Chapter 3: Reactions to the Decision
Ron flinched as he walked to school. Kim was with him, very angry, and not shy about letting him know about it.
"I don't understand why you're doing this!" It was the third or fourth time she had repeated this. Ron answered again.
"Look Kim, I just want to join a sports team. It's not like you don't have activities outside of cheerleading."
"But they don't affect the squad!" She snapped.
"Its not like I'm really on the squad is it?" He snapped back. "I'm just the mascot! All I do is run out, do a couple of flips, let the kids laugh at me and stay out of the way!"
"When have I said that you're not a member of the squad!"
"You've always said that I'm a member, but the rest of the squad doesn't really care now, does it? Listening to Bonnie, you'll all be better off without me around."
"That's just Bonnie!"
"Kim, its just three days a week. I'll still be able to practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
"Oh so now you're so good that you only need to practice twice a week?"
"Did I say that? Kim, this is important to me! Besides, you let the rest of the squad take time off for other activities!"
"This is about me and Josh dating isn't it?"
"How can that be? Josh isn't on the squad and as far as I know he doesn't wrestle. How can this have anything to do with him or the two of you?"
"You think that since I'm spending time away from you, you're going to find a reason to spend time away from me!"
"Kim, that's silly!"
"So now I'm being silly?"
Ron took a deep breath and made a solid effort to get his temper back under control. Wasn't Kim always trying to get him to apply himself? Wasn't she always trying to get him to do things?
"Kim, yelling isn't fixing anything. Can we start over and try to keep ourselves calm?"
Kim glared at him. He could see her getting ready to positively screech before she calmed down.
"You're right," she said, "let's be logical about this."
"Okay, item number one. I'm not really part of the squad. I know I practice with the squad but let's be honest. You put the routines together with just the cheerleaders. You then leave it up to me to insert myself into the routine. I'm sort of an add-on. Like chocolate on ice cream or peanut butter on a hamburger."
"Eeeewwww. I didn't need to hear that but I'll agree that you've been an add-on rather than an integral part. However that add-on has helped us win several awards."
"I appreciate that. However two days of practice each week will work for me because of this. The cheerleaders need full practice weeks. I don't. It's not because I'm better but because I'm not as important."
"Ron…"
"Honesty KP, honesty."
"Fine, I'll admit that you don't play as large a role as we cheerleaders and I'll grant that because of this you don't need to be there for every practice."
"Okay, point one is finished. Since there is no reason for me to be there more than two practices per week there is no problem with me joining the pre-season wrestling team. Now for point two."
"Back up to point one. Come November the Wrestling Season proper starts and you're going to be practicing every day!"
"But you'll have most of the routines set by this time. You'll only be making minor alterations from then on. I've already talked to Coach Winters and he'll give me one day off a week, unless I make varsity."
"What happens if you make varsity?"
"Then he wants me to practice every day but c'mon. I've never wrestled before in my life and it's me we're talking about. What are the chances that I'll make the varsity squad?"
"Okay, so that's settled. You can join the wrestling team and still be the mascot. Satisfied?"
"With point one, now for point two."
"There's a point two?
"Yes," Ron took a deep breath. "You have been dating Josh for about a month now and I've been acting like a jerk."
"What's that have to do with the squad?"
"Nothing, but you brought your dating life up while we were arguing a few minutes ago. The fact is that I've been jealous about the time you spend with him. From what you've said he's also uneasy about the amount of time we spend together. The result is that your best friend and your boyfriend are trading barbed comments and it's affecting you. I just want to say that I'm going to try to quit being a jerk. That should make things easier for you."
Kim stopped dead and stared at Ron with her mouth hanging open. "Who are you and what have you done with my self-centered best friend?" She demanded.
"I'm trying to be a best friend and when someone wants to be with her boyfriend, her best friend backs off and gives her time."
"Ron, I don't want to cut you out of my life!"
"I don't want that either. We still have the walks to school, missions and two a week practices."
"Is that all?"
"Work it out with Josh. Set up 'couple time' with him and fit the 'friend' time with me around it."
"When did you become so mature."
After a hard week of introspection in Japan, Ron thought. Then he put on his best goofy grin and said, "it was bound to happen sooner or later but don't worry. I'm sure that this is a one-shot deal and I'll be acting childish and immature for the rest of the day."
"You goof!"
"See, point proven."
The two teens continued toward school, now maintaining a friendly chatter about classes, the squad routines, and other teen issues. They enjoyed each other's company until they reached school and spotted Josh. Ron stepped forward.
"Josh," he said, "we've been in an awkward situation and I've been a jerk about it. Kim has been my friend for a long time and I was jealous about the time she was spending with you. You have handled the situation much better than I have and I need to say that I'm sorry about my behavior."
Josh looked at him for a long moment. "I've had my bad moments as well."
Ron held out his right hand. "Friends?" He asked.
"Friends." Said Josh, shaking his hand.
"Well," said Ron, releasing Josh's hand, "if this friend doesn't get moving, he's going to be late. Catch you two later." With that Ron left the two of them alone.