Bonnie Rockwaller strutted through the halls of the high school confidently. To the casual observer, her darting eyes would have seemed predatory. And they would almost be right. The young girl was hunting for anyone that looked like they knew she had gone on a date with Ron Stoppable.
Inside, the brunette was a nervous wreck. She knew Tara was right, but her reputation was all she really had. If she lost that, she really would be the loser her sister's told her she was. It also hurt Bonnie to realize she treated him the same way her sisters treated her. She had told Ron her deepest shame, and his eyes were filled with friendly compassion. It was like nothing she could do or say would destroy his respect for her.
Catching sight of the football players from the theater, she tried to ignore them as she walked by. "Hey, Bonnie, how'd the date with Stoppable go?" the guy laughed.
"We told you. He was only there so I could see the advance showing of the movie," she answered haughtily.
"You know we'll pound him for you if he tried to make a move," another guy offered.
"He was a perfect gentleman," she growled.
"Who was a perfect gentleman?" Brick asked, walking up.
"Stoppable took Bonnie to the movies," the first guy replied.
"He had to be there so I could see the advance screening," Bonnie corrected.
"Oh, cool. Was it that chick flick you wanted to see?" Brick said.
"Man, you're not mad Stoppable's trying to get with a cheerleader?"
Brick shrugged. "He's a nice guy. I mean, he saves the world all the time."
Bonnie quietly slipped away, leaving them to whatever their discussion led them. As she walked to class, the brunette tried to figure out why that conversation had upset her. Was she mad that they knew about it or because they talked like Ron wasn't good enough? She wasn't sure which, but smiled wryly that he would probably say he wasn't good enough and mean it too. At least Brick had been supportive. He wasn't bright enough to be trying to get on her good side, so the sentiment was sincere.
For the rest of the day, Bonnie thought about her dilemma. Perhaps she was mean to him as her way to motivate him to become what she somehow saw within. While she figured it out, she decided she would neither encourage nor discourage Ron's attitude towards her. So that meant no flirting or insulting, but she wouldn't ignore him. They were passing in the hall, and Ron gave her a little wave. Just a friendly wave. Bonnie waved back, but she also noticed how he had looked around to make sure no one would see. To protect her social status. It made her feel both flattered and guilty.
On the way to cheer practice at the end of the day, Bonnie was still deep in thought and no closer to a resolution. She was too startled to make a sound when she was yanked into the janitor's closet. Her scream died on her lips when she saw it was Ron. "What do you want?" she fumed, angry with him for scaring her.
"Wanted to get to you before the girls did," he chuckled. "We still have the movie, so they're going to invite you to see it again. They'll probably want to know what happened on our night out."
"What? You want me to tell them you're a super stud?" she accused, getting upset at his audacity.
Ron waved off her words. "Say whatever you want. I won't be there to disagree. I just didn't think it would be fair to blindside you."
"You're not seeing the movie again?" the brunette asked, cursing herself for sounding disappointed.
"Naw. Not my kind of movie. I only got it because Tara said you wanted to see it." Ron reached for the door. "We'd better get out of here before anyone gets the wrong idea."
Bonnie spun him around. "Ashamed to let people think we're together, Stoppable," she seethed.
"No, of course not. I…I…" the young blonde tried to respond, flustered.
"Nobody rejects Bonnie Rockwaller."
"I thought you were rejecting me," he pleaded.
Bonnie prevented any further words by forcefully grabbing the boy and kissing him passionately.
Ron tried to protest for a moment but soon succumbed to the pleasant embrace. Neither noticed the large figure that stood in the now open doorway. "Rockwaller! Stoppable! My office. Now," the deep voice of Mr. Barkin startled them.
The two teens silently followed the administrator. Their gaze remained focused on the heels of the man in front of them, too ashamed to look at each other or any of the students that hadn't left for home yet.
"What do you two have to say for yourselves?" Mr. Barkin asked, seating himself behind his desk.
"It wasn't what it looked like," the young girl blurted.
"Oh, I'm sure. I'm fully aware of how you two feel about each other. It couldn't possibly have been two students making out in the janitor's closet. So, it must have been someone getting their tonsils removed."
"I got mine removed when I was eight," Ron interjected meekly.
The man raised a brow. "Congratulations, Miss Rockwaller. Looks like Stoppable was being a hero and performed an emergency tonsillectomy with his tongue."
"Look, Mr. Barkin. This is my fault. I pulled Bonnie into the closet to talk to her. It won't happen again."
"It had better not. You both are suspended from extracurricular activities for today and tomorrow. Dismissed."
Both teens left after mumbles of "yes, sir." When they got out of the office, Ron looked over at the brunette. "Why don't you go on home? I'll tell the squad; I have to wait for Kim anyways."
"Um, OK. Sure, Ron," Bonnie replied hesitantly. She was unsure if he would try to kiss her, but somewhat nervous and hopeful that he would.
"Sorry about getting you in trouble. See ya later," he said, walking away.
"Later," she answered softly, watching him until he turned the corner. Disappointment settled into her heart that he didn't even look back. Bonnie made her way home, confused how things had ended up the way they did and how much it hurt.
A/NAnd another chapter for you guys. I've switched to trying to reply to each review. So, I thank everyone that's reviewed so far. I think this chapter has a healthy level of angst. Do you realize how sadistic you people are that you want me to torture a fictional character for your amusement? ;) I think it went well. I especially think the stuff with Mr. Barkin is hilarious. Hope everyone enjoys this one as much as you all seem to have enjoyed the rest.