Chapter 9: Obsession

I am sitting outside of Burger King. This morning I went to McD's and found out the wonderful news: I had gotten fired. So now, I'll have to find another job. God forbid mother find another job. My shift is almost on. I look at the umbrella above my head. Sigh... Red. Red stripes. Pip's hair is almost that color. I feel good inside- just at the thought of his name. Odd.

"Kimberly Zitch."

An unfamiliar voice. I spin around. It's... who?

"Kimberly. I came to talk to you about Pippin Hadyus."

Oh shit. I take a deep breath. I manage a glare. His name sounds like poetry, even when it's said by a shrimp with glasses so thick you'd have to use a yard stick to measure the thickness.

"What is it, squirt?"

"I would appreciate your refraining from calling me 'squirt', my name is Mara Franks."

"Well, what is it?"

She looks down at the ground. Her gigundo, thick glasses slip off of her face. She bends to pick them up but she drops the book she was carrying. One of those stupid fantasy books. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. She picks her stuff up and opens the book to me.

"What about the book? This is wasting my time."

"Look here, please."

She points to a name in the book. It's highlighted and has hearts around it. It also says 'Marry me Pip' above it. Pippin. She's obsessed with Pippin from this stupid book. 'Marry me Pip'. That's disturbing. A book character. She even gave it a... nickname? Pip. Just like my... Pip! Oh my god! This pansy is obsessed with Pip! Pip?

"Why? What does it have to do with me?"

Mara clears her throat. She straightens her glasses. It seems like she's gonna recite a speech. Woo-fuckin'-hoo.

"Are you and Mr. Pippin... dating?"

I feel my face burn. Smolder is a better word, actually. Dating? Me... and Pip? Dating? Going out alone, coming back late, hugging... kissing...?

"Why?"

"Because I love him."

She is mucho blunt. Her face is straight; I know she's embarrassed on the inside. She has too many freckles to blush. Kids with tons of freckles don't blush so much, I've noticed. Wow. Love. That's a pretty strong word. Very strong.

"What are you talking about?"

"I love Pippin Hadyus."

"And what if we are dating?"

Oh shit. Think before you speak! Now it's gonna be all over school! Great! Perfect!

"So... you are..."

I stay silent.

"But..." she starts, "I..."

"Yeah, yeah. 'I love Pippin.' Where did you get the idea that Pip and I are dating anyways?"

Mara's gaze drops to her loafers.

"I guessed. Every time you look at him, I can tell, you love him. I feel the same way you do. Every time you look at him you blush. You can't help but feel that way. And Pip. He cares deeply for you. He came to your home, just to apologize. He took care of you in the library when you were almost raped."

My jaw drops. She goes quiet.

"... You were there...? And you let him do that to me? Didn't you hear me cry for help? I know you did!"

I slam my fists on the table as I talk. I jump down from the table I was sitting on. Now I'm pissed. All I can say is,

"How could you...?"

I glare at her horribly. How could this bitch? Leave me there to get...? I can't believe people like that exist! ... I would never... do that. But... I have... Yeah... that makes me a hypocrite. Justin passes me.

"Lindsay is taking over your shift. Go to Max."

I look at him then to Mara. She's already gone. Damn... I actually feel bad about the whole stupid thing with Justin. I look back at him. I take a deep breath.

"Justin?"

"What do you want?"

Damn... this is hard.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about how you would feel when I shot you down... I... I am truly sorry. Please forgive me."

Justin is really puzzled. He looks at me then at the sky.

"Uh... yeah. Sure, I forgive you. I... sorry for asking in the first place."

His demeanor is awkward, but he is sincere.

"So..." he says, "Who shot you down? I mean you wouldn't have apologized before."

"No one. But I met someone. He's different."

"...Oh...!"

"It's not like that!"

Justin smiles at me. Brotherly-like. God, that was fast.

"Okay."

"Seriously!"

He pats me on the head.

"Bye, Kim."

"...Bye."

I walk into the BK. It's empty right now. Lindsay and Max are tongue wrestling at the register.

"So... this is why I've been moved?"

Max's head snaps in my direction. He roars,

"You're fired!"

I simply turn and walk out. I reach the door and pause. I spin on my heel and say gently,

"I must get some thing first."

I run past the two lovers and into the employee lockers. I grab my hideous red visor. Bon fire tonight.