Summary: It's TK and Kari's senior year in high school and they take a surprise Thanksgiving trip to America where things get super complicated. It doesn't look good for TK and Kari's relationship when Kari decides to move back to America and have nothing to do with TK. Can their relationship survive the test of time or will Kari's stubbornness keep them apart forever?
Hard to Love You
'Complicated'
(don't own Avril Lavigne either)
"May I come in?" TK asked.
"Um...yeah sure!" Chandra replied and reluctantly let TK inside.
TK could see the fear in Kari's eyes. It hurt him deeply to see her like that. He felt so guilty about the fight and it made him regret even starting it. TK walked towards her but Kari rolled up in a fetal position on the couch, protecting herself as if TK was going to hit her again. TK stopped, knowing it was no use in trying to get any closer to her.
"Kari I'm so sorry," he apologized which only made Kari burst into tears..
"Um...Kari would like to hear your version of what happened yesterday," said Chandi, speaking on behalf of Kari, trying to help her out.
"Kari you know I would never intentionally hit you," said TK. "I felt threatened by Brian. I didn't like how close you two were. He pretty much told me he loved you and he was going to try and steal you away from me. I couldn't control my jealousy and I tried to punch him but he ducked and he punched me instead. And then you know the rest. I am so sorry Kari. I would never try to hurt you. I love you too much. I already lost you once before, I don't want to lose you again!"
Kari knew he was telling the truth, he would never lie to her. But as much as she wanted to forgive and forget, something just wouldn't let her do that. Part of her still hated him and another part of her was still very scared by him. Chandra could see it in her eyes.
"I think ya should leave," suggested Chandra.
"But I don't know where to go. I don't know what to do," said TK sadly. This whole Nascar experience was new to him.
Chandra felt bad for him. Kari brought him along to have a good time but neither of them were having a good time. She went over to her laptop and printed him a map of the infield.
"Do ya have your infield pass that Mr. Hendrick gave you?" Chandra asked and he nodded his head. "Ok, that will get ya into almost anything here in the infield. Here is a map so ya won't get lost. I even circled where our motor coach is and where Brad's is located. Just go out there and walk around. Ya are surrounded by forty-three of America's best and most famous Nascar drivers. Go get autographs and pictures. There are millions of fans who would kill to have what ya have in your hand," Chandra explained.
TK understood the power the infield pass had and all the things he could do with it, but he was kinda scare to go walk around the infield by himself. He had never been to a race in his life. This was completely new to him. He wished Kari would come with him and show him around. Before TK left the motor coach, he looked at Kari one last time and walked away.
An hour later, Kari grabbed her pass and her sunglasses and decided to go walk around the infield too. She passed TK several times on pit road and in the garage area, but she ignored him as if she didn't even know him. She talked to many of her driver friends, catching up on old times and taking pictures with them. TK talked to famous reporters and journalists, asking questions about the career he was thinking about pursuing and trying to make connections. Every time he talked to a reporter or a driver, they would ask him if he was the guy who punched Kari. TK realized if he wanted an autograph or a picture, he would have to lie.
TK walked around the infield until the truck race started later that day. He watched the race from pit road and really enjoyed watching the race in person. It was a hundred times better than watching the race on TV. When the race ended, TK snuck into victory lane and celebrated with winner and then snuck into the championship victory lane. It was the first time TK was actually sorta having fun while being on this trip but he wished Kari was there to share it with him. Whenever he thought of her, it saddened him and made him remember the awkward situation they were in.
When TK returned to Brad Keslowski's motor coach later that night, the door was locked. He knocked and pounded on the door, waiting for Brad to let him in but Brad never did. TK didn't know what to do. He texted Kari but she never replied back. TK remembered seeing hundreds of fans sitting on top of their campers and motor coaches during the race. So TK went around back and climbed up the ladder to the roof. TK realized why fans sat on top of their motor coaches, the view was absolutely gorgeous. The cool Florida temperature was just warm enough to sleep outside so TK made the best of the situation and fell asleep in the cool moonlight.
TK spent most of Saturday and Sunday wondering around the infield again. He had walked around the infield so much, he knew it like it was the back of his hand. He didn't need a map to get around anymore. His mom, Nancy, had called him several times to tell him she saw him on TV. With this weekend being the last weekend of Nascar, there were cameras all over the place, TK wasn't the least bit surprised.
The big race of the weekend had finally come. It was the final Cup race of the season and someone was going to be crowed the champion. The championship had come down to two drivers, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. The two Hendrick Motorsports teammates had dominated the season and were now separated by only a few points. Their pit stalls were crowded by hundreds of media people so TK decided to watch the race from a neutral pit, their HMS teammate Kasey Kahne. TK liked Kasey. Kasey wasn't trying to steal Kari away from him or tried to encourage other drivers from stealing her away from him. Kasey was a genuine nice guy. TK knew exactly which pit Kari would be sitting in, Brian's. It made TK mad to see her falling for Brian's tricks. He took her out for fancy dinners and bought her expensive jewelry, he could only image what else he did to spoil her.
There was so much tension and pressure in the air, it made the race even more exciting. Jeff and Jimmie both had very strong cars and were contenders for the win. They were constantly switching positions on the track. Jeff would be ahead of Jimmie for while and then Jimmie would be ahead of Jeff for a while. Meanwhile their teammate, Brian Vickers dominated the race. He clearly had the strongest car and was running away with the win. It was his race to lose and it only made TK even more mad.
"Brian Vickers takes the white flag. One lap to go," said TV commentator Mike Joy.
"Ohhh, this is so exciting!" Darrell Waltrip exclaimed.
"The twenty-five year old has dominated this entire race but now has to hold off his Hendrick teammates for the win!" Larry McReynolds explained.
"Do you think Jeff or Jimmie will push the issue and go for the win or sit back and fight for second?" Mike Joy asked, adding to the suspense.
"Well a win would guarantee a championship but I just don't think they have enough time to pass Brian," said Darrell Waltrip as the three drivers raced down the backstretch.
"Here comes Brian Vickers out of turn four and he takes the checkered flag! Brian Vickers wins the Ford 400 at Homestead!" Mike Joy exclaimed.
"And Jeff Gordon wins another championship!" Larry McReynolds announced.
"That boy deserves it Larry! He and his team have worked their tails off all season. I can't think of another driver who deserves it more!" Darrell said as Jeff started doing burnouts on the front stretch of the track.
TK couldn't stand watching Brian doing burnouts and cookies along side Jeff. He decided to hurry over to the championship victory lane to see Jeff get his championship trophy. He was surprised to see Kari already there. She was talking to Ingrid and holding little Ella Sophia, Jeff and Ingrid's little girl. Kari didn't stay long. As soon as Jeff got out and did his interviews, she gave her congrats and went over to victory lane to congratulate Brian. Before Jeff and his team started the 'hat dance', Rick Hendrick came up to TK.
"Are you excited for this week?" He asked TK.
"I guess so. I'm hoping it will be better than this weekend," answered TK which made Rick chuckle.
"That might be kind of hard considering this has been a very blessed weekend for me but I will see what I can do. I have some things planned for you and Kari that I think you guys will enjoy," replied Rick.
"I don't know about that," said TK as he looked at Rick. "I take it that you heard about the airport incident?"
"Yeah, I heard about that. I'm sorry that Brian acted so immaturely as he did. Brian is normally a very mature and kind guy and I don't know what got into him. But I do know Brian and Kari get along very well and are pretty tight. Hopefully Brian won't cause any trouble between you two at Thanksgiving," replied Rick.
"What? He's coming to Thanksgiving?" TK asked shocked.
"Yeah, I invited all of Kari's closest driver friends for dinner," answered Rick.
"I don't think..."
"Hey, I have to go take team pictures," interrupted Rick. "We'll talk later ok TK?"
"Ok," TK replied but Rick was already gone.
TK really liked Rick Hendrick. He had heard nothing but good things about him and he lived up to all of them. He had to be the nicest guy in all of Nascar. TK really enjoyed talking to Rick. He was the first person all weekend that didn't judge him for accidentally hitting Kari. He respected that and was starting to feel better about the rest of the trip. 'Maybe this week won't be so bad after all.'
"Congrats Brian! I'm so proud of you! You did an amazing job out there!" Kari exclaimed as she gave him a hug.
"Thanks Kar. I think you're my good luck charm! Maybe I'll have to bring ya to all the races." replied Brian. "Do ya want to be in the picture?"
"Oh...I'm sorry!" Kari apologized, "I thought you were done taking pictures!"
"Oh no, we have a lot of pictures to take yet. But ya can stand next to me in this one," said Brian as he and everyone else on the team held up their pointer fingers and Kari did the same. "That's probably the best picture we've taken so far."
Kari blushed at the comment. Ever since Thursday night when she heard Brian proclaim his love for her, she looked deeper into everything Brian said to her. Since she was still technically dating TK, she always thought twice about everything she said to him. She didn't want to lead him on.
"Brian we have to talk," said Kari.
"Ok, but not right now," replied Brian as he changed hats and got ready for another picture.
Kari sighed and decided to leave victory lane and go back to the motor coach. She passed TK along the way. He tried to talk to her but she quickly walked away before he could apologize again. Her heart was so confused and her head was even more confused. When she got to the motor coach, it was completely empty. She figured Jimmie and Chandra were already on a plane back to Charlotte. Shortly later, she received a text message from Rick telling her to grab her bags and meet him at the track airport.
She saw Rick and TK were already at the airport waiting for her. Before TK even had a chance to talk to her, Rick rushed them on the plane. They landed in Charlotte a couple hours later, around three in the morning. Rick led Kari and TK to their rooms. He obeyed Kevin and Karen's wishes to keep them separate, so Kari's room was on the top floor of his house and TK's room was in the basement.
Rick kept the two busy all week long by taking them to movies, museums, amusement parks, site seeing and to fancy restaurants all for free. He let them pick out free HMS merchandise from the Hendrick Motorsports gift shop. TK loved going everywhere for free but felt so awkward going with Kari. She never talked to him, never looked at him and stayed as far away as possible from him.
TK woke up on Thanksgiving day morning. He could hear people talking from upstairs and quickly got dressed to see who was all here already. He could smell lunch being prepared and it made him very hungry. TK was surprised to see so many people here so early. Kari was already up and mingling with her driver friends and having a good time. He started looking for Brian and when he didn't see him, he felt relieved. 'Maybe he's not coming after all.'
TK looked at the small crowd and recognized a familiar face. He was tall and had big, bushy brown hair. He was talking to Kari, yet TK couldn't place a name on the face. When the familiar guy started walking towards him, TK realized who it was.
"Tai! It's so good to see you again!" TK greeted the former digidestin.
While the rest of his family moved back to Japan when he was a senior in high school, Tai decided to stay in America and pursue a career in Nascar. Tai was currently a junior in college and majoring in engineering. It was Tai's dream to build race cars like his dad did when he worked at Hendrick Motorsports. He was steadily working his way up the ranks. He went from sweeping the floors and handing tools to the guys to actually working on the cars and going to a few races now and then.
"Hey TK! Kari said ya were here and I just had to come and see it for myself!" Tai explained, "it's so good to see a friendly face again! I haven't seen many of the digidestin since I moved to America."
"Really? I'm glad I could be one of the few!" TK replied, "so...I'm sure Kari told you what happened last weekend?"
"Told me what?" Tai asked completely clueless. "I couldn't make it to the race last weekend and I've been so busy studying lately I haven't talked to any of the guys. So what happened?"
"Kari didn't tell you?" TK asked, shocked Kari didn't rat him out to her protective older brother.
"No!" Tai laughed, "what happened?"
"Oh, it's not important," replied TK and laughed along with Tai. The fear of Tai turning into protective older brother mode and beating the crap out of him suddenly overwhelmed him.
"Well anyway, the next time ya come to America, ya let me know. We'll have to met up and hang out!" Tai said, "I'll talk to you later!"
Tai turned and walked away from TK to mingle with his co-workers and a few of the drivers. TK stood all alone in the corner of the room and felt very out of place. It broke Kari's heart to see him like that, but at the same time, it didn't. The evil in her was glad TK was miserable.
Kari suddenly felt two arms wrapped around her waist. She looked up to see Brian behind her with a huge smile on his face. Kari laughed and turned around to hug him, hoping TK would see.
"I've missed ya," said Brian, enjoying her embrace. "Mr. H has kept ya two so busy this week, I haven't seen ya since Sunday night!"
"I've missed you too," Kari replied. "Hey, can I talk to y..."
"Thank you everybody for coming and sharing this lovely Thanksgiving Day with my family and me," Rick Hendrick greeted his guests. "I catered a nice turkey dinner and it looks delicious! So why don't you all gather round the table and prepare for grace."
A long decorated table was set up for the small gathering. It was the biggest table TK had ever seen. He watched as Brian pulled out a chair for Kari and sat down beside her. TK quickly sat down by Tai before anyone else could take his spot. They said grace and began to eat the delicious feast before them. TK noticed Kari had hardly touched her food. He knew she loved turkey and all the fixings but yet today she didn't eat anything.
"Brian, can I talk to you in private?" Kari whispered to him.
"Yeah, sure," said Brian and followed Kari to an empty room down the hallway.
"Brian, you are one of my closest friends. But it hurt me to see you and TK fighting at the airport last week. I need to know what happened. I need to hear your version of the story. I already know Jimmie's and TK's side of it, but I need to hear yours," explained Kari.
"Did they just serve dessert?" Brian asked, trying to side track her off the subject. Brian started walking toward the door but Kari closed it before he could leave.
"I need to know Brian," Kari told him as her eyes started to well up with tears.
"Oh Kari, don't cry! I hate to see ya cry!" Brian begged her. "Fine. After TK pulled ya away from me and gave ya that big kiss on the lips I got extremely jealous. I don't know why but I did. Anyway, TK and I exchanged some words and then he snapped and went totally psycho on me. He threw a punch but missed and then I punched him back and I think you know the rest of the story."
"But what did you say?" Kari asked curiously.
"...That I could make ya stay in America just like that," answered Brian, embarrassed to tell her what he had said.
"Well no wonder he snapped! You antagonized and provoked him! Couldn't you tell he is the jealous type? I can't believe you Brian! I can't believe you would get in a fight with an eighteen year old boy! You could have gone to jail for getting in a fight with him! Nascar could have suspended you and kicked you out of the race! You are pathetic. Thank you so much for making my life so complicated once again!" Kari yelled at him and walked away, leaving Brian as upset and just as sad as TK.