Chapter 23

Next Morning
7:45 am

Tommy rubbed down Kim's wet hair. They were running late as usual. It was Sunday, for the first time in a while, Aisha convinced them to go to a church with her. With finals coming up, a little prayer here and there would do wonders for the soul.
"Tommy! Stop that!" Kim pushed his head away as his lips found her neck again. "We don't have time!"

"We can make time!"

"We are sooo late!" Tommy picked her up and they fell to the bed kissing. "You are so gonna get it from Aisha."

"Oh, this is well worth it." Kimberly and Tommy hurried and slipped into their outfits. They arrived, running from the car to the doors. They sneaked down and found Aisha.

"SO LATE!" She whispered.

"All him," Kim whispered back taking the book.

"Right." Aisha handed over a book to Tommy and pointed where they were.

12pm

After a brunch, Tommy followed Kimberly to the gym. He stood beside the beam as Kimberly, dressed in navy sports bra, white tank, and pink shorts, was going through her difficult in the eyes of collegiate sports, but simple beam. After mounting the beam, she did her difficult jumps, dance steps, beautiful double spin, combination, 2 back walkovers, only thing left, the dismount. Kimberly ended with a front double flip. Taking a tiny step forward. Tommy clapped.

"That was amazing."

"I messed up my switch jump into back flip. And wobbled on my push into dismount."

"Yea, but for someone who has had only a few hours of training, not bad." Tommy handed her some water.

"Thanks." They moved to floor. Kim wanted an upbeat techno song, and got it. Coach Blair Henderson thought 4 passes where gonna be a little much, but Kimberly assured her she was ready. Her first 2 passes, back to back, double layout ending on the other side in a 2 ½ twist. Kimberly ended her 90 second routine with a simple pike. Tommy looked at his watch. Kimberly continued on training and perfecting her programs for the upcoming Thursday meet.

"So, I was thinking about taking you out to tonight."

"Like a date?"

"Duh, like a date. To celebrate our engagement."

"We did that Friday." Kimberly reached down and picked her armbands she dropped.

"With friends. Not just us."

"That night we did. A date sounds great." They kissed. Tommy took the tape she tore off her wrists. "But I need a serious nap first."

"We can do that." Kimberly looked at her watch, it read just 4:20pm. "I'll even massage your back and feet."

"Oh, you are just too good. I love you." They kissed.

"I love you too."

7pm

Kimberly walked into the Asian restaurant, holding Tommy's arm, as he opened the door and led her inside. Tommy pulled out her chair for her.

"Oh wow. This place is amazing." Asian restaurant had a unique decoration of Japanese custom with swords, costumes, Japanese symbols throughout.

"Thanks. I figured we have had enough pizza, Subway, Burger King, White Castle and whatever else we usually eat."

"So true." After a nice dinner, Tommy and Kimberly returned to the loft and straight to Tommy's room after taking the puppies on their night stroll around.

Kimberly gasped and sat up from a nightmare that night. She woke to kissing Tyler. Kimberly laid back down to her back, only to wake Tommy.

"Hey."

"Hey," she whispered back.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing." She turned to him. She smiled, but it faded when a flash of Tyler's face replaced Tommy's face.

"Liar. What scared you?" Tommy saw her slightly gasp.

"Silly dream."

"About what?"

"Silly thing." She touched his face, and smiled. "Stupid thing." Tyler's face reappeared. Kim closed her eyes.

"Kim? Kimberly?" She opened her eyes and smiled. She moved into Tommy's body.

"I love you." Her face in his neck. "I love you soo much." Tommy's arm went around her. "Only you."

"I know. I love you too, Beautiful." He kissed her forehead and they fell back asleep.

Next day
10 am

Kimberly sat in Chemistry class. Rocky beside her taking notes. All students were in their last full week of classes for the fall semester. Next Saturday, December 16th, first exam would be given out until Wednesday. Rocky looked over to find Kimberly drawing.
"Gonna doodle all class?"

"Huh?" Kimberly looked down to see the top of her page fulled with notes, but then empty other than the drawings. "Oh right." Kimberly looked up at the board and started taking more notes.

1pm

Dance class was excused, so students could have all the time to practice for next weeks final. Aisha and Kimberly went back to the girl's suite to dance. Kimberly slipped from her jeans into black board shorts. Aisha loaded the CD.

"We got this, right.?"

"Yea, of course." They had just gone through their sweet dance choreography to Mariah's 'Honey' the remix.

"Then what's on your mind?"

"What?"

"Or should I even ask?" Aisha could tell Kimberly wasn't really into the dance.

"I love Tommy."

"I didn't ask that. I know you do, but there is something about Tyler, right?"

"He's a...the way he played guitar, Sha. Such passion and spirit, and he even...what am I saying?"

"You like him."

"NO!"

"Kim, look at me, you may not want to admit it, but you do."

"Aisha, please. I love Tommy, only him!"

"I'm not talking about love here. But there is a connection."

"Tyler is just...he's this...Like a great memory." Kimberly slipped on her jeans and back into her flip flops. "A memory that I just have to let go and forget about. A memory, that's all he will ever be." Aisha looked at her. She could tell Kimberly was lying to herself, but she always knew Kim was the type to be stern and stubborn with her decisions, no matter how good or bad they might appear. "I'll see you later."

"Okay." Katherine stood by her slightly open door smiling. She listen to Kim and Aisha's whole conversation.

"It's working," she said with great satisfaction.

9pm

Tommy was at his computer typing up some homework for Writing class. Kimberly came out the bathroom. She had decided before going into the bathroom, she wanted to make tonight all about her and Tommy, and their love. She came out in a red cheetah mesh babydoll. Tommy looked back from his computer screen and whistled.

"Wow, Kimberly, that...you..you are soo beautiful." She smiled.

"This thing? I just wanted to try it out tonight. Want to break it in?"

"Gladly." Tommy saved his work as the light went off.

"So, I was thinking about apologizing to Tyler?"

"Why?" Kimberly said stroking Tommy's bare chest and shoulder.

"Well, I was wrong to yell at him. We...I should have trusted us, you, and him. I know you love me and I shouldn't doubt that."

"Don't talk to Tyler."

"Why not?"

"He knows and understands."

"He does? Did you talk to him?"

"He came by Saturday for a while and we talked."

"Oh, that's good."

"Yea." Kimberly raised her head. "Are you happy?"

"Every second with you."

"Good answer, I'd give you an A." They laughed. "I love you."

"I love you, Beautiful." They kissed. They went to bed.

Next day

Kimberly loved Tuesdays and Thursdays, only Writing and labs. Tommy was out walking the dogs as she got breakfast, dressed in lt purple tee, black jeans and black combat boots. Before lab at 1:30, Kimberly waiting on Tommy to get lunch. She noticed Tyler and tried to act as if she didn't. He came over.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Uh, I feel Like you've been advoiding me."

"I have."

"Why?"

"You kissed me, Tyler."

"And."

"I have a fiancé. And he's coming. You should go."

"Kimberly, come on, don't do this. I know what you feel."

"You know nothing! Leave." Tommy walked over carrying a tray.

"Hey. Hey, Tyler." He put the tray to the table as he kissed Kim's cheek.

"Hi, Tommy." Tommy sat down.

"Look, I know Kimberly already apologized."

"For what?"

"You know, man. Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"It's nothing, man. Trust me."

"Why don't you join us For lunch. Sit."

"I would.."

"I'm sure Tyler has other plans."

"Actually..." Kim glared at him. "I do." Tyler smiled. "Sorry, another time. I'll see you guys later. Bye."

"Bye."

"Bye," Kim said quickly. Tyler walked away. He looked back to see Tommy handing out some food. Tyler and Kim locked eyes.

"I got that cherry jello."

"Wha..oh, thanks." She took the glass.

8pm

Kimberly sat in the bar/restaurant near campus. It was a hot spot For college students called 5 Hill, local bar. She left the library earlier, she lied saying she wanted to train, but went home just to be alone. Dressed in white off-the-shoulder top, spearmint pants, and black leather combat boots. Tyler got a message to check out 5 Hill tonight. Kimberly got up to get another diet soda. She turned around after getting the glass to find Tyler.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's a free place."

"This is borderline stalking!" Tyler simply smiled. Tommy arrived outside the bar. Katherine stood outside waiting on him. Tanya and Rocky had just gone inside.

"Hey, Tommy."

"Oh, hey, Katherine." Katherine smiled. Tommy opened the door For her. They stood in the doorway only to see arguing between Kimberly and Tyler. "What in the world?"

"Kim didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Tommy looked at Katherine.

"Tyler and Kim kissed, Saturday." Tommy turned back to Kimberly and Tyler. "Twice, or was it three times." Katherine looked at Tommy. "Oh, she didn't tell you." Tyler grabbed Kim's face to hush her and kissed her. Tommy rushed inside and to them. He pulled Tyler off Kimberly and punched him. As the fight started, cops were called.

Kimberly was on her knees holding Tyler's head in her lap. Blood all on her hands and front of her top and pants.

"What the fuck is your problem! How could you do that!" She rubbed Tyler's head. "He means nothing!"
"He kissed you!"

"It was a kiss, nothing more! It meant nothing! I was handling it!" 2 cops cuffed Tommy after pulling him off Tyler. An ambulance was called. Tyler took Kim's hand. "Tyler, stay with me. Tyler, just breath." 2 paramedics came in.

"Miss, we have to handle this now."

"Just help him!" Tommy was having his rights read to him as he looked over to see Kimberly holding Tyler's hand as the stretcher was being rolled out the bar into the ambulance. Kimberly stopped and saw Tommy.

"Miss, are you coming?" Tommy's head was pushed down as he got into the cop car.

"Yes." She hopped inside. Tommy's eyes never left Kimberly as she jumped up into the car. The doors on the ambulance was closed and it pulled off.

"Oh god," Aisha said holding her head. Tears forming in her eyes. "What the fuck?" Jason put his arm around her. "What are we going to do?"

Uh oh! Much drama ahead, peeps!