I Left the Womb for This
Part Four
Why did Tommy ignore her like this? What had she done to him? Had she upset him somehow? He looked perfectly happy, if not a little lethargic. She knew him; when he was mad at her he was mad at everyone else. He wasn't mad at everyone else, he didn't look grumpy or sulky, he looked perfectly happy. Why, then, hadn't he said a word to her all night?
She'd showed up with Chuckie, albeit a little late because Ginny had taken longer than necessary in the shower, but showed up none the less. She couldn't think of anything at all she'd done to upset him. Was he freaked out now because of her episode at school? As far as she knew he hadn't seen or heard anything of it, well knowing their school and her brother, he'd most likely have heard something but he hadn't shown any signs.
Why don't you just go talk to him? Her mind reasoned but she quickly blocked the thought out. She was confident in her and Tommy's relationship, maybe he was just busy with everyone else, and there were a few people at his house tonight. She was sure he'd find time to come talk to her, and if he didn't, she knew then that something was definitely wrong.
The night wore on and she crumbled, though by this time trying to initiate a conversation with her long time boyfriend was basically fruitless. He was already intoxicated, and when she approached he looked uncomfortable and defensive.
"Hey Tommy, umm, congratulations hey" Kimi said nervously. Since when had she been nervous around her own boyfriend?
"Yeah we finished high school," Tommy replied with the slightest hint of sarcasm.
"Look," Kimi said after a brief pause, "I've been meaning to talk to you all night."
"Not now Kimi," Tommy interjected, "Can't this wait till tomorrow? We're supposed to be celebrating."
He stared at her, his brows furrowed but his eyes unreadable. Kimi opened her mouth to retort but he turned away before she could speak. Chuckie had just sat down next to him, a stupid grin on his face.
"I'm gonna do it," Chuckie said to the opposite wall, "I'm really gonna get laid tonight,"
He turned to face Kimi, the grin still plastered on his face.
"Thanks Kimi you're a life saver."
"Yeah," Tommy slurred taking another large gulp from his beer, "Chuckie's been suffering from a severe case of blue balls."
Chuckie's smile faltered and he looked anxiously from Tommy to Kimi and then to the beer can in Tommy's hand. He shrugged, and Kimi was thankful he had let it slide this time. He huffed and stood up, gave Kimi one last fleeting look, who shrugged back sadly.
"That was really uncalled for Tommy," Kimi said quietly
"I told you, not now," Tommy said, now with anger definitely lacing his tones.
"When then, Tommy, you haven't spoken to me all night," Kimi replied, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice, "Are we okay?"
Tommy didn't reply, he instead drained the beer he'd been drinking and threw the can at the wall. He stood up without looking at her and walked away. Kimi bit her lip in an attempt to stop the tears now welling up in her eyes. Before she could embarrass herself by breaking down in front of all her friends, she stood up and purposefully made a beeline for the door. She met Lil on her way out, who'd obviously just arrived with an excited looking blond girl in tow. Kimi didn't stop, or even make eye contact and she was glad to reach the darkness of the street beyond the yard. She heard Lil call after her but there was no way she was turning back now. Not entirely sure where she was going she wandered down the street, the sounds of their graduation party fading into the night, her tears making hot salty paths down her cheeks.
Back at the party Chuckie remained blissfully unaware of his sisters' turmoil. Virginia had spent most of the night staring at him from over the punch bowl. He knew because every time he glanced up at her she'd quickly look away, a blush spreading up her face. When he was sure she'd drunk just enough punch to be tipsy, but not totally drunk, he decided to make his move. He sidled over to her, running through his head all the funny witty pick up lines he'd been reciting since that morning. He would've made the best impression too if it hadn't been for Angelica, who stamped on his doc martins causing him to stumble into the trestle table holding the snacks and beverages.
"What the hell is your problem?" He raged at her, wiping guacamole on his jeans. He chanced a glance at Virginia who was trying not to look at him.
"Calm down Finster," She said with a very Angelica grin, "I knew you'd gone off the rails but I didn't know you'd crashed that hard."
"Shut up," He growled through clenched teeth, looking at her properly for the first time through slit lids. She had changed more than he'd expected and it caught him off guard. Her hair which used to be so perfectly manicured was bunched haphazardly on top of her head. There wasn't a trace of makeup on her face and he couldn't be sure but he thought he saw a hole in her nose where a nose ring may once have sat.
"Come on now Chuck, we're like siblings, where's the love?" She grabbed him in a rough one arm hug and attempted to ruffle his hair, which was already so ruffled and unwashed she didn't make much of a dent.
"Come off it, the only sibling you've got is the devil." He said, extracting himself from her grip. Virginia was now talking animatedly to Phil and Chuckie felt that all too familiar sinking feeling in his gut which meant he'd bombed out once again.
"That's a bit harsh Finster; you're not the only one who's changed their ways." Angelica replied, the humor draining from her voice.
Thankfully Lil chose that exact moment to appear, squealing, and hug Angelica. Chuckie ducked out of the way trying his best to lose himself amongst the people crowded around the snack table. He hadn't escaped that easily though, Lil grabbed his collar and dragged him back to where she and Angelica were deep in concerned conversation. Chuckie looked pleadingly over to where Virginia was standing and felt his heart skip a beat. Phil was now thoroughly absorbed in another girl, leaving Virginia looking left out and confused.
"Chuckie, Kimi just ran out, she looked like she was crying," Lil said, taking a very short break from her conversation with Angelica, "And look," She pointed over to where Tommy was slouching against a wall, only barely holding himself up and draining another can of beer.
"Yeah Tommy's been real weird lately," Said Chuckie only half interested.
"He's pissed," She Angelica, a definite note of humor in her voice
"It's not funny Angelica, I think him and Kimi had a fight," Lil said, obviously distressed.
"Yeah probably, but Kimi's been weird lately as well," Said Chuckie, "She'll be alright."
"Can't you go and talk to him." Lil pleaded
"No way," Chuckie replied shaking his head, "Unless you haven't noticed I'm trying to hook up."
Lil and Angelica both looked taken aback by his comment. Angelica then laughed loudly and slapped him hard on the back.
"Right Finster, as if you could ever hook up with anyone other than your mirror."
"I would," Chuckie replied just as loudly, stepping out of Angelicas slapping arm length, "If you two would just leave me alone for a minuet."
Lil frowned and shook her head, but acquiesced.
"Go on then," She said, "It's probably better if we did it anyway, we've got just a bit more tact."
"Whatever," Chuckie mumbled and stomped over to where Virginia was leaning against a wall, looking thoroughly put out.
"Hey Chuckie," She said brightly
"Wanna go somewhere and talk?" He said, a little bit rougher and angrier than he intended.
Virginia looked scared for a moment but recovered quickly. Chuckie glared one last time at Angelica, who was now calling Tommy over to her and Lil. He scoffed noticeably, starting to feel slightly guilty for leaving Tommy to Angelica and Lil, but shrugged it off quickly and leading Virginia upstairs to Tommy's room where he sat down moodily on the bed.
"What do you wanna talk about then?" He asked glaring at the ground.
"I dunno," She said hovering by the door once again looking like she'd made a big mistake.
"I'm sorry," He sighed catching her expression and feeling decidedly guilty, "This night isn't exactly turning out how I planned."
"Me neither," She said truthfully, very carefully setting her drink down on a messy dresser, "I'm starting to wish I'd gone to Sam Hill's party."
"I'm starting to wish I'd never been born," Chuckie mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing, look, here come sit down," Chuckie knocked a pair of underwear off the bed and shuffled over so she could sit down next to him, "You're really pretty."
He cringed inwardly at his remark. Not only did it not sound sincere but he sounded like the biggest idiot saying that. He kicked himself mentally wondering where all his witty pick up lines had gone. Damn Angelica.
"Thanks," She mumbled and they fell into an awkward silence.
Chuckie picked at some dried food or something that was stuck to his jeans while Virginia looked nervously at the posters plastering Tommy's walls.
"I never realized Tommy was such a connoisseur." She commented, staring at a clockwork orange poster with admiration.
"Yeah bet you want to marry him now." Chucky said miserably
"You know," She said, her voice high, "You're sister always goes on about how nice you are, but quite frankly I can't see at all what she's talking about."
"What, because I'm not a connoisseur like Tommy?" He shot back standing up and glaring at her accusingly.
"No, because you're an asshole." She shouted back, springing to her feet her fists clenched at her sides.
"Yeah I bet you'd give anything to be here with Tommy instead, or Phil, I saw you ogling him back there!" Chuckie flung his arm out and Virginia flinched, "My sister said you were a slut but I didn't realize the problem ran that deep."
Virginia didn't even hesitate. She slapped him hard across the face turned and, seeing Tommy standing disbelieving in the doorway, grabbed him and kissed him furiously before stalking off down the hall.
"What was that all about?" Tommy said, somewhat sobered.
"Mind your own damn business, connoisseur." Chuckie spat, storming out the door and following Virginia down the hall.
Tommy awoke the next morning blearily, his mouth tasted like vomit and his stomach gurgled menacingly. He tried sitting up but his head swam and he wretched. He moaned incoherently for a moment, and then flopped back down onto his pillow. He couldn't remember a lot of last night but what he did remember didn't sit very well with him. He was quite sure Kimi would never talk to him again, and Chuckie, though he wasn't quite sure of the reasoning for the latter. Angelica and Lil had thoroughly embarrassed him by taking his tenth can of beer out of his hand and sending him up to bed. And he could've sworn he saw Phil kissing some blond girl on his way up the stairs. Everything was wrong.
He tried sitting up again, a little slower than before. His head still ached and his stomach still turned somersaults but he managed a little better than last time.
"Morning star shine," Dil piped up from the hall, sniggering as he passed.
Tommy groaned in reply and attempted to swing his feet out of bed, feeling his gut churn.
"Ah there's my little booze hound." Angelica said happily, edging her way into the room a plate full of toast and bacon balanced on her hand, "Brought you breakfast."
"Angelica, I can't eat!" Tommy said, standing up quickly and regretting it.
"Hey come on, this is the best hangover food. Trust me," She thrusted the plate under Tommy's nose who felt sick at the smell.
"Anyway it's my fault you've got a hangover in the first place." Angelica prattled on, "I supplied the booze remember. Plus you don't wanna have to confront Kimi with a hangover; she looks like she's gonna murder you."
"Kimi's here?" Tommy said, feeling a wave of sickness that had nothing to do with his hangover.
"Damn straight," Angelica said, "I don't know if you remember what you said to her last night but she's ready to kill."
Tommy groaned again and pushed the plate of bacon back into Angelicas chest. He clenched his jaw and, strengthening his resolve, strode out into the hall and down the stairs.
"Fine, but you'd be better off with a full stomach when you face her," Angelica called after him, her mouth full of toast.
Tommy stared for a moment from the bottom of the stairs as Dil bobbed around Kimi, who was sitting deflated on the couch. Clenching his jaw again Tommy shooed Dil away and, tentatively, took a seat next to Kimi on the couch. He didn't look at her at first, trying had to recall what he'd said to her last night, and trying to remember when he'd started feeling so detached from her. When he managed to look over at her she was staring at him, her eyes full of tears, and her lip trembling.
Tommy's heart swelled and he automatically reached out a hand to comfort her. She shrunk away from his gesture, biting her lip in an obvious attempt to stem the flow of tears.
"Look Tommy, I'm just gonna say this and get it over with." Kimi started, her voice shaking
"Kimi please-" Tommy started, but she cut him off before he could go any further.
"No Tommy, I know what you're feeling. I mean its obvious isn't it, the way you've been ignoring me lately. I just want to say that, even though I haven't stopped feeling for you, I understand if you want to…" She trailed off trying her best to stifle her sobs.
"Kimi it's not that I-" Tommy tried but once again Kimi cut him off
"No Tommy there's no need to explain. People just change I know. I don't want this to be harder than it has to be. I don't want us to get weird, that's what I was worried about when we first started dating," She seemed to be babbling now in an attempt to stop herself from crying, "But I guess there's nothing to be done about it. This doesn't mean we can't still be friends it's just that well… I guess it's over."
Tommy couldn't speak. His mouth hung open stupidly as he stared at Kimi's tear stained face. His head still pounded painfully but it now seemed second to the pounding of his heart. It's true he'd questioned his feelings for Kimi but he never seriously meant to end it with her. He needed her, especially now that he was feeling so down. He couldn't explain it, especially to her, the confusion, the angst. He didn't know what was happening to him. And she didn't give him a chance to explain. Before he could form any coherent thought she stood up and with one last goodbye left his life for good.
AN:
I'm back. Sorry it took so long (What is it like two years) since the start of this fic. I was going back through my docs and here it is. I really do like it and I like where it's going. BTW thanks to everyone who reviewed o.O Anyway if you're still interested I might just get this thing finished one day. Considering it only took me like an hour to write this one chapter. Umm I guess that's all from me. Enjoy.