Kim woke up from her unplanned midday nap to find herself alone in her room. She had a terrible headache and she could feel her eyes were crusty from too much crying. She vaguely remember getting home and just losing it altogether. She cried like never before. Truthfully, it wasn't just what she saw in her locker (and she carefully tried to avoid thinking about the actual image). This break-down was long time coming. Things with Jack and Ricky, the sudden notoriety, the need for careful curating of her public image, hateful messages, gawking by others, photographers, even fellow-student treating her differently, all of it happened so quickly and without much room to breath. She tried to be logical, intellectual about it; tried to be calm; tried to ignore as was her want; but her emotions could not be fully reasoned with and all the recent changes in her life were overwhelming her.

She also felt terribly guilty. She loved animals and could not imagine the level of cruelty it would take to hurt them, but she could almost see the logic of someone, who hated her, to hurt an animal because she was posting pictures of them on her social media. If they wanted to hurt her, this would be one of way of doing it. She'd rather take all the hateful messages herself, than have a defenseless animal suffer in her stead.

Her brooding was interrupted when there was a knock on the door and Jack came in.

"How are you? Sorry, this is a stupid question... But, do you need anything? Can I help?" He was hesitant and tentative. Such a departure from his normally assured way of talking and behaving.

"I am calmer now. And as long as I don't think about it, I think the urge to vomit has passed." She said and then cringed at her phrasing.

"You wanna talk about any of it?" Kim wasn't sure she wanted to, but it probably was better to get it off her chest.

"I just don't know what to think anymore. That people hated me for nothing more than being with you or with Ricky is nothing new. I've seen and heard it before. And it is creepy, but I always thought it's just part of life for anyone in the limelight, but especially a no-name associated with stars. And yet, here we are. Someone who took their hatred and actually acted on in, instead of just trashing me online. And I sort of helped by making it clear that I loved animals, but then again how could I have known!" she said the last bit forcefully, hating how guilty she felt.

"Kim, you didn't do anything wrong," Jack said softly.

"I know that. At least intellectually. I still wish I would have known, could have predicted that this would happen. And to think, someone like this, someone so cruel, lives nearby..."

She blew out a long breath and shifted her eyes from the point in mid-distance to look at Jack and belatedly realized what she has said. She had no doubts that Jack would do anything to keep her safe. She could see him processing this bit of information and his jaw tensed, just as his eyes grew hard.

"Jack, I am..." she began, but was interrupted.

"You father is talking to the lawyers and the school. They will ask to see if police can do anything at this point. The school should have security camera footage. They might find out who messed with your locker. Then, hopefully, we'd know who is this hater. In the meantime, let Milton go through your social media to see if he can find something to suggest who this guy was."

"What?" she was not sure she understood what he meant.

"Your dad is convinced that the food poisoning was intentional and this episode proves that the person is escalating. Maybe we can find out who that is."

"We don't know if it is related. And do what exactly? It is police's job to do something like that."

"I can always confront them. Or we can expose them."

"You are not doing anything of the sort! Are you insane? That person maybe a deranged and unstable. And think of your life and career. Do you want to jeopardize everything because you are a hothead with iron fists?" Kim could not believe her ears.

"I need to do something, Kim! You were hurt! Physically and emotionally! Because of me or because of Ricky. In either case, you are not at fault at all. I hate it that I can't help you. It literally drives me crazy that you have to endure this crap for just being with me or because someone thinks you are with Ricky. I just can't stand by. I can't..." Jack finished his outburst with a whisper and Kim's heart just broke.

She started crying again and Jack swore and then hugged her close, whispering into her hair, "I told you I am bad with words. See, I made you cry. Sorry, sorry, sorry..." He was whispering and kissing her head and she hugged him too.

"Oh, Jack. If I am not at fault, then neither are you. We cannot control everyone's behavior. And I'd rather be with you even with all the hate, than be without you."

She lifted her head to look at him and when they kissed, it was sweet and gentle, and she knew she could handle the hate with him by her side.

She trusted him more than anyone in the world. She knew he would be there for her in any capacity she could need. She held on to that knowledge like a talisman. It was the only way she knew how to get through this.


The next morning came a surprise.

Bobby send two of his ninjas in case Kim decided to go to school. Apparently the news of what happened yesterday spread through social media and there were more reporters and photographers than usual. In fact, after the initial couple of days that the Kicky story broke, the number of papps dropped significantly. Kim figured it was because Ricky was not in Seaford anymore. Jack told her that Ricky planned to show up and, she guessed, this was a precaution. She was grateful to Bobby, although it made denying their relationship that much harder.

She went to check her social media and was floored by the amount of positive and supportive messages. She teared up again and her dad just kissed her head and said, "See, it's not so bad, baby girl."

She decided to stay at home for the day, unsure if she can endure anymore well-wishers without crying again. She felt a little to raw to face the world. Jack, who came in bright and early was planning to stay with her. She insisted that she would be fine. She was not alone, Bobby's bodyguards were with her today and she felt safe to stay home.

Jack was torn, but she reminded him that he did not want truancy on his record. Before he left he held her gaze for a long while until he finally looked away sharply. "Just be careful. And...call me if you think anything seems wrong. Promise me."

His eyes drilled through her, the dark brown almost black, intense and hard. She felt like she was pinned by his eyes and all the emotions that were reflected there.

"Of course," she managed to whisper.

"Promise me," his voice was so low it was almost a growl and it stirred a reaction inside her she could barely speak about.

It took her three attempts until she said "I promise."

His eyes fell shut and he leaned in over her, so close she could feel his breath touch her face. "Thank you."

The air seemed to still between them and then there was movement behind him and she realized with a jolt just how public they were then. Her parents were there, so were the bodyguards. She took a full step backwards, distance suddenly a necessity. Jack didn't seem phased however. She watched as he turned and lifted his chin towards her dad, who returned the nod.

She was carefully avoiding the looks of everyone, still a little shaken by Jack's parting words and her own reaction to them. She sat silently at the kitchen island, poking at her food, when her mom broke the silence, "You know Kim, I think I see what you see in Jack. He is good looking for sure, and is your friend, but that boy loves you and it shows." She squeezed Kin's hand and left for work.

Kim was idling around the house, cleaned her room and responded to some of the messages she got yesterday. Her volunteer coordinator in the animal shelter called to say that he heard about the locker incident and that that shelter received a lot of calls from average people and the media. He told her that she can take a break and that he would understand if it was too difficult for her to come.

Kim was moved by all the outpouring of support and had an idea how to channel all the good will. She called the shelter and shared her thoughts with the management there. With something concrete to focus on, Kim spent the next couple of hours outlining her plan for the fundraiser.

She was interrupted when the door bell rang. It was Ricky. He came with his own bodyguards in tow and the clicking of the cameras could be heard even from inside the house. He stepped in quickly and simply stood there, looking at Kim intently. She was suddenly very aware of her make-up free face, still bearing evidence of crying, her comfy lounge clothes and messy hair. She tried to finger comb, but realized that it was in a ponytail and dropped her hand to the side.

"I feel like the only times we meet now is when there is some crisis." Kim said with levity she did not feel.

"I feel like I brought nothing but trouble into your life. I am sorry... God, it is such a stupid phrase... How are you? Oh, wow, this is even stupider... Uhgm." Ricky blurted it all out in a rush and Kim was surprised how discomposed he was.

"I think I already had this conversation. With Jack. I told him, and I am telling you now, that you can't control what others do or say. For what it's worth, I don't blame you."

"You are too kind. Is there anything you need? Anything I can help with?"

"I am not sure really. Dad is following up with the school. Maybe they'll find something on security cameras. And Bobby provided bodyguards." Kim told him as he was nodding along.

"What, Jack is not enough?" Ricky attempted a joke and Kim just winced at it. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Jack is always enough." Kim said pointedly and Ricky's expression turned sour. Kim was nowhere near the emotional equilibrium to have this discussion now, but it seemed like they'd have it any way.

"Ricky, I ..." Kim began and Ricky suddenly turned away with a dark chuckle.

"No need to explain Kim. I got it. I have no chance." He was talking and shaking his head. "I won't bring it up again, unless your feelings change and you say so yourself. I should have known that all the good ones are already taken."

"Ricky, you don't have to put me on a pedestal. I am a normal girl. I have flaws aplenty. And if you want someone like me, then you are in luck. There are many wonderful people, who are probably better than I and they can't all be taken. I know you are lonely now. That you are not sure who has genuine feelings for your and who is honest with you, but you will find someone. I am sure."

Ricky was silent throughout her little speech, but turned back to face her. He studied her face and finally gave her a little smile. "Thank you. I would argue that you are not average, that there are not that many girls like you, that you understand me better than most... But... Thank you. I may not have chance with you, but I would like to be your friend. I don't have many of those right now."

"I'd like that very much."


WeaverWorld dot com

Moderators' post re: Kim Crawford/Wasabi

By now most of you heard that Kim Crawford (Wasabi) received some unpleasant message that may have involved an animal being hurt. We would like to remind everyone once again that this site is meant as a forum for fans to discuss Ricky's art and performances. We would not tolerate any hateful messages that are directed at those associated with Ricky.


TMZ: Ricky Weaver and Jack Brewer Seen Together Again

The notorious popstar was spotted with his pal and a young rising star grabbing lunch with Bobby Wasabi. What these three men havebin common? That's right. It's Kim Crawford. She is a rumored daughter of Bobby and a rumored love interest of both young men. She has recently been ill with a "food poisoning" and allegedly her pet was killed. It is no wonder then that these three would be seen hovering over her. We hope Kim feels better and take this opportunity to remind everyone that animal cruelty is terrible.

A/N: I feel like I made my teenage characters too emotionally smart, if that makes sense. But, in my defense, plenty of young people I meet are like that. And these guys are in unusual circumstances, so they act smarter. Let me know if you find them unbelievably mature.