You and I Both...
Disclaimer : Not mine, but I do own everything that isn't Power Rangers related.
: Thank you so much for all your reviews and I'm so sorry for not posting sooner, life has been extremely crazy. This is the new chapter, hope you enjoy! ; )
Chapter eighteen: Oh happy day…
" You two are dating?" Zack asked from his place which was one stair above Tommy. He traded glances with Jason before continuing. " officially dating? For real?"
At his friend's skepticism, Tommy sighed. He closed his History textbook, feeling secretly grateful that there's something to distract him from the test they'd get about fifteen minutes later. He craned his neck a little and narrowed his eyes at Jason and then at Zack. " What's that supposed to mean?"
Zack grinned. " Easy does it, Bro. It's just, when Trini told me that Kim had told her that you two were finally together, I didn't think you would be this bad," Tommy threw him a questioning look that made Zack went on, " even for me, someone who's with you and Kim almost all the time from morning 'till evening, I hardly could tell that you two are going out,"
Tommy growled at Zack's statement. " Is this about the early accident?" Early this morning, there's a guy named C.K. hitting on Kim. C.K. or Christopher Kendall on his identity card, even managed to land a quick peck on her cheek and about to move to another place before Jason grabbed his collar and practically kicked his ass. It's a pity that Tommy wasn't there when it happened. That Calvin Klein guy might be on his way to hospital if he was.
" We know C.K. isn't the only one who has a crush at Kim," Zack shrugged and patted Tommy's back consolidatingly. " I can't say that I blame him for that, though what he did was definitelty out of line..,"
Jason cut in," The point is, Zack here is wondering why you and Kim act as if nothing has happened, has changed between you two,"
" It's been two days and I've never seen you holding hands," Zack pointed out, raising his forefinger which followed by his middle one. " or hugging, and not to mention kissing. Not even a single kiss on the cheek,"
" That's not your problem. At all," Tommy said, glancing away. " we're not that type of couple who showed many PDAs,"
" Is Kim your first girlfriend?" Jason asked out of the blue and the faint blush that began creeping Tommy's face was enough to answer the question. " she is?"
It had not been his nature to discuss his love life with his friends.Well, it's not like he had many though. And it's about to change right now, with Jason, Zack, Billy and Trini around. " Yeah…," He felt a bit self-conscious about himself and for not measuring up with Kim's standard of a perfect boyfriend. Although Jason had assured him that Kim didn't ask for a 'perfect boyfriend' but someone who could be there for her and loved her at the same time.
" It's okay. Kim could be your first and last girlfriend," Zack voiced happily.
" Sometimes…," Tommy started. " it feels weird that Kim and I are no longer friends. I mean, we're still friends, but we can also doing… those things that you said,"
" Hey, Kim," Tommy said and leaned against the locker next to Kim's. The petite girl glanced at him for a second and smiled.
" Hi, Tommy," she continued writing something on her notebook. " wait, wait.. Just let me..,"
" Kim, you're my girlfriend and I'm your boyfriend," he said dully. The girlfriend and boyfriend titles were still so brand new for him.
Kim giggled. " and two times two are four, three times three are nine," she closed her book and shoved her pen to her pocket. " what's wrong?"
" Nothing," Tommy tucked a strand of Kim's chestnust hair behind her ear. Kim turned to face him, her doe eyes exploring his face intently.
" Is this something about what Jason and Zack said?" she asked.
" What?" Tommy couldn't help his tongue. Did Jason and Zack have the same conversation with her?
" Don't bother them. They're just teasing you," Kim said, hitting his chest playfully. " you should hear what Trini said to me when she knew that we're dating right now,"
" Which was…," Tommy let his sentence hanging, watching Kim impatiently. His girlfriend only flashed him a tiny mysterious smile and put a hand on his arm.
" I'm not telling,"
Tommy looked at Kim's smug smile and had to display one of his own in return. " I know for a fact that you won't tell me 'till the world ended," she nodded vigorously. "..so, I won't waste my time by begging you and move to another important topic,"
" Important?" she cocked her eyebrow curiously.
" Tonight, you and I, The Grove Cineplex, 6 p.m. what'd you say?" Tommy said in one breath of air. "our officially first date and I promise you, this time, everything will be different," he said, hinting at the first and last time they decided to go on a 'date' that turned into a horrible disaster.
Kim moved on her feet, her teeth biting her lips, acting like she's reconsidering the offer. " I don't know… who knows what will happen? Maybe you'll forget me altogether AGAIN and perhaps the weather will not agree with me and I will have to wait for you under the rain for the second time while you're having a nice hot cup of chocolate with a girl…,"
" You won't let that go, will you," Tommy sighed, shaking his head.
" Excuse me?" Kim crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. " you really think I would forget what you did to me? You should've known me better, Oliver,"
Tommy knew that she's only joking but somehow it brought the tinge of old guilt back. Kim's naughty smile faded when she saw his face fall.
" Tommy… I was kidding," Kim said and to lighten up the mood, chimed up," and what did I say about you and your habit of blaming yourself? Should I give you another bear or what? Oh course, you're guilty for what had happened, but that's in the past and now is now. If you dare enough to hurt me again, you're a dead meat, Buddy," she wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.
He smiled, loving the way she could put him at ease although he still hadn't completely forgiven himself for the things he did. " Letting you pay ten bucks for that bear? Uh oh, I got a better idea, why don't you remind me everytime I start that guilty feeling trip? It's cheaper,"
" That's very wise of you" was her answer.
" Then again, I'll pick you up personally. How's that sound?"
Kim lifted her head, gnawing her lips rather nervously. She didn't have to say it, he knew. " You haven't told your mother about us?"
" You do realize how crazy this is, right? Your father and my mom, you and me? That's total insane," she said in frustated, looking away from Tommy. " I don't know how she's gonna take this,"
" If this can make you feel better, I haven't told my Dad as well," Tommy admitted quietly. The words just didn't want to come out.
" And this definitely will make you feel better," Kim said. " my mother won't be back from work until ten or eleven, so that means you can pick me up and drop me off without her knowing," she stopped, searching his face. " you know, that I'm going out with you. But even if she's there, Mom probably won't suspect anything. After all, she knows that we're friends,"
" Good," Tommy raised his arm and looked down at his watch. " I have to go. See you tonight," after that said, he's not moving. Kimberly, knowing what happened here, smiled. To make it easier for him, she simply turned her head a little, giving him an access to her right cheek, all the while trying to suppress her laugh. He's so confident about everything but when it had come to a boy and girl relationship… Kim found that was very cute of him.
" Go ahead, you know you want to," Kim challenged, her voice wavering. She might be acting too overconfident but the conversation with Zack earlier braved her to do so.
Tommy grinned and instead of doing what he'd intended to do, he extending his hand and pinching her cheek. " Later,". With that he took off, leaving a slightly startled Kimberly standing in front of her locker.
" Tommy!"
- Hart Resident
05.55 p.m.
Kim tapped the floor, following the rhythm of the slow song playing on the radio. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the clock hanging on the wall. 05.56. Well, let's see if he would keep his promise this time. She smoothed down her skirt. It's new and the grey fabric stopped just about six centimeters above her knees. Short enough to tempt Tommy. Kim grinned.
They're finally together. It's still like a dream for her. They started as enemies but ended up as couple. Things like that only happened in those romance novels she once used to read.
Her mother called about ten minutes ago to check on her daughter. Kim had told her that she would go to the movie but oh so not by accident let the fact that she's going with Tommy slipped away.
"Jerk," Kim mumbled under her breath, watching as Tommy walk away casually from her. " just wait,"
When Tommy finally gone, Kim frowned when a blonde girl whose name was Beverly showed up on the corner and walked straight to, what Kim sured, her direction.
Tommy Oliver was a great catch in Angel Grove High so that it was pretty understandable if once the words spread out that the mighty hunk had been taken, the Tommy Oliver Fanclub would soon disholved into the Kimberlt Hart Haters Fanclub. IF the words had spread out, which she's not too sure about that. Both Tommy and she had kept things between them low profile and since Jason and the gang pointed out that their new relationship was kind of invisible to everyone else, the Kim Hart Haters Fanclub might haven't been establish yet.
" Hi, Kimberly," the knocked out blonde said. Today she curled her hair and pinned it up above her head.
" Beverly,"
" So… I've heard," Bev's lips curled into a nasty smile and Kim knew whatever coming out from her mouth wouldn't be good, just like always.
" Heard about what?" Kim kept her voice steady.
" About you and Tommy, of course," Bev frowned, looking down at the much shorter girl like Kim was stupid. " that is so wow,"
Wow? Beverly said 'wow'? Was that sarcasm? " What?"
" You're going to be his sister. Congratulation," Beverly patted Kim's shoulder before turning around and leaving the still shocked Kimberly.
" What!"
Seemed that the redhead Marissa couldn't keep the information to herself so she just had to tell Beverly and when the later mentioned already knew, it just about time until the whole school found out.
Was that a good excuse to hate Ms. Perfect-in-Everything-But-Sorry-You-Don't-Get-the-Guy?
Ding...dong…
The door bell cut her train of thoughts and Kim leaped out of the comfy chair. 06.02. He was just two minutes late. She walked straight to the door, taking a few seconds to make sure that she looked presentable. Kim unlocked the door and swang it open. Her mouth was half opened, ready to greet the guy that had stolen her heart when all of the sudden her nose went itch and a so-not-lady-like sneeze escaped her nose.
Oh. My. God. Kimberly!
" Kim?" Tommy asked, his voice was a mixture between worry and amused. " are you alright?" he moved to touch her shoulder.
" Yes, I'm..," Kim rubbed her nose and lifted her head to get a good look at Tommy. And well, he looked good. Too good. " I can't believe I greeted you with a sneeze,"
" Nothing to surprise me, Beautiful," he chuckled lightly.
Beautiful? It wouldn't happen again. Ever.
Speak of the devil…
It struck again. The itchiness. Right when Tommy was half way to kiss her cheek. No! This mustn't happen right now!
Before he succeeded, Kim turned her face and once again, sneezing. She could feel her face turn red. What happened to her? What with this sudden influenza?
" Kim?" Tommy asked again, putting his large hand on her shoulder. " are you sick? Maybe we can reschedule,"
" No!" she cut him off before he could finish. His brown eyes looked down at her with concern. " I'm okay. I don't know what's wrong with me. Just-," she sneezed, indicating that she wasn't okay like she said. Again. And again. No, please, make this stop!
" Kimberly? I think we really should cancel this evening," Kim could tell that he really was worried about her and that made things much worse. All she could do was shaking her head because this whole sneezing crap was still going on with no sign would stop.
What's wrong with her? She was okay this morning, she's okay when she's practising at the Youth Center and she's even okay when Beverly threw her 'congratulation' to her face. She was okay all day.
" Let's get in, you shouldn't be outside in your condition," his arm reached for her shoulder and pulled her to him.
" No, Tommy, I'm not sick," what could she say, he dragged her back to the house. He used his foot to kick the door close because his other hand was full. Kim's eyes went saucer. Oh my God. This couldn't happen to her.
The first time Kimberly experienced the same thing was when she was eight. Her mother just went home from her Aunt's house and when the little Kim trotted to her mom, just like tonight her nose went prickly and she began to sneeze like crazy. Long story short: roses. That night, Caroline Hart brought back tons of red roses from Aunt Marie's beautiful garden.
Kim was allergic to roses and her boyfriend brought a handful of roses for her. Two dozens, if not more. This was disaster and the date hadn't even started.
She always found it so annoying that of all kind of flowers in the universe, she had to get allergic to roses. Why not the sun flowers? Or orchid? Why roses? The symbol of true love?
" Sit down," Tommy commanded softly and guided her to sit down. " I'll get you a drink," he put the bouquet of pink and white roses on the table and flew to the kitchen, trying to get her a water.
Kim couldn't believe this. How could she miss that when she first opened the door? The bouquet wasn't the small one. She personally blamed him for showing too handsome for that.
She clamped her nose with her hand, staring at the flowers with horror. How something so beautiful could cause something so terrible like this? Kim's too busy glaring at the roses that she didn't notice that Tommy had come back with a glass of water.
" Here," he took her free hand and handed the glass. Taking a seat on the armchair Kim was sitting on, he joked, " I didn't poison it, you know,"
Making up her mind, Kim quickly got up and walked as far as possible from the flowers. When she thought the distance was safe enough, she bringing her hand down.
" Kim?"
" Tommy, I need to tell you something," Kim began. " it's so sweet of you, bringing me those roses, but-,"
" Ah! I almost forgot," he snapped his fingers together and leaned over to pick the bouquet. Kim's eyes widened when Tommy rose from his seat and walked closer to her. " you love roses, don't you? I especially went to three different florists to get you this," he declared proudly.
She loved roses? Where the hell he got that information? Three florists he said? Oh… Tommy definitely had changed from a jerk to a gentleman.
" Here you go," he erased the distance between them in four wide steps and lifted up his hand, positioning the flowers right under her nose. It was just about time until the disaster broke.
" Oh God," the countless sneezes had begun to make her a little lightheaded. She clamped her nose once again and left him to stand under the stairs. " Tommy, look,"
" Okay, Kim, maybe you should see the doctor," he suggested.
She didn't know what to do except to just blurt it out. " Tommy, the flowers… I'm,"
Silent for seven awkwards seconds and a flash of understatement flickered in his eyes. Tommy had figured it out and put two and two together. His face went pale and he unconsciously dropped the bouquet to the floor. " Aww, Kim, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Then she watched mutely as he pick the flowers and walk to the kitchen. " No!" she nearly shouted when Tommy drop the bouquet directly into the trash bin. Those were beautiful. Scary, but pretty, not to mention expensive.
" So, you're allergic to roses?" Tommy asked when he'd joined Kim in the living room. " roses? I feel deeply sorry for you, Kimberly," he teased.
" Shut up," Kim plunged herself back to the sofa. Her heart's still beating fast and her nose was hurt.
" I'm sorry," he said and sat beside her. Kim turned her head to look at him.
" Do you remember what I said in school? If you hurt me again, you're a dead meat," she poked his chest and received an amused look from the pony tailed martial artist.
" I didn't do it on purpose," he took Kim's hand in his and squeezed it. " if I knew I wouldn't bring it on the first place,"
That reminded her of something he said and she just had to ask. " You said that I loved roses? I'm sure I've never told you that,"
Tommy wore a bashful grin. " Never, ever, trust Jason anymore,"
" What?" Kim immediately straightened her back, looking at Tommy with wide eyes. " Jason told you that roses are my favorite flowers?"
" Are you open to any suggestions?" Jason asked after they'd finished sparing. He grabbed his towel and wiped his sweaty face.
" Suggestions?"
" Bring her flowers. That always does the trick. Take roses with you. She loves them,"
Tommy gave Jason a hesitant look. " Roses?"
" Yeah, bring her roses and tell me how it's going tonight,"
And Tommy thought the bright smile Jason wore was caused by his sincerity of helping him. That man… "He's dead. You know, the dead meat is not me but Jason. We'll kill him tomorrow,"
" Counting on it," Kim nodded and leaned her head to rest against his shoulder. " that's too bad. The flowers are so pretty," she sighed longingly.
" Dating you is always full of surprises," Tommy said contentedly. " and for future references, I hate jasmine. Unlike you, it can make me dizzy under a second. So, never buy me jasmine,"
" I thought buying flowers is the guys' job?"
" But I do love your jasmine shampoo," he continued, smiling sweetly at her and gained a playful slap on his right cheek.
" You really went to three florist to buy me those?" Kim shifted until she face him. " really?"
Tommy chose to ignore the question. He leered at her. " Can I finish my unfinish job?"
Kim recalled the scene in front of her locker and decided to play along. " Later," she repeated his word and got up. " come on or we would miss the movie,"
Tommy and Kimberly
- Angel Grove Park
09.25 p.m.
" Would it ever come the day when we could see a thriler or a horror movie?" Tommy asked while they're walking to the pond. They had seen a comedy romance that Kim chose. Thankfully, it's not too cheesy and sappy like he thought it would be.
" I don't know, but I guess Marissa will be more than happy to accompany you…," she said, batting her eyelashes innocently at him. "you're not too dense until you don't know that she has it bad for you, are you?"
Tommy shrugged and drapped an arm over her shoulder, just like he did the whole time in the theater. Kim wound her arm around his firm waist and leaned closer. " Well, I have it bad for you,"
" Nice one," Kim responded and he squeezed her arm tightly. " today your other big fan, Beverly, congratulated me,"
" For what?" Kim threw him a strange look at his absurd question.
" Isn't it obvious? What else? She knows that we're going to be brother and sister. Someone just can't keep her mouth shut," Kim commented sardonically.
" You're being mean," he chided her gently.
" You blame me?" she shot back defensively.
" We should tell them, Kim,"
" We will," Kim agreed. The sooner they let it out, the better.
They stopped when they'd reached a nice spot just over the water. The street lamp illuminated the pond and gave them an eerie feeling. Tommy looked down at the petite brunette standing next to him. It still amazed him at how things turned out into. He used to hate her so much but now he didn't even want to think about not seeing her even for only just a day. That'd be not a really good day if that happened. Despite everything he, Jason and Zack talked about in school, Tommy could be more open if there're only the two of them all alone. Just Kim and him.
" Kim, you know-,"
" No, I don't know," she answered and laughed. " sorry. Continue, please,"
Tommy counted until five to calm himself and said, " I think I'm in love with you,"
Kim's mouth opened but no words came out. Her soft brown eyes gazed into Tommy's darker ones, wanting to make sure if he meant it. He gripped her chin and closed her mouth.
" Becareful or the fly would get into your mouth,"
Kim smirked and let his words sink in. He was so handsome standing there and he fell in love with her. Goodbye Marissa and Beverly and everyone who adored this guy. Tommy Oliver was her property. Damn, it was good to finally say it out loud.
He loved her.
" You think?" she pointed out impishly.
" I'm in love with you," he said and pressed a kiss to her forehead. " we hated each other but somehow I got used to your nagging," Kim rewarded him with a smack on his forearm. " I don't know exactly when was the feelings changed but I feel secure with you,"
" The feeling's mutual," Kim told him sincerely. " and nagging you is always fun,"
" Now that it's settled, can we finish the 'later'?" Tommy asked, pulling her even closer. " no answer means yes. Good," with that he bent down and kissed her. His arms wrapped around her small figure and when she kissed him back just as willingly, his grip on her tightened. When the need of air became an issue, the two pulled away. " I have something for you," he gave her a small paper bag, a shy smile merried his feature.
Kim eyed him inquisitively and opened it, peeking inside. She licked her lips and pulled out a small rectangle from the bag. " Strawberry bubble-gum?" at his lopsided trademark grin, she pulled put another one and found," strawberry lollipop?"
The paper bag was filled with bubble-gum, lollipop, candies, and chocolates. Everything was on strawberry flavor. Kim snorted when she took out the last item. " A toothpaste?"
" With strawberry flavor," Tommy said, pointing his finger at the bold sign on the box. " it's brand new,"
" Oh, Tommy… where'd you get all these?"
" When you're going to the ladies room, I was busy too," he said. He bought everything at the refreshment stand. It only took five minutes.
" They sold toothpaste?" Kim asked in disbelief.
" They gave it out for free. You know, for promotion," Tommy said, ruffling her hair. " so, is this make it up for the early catastrophe? You're not allergic to strawberry, right?"
" How could you tell that I love strawberries?"
" I have my own source," he replied arrogantly. " a reliable and trustful source,"
" Not Jason I assumed," Kim laughed and he joined her. She surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "oh, Tommy… I hate you so much!"
" I hate you too," he hugged her back.
The Oliver Residence
" We have to tell them tonight. K', Tommy?" Kim said when he stopped the jeep on Kim's driveway.
" Alright. Goodnight, Kim. I'll see you tomorrow?"
" Yup," she leaned over and kissed him briefly before jumping down and got into the house.
Tommy closed the door behind him and took off his jacket. He walked into the living room and found his father in his usual place, reading the paper. Benjamin closed the newspaper when he saw his son.
" Hi, Dad,"
" Tommy, there's something I need to tell you," Ben started when Tommy took a seat across him.
" Same here. You go first,"
Ben smiled and said, " We're moving back,"
: That's the end of this chapter. Tommy got another bombshell, what would happen next? Thank you for reading and please don't forget to leave your reviews, they mean a lot to me and they brighten up my days. NO FLAME!
- Yuuri : )
