Tommy and Kimberly walked into the youth center holding hands. Tommy's eyes met with Katherine's where she sat with Aisha, Rocky, Adam and Billy trying to determine what she might be thinking.
"Kim, welcome home," Billy said as he looked up and saw the two of them walking in.
"Thanks," Kim said once they reached the table.
"Girl, the mall hasn't been the same since you've been gone," Aisha said as she stood to give Kim a hug.
"Wow, I can't remember the last time I went shopping," Kim told her.
"How was Florida?" Adam asked once they had made room for Kim and Tommy to sit down.
"It was great, I mean Coach Schmidt has the most amazing gym, all the girls were really nice," Kim answered.
"So does that mean you've decided to move there and start training for the Pan Globals?" Rocky questioned.
"Actually, as great as Florida was, I've decided to stay here," Kim told them.
"But what about the Pan Globals, everything you dreamed of?" Billy asked.
"I know I'm giving up a lot but if I left I'd be giving up even more," Kim replied as she looked at Tommy and smiled.
"I have to go," Kat said suddenly. "Welcome home, Kim," she said as she got up from the table. Tommy wanted to go after her but realized if he did it would raise suspicions.
Kat raced out of the youth center and headed straight for her car. She hadn't meant to leave so abruptly but hearing that Kim was staying in Angel Grove instead of going to Florida had made her realize that things weren't about to get any easier for her especially when the truth about her night with Tommy came out. If it ever comes out that is. How can I expect Tommy to give up everything he's had with Kim because of one night with me?
A week later, Kim and Tommy walked up the front steps of Aisha's house and sat on the porch swing. They had just come back from seeing a movie.
"It feels so good to be home," Kim said as she linked her arm with Tommy's. "I missed you so much," Kim told him.
"I missed you too," Tommy replied.
"I know I said I wanted a break from our relationship, but I don't want that anymore, I spent the whole time I was in Florida thinking about how much I wanted to be home with you, and I'm going to spend the rest of the summer making it up to you," Kim told him.
Tommy knew now that there was no way he could tell Kim the truth about what happened between him and Katherine. Not yet anyway. As strong as his feelings were for Katherine, he couldn't forget all that he shared with Kim. He owed it to her to give their relationship another chance. But how could he explain that to Katherine.
"You wanted to talk to me," Kat said as she joined Tommy in the woods, it had been two weeks since Kim had returned home and they hadn't been alone together since.
"I know we haven't seen much of each other lately," Tommy began. "But I felt like I needed to explain some things to you," he told her.
"You're back with Kim, what's there to explain," Kat said.
"I need you to know that I didn't lie when I said I had feelings for you because I do," Tommy told her.
"But you also still have feelings for Kim don't you," Kat responded.
"Yes, I still care very deeply for her and I feel like I owe it to her to try and make our relationship work," Tommy explained.
"Well, I hope everything works out for you," Kat said as she started to leave.
"I never wanted to hurt you, please forgive me for being so selfish, that night in the cabin all I could think about was what I wanted and I didn't stop and think who might end up being hurt," Tommy countered.
"Being together that night was a mistake, I realize that now, we should never have started any of this," Kat told him.
"I'm sorry Kat," Tommy cried after her as she walked away.
"I'm sorry too," Kat said not looking back.
The next few weeks, Katherine put all her time and energy into her dancing. She avoided seeing Tommy as much as possible but that wasn't always easy. She knew if she kept turning down invitations to hang with her friends someone was going to start wondering why.
"Thanks for going to the movies with me," Rocky said as he and Kat walked through the park.
"I'm glad you invited me," Kat replied.
"I have to admit, I've always had a crush on you," Rocky confessed.
"Oh Rocky that's so sweet, why didn't you ever say anything," Kat asked.
"I don't know I guess I never thought you'd be interested," he told her.
"Rocky, Katherine, over here," a voice called to them. They looked up to see Kimberly and Tommy walking towards them.
"Hey Kim, how's it going," Rocky said.
"We were just taking a walk by the lake," Kim said.
"What are you two doing?" Tommy questioned.
"We just got back from a movie," Kat answered.
"Oops, Tommy I think we just interrupted their first date," Kim said with a smile.
"Just don't say anything to Aisha, she'd kill me if she knew you found out before she did, she's the one who encouraged me to ask Kat out," Rocky told her.
"Don't worry we won't say anything, will we Tommy," Kim responded.
"Um, no," Tommy said not taking his eyes off Kat.
"Well, it was fun running into you guys, but I think we should get going," Kim said as she pulled Tommy along with her.
"I hope you don't mind what Kim said about this being our first date," Rocky said once they were alone again.
"No, I don't mind at all, I'm…" Kat said but was unable to finish her sentence.
"Kat are you ok?" Rocky said concerned.
"I don't know Rocky, I'm not feeling too well, I think I should just go home now," Kat replied.