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Chapter Two

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The past few weeks had been a chaotic time for Kim and Ron but it showed a lot more on her. Kim looked as if she hadn't eaten or slept in weeks and that was probably because she hadn't. Her skin was pale and her eyes droopy. There would be constant circles under her eyes and she often fell asleep during class. If one didn't know any better they would probably think that she was a zombie. She spent all of her time in the tree house. It was the same thing everyday. Wake up and go to school. Wait for Ron by his locker and when he showed up say "hi" to him but never get a response. She would sit in class and whisper his name constantly or throw notes at him but nothing seemed to get his attention. One time when the teacher asked her to solve a problem up on the blackboard, Kim took the opportunity to write a message to Ron, asking him to talk to her, but once again he ignored her. Lunch was probably the hardest time of the day, especially for Kim. At first everyone else in the school seemed to stay out of the "major drama" as it was labeled but secretly they were choosing sides and Kim knew it. Kim and Ron still sat at the same table but now at different ends. Monique would usually sit by Kim and Felix by Ron with Tara in between Monique and Felix. The problem was that while Kim and Ron never really spoke to each other their conversations were always about the other and those conversations were often overheard. This only lasted for a few days though before things went even more south. Eventually the school took sides and now Kim found herself as the outcast. She understood just what Ron had felt every time someone called him a loser and he wasn't asked to join in on something. It was because of this that she felt more depressed and disheartened. Felix, Tara, and Monique kind of stayed in the middle but since Ron and Felix were a lot closer than Kim and Felix and Tara was dating Felix, Ron, Tara, and Felix mostly stayed together while Monique stayed with Kim. Monique though might as well have been the captain of team Ron because while she hung out with Kim, she definitely made sure that Kim knew whose side she was on. After school Kim would go to cheer practice but her heart wasn't in it any more. The Middleton Mad Dog was no longer there to give her the support and motivation she needed. So after a while Kim and the other cheerleaders stopped having practice and then eventually Bonnie stepped in and took over. Kim wanted to stand up to Bonnie but she couldn't, she just couldn't find the strength to. Instead she went to the tree house and stayed there until it was late, extremely late. Her father was most displeased with Kim's new attitude but her mother kept him at bay. She never thought that Kim and Ron would end up this way. They had always seemed so perfect for each other.

Ron on the other hand looked to be as normal as ever. Well normal for Ron that is. If you saw him out on the street he would most likely be smiling and making jokes but if you looked into his eyes you could see his hurt. He would go about his day as he always did. He would be running late and rushing to get to class. Often he would bump into Mr. Barkin or someone else. In class he still never paid any attention. His mind would be off in space or he was constantly distracted by the hissing of his name or the pieces of folded up paper hitting him. Lunch time was no different. He got his cheap processed cafeteria lunch and sat down at his table. He ate his food and talked with his friends but it was clear that there was only person he wanted to be with and she was right there. After school Ron would go home and play video games or go to Felix's and play video games. He hardly went to Bueno Nacho, except to get carry-out for he didn't want to run into Kim.

This went on and on, day after day, and it seemed like nothing was ever going to change. Josh tried to talk to Kim about the kiss and even asked her to take him back. All he got was a slap in the face and a kick in the groin. Zeta and Ron started to spend a lot of time together but it soon became apparent to her that until Ron could get over Kim he wouldn't be ready for any new relationships and it seemed like that was going to be a while. Bonnie nearly succeeded in reuniting Kim and Ron but that was only because they both wanted to rip off her limbs and beat her with the bloody ends. Finally though Kim had enough and decided that if Ron wouldn't talk to her in private then maybe he would in public.

During lunch on the last day of school before winter break Kim climbed up on top of a table, cleared her throat and spoke loudly.

Kim: "Ron Stoppable I LOVE YOU!"

Ron looked up at Kim from his seat but he didn't say anything, no one did.

Kim: "I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. I'm in love with my best friend and that's you Ron. I know you love me too so please can't we just find some way to get past this. I want to be with you Ron, only you."

Ron looks up from his seat at Kim, finally he replies.

Ron: "No I was your friend but you were never mine."

Kim: "Is that what you believe?"

Ron didn't answer Kim but instead gave her a look that said everything.

Kim: "I want you to have this."

Kim bends down and reaches into her purse. She pulls out a photo and puts it down on the table. Rufus scurries over from Ron's table to retrieve the picture. Before he does though he goes over to Kim and gives her a little hug when she bends down to him. He then picks up the photo and takes it back to Ron. The picture is the same one that Ron had in his locker but it's from the photo album. He turns the photo over and begins to say the words that he has memorized so much.

Ron: "People come and go but…"

Ron stops when he gets to the words 'true friendship.' They have been crossed out and the message now says "People come and go but Kim and Ron are forever." At this moment Ron's wants nothing more than to jump up on that table and kiss her but his mind tells him not to. Instead Ron just walks out of the cafeteria and out of the school. Kim is left standing on top of the table with tears rolling down her face. Everyone is still silent except for Bonnie who tries to get a "Dumped by Stoppable," chant going but no one joins in.

Outside the wind is cold but Ron doesn't seem to care. He just wants to get away from the school. He is once again torn in two, his mind telling him to never forgive Kim while his heart tells him to give her another chance. He starts walking off towards the tree house for some reason that even he can't explain. When he gets there he climbs the ladder and expects to find it still in shambles. What he sees though is what looks to be a brand new tree house. The floors have been swept and new furniture replaced the old torn up stuff. The walls were painted with a bright green and there were photos arranged along the wall. They started in preschool and ended with a picture that was taken by Kim's parents just a month ago. Above the photos Kim had written a little message describing her memories of the events and below the photos was room for Ron to do the same. For the rest of the day Ron stayed in that tree house. He would look at a photo and read what Kim had wrote. Then he would take the marker and write down his own memories. There was one picture of Kim and Ron dancing together. Their arms wrapped around one another, their eyes just gazing deeply into the other one's. Finally he finished writing down his memories and decided he had one more thing to do that day. He put away the marker and picked up after himself. When he went to climb down the ladder he could've sworn he saw Kim standing down there but when he reached the ground she was no where insight. He made his way home and went straight to his room. When he got there he dropped to the floor and reached under his bed. Ron pulled the box that contained the dress he had bought out from underneath the bed. He picked up the box, walked downstairs and left the house. He went to Monique, to ask her to do something for him.

Ron: "Hi Monique."

Monique: "Hey Ron what brings you out this way?"

Ron: "This."

Ron shows Monique the box that he had been holding behind his back.

Monique: "Okay why don't you come in?"

Monique's house is decorated in a very modern style. The tables are all made of glass and the sofa and chairs of very fine leather. They take a seat on the sofa and Ron begins to ask for a favor.

Ron: "Monique I was wondering if maybe you could give Kim the dress for me? I want her to have it. To wear it to the winter dance and have a good time but I just don't want her to know it's from me."

Monique: "I understand Ron. I'll make sure that she gets it."

Ron: "Thanks Monique, you're a great friend."

Monique: "Thanks."

Ron: "Well I probably should get going. My parents are going to start to worry about where I've been all day."

Monique: "Take care Ron."

Ron: "Bye Monique."

Ron gets up to leave and walks to the door. He opens it and is about to step outside when Monique says one final thing to him.

Monique: "Hey Ron just a little bit of advice. Sometimes fate can work in mysterious ways but it often brings you to a certain moment but it can only take you so far. The rest is up to you. Oh and Ron. Don't let her go so easily, especially if you love her as much as I know you do."

Ron just looks at Monique and then walks out the door, closing it behind him.

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The next day Monique got up and went to Kim's house. When she got there, Kim's mom informed her that Kim was at the school working on the gym for the dance. It was that night and there was still a lot of work to be done. So Monique turned around and headed back in the direction of the school. All the while she kept thinking to herself 'the things I do for friends in love.' When Monique got to the school she opened the doors to the gym and was immediately amazed at what she saw. It looked like an ice palace. She placed the box on a table and saw Kim up on a ladder hanging a banner and made her way over to her.

Kim: "Hey Monique what's up?"

Monique: "Not much girl, I just dropped by to give you something."

Monique motioned to the box lying over on the table. Kim climbed down from the ladder and the two girls walked over to the table. Kim opened the box and became breathless when she saw what was inside.

Kim: "Monique… I… but… Thank you."

Monique: "Oh it's not from me girl."

Kim: "Then who's it from?"

Monique: "Sorry girl I promised him I wouldn't say… Oops I think I've said too much."

Kim just looked at Monique and then realized who the dress was from.

Monique: "Well girl I gotta get to Club Banana but before I go allow me to bestow upon you this little bit of wisdom. Relationships don't work the way they do on television and in the movies. There's no big dramatic confession of love or really passionate kiss that just solves all the problems. The truth is thought that the couples that are truly right for each other wade through the same crap as everybody else, but, the big difference is, they don't let it take 'em down. One of those two people will stand up and fight for that relationship every time, if it's right, and they're real lucky. One of them will say something. "

Kim: "Thanks Mon."

Monique: "See you tonight Kim."

Monique leaves the gym and Kim stands there holding the dress tight. She begins to cry but these are tears of joy. A smile spreads across her face and she thinks to herself, 'tonight is gonna be the night.'

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The final chapter is next.