Chapter 11: Hedgehog's Dilemma

Friday speeches by the principal and VP go quicker than normal. I really don't want them to end though. We're dismissed to our second period classes. School flies by as I draw to occupy my time. I start to draw a hedgehog. Greg's hedgehog story ever fresh in my mind. He called it Hedgehog's Dilemma; he used to tell it all the time.

'Hedgehogs were just like us... looking for the companionship, even love, of one another. But every time they would try to get close their spikes would prick each other. They couldn't hug. They couldn't come close to each other... they were sad. They became depressed and stayed alone. They became solitary creatures. And that they remain. No one can talk to them because they can't talk back. But they don't get hurt. They aren't happy, being alone. But more content. I never want you to be like that. Promise me.'

'I pomis!'

I used to love that story. Probably because I loved to make 'pomis'es. Sorry, Greg. Too late.

Fifth bell rings. I don't want to see Pip, Padma, or Sunder Lal. Especially him. Yuck... what's that smell? I glance around. Oh, it's Rick Tether. Loading an already putrid stink bomb into some unfortunate's locker. Oh. Mature. I walk past him. I seem to catch his attention because he sidles up next to me. Ew. He wraps his arm over my shoulders. Ew times 10.

"Hey Kim. Whaddaya say we go out for a bite to eat? Just you and me."

"No."

"Ya know your fair game. Everyone knows your not lesbo now. Why can't someone sexy, me, be the first to tap that ass?"

I stop in my tracks. Rick steps to the side. I have to laugh. Sexy. Sexy he says! No... no...! I laugh out loud, slapping my knees in hysteria. Rick withdraws his hand. I stop laughing. Like a sudden stop. And after making a scene, really gets peoples' attention. I stare flatly into Rick's eyes.

"You are not sexy."

Ouch. That hurt. Him. I walk away without looking back. Ah... feels nice. Rick is stumbling over his words. Like no one ever said he wasn't sexy. He runs up to me.

"Hey Kim! Did you hear about the prostitute that was murdered last night? Was it your mom?"

Announcing it to the whole school. Kim's poor and her mother's a slut. Well, it hurts. Wait, no it doesn't.

"It couldn't have been her though. She was stuck in the middle of a bar brawl."

He looks totally defeated. No more moronic tricks up his varsity jacket. The bell rings again, so ends 'passing period #5'. I trot to class, hoping to avoid the awkward face-to-face with Tether. I dart through the desks and sit in the back corner. Pip hasn't noticed me has he? I pray to god no. Of course, god never listens so he comes walking over.

"Hey, Kim. Don't forget your going shopping later. Padma says she'll meet you after school."

"Us."

"Us? What about us?"

"Don't you remember? You're coming."

Pip's face looses its color.

"Tell me more about the Keys. Your parents. How did they get the knowledge to support two worlds? Do you dislike being a Key? Does it hurt? How come Feran only has control over you at night? Did he kill that prostitute last night? How do you know what Feran's doing? How far is that stick shoved up Padma's ass?"

Pip stands wide-eyed, at all of my questions. It is the first time I've asked about this stuff though. I don't blame him. I'm scaring myself.

"I only heard half of those... Being a Key doesn't hurt; I actually hate it though... Searching country after country, state after state, city after city for the other Key..."

He trails off then looks at me fondly. He gets on his knees and covers my hands, which were lying on the desk, with his own.

"... I finally found you."

Blush! Like a tidal wave, I can feel it run over my cheeks. I know he just means he's glad he doesn't have to search anymore, but still. Whoa... He knows it too. He gets it and blushes too. It is rather stupid. We stay like that for a couple minutes. I whip out my sketch book, the one that he gave me. It's already mostly full, with patterns scribbled on the cover and back. Pip finds them interesting.

"Wow... You're actually... good...!"

I feel my eye twitch.

"... Actually...?"

Pip looks up into my eyes. I am upset. I'll admit it. I take pride in my drawings. I'll admit that too.

"Well, yeah. I just thought you loved to draw, that doesn't mean you're good."

"Thank you... Pippin..."

He seems surprised by my snarl. I'm surprised by me.

"Okay."

"...S-sorry..."

Blushing again. Shit! I lift my gaze to match Pip's. He's also blushing. But not an embarrassed blush. An ill flush. He puts a hand to his forehead.

"Pip?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Fine."

Sure.

"You don't look fine."

"I am... I am."

No. Liar.

"Oh... Right..."

We sit in an awkward silence.

"...Kim you need-"

The bell rings. THANK GOD! I grab my bag and run out the door. Right into Sunder Lal. I hit him with a resounding thump. I look up. He has that look in his eyes again. The scary one.

"Ah-ah..."

I sound like I'm hyperventilating. Padma walks up from behind him. I look around frantically for something to hide behind. He steps toward me. I go back. I bump into Pip.

"Kim?"

"Daddy!" I squeak under my breath.

"That's a little kinky for you, isn't it?"

I spin on my heel. Pip smiles at me. Kinky? Oh... damn it! I give Pip an upper cut to the stomach and run. Right out of the building. Damn it! He's so nosy! Straight home.

"What were you thinking? I know what I was thinking. SHIT!"

I see Burger King. I run there. Why? I don't know. I was just running. I start to tear up. I can't believe this is happening. One week ago life was normal! I'm leaving! I'm going to leave home! Just me! Forget Pip, Padma, Sunder Lal, Rick, Sam... everybody!

"Kim!"

Pip! Damn it! I run faster. How come he has to do this? I just want to leave! Why can't you leave me the hell alone? Damn it! I stumble. I don't fall but it slows me down. I look over my shoulder, Pip is yards behind me. I start to sprint. I hit something and push it over. I look up. It's Justin. I look behind me and Pip is even closer.

"Stop running!"

I jump up and run past Justin and farther away from Pip. I can barely breathe. A bead of sweat runs from my temple to my chin. I hide in a bush behind the building. Can't breathe...

"Who are you?" Justin demanded.

I hear Pip coughing, trying to catch his breath.

"Help me find Kim!" Pip heaved.

Justin is angry, I can tell.

"Who the Hell are you?"

Pip grabs his chest and coughs once.

"I need her."

I peek around the corner. Justin steps toward Pip. Pip looks up, and then straightens up.

"For what?"

"We have business."

I pull my head back around the corner. I hear Justin crack his knuckles.

"She isn't a whore, you bastard."

I hear Pip back up a step. I look around again. Justin has Pip by the shirt.

"Only a pervert would make that connection."

Justin yells in frustration and lays a powerful punch into Pip's gut. I hear Pip gasping for breath. He falls to the ground. Justin snorts,

"Asshole."

Pip groans. Damn it! Why? Why does it have to be different with him? I stand up and look around the corner. Justin looks over his shoulder. He smiles at me. I point at Pip. Justin's face falls. His eyes widen and he helps Pip up.

"Oh man, I'm sorry."

Pip coughs.

"I'm fine."

He looks right at me. He smiles weakly. Shit! He just has to make me feel bad! I turn and run again.

"Oh no..."

Pip takes after me again.

I am completely out of breath. Oh god, I'm dying! So... woooo! I look behind me. I don't see Pip. He's gone... finally. I was about to th-OOF! I am knocked down from behind. My head hits the cement. God damn! Ow! A burning tear rolls down the side of my face.

"Got... gotcha..."

Pip coughed harshly. Where did he come from? How did he catch me? I thought I had lost him! Maybe he caught up during my breaks. Whatever it was, he was still lying on top of me, very awkwardly. I feel my face. I'm sweaty and just gross. I reach up and touch my forehead. A small cut above my left eyebrow. Crap.

"Ow... you okay?"

Pip rolled himself off of me and helped me sit up. I didn't want his help though. I pulled my hand out of his and scooted away.

"Just perfect!" I huffed.

"Sorry. I had to catch you."

Pip stood up, brushing himself off. I push myself up and brush off my knees. He didn't have to hit me that hard! God! So... I step forward, trying my hardest to look cute. I blush a bit and smile a bit. He blushes too and looks at me happily, incredulously. I put my hands on his shoulders and pull myself closer to him. He puts his hands cautiously on my hips. I grab his collar gently, and press myself against him. Totally impulsive, I swear. I knee him. Right where it hurts. His hands flew "south" and he staggered backwards.

"...Ow...!"
I spin quickly on my heel. Aw, shit! Why did I have to do that? This is awkward!

"T...that's what you get! Don't push me over!"

I can hear Pip groaning in pain. Oh, damn, that was stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I start to walk away at a brisk pace. Shit, shit, shit. Why did I do that?

"Wait, Kim! I'm sorry!"

Oh my god... crap, crap, crap!

"I'm sorry! Please slow down!"

"Please, Kim, forgive me!"

Aw, crap! Why is he still following me? I see the Sun Coast Apartments. Home! Salvation! I would just run up and slam the door in his face. Then maybe he would get the message.

"Go away, Pip!"

"But Kim!"

I take a bigger stride. Faster! Dammit, he never gives up. I speed up a bit. Then I pick up a jog. Then a speedy run. Now a rapid sprint. And every time I picked up speed, I could hear behind me, Pip was keeping my pace. Inside the building. Up three flights of stairs. To room 3G. I reach out for doorknob, give it a sharp twist. Locked. Locked? At a time like this? No, no, no! Pip runs up to me panting.

"Kim, are you okay? I forgive you for kicking me! It doesn't matter!"

I rattled the door knob, rapidly. N-no! I look up at the number, maybe I'm at the wrong door; mine's never locked! A notice on the door...

"E-evicted?"

"What?"

"I've been evicted!"