Chapter 8- How a Resurrection Really Feels
Author's Notes: Just a little bit of modifications now the titles for each chapters from this point on will be bolded. Apparently a bit of people are confused by what is now going on. To benefit those who might have difficulty following the plot, I will from here on out post a quick recap of the previous chapter. Well I hope you guys keep sending in your reviews and…on with the story.
Recapping Chapter 7: Ten years has passed and Kimberly is now working at a designing and contracting firm. Kim is now engaged to marry her friend Jason, but she misses her engagement party after following a man who resembles Tommy. Wondering why Kim missed her engagement, Jason discovers the truth after reading her notebook.
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Kimberly was at work one week after the incident at the banquet hall. She was still having difficulty trying to seek forgiveness from Mrs. Scott, and she was still trying to wait on the deal with Mercian. All she knew was that the new Director of Mercian would be meeting her sometime in about a week or two. While trying to finalize the plans for the Northstar Ski Resort Project, Kim was checking her emails. Kim smiled as she found an email addressed to her and the others from one of their old friends that they haven't heard from in the last 6 years…Katherine Hillard. Kim hasn't heard from Kat ever since they parted ways in Florida. It was such a relief to hear from her friend again as she read the email:
"Hey you guys!
I hope you haven't forgotten about little old Katherine Hillard. Anyways it's been far too long. I am glad to see that you guys are doing pretty well in life. I got good news for you all…I'm coming back home! If you guys haven't heard from Kim what happened I'll fill you guys in quickly. Since Kim and I parted ways in Florida I headed up to London to study ballet. I've been up in London for the last 4 years and I was offered a spot with the Australian Ballet troupe 2 years ago. The troupe recently decided to open up a dance studio up in Angel Grove and guess who is heading the dance studio…I am. I'm going to have my own dance studio to teach dance to young children up here. I just got back to Angel Grove a few days so I hope we can all get together and catch up.
Take care for now!
Katherine"
"Hello?" Kim replied as she picked answered the phone, "Oh hey Jason. How's it going?"
"Just the same old," Jason replied, "I just finished classes about an hour ago and Rocky is tutoring right now one of our students. I'm waiting for my next class to start in about an hour so I decided to check my emails. I got one from Kat."
"Same here," Kim said, "Apparently she's back in from Australia and she's opening up a dance studio here in Angel Grove. She's actually teaching dancing now."
"Nearly half of us have gotten into the business of opening up schools here," Jason said, "But how are we going to get in contact with her?"
"I don't know," Kim smiled, "But I really want to hear from Katherine again. I want to hear about everything she's done within the last 6 years. I haven't seen her since Florida."
"I haven't seen her since graduation but she writes once in awhile. Listen I got to go now some of my students are beginning to arrive. Anyways Billy wants us to go to Angel Grove High School tomorrow. I don't what those guys are up to but yeah…he wants you and me to be there. They said they're going to help us celebrate our engagement."
"Huh Jason isn't the school closed on a Saturday?" Kim asked, "Why would Billy want us there on a Saturday?"
"Supposedly he told me that the others are going to help us celebrate our engagement," Jason added, "And where is the best place to celebrate it then where it all happened…our old high school. So are you going to be there tomorrow?"
"I promise you this time…I will be there," Kim smiled, "Shoot I got to go. I got a client on the other line here. I'll talk to you later."
"Same here," Jason replied, "Some of my students for my next class are beginning to show up at the moment. So I'll talk to you later."
"I love you," Kim smiled, "Catch ya on the flip side."
"I love you too," Jason replied hanging up, "I got to go. Bye."
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The next day Jason and Kimberly arrived at Angel Grove High just as Billy instructed. The school itself still looks the same after ten years. Being back at their old high school brought a lot of memories back, both good and bad. Angel Grove High held a lot of memories for Jason and Kimberly as it was during this time they had their run as Power Rangers. After graduation, they realized that it was time for them to experience living a normal life in the real world. The building hasn't changed except that the school has added a security system and upgraded the PA system to reach outdoors and indoors. Kimberly and Jason just waited outside by the baseball field wondering what their friends are up to. Meanwhile, Billy had the others set up in the school's audio room so they can broadcast Jason and Kim complete their engagement on the field. When the PA system was ready to go, Billy then got the broadcast going.
"Okay will you stop fooling around with the equipment Rocky?" Billy yelled as he was being broadcasted on the PA, "Gosh everyone just stop what you're doing and let me set this up."
"Billy you're already on!" Trini replied, "They can hear you as we speak!"
"Well they're looking at the camera get it going then Billy," Aisha and Zack replied.
"Alright then," Billy replied, "Attention! Jason? Kimberly? Can you hear me now? Alright welcome to Angel Grove High. As we all gather here, today we will celebrate the engagement of Jason and Kimberly. As you all may know Jas and Kim have known each other all practically their whole entire lives. You two have been through many ups and downs throughout your lives but now…you two are ready to take the biggest step in your relationship…marriage. As we all gather around here where the journey began for you two, today marks a landmark."
"Hey yeah Billy how do you increase the sound here?" Rocky asked.
"Oh shoot I can't find the track anywhere!" Adam replied.
"Will you all just shut up and let me finish!" Billy yelled in frustration, "You guys are ruining a beautiful moment here! Gosh! Just don't touch anything please! I should have just come alone this morning…but luckily I was the only one with a key to the school! Everyone please stop!"
"This is turning out to be some engagement ceremony," Kim laughed as she and Jason continued to hear their friends bicker on the PA system, "Poor Billy has his hands full."
"Either that or they didn't really rehearsal this broadcast properly?" Jason laughed.
"You could say that again honey," Kim smiled, "Can we get this going? We don't have all day!"
"Is the volume adjusted? Rocky please don't touch the volume adjuster," Billy replied, "As I was saying, today marks a landmark moment for both Jason and Kimberly. Jason do you have the rings? Okay the both of you face each other and we'll just sit back and watch a beautiful romantic moment being created. We'll play some nice music to set the mood and Jason…bro you can take it from here now." As they started hearing romantic music play in the background, Jason smiled as he took Kimberly's hand.
"Kimberly, I've loved you from the first moment I saw you," Jason smiled, "We've had our share of good and bad times…but no matter what happens, we always managed to get through them together. I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else but you. In my heart, I know you're the one I want to be with. Kimberly, you deserve all the happiness in the world. All I want to see from you fancy face is to see you smile. Kim, you are my best friend and no matter what happens in the long run I will always be your lifetime fan. From the bottom of my heart…I love you so much. I promise to love you and cherish you for all the days in life. Now that we have reach the pinnacle point of our relationship, I believe now we've waited for this moment to come." Jason bent down on one knee and presented the engagement ring in front of Kim as she smiled.
"Kimberly Ann Hart…will you marry me?" Jason smiled, "Will you do me this honor of accepting my proposal?"
"Yes…I will marry you! I will marry you!" Kim smiled as he put the ring on her and she hugged Jason, "I will marry you Jason Lee Scott! I love you!"
"I love you too," Jason smiled, "You don't know how happy I am at this moment." The two embraced for a few moments with complete silence until their friends broadcasted again.
"Jason and Kimberly," Billy replied, "Congratulations…you have now completed your engagement ceremony. Now you two are prepared to take the final journey…marriage. If you two will like to meet us in the old music room we'll be waiting."
"Thank you Billy," Kim and Jason replied, "We owe you for this one!"
"Hey you two don't forget about us…especially me," a familiar voiced replied, "You surely haven't forgotten about me did you? I wouldn't miss this for the world!"
"Katherine!" Jason and Kim smiled as they headed into the music room. As they opened the door, their friends dosed them with streamers and confetti as they saw that the room was decorated and food prepared on the table, "Oh my gosh!"
"Surprise!" everyone smiled, "Hope you guys like it!"
"You guys I can't believe you did this for us!" Kim smiled, "Thank you so much!"
"I can't believe you guys went through all this trouble to do this for us!" Jason replied.
"You two deserve it," Trini added, "We promised you guys an engagement party and we wouldn't back down from our promise."
"Besides we want to make this party one that you will remember," Billy said.
"Don't forget…also one full of surprises," Kat smiled as she came from behind the door, "I didn't want to miss my best friends' engagement."
"Katherine!" Kim and Jason smiled as Kat embraced the both of them, "I can't believe it!"
"It shows you haven't changed one bit since we parted ways in Florida Kim six years ago but I'm glad I could be here to see you two get engaged," Kat smiled, "I want to hear what you all been up to in the last 6 years. Enough said…let's celebrate!"
"Right with you on that!" the others replied, "C'mon let's get this party started!"
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The others spent the day in the music room celebrating Kim and Jason's engagement. It wasn't really a fancy party that required semi-formal wear. All that matter to Kimberly and Jason was spending time with their closet friends, especially Kat. They all ate and talked for a long while chatting with Kat with everything that happened in the last 6 years. To Kimberly, she thought Kat was still the same old Australian girl she befriended over 10 years in high school. Both of them had dreams of being on the Pan Global Team, but their dreams somehow took them in different directions.
"So Kat what have you been up the last 6 years?" Kim asked, "What's new in your life?"
"Since we parted ways in Florida I traveled to London to study ballet," Kat replied, "After I didn't make the cut for the Diving Team for the Summer Olympic Games, I auditioned for a spot in a dance school in London. I stayed in London for about 4 years and I earned a spot in a small dance troupe back in Australia. After I finished my schooling in London, I went back to Australia with the dance troupe up there. I moved back in with my family for a little while after they decided to move back to Australia when my little sister graduated."
"You actually got into dancing?" Jason asked, "I thought you were going to become a professional diver for the Pan Global Team. What happened?"
"It didn't work out well," Kat said, "I wasn't…cut out to represent the team for the Summer Olympic Games. Just recently I got some money from the dance troupe back in Australia to open up a new dance studio here in Angel Grove. I'm actually going to be in charge of the school here in Angel Grove. Right now we're taking in applications for new students but when it's ready…you guys should stop by. Enough about me what you two? What have you been up Kim? Are you still on the Pan Global Team? Jason what's new with you?"
"Well Rocky and I opened up our own dojo," Jason replied, "It's been successful for the last 5 years. It's great teaching karate to kids, and even putting up with Rocky as a business partner and co-owner."
"Hey I pay for half the rent," Rocky teased, "You wouldn't have that dojo up without my signature on the lease for the building!"
"I see you're still teaching karate," Kat smiled, "What about you Kim? Did you make it as a gymnast on the team after I left?"
"Actually…it didn't work out either," Kim said, "I left the Pan Global Team…about a year after you left. They spent about a year or two trying to recruit more athletes for the Olympic Team and when it came time to recruit new athletes for the Olympic Gymnastics Team, I was qualified for the tryouts. Unfortunately…I was forced to pull out during the trials because of an accident. I tore one of my quad muscles really badly that on the day of the trials, somehow my landing went bad and it left me in a wheelchair for a year recovering. I couldn't walk well after the accident. I withdrew one week later from the trials and then a month after…I quit the team and studied interior design and contracting at the University of Florida."
"That's awful you actually close to earning a spot?" Kat asked with sympathy, "So how is your leg now? Is it healing?"
"It's okay now. I spent about a year trying to rehabilitate my leg and out of my wheelchair. I now work for a Design and Contracting company called Polaris. Right now we're working on a new ski resort project. The Pan Global Games didn't turn out as what we expected, but you always have other dreams to fall back on."
"That is true," Kat smiled, "Hey why don't we listen to some tunes."
"That seems like a good idea," Zack replied as he headed to the record shelf, "I still can't believe that they have all these records here."
"Hurry up and pick one out Zack!" Aisha and Adam said, "Pick a record out!"
"Get your butts here and help me pick one out," Zack added.
"Fine then!" Aisha replied as she and Adam picked an album out, "How about this one?"
"Yeah this one is a good one," Adam added, "Its "The First Time" by Min Lee Kang. Kim you remember this song? You always used to play it all day in the music room."
"Huh…can we listen to something else?" Kim sighed, "C'mon please?"
"Nonsense this was one of your favorites," Billy replied, "Let's all listen to it shall we?"
"It would be nice to hear it," Jason smiled, "I've never heard it…but if Kim used to play it a lot then it must be worth listening."
As they put the record "The First Time" on, everyone was listening to it. They listened to the song and thought it was heartfelt. But listening to the song brought memories for Kim. Inside Kim thought about Tommy because it was her and Tommy's love song for each other. This was probably the worse time for the others to play this song. For a brief moment, Kim was thinking back 10 years ago, around the time of Christmas.
FLASHBACK
"Yeah later Adam," Tommy replied, "See you later." Tommy continued to peer through the music room door watching Kimberly play. There was something about the song she was playing that made him want to hear her play more. The melody of it felt very emotional and although he never paid much attention to music, he was beginning to appreciate it. Kim managed to spot him spying on her when she looked up and then she stopped playing.
"Oh my gosh I didn't see you there!" Kim replied surprised, "About…how long were you…"
"Long enough to hear you play Beautiful," Tommy smiled, "You shouldn't have stopped."
"But I had to Tommy…I forgot how the rest of the piece goes. I only remember it by hearing it and then afterwards I keep the melody in my mind. Sometimes I can play it all…but then half the time I seem to forget the rest of it."
"But I liked it and I liked how you played it. Do you know what it's called?"
"I'm not sure...what the title of piece is called," Kim sighed, "I only heard it recently on the radio 2 weeks ago and I instantly liked it…only problem is I don't know who it's by and what the title of the song is. I wish I knew."
(Aspen Ski Resort)
"Kim, do you recognize it?" Tommy asked, "Are you surprised?"
"I'm…speechless Tommy," Kim smiled, "That's the song I was playing. How did you know?"
"I came by earlier yesterday and I recognized it when I heard it," Tommy smiled, "They had a sound check yesterday and Mi Lee Kang was playing First Time. I remembered the tune and I hope it would surprise you."
"First Time," Kim replied as they listened, "I like it. This has been such a wonderful night."
"I was hoping you would Beautiful," Tommy smiled squeezing her hand, "First Time…it's a nice title to a song."
(After the concert)
"Okay, our next request is from Tommy Oliver to his girlfriend Kimberly Hart for First Time as a Christmas present. Merry Christmas Tommy and Kimberly and here's an encore of First Time to all the couples celebrating Christmas together." With that she started playing "First Time" while Tommy, Kimberly, and everyone else listened.
"This has been the best Christmas ever," Kim smiled leaning on Tommy, "I'll always remember this one as being the best Christmas."
"Me too Beautiful," Tommy smiled giving her a kiss, "You want to know why…it's because it's the first time I'm spending Christmas with you."
"I know…and I love this song too," Kim smiled, "First Time…is my first Christmas with you. I know this song will remind us of that. I love it and sitting here with you."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Oh where is he?" Kat suddenly asked as she snapped Kim out of her daydream, "He promised he would be here soon! C'mon Luc where are you?"
"Are you waiting for someone?" Kim asked, "Kat are you alright?"
"Sorry I'm just waiting for Luc to arrive," Kat smiled, "He's supposed to be here by now. I hope he didn't get lost on the on the way." As the music room door opened a young man came into the room looking for Kat. But as he fully came in, everyone suddenly turned around and stop as they stared in shock and disbelief.
"Hey Katherine sorry I'm late there was a lot of traffic," the young man replied, "I hope I wasn't too late. Are you ready to go?"
"Thank goodness you're here Lucas," Kat smiled hugging the young man, "C'mon let me introduce you to everybody." Everyone stared in disbelief at the young man, but Kim just remained speechless but yet on the verge of bursting into tears. It was the same guy again she saw, the one she chased on the streets. It was man with light autumn brownish highlighted hair and glasses. However to everyone's discomfort, Kat's new acquaintance resembled someone that none of them haven't thought about in 10 years…Tommy Oliver.
"Guys, I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend Lucas Wicks," Kat smiled, "Lucas, these are my friends from high school. The ones that are celebrating their engagement today is Kimberly and Jason. Lucas and I have been dating for eight months. I met him while I was touring with the Australian Ballet troupe in Spain. Lucas has been living in Europe all his."
"It's nice to meet you all," Lucas replied as he shook hands with Kim and Jason, "It must be an honor for the both of you to celebrate your engagement. Congratulations to you."
"Where did you park the car?" Kat asked Lucas, "I'm ready to go now."
"In the front parking lot of the school," Lucas answered as him and Kat left, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah let's go," Kat said as they left, "Listen you guys I got to run. Why don't you all swing by the dance studio sometime. Jason, Kim, just ring me up sometime if you need any help with the wedding plans. It was nice seeing you all again."
"Huh yeah…see you later," Kim said, "It was nice of you to come.
"Do any of you think that was odd?" Adam asked, "Don't…they look alike?"
"C'mon…let's clean up before we close up the school," Billy suddenly said, "It's getting late."
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Later on that night, Kim had a girls' night in with Trini and Aisha at the loft. They were just watching television and hanging out. They haven't talked about the incident at the engagement party because they were worried about Kimberly's state of mind. Aisha and Trini thought it wasn't a great idea to invite Kat to the engagement party. The highlight of the day for them was when Kat's boyfriend Lucas Wicks showed up. The appearance of Kat's new boyfriend at the engagement party impacted not only Kim, but everyone else. It was very ironic that Lucas looked so much like Tommy. Many of them wondered how it was possible that this happened and the fact that Lucas and Tommy could look like twins. It bothered them not to talk about it, but they couldn't help thinking about it.
"Hey…what do you think about that guy that Kat brought to the party?" Aisha asked.
"It's kind of ironic...he looked so much like Tommy," Trini replied, "Somehow thinking about it gives me…this some sort of creepy feeling. Kat does know how to surprise people."
"What do you think Kim?" Aisha asked, "About that Tommy look-a-like guy Kat is dating?"
"Huh…what did you say?" Kim replied watching, "I didn't hear you two talking."
"Kimberly I know it's bothering you to think about it," Trini added, "You must have been shocked to see someone who resembles Tommy a lot show up out of the blue 10 years after his death. And to add insult to injury, the guy who looks so much like your high school boyfriend is dating Kat. Are you sure you're okay about it? Will you be able to cope?"
"What's there to worry about," Kim replied, "I shouldn't worry about anything. It doesn't bother me at all what so ever. So Kat is dating a guy named Lucas Wicks who happens to look so much like Tommy Oliver…big deal. Should I even care?"
"Kimberly Ann Hart," Aisha said, "We know for a fact…you can't lie! C'mon girl just admit it, I know deep down inside it hurts. Seeing someone resemble your high school boyfriend must hurt you inside. I know you want to forget about Tommy…but something inside your heart can't ever make you forget your first love. I know you might still miss Tommy and so do we."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better? If you're trying to help me…don't even bother! The last thing I don't want to do right now is think about how much I miss Tommy. I'm engaged to be married and I couldn't be any happier that I could move on with my life. What do you want me to say huh? That seeing a guy who resembles Tommy so much will cause old feelings and memories to resurface? I can't bring myself to go through that again…because it will only show how much I think about him and that no matter what…I'll be forced to live with Tommy's memory in my heart. I miss him everyday…and the last thing I don't want to do is put Jason through the pain of battling with Tommy's memory in my heart." Kim started to breakdown and cry again thinking about the harbored feelings and emotions she's expressing.
"Hey we understand and we're sorry," Trini replied giving her a hug, "I know it's been tough for 10 years but you survived. Jason loves you Kim and knowing him he'll understand what you're going through. No matter what, just always remember you'll always have him to help you get through this. The two of you were the only people who were close to Tommy. I know Tommy's death affected all of us but not as much as you two. I know Tommy would have wanted you guys to be happy and move on with your lives. He would have wanted that."
"You're right…Tommy's dead and I have to move on," Kim sighed, "I had to let him go and respect his wish of moving on with my life. He…probably would have wanted that and he probably had Jason look after me. I'm glad of that…because it's his way of sending some sort of guardian angel to look after me on his behalf. No matter what Tommy will always be in my heart and I can never forget about him. Jason is the one…I must spend my future with. He's all that matters now because I'm in love with him and I'm engaged to him."
"I'm glad you're feeling better," Aisha replied, "All I can do is wish you best of luck for your meeting tomorrow with the Mercian Director. I know things will turn around for you once you get the Northstar Ski Resort Project approved."
"Thanks Aisha," Kimberly smiled, "I need all the luck I could get. This deal is one I need to score for Polaris and they're counting on me."
The next day, Jason picked up Kimberly and he decided to drive her to work. The two of them were discussing about their upcoming date and how to break the news to their families that they are now officially engaged. Both of them weren't ready to discuss about wedding plans yet. Kimberly had a meeting scheduled at around 3pm and Jason thought it would be a good idea to take off from the dojo for a little while to drive Kimberly to her appointment. He didn't have a class until around 5pm and Rocky was looking after the dojo for him.
"So are you nervous?" Jason asked, "Today is the big day."
"Don't even get me started Jason," Kimberly replied, "I'm nervous than ever. Today I'm meeting the New Director of Mercian. If he likes this proposal then we got a deal. Do you know how long…it took me to work on this? It took over 9 months to negotiate a deal with Mercian. This company is one of the top ten contracting and design firms in the world."
"I know they'll be impressed. I know that they're pleased with the work you've done."
"Well I got the approval from the head contractors…but policy rule goes that the final decision will come from the Director himself. He's already in today at the office from what Adam told me and he's already busy with all the work that they're doing."
"So this is it Kim," Jason replied as he pulled up to the Mercian office, "I thought it would be a skyline building but…a small unit building seems reasonable. For a company that is ranked top ten they at least want to keep a low profile."
"Will you stop making me nervous," Kim smiled, "I have to make a good impression on this Director. Do…I look professional to you? Do I look like a proper business interior and design contractor? How are my clothes? Do I look okay?"
"Relax you'll do fine," Jason smiled as they kissed, "Besides…I'll be routing for you."
"I know at least I have my lifetime fan on my side," Kim smiled as she got out, "I love you."
"I love you too babe," Jason replied as he drove, "Good luck and try not to choke."
"Thanks for the words of encouragement Jas," Kim smiled as she went inside, "Well here we go. I hope…I do well. Please let me not embarrass myself in front of the Director."
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Kim entered the Mercian Office waiting upon her meeting with the Director of Mercian. She wanted to see if Adam was around but the receptionist told her that Adam had to attend a seminar today. The receptionist led her into the Director's office to wait for him. She looked around the room and found it all neat and tidy. "It seems so professional," Kim thought to herself, "This guy…must be a professional. But he's still new to the company I suppose. I just hope I don't make a fool of myself." Kim was going through her proposal and the outlines for the project. Mercian agreed to the joint venture, but all Kim needed to do was get the final signature to approve the work on the project.
As Kimberly looked around the room she found a puzzle framed portrait on one of the tables. She noticed that there was a piece missing from the picture. Kim thought to herself as she reached into her jacket pocket. "Hey what do you know" Kimberly smiled as she took out the puzzle piece she found a few days ago. She slipped it back into the picture and she smiled to herself as she completed it. But as she finished putting the puzzle piece in, she heard the door open. The Director of Mercian walked in reading a sheet a paper when Kim looked up and suddenly froze. The Director entered the room and he looked directly at Kimberly. However both of them were surprised to see one another again because Kim was shocked to see that the Director of Mercian was…Lucas Wicks, Kat's boyfriend. But looking at him not only shocked Kim but inside it hit her thinking again of how much he resembled Tommy so much.
"Are you Katherine's friend?" Lucas smiled, "Don't you remember me? It's me…Lucas Wicks."
"You're…you're the Director of Mercian?" Kim stuttered asking, "You're…Lucas Wicks?"
"Yeah and you must be Kimberly Hart," Lucas smiled sticking out his hand, "So you're the top contractor of Polaris? I heard a lot about you. You must have a lot of talent. I heard about the Northstar Project that our companies are working on. So I guess you're the representative for Polaris? Here I'll pour some coffee for the both of us and we'll discuss about the plans."
"Oh…okay then," Kim said as she set them on the table, "Huh…here they are…the project plans and outlines." Kim sat down as Lucas got the coffee out and placed a cup on the table for her. Literally Kimberly was shaking with anxiety and utter shock.
"This has got to be a joke right?" Kim thought to herself, "Why did he have to be the director? He looks so much…no he looks a lot like Tommy. How could this have happened?"
"Let's see here," Lucas replied looking at the project details, "Well this is really impressive I must say. You have done an outstanding job. The details of the project are outline as what the Board of Directors explained earlier. So the expedition sites are at their entirety and the renovation plans are what they are as they seem." Kimberly hardly said one word throughout the whole entire meeting. She was tearing up again but Lucas didn't notice.
"Kimberly, Kimberly Hart it has a nice ring to it," Lucas continued, "I like your name. I tend to come off being really outgoing and optimistic. Most of the clients I deal with think I'm too over punctual and free spirited. You might hear a lot of things about me, but I tell you it's not true. I'm not a tyrant and work slave most people perceive me to be. I'm a nice guy and caring."
"He seems so different from Tommy," Kim sighed to herself, "He can't be Tommy because it's not like him to open up to people freely. But he…looks so much like him. It feels like somehow he's someone else…but it's like his spirit is reincarnated in someone else. They look alike and yet…it hurts so much. I can't help how much Lucas looks like Tommy so much."
"By the looks of the details of the project and the reviews we could get this project started right away," Lucas replied, "I can get the finalized contract and we can sign for it as soon as we can. I'll have my secretary call up the contacts you've require to recruit and I'll get a hold of the builders and management up at Northstar." Kim just stared at Lucas and she began to cry again but at that moment Lucas looked up and just stared at her confused.
"Do you…always stare at people like that?" Lucas asked, "Are you alright? Do you…tend to cry by staring at people like that? I've never met someone who…actually cries by staring at people like the way you do."
"I'm sorry…but I got to go now," Kim cried as she got up and quickly left, "I'm…sorry for the inconvenience but I got to leave now."
"Miss Hart!" Lucas yelled as Kim ran out, "Miss Hart come back! Kimberly! I wonder what that is all about?"
Kimberly was running down the street and she quickly went on the bus. She was sobbing uncontrollably. Apart of her thought she just blew her deal with Mercian but another part of her thought it was a twist of fate that the Mercian Director had to be Lucas Wicks. It was hurting her thinking that she was able to get over this fluke predicament. He may have looked a lot like Tommy but she kept telling herself it can't be him. She knew Tommy died in that road accident ten years ago in Downtown Angel Grove on Valentine's Day. There was traffic in the area that night because there were ambulances and paramedics at the scene. Kim finally got off the bus and she found herself at Kat's dance studio.
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"Jody I need to you to check over the registration list for all the students," Kat said, "We just need to double check if the applications are filled out properly. I want to make sure everything is set before we start classes next Monday."
"Okay Miss Hillard I'm right on it," Jody replied, "Do you want me to double check the payments made?"
"Can you do that?" Kat asked, "Just to make sure all students paid the full balance."
"I'm sorry madam but we're still closed," Kat heard one of her attendants, "Classes don't start until Monday madam."
"I'm here to Kat Hillard," Kim replied, "I'm an old friend of hers."
"Kimberly!" Kat smiled seeing Kim, "It's alright Deanna she's a friend of mine. Come in!"
"So you're starting classes on Monday?" Kim asked, "I see the studio is almost finished."
"Actually it is and all we just have to do is recheck the registration list," Kat added, "Did you have trouble finding the place? I guess…I probably know why you're here? It's about Lucas right? They do look a like don't they? I couldn't believe it at first because he looked so much like Tommy. I met him about eight months ago when I was touring with the troupe around Europe. We made a stop in Spain and I met him during a show. He was on a business trip."
"Kat are you sure you met him in Spain?" Kim asked, "Did he really spend most of life in Europe? Did he ever live in Angel Grove before? Are you sure he didn't go to Angel Grove High School? Is he related to Tommy?"
"And what is that of your business?" Kat suddenly snapped, "What right do you have of asking me? Kim…I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you like that. Listen Lucas doesn't know anything about Tommy. He's not related to him and he hasn't been back in the United States since he was a baby. He was born here but he was raised in Europe all his life. This is Lucas' first time here in Angel Grove."
"Kat I'm sorry about the interrogation," Kim replied, "It wasn't my right…to ask you about Lucas. I know I have no right barging into your personal life."
"I understand Kim I don't mind," Kat said, "Lucas is not Tommy. He may look like him but he's not. Remember Tommy died in that road accident ten years ago. I didn't start dating Lucas because he looked like Tommy so much I went out with him because of who he is Lucas Wicks. I fell in love with Lucas Wicks. I know Tommy's death must have been hard on you Kim. It was hard on all of us."
"I know it was Kat," Kim slowly smiled, "At least I got Jason now. He's my future now. I got…to move on with my life."
"You know what I should suggest to you Kim," Kat said, "Go to Tommy's memorial down by the lake and visit it. I know it can help bring some closure for you. I probably might have guessed…you haven't been to the memorial for years. Why don't you go visit it?"
After Kimberly left Kat's studio, she headed back on the bus home. As Kimberly was looking through her bag, she noticed that she still had the craved rose that Tommy gave her for Valentine's Day ten years ago. Kimberly used to bring it with her whenever she had big presentations. It was sort of her good luck charm although people thought it was a bit silly believing in it. Kimberly remembered receiving it ten years ago as a gift from Tommy…a few days after the accident. She sighed as she looked it. There were only a few things that she had left to remember Tommy, but then she suddenly got off the bus. Kim found herself by her favorite place…the lake. She it was literally sunset as she was thinking again.
FLASHBACK
"I promised myself that I'm going to get across every bench without any help," Kim smiled sticking out her arms out, "I'm going to do this to practice my balance. I'm not going to let anyone hold my hand even for that instinct!"
"Maybe you should be more careful," Tommy warned, "You might hurt yourself. Here, give me your hand."
"No way," Kim replied, "I'm not giving you my hand. I'm only giving my hand to hold for the person that will be my first love! That person will be the only one who holds my hand from then on! It may sound corny Tommy, but that's what I believe. I only give my hand out to the first person I'll ever love."
"I'm just saying you might lose your balance," Tommy replied as Kim began to lose her balance on trying to jump to one of the benches ahead, "Kimberly!"
At that exact moment, Kim was beginning to lose her balance as her arms began to wobble to regain control. Out of nowhere, Tommy reached out his arm and grabbed hold of Kim's hand to risk any further injury. "Why did I give him my hand?" Kim thought to herself. "Maybe…it just might be." Tommy just looked at her for a few seconds.
"That was a close call!" Kim replied, "Maybe I should be…more careful."
"Are you okay?" Tommy said as he offered to help Kim back up, "Here, let me hold your hand so it can help you balance better. I promise…I won't let you fall. Do you trust me?" Kim just stood up on the bench for a few seconds thinking. Tommy had his arm out still. The next minute…she found herself surrendering her hand as Tommy was walking alongside in hand.
"I…trust you," Kim smiled, "Because I know you won't let me fall down. I know I'm supposed to give my first love my hand to hold…but instead you're holding my hand. Okay forget what I said earlier. Okay from now on there are only going to be two people I'll let hold my hand."
"And who are those two people?"
"My first love and…you Tommy because I know I trust you'll be there to catch me if I fall. Will you be there?"
"If you want me to…because we're friends," Tommy smiled, "If you fall…I'll catch you. I promise you that Kimberly….I won't let you fall down."
END OF FLASHBACK
"I know it's time…to move on," Kim said as she stood by memorial that they made for Tommy ten years ago, "I haven't been here in a long time…because I was so afraid and I even told myself that you were alive. But I realize…that I can't linger onto your memory in my heart forever. Tommy…it's been a long time since we last were here together. Just yesterday…we were playing hooky from school and we found ourselves here."
Kimberly pulled out the rose that Tommy gave her and she looked at it. She just stood there for a moment and with that…Kimberly placed the rose down in front of shrub. As she stepped back to her spot, Kim had a brief moment of silence before she was about to leave.
"Tommy…it's time for me to move on," Kim sighed, "I know that no matter what you'll always hold a place in my heart. But now I have a future to plan…with Jason. I know this had must be your plan of divine intervention for the two of us to be together and I'll honor that. You had my heart at one point…I was suppose to give you my heart. Now…I have to let you go now and give my heart to someone else. Goodbye Tommy…it is now time that I must move on."