"The Morning After"
Ron tossed and turned most of the night pondering what Tara might have to say in the morning. He also wondered what Kim was thinking about. He just up early and made his way over to Bueno Nacho to have some breakfast nacos before going by Tara's house to give her a ride to school on his scooter. When she got to Tara's she had already left with Hope. That wasn't a good sign Ron thought. Ron make his way to school.
Kim also didn't sleep well. She needed somebody to talk to so she got up early and called Monique. She had been walking to school with Eric but was pretty sure he wasn't showing up this morning. This was fine with her as far as she was concerned. Monique came by and they left for school early for girl talk. Kim filled Monique in on everything that happened last night.
Monique told Kim, "Girl, you got it going on. I wish I could do 1/3 of what you can do. If Eric can't handle it, that's his problem."
"I know that but now I'm dateless to the prom. I could care less about Eric at this point but I was so looking forward to the Prom. I spent an obscene amount of money on that dress. I'm sure most of Middleton High knows what happened, it was on the news. I'm sure I won't hear the end of it from Bonnie."
"I know you did. If Bonnie so much as says one word about this, so help me."
Ron made stopped by his locker to drop of his things and immediately made his way to Tara's locker. Tara was standing there with Hope and a couple of the other cheerleaders. Tara's back was turned to Ron but he could see the other three glaring at Ron. Hope was not happy to see Ron. Hope and Tara were tight like Kim and Monique. Ron had to face the music. As he approached Tara turned around seeing the glares from the other girls. Tara's face looked sad and distant. "Tara may I talk to you alone before class." Hope was going to give Ron a piece of her mind when Tara touched her arm, smiled and said "It's ok." Hope and the other two walked away still glaring at Ron. Ron was feeling about 2 feet tall. He and Tara silently made their way outside for some privacy.
Ron spoke first, "Tara I'm so sorry for everything that's happened. I don't know what I can do to make things better. You tell me what you want to do."
Tara reached out for Ron's hand and looked at Ron trying to squeeze out a smile. "Ron, I don't think this will work out between us."
Ron knew this was probably going to happen based on the instant messaging the night before."
He squeezed Tara's hand. "I understand and I hope we can still remain good friends. If you ever need anything, I'll be here. I feel terrible about Prom. If you still want to go, I'd be honored to take you"
Tara smiled and said, "I'd like that and I know you meant what you said about being there for me. You take Kim to the prom. Mom and I have an engagement with 'The Notebook' and a quart of Ben and Jerry's". Then she suddenly put her arms around Ron's neck and planted a slow kiss on a very shocked Ron.
After Tara broke the kiss Ron asked, "What was that for?"
Tara smiled and said, "Something for me to remember you by and hopefully something you will remember me by."
Ron smiled back and nodded. Tara started making her way back to the front door when she turned around smiled and said, "If Kim ever does something stupid like let you go, look me up."
Ron could only smile.
Ron leaned his back against the brick wall and sat down in the grass. What to do about Kim? He still didn't know what her official status was with Eric. Did they make up or break up? Ron sighed, not sure how to bring the subject up with Kim. He sat down and took in the fresh morning air for a few minutes before getting up to go back in.
Kim and Monique were at Kim's locker getting books for their first class when Bonnie approached. "Well looks like Kim scared away another very eligible guy. You're too much to handle for any guy." Bonnie started laughing.
Monique looked like she was ready to deck Bonnie right then and there. Kim stopped her saying Bonnie wasn't worth it. Kim frowned, "Bonnie's right."
Monique couldn't believe her ears. "What? Since when is Bonnie ever right about anything?"
Kim sighed. "She's right about this Monique. All the guys around here are scared of me. They see me on TV freak fighting soon goon. It's a vivid image. Prom is a week from today, looks like I'll be home alone."
"Like I said girl, you got it going on. If a guy can't handle it, that's there problem. And for your 411, not every guy at Middleton High." Monique looked down the hall as she said the last sentence.
Kim looked over to her side to see who Monique was referring to. There was Ron and Felix going down the hall. Ron has a basketball in his hand. They must have been on their way to shoot hoops.
"Monique, Ron is dating Tara."
A female voice from behind suddenly said, "Not anymore."
Kim and Monique turned around and saw Tara standing there. Kim asked why and what happened. Tara walked up to Kim and Monique and said, "His heart belongs to somebody else so I broke it off before I got more attached and it would hurt more."
Monique smiled and wanted to jump up and down squealing. She had to ask, "It's Kim isn't it?"
Tara looked sad but nodded her head. "I can't compete with you Kim. You already won before I even began."
Kim was super excited and felt horrible at the same time. She was ecstatic because she got confirmation about Ron but she felt horrible for Tara. She could tell Tara really did care for Ron. Kim hugged Tara and said, "For what little it's worth, I'm sorry about the pain this has caused you. I hope this doesn't affect our friendship."
Tara shook her head no. She told Kim, "Hang on to him tight. Guys like Ron are very few and far between. If you hurt Ron, you will answer to me." Tara's face was serious as she said the last part. Tara walked away.
Kim and Monique looked at each other. Monique said, "Wow, I didn't know she cared about Ron so much." Kim nodded yes.
Monique also commented, "I'm surprised she's holding it together so well. If it were me I'd be balling." Kim looked down the hall at Tara walking away and said, "I have a feeling she's not out of the woods yet."
Moniquetouched Kimon the arms and excitedly said, "So what are you waiting for girl. Go find Ron and tell him how you feel."
Ron and Felix were shooting hoops in the gym. Felix saw the special report this morning and Ron filled in the details. Ron also mentioned what happened with Tara.
Felix said, "I'm sorry man, that's rough. What about Kim?"
"I'm not sure what's happening between Kim and Eric."
"Well aren't you going to find out? What if Kim broke up with Eric. You two could go to the prom."
"That's a big if. How do you tactfully ask the girl your in love with if she's broken up with the wrong guy and oh by the way to add more burden, I'm in love you."
Felix pondered that one for a few minutes and said, "I still say you still need to tell her."
Ron wasn't convinced himself. Felix was working on how to coax him into facing Kim. The mood had defiantly become a lot more serious. To lighten the mood Felix cracked a joke. "But hey if your not going to the dance, you can always come to my house and we can play Zombie Mayhem 4. You can even wear your tux. You'd be like the best dressed Zombie Mayhem player ever. I just might even let you win."
"Let me win, I'd mop the floor with you."
"Whatever dude. If you can't handle the first challenge what makes you think you can take me in Zombie Mayham?"
Ron looked at Felix puzzled. "First Challenge?"
"Ibet you don't have the guts to go find Kim right now and tell her how you feel. Loser buys nacos for a week."
"Oh I hope you're saving up because I'm going to grande size."
Felix smiled. He'd gladly pay a weeks worth of nacos grande sized to help his friend get over his fear of facing Kim.
Just then the doors to the gym opened and Kim walked in.
Felix smiled and looked down at his watch. "Oh rats look at the time. I forgot I promised I'd help Mr. Barkin with something. I'll see you later Ron-man."
Ron knew what Felix was doing and so did Kim. Ron smiled and said goodbye. Kim smiled and told Felix good morning as he made his way out of the gym.
Kim walked over to the bleachers and sat down. Ron sat next to her. "I heard from Tara what happened and I'm sorry."
"You got nothing to be sorry about KP. I saw this coming. I can't blame her. How are things with Eric?"
"I haven't seen or heard from his since he took off last night and frankly I don't care to either."
"That's too bad KP, looks like we are both dateless for the prom." A voice in Ron's head was screaming: Tell her how you feel.
"Listen Ron, I wanted to talk to you about Prom and also about what happened last night." Kim looked Ron in his eyes. She continued, "Last night I realized something. Something that been there but I just opened my eyes too. Ron, I…"
Kim's sentence was interrupted by Ron leaning forward to kiss Kim. Kim was surprised by the boldness of Ron but she liked it. She rapped her arms around Ron's neck and returned the kiss. The kiss lasted for what seemed like an eternity for both of them. As it broke they both whispered, "Wow!."
There was no turning back now for Ron. He reached out and help Kim's hands in his and said, "Kim, I love you. I think in my heart I have for a very long time. I'm not sure exactly how you feel but I got the feeling last night you may be feeling something too. I've been to scared to ask you about it earlier but I'm laying it all on the table now."
Ron felt like a hug burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He finally told Kim how he felt about her.
Kim had the biggest smile on her face. She reached forward and pulled Ron into another kiss and then held him tight with a hug. "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. I must admit I was jealous of Tara when you first started going out. I know now in my heart I've felt the same way for a long time but just let my brain realize it now. Yori had told me back in Yamanouchi that your heart belonged to another besides Tara but I didn't know at the time who she was referring to. I wished I paid more attention to what she was trying to tell me. I now understand she was trying to get me to listen to what my heart and soul were telling me. I've never had a problem knowing what to do from an intellectual perspective. I now see how much I need to learn regarding my heart and spirit."
Ron smiled and said, "I can help you with that. Mind, body and spirit must co-exist in harmony."
Kim nodded remembering Yori had told her the exact same thing.
AN: A few days more to go before STD. I still have a few more chapters to finish. I hope to complete by Friday morning. I will be doing a chapter for Prom and a chapter for graduation. I still have plans for both Tara and Felix. One of you have already guessed what I had planned from the start for them. I think you all have a good idea at this point :) .
