Disclaimer: I do not own Kick Buttowski.
So I have absolutely no excuse as to why I left this fic alone for so long… ok I do but it doesn't make up for all the time I let pass. I haven't forgotten, but I kinda got caught up with other things.
(Bows Humbly) Please forgive me and don't worry, I will finish this fic.
In other news I recently adopted a story and will soon be working on that along with another one. I see the endings for both my current fics approaching and well as much as I don't want them to end, I can't drag them on forever. Such a bitter-sweet experience…
Anyways thanks for the reviews! I really appreciate them!
"Good luck you two!" Kendall shouted as she watched Kick and André from the bleachers next to the motocross track. "I wonder how good André is if he's willing to challenge Kick after today's stunt." She mused quietly.
"I doubt it's just a friendly competition." Jackie said distastefully, "He's probably trying to impress you."
Kendall waved her off, "Come on Jackie, André doesn't like me like that."
"You've got to be kidding!" Her friend exclaimed, "Even a blind person could…"
Gunther quickly covered his girlfriend's mouth "Been a while since Kick's actually had competition, right? Think André can beat him?"
Kendall shrugged, "Who knows. I thought he preferred his studies over any active sports, but hey you learn something new every day." She turned to the boys, "Wonder what's taking so long? They should've started."
"Madams, Sir," A butler addressed as he approached them, "Would you like anything to drink?"
"Kendall doesn't notice because she only has eyes for Kick, so don't make her notice!" Gunther whispered to Jackie before she managed to break free and punch him in the arm. "OW! What was that for?"
"She needs to know! This guy obviously won't take subtle hints, so what he needs is a good old-fashioned face-to-face rejection!"
"Jackie, Kendall isn't helpless; she's rejected plenty of guys before without help and this time isn't any different." He took her hand, "I know she's like your sister, but you can't baby her."
Jackie shook her head, "I have a real bad feeling about this guy Gunther. If something happens to her when I could've prevented it-"
"Hey, we're all here for her, and we'll back you up. Her relationship with Kick is gonna take off this year. You'll see."
"You said the same thing last year."
He laughed, "Yeah well, gotta keep thinkin' positive."
"Oh they're starting!" Kendall squealed.
"Gotta admit, these are pretty awesome." Kick said as he looked over the dirt bike he picked out.
"Yes my Host parent's son is very particular with such things. Just yesterday he came and performed maintenance on each one himself. His master mechanic was with him as well, but I do not believe the presence was required, the young man held an immense amount of knowledge." André answered.
"Yeah well this is definitely a sweet ride," He paused, "You new to motocross?"
André shook his head, "It is a side hobby, and I enjoy the thrill of racing." A smirk crossed his face, "But I enjoy the lovely young ladies it attracts even more."
Kick narrowed is eyes, "What's your game, André?"
"Game?" He asked curiously.
"Yes your game. What do you want with Kendall?"
"I never mentioned Joli Kendall; I merely stated that the attention one receives from lovely ladies who watch motocross is most enjoyable. Surely you agree casse-cou? You, who lives such a famous lifestyle must know what I mean."
Kick shook his head, "There's only one girl I want attention from and lucky for me, I got it." He paused a moment before glaring at the French exchange student before him. "And I'll make sure I keep it."
Said exchange student laughed, "You are most peculiar casse-cou, but I understand; she is a very charming woman."
"She is."
"Yes well, let us commence our race. If I am correct, your friends are anxious for us to begin." André turned in his bike, "Five laps should be sufficient, and of course whoever crosses first wins."
Kick gave a quick nod and started his bike, "Let's do this thing."
The countdown began, "READY… SET… GO!"
They took off, keeping pace with each other for the first two laps, then each taking the lead during the next two. They performed trick after trick and stunt after stunt every chance they got; their rivalry amplifying with each one.
"Wow André is better than I thought!" Gunther shouted in slight awe, "He might actually beat Kick!"
"NO WAY THAT DAREDEVIL WANNABE IS GONNA BEAT HIM!" Jackie screeched, "COME ON KICK! SHOW HIM WHO THE BETTER RISK-TAKER IS!"
"Go Kick!" Kendall cheered when Kick began passing André during the last lap.
Kick stepped on the gas, determined to win, when he suddenly heard a loud blast of noise. He turned and saw smoke coming from André's bike and André himself being flung into the air. Kick gave a sharp turned and raced back.
"André!"
Kick jumped off the bike reaching for André's jacket when, just as he closed his fingers, André plummeted to the ground. Kick quickly flipped and landed in a crouch when the brown-haired boy he failed to save let out an anguished cry. He turned, noticing André clutching his left shoulder while his friends rushed from the bleachers.
"Oh my… What happened?!" Kendall knelt by Andre's side, examining his shoulder as well as she could thru the grunts of pain.
"The chain and breaks are fine!" Gunther called before turning to the bike again, "But it looks like the sprockets haven't been replaced in a while!"
"Impossible!" (A/N it's spelt the same in English and French, pronounce impossi-bleh) André hissed thru his discomfort, "The son of my host parents performed maintenance on each bike himself yesterday. He could not have made such a careless mistake."
"Mistake or not, we gotta get you to a hospital." Kick interrupted, pulling out his phone. "Jackie, Kendall, you guys get some ice and meet us in the living room. Gunther, help me get André there."
"No, do not call anyone." André gasped, "We have a medic here, just take me to my room and he shall attend me."
Everyone waited patiently outside the room, the anxious atmosphere nearly suffocating them. Each person had different thoughts; Jackie felt a little bad for what happened. After all just because she didn't like the guy it didn't mean she wanted anything bad happening to him. Gunther couldn't figure out how someone managed to miss something so important in a motocross bike when (according to what Kick said André had told him) they were just as good as a master mechanic. Kendall was worrying about her friend, while simultaneously thanking the heavens it hadn't been Kick. She felt a bit guilty for that, but if Kick had taken Andre's bike… she didn't want to think about it.
Kick however, kept replaying a particular moment in his head, caught in a limbo. He knew he could've caught André, and he knew from experience sometimes you just miss your target. But why did he get the feeling that André wanted to get hurt? It didn't make sense! Heck, what he was thinking didn't make sense! No sane person would think someone was willing to hurt themselves. But it was that moment that without sharp eyes one would miss, a single twitch that made André fall just out of Kick's reach. Maybe it was fear or surprise, after all if it wasn't an accident, what would André gain with this injury?
All thoughts flew out the window when the door suddenly opened and André walked out with his arm in a sling.
"Wow that was quite a sprain." The doctor said, putting a hand on Andre's good shoulder, "From what you've told me, you're lucky you didn't break it! Just take things easy and it should heal in about two weeks, if you don't it could take up to a month!"
André grimaced, "I will be most careful. Thank you for your time."
The doctor nodded and walked away, finally giving everyone a chance to sigh in relief.
"Wow that was some experience…" Kendall turned to André, "We're glad you're ok, and we'd say longer, but it's getting late and we'll miss curfew."
André nodded, "Do not worry jfoli Kendall, I understand. I hope you all make it home safely and I shall see you when school begins on Monday."
After the good-byes, André walked off to his room, "Ah it will be most troublesome wearing this," He mused, taking off the sling and stretching his arms, "However the end result is well worth it."
Everyone expected André's fan girls to fawn over him on Monday, but they hadn't expected them to fight among themselves and accidentally hurt André in the process. By Thursday, all the teachers were so tired of all the squealing and arguing that they threatened the entire female student body with detention just for getting near the poor, injured boy. André also had another week added to his recovery time, which actually didn't bother him at all.
Since the girls had bothered him for most of the week, André often missed a chance at talking with Kendall during the few classes they had together. And while it was irritating, he knew every difficulty provided a better opportunity if one played it out right. Friday was actually the perfect occasion he had waited for.
"I have a meeting with the student council and after that I'll be working on the school budget." Kendall said as she pulled some papers from her bag, "I'll call when I'm finished."
The group (Kick, Gunther and Jackie) nodded. They normally rode the bus together, even though 3 out of 4 of them had their driver's license, since they decided when Kick first got his that they wouldn't start carpooling to school till Kendall got hers. Many of their friends thought it was silly (A/N the author does too), but was how they wanted it and if they liked riding the bus, that was their choice.
"We'll see ya later then Kends." Jackie quickly gave her a hug, "Don't work your pretty hair out!"
"Isn't it; 'Don't work your pretty little head off'?" Gunther asked
"Who cares?! All I know is you gotta make sure you don't over stress yourself!"
Kendall giggled, "Don't worry, Jackie. I won't."
"Guess we'll see ya in a few hours." Kick smirked at her, "Unless you want me to keep you company?"
She rolled her eyes playfully, "I don't need a babysitter, Kick."
"No, you just need me around all the time." He leaned towards her a bit, "What better company than Mellowbrook's favorite daredevil?"
She could smell his natural masculine sent mixed with his cologne, and it made her head spin. Get a grip Kendall! She scolded herself, Before you start blushing!
She forced a light-sounding laugh, "You guys are gonna miss the bus. Better hurry or your suck walking home."
"Yeah come on, Kick!" Gunther said from the door, "We got practice later on too!"
"Coming. See ya later Kends."
"Later."
"Man, Kick. You've been going all out in flirting with her this week." Jackie snickered as they walked down the hall.
He shrugged nonchalantly, but wore a confident smile. "Yeah well, Kendall's cute when she blushes."
"You got it so bad, Kick." Gunther put his arm around his girlfriend, "Just ask her out."
"I will, but not yet."
"So when is it happening? I gotta mark one of the most important days of my 'sister's' life on my calendar, not to mention get it on camera."
"Hey that reminds me! I borrowed Kendall's camera earlier this morning and she needs it for the meeting." Kick pulled off his backpack and hastily searched thru it, "I'll catch up once I give this back, just try to keep the bus from leaving!"
Jackie punched the air. "You got it, Kick!"
"And don't get caught up in flirting!" Gunther called after him.
Kick raced thru the halls, easily avoiding the flow of students; using the lockers, fountains, anything really, to avoid them. He screeched to a stop right before entering, but all the excitement drained from his body as he watched the scene before him.
Kendall smiled as they left before turning back to the papers in her hands.
"Joli Kendall? May I take a moment of your time?" She looked up and sure enough, André stood before her.
"Sure. What's up?
"I am sure you are well aware of this week's past occurrences, and while it is wonderful I no longer find myself surrounded by the disagreements the ladies of this school have, I do require a bit of help during some of my classes. Could you help me during the classes we share and perhaps after school as well?"
She thought for a moment, "Can't you ask some of your fan girls to help you? I'm sure the teachers won't mind and won't give them detention if you ask."
André looked away, "Kendall, they are all very sweet and willing to help, but…" He paused, "They only see how I look, that I am from France and that I am very charming due to my upbringing."
He looked at her before taking her hand looking like a lost puppy being kicked into the cold, "You are the only one who is willing to help me for me, because you are a true friend. This is why I ask you help instead of the others."
Kendall felt her heart wrench at his words; any other guy would love the attention, whether it was genuine or not, but André wanted a real friend instead of basking in his popularity. Sure Kick and Gunther were the same way, but they got attention every day from their reputation and careers; it wasn't often a normal guy gave up such fame during high school.
She bit her lip; guilty at her previously hesitant and just a bit mean attitude towards him when they first met. He was just raised differently and she had judged him for it without mercy. Yet he still wanted to be her friend, and helping him wouldn't be so bad. It gave her a chance to make up her formerly rude attitude and even though everyone didn't get along just yet, they might actually become friends. Kick and the gang would realize André wasn't all bad just like she now realized.
"Ok, I'll do what I can and maybe we can convince everyone else to pitch in too. I know it's been a rough couple of weeks, but Kick, Jackie and Gunther are really good people. They just need to get to know you."
"Joli Kendall! You are an angel sent from the Heavens in my time of need! I cannot thank you enough for being my friend!" He wrapped his good arm around her in a hug which she gladly returned, mindful of his arm.
"Don't worry about it André, and I'm sure you'll have even more true friends soon."
André tightened his embrace, "I'm sure I will Kendall…" He whispered with a wicked gleam in his eye as Kick stared at them from outside the classroom, "I'm sure I will."
Andre's pretty sneaky isn't he? Haha well I wanted a sly sort of antagonist. I also wasn't sure if I should've let you, the reader, know that he was just faking it. Eh well, obviously I made my choice.
I analyze things often, and I wanted to portray human reactions in this fic a little and André is my way of doing that. Did anyone notice that before? I'll explain more if it in the next chapter... If I actually manage to get around to that. Sometimes my writing takes a different turn from where I want it to go, but I'm more often than not happy with the results. I'm still pick tho.
Anyone notice when Kick (vaguely) asked Kendall to marry him last chapter?
Remember, Constructive Criticism only.
Thanks again for the reviews and for being so patient with me (bows).
See ya soon!