A/N—Once again, PLEASE review. I need to get better at writing if I'm going to be able to do well on my SAT II's.
To Dr. Odd: If you haven't read the reviews section I'll say it here. Once again, thanks for the suggestions and advice. However, we seem to have a discrepancy on the comma thing. I believe my comma usage is correct since I'm connecting an independent clause with a dependent clause, thus preventing comma splices and such. Anyway, I'm almost entirely positive, but I'd appreciate some input on this subject from some other readers.
Huge thanks definitely goes out to Classic Cowboy, and the angsty dialogue that will show up in this chapter was based upon his Matrix dialogue. In fact, if you consider this chapter well-written please go read Classic Cowboy's fanfics, since he is heavily behind this chapter's good parts.
Chapter 16
I watched as the immaculately white snow had deepened to nearly a foot and a half when the Tweebs stalked back into the house. They weren't in their usual frenzy of laughter after coming in after a snow fight like every other Christmas, but then again this Christmas really wasn't like any other Christmas. Everyday brings back a memory of Ron I thought to myself. Christmas makes the thoughts inevitable.
"So I guess Ron really isn't coming…" said Tim sadly.
"…or maybe he's doing this on purpose to surprise us with a huge celebration!" finished Jim, enthusiastically. The tone made me wince; it was so filled with hope, an impossible hope but it was hope nonetheless.
"Jim, Tim," I whispered softly, clearly taking them by surprise. I hadn't called them by their real names in ages. Their ears perked up, intently listening to what I had to say. "Ron isn't coming, and it's all my fault," I said, finally breaking down into tears. This is supposed to be a day of loving and caring and friendship; thanks to me, it's become day of day of regret and guilt over what I had lost…no, thrown away.
The tweebs walked up to me and hugged me, the years clearly making them more insightful and empathetic. "This isn't because you broke up with Ron is it?" asked Tim timidly. At that moment, my parents walked in to bring the Tweebs hot cocoa when they saw us all in a tight embrace, tears glistening over my eyes.
"Kimmie-cub?" my father whispered compassionately. "Is it about Ron?" I couldn't take it anymore; I had to tell someone instead of keeping it bottled up.
"Mom, dad, Jim, Tim, I think it's time I told you the whole story."
Ron's POV
Bonnie laughed uncontrollably as my leg fell into the snow again, causing me to fall over.
"You're doing it wrong, Ronnie. You have to do it like this." She took a single step and fell into the snow, sending the both of us into another laughing fit.
"Bonnie, I…haha…I…haha…we need…hahahaha…to get a hat for Frosty," I said, still laughing uncontrollably.
"Well…haha…you're…the…haha…man here," said Bonnie, trying her best to regain her breath from all the laughing. "You…haha…get it," she said. Knowing that when a woman has her mind set, I tried my best to make it through the deep snow, causing Bonnie to laugh even harder. I smiled to myself in contentment and satisfaction.
Kim's POV
"…and that's why he's not coming," I finished, trying my best to hold back the tears. "Mom, why did he, why did I have to change?" I asked, breaking down into tears. My parents embraced me tightly, holding me to them, trying to calm me.
"Honey, you can't change the past, but you can try to repair the future. Tell Ron how much you care about him before it's too late, and don't make it a half-hearted effort. You need as much sincerity as you can muster, you have to show him you're sorry and still care a lot. It seems that every time you've wanted to do this you let Josh come into the middle. You're going to have to make a choice sooner or later," my mom said, keeping me in her embrace. I just sat there, sobbing on her shoulders and praying for the best.
Ron's POV
"Oh God, this hot cocoa is so nice," I said. "You're a great cook Bon."
"Ron, it's packaged hot cocoa mixed with boiling water," Bonnie said, laughing.
"Oh, well, it's still really good," I said sheepishly, as Bonnie sat down across from me on the small table.
"That was the most fun I've had since…well in my whole life!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Watching kids movies, building snowmen, drinking hot coca, watch you stumble in the snow…" she chuckled. "This day has been perfect."
"Thanks, it's been absolutely amazing for me too. By the way, I got you a very fitting present for Christmas."
"Really? You're so sweet. I wasn't sure if were exchanging gifts, so I got you one of course. I think you'll really like it."
"Bonnie, I'll like anything you give me," I said truthfully.
Oblivious to both of the teens, Bonnie's parents were watching them, smiling to each other.
Kim's POV
"Kimmie, dear, the Mankeys will be over in half an hour. How about you get cleaned up now?" I nodded, not feeling any better. I went upstairs and turned on the shower faucets, savoring the misty heat. As I took of my clothes in stepped in, the pure warmth of the water alleviated my pain a little. I've got to stay strong. I can't let Josh know how unhappy I am; it's Christmas, and it should be a day of love and joy, and I'm going to try and keep it that way. Finishing my pleasant shower, I stepped out, dried off, and went downstairs with as much joy as I could muster.
Ding dong! Excitedly, I ran to the door and opened it.
"Merry Christmas!" I yelled.
"Oh Kim, you're so sweet," said Mrs. Mankey stepping inside and taking off her shoes along with the rest of her family.
"Hey Kim," Josh said in his sexy voice. "You wanna exchange presents after dinner?"
"Sure thing!" I said, relieved that this dinner would occupy my mind and keep it of Ron.
"Oh hi, Mrs. and Mr. Mankey! It's so nice to meet you," my mom said sweetly, coming to the door to shake hands with Josh's parents. "And my oh my Josh, you're still as handsome as ever." Josh pleasantly thanked her with a huge smile, before I took his arm and led him to the living room.
"So, you ever watch Christmas movies?" I asked.
"Well, not really. I haven't seen any for years; personally, I think I'm too old to watch them."
"Oh, okay," I said, trying to stifle my disappointment. "I guess we are a bit too old aren't we?" I replied, giving a small, empty laugh. "Well…do you want to just snuggle up on a couch and talk?"
"That sounds great." Yea, great. I was looking forward to watching some Christmas movies with him too.
"Yep, sounds great!" Just great.
Ron's POV
"Well, Ronald, you're quite the cook," said Mrs. Rockwaller to me as I helped her prepare the dinner.
"Yea, Ron's probably the great cook in the school," Bonnie said sweetly. I blushed a little at the compliment, still not so used to them.
"I'm not that good; I just like food," I said, causing both Bonnie and her mom to smile.
"So Ron, I've heard that you're Kim Possible's sidekick. Must be really exciting."
"Used to be," I replied.
"Oh, really, what—" she stopped in mid sentence when she saw the 'Don't-ask' look she got from Bonnie. "So, you like Christmas movies?"
"Mrs. Rockwaller, I can honestly say I'm still a child at heart; I've seen Frosty the Snowman and Miracle on 34th Street sixteen consecutive Christmases." Mrs. Rockwaller seemed to enjoy that statement.
"Well, after dinner maybe we could all sit in the living room and watch A Christmas Carol. It's been ages since we last saw that as a family."
"Sounds great," I said, continuing to add seasoning to the holiday soup. "It's been a long time since I saw that too."
Day had become night as the Possible family, Stoppable family sans Ron, and the Mankey family sat down to a warm, hearty Christmas dinner.
"Man, this sucks," Tim whispered to his twin.
"Agreed," Jim whispered back.
"It wouldn't be like this if…' Tim whispered, albeit too loudly.
"…if Ron were here," Jim finished in his normal talking voice. Mrs. Possible glared at the twins, not wanting to make a scene. Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable just appeared apologetic.
"I'm sorry Ron couldn't make it tonight. He had…other plans," Mrs. Stoppable said. Kim visibly stiffened. Other plans? I thought he was just going to stay home and spend Christmas by himself.
"Um, what other plans?" asked Kim, not caring about the boldness of her question. Mrs. Possible looked at Kim with a wistful but not unkind stare before answering.
"Well, he said he was going to Bonnie's house; he was in a cheery mood all week and left this morning right after she called. He said something about building snowmen and having a few snow fights." Kim looked like she had just been punched in the stomach. No, no, no, she can't steal him from me. Ron's always done that with me. I have to talk to him. How could I have let this happen?
"Kim, you okay?" asked Josh in a concerned voice.
"May, may I be excused?" asked Kim, her voice visibly straining. Receiving only silence from the rest of the table, she got up in embarrassment and ran to her room. I'm not going to let this happen. This has gone far enough. She picked up her cheerleading handbook and looked up Bonnie's number.
Three
"So, Ronald, it seems you've really made a positive impact on our Bonnie. We, as a family, would really like to thank you for that."
"T, thank you," Ron said appreciatively.
Five
"Are you two dating yet?" Both Bonnie and Ron visibly blushed, though neither saw the other's because they were avoiding eye contact.
"Mom," Bonnie said worriedly. She didn't want to ruin this, but she knew it wasn't her mother's fault since she thought they were a couple anyway. "Ron and I, we're just friends." If Ron had listened carefully, he would have heard Bonnie mutter 'for now' to herself.
Nine
"I've heard that you and Kim have been best friends for sixteen years; that's quite a relationship there," Mr. Rockwaller said.
"Yea, it was a long time, but I guess ultimately people drift." The saddened look on his face caused a quick change of subject.
One
"It must be really exciting to go to all the places you've been too Ronald. You've probably experienced more in your teen years alone than most people do in an entire lifetime."
"Well, like I say, experience is true knowledge."
Seven
"Mmm, this cooking's delicious," said Mr. Rockwaller, placing another piece of ham into his mouth.
"Ronald, you're an amazing cook. This is probably the best Christmas dinner I've ever had," said Mrs. Rockwaller, causing Ron to blush profusely.
"It, it really isn't much," Ron said modestly.
Six
"How do you stay so modest with all your talents?"
"I, I'm not really that talented," said Ron, truly surprised that Bonnie's parents would think someone like him talented. I guess that's what years of being a stepping stool does to you. Bonnie was staring thoughtfully at Ron, smiling at his modesty and its effects on her parents.
Four
"You truly are—" Ring! Ring! "Excuse me for a second," said Mrs. Rockwaller, standing up to retrieve the phone. She was quite irritated at the phone call because it interrupted her pleasant conversation with (hopefully she thought to herself) Bonnie's future boyfriend.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is Ron there?" asked Kim tentatively.
"Yes, and may I ask who's calling?"
"K, Kim, Kim Possible." There was a moment of silence.
"Hold on," Mrs. Rockwaller replied coldly. "Ronald, the phone's for you; sorry about this interruption." Ron silently strode up to the phone, hesitantly answering it as Mrs. Rockwaller returned to the dinner table.
"Hello?"
"Ron, it's me. WeneedtotalkI'msosorryabouteverythingand—"
"Kim, first of all I can't understand a word you're saying," Ron said coldly. "Second of all I have no reason to listen."
"Please, just hear me out," Kim said, on the verge of tears.
"Make it quick," came the dark reply.
"Ron, I'm so sorry about everything. I never meant to hurt you the way I did, and I shouldn't have ever gotten Josh involved in all of this. I just want you to know that you've always been my best friend and still will be if you'll only forgive me. We can put the past behind us, and—" Always been your best friend? Past behind us? Ron felt his anger boiling as he went through all the events of the past few years in his mind.
"And what? Be friends? Watch you and Mankey go out and ditch me every night? Watch you rub in the fact that you're higher on the social hierarchy than I am? Listen to you tell me lies every day? See you forget me the moment you meet someone popular? Don't deny it KP. I know what you've become, and I don't want to be a part of it."
"What about all the missions we've gone on?" Kim was desperate now. The Rockwaller dinner had come to a silent halt, all members intently listening on the drama that was playing out.
"What about them? I was always the distraction; you always took all the credit. I did the dirty jobs; you got the glory. I was a partner to you when it was just us but a sidekick to you when others were around. And you know what? The one mission I went on alone without you was for you. I risked my life to save yours, and you almost threw it all away. Instead of staying inside like you should have, you went on a date with Mankey. Here I was, running through the perilous Amazon Jungle thinking of nothing but my best friend and you were having a grand ol' time weren't you? Imagine my surprise when I returned to find you almost completely gone because you just had to go out with Mankey. Did you even think of me, of what I was sacrificing for you?" Kim sighed, finally starting to see the truth of it all.
"What about our memories, our history? We'd always celebrate Christmas together, or go trick-or-treating or—"
"You mean we always went trick-or-treating before Monkey came into your life, or did you forget your lie already? You said you were going to be busy that night with your parents, so I told myself that it was something really important because we always went out on Halloween to trick or treat together. I trusted you, trusted that you would never lie to me unless it was extremely important. I should have seen the signs back then; popularity is extremely important to you, clearly more so than friendship. You had already started to turn into the shallow person you are now, lying to me to go to some stupid party. I was supposed to be your best friend KP, but I guess history and friendship mean nothing to you. Don't try to deny it; you brushed me off like a bad habit to have fun and leave me alone on the holiday we always spent together." The truth hit home, and Kim felt even worse, but she couldn't give up now. She had to find some way back into his heart.
"I'm sorry Ron, but you're only thinking of the bad stuff. Remember that spirit dance we went to Freshmen year…"
"Right, Freshmen year. That was before you started changing. You were my best friend back then, but things change; people change. Remember the year after? You were so nervous about asking Josh to the Spirit Dance that you'd always hide behind me whenever he walked by. Do you know how that made me feel? I was your best friend, without a date, and you didn't give a damn. All you cared about was getting a 'hottie' to go to a school dance with you, not caring about how your best friend of over a decade would feel about it. And you know what? I still stood up for you, encouraged you to ask Josh to the dance. You repaid me real kindly for that didn't you? You were having the experience of your life with Josh while I was stuck in a broom closet for an entire weekend with no one to talk to. Did you care? No, you didn't even notice that I was gone. Real friend you are." Silent tears rolled down Kim's face; the weight of it all finally hit home. How could I have been so selfish? There was nothing left but an empty plea.
"Ron, just…please forgive me, for old time's sake, to back before I became what I am today. I, I need you."
"Right, just like you needed me when Josh cheated on you. I sure hope you haven't forgotten that. You ditched me on the one day we were going to spend together to go to a casual dinner with Mankey, and you know what? I still forgave you because Monique said you were unhappy. Unhappy! Here I was, dying on the inside, and I was worried about someone like you being unhappy. Monique was wrong though; I went to make reparations with you and you PUSHED ME AWAY AGAIN. YOU BRUSHED ME OFF AGAIN TO TALK TO MANKEY. THAT'S NOT WHAT BEST FRIENDS DO. THEY SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND MORE IMPORTANTLY STAY LOYAL TO EACH OTHER." Forcing himself to calm down, Ron continued, oblivious to the downcast eyes of the Rockwaller family. "And you know what? I still forgave you. You came running to me after Mankey cheated on you and told me you loved me. YOU DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF LOVE. I'VE RISKED MY LIFE FOR YOU COUNTLESS TIMES WITHOUT HESITATION. I'VE GIVEN UP MY POPULARITY, REPUTATION, AND PRIDE JUST SO YOU COULD SMILE. I LOVED YOU, KP, WITH EVERYTHING, AND YOU—" Ron tried to finish but couldn't, the weight of his own words bringing tears to his eyes. He hung up the phone quietly, and felt a pair of arms over his shoulders.
"Come on Ron," said Bonnie quietly. "Let's sit by the fireplace and just relax. I'm here for you now." Sobbing uncontrollably, Ron walked with Bonnie and sat down on the couch with her, relaxing in her tight embrace.
"Bonnie," Ron whispered, after he had calmed down a bit.
"What is it Ron?" Bonnie quietly replied.
"I'm glad you're with me."
"Same here."
Crying quietly to herself, Kim Possible felt the power and truth of Ron's words assaulting her. How, how could I have not noticed? Was I that blind to him? Getting herself cleaned up, she bravely headed downstairs, trying her best to put on a happy mask.
"Bonnie, I, I have something to give you," said Ron, pulling out a wrapped gift from his pocket. "I, I thought of you right after I saw this and had it engraved." She unwrapped the present and found a neatly crafted mirror with a wooden varnish outlining the edges. The brown wood on the outside, she realized, was the exactly color of her hair. On the bottom she saw the engraved words and hugged Ron. Reflection lies within.
"Thank you so much Ron, for everything. Now let me get your present," she said, relinquishing her embrace. She returned with a neatly wrapped present with a Christmas card attached to it.
To Ron,
The time I've spent with you during these past few weeks have been by far the best of my life. Perhaps it's time we truly enjoyed these Winter Holidays. Thank you for everything and merry Christmas.
With Love,
Bonnie Rockwaller
Slowly, Ron unwrapped the small gift and found two tickets inside; Ron immediately realized these were tickets to the Middleton Ski Lodge.
"How about it? Wanna go skiing together?"
"S, sure. That sounds great," Ron said excitedly, before thanking Bonnie profusely. She just laughed in return.
"Come on, let's go watch A Christmas Carol."
Meanwhile…
"Kimmie-cub, are you feeling all right?" asked Kim's dad worriedly as Kim returned downstairs.
"Just fine," she said, feigning a smile as best she could. Dinner finished uneventfully for the three families, littered with small talk.
"How about we exchange gifts now?" asked Josh diffidently, not quite familiar with his surroundings.
"That's a great idea Josh," said Mrs. Possible. In unison, everyone got up and headed towards the living room.
"Mrs. Stoppable, can I talk to you?" Kim asked timidly.
"Sure Kim," replied Ron's mom, giving her a sad look. "It's about Ron, isn't it?" Kim nodded silently. Mrs. Stoppable sighed. She followed Kim to a secluded room, took a couch, and the two started talking. "The months before you started going out, Ron always seemed depressed and empty without you. You two just stopped hanging out, and when I asked him why he wouldn't tell me anything. I was really worried for him, until one day you suddenly came back into his life. When you two first started going out, I convinced myself it was pretty nice and wouldn't threaten your friendship in any way. After all, I told myself, you two have been best friends for sixteen years. However, I should have realized that I was only trying to convince myself of that because Ron had become so happy. Ron dearly loved you Kim; at the dinner table you were all he'd talk about; how good Kim was at this, and how sweet she was at that. You should have just seen the happiness in his eyes, dear; nothing could get him down. I saw the signs Kim, but I ignored him. Every time he pecked you on the cheek you seemed to wince a little; every time he's shyly hold your hand a look of guilt would cross your face. I guess it's my fault for ignoring these signs; as a mother, I just brushed them off as having a bad day or just feeling down. I couldn't accept the fact that your relationship, as well as Ron's happiness, was on the brink of destruction, so I ignored it. When Ron came home with tears in his eyes, his father and I tried to talk to him but couldn't. He locked himself in his room the whole weekend, not even coming out for food, which we just started dropping off outside his door. It tortured my husband and I on the inside, but we also knew that there was nothing we could do for him. We could only pray." Kim was openly sobbing. Mrs. Stoppable quietly got up and put a comforting arm around Kim.
"I, I'm so sorry. I just, c-c-couldn't tell him earlier."
"I know dear. I never got the whole story, but I know Ron will tell me when he's ready. Personally, I wasn't sure how long it'd take for Ron to recover, but a few days later he seemed better already which really surprised me. He started leaving for school half an hour early every morning and didn't have that dead look in his eyes anymore. I'm guessing this 'Bonnie' person must be someone really special to be able to even help Ron a little. In fact, she's coming over tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to meeting her." Kim winced but realized she was in no position to degrade Bonnie, not after she had caused so much pain.
"D, do you think Ron…could…ever…forgive me? I haven't always been the best friend I should have been," said Kim, still whimpering.
"Give him time and don't give up. Ron thinks the world of you. Kim, what made you decide you didn't love Ron?"
"I, I'm not sure. I just felt kind of, I dunno, guilty. I went to his, your house in my moment of vulnerability and told him I loved him, and it felt so right at the time. As time passed though, I felt so wrong and dirty, as if I were just using him. The feeling got worse as time went on…and I just thought I didn't really love him."
"Well, judging by the way you're still feeling now, you're feeling something for him. I can't tell you what it is, but you should really rethink your emotions for him." Kim stiffened. Could I really love Ron?
"T, thank you so much, Mrs. Stoppable."
"Hey, I can't stand to see you unhappy any more than I can stand to see dear Ronald. We're like family anyway. Now how about we go exchange gifts in the living room?"
"You go ahead without me. I've got some things I want, need to think about." Mrs. Stoppable gave Kim an understanding smile and headed back towards the rest of the group. Kim took a seat by the window and stared out at the now completely clear Christmas sky.
Somewhere out there
Beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me
And loving me tonight
The blue moon shone on Ron and Bonnie, cuddling together by an open window
in silence.
Somewhere out there,
Someone's saying a prayer,
That we'll find one another,
In that big somewhere out there.
Please, come back to me Ron. Kim shivered with ambivalent emotions as she prayed.
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing
On the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping
Underneath the same big sky
The cold winter wind blew by, blowing snow across the empty streets of Middleton. Above the serene scene stood a lone star that shined the brightest of them all, as Ron, Bonnie, and Kim all stared up at it together.
Somewhere out there
If love can see us through
Then we'll be together
Somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing
On the same bright star
Ron, maybe I do love you, and maybe we still can be together. She made a silent wish upon that special star.
And when the night winds starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping
Underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there
If love can see us through (can see us through)
Then we'll be together
Somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
Kim dozed off on the couch alone, leaving a confused but respectful Josh watching Christmas movies with the rest of the group. Ron and Bonnie were still in their tight, silent embrace as they too dozed off together on the couch. Above the peaceful location of Middleton shined a single star that stood out among the rest, symbolizing that Christmas is indeed a day for hope, love, and forgiveness.
A/N—Sorry, this is somewhat of a first draft and I may go back through and correct errors. I just haven't updated this for days, so I'm releasing this now. Also, sorry for the sappy ending, but even I don't know where the story is going now.