A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you! For all the reviews. You all are awesome. I am officially back from vacation. I wanted to write up another chapter during my vacation, but well, I was too busy procrastinating, relaxing and having fun. And I want to make this chapter good, not bearable.

Special thanks to HattieGood , ilaabyahx3 , demi101 , KellyD.R , uniquemusician , deathprincess356 , kekemina and anyone else who had reviewed just in case I forgot you're names in there.

So anyway chapter 4 is up, A secret is revealed (not Kim's though), I added a character that we all know from one of the episodes but never saw. That character also plays a part in the story. And please don't be too mad at me at the end of the chapter with how the story works out. Remember this is just the beginning of the story.

enjoy…

Not Since You

Chapter 4: Never too late

It started in high school. They were all friends, the five of them: Jack, Jerry, Eddie, Milton and Kim. Back then they could brush it off, ignore it, not notice the subtle changes that were tearing their group apart. Jack became the school's heartthrob, Jerry the school's bad boy. Kim was making her name as Miss Popular and Milton was burying himself in is studies. Sure, Eddie noticed all these qualities when they all first became friends, but over the months in high school, the effect tripled.

They still did karate together at the dojo and hang around one another but there were other people pushing and tearing the group away. All of them had promised to always be friends. Years later, Eddie was standing at the balcony in Jack's house alongside with Milton, Jerry, and Jack's little sister Stella as Kim walked away. The silence she left was unbearable.

"Nice dude," Jerry glared at Jack before moving out of the balcony and calling out to Kim.

That left Eddie facing Jack, Milton and Stella.

"Don't say it," Jack warned before moving out to get another drink.

"I'll make sure to get him out of trouble and sober," Stella said.

"I'll help," Milton said.

Eddie watched both Milton and Stella disappear from view. Maybe it was because of the scene unfold earlier or the fact that he was alone in the balcony, but Eddie could not help but think back to the times when life was way simpler. He felt a little angry at Kim for leaving and was angrier at himself.

Because, Eddie had never told anyone this, but he saw Kim the afternoon before she left. He could remember it like it was yesterday. He was at the mall on the way to the dojo and Kim had just walked out of one of the girl's toilet in the mall. He didn't pay attention but if he did, he would have seen the fierce determination in her face. Eddie remembered walking up to her and she was startled by his appearance. He asked if she was going to the dojo and watched Kim shook her head and replied that she needed to be at home with her mom. If Eddie had pressed more on that issue, Kim would have lied and he would know what was going on. But he didn't. He nodded and watched her walk out of the mall and he made his way to the dojo.

That afternoon had hunted him, if he knew what was going on, he would have convinced her to stay and help her out just like the countless times Kim helped him out. Would all of them be exactly where they were five years ago?

Eddie didn't know. It was no use thinking of the what could have beens. So he did the next best thing. He took out his cell phone and scrolled down to the contact that he had rarely used but knew was part of this as he was and pressed the dial button.

The person he called picked up at the third ring, "Hello?"

…

Jack grabbed another drink. He was doing the opposite of what Kim had said but he rather be drunk. The party around him was still going on. There were still people making out and groping each other for the full view of anyone and everyone. His eyes moved all around but he could not see the sight the blonde hair that he was searching for.

If he was honest with himself, he did miss Kim and did want her back in his life. When Kim first left, he had made a point to go to Kim's mom every day of the first six months until he realized that Kim's mom would not tell him. He then went online at Kim's various social pages but Kim never updated. He tried asking anyone if had seen her but no one did.

He was glad that she came back, but when she did the memories that he had so desperately repressed burst out like a dam. He could still feel it like yesterday; all those tears, blame and guilt moving inside of him and consuming him fully. If he was honest with himself Jack would not blame Kim for leaving if she knew what he did, she must have suspected the mess and drama around him that she never wanted to be a part of. Another image entered his mind and Jack quickly took another sip. Kim had every right to leave, if she knew. But she didn't, so why did she?

He didn't want to believe that she knew but it was hard not to. Kim knew about him and now Jack was feeling more messed up than ever. He brought the bottle closer to his lips and chugged, trying as hard as he can to stop thinking and forget.

…

Kim was walking. She had managed to walk out of the party without anyone taking notice or her and had slipped pass Jerry who she knew was calling out to her. The night was breezy and the weather cold. It made Kim wish she wore a different dress or at least brought a cardigan.

She was walking to the direction of her home, feeling oddly deflated. She had wanted to tell Jack everything. But then Jack had to be an idiot and tried to provoke her into a fight. She didn't want to tell Jack out of anger and resentment but just the truth. That was what they had all deserved. She had wanted to sit him down alongside with Jerry, Milton and Eddie but it was obvious that that was not going to happen.

Kim walked pass house after house until she came stopped. She was facing her friend, Grace's house. It made her feel a pang in her heart. She had talked to Grace in a while. When she left, Grace was the only person that she contacted. They talked and converse but neither brought out any important things. She should call or text Grace, Kim thought before walking once again.

It was nearing 9.30 pm, which Kim though was rather odd as the party had seemed to go on for hours. She was glad that she finally got out of there. Being out here, she was able to relax a little. There was no one to watch her. The road was empty, no cars and very few people walking at the pavement.

"Kim," a voice called out.

Kim froze, recognizing the voice. Turning she came face to face with a person that she rather not see. The person who may not have caused it but was part of it.

"Long time no see," Kim replied.

'Yeah, it's been too long," Donna Tobin replied.

…

"So how did you find me?" Kim asked.

She was with Donna at a diner. Both of them had ordered coffee and were now looking at one another. Donna no longer wore her hair in a French braid, her hair was now short. Besides the hair cut Donna looked the same.

Kim didn't and never had hated Donna. She was a nice girl, friendly enough but with their past interlinked, Kim just needed to know how in the world Donna found her.

"Eddie called me. Said you were back in town," Donna said, "And I know that I need to talk to you."

Kim nodded when it looked like Donna was not going to say anything.

"So how have you been?" Kim asked politely, trying to start small talk.

"Kim," Donna said, "I know we were not exactly friends, but we were friendly. How about we just get into it?"

What Donna said was true. They were not exactly friends back then but they were always friendly, smiling and helping one another out whenever necessary. That was the basis of what they had. Asking and telling, nothing more than the truth. Whatever they had was more truthful than certain friendships Kim had in school. Yet they were merely acquaintances or more like school mates.

But she didn't want to just get into it. She rather avoid it. Every time she thought about it, tears started to form and she could feel her heart break over and over again. But she needed this. She needed the closure. Kim nodded, "Okay."

Donna took a deep breath and started, "I want to apologize, for everything. I know it won't change a thing but I am really sorry and I just really wanted you to know that."

Kim felt her insides squeeze. She knew this was what Donna was going to say. Could read it in Donna's face but it didn't mean that it hurt any less. She could feel a lump in her throat and her eyes begin to water. She looked away from Donna trying hard not to let Donna see how much those words affected her.

"I am also no longer with Jack," Donna added.

What? Kim turned back to Donna, with a questioningly look. After everything Donna and Jack had been through , how could they not end up together? They were high school sweethearts, for god's sake.

"Why? I thought he would have…" Kim trailed off.

"Married me?," Donna said, Kim tried not to flinch, "Took care of me? He would have but that is never going to happen."

Why? Kim didn't have to ask it out loud. Donna would have to explain to make it all clear. The fact that Donna and Jack were not together was puzzling her. He would have. There were all those reasons for them to be together in the first place.

"She died," Donna said quietly, "Stillborn. No one could have saved her."

"I am so sorry," Kim said understanding everything when Donna said the words 'she died'. Her heart reached out to Donna's.

"Jack would have taken care of me," Donna continues, "But I didn't want him to. He actually was willing to marry me when I was pregnant." Kim tried hard not to flinch "I am so glad that I told him to wait after the baby was born, I don't think I would have handled that."

Kim didn't know what to say.

"Maybe it was a blessing in disguise or something, that the baby died, I don't think I would want to live with the resentment," Donna said.

"Don't think like that. Jack would never resent you," Kim said, knowing her words were true.

"I know that you like him," Donna said making Kim speechless, "And I am so sorry for taking away that chance. You two would have been good together."

You two would have been good together. Yes they would have. Kim could already imagine their lives. They would have been happy. Got married. Build a life together…

"It doesn't matter now," Kim said. The lump in her throat would just not go away. What was the use of thinking of the life she could have had?

"Yes it does, at least to me," Donna insisted before asking, "Can you ever forgive me?"

Kim nodded her head.

"Thank you," Donna said.

It felt as if a great weight had been lifted. Was this how closure felt like? Kim didn't know why but she felt as if she needed to say this. She needed to be honest with Donna as well, "You weren't the only reason I left. Maybe part of it but not all of it."

Donna looked at Kim, who sighted and opened her purse and showed Donna something. Donna's eyes widened fraction before she laughed.

"Wow," Donna said, "He really messed both of us up, didn't he?"

"Yeah he did," Kim grinned and she could not help but add, "He was the school's heartthrob."

"In high school," Donna reminded her, "I remembered when I first talked to him."

"Yeah he was basically high during the karate practice at dojo," Kim shook her head.

At that moment the waitress brought them their drinks. Kim thanked the waitress before taking a sip of her coffee.

"So how have you been?"

The hard part was over. Now they could talk without a feeling of guilt in their way. They were both slowly recovering and repairing the bonds between one another. Who knows, maybe one day they might actually be friends. After all nothing is ever too late.

A/N: Don't kill me for what I did between Jack and Donna. I wanted to twist the story a little so, that was the end product. Secondly, I want to ask whether you all want Donna to still be I this story or not (The story lines are still the same either way) and thirdly, if you think that I gave Kim's secret out on this chapter, I didn't. I only gave a hint. I still feel like I don't want to give it up yet (and for that maybe I am evil). Hehehe…

Anyway chapter done. What do you think? Do you want to murder me? Hug me? Beat me up? Please don't except for the second one. The next chapter will be uploaded soon but don't expect it quickly cos I haven't even write it out yet. And once again thanks for all the reviews from the last chapters. Till next time :)