A/N: Yes, I know I said I'd update and yet there's nothing! I apologize for that! But some things went wrong with my laptop, meaning it had to be sent away and fixed! :( I'm currently writing from another computer, see how much trouble I go through for you guys? haha
Thanks for hanging in there and enjoy the chapter!
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"Jerry!" Kim shouted as she ran over to the teenage Latino. "Jerry, guess what!"
His face lit up. "Falafel Phil is-"
"No, he's not bringing back the damn garlic balls!" She said quickly. "Dude, let those go."
He shook his head. "I will never forget the heavenly taste of garlic stuffed into tiny balls made by a goat." Kim chuckled. "Now what was it you wanted to tell me?"
Her smile reappeared. "Oh yeah! You know how Rudy's cousin's wedding is this weekend?"
Jerry smirked and patted his stomach. "I've made sure to save some room for the free dinner buffet."
She rolled her eyes. "Well apparently when Jack told Amy about it, she got really upset and now they're in a big fight and I think he's not bringing her with him." She had to stop for a breath of air. "Isn't that great?"
"Oh yes, our friend's pain is always something to smile about." Jerry remarked sarcastically as he zipped up his training bag.
Kim chuckled. "Look, I know it's wrong to be so happy about this. But I think this is a chance for Jack to finally realize that he shouldn't be with Amy."
He stood up straight and faced her again. "Don't get your hopes up, sweetheart. They could make up before the wedding you know."
She narrowed her eyes as she pointed a sharp finger at him. "Don't burst my bubble, Martinez."
He held his hands up, sounding amused yet frustrated. "Hey, I'm just trying to warn you. I don't want you getting hurt because of this."
Kim blinked, a look of surprise crossing her features before the hint of a smile appeared on her lips. "That's sweet of you." Then she sighed. "But I'll be fine. I feel like this should be happening between us." She looked over her shoulder, gazing at Jack as he sparred with a dummy.
She was unaware of the longing look that was sent her way.
Kim faced Jerry again. "You agree that Jack and I should be together, right? I'm not completely alone in this?"
He wanted to tell her no, that she belonged with him instead of the star of the dojo. But once he saw the hope in her brown eyes, he couldn't bring himself to do so. So he showed her a half smile. "Of course, Kim."
She smiled, looking relieved. "Good. If I was the only one who thought so, then I might've given up all together!" His face fell completely, but she was too busy laughing to notice. "Good thing you were here, right?" She patted his arm and walked away, leaving him to mentally punch himself.
After all, honesty is the best policy. He would remember that for next time.
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"Come on guys, saddle up!" Rudy called through the front doors of the dojo.
"Rudy, if you say that one more time, I'll make sure we won't be getting to the wedding on time!" Kim shouted, glaring at him.
Rudy's eyes went big before visibly shuddering and disappearing outside. Kim smiled in satisfaction as she turned back toward Jerry, who was smirking. "Impressive."
She shrugged happily. "It's what I do." He chuckled just as someone came over, interrupting them. "Jack!"
"Hey." He faced her. "Kim, can I talk to you for a minute?"
She nodded. "Sure!"
He smiled and walked to the corner of the room. Kim began to follow him when Jerry caught her arm and whispered, "Careful. You don't wanna seem too eager."
She winked at him and walked off, not seeing the look of disappointment on his face once her back was turned.
"What's up?" She asked, coming over to Jack.
He rubbed his palms together before explaining, "Well, you know Amy and I had that fight."
She pretended to look sympathetic. "Yes, unfortunately."
He looked a bit uncomfortable but chuckled anyway. "Yeah. Anyway, I need some advice."
She just barely stopped the scowl from appearing on her face. "O-oh, really?" He nodded. "Well, what about exactly?"
"Amy is upset because we had already made plans for tomorrow. But I had to cancel because of Bertha's wedding." She looked away, although he didn't seem to notice. "You're a girl. I was wondering...how do I explain that it wasn't my fault?"
She opened her mouth, but he continued to rant, seeming to get worked up just talking about it. "I mean, she needs to know that I didn't plan for this to happen!"
"Uh huh." She muttered, nodding although still not looking him in the eye.
"I swear, sometimes she can be so frustrating! She thinks that I can just drop everything for her."
"Maybe you should just end things with her." She mumbled sarcastically.
"What?"
Her eyes got big as she faced him again. "What? I-I didn't say anything!" She tried to laugh it off.
He sighed, not noticing how strange she was acting, and crossed his arms. "I just don't know what to do."
Kim just looked at him. She hated Amy, she hated their relationship, and she hated giving advice. But this was Jack. And one thing she hated more than any of the previous things listed was seeing him upset.
So she sighed and said, "Jack, you need to talk to her." He looked at her. "Explain that you'd rather be with her than at some wedding, but made a promise to a friend that you'd be there. No matter what."
He raised his eyebrows and looked at the floor, seeming to think it over. She stared at him and, ironically, hoped he wouldn't find her advice useful.
She was disappointed when he smiled at her.
"You're right! I'm gonna go call her right now." He pulled out his phone and turned toward the doorway, but not before patting her on the shoulder and saying, "Thanks. You really helped me out, Kim."
Then he went off. She huffed and muttered, "Oh goody."
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"You really told him that?" Jerry questioned, his eyebrows raised.
They were currently on their way to the wedding, which was three hours away. Jerry, Kim and Eddy rode up with Falafel Phil while Jack and Milton were with Rudy.
Kim shrugged. "I had to. He looked upset and needed help."
Jerry shook his head, chuckling. "I thought you liked him, Kim. Now you're helping him with his girlfriend troubles? You never cease to amaze me."
She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Thanks, but it's not like I wanted to do it. I even said he should break up with her. Fortunately he didn't hear me..."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a loud snore. They looked over to see Eddy roll onto his side, mouth wide open. "Oh Eddy.." Jerry said under his breath,
Kim laughed lightly, making him smile at her. She then leaned forward and said, "Phil, how much longer?"
"About minutes forty!" Phil replied happily.
Kim rolled her eyes and leaned against the back of the seat again. "That's just great."
Jerry gasped. "I am hurt!" Kim raised her eyebrows. "Is being my travel buddy really that bad?"
She punched his shoulder as he laughed. "Whatever, I think I'm gonna sleep the rest of the way."
He nodded in understanding. "Good idea. Unfortunately I get a headache when I try to sleep in a moving vehicle." He pouted. "So I guess I'll just be alone."
She chuckled. "You still have Phil."
He glanced at the back of the driver's head before giving her a look. "I'd rather be alone."
She laughed and put her head against the window. But sighed in annoyance when it kept bumping against the glass. "This is the most frustrating thing..."
He caught on to what she was talking about and had an idea. "You can lean against me, if you want."
She raised her eyebrows. "Wouldn't that be against some of the rules we laid out?"
He chuckled. "Kim, I'm being a friend here. Nothing more." He didn't care if he just lied to her.
She seemed to think about it before shrugging. "Guess it can't hurt." She put her head against his shoulder and sighed. "Oh yeah, this is way better than the window."
"Thank you." He smirked.
"Don't flatter yourself." She said, although smiling when she did. She then closed her eyes and slowly drifted off.
Meanwhile, he was wide awake and enjoying having her at his side. He looked down and smiled at her, noticing how right it felt to have her with him like that.
He just wished she could see it too.
