I was going to make Keiko as Kimiko's room mate, but I wanted an outside perspective on Jack and Kim's "relationship" from someone who didn't know Jack, and though it's never shown, I'm under the assumption Kimiko's already told Keiko about Jack. So I created Suzume, the only OC in the whole story, and she only shows up once. I think. Maybe.

Chapter VIII - Foreigner

Soundtrack / Inspiration:

Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
Time Will Tell - Utada Hikaru
Bent - Matchbox 20

If I couldn't sleep could you sleep
Could you paint me better off
Could you sympathize with my needs
I know you think I need a lot

Bent - Matchbox 20

She was beginning to understand what he meant when he said there was a reason he didn't have any friends.

Forming a friendship with the boy genius had been awkward at first (not that she'd expected anything else). At a slow but sure pace, she was learning things about him; things she never would have learned otherwise.

He wasn't exactly talkative, but he wasn't quiet either. By any means.

He was serious at times, but dopey at others. Oblivious, too.

He didn't whine like he used to, but he still complained. A lot.

Plainly put, he was one big walking contradiction.

Yet it was nothing she couldn't--wouldn't--handle. Anytime she felt like throwing in the towel, the image of his crest fallen expression as he told her about his dead parents would pop into her head, and she'd renew her vigor.

Jack Spicer had feelings just like everyone else. And he was alone now; probably more alone than he'd ever been in his entire life time. True, he had other relatives (she'd had the pleasure of meeting his cousin Megan once), but he seldom talked about his extended family, and it was painfully obvious he'd never been very close to any of them. Hell, he'd even openly admitted to the distance between himself and the two people he'd been so desperate to resurrect. Desperate, because feeling alone, and actually being alone were two different things. With his meager ties of kinship gone, and no other emotional connections to speak of. . .

Was it any wonder he'd changed so much?

The only thing the Japanese girl marveled at was how he hadn't driven himself crazy yet. This life style of constant solitude he lead was not healthy.

Period.

He needed someone to be his friend, someone who might teach him how to be a decent human being. . .

Since she was currently the only person who seemed to give a damn about his well being, she would do her best to do just that.

He at least deserved that much.

"Argh!"

Kimiko growled at herself, nearly snapping her pencil in two. It was a sunny day outside, and the afternoon rays shone through the window onto her desk top, which was currently cluttered with enough paper to make an entire forest. She had an exam approaching, and even though she already knew most of the material, she was still having a hard time concentrating.

Could it have something to do with the fact that in a half an hour, she was supposed to meet up with Jack for a movie?

Nah. Whatever gave anyone that idea?

Not like it was a date or anything of that nature. . .really. . .

Kimiko was graciously saved from her own thoughts by a knock at the door. She looked up, and her room mate Suzume popped her head in.

"Hey Kim. Am I interrupting?"

The Dragon of Fire scooted back in her chair.

"Not at all Suzu."

"Good."

Suzume opened the door wider to reveal a teapot in one hand, and a cup in the other.

"Thought you might need a little refresher," she explained as she walked in and stood next to her seated friend. Expertly, she poured a cup of warm green tea and held it out to Kimiko, who graciously accepted the offered beverage with a nod and a smile.

"Thanks so much Suzu!"

"No problem," the other Japanese girl smiled back, setting the teapot down on the desk, next to a stack of books. "I'm not really sure why you're studying so hard. The test is still a few weeks away."

Kimiko grinned.

"Can't help it," she replied. "Anyway, I'm not like you; I can't cram the night before and manage to pull off a decent grade."

Suzume pouted. It was then she chose to reveal the real reason for interrupting her companion's study session.

"Oh, by the way Kimiko, were you expecting anyone?" Suzu asked in an airy tone of voice.

Too airy.

. . .what's this now?

"No. Why?"

"Because you have a visitor. A male visitor."

Kimiko raised a finely arched eyebrow.

"Who is it? Someone from class?" she inquired, blowing softly on the simmering liquid in her tea cup before lifting it to her lips.

"No, I've never seen him before. He said his name was Jack Spicer, and started saying something else about being a genius? Not sure what that was all about, but oh well."

Oh no.

Unintentionally, the statement made Kimiko sip her tea too fast, and since she was too well mannered to spit it back out, her cheeks bulged comically. Her mouth felt like it was on fire by the time she remembered how to swallow.

He's early! And what's he doing at my dorm? I told him to meet me at the campus front!

Suzume smirked coyly.

"So you do know him," she went on in a sing-song tone of voice, "I wasn't sure, considering he's not your usual type, but I guess you're trying to broaden your horizons. Aside from his fashion taste, he doesn't seem like a bad catch. Nice work Kim. I approve!"

This isn't happening. . .

"No, Suzu, you've got the wrong impression. . .," Kimiko began, setting her tea down.

"Do I?"

"Yes, you see, he's. . .an old friend of mine. He's visiting from out of the country right now, and I'm. . .showing him around town," the former Xiaolin monk tried to articulate a suitable white lie, and was failing. Miserably, at that.

"Oh, so he is a foreigner."

Kimiko stared, eyes wide and owlish.

"Couldn't you tell?"

"Well sure, but he spoke such fluent Japanese, I wondered if maybe he'd been living here for a while, or something like that. But if he's a foreigner, that makes it even better!"

Kimiko grimaced.

"No, really Suzu, there's nothing going on between me and Jack. Really."

"Ok, if you say so."

"I say so."

Kimiko stood up and grabbed her purse. Digging through it, she produced a compact mirror, did a quick hair and make up check (she had to be presentable if she was going out in public after all), then stuffed it back in. Straightening her outfit, she glanced at the messy state of her room--she had no choice, she'd have to clean up when she came back.

She bid Suzume a quick farewell and turned to leave. . .

"You won't mind if I ask for his number, then?"

WHAT?

With one hand on the door knob, Kimiko whipped back around.

"Suzume! You can't possibly tell me you're interested in that. . .that. . .freak of nature!"

Her friend was so flustered, she didn't notice the deviant gleam in Suzu's eye as she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Sure, why not? I like him. He's a bit strange, but than again, he's not from around here, so I can let it slide. I wouldn't mind getting to know him. . .but only if it's ok with you Kimiko."

Suzume put on her best innocent smile. She was surprised. Usually, Kimiko had no trouble seeing through her disguise, but this Jack Spicer fellow seemed to get under Kim's skin in ways she'd never witnessed before. It was cute, and very, very amusing.

Currently, her face was turning all kinds of shades, from green to blue to red.

"Why would I. . .there's nothing. . .he and I aren't. . .GAH!"

Kimiko felt sick. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, as if she had a great migraine just begging to be eased.

How could she explain this without giving too much away. . .?

"Listen, Suzu, trust me when I say you want nothing to do with that snake. Believe me."

"Oh? If he's a snake, than why are you friends with him?"

Damned nosy room mates!

"Because I. . .I'm just making sure he doesn't cause any trouble while he's here, that's all!"

"Uh huh."

"It's true! As soon as his visit to Tokyo is over, he's outta my hair!"

"But if your goal is to make sure he doesn't 'cause any trouble', wouldn't you have to follow him out of the country to keep that promise?"

Kimiko breathed a despairing sigh and slumped forward, knowing she'd been defeated. She turned back and opened the door.

"I'm leaving now, Suzume."

Said girl smiled brightly and waved.

"Ok, see ya Kim. Tell Jack I said bye!"

She saw Kimiko cringe just before the door slammed behind her. Suzume waited a few minutes (just to be sure), than busted up laughing.

Oh Kim, you're about as transparent as plastic wrap! 'I have a thing for Jack Spicer' might as well be tattooed to your forehead, 'cause believe me, the feeling's mutual.

Hmm, I'm sure if the girls and I started a bet to see when you two get together, I'd have the advantage. . .

"What took you?" was Jack's blunt greeting as she exited her room.

Kimiko said nothing; her eyes were downcast, and she didn't even glance up at him as she calmly marched down the hallway. Furrowing his brow, Jack silently followed, unaware he was walking next to ticking time bomb.

It was only after they had reached a safe distance away from the campus that she finally went off.

WHOMP.

"OWWW!"

Jack inexplicably found himself almost nose to nose with the pavement, cradling the back of his head where a very large, very angry bump had emerged. Gnarling curse words, he snapped up to glare daggers at the cause of his pain.

"What the HELL was that for!" he spat irascibly.

"For being a nuisance!" Kimiko spat back, her hand still poised near the area where her fist connected with his skull, "because of you I'll be the talk of the sorority by sundown!"

"What did I do?"

You exist! That's what you did!

"Nothing. Nevermind."

He looked nothing short of disgusted, muttering something that sounded like 'women' under his breath. Kimiko seriously thought about wailing on him again, then decided it just wasn't worth the effort.

"Let's go," she said, changing the subject, "we'll miss the previews."

Jack glared at her a moment longer, then surprisingly, he tilted his head to the side and grinned.

"FYI," he said, "you may want to take note in the future that the walls of your dorm are very. . .thin."

Kimiko's eyes flicked up to his own.

"Pardon?"

Is he saying what I think he's saying?

"Nothing. Nevermind," he repeated her earlier words, making her scowl. Jack didn't give her a chance to reply, however, as he broke into a brisk walk, and Kimiko had to run to catch up with him.

They walked in silence for a while, until she eventually decided to ask him something she was curious about.

"So when and where did you learn to speak Japanese so well?"

Unfazed by the question, Jack shrugged.

"I taught myself before I came here."

"How long did it take you?"

"Eh, I'd say. . .a week? Two tops."

". . .you mean to tell me you learned the entire Japanese language in two week?"

"Sure. Wasn't as hard as everyone said it would be."

Kimiko stopped walking and gawked at him like he'd just grown two heads.

"Are you human?"

Jack halted, turned, and flashed her a brilliant, awfully familiar smile.

"No. I'm a genius!"

She blinked a few times, then slapped her palm against her forehead.

"Ugh."

And everyone at school's going to think I'm dating this guy? Beautiful.

I'll have to pick up a paper bag to put over my head on the way home.