, flashing a Puppy Dog Pout.
"I've had a bad morning, Kim; the pout won't work today," Ron stated emotionlessly, "Look, just admit you're too obsessed over Mankey to come down the ladder and hang with lesser folks like me. You don't have to lie to your so called 'best friend since you were four'. You don't even know me anymore, Kim. Now, if you'll excuse me, after first period I'm meeting Lecia to pick up my tux for tonight." Ron said, walking past the stunned Kim.
Kim stood there for some time, Ron's words and the thought of him hating her running through her mind and overriding all motor skills. She didn't know how long she was there until she felt someone shaking her. She blinked and focused her eyes to see Josh standing before her with a worried expression, "You ok, KP?" he asked with concern in his voice.
"Yeah … but don't call me that again." Kim said warningly.
"What's wrong?" He asked, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"I … I don't know …" Kim gulped, "I may just sit out tonight, Josh … I don't know if I'm up for going to the dance after all."
"C'mon, Kimmie," Josh pleaded, "It's the prom! Your senior prom! You'll never get another one of these. Please, I'll treat you really … really good if you come."
Kim sighed in defeat, "Fine, I'll come … happy?"
"Ecstatic," Josh grinned and led Kim to class.
---
Ron stared out the window of Felicia's sports car as it zoomed through the city street. 'Why?' Ron mentally asked, 'Why did I shoot my mouth off like that? It wasn't her fault I screwed up and let Black Cat get away … yet I still took it out on her. I'll make it up to her tomorrow … yup, definitely, grande sized nacos on me.'
"You ok, sweetie?" Felicia asked her boyfriend, glancing over at the teen.
"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," Ron smiled, taking her hand in his. "You sure my tux looks good?" He said, glancing back at the bag in the back seat.
"Yup, it looks good on you, hon," Felicia winked, "I'm really looking forward to peeling it off you after the dance …"
"What about your dress?" Ron asked, smirking at his girlfriend.
"You'll see tonight," Felicia grinned seductively, "Got a deal for it, too. It was a steal."
---
The day moved too quickly for Kim as she now sat before the mirror in her mother's bedroom. Her dress was long, smooth silk. It hung to her curves nicely from the spaghetti strap top to the dress that stopped just below her knees, with a split going up the side and showing off one of her long thin legs. She had her hair dun up in a braid over one shoulder, with a few curled tendrils framing her face. Her mother had applied her makeup just a few moments ago and Kim couldn't help but admire her mother's work.
But as she stared at her reflection, a memory flashed through her mind:
"First day of High School! I can't wait!"
"Yup, I'm a bit nervous, though,"
"Oh, don't start getting all nervous; you'll never have to worry about finding a date to dances, KP. You need me, I'll be there!"
"Even the prom?"
"I-If you wanted me to take you to the prom, but that is a way off … a lot could happen between now and then."
"Nothing could possibly change us, Ron; we're tight now and we'll be tight in senior year, too. Right?"
"Better believe it, KP!"
"Oh, Ron … I'm so … so sorry …" Kim said, trying to keep from crying, so her makeup wouldn't run.
"Be nice for you to say that to his face, sweetheart," Mrs. Possible said from the door. "Josh is here; you ready?"
"No, not really, but I'm as ready as I could be …" Kim sighed, "Let's get this over with …"
Kim walked down where Josh and Mr. Possible were talking. Both Josh and Mr. P smiled at the girl as she approached them.
"You look so beautiful, Kimmie-cub," Mr. Possible smiled, hugging his daughter. "You be careful tonight, ok?"
"Don't worry, sir, I'll take real good care of her tonight." Josh nodded, took Kim's arm and walked her to his car.
Mr. Possible's smile faded as the car disappeared down the road, "I'll be in my study," he said emotionlessly as he turned and walked up the stairs.
"James …"
"What?" Mr. Possible said, sitting down at his desk.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? Letting that Mankey boy take our little Kimmie-cub to the Prom?"
"It's just a dance …I don't see any harm in it."
Have you forgotten what happens AFTER Proms? Kimmie-cub isn't coming home a virgin tonight … unless …
"… unless we stop him."
'Yes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you know? The rich brat is going to use Kimmie Cub's innocence against her. He's going to use her for sex and then leave her as his father left our beloved Andy. Do you want to see her hurt? We must stop Mankey before he hurts her; we must kill him before he hurts her.'
"Yes … he must be stopped …"
(X)
Kim sighed as she swayed to the slow music in Josh's arms. She glanced around the gym floor to see several other seniors either talking or dancing or both. Then, she spotted them.
Ron was dressed in a traditional black and white tux and even had his usually unruly hair tamed. In his arms was Felicia, her long silver locks tied in a ponytail that ran down her shoulders. Her 'dress' was actually two large straps, a small one going under her arms across her chest keeping some of her body unexposed and just below her belly button to her upper thighs was another strap doubling as a skirt. Both were skin tight, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Kim let out a low growl, and Josh took the wise decision to move his date away from her best friend and his date. A catfight in the middle of prom would not go over well. "Would you like some punch, Kim?" Josh asked with a smile.
"Sure, whatever," Kim said in a huff, sitting down roughly at one of the tables set around the gym floor.
Josh nodded and walked to the table with the punch bowl. He picked up two glasses and glanced around. Once he was assured no one was looking, he pulled a small capsule the size of his fingernail out of his pocket and dropped it into Kim's glass. He waited a moment and watched as the capsule dissolved before returning to his date with a smile.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the gym, Ron was ignoring the low buzz his spider-sense was giving him as held Felicia in his arms, and they swayed together to the music. Ron looked down at the girl and noticed an unsettled look on her face. "Lecia, what's the matter?"
"Ron … I …" Felicia said, looking up at him, the look in her eyes showed Ron she was deeply upset about something.
"Hey, you can talk to me; what is it?" Ron asked as they stopped dancing.
"Ron … I haven't … well … I've not been very honest with you …" she confessed, looking away. "It's not the same, now; let me assure you. You're the greatest guy I've ever known, and … I really do care a lot for you … but …"
Ron suddenly stiffened as his spider-sense went from a buzz to a scream in the back of his mind. The intensity was almost painful. "Hey, Felicia, hold that thought …" Ron said, cutting her off, "I've … I've gotta go to the bathroom … That punch has messed my belly up bad!"
Felicia humphed as Ron ran away toward the restroom and walked over to sit down at a table.
"This is pretty good stuff," Kim said as she finished her glass of punch and smiled at her boyfriend.
"It is, isn't it, Kimmie." Josh smiled somewhat wickedly.
"What was that?" Bonnie Rockwaller asked from the next table.
"What was what?" her date, Brick Flagg, said, following her line of sight to the glass roof of the gymnasium.
"I thought I saw something fly overhead…" Bonnie said, narrowing her eyes.
Suddenly, the glass shattered from machine gun fire, and the Green Goblin shot down on his glider over the now screaming and horrified students.
"Hey, Monkey!" the Goblin yelled as Josh rose to his feet. "We have a bone to pick with you!"
"Hey, pal, who do you think you … whoa …" Kim said, jumping to her feet to fight, but suddenly feeling light-headed. "I don't feel so good …"
The Green Goblin didn't even notice the redhead standing there, but threw a pumpkin bomb at Josh, "Isn't this party the bomb?" the Goblin asked as the spiked-tipped explosive device latched on to the table.
Kim's eyes widened as the bomb beeped and shielded her face as the bomb began to go off. "Watch it, Kim!" She heard someone call as she was scooped up by the swinging Spider-Man, who kicked Josh out of the way of the explosion.
"Spider-Man?" Kim asked as the web-swinger sat her back down on her feet.
"A foe of yours?" Spider-Man asked before turning back to the Goblin.
"Never seen this guy before …" Kim said, blinking at the green and purple villain.
"Yay, newbie." Spider-Man groaned.
"You costumed FREAK!" Green Goblin growled as he turned to the masked hero, "You've gotten in my way for the first and last time, Spider-Man!" he yelled before diving at the hero with two razor sharp, bladed tips protruding out of the front of his glider.
"Oh, boy …" Spider-Man gulped as the insane villain dove at him at full speed.
To Be Continued…
