You and I Both…

Disclaimer : Not mine, I just own characters and places that are PR unrelated.

: Thank you so much for all your reviews and I'm sorry it took me sometimes to update. Life has been so so busy! Anyway, this is the thirteenth chapter, hope you enjoy! This chapter's title was taken from one of the episodes of MMPR season one that had great TK moments in it : )


Chapter Thirteen: The Wheel of Misfortune

- The Geometry Class

It's official. She hadn't talked to Tommy for a full forty eight hours. Not a single word or a single spat. She pretended that there's no Tommy Oliver alive in this world and she succedded. She had told Trini about 'that', knowing that her Asian friend would spread the words to the others so Kim didn't need to retell the aching story that she wanted to forget so bad.

If normally the geometry class was sucky already, now it's worse. It's torturing. Why's that? The answer was simple. Kim was in that class. And Tommy. AND Marissa. What made things worse was the fact that she could easily see the sight of Marissa talking, joking, nudging Tommy like he was her property. Oh… Kimmie, you're evil!

Tommy, despite everything, didn't make an attempt to stop her and that alone was enough toboil Kim's blood. Of course, since Kim had finally realized that she had fallen in love with him, she couldn't tolerate Marissa's talking, joking and nudging anymore.

After 'that' happened two days ago, Tommy had tried to talk to her at least ten times a day before stopping. Everytime she saw him approaching her, Kim would suddenly turn and get into a restroom or walk away as fast as she could get. Kim had given Jason, Zack and Billy a perfectly clear warning to 'back off' from this one. This was between her and Tommy.

'That', undisputably, was really something for her. Especially after she had realized her feelings towards him, 'that' meant a lot. But that was before he said something that hurt her feelings.

Kim was no master at geometry while Marissa was everything geometry related. Her mom probably read her a thick geometry textbook instead of fairytales when she was little. Well, one couldn't exactly read out geometry textbook alright, but still. Mr. Brown had been singing his praises for the last ten minutes and counting. Marissa, being an expert and all, had got the higher score at the last test. Kim? She didn't even want to think about it. Just say that she must get a private tutorial with Billy ASAP.

Marissa was pretty, tall, cute, sweet, clever, smart, funny… so it's no surprise if Tommy liked her. It's quite funny. Kim had never felt self consious because of a guy before, not even when she was head over heels in love with Max. No need to compare because everyone was different from each other and had their own plus and minus. It's too bad that Marissa's plusses were so much and her minuses were so little.

It's so not fair.

Tommy was laughing, showing that famous lopsided grin Kim had found to love, and turning his head slightly. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Kim glanced away.

Fine. He could do whatever he wanted. See if she cared.

It seemed like time went by in a slow motion. She eyed the clock every twenty seconds, sighing when it looked like the clock didn't move at all.

She tried to concentrate at the paperwork but found it nonetheless useless. She barely heard Mr. Brown's explanation and as cruel as this sounded, Kim could safely say that she was as dense as Bulk and Skull right now. After what seemed like an eternity, finally the bell rang and she nearly jumped from her seat.

" Well, that's the bell. Don't forget to do your homework and prepare for the test. Good afternoon, class," the forty year old man said with his baritone voice and took his satchel.

Everyone began to get out of the classroom and so did Kim. Like someone had rewinded the tape, at the time she stood up, Bulk running passed her, pushing her and nearly tackling her down. Her bag slid off her shoulder and since she didn't zipped it properly, her books fell out. She groaned. " Bulkie!"

" Sorry, Kimberly!"

Still grumbling, Kim squatted and collected all her books, putting it back into her bag. She was already on her feet when she saw that she wasn't the only one left. Tommy was still on his place. He had his back towards her so she couldn't make out what he did. She was torn. She could stay and wait for him to leave first or she could dash out of the room.

She chose the second option. Kim took a deep breath of air and walked as fast as her short feet could take her. When she was walking passed him, she could faintly smell his aftershave and her brain seemed to stop functioning.

" Kim, wait up!" he called out. Of course, she ignored him and did NOT waiting for him. She felt something, his hand, on her shoulder, turning her around.

Kim didn't want to break the record just yet, so she simply pulled her arm, ready to walk away. He caught her wrist.

" Kim, I know you don't want to talk to me, but-," he sighed, releasing his grip and tugged his flanel shirt before taking it off and handing it to her. She looked at him suspiciously. " maybe you want to… put this on,"

Kim stared at the grey fabric. "What?" first word.

" Or tie it around your waist, it's up to you,"

" Why? Look, Tommy, is it somekind of your trick or what? Because I won't-,"

" Kim, trust me, okay?" he put his hands on her shoulders.

" Why should I trust you? Or put it on?"she asked all in a rush. Kim swore he was blushing. His eyes moved from hers. " what?"

" You have a stain on your jeans," he spoke quickly, still not looking at her in the eyes. Kim was slow this morning, this afternoon so it took her sometimes to get his meaning across.

" What stain? Ketchup stain or-," her eyes widened in horror. That early cramp…She wanted to die. Please. Please. Please, kill me!

" Yeah," Tommy was relief that he didn't have to actually say the words to her. It's already embarrassing enough for him, not to mention for Kim as well. Her face was red and she looked like she wanted to cry.

Oh GOD! She couldn't believe it! This couldn't be happening! She couldn't have her period right now! Not here! NOT with HIM here!

The silence that swept in made the situation get more awkward. There's no sound whatsoever. No one said a word.

" It's okay," Tommy gazed down at her. Kim looked like a lost child. To lighten up the mood, he said," it's not like you've never done anything that's more embarrassing than this," her eyes glared sharply at him. "or me at that matter. Embarrassing is our way of life lately,"

He kissed her.

Tommy didn't know why. Was that just a sudden impulse to clamp her mouth or because he wanted to? Honestly, he completely realized that he despised her, or so he thought. However, after weeks passed and she seemed to always be there almost everyday, every minute, every moment of his life, it's kind of hard not to notice her. Really noticed her, not just thinking about how annoying she was, how such a brat she was…

He wouldn't, WOULDN'T ever say this out loud, but he got to admit that how annoying, irritating and bothersome person she was, her company was somehow soothing. It's nice to have her around. A sane girl who wasn't afraid to speak up her mind OR punch him good. Never tried to impress him but still could gain his attention for who she really was. Sometimes he would miss her chattiness and just simply gaze down at the empty spot beside him where she usually stood when she's busy doing some backflips or was away with Trini to do a girl weekly shopping.

Her eyebrows formed a charming frown when she's talking about Marissa. Before he knew what'd struck him, he snatched her and pressed his lips against her. He kissed her. In the middle of the Youth Center. Okay, so the place wasn't that crowded but still there're eyes that watching them. Ernie's. Richie's.

Her petite body was rigid if only for a second before he felt her kissing him back. She did, didn't she? She's not the first girl he had ever kissed but at that time, it did feel like she was. His hands moved to wind up around her waist when she abruptly broke the kiss and pushed him back. Kim didn't give him time to recover from the kiss and delivered another bomshell.

She threw her fist once again with a pent up emotion and this time she deliberately forgot about the not- punching- on-the- face-rule because that small and powerful fist landed exactly on his right jaw. It threw him off balance but he managed to grab her shoulder at the last second. She shrunk it away right away like a hot coal had touched her.

" What was that for?" he demanded, touching the rough spot that would probably bruise the next day.

Kim's body was shaking, her fist clenched and unclenching impatently. It took all her willpower not to deliver another punch to that face. " What are you doing?" she shot back, using the back of her hand to wipe on her mouth. She could still feel the taste of his lips linger on hers.

What it did look like? He rubbed his jaw once again before leaning down, glaring at her. " You need something to shut that mouth of yours up, Kim-ber-ly. And it definitely worked," Uh oh, he just put more and more fuel to the fire and that surely didn't help a bit.

Kim bit her lips so hard, her doe eyes never wavering from his. Her whisper came out coldly.

" I hate you,"

Tommy took the shirt from her hand and tied it around her petite waist. " There, maybe you can go to Trini to fix things up," said Tommy like she was a five year old girl and he's her kindergarten teacher who sent her back to play with her friends.

Her face only grew redder. Tommy waved his hand in front of her face. " Hello, earth to Kim?"

" I hate you," came her reply. For the first time in some moments.

Tommy blinked. " Good, you're back to your oldself. It's not a big problem, Kim. At least I was the one who saw it,"

" If you think I'm going to thank you…," she smirked, leaning over until her warm breath tickled his face. "then you're so wrong, Mister,"

" Whatever," he said evenly and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her closer.

" What are you doing?"

" You're finally talking to me," Tommy grinned in victory. She looked good in his clothes. " and not just a ' yes, no and it's up to you, Tommy' thing," he imitated her voice, his eyes full with mirth. "but a whole complete sentence,"

" That doesn't mean I have forgiven you, Oliver," Kim stabbed her finger in front of his face.

" I know," his face inched closer to her face and it was so easy for him to lean over a little and their lips would meet for the second time.

Man… last week he was on his room, figuring out new plans to annoy and tease her to death. Right now, seven days later, he had his arm around her shoulder and was 4 centimeters away from kissing her.

" Tommy!" he turned his face and had to stiffle an annoyed sigh when he saw Marissa standing in the doorway. Her hands hugged the textbooks to her chest, surprises glowing from her eyes. Kim's playful smile diminished as if the wind had wiped it away. She quietly slipped out of his grasp but Tommy didn't let her go far.

" Hey, Marissa. What's up?" his voice was more impatient than thrilled.

" You know, I thought we could go to the next class together," Marissa's hazel eyes looked apologetically at Kim. " and I want to continue my story,"

Her story. A very interesting story about her family's ranch and how she had planned to go there for the next vacation. Yawn.

" Oh, how cute! I'm so happy to know that you two are getting along so well," Kim said cheerfully, displaying a bright bogus smile. Tommy was impressed. The sarcasm almost didn't show. He rolled his eyes when Marissa's respond was,

" Yes, we are, aren't we, Tom?"

Kim looked up at him and spoke sweetly. Too sweet. " You don't want to make her waiting, do you, Tom?"

" Kim-,"

The white apparel girl didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. Kim pushed him towards Marissa. " Have fun, you two,"

- Kimberly

Kim walked out of the mall with a bright blue plastic bag on her hand. After school this afternoon, she had asked Jason to drop her off at the Angel Grove Mall. It's a pity that Trini couldn't come with her. She said something about dentist's appoinment. Kim winced slightly. Honestly, she hated going to the dentist or any doctor of that matter. Fortunately, despite Kim's fondness of sweets, she had a perfect set of teeth.

Jason, as her bestfriend since so long time ago, knew that going to the mall with her was not the smart thing to do. Besides, he had class to teach. Billy? No offense, but no. Zack? His aunt had promised him twenty bucks to babysit his three year old nephew.

It's a shame, because her only attention was just to buy a new leotard. Surprisingly, she actually just bought that one item only. She even blatantly ignored the big sale announcement that Stardust, her number one place to shop, threw. At this rare occasion, none of her friends tagging along.

Thinking about Tommy and Marissa had killed her appetite for shopping. The world would probably end tomorrow. All the while, her mind flew to the previous day.

" Yeah, Tri, I know, but my Mom suddenly told me that she has a dinner reservation at Franco," Kim said to the phone while her free hand was busy combing her hair. She stood in front of her closet, looking through all her clothes collection.

" Franco? That new Italian restaurant?"

Kim grabbed her skirt from the closet and threw it to the bed. She bit her lip, observing the clothes she had chosen. A nice purple blouse and a white knee length skirt. Nah… She walked back to the closet and picked another one, a beautiful white spaghetti straps dress her Mom gave her for her last year birthday present."Yup. She just told me like twenty minutes ago and she said the reservation was made for seven thirty," she glanced at the clock on the nightstand and shrieked. " geez! It's five fifty already! Trini, I'll call you later, 'K?"

" It's alright. Have fun, Kim," said Trini before ending the conversation. Kim put the receiver back on its place and quickly scrambled to the bathroom.

Franco

-7.24 p.m.

" Wow, this place is great," Kim mumbled appreciatively, looking around at the small, elegant yet cozy restaurant. A young man in a black suit walked towards them with a polite smile. Caroline said something and he took them to the table in the corner that had a window view.

Kim was too busy admiring the cool interior that she didn't even realize that they had reached their table.

" Carol!" a man's voice caught her attention and Kim tore her eyes from the chandelier.

" Ben," her mom's respond was to lean over and kiss the man on the cheek. All of a sudden Kim felt it's hard to swallow. Her body went cold. She threw a startled glance in her mother direction.

Ben! Benjamin OLIVER aka TOMMY's father.

Her mom didn't say a word about having dinner with the OLIVER family.

Uh oh…

" This must be Kimberly," Ben turned to Kim after giving Caroline a hug. Her mom looked at her with a smile. Kim couldn't do anything beside acting like a good, dutiful daughter.

" Hi, Mr. Oliver," the name sounded strange in her ears. Where was he? There's no Tommy here. Oh, good. No! Not good. What if the purpose of this dinner was that they're going to announce that they're getting married a week from now? NO!

" Hi, Kimberly," Kim froze. Before Ben got the chance to respond, another voice, Ben's son's voice answered her. She forced herself to spin around.

There he was. His son. Tommy Oliver stood tall in front of her in his dead black tux. His hair was tied back into a low pony tail. He looked… good. For a jerk.

" Hey,"

" Alright, let's sit," Ben broke the awkwardness between his son and 'Carol''s daughter. As a gentleman, he pulled the chair for Caroline before sitting on his own seat which was across her.

Kim didn't expect Tommy to act as gentleman as his father was, so she walked around to the chair beside her mom and seated herself. After everybody was seated, the waiter came and for ten minutes they browsed the menus.

" So," Ben said after the waiter left with their order. Kim straightened her back, trying not to stare at Tommy who sat exactly in front of her. Thinking about him, she still hadn't returned his shirt yet. After the once again embarrassing moment that involved a 'stain on her jeans', they barely talked normally. They're back to the two and three syllables conversation. Both Tommy and Kim did not bring up the kiss topic and thankfully, so did Jason and the gang." you two go to the Angel Grove high, right?"

" Yes," Kim said after glancing at Tommy. He nodded. Ben seemed satisfied.

" It's a good thing that you two are friends," Ben continued and Kim took the glass of water and took a quick swallow. She needed to wash down her nervousness.

" Well, you might say that, Mr. Oliver," Kim replied. Please, don't tell her it would be like this until the dessert was served!

" Please, call me Ben," he said with a smile." then you must know if Tommy has a girlfriend already or not," this, successfully made both Kim and Tommy choked on their drinks.

" Dad!" Tommy protested.

Like father like son. Their similarities were clearly there. Kim thought for a while. An image of Marissa popped in her head and that somehow upset her. Tommy shot her a 'don't-you-dare' look which she returned with a small smile.

Kim looked at the dark haired man. He had big brown eyes, just like Tommy's and a warm friendly smile. " Oh yeah, talking about Tommy's girlfriend…," Kim would definitely make the most of it! She grinned wickedly at the cautious Tommy then went on, " Tommy has his own fanclub in school," Tommy kicked her lightly under the table. Kim kicked him back, harder. " but only one girl caught his eyes,"

" Oh, really?" Caroline asked, exchanging glances with Ben who looked mighty interesting.

" Yup. Her name is Marissa. Tall, a redhead, a master at geometry, sweet smile… just the perfect girl for Tommy," what Kim really wanted to say was: her name was Kimberly. Short, brown eyes, not a master at geometry and not a perfect girl for Tommy.

Kim completely realized how pathetic she was.

" She's not my girlfriend," Tommy stated firmly in that same quiet tone, locking his gaze at her.

" Well, well, Kim, do you remember that guy, what's his name?" Caroline tapped the table. Kim's eyes widened.

" What guy?" Tommy asked, smirking at Kim.

Caroline shook her head. " That guy. He's in France… oh, no, Germany right now,"

How could she be so stupid all those times ago? Did she really tell her mom about Max? Kim chuckled dryly. " I'm so starving. Where is that food? Maybe I should go and-,"

" Oh, Kim, we want to know about this guy, don't we?" Tommy asked innocently. Kim kicked him again. This time he winced.

" Ah! I remember. Max, his name is Max. Right, Kim?" Caroline's eyes looked at Kim with as much eagerness as a mother could have. " yes, I'm sure his name is Max. He's Kim's senior and had gone to Germany after graduating. Kim had it real bad,"

Ben laughed and Tommy, too, was laughing although his eyebrows frowned a little.

" I didn't know that," he said, leaning back against the comfy chair.

" Why should you?" Kim retorted.

Kim's mother cut them off with the story, the fact actually, that made Kim blush to the root of her hair. "I remember that time, after he left for Germany, Kim cried for almost a week straight and didn't want to eat,"

Caroline said that in front of Tommy. She's Kim's mother. Why, WHY did she have to say that? And it's not a week! Just three horrible days. The reason why Kim's reducing her portion was because she needed to slack some weight for the gymnastics competition!

" Wow, Kim. That's something," Tommy's voice was lacking of interest. His smile didn't reach his eyes. They were dark and cold.

Thankfully, after that the waiter came with their food and that's the end of the humiliation night of Kimberly Hart. She had to admit that Tommy did look so handsome in black.

That was coming from the mouth of someone who once upon a time ever said that Tommy looked like a thug.

How about the kiss? Did he mean it? But he said he just wanted to stop her babbling. Whatever he said, that kiss was... amazing.

Kim continued her small trip towards the bus stop, her hand playing with the plastic bag. Kim asked anyone from the gang except for Tommy to accompany her to the mall. It's just painful to see him.

However, if she did ask him, would he say yes? If he said yes, would he get all grumpy like some of her friends' boyfriends?

Kim. He was NOT your boyfriend!

Fine. He was not her boyfriend. And would never be.

Hopefully he would be a nice, gentle guy. Never complained and even offered to carry all her stuffs. Kim was walking to cross the street when her eyes caught a pair who was walking not to far from her. She smiled. Just like her wish, the guy's hands were full with colorful plastic bags.

She stopped dead on her track. She felt like somebody had punched her hard on the stomach. Her eyes travelled north to see an awfully familiar long brown hair. The girl trotted beside him turned her head slightly, showing Kim the face of Marissa Smith.

Still incredulous, Kim heard a loud honk and she snapped back to reality. She turned her head and gasped when she saw a red truck drive fast towards her with high speed.

Tommy…


: That's the end of chapter thirteenth. Kim's misfortune and the number thirteen. Such a coincidence, I just realized that ; ) Thanks for reading! Please don't forget to leave your reviews, let me know what you think. Your reviews make me very happy and they encourage me to update. NO FLAME!

- Yuuri : )