Title: Drop Out
Fandom: Xiaolin Showdown
Characters: Rai, Kim, Fung, Jermaine, Elena (my oc), Keiko, Dick (my oc), Toshiro, Maid (my oc)
Prompt: 088:School
Word Count: 14,058
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Hate turned to love. Choices with consequences. Oh the drama that is high school.
Author's Note: This took so llllooonnnngggg to finish and it was mostly because I was suffering a block and I didn't know how to end it. Not to mention that I edited it so many times until it fit my liking. So now I start off the Final Five with this. I hope you enjoy the drama, romance, and the tension (emphasis on drama.) Also this has a little lime and that is in bold so if you want to skip over it, you can. Also, I would like to add an apology if the ending seemed rushed. I just wanted to get this up before my b-day (Holy crap! I'm gonna be 21 this Saturday!!!) Enjoy.
"Raimundo Pedrosa?"
"Right here, Mr. Fung-Ass." A roar of laughter filled the room. "Excuse me, Mr. Fung." His behavior not a surprise for anyone that knew him. He has always been known for his antics and remarks. To anyone that wasn't friends with him, he was known as the 'class jackass.' He's someone that every school has and was no exception to the rule.
"One more remark like that, Raimundo, and it's the principals office for you," said the bald teacher before the class. Raimundo sent him a smirk. Clearly not threatened (considering he was use to it at this point in his high school career.) The teacher continued to take attendance from one student to another.
"Kimiko Tohomiko?"
"Here," Kim said, looking up from her notebook. Now she was the direct opposite of Raimundo. She was your average over achiever. The head of the student council, on the honor roll, accepted into both Yale and Brown, among the rich popular kids, and dated and broke up with the school jock. Fabulous life, right? So now you are asking yourself, how does a girl like her get mixed up with a guy like him? Only three words can summarize that.
"Research paper time." The class groaned. "Yeah yeah, save your sorrow. I'll be pairing you up and the two of you will be researching American authors. It has to be five pages long including the title page, references, and a citation."
"In other words, another way to put the entire class to sleep!" Raimundo said aloud. More laughter followed.
"Well, Raimundo, it sounds like you just volunteered yourself." Raimundo still smirked. "Lets see... who to pair you up with..." Mr. Fung's eyes glazed over the classroom until his eyes fell on one person. "Well, here's an interesting concept. Miss Kimiko Tohomiko." Her head shot up at him then to the back where Raimundo sat. He had the same surprised look as well and couldn't believe his ears. He then looked over at her and the two sent each other a glare.
It is not a surprise to anyone that these two hated each other. Their feelings for each other went as far back as middle school when Raimundo's family moved to this small town and as he settled in to his new school, Kimiko offered to be friends with the boy but his exact words were 'I don't make friends with spoiled snobs.' Ever since, he started hanging out with the bullies. He beat and robbed anyone within arms length. Including Kimiko and ever since, she held a grudge against him. It seemed hopeless for these two to finally get along, and what's to change from this project?
Later, when the groups were asked to meet, Raimundo sat down in the emptyseat next to her and gave her an intent look.
"Listen, princess," he said while her eye twitched from that nickname. "You don't like me, and I don't like you. So why don't you just do us both a favor and work on this paper while I sit idly by." He started to get up until she grabbed his arm and forced him back down.
"If you think you're getting off this easily, then grab a leash. There's no way I'm going to do this by myself." Then his famous smirk shown.
"I see how this goes. Well, y'know what? I saw A Walk To Remember with an ex and let me tell you, this is not gonna end like that."
"You mean you don't want me to die with cancer? How sweet," she said with sarcasm dripping in her voice. He too gave her a sarcastic laugh.
"Funny. You're an original Carrot Top."
"But that's not a bad idea though."
"Huh?" he asked, completely off guard.
"I'm talking about Nicholas Sparks."
"Who?"
"Y'know, The Notebook? Message In A Bottle?"
"So he's a movie director?" She let out a snort.
"He's an American author. He wrote The Wedding, At First Sight, True Believer-"
"Great, you sound like you got this figured out. So, I'll leave you to it." He got up but she grabbed his arm again and forced him back down. "Damn girl, you're pretty strong." She sent him a glare as she grabbed a cluster of his shirt and brought his face close to hers. His eyes widened as she did so. Surprised that she was able to do it without breaking a sweat.
"Walk away now, and I'll be one of those psycho stalker girls. I'll be calling you and sending you emails until you do your end of the project. Got it?" She added through gritted teeth. Then he got a smirk on him.
"And I thought you didn't like me." She sent him a glare as she pushed him away.
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Oh I won't, miss honor roll. I wouldn't want to spoil your chances in getting into an Ivy League school."
"Well for your information, I already got accepted into both Yale and Brown."
"Oh wow! That's fantastic! We should throw a parade for you right in the middle of the hallway!" he said, dripping with even more with sarcasm. She let out a groan.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered.
"You're telling me." Then she got up and walked over to Mr. Fung.
"Mr. Fung?" He looked up at her.
"Yes?"
"Um, could I pair up with another person? Please?" He gave her an intent stare.
"Is there anything wrong with Raimundo?"
"He's just not taking it seriously." He made a clicking sound with his tongue.
"Do you know why I chose you to be his partner, Miss Tohomiko?" She shook her head. "Because I want to see him walk the stage and you are the only one that can put up with him."
"But sir, I'm sure there are others that can handle him."
"No, Kimiko. It has to be you." She looked back at him as a scorn look formed on her face. But none the less, she went back to her seat beside him with a heavy slump. He still got his smirk.
"By the looks of it, you need me as much as I need you." She let out a groan as she went over a number of authors in her mind.
"OK, here's what I'm thinking. We could do John Steinbeck." He cocked an eyebrow.
"Who?" She let out another groan.
"Don't tell me you slept through Of Mice and Men."
"You mean that movie with that retarded guy and the midget gets the whore?"
"That's not all there is to it."
"Oh yeah? Then enlighten me," he said as he placed his hands behind his head.
"It takes place during the Great Depression and it's about two friends that would go through hell just to have their own ranch. But by the end, one of them gets shot and they don't achieve their dreams." He merely stared at her.
"So? What's the point?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what's the point of this if they don't live happily ever after?"
"Not everything has to have a happily ever after."
"I know, but to have someone go up to you and tell you to give your hopes up. That's kinda depressing. Isn't it?" She considered it and thought to be true.
"I suppose you're right. But that's not the only thing he wrote. So, how about it? My place after school?" she asked very casually. He stared at her.
"You don't mind having a guy like me at your mansion?"
"As long as you don't steal anything," she added quickly.
"There we go," he said, as if expecting to hear it. "All right, you're on." They agreed to meet up at the parking lot after school that day and he would follow her home. Not denying that they completely hated the idea of him coming over to her place after only a day. Hell, the idea of the two relying on each other to do their ends of the project was not comforting in the very least. So you can pretty much guess where their trust lies. No where to be seen.
They pulled up simultaneously before a huge mansion. She got out of her Hybrid while he got out of his Oldsmobile. When he looked at the house, his eyes widened.
"Nice place," he said, marveling at the construction.
"Yeah well don't get too comfortable," she retorted as she stepped through the giant front doors. His eyes widened even more by the high ceilings and the luxurious décor as he closed the door behind him.
"So this is how the other half lives," he commented, not really thinking. She merely ignored him.
"We'll go into the library," she said nonchalantly as she lead him down the hallway and through a door that lead them to the library. His eyes widened even more at how tall the bookcases were and how there was not an inch of space shown in between books. The variety was extensive and varied from fiction to non-fiction, from angst to romance, and from Poe to Hemingway.
"This place is bigger than the schools'," he commented.
"Yeah. I pretty much consider the school library to be a joke," she replied as she set down her stuff on an empty table. He followed in pursuit.
"Compare to this place, I'd say the same thing." She went down a row and was looking through authors.
"At least we agree on something," she said as she found what she was looking for and picked a majority of books. She went back to him and placed the load onto the table. He stared with a cocked eyebrow.
"What's all this?" he asked.
"These are the books that Steinbeck wrote," she replied. He picked up a couple and scanned the covers.
"Grapes of Wrath? Red Pony? How many did he write?"
"He wrote about thirty books."
"So, why can't we just do this over the Internet?"
"Oh, we will, I just want you to familiarize with his work." He stared at her.
"Are you saying you want me to read all this?" he said, nearly in a panicked voice.
"No. Just some," she smirked. She was having fun with this and he could tell.
"You think you're so funny, huh?"
"It's fun messing with people's heads," she muttered to herself but was loud enough for him to hear. He scowled at her as she went to a nearby computer. When her back was facing him, he rose an eyebrow and couldn't help but feel intrigued by this girl.
They spent the rest of the afternoon doing research. He was reading Sweet Thursday while she searched the Internet for a biography. Whenever she would look over to him, he had this concentrated look onto him as if trying to focus. She couldn't help but think that he looked kinda cute with that face. Not that she liked him or anything, she just found it kinda cute.
When she stared at him last, he turned to her and she quickly looked away. A hint of blush shown from embarrassment. He let on a smile and thought he should talk to her.
"So... big house for only you." She turned to him with question.
"What?"
"Does any one else live here?" he clarified. She tilted her head understandably.
"Oh, it's just me and my dad."
"Really? What happened to your mom?"
"She left." He lowered his eyebrows. The way she responded was questioning considering she didn't hesitate and sounded like she didn't care at all.
"What do you mean she left?" She turned to him.
"Why do you want to know so much?" she asked and she sounded to him like she was offended. Deciding to drop it, he turned back to the book.
"Sorry I asked." Her face shown confusion at his deadpan response as she quickly shook her head and went back to the computer screen.
They spent a couple more hours doing research until it was time for Raimundo to leave. She gave him the courtesy of escorting him to the door. They said their goodbyes to each other and that they'll meet the following day. He walked down the path to his car. Thinking the meeting wasn't as bad as he originally thought. He actually imagined a huge argument ensued and he stormed right out. But it didn't happen. Of course he was curious on the silent nature and thought that maybe, if given a chance, they would actually get along. He dismissed the idea and thought there was no way a girl like her would actually hang out with a guy like him. He made a mental not to have a cigarette on the way home.
He opened the driver side door and entered, but when he turned on the ignition, the engine went up in smoke. He cursed aloud and slammed his fist on the wheel. He then looked up at the mansion and grimaced to the thought of what he had to do.
Fortunately for him, she watched him from the window as his car started to steam. Not on purpose, she just happen to walk by the window at the exact moment. She saw him walk up the way and heard the doorbell ring. She went to the door and saw Raimundo's deflated face.
"Can I bum a ride?" he asked.
The majority of the time was spent in silence. She couldn't help but feel pity towards him as he stared blankly out the window. It swelled up in her throat and the voice of her father screamed in her head for her to be courteous. She let out a heavy sigh as she took a turn.
"If you want, I can lend you the money to fix it up," she said generously. He looked at her as if she were insane.
"For a '69? I doubt it. And besides, I don't want your money," he added with a bit of attitude. He felt his pocket and found his pack of cigarettes.
"Sorry. Didn't have to be so snide about it."
"Then you shouldn't of given me that offer." Her blood began to boil as he took out a cigarette.
"What's the matter with you? I do something nice and you take it as a bad thing."
"I'm not a charity case!" his voice rising.
"I never said you were!"
"I know pity when I see it!"
"How would you know that I pitied you?! Your head is so thick that it doesn't even register courtesy!"
"Or maybe you head is so thick that it doesn't know when to mind your own business! Ever think of that?!" She stopped at a red light.
"And who asked who to give you a ride?!"
"I had no choice! It's either get a ride from this chic or walk home! And now, I don't mind taking that ten mile walk!" The light turned green and it was a silent anger.
"Jackass," she muttered.
"Bitch," he muttered, not even bothering to light up.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence. She took a couple of turns here and there while the atmosphere was filled with angry silence.
"Stop here," he said.
"What?" she asked, not believing what he just requested.
"Stop right now. I can walk from here."
"Why? How far are we to your house?"
"Less than a mile, can you stop now?" She looked over at him and saw his determined face.
"Fine." She slowed down and came to an eventual halt. He opened the door and slammed it. She watched him light up his cigarette with an angry stride.
She had no idea know what his problem was. He's the one that took offense when all she tried to do was be nice. That's how her father always taught her. Treat people with respect and you get the same thing back. But with Raimundo, to her, he can be the most egotistical, pompous, jerk that she ever laid eyes on. The thought alone made her shiver every time he comes to mind and a vile feeling rose in her chest. That's how much she truly hated him. But was it really hate that she was feeling?
The next day, the bell rang and class was dismissed. She walked out of Math and was heading towards Economics when she spotted Raimundo join his gang and started talking away with his buddies. She went over to him with confidence in her steps and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and was immediately irritated.
"What do you want?" he said very snide like. Then his friend, Jermaine, turned to see her as well.
"Yeah. What's a snobby bitch like you stalking Rai?" he said with as much attitude. Some laughed to this.
"Oh clever. Well just so you know, I hate your boyfriend." They sent her a glare. "And second, I need to talk to Raimundo. Alone." The whole gang stared and gave a wolf whistle at the two. Raimundo merely rolled his eyes and Kim gagged in disgust. She grabbed his arm and dragged him away.
"Y'know, you really hit below the belt there," he said as they were away from ear shot.
"Yeah, yeah. Cry me a river," she said as they stopped and faced each other. "So, about our paper-"
"Oh yeah. We wouldn't want you a fail now, do we?" He smirked. She glared at him.
"So, I was thinking we can continue at your house," she suggested. His eyes shown a little uneasiness in them as he looked at her. She arched an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. We just can't do it tonight." She was now skeptical.
"Why?"
"Because... our house is getting fumigated. Wouldn't want any of us to get poisoned." She furrowed her eyebrows.
Not once did she believe him for a second. She asked herself, who uses that excuse anymore? It's like the cliché to end all clichés. So, when it came down to it, she decided after school that day to follow him. But there was one problem, he didn't have a car anymore. But she did hear from a friend that he was getting a ride from one of his friends. So now all she had to do is leave class early and wait out in the parking lot.
When he came out, he was walking along with Jermaine and they went over to his car. Luckily for her, he didn't see her in her car. They eventually pulled out and into the road. That's when she turned on the ignition and followed. It was basically the same route that she took to drop him off the previous day.Turn here, turn there. But the only difference being that she actually continued on the same road that she dropped him off on. But remained at least twenty feet to avoid being conspicuous.
When the car ahead eventually stopped, she saw that the house was actually fairly small. One floor and was a shade of black. The shutters looked to be like they were there for at least two decades and the driveway only consisted with dirt. When Jermaine's car finally vanished from sight, she parked on the curb on the other side of the street. She got out and walked across the street and cut through the lawn (which really didn't matter considering how many paths of dead grass that were there) and went up to the white front door that was covered by a screen door. She pulled the door open and knocked on the one inside and waited. She heard footsteps coming to the door and she watched as it opened and there stood Raimundo through the screen. With a crest fallen face, knowing that she had caught him.
"Fumigated, huh?" she said. He looked at her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Easy, to do the project. Now, why did you lie to me?" He mumbled something under his breath that she didn't catch right away. "Sorry?"
"Nothing. Are you gonna come in?"
"Oh, right." She opened the screen door and stepped through the frame and was met with a kitchen with assorted chairs around the table and another door frame at the other side. He lead her through it and to the right was the living room. She couldn't help to have her eyes wonder in that direction and saw five little kids (three boys, two girls) sitting before the TV. To her, they looked from six to fourteen. One of them saw her and curiosity took over the child's face.
"Raimundo! Who's the pretty girl?!" the little girl screamed. Raimundo came up and got a disgruntled look on him.
"Kim, my brothers and sisters. Martin, Carlos, Octavius, Catalina, and Elena, Kim. Now can we get this project done and over with," he said rather abrupt. He then walked down the hallway and went through the door farthest in. Kim look at the four kids and sent them a smile.
"I'm sorry my brother is like that," the one called Elena said.
"It's all right. Nothing I couldn't handle," Kim said as she said her 'See you laters'. She stepped through the door that she saw Raimundo go through and saw two single beds on the ends of the room. You could tell the two ends apart. Sure the clutter was big, but they differentiate. One end had Power Ranger toys and candy wrappers scattered and the other were clothes, magazines (mostly porn but that leaked out from under the bed), and posters covering the wall that include Three Days Grace, Nickelback, Green Day, and Linkin Park. The other side's wall was drawings that only an eleven year old can do, Power Ranger and Pokemon posters.
"Nice room," she said.
"Yeah, yeah," he responded. "My laptop is over there." He indicated to the desk and she saw his computer sitting there. She then opened her bag and took out her copy of Sweet Thursday and handed it to him. He took it from her grasp and sat down on his bed while she sat down before the laptop and started it up.
"Y'know, I think it's sweet that you would babysit your brothers and sisters," she said. He looked up at her and stared at her back.
"I'm not babysitting," he said defensively.
"Then what do you call looking after little kids?" He sent her a glare and she can feel it burning on the back of her neck.
"Business."
"Well, whatever you call it, I still think it's sweet." He kept looking at her. Still trying to figure her out.
An hour in and they haven't said a word to each other. But that didn't mean that there was unneeded tension in the air. So many questions and yet couldn't word them right. But even if they were worded correctly, they knew that they can't be asked just yet. Only because they knew it was none of their businesses to begin with. But that didn't mean they were still floating around.
That is, while Kim was waiting for a page to load up, her eyes skimmed over the desk and took note of the clutter. But there was one thing that really stuck out though. It was a leather book. Looked more like a journal than anything else. She turned around and saw that he was engrossed into the book. She turned back and reached out to the journal. She picked it up and placed it before her. She turned to a random page and saw there was a poem.
You are not gone.
You never were.
But I can't help but feel the emptiness,
That use to have your presence.
I wish it weren't true.
I wish for you to come back.
But that can't happen.
As much as I hate to admit.
But I know that you are not gone.
You are still here.
Where my heart use to be.
"What're you doing?!" She felt the book being ripped away from her grasp. She looked up and saw his angry face.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it," she said, not taking any offense. "I didn't know you're a poet."
"I'm not... It's my brothers'." She arched an eyebrow.
"No offense, but I don't think an eleven year old is able to write something like that." He turned away from her. Determined not to look at her face. Just by the look on his face, it didn't take her long to really figure out what was really going on inside his head.
"Why are you ashamed?"
"I'm not ashamed," he muttered. She then got up.
"I think you are." She took a step closer to him.
"You're wrong."
"Oh yeah? Let me guess, you're so into your man pride that you're afraid of what everyone thinks."
"I'm not afraid!" he shouted as he turned to her angrily. His face close to hers. Then he saw what he didn't expect to see. Her face remained as it is while he yelled at her. "You just don't understand. Guys like me don't do poetry."
"Really? Then what do 'guys like you' do then? Beat up innocent people? Steal from those that are in need?" He looked at her. Not believing that she had this big of a mouth to stand up to him and say all this.
"You think you get me, don't you? Well guess what, princess, you're wrong. You have no idea what I went through," he sneered.
"Oh really? Have you ever considered what I went through?!" Taken aback at first, but his stubborn mind told him that she was only bluffing just to rouse him up.
"Please! The only thing you went through is when your dad doesn't give you money!"
"That's not it you jackass!"
"Oh yeah?! Then tell me! What hell is it that you went through?!"
"My mother abandoned us!" A hot tear now rolling down her face. She covered her mouth and realized what she had said. He looked at her with a gaping mouth. He didn't have the slightest idea that something like that occurred in her life. Now he knew why she sounded so careless when he asked about her mother and immediately cooled down.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. Not expecting him to hear that, she merely looked down.
"Should be." He put a hand through his hair and felt that he needed to apologize even further.
"I mean... I do have an idea of what it's like, but I thought you were Miss Perfect or something."
"Well, now you know I'm not." There was silence between them. Not knowing what to say nor what to do and could feel the heaviness in the air. "Who's it about?" she asked out of the blue. He looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
"Huh?" She gestured to the book in his hand and he handed it to her. She flipped through the pages and found the poem she read. She handed it back to him and he read over the page.
"Oh, it's about my sister." She lowered her eyebrows in confusion.
"But isn't your sister sitting in the-"
"My older sister." She nodded understandably. "She... died a few years ago." He closed the book and sat down on his bed. She sat down beside him. Focusing her attention on him, having the feeling again. "In a car accident... Just before we moved... We were close... And it affected me badly... I still feel like I would come home and expect see her..." He stared down on the floor. The hurt clearly in his face.
"So that's why you're so angry all the time," she said in a quiet voice, putting the pieces together in her head.
"You better believe it." She grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. It was the only thing she knew how to comfort him without taking it in a negative way. Surprised by gesture, he turned to her and saw how close she was that he could feel her breath over his. Nearly sending a chill over him. Lips parted and eyes not breaking contact. He then let out a snort and got up away from her. Letting go of her hand.
"What's up?" she asked.
"What're we doing?" She looked at him in confusion. He turned around and faced her again. "We were yelling at first and now we're opening up to each other? I don't know about you, but I feel like..." He trailed off and looked at her. She knew exactly what he meant but asked anyway.
"L-Like what?" He stared at her. She stared back. Feeling the tension in the air. Many things racing their minds. But knew that it couldn't be. He turned around and faced the wall with eyes shut tightly.
"I think you should leave," he suggested while feeling his pocket. A slight pause but he can detect the confusion. "Y'know, before we do something we might regret." She looked down and knew that he was right. With heavy steps, she left through the door and out of the house. Finding difficulty putting the key in the ignition. Breathing heavily on the way as thoughts of Raimundo kept entering her mind. But she couldn't understand, after two days and he had this much affect on her. It wasn't suppose to happen like this. She couldn't understand at all.
The next morning, she was with her clique and they were talking about a party that would take place the following weekend. She didn't pay attention though, her thoughts were on the previous day. The feeling that was brought up when she was with him. She tried to find a reasonable explanation for it and it came down to two things. It was either another form of hatred, or something she was actually developing feelings for him. Then she felt eyes boring onto her as she turned her head around and saw Raimundo staring at her. The feeling entered her chest again and she found her breath coming in short. All the confusion came back to her head and she found she couldn't look away.
"Kimi? Kimiko?" She turned back in a flash and saw her friends looking at her.
"Sorry, what?" she asked.
"Are you up for the party?" One friend asked. She blinked several times and immediately remembered they were talking about.
"Uh, yeah. I am," she responded and her friends rejoiced and started talking about such and such nonsense that she continued not paying attention too. That is, until her friend, Keiko, looked at her and saw how distant she was. She grabbed her arm and dragged her off from earshot. Kimiko took this in complete surprise.
"Kimi, are you OK?" she asked her with concern in her voice.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Why?" Keiko studied her and then a huge O formed around her mouth. "Is something wrong?"
"I know that look. That's the look you got when you were with... Oh my gosh, you met someone!" Kimiko then got defensive.
"What? No I didn't." That was not the truth, nor was it a lie.
"Don't lie. Who is he? Did something happen? You have to tell me," she pleaded now grabbing her best friend's hands.
"OK, first off, nothing happened. And second, there is no 'he'." Keiko only stared at her.
"Kimiko, how long have we known each other?" Kimiko sighed.
"Since Pre-K."
"And do you think I would know by now when you're lying."
"I'm not lying!" she exclaimed. Keiko's face hasn't phased. "And besides, even if there was a guy, we can't be together." Her eyes now on the ground. Keiko's eyes now drew in concern.
"Why not?"
"Because... I'm not entirely sure. I mean, we never got along, ever, and then I started having these feelings. And it's only been a couple of days! How can it be possible for me to feel this way?" Keiko continued to stare.
"I dunno... Love does crazy things to people. Even when they don't know about it. So, who knows, maybe you felt this way longer than you thought." Kimiko looked at her.
Is she right about that? she thought. Then someone else joined them and they tapped Kimiko on the shoulder. She turned around and saw Raimundo. Her chest swelled at the sight of him and her eyes were fixated on his.
"Hey Kim..." he said.
"Hi..." she responded, feeling the awkward air surround her. He dug into his bag and took out a book.
"Here, you forgot this..." She took it and saw it was her copy of Sweet Thursday
"Oh, thanks... I'll... see you later?" she added with uncertainty.
"Yeah... See you." So, he went off. She turned back to Keiko and saw her knowing eyes.
"What?" But Keiko didn't say anything else when the bell rang.
Paying attention in class should be an understatement. Only because that entire day, only thoughts were consumed with the pair. She was asking questions in her head on what it be like to be with him. More whether or not it would work or were their differences too strong to be more than anything else. While with him, he can feel he wanted to do things with her. Muscles tensed at the provocative thoughts of her with him in a bedroom with very little to no clothes. He could kick himself for thinking such a thing if it weren't for that porcelain complexion. Staring with those big icy blue eyes that went from hate to... he couldn't find the word to describe it.
When they reached English, they shared an awkward stare and continued on to their seats. But when the class was asked to do the project, they didn't say a word as they sat next to each other. Not speaking to one another. Knowing that if one says one word, it would bring much more unneeded tension. That is, until Mr. Fung came over and examined the two.
"Any problems here?" he asked before them.
"Uh... no sir," she replied. Avoiding eye contact.
"Then tell me, are you two so different that you can work together without making eye contact?" The two looked up at him with as much confusion shown on their faces as much in their minds. "Remember, if you play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time," he said as he left them to think.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I hate when he does that," Raimundo muttered at the midst of the situation. She couldn't help but let out a small giggle. He turned to her and was surprised to find that he enjoyed hearing her laugh with such a tender softness. She turned to him with a smile and he actually thought she was kind of cute. When he realized this, he quickly shook his head and added a blush. Her eyes widened at the sight.
Why did he blush like that? She thought.
"So... you gonna go?" She shook her head out of thought.
"Huh?"
"I hear there's a party this weekend. You gonna go?" he asked again.
"Uh... Yeah, I am. Why? Are you?"
"Depends." She arched an eyebrow. "Y'know, if I'm bored that night." She nodded her head understandably and couldn't help but let on another smile.
Days leading up to the party were uneventful. They kept working on the project, but it kept getting even more awkward every time. It wasn't a doubt in their minds that they like each other, but to only really realize they felt the same way would take something much more. A nudge, maybe? Who's to say?
When the day arrived, she and Keiko spent the entire day getting ready for the evening. Kimiko decided to give herself soft curls. Anything to keep her mind busy. But never the less, her thoughts were consumed with curiosity. Like what it must be like to hold him, touch him, or even, dare she think it, kiss him.
Evening strolled by fast and they arrived at the party like it was no big deal. The two girls stood by a wall and surveyed the party around them. She doesn't know what Keiko was staring at, but all she could stare at was a grove on the floor.
"Y'know as well as I do that he's gonna be here," Keiko had said. Kimiko continued to look down on the floor with an unsure face.
"I know."
"So there's no sense in beating around the bush. Tell him." Kimiko shook her head.
"It can't be that simple."
"Why not? He's single, your single. And you've been bummed out all week. And when he comes close, you have that look any girl would kill for. Who knows? He might even be the one." She continued to stare at the grove.
"Maybe. But it's not for sure." She took one more look and felt very tired some. To her, these parties were all the same. Idiots getting drunk by the keg, the sluts being as they are.
In other words, same ol' same ol', she thought. That is, until the front door burst open and you can probably guess who came in. That's right, Raimundo and his gang came through the door and an excitement entered her chest. It was as if seeing him was what she really needed. Until, her ex-boyfriend, Dick (the jock), went up to him and stared at him with hatred on his face. Raimundo didn't back down.
"That's weird, I don't remember inviting any beaners to my party," Dick said.
"There are beaners here? I must be missing them," he shot back.
"Must be, because there's one staring right at my face." Raimundo snorted.
"Oh yeah? I only ask because the last time I checked, beaners are Mexicans you moron," he added with more vulgar into his words. Everybody can tell that a fight was about ensue as they gathered around them, egging them on. That was when Kimiko got up and stepped in between the two.
"OK, that's enough. We don't want the cops to come barging in," she said. The two backed away. Seeing the point she brought up. But the scowls not evaporating in the least.
"I get it, I didn't know you went for Spanish trash, Kimiko." She scowled at him and Raimundo sieged him but was blocked by her.
"I'm not Spanish you bastardo do caralho!"
"What did you just call me?" Dick moved forward. Kimiko then pushed him away.
"Enough! Both of you. You on that end and you on the other," she said while pointing to opposite ends of the room. The boys gave each other one last glare before finally moving to those ends. Kimiko went back over to Keiko. Her friend stared at her with interest.
"So, other than trying to be the peace maker, what's the real reason you broke up their fight?" Kimiko looked at her.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't wanna see Raimundo getting hurt, do you?" Her eyes widened and averted them to the grove on the floor.
A couple hours passed and things cooled down for the time being. More drunk people were still around and about. But when it came down to the two in question, they hadn't spoken to each other. Only brief glances were exchanged.
A guy offered to dance with her, she looked over at Rai and saw him scowling. She turned him down. Some girls wanted to "spend" more time with him and he would look at Kim and saw her do the same. He declined. Nothing more and nothing less. But what was surprising was when a slow song played.
She looked over to him and saw he was staring back. Not breaking the eye contact, he moved over to her. Ignoring the glances he was getting. He stood before her with his hand held out to her. She stared at him until she delicately took his hand. He lead her to the floor and he placed his hands around her waist. She wrapped her hands around his neck and interlaced her fingers. They stared at each other all the while they were dancing. She was so close to him, she can feel his breathe over her. She brought him down and leaned against his forehead. She was ready to kiss him when he shook his head.
"No. Not here," he whispered. He placed his hand over hers and lead her outside.
Then he took her to the side of the house where no one could see or hear them. She leaned against the wall and he kissed her. Fully and open mouth. Her hands searched through his hair and made their way to the back of his head. His hand was on the wall and the other was on the lower of her back. Bringing her close to him. Giving in to temptation that was building for the past week. Not thinking for a second of the consequences that will ensue. But then a thought crossed her mind as she pulled away and he stared at her in confusion.
"What's wrong?" he asked in between gasps. Then she walked a foot away from him.
"What're we doing?" she exasperated. He stared at her.
"What does it look like?" She shook her head.
"Raimundo..."
"No, what's going on, Kim? Don't you want to kiss me?"
"Of course I do! It's just... I use to hate you, Raimundo. And now..." Her eyes welled up and the same feeling in her chest started to constrict. He came closer to her.
"You think this is confusing? How do you think I feel?"
"That's the thing, I know you don't care!" She stepped back as he stared at her with wide eyes as she unleashed what she had felt to him.
"I don't ca- What makes you think I don't care?!"
"You made it clear to me from the beginning that you weren't going to do your end of the project and then, all of a sudden, I start having these feelings for you-"
"Wait, you have feelings for me?" She stared at him and nodded.
"Yes. I did. And I'm not like those girls that loses herself over a guy she can barely stand. I don't know how and I don't know why, but I know that it wasn't suppose to happen. But it did and I can't change that." She turned around to leave but he grabbed her arm and pulled her in to another kiss. She was shocked at first but absorbed the kiss none the less. Then he pulled away and stared at her.
"You think you're screwed up?" he muttered. "Then welcome aboard because I'm just as screwed up as you are." She laughed. "At least I got you laughing." She stopped laughing and wrapped her arms around his neck while staring at him. Playing around with the nip of his neck. She was completely lost within him and realizing that he wasn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. Stubborn, that's for sure. But when he showed concern, he really did show it. She could tell that he would put harms way to keep anyone that he loved safe. She let on a smile to that final thought as she continued to stare at his green eyes.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Anything."
"How come you don't show this side of you?" He lowered his eyebrows in confusion. "Y'know, you're this hardcore bad ass on the outside, but inside, you're sensitive, poetic, endearing. Any girl would fall for you."
"Yeah, well, you're not like other girls yourself." It was her turn to be confused. "You show everyone you're this rich girl that only cares about getting into Yale and yet, you care too. Not to mention you got this thing when I yelled at you, you don't back down. I don't think I've ever met anyone like that, but I know I like it." She smiled.
"So... does that mean you have feelings for me as well?" He gave a light kiss.
"What do you think?" She smiled. Then she brought him down again and gave him another deep kiss.
Then they heard a crash like garbage cans colliding together and falling down. They turned quickly to see Dick's drunken face stumbling towards them. Raimundo instinctively placed his hands on her shoulders and brought her close. When he finally found his feet, he looked to see the two stand before him.
"Well what do we have here? A Chinese tramp and Spanish trash," he slurred his words. Raimundo was about to go after him but Kimiko stopped him.
"Don't. He's drunk. He won't remember anything," she said.
"You think so, Kimiko? Or is your boyfriend too chicken to take on a real man," Dick slurred again. Raimundo pushed her aside and threw a punch at him. He reeled back and wiped away the blood from his mouth. "Is that all you got? My grandma hits harder than you! And she's ninety!" Raimundo threw another punch and Dick retaliated. But when Dick threw another punch, he missed Raimundo's face and got kneed in the stomach instead. Dick got on all fours and looked up at Kimiko's horror stricken face.
"The hell do you see in that guy?" He slurred again and steadily got up. "You don't deserve low life trash like him." She then got angry at him.
"And what? I deserve you? After what you put me through?" she spat at him. "Well, y'know what? Raimundo is thrice the man you are." She walked to him and gave him a punch to the mouth. Knocking him out. She then walked over to Raimundo and grabbed his hand to walk away. They returned to the party and stood together by a wall.
"Don't tell me you dated that guy," he said. She looked at him with the anger evaporated from her eyes and went into seriousness.
"I was a Freshman. We were all stupid back then," she replied. He agreed with her, saying that he has demons from that year as well. She put a hand on his bruised cheek and caressed it. She then kissed him while he wrapped his arm around her waist. Not caring about the stares they received.
After the party, you could say that Kimiko and Raimundo, obviously, became a couple and ever since, things were fantastic. She loved cuddling up to him, kissing him, holding his hand, and mess around with his hair. Sure they have their fights, but they always ended with a very heated make out session. Keiko always said that they looked great together and the stares that they get is enough to make them laugh. Maybe the ones that are staring are thinking that opposites really do attract or that it won't last. Raimundo's friends didn't mind all that much either. Annoyed that he was now spending his time with her maybe, but they were good enough friends that want to see him happy. Either way, they didn't care. As long as they have each other, nothing else really mattered.
The following weekend, she was over at his house and she lay on his bed reading more of his writings. Smiling as her eyes read over every word. From one poem to another story, she could tell that he had been writing in it for a few years. From small kiddish words to more mature ones. Seeing his ordeals written so eloquently that she could feel the love, sorrow, and happiness. She let out a sigh as she finished another sonnet.
He came back in with two sodas in his hand as he sat down beside her.
"Thanks for letting me read this," she said not taking her eyes off.
"Hey, you're my girl. It's the least I can do," he said as she put down the book on her chest and saw him look at her with the affection that he has for her.
"So I'm you're girl now, huh?" she teased. He sent her a playful look as he leaned over her and planted a kiss on her. He pulled back and gave his playful smirk.
"Yeah. You got a problem with that?" he teased as he handed her the soda. She sat up and popped the top and drank from it. She stared into it and had to bring up something that she knew would damper this moment.
"The paper is due next week," she said. He let out a sigh.
"I know." He rolled his eyes. She caught sight of this.
"I'm sorry if you don't want to do this, but I can't have a bad grade."
"Oh of course not. Especially since you are already going to college," he said with a small hint of sarcasm as he drank his soda.
"What's that suppose to mean?" she shot back.
"I'm just saying, you already got into the best schools in the country, why worry about crap like this now?" She sent him a glare.
"Well for your information, the hard work doesn't end when you get the acceptance letter. Do you even realize that it's twice as hard in the real world?" He let out a frustrated sigh.
"Not this again," he muttered, referring to the oncoming argument.
"I'm serious, Raimundo. Do you even know what you are gonna do when you're out there?" He shot her a look.
"Of course I know what I'm gonna do. My older brother has a job for me at a body shop just north from here." She gave him a look now.
"You're not going to college?" she asked. He shook his head.
"What school would want me? Got no money, got no grades, I got nothing, Kim." She still looked at him and shook her head.
"That's not true." He cocked an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"Rai, do you have any idea how many schools would accept you for your writing? How many scholarships?" He snorted.
"Right. The day I get into a school is when hell freezes over."
"I'm serious. You're a good writer, Raimundo. The only one that thinks you'll do badly is you." He lowered his eyebrows as he stared right at her.
"What?"
"You always put yourself down. And that's not a good thing." She grabbed his hand and stroked her thumb on his knuckle.
"Y'know, you're not the first to say that to me. And, I dunno, never really worked before. 'til now." He smiled as she smiled back. "But, I'm curious about something now. Other than Yale and Brown, where else did you get into?" She looked at him, then away and found a grove on the floor to be interesting.
"NYU." He looked at her with a surprised face.
"Why'd you apply there?" She shrugged her shoulders.
"It was only for back up. Never really thought anything of it." Then an idea struck her head as she turned back to him clearly shown on her face. "That's it." He stared at her and caught on to her thinking.
"Oh no. No way."
"Why not?"
"Because I told you. I don't have the grades."
"Most schools don't even care about the grades. If you have talent and passion, then you're in. That's goes the same with scholarships." She grabbed his face and brought it close to her. "Think about it, we can go to the same school together." He then shook his head.
"No way, Kim. I would never let you do that. I mean, it's Yale-" She grunted.
"So what about Yale and Brown. I never really wanted to go there anyway." He scrunched his eyebrows.
"So why'd you apply there?"
"Because, my father always wanted me to go to an Ivy League school. All I really wanted was a simple life." He searched her eyes.
"So that's it? The only reason you applied was to please him?"
"He's my father. He's all I got." He let out a defeated sigh.
"All right. If it makes you happy, I'll apply to NYU. Not saying I'll get in, but it's worth a try." She let on a smile as she brought him close and kissed him. It started off as light kisses, but then it progressed into a deeper kiss that neither wouldn't let go of. He slid his tongue over her lips. Gaining entry to her mouth. She gladly accepted as she traced her fingers through his hair. He laid her down on his bed. With him on top. Stroking her cheek bone with his thumb while slipping his other hand underneath her shirt and gently caressing her stomach. Moving upwards. A moan escaped from her throat.
Then she rolled him over on his back and straddled over his lower abdomen. He groaned as he held his hands on her waist. She broke the kiss briefly to push herself off him and cross her arms to the trimming of her shirt and lifted it over her shoulders. Revealing only her bra and a smile on her face. He stared with the reflected smile as well. She returned her lips onto his. Slipping her hands beneath his shirt. Feeling his abs ripple beneath her fingers. Sending a shiver up her spine. Slowly taking off the shirt. Breaking the kiss for a split second and smacking her lips back down. He then rolled her over on to her back and lifted her so she was practically on his lap. Leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. Her breath hitched at the feel of lips and felt him nibble on her skin. His fingers tracing up and down her spine until he found her bra clasp and successfully unclipped it. Moving him up back to her mouth. He slid it off her arms and tossed it aside. His hands moving all over her body as she let out gasps. He also moved to undo her skirt as he laid her back on her back.
Then, a horror stricken thought entered her mind as her eyes widened. He felt her lips not moving anymore as he moved up with lowered eyebrows.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"What if your brothers and sisters come in and sees us?" she asked in a fast pace. He let on an easy smile.
"Don't worry, no one is gonna come in." He gave a reassuring smile. She still looked frightened.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Trust me." She still didn't look reassured, but seeing how he looked worried free and completely confident was enough to put a little ease her in her troubled mind for now. She went back to kissing him, but he could sense that she was still troubled by the way she kissed. He knew that she liked it when he strokes her cheek, so he did just that and she automatically deepened the kiss as he proceeded to undo her skirt.
They cuddled after an intense session of making love with smiles on their faces as she lied there securely in his arm. Tracing her fingertip over his chest playfully. He stared with the same affection that he had for her for the entire intercourse. Bits and pieces crawling over his mind and a sense of relief showing how much he cared for this girl that laid in his arms. To think that a few weeks ago, this would've never happened. He let out a snort to those thoughts. She caught it and turned her head to face his.
"What?" she asked. He shook his head.
"Na, nothing. Just thinking," he replied.
"About what?" His smile didn't dissipate as he stared.
"You remember when we first met?" he asked and he saw her put on a disdained smirk.
"How can I forget," she said with sarcasm. He let out another snort.
"Yeah. Not my brightest moment, huh?" She now let out a giggle.
"I know it's because you were angry. So you don't have to explain." He let out a sigh.
"I know. But still, the thought that a girl like you would want to be friends with a guy a like me is... I dunno... intimidating I guess." She lowered her eyebrows but still kept on a smile.
"I intimidated you?"
"Yeah. To be honest, I thought you were kinda cute. But I knew it couldn't be possible because of... where we come from." Her face relaxed as she watched him say this. Thinking back to the moment and where they are now.
"And look at us now," she said and made a slight giggle. He couldn't help but snort to that.
"Right." She gave him another kiss and drew back to stare at him affectionately.
"I love you, Raimundo," she said and she felt his muscle tensed and see the look of confusion on him.
"What?"
"I know that it seems a little fast, but I know how I feel." He stared at her and contemplated on her words.
Did he feel the same way? He didn't know. He had relationships where he would put on his charms, have his way with them and eventually break up a couple weeks later. But to have someone that he cared for this much and feel the way he did was something entirely new for him. Not only that, he had been through a loss of a loved one and knew he didn't want to feel that pain ever again.
She can feel it when his heart beats from under her. He didn't have to tell her but she knew he was afraid of saying it. Considering how much he has been through. She told him she understood. She really did.
The bell rang and everyone turned in their reports. With the time they spent working on theirs', they were sure to get a good grade on it. They held hands as they turned theirs in and as they walked out. But Raimundo held back and stare at the old teacher. A question surfacing his mind as he watch him packing up his things. He turned back to her to see her questioning face.
"You go ahead, I'll catch up," he said as she shrugged and waited out in the hall. He turned back to Mr. Fung and walked up to him. "You knew, didn't you?" He looked up at his pupil as he was shuffling his papers.
"Knew about what?" Fung asked.
"About Kim and I-"
"Me and Kim."
"Whatever. You knew that we were going to end up together, didn't you? That's why you paired us up." The old man stared at him.
"I paired you up because you needed the grade, with an attitude like yours needed someone to compete with. Kimiko was that someone. As for your ending up together, that was done entirely your own." Raimundo cocked an eyebrow.
"But what you said about setting the game rules, the stakes, and the-"
"It was a proverb, it could mean anything to anybody. Say for example, you set up the rules for the report, you knew what would happen if other things interfered, and then, well, I'll leave the rest to you. Good day, Raimundo," he said as he left the room to read and grade the reports.
"I swear, Kim. He has to be the weirdest teacher we've ever had," he said as he got out of her hybrid and proceeded to walk to his mailbox. She drove him home since he doesn't have a car anymore.
"He's not that bad. Cryptic, yes, but not bad." He removed the lid and stuck his hand in.
"You say that now." He took out the contents and started looking through.
"Anything good?" she asked as she watched him.
"Other than Ed McMann saying I won a million dollars, nope." Then he came across a fairly thick envelope that was addressed to him. His eyes rolled over to the return address and saw that it was from NYU. He got a questioning look over him. She notices this and peered over his shoulder to look.
"What do you think?" He shook his head out of thought.
"One way to find out." He ripped open the letter and read it. The first sentence alone was enough to bring a down expression on his face. When she saw the reaction, she instinctively rubbed his back.
"I'm really sorry, Raimundo."
"Yeah... It looks like I'm heading up north... And tell my brother that I'm not taking the job." Her face contorted to confusion as a mischievous face shown on his. She caught on to his act and her eyes widened.
"Oh my gosh!" She jumped into his arms and excitement filled her heart. He let on a really big smile while his face was buried in her hair. She then pulled away and punched his arm.
"Ow! What'd you do that for?" He winced in pain as she drew back.
"Don't you do that to me! Do you have any idea how worried I was!" she exclaimed.
"OK, OK. No pranks for you," he said in a surrender tone while she put on a triumphant smile. "But that doesn't exclude tickling." She let out a playful yelp as his hands reached her sides below the rib cage. She pried herself from his grasp and started running. With him following in pursuit. Laughing hard and completely abandoning their surroundings. He eventually caught up with her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She struggled to get out of his grasp that they fell down with him on top of her. His face in the crook of her neck. He steadily lifted himself up and saw he was face to face with Kimiko. He let on a smirk as they let in heavy breaths.
"This looks familiar," he joked and ended up getting hit on the shoulder. He winced a little at the pain. "Girl, do you even know your own strength?"
"Just be happy it wasn't your face," she smirked back. He adjusted himself so that he rested his elbows beside her head while fidgeting with her ponytail.
"Y'know, you'd think I'd be grateful to have a pushy girlfriend." She let on a smile as she put one hand on his waist and the other moving a stray hair.
"I'm pushy now, huh?"
"Yeah, and I wouldn't have it any other way." She continued to smile up at him as she played with his hair. "So, are you gonna tell your dad?" She furrowed her eyebrows and then lifted them after thinking what he might be talking about and knew what it was.
"I'm gonna have to. After all, it's his dream for me to go to Yale." He then got a guilty look on his face.
"You don't have to do that for me." She shook her head.
"I want to be with you, Rai. And I told you, this is what I want," she whispered the last part. But that still didn't ease his guilt.
"Are you sure that's what you want?" She reached up to him and planted a kiss.
"Positive." He continued to fidget with her hair as she told him this. Still not sure if she made the right decision to stay with him over the finest schools in the country. But the thought of being away from her drove him insane and made the guilt subside a little.
The next several days went by as quickly as soon as they came. He started offering to drive her home in her car one day , she allowed him whenever she wasn't in the mood to drive. All was silent and he would steal a glance from her every once and awhile. Admiring her thoughtful face as she looked out the window. Wondering what was going through her head. What she might be thinking about. He didn't ask because not only did he want a lengthy answer, but rather wait when she tells him. But he did want one thing answered and it started when she invited him inside her home.
"So, do you think your dad is use to me by now?" he asked. Ever since Raimundo started driving her home, there were a few occasions where her father was home. She remembered the first day they met was a little... unnerving. Considering they didn't really meet to eye to eye and the simple fact that she kept talking negatively about Rai to her father for the past few years, it's understandable that he wouldn't like the guy who tormented his own daughter. But as soon as he saw the two interact the way they do, he has lighten up a bit but still didn't like the fact that she was now dating someone who not only is on the opposite end of social spectrum, but his reputation as well.
She shook her head out of thought as she turned to face him.
"A little, but he still doesn't seem to like you," she simple responded. He simply shrugged.
"At least it's progress." She let out a stifled giggle and he couldn't help letting on a smile to hear her laugh. He stopped in front of her house and got out of the driver side. Kimiko followed in pursuit and when he reached her, he instantly interlaced his fingers with hers. He kept on stealing glances from and when he was caught by her, he received a skeptical look from her.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing. I just can't stop staring at your beautiful face." She let out a laugh while fighting down a blush but failed to hide it.
"Do you have any idea how corny that sounds?"
"It's true though. Not to mention how strong you are. Not only physically but mentally as well. I gotta say, that's one thing that I really love about you, Kimiko." They both stopped in front of the door as she stared at him in surprise. He seemed to catch himself as well as he turned to face her. Then a smile grew on her.
"Did you just say you love me?" she asked. He stared at her with thought. He asked himself whether he really loved her. Sure he hadn't felt this way before but who's to say what love really is. All he knew was that he cared deeply for her, treasuring her with every chance that he gets. He let on a smile as he thought on that.
"Yeah, I did." Before he could continue, he felt a pair of hands on his face and then a pair of lips touching his. Shock from the sudden kiss but then gracefully started kissing her back. Putting his hand on her hips and drew her close.
They froze when they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. Having an idea on who it might be, they broke the kiss and turned slowly to face the short man with graying hair and thick rimmed glasses. Underneath, you could see the hard stare that would make any guy run for his life. The two blushed heavily as Raimundo stepped back a solid foot away from her.
"H-How's it going, Mr. Tohomiko?" he asked sheepishly.
"I am doing well, Raimundo. How about yourself?" Raimundo cringed after her father spoke. He couldn't get anymore uncomfortable than this moment.
"Oh, y'know. Same ol' same ol'." He added with a nervous laugh. Kimiko noticed and let out an irritated sigh.
"Papa," she said as the two men stared back at her. It was then that Toshiro's face softened as he stepped aside to let the two in. They walked past without word but Raimundo received a glare from her father that clearly said 'If you hurt my daughter, I'll make sure that you were never born.' Scary thing is that he capable of doing so.
She lead Raimundo to the library to study for their final exams. She didn't lead him to a table like he originally thought. Instead she lead him to a couch that was sitting in the far back. He wondered why he didn't see it the first time.
"You got a couch in here too?" he asked.
"Of course. How else would I relax while I read?" He shrugged his shoulders in thought as he watched her sit on the couch and go through his book bag. He followed in pursuit as he took his study notes. He glanced at her every so often so he could steal that look on her face as she was reading. He always found that face to be another cute quality about her. When he turned last, she caught him staring and he blushed a little.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing. It's just you look cute when you study," he said with confidence and she blushed as well. "So, have you talked your dad about NYU yet?" She stiffened at the question and he just had to notice. "Well?" he pressed.
"Not yet." She glared at him when he let out an irritated sigh. "Sorry, its just really hard to break it to him."
"I understand. Believe me, I do. But graduation is around the corner now."
"Tell me about it," she muttered as her eyes went to the carpet. As soon as he saw the sadness in her face, he draped his arm around her shoulders and brought her close. She didn't object while she rested her head on his shoulder.
"If you want, we could tell him together," he offered and he felt her head shaking against his shoulder.
"No, it's best if I do. I don't want him to think I'm going because of you." His heart sank a little but understood none the less. "And I'll do it today." She turned her head to face his. He slowly smiled and kissed her forehead.
Couple hours later, he walked her to her father's study hand in hand. He felt her tense as squeezed his hand with every passing step. Taking in breaths every so often. He reminded her that she was a brave woman and she engraved it to her mind. Only thing she can do now was pray to whatever God that was watching to have her father understand.
They stopped in front on the glass double door and faced each other. He kissed her on the cheek and wished her luck. She nodded and took another deep breath. She twisted the handle and stepped through the threshold. All Raimundo could do now was wait patiently.
After a few moments of silence, he then heard the yelling starting up. He resisted the urge to go in there and defend her but he knew it wouldn't help the case. If anything, it would only make it worse. He thought he heard his name a couple of times mixed in with the rapid Japanese. He was watching from the other side of the hall through the glass. He saw her back was to him and her fists were balled up. All the while he was still trying to resist that urge to march in there.
After several more minutes of this, she finally emerged from the study and faced him. Completely red on her face and breathing heavily. She wiped her eyes furiously but she wasn't fast enough when he saw also red eyes. As if she had been crying. She walked up to him and collapsed into his arms. Taken aback at first but wrapped his arms around her none the less. He gently nudged her towards the direction of the library for silence. She complied and as soon as they entered, she went straight to the couch and packed up her stuff. He watched her as she did so and couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind.
"Kim?" he asked, curiosity etching his voice. Which he found to be a big mistake as she started crying again. The alarm in his head went off and he quickly sat down beside her. He pulled her to him and allowed her to cry into his shoulder. Rubbing her back tenderly in circles.
"Pardon me?" He turned his head to see one of the maids standing before them. "Mr. Tohomiko would like a word with you."
"Me?" Raimundo asked. She nodded with what seemed to be hint of sadness. He turned to Kim to see her furiously wipe away her eyes. The concern clearly etched on his face.
"Go. I'll be fine," Kimiko said as she retreated to packing up her supplies. The anger heard in her voice. He sent her one last look before he got up and headed towards the study with heavy steps. He won't admit that he was scared, because he was really terrified. He had no idea on what might've happened between Kimiko and her father. Only that it didn't go too well. Now he was only afraid that her father might say that she was forbidden to ever see him and tell him to stay away. He didn't know whether or not he could handle such a feet. Knowing that he couldn't stay away from her even if he tried.
He approached the double glass door and took one deep breath. Placing a strong hand on the handle and turned it. He stepped through the threshold with Kimiko in mind. He approached the man to see him rubbing his forefinger and his thumb in between his eyes. Slightly lifting his glasses.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked, making sure he stood his ground. Toshiro turned his head to him with same face he had as when Raimundo first came in.
"My daughter tells me that you have been accepted to NYU. Congratulations on that," Toshiro said. Raimundo cocked an eyebrow, not really sure to make of that.
"Uh, thanks."
"She also says that she wants to attend NYU rather one of the best schools in the country. Does her decision by any chance involve an outside source?" His voice accusing to him, Raimundo lowered his eyebrows and stared straight at the small man.
"If you're implying that I had something to do with it? I'll have you know, it was her idea. Not mine. I didn't want anything to do with college but she pushed me into thinking that I have a chance and to be honest, I'm grateful. I never thought anyone would care about me as much as her. And now, all I want is what's best for her and right now, she wants to go to NYU. Not because of me, but because of her want for a simple life away from the lime light." He watched as Toshiro's face went from stern to stunned. Raimundo didn't know whether that was a bad thing or a good thing. But to be frank, he didn't really care. He said what he wanted to say and made it clear on what Kimiko wants. With that, he turned to leave with the intention of going back to her.
"Raimundo." He stopped before he stepped through the door frame. "You sound like you have changed."
"I have changed, and it's thanks to your daughter," he said bluntly without turning around.
"I believe it." Rai's head shot up and turned quickly to him.
"Than why is she crying her eyes out in the library as we speak?" Rai asked, his face now scrunching in anger at the thought of her. Toshiro let out a heavy sigh.
"Because I was angry that she made this decision without consoling me. And disappointed that she wasn't going to attend an Ivy League school. I even thought she was doing it to be near you and knowing your history, it did not sit well with me." Raimundo let out a grimaced sigh.
"I know that my track record isn't all that great, but men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass." Toshiro gave a thoughtful nod.
"And you have certainly proved this old man wrong." Rai returned that smile as he turned to walk out again. "Oh and Raimundo." He turned his head back to her father. "Tell Kimiko I'm sorry and give her my congratulations for making her decision." Rai nodded as he walked out, but was caught off guard to see Kimiko leaning beside the door with very wet cheeks and a genuine smile. He couldn't help but let on a coy smile at her appearance.
"How long have you been standing there?" he asked, now raising an eyebrow to add to his smile when he noticed that the door wasn't closed during the conversation with her father.
"Long enough. Did I hear you recite from Sweet Thursday?" she added reflecting his smile.
"Maybe," he toyed with her. She stood straight and walked towards him.
"Y'know, I think it was very sweet when you were defending me when it came to my decision," she said her voice becoming a sweet whisper as she stopped in front of him.
"Only because it's true." She placed her hand on his cheek and somehow the feel of her made him want her even more.
"You're a good guy, Rai." She slipped her hand to rest on his neck. "Sometimes, a girl wonders how I wound up with a guy like you," she teased him.
"You'd be surprised what I pulled out of my sleeves." She let out a small giggle as she placed her free hand on his shoulder and stepped closer to rest her head at the center of his chest. He proceed to wrap his arms around her waist.
Graduation came and went. The ceremony itself was truly something of splendor. Raimundo thought he would never be walking the stage the way he did. He honestly thought that he would drop out at this point. But when he looked out into the audience and found Kimiko beaming at him, he found his reason for continuing. For going on. He returned that smile as he received his diploma.
His family congratulated him numerous times along with the big hugs and kisses on the cheek. Of course grateful for his sudden change and the way his life his has been as of late. They thanked Kimiko with every possible chance. Sometimes making it hard for her to breath after all the bear hugs she received. She told them that the only thing she did was give him that tiny push he needed. He did the rest on his own. But that didn't matter to them, they were still grateful to have a woman like her in his life.
Much later into the night after everyone celebrated with their own families and changed into more comfortable clothes, the graduates went to an all night party at someone's fairly large house. They didn't care who's as long as there is one last brawl before being shoved into the real world. Some hung around the kegs or the pool. Others were inside the house socializing and remembering.
Kimiko and Raimundo, however, can be seen making out at a corner. Hands moving up and down their bodies and letting out an occasional moan. As if desperate to be together.
"Get a room!" They heard someone scream and immediately broke their kiss to see who it was that yelled. They finally saw Keiko's smirking face as she stood beside Jermaine. It seems that ever since Rai and Kim got together, some of their friends started bonding. More specifically, Keiko and Jermaine started getting along and can be seen at social events talking to one another. Although not as aggressive as Rai and Kim. But they were happy for them.
The Raimundo took hold of Kim's hand and lead her outside before returning the smirk to their friends. As they walked by, they couldn't but bumping into the crowd of people and unfortunately for them, as they stepped through the doorway they couldn't help but bump into the last person they want to see.
"Watch where you're going, Spanish trash," Dick sneered. Raimundo shot him a glare and was ready to break his nose. But Kimiko put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Don't give him the satisfaction. Move on," she whispered to him and he took a deep breath.
"Hey Kim?" She turned her attention to Dick but the scorn didn't cease. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" She begrudgingly agreed after squeezing Rai's hand for reassurance. She went off with her ex to a secluded part where they can talk privately. While on the way, she could feel Raimundo's eyes boar on to her.
"OK, what is it?" she asked, not beating around any bush.
"I just wanna know, are you doing him a favor?" She arched an eyebrow and could already feel her anger starting to boil.
"What?" she asked again, only sounding more accusing.
"Raimundo, are you going out with him because you feel sorry for him or something?" She looked at him in disgust.
"I'm not doing anyone a favor. I'm with Raimundo because I want to be." Dick let out a snort.
"You can't be serious." Her glare hardened.
"I am," she said through her teeth. "Why is it so hard for you to accept?" He looked at her hard and took a moment to answer.
"I'm just saying you could do better. Like you were with me." She lifted both her eyebrows at him.
"You really thought I was better off with you? After you had sex with that girl and humiliated me? Well y'know what? I'm actually happier with Raimundo than I've ever been with you!" she yelled the last part and earned the stares from surrounding people.
"Than why are you yelling?" he smirked at her and she just completely lost control of her temper.
"I'm yelling because you're pissing me off!" She added that statement an un-lady like huff and stomped away. She approached Raimundo, grabbed his hand, and dragged him outside. He thought if she dragged him any longer, she might dislocate his arm. They finally stopped another secluded part at the back of the house.
"Kim? You OK?" he asked out of concern. She let out a breath of air and inhaled. Trying her best to control her voice.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just hate how he can piss me off so easily." He pulled her into a hug that she gladly accepted.
"Than be happy you're not with him."
"Oh trust me, I am." He rubbed her back tenderly. He gently pulled away and lead her to the lone bench that was sitting not to far away and sat on it. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders while she leaned against him with her legs tucked beside her.
"Hey, did you really mean about what you said? That you're better off with me than you were with him?" he asked out of the blue. She turned her to face him with a genuine smile.
"Of course I did. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Sure I didn't like how it started out, but it ended wonderfully. So, I'm grateful to be with you." He squeezed her shoulder and returned her smile. She relaxed into him again was immediately lost with him.
He felt his pocket for his cigarette pack and took it out. He put it in his mouth and lit it up. Taking in a deep breath and felt it taking effect. Kimiko smelled the smoke and let out a scoff. He let out a sigh.
"I know you don't like it when I smoke, but I can't help it." She still scoffed at him. "Tell you what, after tonight, I'll quit. Seeing as we're going to start lives together anyway. That cool with you?" She let on a gentle smile to this.
"That sounds great. I'm already looking forward to it." And with that they sealed with a kiss. A promise for a new life and a new start. The road may not be easy, but they were willing to put everything on the line so they can live happily without an additional drama.
bastardo do caralho – fucking bastard