Chapter 17: Because of You
By: Kelly Clarkson
Kimberly slid hard down the dark path. She stopped once she hit the end. She found Katherine in a ball screaming and crying. "Katherine!" Kimberly rushed to her, turning her over. "Katherine! It's me!" Kimberly shook her. Katherine opened her eyes.
"Kimberly!"
"Yes, I found you." Katherine sat up and looked at her hands and found no blood.
"I killed you."
"What?"
"The dagger, the dagger! I killed you."
"No, I am very much alive. I found you in a ball crying, these caves are not one to play with. I think it's messing with our minds."
"I killed you! I stabbed you!"
"Wow, you hate me that much?"
"No! I don't hate you! God, I never hated you! I was jealous! I was embarrassed! I hated myself because I couldn't be you!" Katherine cried. Kimberly hugged her.
Kimberly patted Katherine's back as cried against her chest.
"I am sorry for ever thinking that anyone can love me."
"Don't say that. Someday, you will find someone that loves you and loves you deeply."
"No, I am evil. I don't deserve happiness."
"You are not evil."
"Yes I am!"
"Look, no cut, no stab wound, nothing," Kimberly said showing Katherine her stomach. "Whatever you heard or saw was just your imagination and this cave. Nothing more."
"But...it was so real."
"I know." Kimberly held her cheek. "Look, everyone makes mistakes. I know, I've made plenty myself."
"But you had reason. What you did, you had every right to. I never had any right to think Tommy could ever love me. Me? I am nobody."
"You were his friend and still can be his friend."
"He hates me. He'll never trust me again, what friendship? I destroyed that when I teamed with Jasmine and set him up."
"I know Tommy, and he doesn't hold grudges either. He's better than that, you know that. If you ask, he will forgive."
"Do you forgive me?"
"I'm working on it. Better now?" Kimberly asked rubbing her back.
"Yeah. Sorry about going mental with the stabbing thing."
"Don't be. I was just slapped around by Michael."
"But he's dead, right?" Katherine wiped her eyes.
"Of course he is. Come on." Kimberly helped her up. They continued down the tunnels.
"You killed me!" Kimberly gasped and stopped.
"What?"
"Nothing. Did you hear that?"
"No. Why, what did you hear?"
"A voice. Nevermind." They continued on. Kimberly stopped to the evil laughter. "Tell me you heard that?"
"I don't hear anything, do you need to sit down?"
"No! I mean, maybe." Kimberly sat down. Michael appeared behind Katherine. Kimberly jumped up and shoved Katherine aside. Katherine screamed as she landed hard.
"Why did you do that!"
"Sorry, I saw him! I mean, he was right there!"
"You are crazy!"
"It's this cave!"
"And you had to bring us here!"
"Don't you dare! I wouldn't be here if not for you!"
"Me! I didn't ask for this! You took us here!"
"Because of you!" Kimberly screamed then sighed. "Sorry, look. My imagination just got the best of me. Won't happen again, okay. Let's just keep going."
"Whatever." Katherine stood up and walked ahead. Kimberly looked back down the tunnel before following Katherine.
Kimberly looked around.
"Where are we?"
"I don't know," Kimberly said touching the wall. "But I know we've been here before."
"So, we're lost."
"I think so."
"Great, just great! And you had to take my communicator."
"Mine is gone too, okay. Don't worry. If we are not back by Monday, I am 100 percent positive, Tommy will find us."
"Of course. He'll save you, he'll always run to you," Katherine said.
"And you. Look, I thought we settled this about Tommy and us."
"We did okay! I was foolish and stupid to be in love with Tommy. You are the only one he will ever love me, not me…"
"I didn't… mean to hurt you…"
"I know, I'm just being stupid…and tired…I'm sor..."
"You killed me Kimberly!"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Kimberly screamed.
"Gosh, fine."
"I didn't mean you!" Kimberly turned around. "He's here again."
"Michael?"
"No, the boogeyman," Kimberly said looking around.
"Don't get all bitchy to me because your guilty conscience is coming out."
"I could slap you know."
"I know."
"Then why test me?" Kimberly asked.
"I don't know, maybe because I deserve it." Katherine took a sit. Kimberly did the same beside her.
"You don't deserve me kicking your ass, trust me, you don't want that. And we don't need that."
"Why not? I drugged Tommy. I helped in breaking you two up to get him back. I was mean to you and I was foolish to..."
"Yes, you were, especially on teaming with Jasmine. You know Jasmine. Nothing about her is real. She is only out for herself and herself alone. She would never help anybody, let alone you."
"I know that now, I mean, I knew that, I just didn't care." Kimberly sighed.
"Let's rest here for a while."
"Here?"
"It'll be the same if we walk for another 10 minutes."
"Okay." They stared ahead. Kimberly pulled out a bottle of water. Katherine noticed she was down to just half a bottle compared to Kimberly with a full bottle. Kimberly looked at Katherine. She handed over her bottle. "Thanks." Kimberly nodded.
"So, what does this Michael ghost say to you?" Katherine asked.
"Just the norm. 'You killed me' shit."
"Why did you lie to Tommy?"
"I have never lied to Tommy. I just didn't tell him every detail."
"Why not? I thought it was love?"
"It is love, Katherine. But just because you love someone, doesn't mean you tell them everything."
"But why hide that truth? To spare him?"
"No, I know Tommy can handle it, if and when I tell him. Right now, I can't handle him knowing it."
"Maybe that's why Michael is haunting you?"
"Never had before until I came here."
"Never?"
"Nope. Maybe that's really the problem. I stopped seeing those eyes, that face and hearing that voice the moment I stepped from that fire. I only just saw them clearly when I told you. Even with Tommy, I didn't see his face, I didn't want to. I didn't need to."
"Have you asked for forgiveness?"
"From Michael?"
"You said it yourself, you killed him."
"I don't need his forgiveness." Kimberly stood up. "I hear something now, let's go this way." Katherine got up.
Kimberly and Katherine came to an underground lake.
"Whoa!"
"Amazing," Katherine said stepping down with Kimberly.
"David forgot to mention this as well." They went to the water. "Looks deep."
"Should we…"
"I'll go first." Kimberly stepped into the water. She dived under. "It's warm. Feels good." Kimberly came up and saw Michael behind Katherine with the sword. "Katherine move!" Kimberly screamed. Katherine gasped and turned around. Kimberly swam back to the shore, only to watch Katherine fall backwards into the water.
Kimberly lifted the unconscious Katherine from the waters. "No! Don't do this!"
"Poor girl, you killed her as well."
"You killed her!" Kimberly screamed up to Michael cradling Katherine's head against her chest, as she held the open wound. She was rubbing Katherine's face, attempting to stop the bleeding. "Come on, Katherine."
"I am dead, how could I…"
"Because you're evil!"
"That is true, Kimberly. But at least I can admit it."
"I am nothing like you!"
"I took a life, you took my life."
"I call it your debit for what you did to your own father." Kimberly wiped away some tears.
"So, I deserved to die?
"And rot in hell bastard. You killed a gentle man, a man who loved you though he knew what you were. Your father."
"He was never my father, he was just somebody there."
"He loved you."
"And I hated him."
"You hated yourself then. Katherine, wake up, please, wake up. I'm sorry I brought you here. I'm sorry I never meant for you…"
"Save the tears, Kimberly. She is dead because you hated her."
"I don't hate her!"
"Then why seek revenge!"
"I wanted to help her!"
"You wanted to punish her! Like you wanted to punish me!"
"You deserved punishment! You deserved your death!"
"And Katherine deserves her fate as well."
"Not death! She made a mistake, we all make mistakes!"
"And your mistake was not making sure I was dead." Kimberly looked up at him. Michael raised the sword that Kimberly killed him with up. Kimberly gasped.
"Please no…" Kimberly cried.
"Are you begging me?"
"Please, don't…"
"What makes you think Iwon't pay your debt? What makes you think I won't kill you!"
"Because you're not real. Because I killed you and I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I am so sorry." Kimberly sobbed. Kim's head went down. "Please forgive me…please…."
Katherine woke up to hear the sobbing of Kimberly. She groaned.
"Please, forgive me…" Katherine slowly pulled from Kim's grasp, looking at her after holding her head
"Kimberly?"
"I'm so sorry!"
"Kimberly! Snap out of it!" Katherine shook her hard. Kimberly gasped and looked up.
"Katherine!"
"Yeah, I slipped and must have hit my head."
"Oh!" Kimberly hugged her.
"Oh, not so tight!"
"You were right, I needed to ask for forgiveness from him to forgive myself!" Katherine hugged Kimberly back.
"Glad I could help you, after you helped me." Kimberly pulled away.
"I am sorry Katherine."
"What could you possibly be sorry for to me?"
"Because I almost let angry get the best of me toward you and that wasn't fair."
"But I hurt you."
"And getting back at you, by hurting you too,is wrong. I shouldn't want revenge, revenge is not sweet."
"Maybe so, but sometimes, it is justice." A light came shining down on them pointing from a tunnel.
"I guess that way is home," Kimberly said.
"I guess so." They both helped each other up and went to the tunnel. "Thank you."
"No...Thank you." Kimberly put her arm around Katherine and they walked out the tunnel to find the sun shining down upon them.
About a week later, Jason was with Kimberly. She was leaning against his locker. Tommy was over with Jasmine, they were talking. Tommy and Jasmine together as a couple, the whole school knowing that they were together, which came as such a surprise.
"Hey, let's get some lunch."
"I don't want food."
"I know, but I do and I know you do too, just stubborn."
"Yeah right."
"Come here." Jason pulled Kimberly to his chest as he hugged her. Tommy looked up at Jason and Kimberly. Jason kissed Kim's forehead and led her away. Kimberly could feel Jason was growing close, closer than friendships. She took Jason's hand and led him into a classroom that was empty and closed the door.
"Jason, we need to talk…"
Tommy looked back after the door closed to the classroom.
"Loverboy, eyes here," Jasmine said. "Why do you care about those 2? You are with me now. She is nothing. And he is nothing."
"Right. Nothing." Tommy smiled at Jasmine.
"What is it?" Jason asked as Kimberly locked the door behind them.
"Sit please."
"Why, Kimberly?" Jason asked.
"Because, what I have to say…"
"Is it bad?"
"Perhaps, I hope not," Kimberly said.
"Well, then tell me." Jason sat on top of a desk and pulled Kimberly between his legs by her waist. "You can tell me anything, always," Jason said with a smile.
"Promise to listen and not get too mad at me?
"I promise to listen and I won't get too mad or upset. I know you, and I know your heart. You would never do something intentionally to hurt someone."
"I wouldn't be that sure."
"What?"
"You know I will always love you, Jason, but…"
"Hey, hey. I understand if it's too soon for us, or anyone. If all you ever want is me as a friend, I will be that. My feelings run deep for you because we are close and have been since…"
"Birth," Kimberly finished.
"Exactly. You know I'll always be there for you."
"I know, that's why this is going to hurt."
"What?"
"I can't….we can't ever be together because…"
"No need to explain."
"No, Jason. I love Tommy."
"I know that. I know he will always be apart of your life because you loved him so much…"
"No, Jason. I love and will always love Tommy, only Tommy."
"Kim, he's not worth it, don't you see that…"
"It's all an act."
"What?" Jason asked, not hearing her correctly he thought.
"This thing between Jasmine and Tommy. It isn't real. Tommy and I found out that Jasmine and Katherine worked together to break us up. So, we are…"
"Getting revenge."
"Yeah."
"By using me."
"No, never. I didn't mean to make you believe I hate Tommy. But we couldn't risk people finding out that…"
"I am not just somebody! I am both of you two's best friend!"
"I know. I'm sorry."
"How could you not trust me! Was I just some pawn!"
"NO!" Kimberly yelled back turning away from him. She sighed. "Not purposely."
"Yes, I was! In your sick twisted plan to get revenge!" Jason yelled back at her.
"Jason, wait! I never lead you to think we had a chance!" Kimberly held his shoulders.
"Yeah, well, you never truly shot me down!" Jason pushed her hands away.
"Yes, I did! I told you, I wasn't ready!"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean, you won't ever be!"
"Look, I'm sorry we didn't tell you!"
"I beat him up for you! Are you saying that was an act too?"
"Yeah, Tommy refused to fight you back because I told him it would look good to Jasmine, if she saw no one on his side but her."
"Wow."
"I am so sorry," Kimberly said crying.
"Wow. So, why now?"
"Why what?"
"Tell me now. Wouldn't it be better if I just was oblivious to this plan?"
"No. I wanted to…I needed to tell you so you wouldn't…"
"Fall in love?" Jason smiled.
"Hate me."
"I won't be apart of this."
"Jason, wait…"
"No! Have your revenge, but I won't help you." Jason walked out. Kimberly let out a sob in pain as she sat down.
"Stupid!"
Jason was sitting alone on top of the bench in the park later that afternoon. Tommy found him and went over to him.
"Hey, can I sit?"
"Public bench."
"Jase, wait," Tommy said as Jason stood up. "Before you…"
"Oh, I guess congratulations are in order. I am so happy for you two."
"We are so sorry for lying to you."
"Apologizing for her too, wow, you two are back together," Jason said.
"I just left Kimberly. She was crying because she hurt you."
"She should be."
"She never…we never meant for this to happen. For you to…"
"I am not in love with Kimberly, if that's why you are here."
"I know that. And that isn't why I am here. I know your love for her is…different, unique in it's own way," Tommy said with a smile. "Because is she..."
"She's was my best friend since birth, and youwere like a brother to me. How could you not tell me? How could you two play me like that?"
"I wanted to tell you! We never wanted to use you! I wanted to tell you everything, but I…Kimberly and I thought it would be best if we waited until the truth was out."
"So, Jasmine and Katherine…"
"Yeah."
"Is that why Katherine hasn't been around?"
"She's coming back, she just took a few extra days to herself. Kimberly said that the weekend together was exactly what they both needed, but that was just the beginning. Some things need to be fixed alone too."
"And Jasmine?"
"Jasmine is another story. She won't ever change unless she is backed into a corner."
"What did they do?"
"I'll tell you, and the others once they get here."
"Adam and Rocky?"
"Yeah, I called them, saying we all needed to talk. Can you forgive me and Kimberly for not telling you?"
"I don't know, I thought we were bros.."
"We are!"
"Bros talk then!"
"How could I talk to you? You practically hated me."
"I did hate you for hurting Kimberly!"
"I know." Adam and Rocky appeared.
"What is this all about?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, surprised to see you not attached to Jasmine's hip."
"Guys, sit."
"What's going on?"
"I need to tell you all something. The truth." Adam and Rocky looked at each other before sitting down.
"Wow." Rocky said stunned at whatTommy just told.
"I don't believe it."
"That's impossible! Katherine wouldn't…"
"I did," Katherine said appearing with Kimberly and Tanya. "And I am so sorry." Tommy looked up at the girls.
"But why?" Adam asked.
"Because I was a fool." Katherine sat down with Tanya. "And I couldn't be more ashamed of myself and what I did." Kimberly touched her shoulder.
"But Katherine, to drug a person…and lie to everyone..."
"I know."
"And you two are back together?" Rocky asked.
"Since a little over a month now," Kimberly said sitting next to Tommy. He put his arm around her. "We are so sorry for not telling you all. We are a team, and you all deserved to know the truth."
"But why the act?"
"We need to get Jasmine to confess the truth," Tommy said. "She won't ever if we go to her knowing the truth."
"Yeah, and I'm having Tommy pretend to be with her, gaining her trust, and then…perhaps she will tell the truth and everyone will know. If I go to Jasmine now, she will laugh me away, because we have no proof. And Tommy and I could be back together, and everyone will see how much we love each other, but they will still have that lie in the back of their heads that Tommy slept with Jasmine, because she will flaunt that."
"But revenge?"
"Is the only way," Kimberly said. "I'm sorry and I don't want you all to feel as though you have to help us. This is mine and Tommy'sproblem, alone. We will handle it."
"But we are a team. And we stick together."
"Adam's right," Jason said. "Jasmine doesn't deserve to get away with this."
"Team?" Kimberly put her hand out. Everyone followed with their hands on a pile.
"Team!"
"Yeah. I love you guys." They all smiled and nodded. "Now, how to get Jasmine to pay?" Kimberly asked.
"We are going to have to get an confession…on tape," Katherine said.
"Yeah, we figured," Tommy said.
"That's not going to be easy," Tanya said. "Jasmine isn't stupid."
"We know," Tommy said.
"The question is how to get that so everyone can hear the truth," Kimberly said. Tommy kissed her head and they pressed their heads together.