Crossroads Chapter 4:

Ron sat there staring at kimmunicator. Do I really want to know? What if it was purely artificial? What if Kim really does feel something for me? What would I do?

"Ron?"

"Sorry Wade." Ron let out a deep sigh. "Ok Wade, I want to know."

"I've scanned the chip that was attached to Kim as well as talked to Dr. Bortel. The chips themselves don't generate emotions themselves. However, it would make somebody do something they thought about but consciously chose not to do. To put it simply, its like a magnifier. Now I will let you draw your own conclusions about what happened with Kim. But I do want to emphasize that we humans run through a lot of emotions and we consciously choose which ones we listen too, nurture or suppress. Wade, out."

Ron set the communicator down and laid down on his bed, putting his hands behind his head. What does this mean? Kim's thought about dating me. So what? You've thought about dating her as well and you chose not to pursue it. It appears she has made the same choice. But that was before the moodulators. Now I know she has at least thought about taking the next step. But does she want to take the next step? She wanted to remain friends like you did. Why am I so scared? Why is Kim so scared? Am I overanalyzing this? My head hurts from all this thinking. Remember your talk with Felix. You don't want to think about this too much and let yourself get down again. Oh, man. Ron looked up at the clock. It was 11PM. Oh, man I got to get to sleep. But my mind is churning a million miles an hour. Man, all this thinking is hard work. How does KP do it all the time? Ron got up and get ready for bed.

xxxxxx

Next morning, Ron shows up at the Possible house as usual to walk to school with Kim. Ron slept better than he had thought he would be he was still a bit pre-occupied with what Wade had told him last night. As they were walking to school, Kim noticed Ron was fairly quiet this morning. I hope he's not having trouble sleeping again. "Ron something bothering you? You have trouble sleeping again?"

"Nah, KP I slept fine last night. Just kind ofthinking about what's happened last couple weeks but don't worry about the Ronster. I'm not letting it get me down." Ron grinned his goofy smile at Kim.

Kim felt better when she saw Ron's trademark grin. Well Ron's dealing with what happened, what about you possible? You haven't thought about what Monique told you? You can't avoid it forever. Sooner or later your going to have to face it and figure out how you feel. Ok fine, I'll deal with it starting this afternoon. Ron and Felix are suppose to shoot some hoops this afternoon. I can go visit Dr. Bortel.

xxxxxx

After school, Ron asked Kim, "Hey KP you want to shoot some hoops with me and wheel man?"

"Thanks Ron but I'll pass."

"Suit yourself. Hey, we are going to hit Bueno Nacho afterwards for some grub, you interested?"

"Sure, Bueno Nacho afterward sounds great."

Kim went by Dr. Bortel's lab. "Dr. Bortel, I need to know what your moodulators do and how it affected me."

"Your friend, Wade I think his name was already asked me about it. I thought he was asking for you? I can explain it again if you like?"

Wade asked about the moodulators? Did Ron ask him to? I have to talk to Wade. "Sorry to bother you again Dr. Bortel. I will take to Wade."

"Suit yourself."

Kim walked out and pulled out her Kimmunicator. "Wade, you researched the moodulators, why didn't you tell me? Did Ron ask you to? What did you find?"

Wade put his hands up in front of him. "Whoa Kim, one question at a time. I wasn't sure you wanted to know. I was curious to know how it worked. No, Ron did not put me up to this. Do you really want to know?"

Wade proceeded to explain to Kim the same thing he had told Ron about what he found from his scans and from his chat with Dr. Bortel. Kim blinked a few times. I have to admit I've thought about what it would be like to date Ron. I also have to admit I was feeling jealous of Zita when she and Ron were going out. But Ron was the one that wanted to break up with me at the Middleton Days. But you saw how he been past couple weeks. He is clearly still thinking about it. What do I do? How do I feel.

"Ah Kim?"

"What Wade?"

"Youzoned out there for a second."

Kim looked at the time displayed on the kimmunicator. "Sorry about that Wade, I'm suppose to meet Ron and Felix at Bueno Nacho in 15 minutes, I got to jet. Thanks Wade." Wade waved goodbye and Kim shut off the kimmunicator and headed toward Bueno Nacho.

xxxxxx

When Kim arrived at Bueno Nacho Ron and Felix were already sitting in their usual booth bantering bath at forth.

"You thought you could bring that weak stuff into my house?"

"Weak stuff? Ahem, who won the game?"

Kim just rolled her eyes, Boys and Sports. "Hey guys, how was game?"

Felix raised his hand victoriously and started pumping his left hand "Woo Woo Woo"

"Hey KP, Felix and I are thinking about some video gameage after nacos. You interested?"

"Ron, actually I was kind of hoping we could talk afterward." Kim looked over at Felix. "Sorry Felix, but its pretty important."

Felix just smiled, having a pretty good idea of what they were going to talk about. "No problem at all. I can spare Ron the embarrassment of another defeat fortonight."

"I hope you get some practice in tonight cause you're gonna need it" retorted Ron as he smiled.

Felix suddenly started pulling away from the table, "I just remembered my Mom wanted me home for dinner."

Kim smiled and mouthed "Thank you" to Felix. She knew Felix was bowing out to give Kim and Ron some privacy.