Mad World by Club Café
Chapter 2: Like It Or Not
After a couple weeks of working for Brett at Crown Cycles, Ron had to make a decision. It was early August and the start of local Universities and Colleges was rapidly approaching. As it was, his grades were decent enough to get into most schools without difficulty, but Ron had no idea as to what he wanted to do. Back when it was just he and Kim fighting the bad guy of the week, he only had to worry about things one day at a time. Now he had to plan out what he wanted to do for the next few years. He consulted his mother about it as soon as she got home from her new clerical job.
"Mom, what do you think I should do for school coming up?"
"What do you mean Ronald?"
"Well I mean, should I go to University or College or something? Or should I maybe take a year off and keep working my job?"
"That's up for you to decide, Ronald. University is not for everyone, just as College isn't. But, that being said, I think that you should try and continue your education in pursuit of a degree. Employers will always pick a degree over anything else."
"Ok but what would I major in? I don't really know what I wanna do…"
"Well what is it that you enjoy doing?"
"I dunno…I like saving the world with Kim…Cooking, motorcycles, video games, working out…that kind of stuff you know?"
"Well then think about things like Culinary Arts, Automotive Tech, Video Game Design, 3D Animation, or a Physical Education or Training degree. The best thing to do is go to one of the nearby campuses and gather some information. Talk to people and find out what they have to offer. But you'd best be doing it soon, as it's almost past registration time."
"Ok Mom, I'll go tomorrow after work. Hopefully I can work out something with Brett if I do attend school. Thanks a lot Mom!" Ron gave his mother a hug and a kiss before going up the stairs to his room.
"No problem Ronald, and don't forget next week we're taking a trip back to Middleton to see everyone!"
"Don't worry Mom, how could I forget?" Ron called over his shoulder from the top of the stairs. As he entered his room, he grabbed his gym bag, and flew back down the stairs. "K Mom, I'll be downstairs in the gym!"
"Ok Ronald."
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One week soon came and went quickly for the Stoppables, and Ron had finally decided what he wanted to do. Starting in early September, he would be studying at the local Community College for a degree as a Physical Fitness Trainer. He really enjoyed working out and gaining knowledge about his body and ways to improve it, so he figured it was a good choice. Plus the pay wasn't bad. After talking with Brett, they had worked out a way for Ron to go to school and still come into work. The store hours were 12 Noon to 8PM on weekdays, and 10AM to 10PM on weekends. Ron would now come in from 4PM to close on weekdays, and weekends would stay the same. For the four hours the store was open during the week, any time a customer would want to purchase something, someone would just come up from the back to take care of them, usually Gina, the painter and concept artist, or Ed, one of the metal workers. With that out of the way, it was soon time to leave for Middleton, where they would stay with the Possibles for the weekend.
Ron was excited to see Kim and the gang, as he hadn't seen them in person for two months. Secretly, he was also excited to show off his 'new' muscles. His daily workout routine had definitely been working, and the results were subtle but still noticeable. His shoulders were a lot more rounded, and his abdomen was becoming more cut and shapely. He hoped Kim would like it.
As his thoughts drifted to Kim, he remembered the conversations they had been having more and more frequently as of late. Conversations about their relationship. Both Ron and Kim knew that the longer he stayed away, the chances of them continuing the type relationship they wanted fell. Ron's father's condition wasn't static, but the rate at which it was increasing was slightly incremental at best. They had both agreed that they were going to sit down and have a long talk about it when they met up this weekend.
After a two-hour plane trip from Arizona to Colorado, the whole Possible family met the two Stoppables in the terminal. Mr. Dr. Possible and Mrs. Dr. Possible both greeted Mrs. Stoppable with a hug and comforting words before they turned to Ron, who had just returned from getting their baggage, Rufus tucked into his breast pocket. Kim was the first to notice his new look.
"Ron? Oh my God! Is that you? You look fabulous! You never told me you started working out! Oh it's so good to see you!" Kim began speaking rapidly. Upon nearing Ron she pulled him into a hug that could almost be considered a grope, by the looks the parents shared. The twins both made faces at the public display of affection. Ron laughed at it all.
"It's great to see you too, KP."
"Hey I was just trying to avoid crushing Rufus!" Her excuse fell upon deaf ears.
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"Ok Ron, I got everyone together and we're all going to meet up at Beuno Nacho in fifteen minutes, you ready to go?" Kim had arranged it so that almost all of her and Ron's friends would be meeting up at the local Beuno Nacho. It had taken a little bit of teamwork with Wade, but it was easily worth it.
"You bet! Man it'll be great to see all the gang again! I think I'll splurge and have a Naco Grande this time!" Ron's stomach gave a predatory warning growl before Ron patted it affectionately. "Shhh baby, soon. Soon." Kim wasn't weirded out one bit by this, as she had lived around Ron for years. She just offered the crook of her arm out to Ron, Rufus all but drooling in his pant pocket.
"Well then let's not keep the Beast waiting any longer. Shall we?"
"Yes, we shall!"
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The party at the Beuno Nacho was if anything, loud as all hell. Other than that, it was a very fun time. Everyone Ron could think of was there. Monique, Tara, Felix, Sam, Josh, some of the other cheerleaders, no Bonnie or Brick thankfully, even Wade himself showed up. Not a robot or hologram, but the real living ten-year-old genius. Kim and Ron were shocked. He was quite a bit shorter than their computer monitors let on.
After a solid three hours of partying, it was time to wrap things up and head home. Wade called his Mom for a ride home in their minivan, Tara and Monique drove home in Monique's car, and other people were left to their own devices. Kim and Ron decided a nice walk was in order. It was just after dusk and the last slivers of light were peaking through the clouds on the horizon, casting a stunning array of warm purple, red and orange hues across the sky. Summer was almost over, but it was still early enough that it wasn't at all uncomfortable. Wandering into a park, the couple linked arms and Kim leaned into Ron, resting her head on his shoulder with a small smile gracing her features.
"Let's stop and sit here for a bit." Ron said softly, indicating a small park bench that looked like it was made for just two people. The bench was an old black iron frame with two worn bench boards for support, names with hearts around them carved into its surface with dates going back several decades. The kind of history and character unseen by most park-goers. With a nod, Kim sat down first, followed by Ron. The park bench faced west, directly into the sunset, for reasons that soon became apparent to the couple.
"Oh it's so magnificent."
"Yeah. The glory of its daily passage is a splendor we often take for granted."
"That's beautiful, who said that?"
"I did, just now!" chuckled Ron softly. Kim playfully punched him in the arm before turning to look at the sunset again. After a few moments she turned back to Ron who was also engrossed in the sunset's gentle trek. Suddenly aware that Kim was staring at him, Ron turned to look her in the eyes. His breath caught in his throat as he did. The last warm light from the sinking sun was cast about her curved face, lighting her fiery hair, giving added life. Her soft green eyes seemed to glow in the sunlight and a slight rosy blush was spreading across her cheeks as she looked at him expectantly. For an instant, he could have sworn he heard the song "Kiss the Girl" playing in the background before mentally shaking his head. This wasn't some Disney movie. Reaching down and grasping Kim's hand he leaned in an sealed her lips with his own. Breaking the kiss short, he pulled back and looked Kim in the eyes again. She wore a questioning look that nearly made him lean back in a steal another kiss.
"Kim…uh… I was thinking this was maybe…a good time to talk about how things are going for us-" Ron was silenced as Kim grabbed the back of his head and forced her lips to his.
"Ron, we'll talk about this later tonight at my house. For now…" she paused to take in his shell-shocked face. "Just shut up and kiss me."
"Yes ma'am."
Rufus just looked on and sighed.
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