(A / N): Well, I'm kind of worried about how this story is going since I've had reviews from only two people, but just for them, I'll continue to write it.

Anyways, I'm kind of just winging it at this chapter, so I'm not sure if anything too dramatic will happen yet. So keep reading to find out!

Chapter 3: Bruises & Questions

It had been an entire night of tossing and turning. I hadn't heard from Kim since I had dropped her off earlier and I was beginning to freak out a little more than I probably should have. I mean, it was just a headache right? Everyone gets headaches. It's perfectly normal. It was just Kim's sudden loss for words that wasn't.

Come on Jack, get it together. You're over thinking this way too much. Kim has changed. Big deal. She's still your best friend.

No matter how much reassurance my brain tried to pass over my body, I just couldn't keep my mind from wandering to all the worst possibilities. That stupid bottle kept creeping its way back into my memory. Why couldn't I just let it go? She was a sixteen year old teenager. This behavior was normal, right? Yeah, sure. To anyone, but Kim.

It seemed like hours had passed before I finally drifted off to sleep, and only minutes before I was awake again. The sun beamed through my window and I just wanted to shoot it down at that moment. Today was the first day back to school, and I was not looking forward to it whatsoever. But I did get to see Kim again, and if she was okay, I would force myself to calm down.

I showered quickly and dressed in my best purple v-neck, dark washed jeans, and my newest pair of black Vans. Ever since Kim had said she liked me in v-necks, I couldn't stop wearing them. I'll admit, I had a strong habit of trying to impress her. It was hard to not want to. In fact, I think every guy in Seaford made an attempt to impress Kim Crawford, or at least leave a small impression on her. But Kim was my best friend, and I had already made the biggest impression. So I didn't try as hard.

Fifteen minutes before the school bell rang, I slipped into the main hallway and scanned the bustling crowd for Kim. If she wasn't at school, that would mean she wasn't okay, and if she wasn't okay, then I wouldn't be either. Eventually I spotted her standing by her locker, looking into space absent mindedly. She was here, so I could stop my persistent worrying.

"Hey Kim. How you feeling?" I asked her as I positioned myself next to her. I looked her over, noticing the ripped skinny jeans and tight fitting, slim black tank top. It seemed a bit overly plain from what Kim normally wore, but who was I to judge? I was just a guy.

"Better. Thanks for taking me home." She replied as she turned to face me. That's when I really noticed Kim's appearance. The bags under her eyes were dark, I guess you could say almost black. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. Her face was pale, and the usual soft pink color her cheeks usually were had disappeared. She looked sick.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I questioned. Honestly, I had never seen Kim look worse.

"I'm fine. You can stop worrying." She assured me.

"Okaaaaay." I said. I didn't really know what else to say. If I had mentioned how ill she looked, my ass would had been thrown through a wall. I learned to keep my mouth shut about Kim's appearance when Jerry had made the stupid mistake of asking Kim if she had gained weight. Wow, that was something he definitely regretted the next morning.

"So, what are your classes this year?" I asked trying to make some kind of conversation. I felt like it had been forever since I had heard Kim's voice.

"Uhhh, Biology, Algebra 2, History, English, Gym, French, and then I have free period." She answered. So I shared all the same classes with Kim, except Gym.

"Shall we head to Biology then?" I held out my arm to her and I was happy to see that it had gained a small smile from Kim. She shook her head as she grabbed my arm and we began walking towards our science class.

Kim and I sat next to each other like always. We were even lucky enough to be assigned as lab partners. On top of being attractive, Kim was smart, so I didn't mind one bit.

I found myself staring at Kim more than usual. Not because I was fascinated by her beauty or anything cheesy like that, but because she continued to doze off throughout class. It was when I noticed the bruises on the inner part of her arm that I suddenly felt my brain kick me into full freak out mode. What the fuck were those?

"Kim? Where'd you get those bruises?" I whispered to her. She looked down at her arms and immediately her eyes widened. I don't think she realized they were there.

"Oh, I guess I got them from falling the other day." She said.

"You didn't fall on your arms." I pointed out. Her eyes darted back and forth as if she was searching for something.

"I mean when I got home. I fell again and hit my arms." Her voice was uneasy. I didn't believe her for one second, but if I had said that out loud Kim would immediately make me feel guilty.

"Okay." I looked back down at the blank paper that was sitting in front of me. What was Kim hiding? Kim's arm was now up and positioned so her chin was resting on her hand. She was concealing her face from me. I was becoming more and more confused by Kim's behavior. I was her best friend and she was acting as if she couldn't talk to me, or that I couldn't be trusted. All I wanted to do was care for her like a real friend should.

After Biology, Kim remained quiet until lunch. She hadn't spoke one word to me since I had pointed out that I could see her bruises. I knew there was more to it then what she was trying to make me believe. I could see it written all over her face. Guilt. Pain. Disappointment?

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" I finally managed to ask the big question that had been burning in the back of my mind. I had caught up with Kim after school as she began walking home. Kim was on edge, on her facial expressions only made that obvious. She was nervous at answering me.

"What are you talking about?" She asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Kim, I know somethings wrong. I know you might not see it right now, but I'm still your best friend." The guilt trip could be so effective on Kim sometimes.

"I know you're my best friend. Jack, I'm fine. I've just been a little sick." Kim sounded frustrated. I guess I could understand how having someone badger you all the time could get annoying, but it wasn't like I was doing it to be annoying. I was doing it because I cared. But pushing Kim was only going to get me in trouble.

"Fine. But if I don't see any improvements soon, I'm going to keep bugging you until you tell me." I informed her. She groaned.

"Jack, seriously. You irritate me sometimes."

"I know, but you still love me." I replied, She smirked. Yeah, I bounce back onto her good side with a little playfulness.

I walked Kim to her house and said goodbye before I made my way another two blocks to my own place. I really just wanted to text Kim, like I always did, but I decided on sleeping instead. I was exhausted, and I knew Kim had basically had enough of me for one day. I guess I did harp on her about things a little too much. I remember when she did the same after my dad had died. I had completely pulled myself out of my usual social circle, and Kim had constantly asked me questions, like was I okay. It frustrated me to no end, but eventually her nagging snapped me back into reality.

Kim was sick. That was all. I had blown things out of proportion, like I always did when it came to her. Kim would be back to her old self in no time.

Right?

So the ending to this chapter is kind of lame. But I didn't want to give too much away right now. Also, I would just like to make this clear now that Kim is NOT pregnant. This isn't one of those stories. I plan on making things more intense next chapter, but for that to happen, I'm gonna say I'm aiming for at least five reviews.

So you know what to do :)