Chapter 7: Realizations

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"So where do you want me to meet you?" I asked while putting my pants on with my phone between my shoulder and ear. Not a good idea I would soon find out.

Bouncing on one leg trying to maintain my balance I tripped on the ground with a loud 'thump'.

"Ron! What was that? Are you okay?" Came the concerned voice of Kim over the phone.

"Ya I just sort of tripped." I could hear her laughing over the phone "It's not funny I could've died you know."

"Ya sure you would've." I could imagine her smiling right now. She continued "so why don't you come to my house and get me?"

Silence was all she got as an answer at the moment "since the mall is closer my house."

"Uh ya sure." I replied after what seemed like the longest 10 seconds of my life. 'Way to go' I thought to myself.

"Ok then I send you my address and I'll see you later. Bye." And with that she hung up.

Sighing get up from the ground and put my phone on my desk and pull up my pants.

Do I really want to go to her house? I honestly don't know.

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Looking up from my the address Kim sent me on my phone I look up at the street name.

"So I go left" I say aloud and turned.

Kim wasn't lying when she said she lived close to me. Wait a minute how does she know where I live? Well that's a question for another time I guess.

What if I see her parents when I knock? That's a bit unnerving. I remember she told me her Dad was a rocket scientist and her mother a brains surgeon. So it's pretty intimidating.

I can see now how her and her brothers have brains.

Does this mean she trusts me enough to meet her family? Or does she do this with every friend she has?

Would she want to meet mine? 'Not for a while' I told myself I don't want to scare her so soon.

Occasionally waving at people in their front yard. Just being respectful. It's in my nature.

Being someone who over thinks almost every situation that presents itself. Me.

I had to think about what I would say to her family so I wouldn't make a complete fool of myself.

Hopefully Kim sees my text message and opens the door before someone else does.

Looking at the house numbers making sure I don't miss her house. I stick my hands in my pocket and finally spot her house.

Standing in front of it I pull out my phone and text her

Hey I'm outside. About to knock.

Sending it I look up and wait for about 5 minutes pacing back and forth contemplating if I should knock.

Slowly but surely I make my way up and approach her door taking a deep breath I raise my hand to knock.

Leaning my head closer to the door I hear a low humming sound getting louder and louder till suddenly the door wings open.

A object comes flying next to my head. Turning around into what looked like a fighting stance I prepare myself for anything.

A little boy comes running from the door and goes passed me and yelled "Gotta go..."

Another voice behind me finished his thought "...get rocket!" He stops as I turn around he looks up "who are you?"

The other runs up to him breathless "I can't find it." Putting his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.

"I'm Kim's friend Ron. Unless this is the wrong house." I said rubbing the back of my head.

The boy who was breathless leans into his brother and says "I think that's The guy Kim mentioned yesterday."

The other pretended not to hear him.

"Are you Kim's boyfriend?"

Shocked I take a step back and choke on the saliva I failed to swallow properly.

"No I'm her friend! Can you tell her I'm here?"

"KIM your boyfriend is here for you." He yelled inside.

Looking at him with my jaw dropped "I'm not her boyfriend. I'm her friend."

"Who is a guy." The one near me said.

"By the way what are your names?" I asked

"Im Jim" motioning to his brother "and this is Tim."

"So you guys are Kim's infamous brothers she talks about?" I say smiling

"She talks about us? Cool!" While Tim mumbled "I knew it."

"Who left the door open." Came a feminine voice I haven't hear before looking at the door.

It was someone who looked similar to Kim. She was taller had short red hair. I assumed it was her mother.

Smiling she came out "Oh hello you must be Kim's friend Ron. It's nice to finally meet you." She said extending her hand.

Shaking it I introduced myself "I'm Ron and it's also nice to finally meet you ."

"Why don't you come inside? Kim might take a while."

"Um ya sure." Before I went in and leaned over to Jim and whispered so him Mom wouldn't hear "your rocket looked really cool. And it's in the bush next to your neighbors car." I said pointing to it.

"Thanks." He said back and ran off with Tim.

Entering I saw the pictures on the walls and one with Kim with pigtails. 'Hm looks like I can tease her about it later' I thought

"Are you hungry?" She said leading my into the kitchen. "Uh no I just ate thank you." Sitting down and what looked like a booth table.

"Would you like something to drink." She said looking up front the stove "no thank you." I politely declined.

"You and Kim are in the same grade?"

"Ya we just met this year actually." Wow this is awkward. Looking around I noticed the kitchen didn't have any photos opposed the others that do

'Like the one where Kim has pigtails' Smiling at that thought.

I hear a "Hey" from the hallway at first I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me, but I saw Jim's head poke out.

I wave giving him a confused look. He motions for me to come with him. I mouth to him 'no'.

He walks into the kitchen and towards his mom "can I borrow Ron for a minute?"

turns and to me and smiles while glancing back to Jim "why don't you and him?"

"Ron can you please come." Before I could answer he yanks my hand and walks out. Before I could register what just happened

I was already in the living room.

Standing before me was Jim and Tim with the rocket "you want to see it?" He said excitedly passing it to me.

"Wow you guys built this or-" Tim cut me off "we built this but no one else knows at the moment."

I was honored they would let me see this. I believe it was because they couldn't really tell anyone else in the house or it would be taken away.

"Mom do you know where Ron is?" My eyes widened I handed back the rocket and got up "Kim's coming."

"It was nice meeting you guys." Before I got out Jim said "you should come again." Tim added "if you want to see more things" he suggested.

Nodding I went to look for Kim. Going towards the kitchen I saw Kim "there you are. Ready?"

"Ya let me just say goodbye to your Mom."

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We walked in silence for about 15 minutes. It was comfortable not awkward or anything, which was nice since I always thought you had to talk for something not to get weird.

But here I'm being proved wrong.

Old habits die hard since I was the one who broke the silence.

"Your brothers seemed nice KP"

"They didn't threaten you to say that to me did they?" Smiling up at me

"No they just teased a little that's all but overall they were nice."

Turning to her I asked "Well do you have any idea what stores were going to at the mall?"

Her eyes lit up "well..."

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"Okay I'll go in." As she pushed my back "come on Ron it won't be that bad."

Before we came here I made her go into stores I wanted to go so it's only fair I go in this one.

Hesitantly I walk into the store. Wait a second..."Doesn't Monique work here?"

"Ya. But she had the day off today." She explained.

Looking around the store and following where Kim went to I realized I didn't really prefer these clothes.

I go so Smarty Mart for mine because it's adorable and they are really comfortable. Since I really enjoy baggy clothes.

Maybe it's because I'm insecure about my body. My mother always told me I was to boney so maybe that's why I started wearing them. But no one needs to know that.

Kim voice broke my train of thought "how does this look?" She said holding up a white t shirt and dark pink jeans.

"They look good" turning back to the clothes on the rack.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw that she looked...disappointed. 'Huh that's new.'

I followed her around some more and gave her my opinion here and there. She asked me to help her look for clothes.

"How about this?" I said holding up a black shirt. She shook her head 'no'

"But it looks similar to that black one that you have in your hand. Why don't you like this one?"

"I'm just not feeling that one."

The amount of time I spent shopping here was probably getting to me because without thinking I threw my hands up exasperated and said "women...the worlds biggest mystery."

Turning to me "what's that supposed to mean?" She said with a hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow.

"Girls are so hard to understand stand at times. It's only worse for people like me when they don't even have a basis for how they act."

I continued "don't get me wrong I love women, but it's just so complicated. You know it's probably like that with girls not understanding guys."

I didn't stop blabbing yet "why can't someone just write a book about how to understand each gender?"

Looking up at Kim "Ok I'm done ranting." Smiling I add "Why don't you look at some other clothes so you can try them on."

Nodding with a mischievous glint in her eyes she asked me "ok but wait here until I come back."

20 minutes have passed since she told me to wait. Humming to myself while sitting on the ground outlining patterns in my shoes.

I felt a tap on my shoulders. I jolted up and yelped before turning around and seeing t was Kim.

"Don't do that. You took off ten years of my life." I said glaring playfully at her.

"Ok let's go try on our clothes."

"Ok" Wait... "what do you mean bye ours?" I said while getting in front of her.

"Well your going to be trying on some clothes to."

Crossing my arms over my chest defiantly I explained "I am not going to try on clothes from here."

"Why not." As she said this her face morphed into the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

Her bottom lip was protruding outwards and it looked like she was pouting. "Please." She continued

Turning around quickly I took several deep breaths before responding with a series of "no no no."

Damn that stupid yet adorable face. Sighing in defeat I turn around and mumble "Fine." grabbing the clothes walking to the changing rooms.

Looking at the clothes she got me I picked one of the pants and lifted it to the air to see if it peaked my interest.

I here the door open and turn around to see Kim in a purple dress 'wow' she looked absolutely stunning without a doubt.

I found my self staring at her legs. She coughed "Ron?" Looking right to her I realized I was caught staring.

I turned around quickly feeling my cheeks grow warm. "It looks really nice on you."

"You think so." She said twirling around.

"KP honesty you could wear a trash bag and still look pretty." 'Did I really just say that. Blushing again I grabbed a pair of jeans and rushed to the room without another word.

Looking at myself in the mirror I would say these jeans don't look bad on me. I needed a second opinion.

Kim was sitting waiting for me and looked up. Before she could speak I cut her off

"Do you think this makes my butt look fat." I say teasingly since she asked me that the 3rd time we went shopping.

I scooted closer to her "tell me the truth." Smiling as I saw her staring at me bottom "Kim my eyes are up here." 'Now its her turn to blush' I think to myself.

We went on like this for another 30 minutes till I put this one shirt that I couldn't seem to take off.

Grunting I lift my arms to try to take it off but that ended with my arms being stuck above my head.

Wiggling like there was no tomorrow I tried shaking the damn thing off but to no avail.

It was stuck currently on my chest with the rest over my head. I needed help struggling to open the door. Even though I have no under shirt on. 'Great'

I step out to a laughing Kim "what happened to you." She said in between laughter. Holding on to her stomach I wait for her to clam down.

"Can you just help me please?" I make her out through the shirt as she approach me.

As soon as her hand touches my skin I inhale sharply and tense before relaxing into her touch.

I pull away quickly when I realize she was trying to tickle me. "Don't do that." I chastise her.

"What's the fun in that Ron?"

"Just take off the shirt please." She approaches me and starts tickling me again.

"K...P! Kim stop it!" I say between laughter. "Ok ok. Now stop moving so I can take it off."

"Yes ma'am." I say leaning down.

She grabs the shirt and start pulling one way while I go the other way "How did you even get into this Ron?"

Ignoring the question I said "it's coming off I can feel it just a little more."

As the shirt came off I hit the wall as she lands on her butt with the shirt in hand we stare at each other for a while before bursting into laughter.

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"I'm serous Kim I'm afraid of my cousin." I said laughing.

"Wait tell me how old he is again." She barely managed to say in between laughter.

"Ten." Laughing even louder.

After a moment we calmed down I started to drink my smoothie which was no longer as cold as it was.

'How long have we been here?' We must've lost track of time.

I looked up to see Kim staring at me "What?" I said coyly to her

"Have I ever told you how much I like talking to you?" Shaking my head she continues. Putting her hands on her lap.

"I could only take like this with Monique. It's really good to have another person I can talk to and not having to live up to the rules at our school."

I nodded agreeing. She was right because I felt the same way the only person who I could be myself without so many restraints was Felix.

As Kim was looking around I looked at her and studied her eyes. If I had to be honest those really captivated me.

They were so determined yet so welcoming all at once. I thought back to that time when we first went to Bueno Nacho. I'm pretty sure that's when I knew I was crushing pretty hard on her.

Even now I feel like that but it's something I just don't know what it is. As much I want to deny and push down my feelings for her I can't.

Zita nor Yori made me feel like this. I couldn't help but think what made Kim so special for her to have this affect on me.

The realization of this scares me. Probably terrifies me is a better word.

But I'm happy where I am right now with out friendship. I don't want to put any of that at risk.

Kim turned her head and smiled at me but it sooner turned into a frown when she glanced beside me.

"Kim." Came an amused voice from behind that could only belong to one person. Bonnie.

"What are you doing here Bonnie?" She said glaring at her.

Feigning to be hurt she put a hand over her chest "Why so mad all of a sudden did I interrupt your date?"

"Well I'm just waiting for Jessica at the food court so I thought I could waste my time here with you and your the loser." She said back with a hand on her hip.

"He's not a loser Bonnie. Why don't you just leave us alone?"

I was about to say something but Bonnie turned her head to me and stared at me with an intense gaze and smile. It was starting to freak me out.

She abruptly turned and leaned over to Kim and whispered something in her ear.

"We'll see you later Kim. Loser." And walked off.

"I thought she would never leave." I said trying to ease up her mood.

She stood up "let's go it getting pretty late." She started getting the bags but I grabbed her wrist stopping her.

Looking up at her at realized how closest were to each other I immediately pulled back "I got theses bags just get those."

"Thanks"

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Exciting the mall I was being to be worried about Kim she had been quiet the whole time.

Every time I looked her way she looked deep in thought.

I Pondered what Bonnie could've said to her to bring her mood down so fast. I don't want to push her to tell me. Maybe she would tell Monique. Hopefully she did.

I couldn't help but wonder 'is Bonnie holding something against her?'

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A/N: school is starting soon but I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as possible.