I don't own a thing, Disney does. Quick shout out to PopWar, and his story "Strange Love". Follows a similar story vein to my first story "Bonnie's Curse", and is really in-depth with the emotional subtext. Also, it was inspired by my story, which is just so damn cool. He took it in a slightly different way than I did, but it's off to a good start. I recommend checking it out! Also, I apologize for not getting this out sooner, but no one seems to understand what "day off" is supposed to indicate, so I didn't get the multi-chappie day I was expecting.
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The Twists and Turns of Love – Chapter 9
Kim and Monique were enjoying themselves as they wallowed in the multitude of sales going on at the mall. Kim already had a bag of clothes she had purchased while Monique had three times the volume accumulated. Still, they pressed onward, looking through store after store, trying to find everything they could want.
Monique looked up, and instantly recognized the half-dreamy look on Kim's face as she held up a pink flowered shirt, obviously way too small for her. "You know Kim, I really don't think that's going to fit you, unless you have decided to stop breathing."
Kim snapped out of it quickly, looking up at Monique. "No, I'm not… I was just remembering. I was wearing a shirt just like this when Ron got home from Camp Wannaweep years ago. I was so happy to see him, I just grabbed him into this huge hug. Even though he was still in that girls have cooties phase, I remember he hugged me back, and we must have been like that for like ten minutes, just holding onto each other, happy to see each other. I had missed him so much."
Monique just smiled. "So you two are good then? Everything worked out?"
Kim grinned. "Yes, we're good. Actually, Ron had this great idea where we designate Fridays and Saturdays as date nights, and spend the rest of the week doing the friends thing. It's working good so far. We actually talked last night on the phone, just like we always do. There was no tension, no awkwardness… It was great!"
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Ron and Felix sat there, completely transfixed by the flashing images on the TV screen, hands frantically working their controllers, working feverishly to try and top the other in their fight against the undead.
"So, you and Kim talk?"
"Yup!"
"Everything good?"
"Yup!"
The two resumed playing.
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"So, if Friday night is a date night, what's Ron planning on doing for you?"
"I'm going to go over to his place. His parents are going out for the night, and he's going to cook me dinner, and then we're going to watch a movie together. It's going to be so romantic!"
Monique grinned as well. "I remember what Ron's cooking is like. Girl, I am so jelling right now. No man has ever made me dinner before."
"I know, I'm really looking forward to it. Ron won't tell me what he's making though, he wants it to be a surprise, which just gets me even more excited. I just can't wait for Friday to come around."
"And what about Saturday? Anything planned for that?"
"Well, Ron said I should decide what we do that day, but I'm not sure what I want to do. I was thinking I would like to return the favour, you know, cook dinner for him."
Monique's eyes widened slightly. "Girl, you do like this boy, don't you?"
Kim slapped her lightly on the arm, indignation rife on her face. "Monique! I'll have you know I have become a much better cook in the last little while!"
"So that wasn't the fire department that pulled up a couple weeks ago, responding to an "incident" in the Home Ec room?"
Kim shrugged, turning back to the clothes she was sorting through. "It was just a little grease fire. So not the drama!"
Monique paused, thinking for a moment. "Wait, weren't you guys working on pastas? I didn't think there was much grease involved with that?"
Kim hunched a little bit, refusing to meet her friend's eyes. "Well… there was some grease… somewhere…"
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"So, you're next date?"
Ron didn't look away from the screen. "I'm making dinner."
"Any idea what?"
"Probably chicken."
"Cool. Pizza?"
"Sounds badical! Make sure there's mushrooms."
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A brief pause followed, as Monique's head and shoulders disappeared into one of the clothing racks. When she emerged, Kim giggled, noticing the shirt that had managed to cling to the back of her friend's head. Monique quickly reached up, pulling it off, laughing a bit herself.
"So, Monique… I never got a chance to ask you. What was going on with you and Brick? I heard today that you guys hit it off at the dance? What's going on?"
Monique just shrugged. "Not much. We danced a bit, which freaked Bonnie out to no end, and the big lug can be sweet, but there was no spark. Don't think I've said two words to the guy since the dance."
Kim just frowned. "That's too bad. You know, we really need to find you a guy, someone sweet and caring. Someone who gives you that spark."
Monique just chuckled. "Well, don't think I haven't been looking, girl. There just aren't that many good ones out there. We can't all be lucky to land someone as great as you have."
Kim seemed to perk up, and Monique's face took on a questioning look. "Monique, I was just thinking. You remember Felix, right? I think he may be perfect for you!"
"Felix? I don't know… maybe… I mean, we talked yesterday and he seemed nice. Do you even think he'd be interested though?"
"I think he might be interested. If we worked it out, would you give him a try? We could even do a double date sometime… maybe even this Saturday, so you guys can get acquainted!"
Monique looked both thoughtful and concerned at the same time, as she took a moment to consider everything. "I don't know. It could be fun, but what if things don't work out. I mean, he's Ron's friend and I'm your friend, and it might make things weird if we all got together to hang out."
"Please, give it some thought. You might like him."
Monique quickly closed her eyes, hearing the slight change in the tone of her voice. "You're not doing that puppy dog pout, are you?"
"Never!"
Monique slowly opened one eye, and caught the full effect of Kim's look directly. Instantly, she felt her resolve melting, and swore silently to herself. "Fine, I'll consider it. I mean, he does seem like a good guy."
Kim just jumped for joy, holding onto Monique's shoulders. "Seriously, you won't regret this! I'll find out from Ron tonight if he thinks Felix might be interested!"
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Ron and Felix paused the game briefly when the pizza arrived, but quickly resumed, taking bites between the action.
"So, Ron-man… is Monique single?"
"I think so."
"Think she'd be interested?"
"Maybe."
"Cool."
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"Oh, this was so great, just hanging out and shopping. I'm so glad we decided to do this!"
Monique just grinned, looking at her friend. "Me too. But seriously, you think me and Felix might work?"
"I think it's worth a shot! Besides, if you double with me and Ron, things might not be so weird. I'll talk to Ron, and I'll let you know tomorrow!"
"Sounds good." Monique paused briefly, fumbling with the keys to her car. "You sure you don't want a ride home?"
"I'm sure. It's a nice night. I just want to walk home, enjoy it. Besides, I only have the one bag, unlike you."
Monique smiled as she laid her five bags into the trunk of her small car. "Yeah, well, twenty five percent off is just too good to pass up! Ttyl!"
"Later, Mon!"
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"Man, that is so unfair. My guy just wouldn't so what I wanted him to!"
"Ron-man, you have to stop blaming the controller. We switched twice and they were working fine for me."
"Yeah, well, I still think there was something wrong with it. Anyways, I should get going. I was going to call Kim tonight."
"Later, man!"
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"So you really think Felix would be interested?" Kim was lying back in her bed, phone to her ear, already dressed for bed. She and Ron had been talking for an hour already, and she really didn't want the conversation to end.
"KP, I already said he would. He actually asked me tonight if she was single, so obviously he's interested."
"And the double date idea for Saturday?"
"It sounds like fun. Now, can I please get some sleep KP? I need to get my usual ten hours of sleep, or I won't be able to spread my usual dose of Ron-shine around the school!"
Kim actually giggled a bit at that. "Just make sure you keep most of that Ron-shine for me!" Kim paused, looking briefly at the picture of her and Ron on her nightstand. "Ron… I love you!"
"I love you too Kim, and I always will! Night."
"Goodnight."
Kim turned the phone off, and lay back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. So much had changed in just a few days. Eric being a synthodrone, created by Drakken to keep her busy, Ron telling her how he felt, the prom, the kiss, their first date… telling Ron that she loved him and he telling her that he loved her. Kim couldn't believe just how happy she could be, not until he had said those three little words to her. Even though they had said that to each other several times since then, she still felt that skip of her heart, the speed up of her pulse, the sheer joy that just hearing those words brought to her. As Kim closed her eyes, she looked forward to the new day ahead, and the next time she would hear those three little words.
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Author's Notes – This was pretty short, but I hit that point there at the end, and it just seemed a great spot to leave off. Don't worry folks, I have a day off today, and I'm feeling multi-chappie. I have already told everyone I know that I am not to be disturbed today, that I wanted some quiet time, and I aim to take advantage of it! I'm cutting over to Life Changes for a chapter, but I promise another one here later tonight!
I'd like to thank the following for their reviews;
Campy – Yeah, I thought all of that was pretty vital, though a little on the dull side, just all the talking. But I had to establish things, and that was the best way to do it. I'm going to add a bit more "action" to the story shortly, and it will help to det things up regarding the future of the storyline, besides just the past of it.
mattb3671 – Don't worry. While I won't be pushing the smuff too much here, you can look forward to Recovery, coming soon, which will feature smuff aplenty!
Pwnmasterpaladin – As you have seen, Life Changes has been updated, so no need to beg further. Just glad you enjoy both so much!
MrDrP – Hey, this is still Ron. How much actual dating experience has he got. TV is his only source, but in this case it worked. Might not always… As for Aviarius, no need to fear. He will never grace another of my stories, but with what I had to do to Hego and Mego, he was the only logical choice. He's now retired from villainy, currently operating a pet store that deals exclusively with birds, and has no thoughts of returning to his evil ways. Now just put the clown down… easy now… we don't want that thing going off now!
Kpultimatefan – The Josh talk was just to prove I have nothing against the guy, despite barely seeing a mention in my stories so far. Besides, I thought the whole "drifted apart" needed to be said out loud as to why.
the Desert Fox – Yes, there was the guy on the basketball team, but I prefer her dating Mankey. And as for Ron and Bonnie… well, I am a fan of that pairing, but it does seem, with the way my series is going, that that kind of match-up would be impossible to pull off. Right? I mean, even if I wanted to do something like that, it couldn't happen for… oh… a few more stories at least. That is, if I wanted to…
Hamlets-pirate – Well, this is Ron, and he does get prone to big-headiness. We'll just have to see how he handles it.
Worker72 – Yeah, I never could really figure that one. I mean, they were "molecularly" bonded, meaning they really shouldn't have been able to do that.
ANIME FAN ANGUS – Glad you're enjoying!