Based on RSAHNP
by Henrik Hammer Hedemann...

The Mad Dog of Middleton: Mystical Fever

Ron's father decided to stay at the Middleton Motor Lodge for the night. Kim was truthfully not the biggest fan of Ron's parents. His mother was borderline abusive, almost nothing like her own mother. His father is a self-important man that nearly takes his son away from Kim whenever he sees a chance at getting a better job. She felt a tinge of sympathy for them losing some of their possessions in the rubble, but was more sad for her boyfriend who blamed himself for the mess.

Kim awkwardly sat across from one of the women she once put behind bars. As soon as the policemen had left with Ron's mother and the child, this woman Adrena Lynn, came knocking. This criminal participated in the skirmish that took place outside of the Stoppable household. The police had asked the family what happened. Ron and Kim got a pretty scary phone call after school and rushed over to the police department to get the whole story, where Ron got an earful from his mother. Ron's garage was totaled from some bomb. Ron's mother was the one who witnessed the two factions have a standoff outside Ron's home.

Now Kim and Ron were in a cheap one bedroom suite where Ron's dad would be staying for the night. Ron's dad was in the bathroom scrummaging through his bags. They sat at a glass table on the couch, with Lynn slouched on a stool meant as a leg rest.

"Police arrested some of your own too, didn't they?" Ron asked.

"No worries. We have people on the inside that can get them out." Lynn reassured him. Kim gave her a look. "What? You really think we have no way of busting out our guys out the slammer in this day and age? How do you think I'm even here talking to you?"

"If you think that I'm going to believe there are good men in law enforcement in league with people like you-" Kim said.

Lynn turned to Ron. "Wait. Let me get this straight. Your partner here, who's been at this for years, has never once heard of internal corruption before? Does she think politicians are good people too?" Ron said nothing to that in response. "Ah, it doesn't matter. How's mum and pops? The missus vouched for me, didn't she?"

"Yes she did." Ron answered. A few others civilians were able to verify that Lynn and her crew were there to protect them. "They're good all things considered. Mom's just done with me at this point. Dad's been deep in thought, hasn't really said much to me since those jerks blew up my house. I can't believe it. Well I guess I can, but why go after me instead of the more obvious target?" He looked at his partner. "No offense, KP."

"You made enemies with dangerous people." Lynn said. "It is curious he targeted your family, and even the kid. I think this was a direct order from Fiske himself. And they were ready to kill your parents, you can be sure that this was no attempted hostage taking."

There was a look of horror on his face. "Never thought I'd be saying this, but. I'm in your debt Adrena Lynn."

"Hey no need. I was only doing my job." She sounded like a humble cop, talking like that. Kim felt it disingenuous her coming here to appeal to them. If things were even slightly different, Kim would be taking her down right now.

"What are you even doing here?" Kim wasn't buying Adrena Lynn coming here to make sure Ron was alright. Things just didn't add up. "Last I checked you were trying to get back at me for exposing you as a fraud."

"I may have hated you for that in the past. But really, back then, I was running away from reality. I have you two to thank for showing me that." Lynn seemed genuine and had the look of a tougher woman to show for that, even gaining some muscle. "My days of running are over. Now I stand here offering you the opportunity to not just stop the people that tried to hurt the ones you love, but to make change in Middleton. And I mean real change."

"Huh? What you mean?"

"Might as well make it plain. I'm asking you to work alongside with me. As equals, mind."

"No." Kim said. "No! The answer is no way."

"Will you at least hear me out first? I wouldn't come here if I knew this was just a dumb idea that would immediately be shut down, and it's not like the last two or so years have gotten you anywhere near stopping Fiske, or anyone else for that matter."

"This is completely ridiculous." Kim exclaimed, "We are crime fighters! We won't work with you." Ron was bemused at the prospect as well.

"It's not so simple. You might not know it now, but in this town, there are just as many goodwilled criminals as there are goodwilled civilians, you can trust my word on that."

"What, like you?" Kim asked.

"I do ride the line to get what I want out of life, and sure I'm no saint either, but why do you think I put my life on the line when I could have just sat and watched while they slit your baby sister's throat? Do you still think I'm a completely bad person?"

"No. No I don't." Ron gave her that.

"Make no mistake about it: you and your boy here I have to thank for making me a stronger person. But your war on crime isn't exactly making things better. When you lock those poor souls away, they have no choice but to do away with a straight life. See a criminal record gets you fucked for life. No job, education, or training. So they return to crime after facing jail time, with their family even worse off than before. Finally starting to get the picture, Possible?"

"I'm not about to feel sorry for them. They made their choice to hurt and steal." Kim has been across the world. She knows what it's like for families in third world countries. Most of the people have no excuse for hurting others for self-gain.

"Hey not speaking for me, but the stuff most of them do is out of necessity. Have you ever been outside your fancy little house, rich girl? Let me tell you, it's not pretty." Kim shook her head like she was talking to an idiot. Kim has never been called a rich girl - but it's kind of true. "I'm saying nothing new here. You can keep playing hero and take the spotlight as a global news sensation all you like, but we are the ones giving people second chances. Not you."

"I might be grateful you saved my family.. but telling me to work with you? That's beyond stupid, even for me." Ron said to Kim's relief.

"Listen I'm not telling you to quit being who you are!" Lynn acted like he was being unreasonable, grinning like she was with a bunch of kids. "I'm saying there needs to be a balance. Think it like this. You ever hear about the war on drugs? You take out one drug lord, another guy who envied him takes over his turf, and the cycle continues. But if Ron here works within our system, our lifestyle, with the intel only we know, he can actually control the amount of crime, and maybe bring some of his uh, pussy code of ethics in too. You can't be in more than one place at once, but if you're next to me giving the orders, we can do some real good here. We can keep things like what happened here today, from ever happening again."

"Wow, hashtag not all criminals." Kim said sarcastically. "You really think I buy you not relishing in a bombing in the suburbs? TV action star that loves anything extreme?"

"Listen girl. There is shit even you don't know about." Lynn's true nature might finally be showing, with how she was swearing like a sailor. "Don't you find it fucking funny this has never happened to you? Your own flesh and blood are under protection by a group too, and let me tell you, it's not your noble Global Justice or some damn neighborhood watch committee. The Fiske Clan, the Lithuanians, the Senior Family, the motorcycle clubs, these are just a few of the groups that have been vying for control of Downtown and the cops can't touch them. But I'll bet you know nothing about all that. The only problems you ever notice are the most glaring obvious."

Her family didn't need protection because she was there to save them. That's the answer she gave herself and for once she doubted it. Wade seldom called her about Downtown much, though she found going there even for a stroll can be fairly unpleasant because of how rundown and outright ugly it is.

Lynn looked back to Ron. "Remember what I said. I am offering you a chance at stopping the people that tried to kill the people you love, to, to bring some order… I need your help too. People are needlessly suffering and being led astray, man. Isn't that what heroes are supposed to do? Help people in their time of need?"

"We can handle whatever happens ourselves like we always have. Right?" Kim said, though she was uncertain herself after hearing about the growing powers that were beyond even her control. Some of the people she's putting away are running amuck again and are at large, but from where she was standing, it seemed like things were looking up and the world was becoming a safer place. Not even Wade could foresee any of this craziness happening.

"All up to you, but, leaving things as is and relying on dumb luck won't get you anywhere in life."

Ron's father returned with a duffle bag. He placed it on the table in front of them.

"What's all this?"

"A portion of your Naco royalties." His father said with some regret. "I couldn't trust you with it then, and I was right to believe that." He sighed.

"You hid it from me, huh?" There's no way Ron carried that much on him when he allegedly lost it all. "That makes sense now."

"The rest is yours once you man up and take responsibility in your life. Your mother has told you time and time again something like this might happen. I'm afraid we'll be leaving Middleton." He took a moment before finally saying, "You can't come with us."

Ron didn't object or say anything, like he expected this.

"Do you have someplace you can stay?" His father asked.

"He can live with us." Kim immediately said. "He's slept over before so I'm sure my parents won't mind. The tweebs will love it too." She tried to make it look like this can be a good thing, which it is for her, really. Kim has always wanted to share a bed with Ron anyway. Kim still thought it was cowardice for him to tell his own son to essentially bugger off with that money because things seemed hopeless. Wade's looked into Ron's dad in the past simply because Wade is a curious guy, and his old man did dabble in questionable business practices when he was younger.

"It's time for you to listen to your mother and make a damn change." His father said. "Your mother and sister nearly get crushed under the rubble of our home, and you still want to keep living like this. Kim has been a crime fighting prodigy since she started. I always hear about her saving the world, son, but you are never the hero of any story. This hero thing. It's just not you." Ron's father believes Ron coasts off of Kim's achievements, when that was far from the case.

"I'm sorry dad."

"Don't be, just... like I said, it's time for you to be a man, son. And we can't get through to you unless we do this."

There was still some light in the day, barely. The stars weren't out quite yet from her window view. It didn't take Ron long to get settled in, considering he didn't bring much with him other than some clothes. Boys were much luckier than girls in that regard. Her mother immediately okayed him staying which was nice. But it wouldn't be a permanent arrangement obviously. Once Ron was of age, he should find a place of his own. Kim was ecstatic she received the ok to go with him. Until that time though, he could live under their roof without having to pay rent. Of course he was expected to help around the house.

Kim remembered MC Honey and her popularizing the twerking dance. She never thought of flaunting her sexuality like that until now. Kim has been trying out some outfits she kept tucked away. That black dress of hers really got Ron going, she remembered. Ron was wallowing in self-loathing. She hoped that Adrena Lynn's gaslighting wasn't getting to him too. She asked him what he was going to do earlier and he didn't know. For the time being Kim wanted to take his mind off all that, and to do that, she would have to break past her limits.

As she had some free time, she spent this afternoon packing away some of her tame clothing and picking things out from her wardrobe, having decided to dress much more provocatively for her boyfriend's viewing pleasure. Wait until he feasts his eyes on this crop top, she thought. It will take a lot to cure the dry spell, and this mess with the Fiske Clan was definitely a mood killer. She wasn't too worried. Anything is possible for a Possible, after all.

Kim's bedroom was fairly basic. It was kept neat and organized. She wasn't the type to show off the trophies and awards she received from cheerleading competitions and martial art tournaments, so the room was fairly plain. The wallpaper was plain blue, the floors a reddish brown. There was a fairly expensive computer, and a telescope bought by her parents, both that she seldom used.

Her communicator went off with a sweet tune. She picked up. "Wade? Did you send me the email?" She looked at the pocket sized screen where she found the boy typing up a storm with an uncomfortable look.

"Everything's set, Kim. I'm not sure what you were thinking asking me, a ten year old boy, to be looking up this kind of stuff. I mean I've been on the internet for a long time so it's not like I'm oblivious to this type of thing, but this is all sorts of messed up. Are you sure about this?" Kim was understanding of a boy's urges, but Ron's too shy to tell her straight up what he wanted out of her. A good thing she's resolved.

"I want all of it."

Her comms guy owed her this much after hiding a very critical detail about the suit. This was basically his apology. Wade recovered some of her boyfriend's internet files and even his credit card history. Well, technically it is stealing. But that's what Wade was good at. Computer skills and such. Kim didn't really understand most of it.

He sighed. "Alright, check your inbox. You do know how to unzip files right?"

She shook her head, grinning clueless.

"I'll give you a small tutorial."

"You rock, Wade." That line always made him feel somewhat better.

They spent the next few minutes sorting out the basics of computer literacy. Once that was over with, Wade signed off, not wanting anymore involvement with what Kim was investigating, more or less.

Kim thought she would handle anything, but there's a lot to unpack here. Kim is aghast at how pornography objectifies women to such an extreme. Still, the girls looked like they were enjoying themselves. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say sex with your lover is the greatest pleasure a person can experience. She couldn't understand how it could be gratifying to be treated that way with strangers though. The mere notion of that grossed her out. There is a difference between being paid to do it and having sex romantically.

In some of the videos they were saying unspeakable vulgarities. It was so demeaning and wrong. The main takeaways from these is that Ron is kind of an S, and liked having more than one at a time. For a second Kim had second thoughts about what she sought out, and felt this shouldn't be done. Her pride kept her from that. She was the most desired heroine in the world, and here she was leaving him unsatisfied. Kim wasn't hiding that she knew what he really thought, and she wouldn't say outright, but she was hurt that he didn't trust her enough to experiment like she would judge and dump him.

Kim learned all kinds of naughty acts she has never once thought about before, like exhibitionism, double blowjobs, and what the kids are calling 'titfucks'. There were subgenres and different cultures even within the confines of a bedroom which was kind of intriguing. Kim's breasts were turning out just like her mother's thankfully. Ron wasn't the only late bloomer between the two. If it's expected of her, she'll give it a shot. These are the things boys fantasize about. Control and power. Kim looked at the women. Their pretty faces contorted with pleasure. She herself made a face she could never show in public, imagining Ron doing these obscene acts with her.

Her man was such a stud, and she watched him grow into the person he is today from grade school. She closed her eyes and blissfully pictured his hard, chiseled body pushing up against her, using his boy band charms to get exactly what he wanted. That age old romanticized scenario of her trying to resist his temptation before caving. When they engage in these acts, it will be just as mindless, just as barbaric, just as erotic. There was an immediate reaction down below. Kim found herself rubbing her clit through her form fitting yoga pants. Minutes passed as she was lost in a fantasy.

A subtle scuffle noise behind her door gave her a small fright.

"What do you want tweeb?!" Kim raised her voice at her brother in irritation. She found herself more enraged about being interrupted rather than because she was ashamed.

"There's someone at the door. I-I just thought you would want to know."

"Go away!" She shouted, grabbing one of her pillows and lobbing it at her door, which was promptly shut. For such a bright kid, he couldn't get into that thick skull of his that he should knock before entering. Kim closed her internet web browser, and realized that she needed to change her underwear.

Ron didn't want to be a pencil pusher like his parents. The only hobby Ron had that could be put to use as a skill for an occupation is cooking. His graduation was just around the corner. He found himself not knowing what to do other than what he always did: Play hero with Kim, and just continue on without much thought. His father is adept at an odd skill called counting cards, and stresses that some rules can be bent for your benefit. If there was one thing his father taught him, it was to have versatility. Adrena Lynn's offer still stands. He wondered if maybe being bold and accepting her offer might be what he needs to grow into a man. To start anew and gain valuable experience.

He didn't go back to his house to get stuff, not wanting to see the aftermath of his own recklessness. It was obviously getting yellow taped as a safety liability. He hid his boy band CD's in his room, which haven't seen use since Wade introduced him to downloading them for free. If there were firefighters or someone investigating the place right about now, they might get a kick out of that. Ron's treasured possession in his room was a signed poster of the current GWA Heavyweight Champion, the youngest champion in history. She already has her life set at that age while Ron is just half-assing it at both school and football, though at least with the former he was naturally gifted at.

He could see how it could work out with Adrena Lynn. With Kim on one side, and Ron on the other. Ron wasn't really needed, Kim has always handled herself. If he took the other path, they could influence both sides of the playing board. That way, Ron could oversee their operations and minimize casualties. Maybe even talk some of these guys out of it. From what Adrena Lynn says, they're still human. Ron is aware of an illegal agency Downtown. A safe injection site, that helps people do drugs safely, while providing counsel. Maybe that's what Ron could be. The person keeping criminals from going too far with their drug. Instead of getting a high off a drug, these people get high off of crime. All the insanities that comes with greed and power.

Ron had to admit crime has its perks, specifically how crime is essentially a get rich quick scheme. In the world they lived in, there are only two things that will make you matter to anyone else. Intelligence and money, and those two usually go hand in hand. Just looking at Kim's parents as examples, both are the brightest in their respective fields. Kim herself has already made something of herself at a young age, just like his favorite female wrestler. If there was a time to do something drastic and make a name for himself, it was now.

In the kitchen he put away any done-with kitchen utensils for the family, having finished preparing food. He was an adept chef and was pretty confident in his cooking. It also helped take his mind off things. Ron made chicken and mash for dinner. Kim says his meat is like a party in her mouth, and was glad to have him around the house to give it to her everyday. He wondered if her mother would feel the same. He let the big pot simmer for the vegetables.

Their father was out drinking with friends. "I mean I'd be upset too if one of my family members put the entire family in unnecessary danger." Kim's father had said. "But none of this is your fault." It sounded so patronizing. Ron wondered if James approved of him dating his daughter. Probably not. The scariest part about all this, is that Ron didn't feel completely bad about what happened. Or maybe he just didn't process it completely. Things were moving so fast. He knew for sure Kim was herself, and that was enough relief for him. As for what the future might hold, he didn't care as much as he probably should.

"It smells so good!" The kid said setting up the table.

"Thanks Tim." Ron was pretty good at telling the boys apart.

The other twin came into the room, "There's someone at the door that wants to see you."

He must have not heard the knocking. "Who?"

"Go see for yourself. I'm going to my room." Jim sounded downcast.

Ron looked at Tim as if he had the twin telepathy needed to figure out what got him in a bad mood, but he gave a shrug. Ron guessed there would be no elaborate pranks for today. He went through the living room, and to the front door which he opened.

There stood a familiar school queen bee he has known almost as long as his girlfriend.

"I kind of figured you'd be here." She said harshly, though that was just how she naturally spoke. "I heard what happened to your home at school. I'm sorry." It's been awhile since he's heard those two words out of that mouth.

"Bonnie?" Ron was too shocked by her sudden appearance to say much of anything.

The cheerleader wore a thin lavender sweater left unzipped, along with a gray crop top that exposed her midriff underneath. By the looks of her, she came straight from school. He and Kim had the day off for like the second time this week alone. Then again, that has been the norm for awhile now. "Could we talk? Please?" Bonnie looked behind Ron to see if anyone else was there. He guessed it annoyed her that he didn't respond right away. "Nevermind this was stupid," she said, giving up. "I should leave."

"Bonnie, wait." He said before she turned away. He decided on giving her the benefit of the doubt and hearing her out. Bonnie is the only person other than Kim who visits Ron to check in personally, though this could be because people thought he needed space, or people thought this was just another day for him. A text message was the furthest extent that anyone was going to reach out to him. "Thanks for coming. I just didn't expect you. Do you mind talking out here?" The Possible Household was built on a slant, making sitting on the concrete near the front door not as bad as one might think. He would invite her in, but this wasn't his house. Kim was like the Pain Toe to Bonnie's Steel King, at least at school. So he figured Kim wouldn't want to let her in, much less converse with her.

She nodded, and the two sat next to each other. He wasn't used to being so close. It made him realize just how tall he's gotten. "Is everything okay with your family? And your sister?" The girl asked cautiously. Word must have gotten around already.

"I'm honestly grateful. No one got hurt. Sure mom and dad kind of disowned me but, hey, at least they weren't harmed right."

"Seriously, that's awful." Bonnie seemed to be trying to measure Ron's reactions, and trying to say what he wanted to hear. "I mean, maybe not completely awful. But, they should be here for you right now. Even I'd do that for my sisters."

"Thanks. That means a lot, especially from you." It was weird to hear comforting words from her. Ron decided to cut to the heart of the matter. "I am going to be a jerk right now and ask, why did you come here, Bonnie? I mean don't get me wrong, it's nice to finally talk to you without being called a loser for once, but we're not exactly the closest of friends."

"No, no, what you're saying makes complete sense. I wouldn't even blame you if you told me to leave, which is why I was about to." She seemed nervous. "When I heard what happened, I felt... afraid. I know that sounds unbelievable but, it's true."

He tried to clarify. "You're worried this might happen to you?" He assumed this attack prompted her to fear for her life.

"No, no. It's not that." Bonnie waved her hand dismissively, trying to find the words. "This isn't about me. I'm actually worried I might never see you again."

Not about her, he thought. That was a first. He felt bad for thinking that but Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing. He just couldn't. Bonnie treated Ron like he was someone insufferable to be around for the longest time. Which he was. He was ashamed of how he used to behave before becoming more self aware. One of the quotes he remembered most from Bonnie is her telling Kim, once a loser, always a loser. If that's really the case, then he definitely applied as Bonnie considered him one. But then again, Bonnie had nothing to gain from coming here.

"You saying you might miss me when I'm gone?" Ron asked, smiling. "Bonbon, it sounds like you might actually like me." He slowly stopped smiling when he realized that might actually be what she was admitting here, and felt stupid for saying that so insensitively.

She looked away from him. By her lack of an answer, he took it as her way of saying yes. "I have a lot to answer for. The past few years have felt like such a waste. I wanted to come clean in the case we never see each other again." In her eyes it was a definite possibility considering the attack on his house, as well as their impending graduation. "It's selfish, but I'm hoping you will hear me out."

"Hey I'm not going anywhere." He tried to say it in a way that would reassure her, so she would know he wouldn't just shut her down when she's essentially pouring her heart out to him. He is all for reconciliation, it's just the way he was raised up, and Bonnie deserved a chance the same as anyone else. "Speak your mind."

"You don't remember when we used to talk, do you?" The times they might have actually been considered friends were short and spontaneous. One week in elementary school they were friends, then something might happen like an argument or a misunderstanding. Ron and Kim got into a bit of trouble, then. Finally near the end of middle school, Bonnie and Kim had a falling out, though she would talk to them occasionally if she had something to gain.

"I don't really like remembering our talks." He said with emphasis on our. Unless she meant talks outside of her roasts.

"So it really did mean nothing to you, that time we spent together." She seemed dispirited. Even sounded genuinely hurt. "It was a long time ago, so I'm not surprised."

Those memories must have meant more to her than it did to him. He felt guilt too. "I was an idiot back then. So I did my best to block it out, y'know. I do remember a bit but, it didn't seem like you enjoyed yourself on the off chance you were hanging out with me." Smiles seldom came to Bonnie Rockwaller, who had what some girls referred to as resting bitch face. It's not a stretch to say a few at school have taken that the wrong way. He wondered if him judging her for that is also what caused this rift. Nonetheless Bonnie has played the part of a bully to many different people, him and his girlfriend included. There's no excuse for that.

"Of course I'm not going to enjoy myself when you're giving all your attention to someone else." She motioned to the door. "Even back then you only had eyes for her, like I didn't even exist. I'm just going to say it. The reason I've been so mean to you is because... I was jealous." It must take a lot for a girl like her to admit that, considering it must have been at the back of her mind for years now.

"Jealous? You mean..."

"Yes! Of Kim!" Bonnie was getting antsy. She grabbed her thighs angrily, before covering her face in shame. "I'm so sorry. I told all the girls not to talk to you. Made sure you were kept at the bottom of the school food chain. I'm partially to blame for spreading rumors and trying to get back at you." He thought back to being ostracized and laughed at. He didn't consider it real bullying, but it did make him feel like a joke. "I just couldn't get over that in middle school you chose her over me. I did all I could to stand out, and became the witch you see now. I wanted to be happy, and make you two as miserable as I could, but all I feel is emptiness. I think about how I wasted all that time mocking you when you're the one risking your life for everyone's sake. You might even die and never know how I really felt." Bonnie looked at him. "You have no obligation to forgive me after all I've done, but maybe one day, you and I, we could.."

"It's okay. I think we all make mistakes." He spoke from experience. A girl like Bonnie has a lot of pride, he knew. At least she was here taking responsibility. Besides with the evil he's seen, the spite of a teenage girl is nothing in comparison. He has always been pretty dense too. Tara is another one of the girls he had no idea that held feelings for him. "I'm sorry for hurting you, too."

"You're just going to let me off, just like that?" She felt it too easy.

"We can start over, no problem. It's going to be pretty weird for us at first though- for everyone, probably."

"Tell me about it. Us just casually walking together like it's nothing will definitely be the subject of gossip, bet on it." That seemed to set her at ease. "I'm really glad I worked up the courage to come here today. You are a real good guy.. no one else at school is as genuine as you." She'd be surprised.

"I know, right? I'm so great." He raised his hand, agreeing with her like no one else could see it. "No but seriously. It'd be cool to talk to you more and a guy like me can use all the help he can get."

"I'm the one who needs help. Tara's the only person I can confide in. She's always there for me, but if I want real life advice... you, you have been through the worst, and despite many odds you always end up in a relatively good spot."

"Ehh." He disagreed, not exactly being in the best of places, right now anyway.

"No, seriously. You're way, way stronger than I give you credit for. I saw that video Kim uploaded. You're in the best shape of your life. Even kind of a god at football from how the season is going," she gushed. "You're cool, Ron. Actually. And still as nice a boy as you were in grade school, if a little simpleminded. Tara taught me that simplicity's a virtue, you have nothing be ashamed of."

Her words were touching. "Thanks."

"Bet I sound like I'm still totally crushing." Bonnie blushed.

He feigned disappointment. "I thought that was the entire point, though."

She giggled. "I'd... also like to talk to you about Kim."

"You'd like to make peace with her as well?"

"Well yes and no. That kind of depends." Bonnie warned him, "She's not the girl you think she is. I know this is going to sound like I'm still holding a petty grudge, but she can be just as bad as me. I might have said bad things, but at least I am a hundred percent honest with you." He can't take that away from her. She's the girl who called his prom suit hideous. It was rude, but it was very true.

Ron knew Kim is a good person, but she's self-admittedly prejudiced and at times judgmental, which is why he changed so much for her. Kim's first few talks with his former best friend was proof of how internal that stuff can go. "Kim has had my back for like half my entire life. She might not be perfect, but no one is."

"That's not what I'm saying! Don't you ever find it weird how attached she is? How your entire life has always revolved around her? You should at least notice how you never dated Tara or plenty of other girls despite Kim very obviously knowing they are into you." Ron didn't remember any girls other than Tara. Bonnie might be confused. "I was never going to tell you of course because I wanted you nowhere near her, but your best friend definitely should have said.. at least something!"

"Bonnie c'mon. Kim is the only girl who would ever tolerate a guy like me." His thoughts turned to Zita. "Are you seriously telling me to consider dumping her over how dedicated a girlfriend she is?"

"No. I just want you to be careful. You don't know what she's like when you're not around. And I'm not the only person who told Tara that dating you wasn't a good idea." It keeps coming back to Tara. He was honestly happy for her that she found someone. Sure he regrets not asking her out but he was fine with how things are now and didn't mind much. "I'm impartial to being friends with her. But I don't think it's possible with the way she is now."

"Nothing's impossible for a Possible. I'll see what I can do. Honestly, this is probably all just a misunderstanding." That's usually what this kind of high school drama can be summed up as. A misunderstanding. It gave him some pause. Bonnie might be mean at times, but Kim could inadvertently or purposefully incite some of that wrath.

"It's getting late," Bonnie said. "Will I see you at school?"

"For sure. Next time you wanna visit, drop me a line."

"I don't actually have your digits. Mind if we?" She pulled out her cell phone.

He nodded, and the two exchanged phone numbers.

"Most of this has to stay between us, okay? Whatever you do, don't tell Kim about me liking you before. She'll freak."

"She might be my girlfriend but I wouldn't do that to you." He wasn't about to betray her trust, even if she's done it to him. This might be like his first actual heart to heart he's had with Bonnie. It was nice to finally see her in a new light, though if he was being honest, it's much easier to forgive a hot cheerleader over, say, a dude.

"Thank you so much. Then, I think I can trust you with one last secret." She leaned in close to his ear as if to whisper, and then kissed him on his cheek. "I knew you wouldn't let me if I told you beforehand. You don't have to think too deeply about it. A gift for the boy who used to play with me when I was little." She hesitated. Ron had a faint memory of them playing under the blanket while her sisters were babysitting him. She smiled naughtily. "And for the man that saved my best friend."

Author's Note: Regular updates require shorter chapters. Thank you for reading.