A/N: Again, I'm super sorry for the long wait. After the last chapter, I concentrated on "The Boys Are Back In Town", and after I finally (I'd been working on the story for over a year) finished it, I took a little break to recharge my creative batteries.
Well, I'm back, and I present you with the longest chapter yet, with plenty of the good stuff. Enjoy!
And many thanks to my friend and beta, cpneb.
Chapter 6: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
≈O≈
Tara rolled her baby-blue eyes and let out a frustrated sigh as she watched their cheer workout being once again turned into a shouting match between their top two cheerleaders, Kim and Bonnie. Tara was quickly reaching her limit as what was supposed to be her fun-time, was time and time again ruined by those two. They didn't even seem notice they weren't the only ones there, they were so caught up in their ferocious exchange of barbs.
As the two cheerleaders' relationship (a word never uttered aloud between the two) had went on, outwardly they continued as normal. Bonnie made disparaging remarks as usual, and as she was getting to know Kim better, she was hitting some sensitive areas, and vice versa. All that made for some heated arguments, like the one they were having now.
After a few minutes, Tara had had enough. "Would you two just SHUT UP!" she shouted, much to the surprise of everyone. They had never seen the blonde to yell at anyone. Even Kim and Bonnie stopped their bickering and stared, dumbstruck, at the livid blonde.
"God, what is wrong with you two?" Tara berated the two troublemakers. "Can't you for once act nice so we can get some work done? If you haven't noticed, our perfomances haven't exactly been anything to brag about. It's a miracle we even ranked in the Regionals last week."
Both Kim and Bonnie were mortified. To be scolded like this, and by Tara of all people. Even the usually so defiant Bonnie, stood there looking like a disciplined child.
"Tara, I-," Kim started.
"No, I've had it. Unless you two work out whatever's pushing your bitch-buttons, I'm not gonna bother. I'm outta here." With that, Tara tossed her pom-poms and stormed out, leaving the rest of the squad standing there, stupefied.
Bonnie smacked Kim in the arm. "Nice going, Kim, you've upset Tara!"
"Me? You started it!"
"Whatever," Bonnie said. She rushed after her friend. "Tara!"
Kim turned back to the squad. They were all glaring at her. "What?" she asked.
The girls kept glancing nervously at each other, before finally Crystal stepped forward. "Kim, Tara isn't alone. We all feel that your and Bonnie's fighting is hurting the squad. So, unless you can resolve your issues, we think that..."
"What?" Kim prompted.
Marcella continued where Crystal had left off: "Either you or Bonnie should step down. And since Bonnie has seniority..."
Kim's eyes flew wide with shock. "You want me to quit?"
"We don't want either of you to leave," Crystal said.
"But we can't go on like this," Marcella continued.
Kim simply couldn't believe her ears. Just because Bonnie couldn't keep her trap shut, she was facing the possibility of being fired from the squad.
"Fine," Kim huffed. "I'll go talk to her." She left for the locker room, her mind set on laying down the law to her guilty pleasure.
≈O≈
Bonnie found Tara in the locker room, just as she was walking into the showers. The towel-wrapped blonde paid no attention to her as she removed the towel and stepped into the shower.
"Tara, please talk to me," Bonnie said. Hearing nothing from her friend, Bonnie leaned on the wall next to the entrance to the showers.
Bonnie wasn't used to this. Usually she would intimidate and bully people to bend to her will, even those around her she laughingly called friends. Tara was different. Bonnie would rather bite off her own tongue than hurt Tara on purpose. And now, seeing her being mad at her made Bonnie very uneasy. She did not like the feeling.
Kim walked in ready to unleash a scolding tirade - she stopped when she saw Bonnie. The brunette's sad and troubled face troubled her as well, yet another item on her rapidly growing list of things she would never have expected from "Queen B". Kim walked over and leaned on the wall as well, joining the wait. She laid her hand atop Bonnie's, knowing that was as far as she'd be able to go, and even that was pushing it.
A few minutes later they heard the water stop. Bonnie yanked her hand away roughly. Kim knew to expect this, but felt a little sting nonetheless. A moment later Tara walked past them and went to her locker. They waited quietly as Tara toweled herself off.
"You know why I started cheerleading?" Tara asked out of the blue.
"No," Kim and Bonnie answered in unison. Tara had joined a little after Kim, and Bonnie was in fact the one who had given the deciding vote during her trials. But neither of them had the faintest clue as to the other girl's motives.
"Because it seemed like fun," Tara said and slammed open the door to her locker. "Dancing, being cheered at, hanging out with fun people," she explained as she unwrapped the towel. Kim and Bonnie glanced at each other uncomfortably.
"But you two have made it not fun," Tara said, reaching into her locker. As she rummaged for her underwear, the jiggle and bounce of her luscious breasts made Bonnie lick her lips. Kim swallowed and bashfully turned her eyes away. Bonnie couldn't help herself: her eyes wandered down south, looking for a peek at the usually carefully tended garden, only to find that the blonde had gone full bulldozer on it, leaving nothing standing.
Bonnie tore her eyes from the blonde's sweaty-naughty-feelings-causing body and forced them to stay at eye-level. "How do you mean?"
"Both of you are so competitive, it's like nothing else matters but winning to you guys. Don't get me wrong, I like to win, but there's more than just being the best. And then there's the fighting... I hate seeing two of my closest friends fight all the time."
"Come on, Tar', you know we're not serious," Bonnie assured her friend. It wasn't technically true; they meant everything they said at the time, but they always made up afterwards – and making up was always fun.
"It sure looks like it."
"Okay, sure, me and Bonnie can get a little.. hot-headed, but we can't help it."
"Have you even tried?"
Bonnie wondered if sucking each other's faces off counted; that usually calmed them down.
"Okay, if you want me back, you'll do what I ask," Tara said, arms crossed, now donning a skirt and bra.
"Anything," Bonnie said quickly, surprising even herself with her readiness to make amends.
"Friday, slumber party at my place."
"A slumber party?" Bonnie snorted. "What are we, twelve?"
Kim smacked Bonnie in the arm. "We'll be there."
"Good," Tara said and turned to her locker. She put on her shirt and closed the door, turning back to Kim and Bonnie. "My place at seven. Be there," she said and walked off.
"What do you think she's got planned?" Kim asked after Tara had left the locker room.
"Knowing her, a stuffed animal parade."
"Hey, you better make nice when we go there."
"Me? I was friends with her way before you."
"Exactly. That's why you gotta make a real effort."
"Why?"
"Because you - we - let her down. We need to let her know she can still trust us."
Bonnie sighed. "This is going to be a long week."
≈O≈
"A slumber party? With Bonnie and Tara?" Ron repeated, his eyes glazed over. On his shoulder, Rufus tried to snap him out of it, waving his little paw in front of Ron's face.
"Stop drooling. I don't know what you were imagining, but it ain't gonna happen, perv," Kim said sternly.
"Let a guy dream, will ya," Ron protested, still gazing at the tantalizing view before his mind's eye.
Kim pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just keep my clothes on."
"Tell that to Bonnie. Lucky she didn't tear your nightie to shreds."
Kim growled softly.
Ron held up his hands. "Okay, I'll stop."
"Good. I was just about to give you a laser lipstick lobotomy."
Ron made a zipper gesture in front of his mouth. He didn't stay quiet for long. "So are you actually going to spend the night at Tara's?" he asked, noticeably more serious.
Kim noticed the tone, but pretended not to. "That's what you do at a slumber party."
"It's just... Do you really think that's a good idea? What if you-"
"It's going to be okay. I'm not going to freak."
"But-"
"I've been to Tara's before, and Bonnie'll be there. I'll be okay," Kim assured.
"If you say so," Ron said, not at all convinced. But Kim had made up her mind, and he knew better than to try to talk her out of it.
≈O≈
Yet again Bonnie stared at the phone, her thumb poised to make the call. And, again, she chickened out. She growled in frustration and stood up, tossing the phone in the trash bin by her desk on her way to the bed. She flopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Why was this so hard? She finally knew how to get in touch with her father, but she couldn't go through with it. The painful truth was: she was afraid. What if her father didn't want to talk to her? What if she found out that he left because he didn't love her anymore? What if, what if...
It was all too much. This was way too much reality for one day. Bonnie desperately needed a distraction, and knew where to get it.
≈O≈
Kim wasn't surprised to get the call. She was used to Bonnie calling her up on short notice for some late night lovin'. Normally she didn't mind the booty calls, but it had been a while since she had gotten to spend any quality time with Ron, so unless she gave a good enough reason, Bonnie wouldn't be getting any action tonight.
"Don't make me say it," Bonnie responded to Kim putting her on the spot.
"If you really want me to come to you, you'll say it. Why should I come?"
Bonnie gritted her teeth, extremely annoyed at Kim's insistence. But it couldn't be helped - as much as it went against her nature, she had to tell the truth. "I-," she struggled, "need you."
A broad smile grew on Kim's lips. It was exactly what she wanted to hear, had wanted to hear for a long time. "Now was that so hard?" she asked.
You have no idea, Bonnie thought to herself. "Just meet me at the multiplex. There's some Swedish two-hour snorefest playing tonight. Oh, and put on that cherry chapstick. I love it when you taste like cherry."
Kim hung up the phone, a warm redness on her cheeks.
She turned to Ron, who was lying on her bed with a comic in his hands. "Ron, I-"
"I get it: you're ditching me to play tonsil hockey with Bonnie. Again."
"Ron..."
"I'll be fine. I'll just be sitting here. All alone," Ron lamented theatrically.
Kim was about to start yet another round of apologizing before it hit her. She narrowed her eyes. "You're messing with me, aren't you?"
"I so am," Ron grinned victoriously.
Kim grabbed an elephant plushie and threw it at Ron. "You're horrible."
"I do what I can," Ron smiled a very self-satisfied smile.
"So you really don't mind me leaving like this?"
"Hey, she's your girlfriend. If I had someone calling me to fool around, I'd be so gone."
"I'm touched," Kim said wryly.
"So I guess she gave you a good enough reason?"
Kim dropped on her bed next to Ron. "She needs me," she said with a coy smile.
"She actually said that?" Ron asked, genuinely surprised. He was vicariously aware how hard it was for Bonnie to express her feelings.
Kim nodded, smiling a little bigger.
Ron smiled. "So, what are you waiting for? Go. I have Rufus to keep me company." He looked to his hairless friend, only to see him in deep sleep at the foot of the bed.
"You don't have to stay here. Why don't you go home and play some video games or something?"
"Can't. The folks've been all lovey-dovey lately, and I don't want to walk in the middle of something," Ron said, shuddering visibly.
"You really think they'd-"
"Yeah, I think. The firm shove out the door and the 'Don't come back for a few hours' sent a pretty clear message."
"Oh, my poor Ron," Kim cooed and stroked his head. She stood up and went to her vanity dresser, digging out the tube of cherry chapstick. She applied liberally. Then she walked back to the bed and took Ron's head in her hands. "Here's something for being such a good friend and putting up with me," she said and planted a kiss on Ron's lips.
"Now, turn around," she then told the dumbstruck boy. After he did so, Kim reached under her shirt and unclasped her bra. She managed to remove the undergarment without taking off her shirt, and threw it in the closet.
She was all set for Bonnie.
≈O≈
The next day, both Kim and Bonnie came to school wearing turtlenecks. Kim got away with it combining it with her mission outfit, but Bonnie was given some hard time over hers. She saved face telling everybody it was Brick's doing.
Both got grounded.
Come Friday, they had managed to negotiate concessions to go to Tara's, with the strict condition of 'No Boys'. Neither had to lie making the promise.
≈O≈
Kim touched down in a perfect landing. Her parachute pooled on the ground neatly as she unhooked the straps from her backpack. As she started gathering up the chute, she looked around.
"Ron?"
"Up here, KP."
Kim looked up and saw Ron hanging by the ropes of his chute, having being caught in the only tree in sight; a lone elm standing in the Williams' yard.
"A little help?" Ron pleaded.
Kim shook her head and climbed up the tree. She cut the ropes and was able to help Ron onto the branches without sending him plummeting to the ground. They untangled the chute from the tree and climbed down.
Kim pushed her wadded up chute into Ron's arms. "Here, take care of this for me. I'm already late."
Ron tried to peek from behind the bundle of parachutes in his arms. "Sure. Have fun. But not too much fun," Ron grinned playfully.
"Right back at you," Kim grinned back.
As Ron set off on a wobbly journey back home, Kim went to the Williams' front door, and gave it a knock. The door opened, revealing a woman in her mid-thirties.
She was absolutely striking. At 5' 8", her athletic, yet femininely curvy in the right places, figure was covered in jeans and a purple blouse. Her luscious black hair was tied back into a mid-length ponytail, with a few errant locks over her forehead, giving her a relaxed appearance. Her eyes were the most beautiful shade of dark blue Kim had ever seen.
"H-hi, Mrs. Williams," Kim stuttered nervously. She had met Tara's mom before, only now the woman's appearance seemed to have a whole unexpected new effect on her.
"Oh, hi, Kim. We've been expecting you. Just go upstairs to Tara's room. Bonnie's there already."
Kim would have gone up in a second, but her throat was so dry she was almost breathing out puffs of dust. She gathered all her courage not to break down. "Actually, could- could I have something to drink first? I just flew in from South America, and I'm a little parched."
"Of course. Come on," Mrs. Williams said and lead Kim to the kitchen. "So, what would you like? We have juice, energy drinks-"
"Water's fine, Mrs. Williams," Kim said modestly.
"Mrs. Williams is my witch of a mother-in-law. Please, Kim, call me Renee."
"Water's fine... Renee," Kim said, looking up shyly from under her brow.
"No, I know what you need," Renee said and opened upper door of the fridge.
She rummaged around, and not finding what she was looking for, switched to the lower section. Despite her dry throat, Kim swallowed as she watched the woman bend over and reach into the fridge. The jeans hugged her perfectly-formed posterior just right, the lovely round cheeks providing a vision surely of divine design.
Kim was born again a buttwoman.
"Here," Renee said victoriously. She straightened up and closed the fridge, with a plastic bottle in hand. "I bet you could use a Crocade after all that exertion."
"Please, and thank you," Kim said with a squeak, and took the proffered beverage.
"Hmm.. you look a little flushed. Are you feeling feverish?" Renee said and reached out to feel Kim's forehead.
Kim stepped back. "I'm fine. Thanks, Mrs. Williams," she said quickly and ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
"Strange girl," Renee said to herself. She was only used to boys acting strangely around her.
≈O≈
Kim entered Tara's room greedily gulping down the Crocade. Tara and Bonnie were sitting on the bed, talking lively.
"Hi, Kim!" Tara greeted her cheerily.
"Thirsty much?" Bonnie said.
Kim ignored the comment and finished the drink, feeling refreshed.
"Freak fighting makes a gal thirsty," Kim said. "Tara, what did your mother do for a living, again?"
"She runs her own aerobics studio. Why?"
"No reason. I'd just forgotten she had such a stunning figure."
"I know. I just wish I look that good someday," Tara said
"Come on, Tara. I'd kill to have your body," Kim said, and realizing what she'd said, blushed a light red.
Tara didn't see the smirk Bonnie gave Kim for her unintentional double-entendre.
The evening continued with Tara drilling Kim about her previous mission, and the missions in general. While Tara listened with wide-eyed wonder, Bonnie seemed disinterested, but in reality was surprised, and a little worried, of how dangerous Kim's "little hobby" actually was. It also surprised her how concerned about Kim learning the truth made her. Kim had always been all "no big", but it was big. Bonnie started wondering if Kim even realized it herself.
Other subjects were discussed, but, to Kim and Bonnie's surprise, the one of their arguing wasn't broached. To them it almost seemed like Tara had completely forgotten about it. Just as well, they thought. As long as Tara was happy, they were in the clear.
As the evening went on, Tara's mom brought them two spare mattresses for Kim and Bonnie to sleep on, as well as some blankets and pillows. After setting up the makeshift beds, they changed into their sleepwear. Kim donned loose sweats and a blue tanktop with a heart in the chest. Bonnie settled for the simple panties and t-shirt, while Tara wore a traditional pink babydoll nightie with a lace ruffle trim.
A while after getting back up to speed, Tara surprised the other two girls with a strange question. "Umm, have you guys ever heard of 'girl-kissing'?" she asked timidly.
Kim and Bonnie exchanged nervous glances.
"Why?" Bonnie asked suspiciously.
"Well, I heard that there's this thing going around, with girls kissing other girls, you know, just for fun."
"And...?"
"I was just wondering if you guys would like to try it?"
Bonnie was hesitant. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
The thought seemed intriguing to Kim. For one, Tara had such kissable lips. And she was actually interested in doing a little comparison, maybe even spark some jealousy or competetive drive in Bonnie.
The deviousness of her thoughts surprised even Kim herself. Maybe Bonnie's beginning to rub off on me, she thought.
"Sure, I'm game," Kim said.
"Really?" both Tara and Bonnie asked.
"Yeah, why not? It could be fun," Kim said as innocently as she could. Kim turned towards Tara on the mattress she was sitting on, motioning for the blonde to come closer. Tara came up in front of Kim. She moved hesitantly, as if she was having second thoughts. She settled in a sitting position, and suddenly gave Kim a hasty peck on the lips.
"What was that?" Kim asked, amused.
"What? It was a kiss," Tara replied.
"No, that's how you kiss your mom," Kim said, losing herself in the visual for a moment. She recovered quickly, and continued: "This is how you kiss."
Kim took Tara's head in her hands, and closed in on the trembling blonde. She kissed her softly, their lips interlacing. Kim pulled back just a hair, and moved in again, trapping Tara's upper lip between hers. Kim continued with similar kisses, finally bringing out her tongue. She only knocked at the gates, but never passed through, not wanting to possibly freak out the inexperienced Tara.
Bonnie watched the proceeding, mesmerized. She knew from experience that Kim was a good kisser, but watching her in action was just intoxicating. She wanted to make out so badly right now.
Kim pulled back, leaving Tara sitting in a near-trance, eyes closed. The blonde opened her eyes slowly.
"Wow, that was some- mmph," she started, only to be assaulted by Bonnie.
The brunette was hungry for some lip action, but couldn't go for Kim out of fear of being outed. So she gave her friend as passionate a kiss as she dared, in an effort to tide her over until the next day.
The two finally came apart, with Tara gasping for air.
"That. Was. Amazing," Tara praised, still looking a little woozy. "No wonder you're so into each other."
Kim and Bonnie froze. The air stood still in the absolute silence.
"What are you talking about?" Kim asked nervously.
Tara smiled at them reassuringly. "I know about you guys. You don't have to try to hide it anymore."
"How?" Bonnie asked simply.
"I've seen the way you look at each other," Tara said.
"With seething hatred?" Bonnie asked wryly.
"No. When you think no one's looking," Tara replied, giving Kim a meaningful look.
"And, when you think the other person's not looking," Tara continued, giving Bonnie an even more meaningful look.
"And, I saw you making out," she added non-chalantly as she stood up and went to sit on her own bed.
"What? Where?" Kim demanded.
"The janitor's closet."
"You couldn't have seen us in there," Kim said in disbelief, not realizing that she had just incriminated herself.
"No, but I saw you sneak in," Tara said, and grinned. "And there's only one reason people go in there."
Kim and Bonnie glanced at each other, looking embarrassed.
"You really should think of better spots. The janitor's probably the only one not using the closet."
Bonnie stood up and stomped her way to Tara's bed, grabbing the blonde by the shoulders. "Tar', you can't tell anyone."
"Don't worry, guys. I'm not going to tell."
"So, what was with the kissing?" Kim asked, finally realizing Tara had known all along. "Don't tell me you're thinking of switching teams?"
"No," Tara chuckled. "I'm still very much into boys. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. And for the practice."
Kim's eyes lit up, forgetting the shock for a moment. "Ooh, for someone in particular?"
"No." Tara said forcefully. Then she looked away embarrassed. "Well, kinda."
"Tell us. Who is it?" Kim pried, now dying of curiosity. It seemed her girl-instincts were stronger than the shock of being found out.
Tara couldn't get a word out. She just stared at the floor, glancing up uncomfortably at Kim, and then down again. This behaviour confirmed Bonnie's fear. She was now sure whom Tara liked.
"You can tell us. It can't be that bad?" Kim prodded.
Bonnie couldn't hold it in anymore. "She likes Ron," she blurted.
"Bonnie!" Tara screamed.
"Ron? Ron who? Reger?"
I swear, it's like hanging out with special ed kids, Bonnie thought. "Kim, she likes Ron. You know, blond hair, brown eyes, cute freckles, last name Stoppable."
"My Ron?" Kim finally got it.
"Yes! Wait, what? Your Ron?"
"You know what I mean," Kim said and turned to Tara. "Is it true? Do you really like Ron?"
"Yeah," Tara said tentatively.
"That's great!" Kim exclaimed, overjoyed.
"Really? You don't have a problem with it?"
"It's about time. He really needs a girlfriend."
"I'll say," Bonnie said.
Kim gave Bonnie a glare, and turned back to Tara. "Why would I have a problem with it?"
"Because you're super-possessive about him," Bonnie said.
"Am not!"
"You kinda are," Tara chimed in.
"Et tu, Tara? Okay, tell me one time I was possessive about him?"
"Well," Bonnie started, "there was that time he got the new haircut-"
"I remember that haircut," Tara said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"-and you looked ready to pummel any girl who came on to him."
"Did not!" Kim denied vehemently. She looked at Tara. "Did I?"
"I was going to ask him out then, but I was too scared of you."
Kim slumped. "I never realized."
"Why do you like the creep so much?" Bonnie asked.
"Other than the fact we've known each other since preschool?"
"Yeah, other than that," Bonnie clarified. "If your tongue wasn't down my throat so much, I'd think that it was down his."
"Bonnie!"
"Oh, come on. You're like one PDA detention away from being a couple."
"Kim," Tara spoke up, "before I knew about you and Bonnie, even I thought you guys might be dating."
Kim opened her mouth for another protest, but closed it again. She suddenly realized something.
"You know, I never really thought about it. There's just always been this bond between us."
"Do you... love him?" Tara asked tentatively.
"Yes," Kim said without thinking. And as she thought about it, she smiled. "Yes, I love him."
"Oh, I see," Tara looked down.
"No, Tara, it's not like that. Yes, I love him deeply, but as a friend- no, that's not right." Kim paused for a few seconds. "It's like... he's a part of me, and I a part of him. It's hard to explain."
Bonnie felt something she had never expected, or felt before: a twinge of jealousy. Not knowing how to handle the strange emotion, she did what she always did: scoffed. "Ain't that precious."
Both Kim and Tara just gave her a disapproving look.
"What?" Bonnie asked.
They ignored her. Tara continued the conversation: "Have you talked to Ron about this?"
"I've tried. But every time I get serious, he makes some stupid joke or suddenly comes up with something he has to go do right now. Come to think of it, the only serious talks we've had about us, were when Ron was jealous of the time I spent with Bonnie."
"He was jealous of me?" Bonnie asked, amazed.
"Yes. And I can't really blame him: I had been ignoring him an awful lot. But we've settled all that."
"But he's not like, in love with you, or anything?" Tara asked.
"No. Don't ask me how I know, I just do."
Tara was silent for a moment, looking thoughtful. Then she spoke up. "I wonder if he's a good kisser?"
A mischievous grin grew on Kim's lips. "I bet Bonnie can answer that one."
Tara stared at the livid brunette wide-eyed. "You kissed Ron?"
"No! Well, yes, but I didn't know it was him."
Kim saw Tara was confused, so she filled in the blanks. "One of our arch enemies switched my brain with his. Bonnie thought she was kissing me."
"Oh," Tara said, looking a little lost. It passed quickly. "So, how was he?" she asked with a gleam in her eye.
Bonnie groaned. "Okay, but only if you promise never to speak of it again."
Tara and Kim nodded enthusiastically. "We promise," they spoke in unison.
Bonnie sighed in resignation. "It wasn't totally unpleasant. He was no Kim," and she hung her head, as if in shame, "but he wasn't bad." She looked to Tara, and shook her head as she saw her already in her imagination world, thinking of what it would be like to kiss Kim's goofy sidekick.
With the topic having run its course, the girls decided to watch a cheesy flick. They sat in front of the small TV Tara had in her room, with Kim and Bonnie side-by-side, sharing a bowl of popcorn. Tara had her own.
Half-way into the film, Kim and Bonnie got into an argument about one of the leading ladies' ostensive innocence off-screen.
Tara grinned at their bickering. "You two are so cute!"
"Take that back!" Bonnie demanded, tossing some popcorn Tara's way.
"No, I mean it," Tara said. "You guys are really cute together."
"Well, don't expect it to last very long. This is just temporary," Bonnie said almost instinctively. She cringed inside - she didn't mean to put it so harshly.
Though Tara couldn't tell if Bonnie was serious or not, she couldn't miss the look of hurt in Kim's eyes. She could have asked for clarification from Bonnie, but knowing her, she'd probably come up with more lies, even more hurtful. Tara didn't want to do that to Kim, so she stayed silent.
They resumed watching the movie, but Kim switched to sitting next to Tara. She sat through the movie with a pensive look on her face.
≈O≈
The world appeared in a haze before the awakening Kim. At first she didn't recognize her surroundings. Her instincts kicked in and she went into battle mode. Hyperaware, senses heightened, every muscle tensed, ready for immediate action when called upon.
No such call came. No cackling villains, no whirring deathrays.
"You awake?"
Sudden realization washed over her, and her body relaxed. It all came back: Tara's room, her sleeping on a spare mattress, Bonnie spooning her.
Bonnie, spooning her?
Kim was confused as last night they went to sleep on opposite sides of the room. And Bonnie had told her she didn't have any special feelings for her.
"I'm awake," Kim replied, her voice even, emotionless.
Bonnie picked up on the weird tone. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Don't tell me you're still mad about yesterday?"
"I'm not mad. Just disappointed."
"I thought we had an understanding. We fool around until we get over it."
Kim stayed silent for a moment. "...what if I don't want to get over it?"
Bonnie removed her hand she had wrapped around Kim, and turned on her back. "Your choice. But don't expect me to go along with it."
Kim turned around so she was facing Bonnie's cheek. "Then why are you here - sleeping next to me, I mean? I thought you didn't like to cuddle?"
"I was cold. It's chilly in here," Bonnie said.
Kim didn't believe her.
Bonnie turned to leave. "And now that I'm warm-"
Kim grabbed Bonnie by the waist. "Don't go. Please."
"What do you want from me?" Bonnie asked.
There was so much Kim wanted, or believed she wanted, but at the moment, there was only one thing: "Right now, I just want you to stay next to me."
Ten seconds went by as Bonnie fought herself. Finally she gave in and lay back down on her side, her back to Kim. Kim snuggled up close and re-covered them with the blanket, then wrapped an arm around her.
Kim was painfully aware of how complicated the situation was. Both she and Bonnie seemed to want different things, and she wasn't even sure what she wanted! Not to mention all the secrecy they were forced in. The more she thought about it, the more she believed it all would probably end badly - sooner or later.
But she didn't want to think about it now. She had told Bonnie the truth: at that moment, all she wanted was for her to be there next to her. It felt good, it felt right. She had her here and now, and that was all that mattered.
Kim's yearning for affection guided her actions as she began nuzzling Bonnie's neck. Her nuzzles soon turned to kisses. Supporting herself on her arm, she moved over Bonnie and gently turned the other girl to face her.
"What-" Bonnie began. Kim placed her finger gently on Bonnie's lips. The message was received loud and clear, and Bonnie didn't say another word as Kim continued placing soft kisses around her neck.
Kim's hand slid under Bonnie's shirt as she lay herself flat on top of her.
"What about Tara?" Bonnie managed to whisper in Kim's ear, as Kim was working on hers.
"She's still sleeping," Kim whispered back, taking the earlobe in her mouth right after.
As Kim wiggled and writhed on top of Bonnie, the friction between their most sensitive of parts was driving Bonnie mad. It was just enough to set her loins on fire, but not to build up to an explosion. She grabbed Kim's rear and pulled her tighter against her. It was all the kindling they needed. Soon all else was forgotten in the vigorous engagement of cotton-covered mounds.
Their rapid climb towards climax came to crashing halt at the sound of an exaggeratedly loud yawn coming from the other side of the room.
Kim slid hurriedly off Bonnie, settling next to her, both of them fixing the blanket. Bonnie screamed internally in frustration. She had been so close!
"Good morning, lovebirds," Tara said in a playful tone, peeking over the edge of her bed.
Kim sighed. "Morning, Tara."
As much as she loved her friend, the idea of rolling her in a carpet and dropping her off a bridge sounded all too appealing at the moment.
Thank goodness there was Cheer Camp next week.
To be continued...
