A/N: Hey, so this chapter is when we first really introduce Jimmy (at least in my story) Basically what's happened is that Jimmy has decided to be a better and different person like in the show just a whole lot sooner. Though he doesn't entirely go about it the right way. He talks to Maddy and they agree to get together and hang out before deciding somethings as well as learning some things about each other.
I'm trying to keep it a little cryptic while also implying what happens. Hopefully I did it. It should only last 2-3 chapters though maybe 4 at the most.
Over the course of the next week Rhydian and the pack tried to figure out what had happened.
So far, they had only a vague timeline as most of them seemed to have gotten sick at different times.
They checked all the food and the surrounding area and couldn't figure out what was happening.
Rhydian wasn't fairing well though he chalked it up to stress. His mother seemed to be getting better which he was thankful for. Along with those that had been effected within a few hours.
"Whatever it is it doesn't seem to last long and it's not contagious. But we haven't been able to find the source." Jana said running a hand through her hair as she paced in her tent.
Rhydian sighed as he held a tablet in his lap going through all the possibilities. "There's nothing in the water nor is it in the food we've recently caught."
"They all have the same symptoms. Which I guess is a good thing so they all have the same thing." She said as she leaned against the wall and looked at Rhydian. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah? Why?" He asked as he looked up at her. He was sitting against the bed with the tablet against his lap as he was writing a letter to Maddy.
"You just seem. Off." She said furrowing her brows.
"I'm fine Jana. Just stressed. This is probably something simple, but I can't figure out what it is."
"I can get that. Maybe we should take a break for a little bit. All we're doing is making ourselves frustrated."
He looked at her and sighed as he set the tablet aside. "I just…it makes no sense. Everyone's had the same food and the same water, and nothing is different."
Jana nodded along as she listened to him and let out a breath. "Wait…what if we have the timeline wrong? What if we're missing something?"
"Well, I'm sure we're missing something." He said rolling his eyes as he looked back at her.
"You know what I mean." She said moving to sit next to him. "I mean what if we're looking at it wrong. We know how long it took them all to get sick and your mother was the first. But what if what made her sick happened hours before?"
He thought about that for a moment and hummed as he nodded. "You could very well be right. So, if my mum didn't get sick because of dinner that night. It could've been earlier."
She nodded smiling softly as they seemed to start piecing everything together.
Maddy sighed as she crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair where she was waiting for Tom and Shannon.
It had been a week Rhydian left and Maddy was rather moody. She set her hot chocolate down as she looked out the window and sighed.
"Hey, where's your Welshy boyfriend?" Jimi asked as he stood near her table.
"What do you want Jimi?" She asked raising an eyebrow as she looked up at him.
"I'm just asking a simple question." He said as he looked at her. "We haven't seen 'em around all week."
"Can you just leave me alone? I'm not in the mood to deal with you." She said as she sat up a little.
"Someone's a little testy today. You and Leek Boy having trouble in paradise?" He asked snickering as the one of his friends called over.
"Give it a rest man! Even if they are fighting, she's never going to go for you." Sam called as the other's laughed.
Maddy looked at them and raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms and looked up at him. He rolled his eyes before calling out to his friends. "Shut it!"
They snickered to themselves before he turned and looked back at Maddy. "Ignore them." He said clearing his throat as he shifted a little. "Though would you uh…like to you know…go with me somewhere."
Maddy looked up at him and blinked at him in shock. "Are you…are you trying to ask me out?" She asked furrowing her brows.
"Trying and apparently making a right fool of myself." He said sighing. "I know we haven't gotten off to the best start."
"Jimi…" She said before Tom and Shannon came in rushing over.
"Jimi, what are you doing here?" Shannon asked as she sat next to Maddy.
Maddy looked up at him and blinked as she went to say something before Jimi spoke up. "Nothing." He said as he turned around and walked away.
Tom sat across from them and blinked as he lowered his voice. "What was that about?" He asked raising an eyebrow as he glanced over at them.
"I'm uh…I'm not sure." She said as she looked down at her hands. "Let's just forget about it."
They looked at her for a moment and nodded as Tom went to go get them some drinks. "Have you heard anything from Rhydian?"
Maddy sighed and shook her head. "No. I haven't though I don't think we will. They're a day away and they probably won't go into town that often."
"I'm sure they're alright." Shannon said gently resting a hand on her arm. "If it was anything serious, I'm sure he would've sent word by now."
Maddy sighed as she put her face in her hands. "I know and while I'm worried about them, I know they'll be fine. My skin feels like it's on fire and I can barely sit still."
Shannon furrowed her brows as Tom came back. "It's probably stress." He said gently as he looked at her. "I'm sure everything will be fine."
Maddy looked at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I just…I don't understand why I feel so agitated."
"Should we ask your parents about it? I mean is it normal to feel this way when separated from your…family?"
"It can be." She said sighing as she looked at him. "This feels different. We've been close for a long time the three of us. I've never felt this way before."
"Maybe it's because he's new?" Shannon asked raising an eyebrow. "He was newer to the pack." She said voice low.
"Maybe." Maddy muttered as she moved her straw around in her cup.
"What you need is a distraction." Tom said as he looked at her. "We need to do something. The three of us. Go out and do something."
"What exactly can we do?" Shannon asked raising an eyebrow.
"We can go camping or throw a party. Maybe have one of our movie marathons." He said as he looked at Maddy. "What do you say?"
"That sounds great though I don't think I'd be up for much of it." She said smiling at him. "Thank you though. You and Shan go have fun I don't want to bring you guys down."
"Mads we miss him too but it's not like he's gone forever." Shannon said as she smiled at her.
By this time Jimi's group had left though Jimi had stayed behind. Tom glanced over at him, and he saw him shift slightly.
"Hey, did you guys know that Jimi was still here?" He asked as he looked at him.
Maddy looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. "That's weird. He looks nervous."
"I'll be back." Tom said as he got up and headed towards his table.
Jimi look up at him and blinked. "Oh…hey Tom." He said as he leaned back against his chair.
"Hey, uh…what are you doing?" He asked as he stood there a little awkwardly.
"What's it to you?" He asked as he jutted his chin towards him. "Can't I just hang out?"
Tom sighed and held up his hands. "Hey man I'm just trying to be nice. If you want, I'll uh…be over there."
Tom started to walk away before Jimi called out. "Wait…uh…can I ask you something?"
"Sure man." He said as he looked at him. "What's up?"
Jimi swallowed slightly as he fiddled with his hands. "Do you think I could possibly…have a chance with uh…with Maddy?"
Tom looked at him eyes wide as he sat down. "Did I uh…did I hear you right?"
He groaned slightly as he looked over to where Maddy and Shannon were in deep conversation. "Okay I know, I know. It's weird and strange but I think I like her."
Tom looked at him and nodded as he shook his head. "Wow. That's uh…that's a curve ball. I uh… didn't know you felt that way about her."
"I didn't until a couple weeks ago. You know I've been doing a lot of thinking and I know I haven't been the best person. I want to be different. I don't want to be known as our high school bully."
Tom looked at him and nodded slightly. "Well, I can't tell you that you have a chance with her. I can tell you that you can at least try and be nicer to them. That might at least make you friends."
Jimi nodded and sighed running a hand over his face. "I get that. I would say it's a longshot myself. Especially with her and Rhydian being close."
"They are rather close." He said nodding as he folded his hands in front of him. "If you really want to go for it, then go for it. Just don't be an ass if she says no."
He chuckled a little as he looked at him and nodded. "I'll try and do that for sure. We'll see what happens."
Tom nodded as he stood up and shook hands with him before heading back to the table.
Shannon looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. "What was that all about?"
"Jimi just being Jimi." He said shrugging as he drank his milkshake. "So, what are we doing today?"
"You guys go have fun. I'll head home here soon." Maddy said as she looked at them.
"No. Nope, not happening. We're friends and pack. We stick together. We're not going to let you mope around by yourself." Shannon said smiling as she thought of something. "Ohh…we should look for a bag for Rhydian's present."
Maddy thought about it for a moment and hummed as she looked at them. "That could be good."
Tom looked at them and smiled nodding. "I think that's a good idea."
Maddy nodded as she smiled getting up. "I'll get this round and we can go shopping."
Shannon nodded as she got up and looked to Maddy. "We'll meet you outside Mads." She called guiding Tom out of the building.
Maddy nodded waving to them as she got out her wallet to pay for their drinks. She turned around bumping into Jimi. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said looking up at him.
"It's alright." He said smiling as he put his hands in his pockets. "I should've paid attention to how close I was."
She nodded putting her wallet away. "It's cool. No harm done." She said looking around awkwardly.
"You know, I never got an answer from earlier. Would you like to uh…hang out like a uh…date?" He asked nervously.
Maddy looked at him shocked for a moment before clearing her throat. "I uh…this is…" She said shaking her head slightly.
"Hey, I know I haven't been friendly towards you or Rhydian for that matter. All I'm asking is one date and if it doesn't work out, we can work on being friends."
She watched him for a moment as she tilted her head. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Jimi Chen?" she asked a small smirk on her face.
He chuckled a little as he smiled rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's just say that I've had a change of heart recently."
She looked at him and nodded softly. "Alright, one date. We'll see how it goes. Tonight?"
"Tonight works." He said nodding as he smiled at her. "I'll come around your place around seven."
She looked at him and nodded softly. "Yeah, see you then." She said as she walked around him and went to meet up with her friends.
Shannon looked at her curiously. "What were you and Jimi talking about in there?"
Maddy looked at her for a moment and sighed. "I just agreed to go on a date with Jimi Chen."
Shannon's eyes widened as she looked at her. "What do you mean you agreed to go on a date with him?"