Disclaimer: I don't own PR universe one way or another.
Summary: There are times when you wish you have all the power in the world to stop time but it keeps moving on. You still keep moving on.
Characters: Bringing the old familiar faces back to life once again (just to avoid from stating the obvious).
AN: It'll be over pretty soon.
Last chapter:
"Am I the only one uninvited to this reunion?"
"Wh-what?..." Didn't I just hear that voice not so long ago? Wait, what day is it again today?
"Hey Kim. Sup?" Jason looked up and offered his hand out for her to join us.
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Dust to Dawn: Colours of Minority
Part Four: The Breakfast Club
"Umm..I brought breakfast thinking you'd still be in bed. I guess we could share this-" Passing the box of unknown breakfast to me and Jason. It smelled good, definately got my attention away. She took a seat next to Jason and stretched her legs out as a sign of relief. I bet she just finished her morning jogging and decided to go to a cafe nearby then run all the way here. Someone else's old habits too can't die it seems. How interesting.
"Cool. I knew I could count on you. Anyway, err..Tommy's here to hang for a bit."
"The more the merrier right?" She laid her back on the ground and placed her palms on her face. "You guys can start eating first." she muffled.
"We'll wait. It's not a wise idea to let two hungry wolves eat this pack of food first. You'll prolly end up with bread crumbs, if you're lucky." Turns out, the both of us too laid our back on the ground as well. Now it felt much more like home. Three of us hanging outside just being ourselves, I don't think my day can get any better than this.
"So what's the challenge this time?" She looked at the white fluffy clouds which forms familiar shapes in the sky. We knew that she knew us too well with our mind games. Thus I looked at Jason and he gave me the same look. Both of us didn't know what to say. Should we create some white lie or tell the truth? That or we had other wicked plans in mind..
"Jasonhasacrushonagirl" I casually blurted it out in one breath as if I had planned to embarass my dear friend with his personal secret. However, when you put us together, we're really two of a kind. I wasn't the least surprised when I heard him confessing in the same tone as I was.
"Tommywantstogethitched"
Hitched? I gave him a quizzical look. I'm sure he has better things to say than that. No matter, this is Jason we're dealing with. He could come up with the most random things and still make it sensible. Though having a lifetime commitment is not in my immediate plans as yet, I'll just play along. This man is crazy. We're crazy. We fixed our expressions as straight as possible, like the next thing to come would determined our future but I must admit, this is too much to be kept to ourselves. Hence the laughing fit we burst out as we got up half way reaching for each others arms.
Ah, the good times.
"What was that all about?" She looked at us like we're world number one unsolved mystery with a raised eyebrow. Confused and curious, she decided not to pay us anymore attention and continued looking at the sky. I suppose it's better to be entertained by nature than two goofballs like us. Only a minute later, we saw her on her feet, heading towards the house. We stopped laughing and got up as well, only to know that Jason had grabbed her arm in defence to whatever she was thinking about.
"I'm sorry. We shouldn't have left you out" Ending his apology with a hug as he pouted.
He has a way with dealing things. Did I mention that? Unfortunately this is not one of those times..
"Oh no you don't! No breakfast no hugs until the both of you get some shower." Apparently, I was to be dragged into the drama as well. She narrowed her eyes and made faces in response to our body sweat. She's so smart, when Jason refused and insisted for a hug, she pushed his chest with her hands and he pretended he was hurt. I bet my breakfast he felt the pain for real. Even a big guy like me knows how aggressive this lady can get. She may look petite, fragile looking but never ever judge a book by it's cover, especially when the subject is Kimberly.
"Don't mess with the laydeh Jase, what has the past not teach you yet?" I laughed myself while gasping for air. This sketch I witnessed outside of The Scott's house amused me. If this were on television, I'm sure I'll be glued watching it. This made me drag the hours that would pass by as it gets nearer for me to make a move to Reefside.
He sneered at me for the remark. I replied with an apologetic look.
While the two of us went to get our shower, Kim went to the kitchen and fixed us some breakfast and with the coffee Jason brewed early that morning, it wouldn't take long for us to gobble our food to our hearts content. I went down the staircase, inhaling the aroma of what seemed to be scramble eggs, toasts, chocolate muffins, pancakes and coffee, it was like walking to a home where someone you know would prepare you food with love. Yeah, its like waking up knowing the one you love cares for you that making breakfast is like one of the most important thing. Shaking my thoughts off, I had to remind myself it's neither waking up to my mum's cooking nor the love of my life, in reality I'm walking to a kitchen where Kimberly sets the dishes on the table. I grin for a moment and...
"What are you grinning about Mr? Come help me out with the table."
"Yeah sure, you go get a shower then. I'm sure I am big enough to handle the rest of it" I told her while bringing the utensils.
"I'm so proud I raised the two of you with responsibilities. Really, I am sooooo proud of you" She mocked like a mother would tell her sons with her hands placed on her hips. Comical Kimberly, I like.
"Wow Kim, never knew you'd think of yourself that old" Jason bluntly said it like he knew what would come next as he came up from behind.
"I hate you." was all she said. Well I'm sure there's more going around her head but I bet she's keeping the rest of those later. Looks like, it won't just be a Tommy vs Jason verbal abuse today folks, it'll be a Tommy Kimberly vs Jason match instead. I definately can't wait!
"Ouch, but they say those who they love most hurt the most" He stucked his tongue out.
"My my, since when you've got such charisma Jase? Old flames thought you or did you just bloom at a very late age?" She walked off heading upstairs assuming she is preparing to refresh herself. Jason on the other hand stood speechless as he trailed her walking up then turned to me as if giving me a warning not to say a word. I didn't plan to say anything..well atleast not yet.
Both of us took the dishes out to the table, Kimberly must've improved on her cooking skills. The food she bought and the rest that she had cooked looks good. I just hope it taste as good too. Everyone has somewhat changed for the better. It's really good to know that. I took a seat on the other side of the table all of us had memories when we were younger which faced the garden outside. The same table where I had to do my homework when I stayed over Jason's place, the same place where we were given long lectures due to our late night monster attacks. It's also the same place the whole gang played boardgames to kill time and who can forget the truth or dare game. Fond memories indeed. This table is worth too much to be sold.
I lifted my mug to my lips, breathing the coffee while absorbing all this memories. It really must have been too long since everyone was gathered. A decade is a long time, but it felt like it's only yesterday. The telltale signs of me getting old. I looked at the corner of my eyes and saw that Jason was in deep thoughts as I was too. For the first time since last night's movie marathon, we didn't bicker about anything. Treasuring this silent moment, I heard Kimberly's footsteps and both of us snapped out of our dreamland.
"I'm amazed the food is untouched. Did some monsters came and attack while I was gone or something?" She took a seat facing the both of us. Saturday morning is filled with sarcasms, who knew we were that sarcastic. Life and it's untouched mystery.
"Don't jinx it Kim." was all I said. Too hungry to reply, all of us helped ourselves to the breakfast she had made for us.
After our big breakfast, which is actually huge coming out from me who eats like there's no end, we washed up, of course besides washing the dishes, we washed ourselves as well. The kitchen was in a mess and Kimberly's wrath was not to be messed with. As annoyed as she was with our childish acts, she didn't stop herself from being part of it. When the dishes were done, the floors were clean, and everything else was in placed, we decided to get our clothes dry. Only I remembered I didn't have anymore with me.
"All the more reason to go shopping!" She screamed in delight.
I cringed.
Jason protested. "WHAT?NO WAY"
Kimberly didn't care if tomorrow is our death day, when she said shopping, she meant business. We tried to reason her out but in the end she won, I couldn't remember why but nonetheless she did and we're looking to a whole new adventure altogether now.
"I did not just plan my weekend to spend in a mall Kim. You can always do it tomorrow or the day after or..." He tried to reason but he lost the war. He knew it.
"C'mon Jase, it's not thaaaat bad. Sides, Tommy needs a new wardrobe. Being all dark and mysterious is so last season." She was actually pointing to my black dresscode. Like I said, old habits are hard to die. Got so used to wearing them for the past year, it just didn't occur to me I needed a drastic change.
"It's all your fault. Why can't you be more colourful huh?" Blaming it all on me why don't you Jason. Its not like you were any different.
"Think of it this way. I get to shop for, I mean with two most hottest guys. That's a definate turn on." You wish Kim. We rolled our eyes dramatically.
"Why would we be turned on?" I suddenly found my voice back.
"Not you two silly. Besides, you guys need to see the world. I hear some new movie is out too. We could watch that after shopping." If you didn't know Kimberly from the core, you can already tell in her eyes how badly she wants to get out of this place and do something more..well feminine to say the least. It's not like you could blame us for hesitating. I mean, we're guys, we don't do much shopping like it's a matter of life and death to woo people we are attracted to. Ok we may think a little deeper on our appearances when wooeing, but it's more of our chivalrous character than anything else.
As we walk out of the house, heading to my jeep since it's the nearest and could fit more than two people in a vehicle, Kim automatically jumped to the backseat and Jase was at the front passenger seat.
"How long since you had this jeep again bro?"
"Too long to even remember. Why?" I asked as I turn on the ignition hoping that the jeep does not fail me with embarassment. And like every other day, it hasn't. My trustworthy jeep has always been faithful, that's why I kept it for so long.
"I remember the days when we planned to go out and there's always a time when putties would fall from the sky, but why didn't they ever fall on top of us in the car instead? I mean seriously, we're like as vulnerable as they are and what better way than to kill us off from inside?"
"Are you really asking for a death wish Kim?" Both of us turned our heads to her. It's so typical of her to say something that no other could think of. Only I just wish she won't jinx it. You might never know these villians. They make you think they were demolished but there'll always be more to come. What has Earth done in the past that we had to pay the debts so badly anyway? Drama after drama after drama, it's endless. However, her statement did make sense. We were so open to many weaknesses yet they never take advantage on us.
"Uh..just a thought guys. Nothing more." Motion her fingers as if she was zipping her lips, swore to secrecy of somesort.
There wasn't a sight of traffic in Angel Grove today, we could, I mean I could drive with my eyes close and still get us to our destination. We passed the cinema on our way and Kimberly suggested that we should watch an old movie the cinema was showing. About an overgrown octopus attacking the city, those cheesy D grade movies. Not that I'd say what we did by saving the world against overgrown ugly distorted mosters were D grade movies but ..I lost my point in convincing myself.
"Kim, we already did that last night" Jason pointed her out about our little gathering last night.
"I'm definately uninvited huh? So much for having FRIENDS like you guys. Hopeless" She sighed as she looked out at the view outside, trying to keep her hair intact from the wind. It's a good thing Jason and I opt for hair gel. Makes the hair stand like Statue of Liberty.
"Would you really want to spend your time with two guys who dozed off on the couch just a few minutes after the movie started? I'm sure having you there, you'd be miserable. So don't worry Kim, you didn't miss anything. You came when the drama began. We still love you till the end of time." I told her through looking at the rear mirror. The moment she started smilling, I knew she's back to her usual self. That girl has a mood that flunctuates like no other. Even yo-yo is not as bad.
Just like old times.
"Also, you didn't invite me when you had visited a certain long lost friend in Reefside yesterday..." Came Jason out of no where. Wait, he knew Kim was in Reefside? But how? I don't think I told him last night, or did I sleep talk about it to him? It couldn't be. Nah..that's absurd. You may have fought all sort of evil, but sleep talk is not your kind of thing Tommy.
"Hey! I did invited you to come but you were 'busy' with something, only god knows what" She said in her defensive tone. Jason, I swear if this turns out to be another battle I have to make myself hear from the two of you, I'll kick you both out of the car and make you walk home.
"Well if you told me sooner, I would've joined. But we all know you had plan it all to well didn't you..." He suddenly gave a stare at Kim, like he was already invading her privacy. I felt a little quesy with this situation. Sadly I have no power to say anything because I am the driver, who is responsible of two other not so innocent lives. Bloody traffic light has been on red since forever.
"JASON! YOU DID NOT JUST ACCUSED ME." Oh boy, I don't like the sound of this. And before anything else happens
"Could you two stop bickering till we get to the mall? It's not like no one else can hear you know?"
"I was just joking actually...no offense Kim"
"I know you too well to even consider it as an offense. But I'll take this as a token that I get to choose an outfit for you" She gave Jason a hard slap on his arm. I couldn't imagine the pain he had endured. Serves him right asking for trouble. Did her smile just beamed through my mirror or something because all of a sudden I couldn't focus. All praise to the Almighty God, we finally arrived and parked the car in one piece. There won't be a day like this when I am so thankful we've arrived at the mall. We may have lost a decade of friendship but it certainly didn't seem like we couldn't fill the gap in easily. You can be so far from people you swear your life to, but you could never replace them for eternity.
The mall had looked way too much for a person like me to imagine the changes. Back then, I used to whine how the mall was such a big place for one person to walk on throughout the day. Now this is massive. Once again I must thank to those who created sneakers for sticky situation like this. How on earth can a girl walk this humongous place in heels I wonder. I must ask Kimberly about it one day. Woman just never ceased to amaze me.
"Welcome to Angel Grove's finest details. I'm Kimberly Hart and today we shall explore the wonderful world of AG Mall. Now, all you need to do is keep your credit cards in place and let's start rolling!" She pretended as a tour guide for the both of us, leading our way to various clothing stores. No wonder girls don't do much exercise. Running and walking in the mall alone keeps them fit. Amazing people, amazing.
"This might look good on you Tommy" Placing a light brown polo shirt to my chest among other things she had picked up. "Go and try, I wanna see how it looks on you!" She clapped her hands.
"Jase! This baige shirt with black stripes looks super hot on you! Go try it!" She pushed him to the fitting room area together with me.
"You guys are so slow. How are we to cover the rest of the mall anyway?" She questioned us, I felt like we had a dateline to chase.
"Umm Jase, I think that caffeine you made kinda have an affect on our girl man"
"You don't say..."
As I unbuttoned my shirt to change into the polo shirt Kim had picked for me, I heard Jason yelling out in frustration. Part of me wanted to jump out of this room and witness the cause but the other part just wanted to wait, wait till...oh what the hell, I might as well just see what all this is about.
"ARGHHHHH! KIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...!"
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help wonder what took you two so long with ONE shirt." and then she continued giggling away.
"It's not like you looked bad-" She went looking from top to bottom to admire how we look in her choice of clothes.
You know, I was quite surprised that she didn't turn out to be a fashion consultant or something similar. She would have done a great deed to people like us by constantly come up with alternatives that would make us look good (all the more reason for her to feel good for herself as well..). So yeah, why hasn't she been one again? I mean, sure, she as a writer, I could see that happening but fashion consultant is really more towards her thing where she could live her life through just picking up clothes. Oh imagine the unlimited budget she get to work in marketing a certain person. I guess in the end, she did this just for the sake of it, to help others without wanting anything back from it. Good Ole Kim.
"You know what fits better in those shirts? These straight cut black pants that'll just ultimately make all the girls go gaga!" She yelped all of a sudden.
"But I'm already comfortable with what I have now-"
"Aww c'mon guys, make me happy. Think of it as a blessing that you're finally getting some fashion sense. Think of allllll the girls that'll drool on you. Think of ----"
"I hate to say it Jase, but Kim's choices are really growing on me. I might just hire her to be my fashion consultant, if I ever needed any. What do you think?"
"I think I looked overdressed. Seriously bro, when will I get the chance to wear things like this anyway? There's so such occassion here in Angel Grove. No, no, I can't possibly see myself in this on normal days!"
"Ok boys! I think you're hogging the fitting room a tad too long now. So verdict? Will you or will you not get this pair?"
"Well, you see Kim, I don't mind paying but ---"
"Hush! Who said you're paying?" A playful grin emerged on her lips. Oh no, I know that grin not too long ago. Many many things had happened right after that grin.
"Excuse me, could you charge all this on to the same account? Thanks!"
And there we go. We walked out with two bags and none for Kim. This is so totally wrong. Shouldn't she be buying things for herself too? Or am I too lost to understand that she's no more that kind of person I used to know back when we were together? I can't accept Kim not going shopping without going on a spree..that's like me going shopping with bags of stuffs. Eh, that's too weird.
"Let's go get ourselves some drinks. I'm sure all those walking are wearing you two out right?"
"You betcha!"
"Is Kim coming up with a scheme to get us back for not inviting her last night? Truthfully I see no logic behind this. Do you?" he whispered.
"Maybe she just wanted to spend time with us? Ever thought of that?"
"Yeah she has been busy as of lately, but getting us all this stuff, it's a little suspicious."
"You know what's weirder? She's not buying anything for herself!"