Jack's P.O.V.

I turned back around and Kim's eyes met with mine, even though she tried

hard to avoid them. I knew Dawn would keep them stalled at the buffet for a

while so I decided to take my chances and start a conversation but I couldn't

seem to get any words out, so I sat there with my mouth open and

eventually, she noticed.

"Uh... you okay?"

I cleared my throat before answering. But I still came out stuttering.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine." I put on a smile at the end to back myself up and to save

me from any more questions. When I sure my speech was fine, I spoke up

again.

"You look really nice tonight. Especially your hair." She nodded her head in

agreement, but not before looking down at her dress.

"Thanks. But I you know I hate wearing dresses." She said then looked back

down at her dress and fidgeted with the lining. I smiled knowing that the old

Kim that still hated being in dresses was still inside her. But I wasn't about

to miss my chance to compliment her.

"Don't be crazy, you look amazing in them." She looked up and mirrored

my smile. She let out a small chuckle.

"Thanks again." I looked at her and waited for a while.

"What? You're not going to give me a compliment?" I asked pointing up

and down to my outfit. This time she let out a full laugh.

"You only get a compliment if you deserve it." She said through giggles. I

raised my eyebrows at her.

"Oh! That's how it's going to be Kim? Or should I call you Kimberly for the

rest of the night?" she stopped laughing immediately.

"Alright. You win." I laughed out loud as she continued.

"Jack Anderson I think you look very-"

"Hey KIM! We're back!" I looked up from Kim's equally confused face to

see John coming back with the rest.

"Oh great." Kim and I said at the same time. Before the sat down I made

sure to get my last in, so whispered to her as best as I could.

"Guess you'll have to believe that message later Kimberly." She shook her

head but still smiled so I'm guessing that that was a good thing. I smiled as I

sat back into my seat. Dawn looked over at me and raised her eye in

question. I put thumbs up and she smiled herself.

Everyone began to talk among themselves and that's when I noticed that

Kim and I were the only ones without plates that were filled with food. So I

decided to take my chances.

"Hey Kim, we should go and get some food before the line gets too long."

She looked a bit uneasy so I looked to Dawn to back me up a bit.

"Yeah, you and Kim go ahead, we'll be fine. Right John?" he nodded his

head as he quickly ate. Well now that John had agreed, Kim was all for it. I

waited for her to get up, and then I walked out behind her. When I got to the

line I got two plates and handed one to her.

"Thanks." She mumbled. I just nodded my head and tried to look past the

awkward moment as we inched up further in the line.

"So what were you going to say back there before everyone came?" I said

trying to pick up a conversation and also just because I was a bit curious.

"What are you talking about?" she asked trying to act discreet. But it didn't

work at all, only made me laugh.

"Oh come on Kimberly," I said poking her in the ribs. "I complimented you

so it's only fair that I get one back." she only smiled this time. So I

continued on.

"I think you were saying something like 'Jack Anderson I think you look

very…'" I made my voice higher to imitate Kim, but that just got me a

punch in the arm.

"Jack, you idiot, I don't sound like that." I only laughed at her frustration.

"Just finish your sentence, your killing me." I said through breaths.

"Alright alright. Will you stop bothering me then?" I shrugged my shoulders

and smiled, then shook my head.

"No. It's too fun." She sighed but I knew she wanted to smile. We moved

up a few more inches and started dipping out some rice into our plates as she

began to talk.

"Alright. I was going to say that you look very…good tonight." I came to a

full stop.

"Good? Really?" she looked at me trying to hold back any expression.

"What?"

"I know you wanted to say more than just 'good'" Kim shrugged her

shoulders.

"And why are you so sure of that?"

"Because I know you Kimberly." I poked her cheek as she scowled.

"If you know me so well then what do you think I was going to say?" I

shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe you were going to say that I'm cute, or handsome,

maybe even on the adorable side," I set down my plate and with each option

I walked closer to her until we were centimeters apart.

"I don't know Kim, you tell me." The last part I had to whisper because I

was so close to her. I don't know what I was doing and where I was going

with this because it seemed to work because Kim was speechless and her

eyes were leveled with my chest. She kept her arms in the same place as she

moved her arm and ran her hand up my arm till her stopped at my shoulder.

I wanted to ask what she was doing and what was going through her head,

but I seemed to lose all train of thought. I found feeling in my arm and

touched her elbow lightly but that was enough to bring her out of her trance.

She didn't say anything. She didn't anything, didn't even attempt to make

eye contact. She only picked up her plate and turned in the direction of our

table.