Chapter 7: Kim Hurts

I woke with the most complete sense of calm; Kim's scent filling my nose, her soft body draped half across my chest. The calm only lasted a few seconds before I heard a third heartbeat in the room. My eyes flung open and I swirled off the bed making sure not to disturb Kim who was still sleeping comfortably.

I examined her room more closely now, it was a bit messy, clothes and books thrown around, a small children's sized tent set up near the closet. I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding when I realized it must be Matty.

My eyes darted to her alarm clock, it was 3:45, and we'd slept for almost eight hours. I sighed and headed over to the tent, pulling back one of the flaps and looking inside. Matty was there, sitting with his knees to his chest, glaring at me. I was a little taken aback, my lego-buddy was evil-eyeing me and I had no idea why.

"Hey, buddy," I said, kneeling so the top half of my body was in the tent.

"Get out of my tent," he spat, turning his little face away from me.

"What's wrong?" I asked reaching out to pat his arm.

"Don't touch me! Get out of my tent and out of my sister's room!" He screamed and Kim was up and at my side before I could respond. She pulled me up, staring at me with wide eyes.

"What'd you do?" She asked bending down to look in the tent. "Why are you upset, Matty?"

"Why was he in your bed?" He wailed.

"We fell asleep, Matty, it's okay. Okay?" She said pulling him out by his hand and pulling him to her. His head rested on her stomach and she looked at me pleadingly, motioning to the door with her head.

I got the hint and started to head out, when a huge crash sounded outside of the door. I went into full wolfman-attack mode crouching low and adjusting myself to block Kim and her brother.

"What the fuck is all this screaming about?" Her words were slurred, but I knew who they came from so I stood up a little more straight, still blocking them.

"Jared, you should really go. Like now," Kim said with a hint of panic. "Matty, get in the tent, okay? We'll talk about this later," she pushed him towards the tent but he didn't budge, he came and stood beside me his hands crossed in front of his chest.

Kim scoffed and walked past us, opening the door with a huff.

Kim's mother stood in the hall, one hand clutching her head and the other being used to steady herself on the doorframe. She wore only a white tank top and underwear and I quickly looked away, seeing Matty redden next to me.

"Mom it's nothing, okay? Matty just got a little upset, we're fine now. Why don't you go back to bed, I'll make some dinner," she said as if she were talking to a child.

"Don't tell me what to do, you little fucking slut!" Her mom cried, pushing Kim out of the way as she entered the room.

The rage that boiled inside of me was palpable, I felt like I could hold it; it was a burning hot orb that sent anger coursing through my body.

The logical part of my brain knew that she hadn't fallen down stairs, not on accident at least, but I had repressed the anger, trying hard to ignore the glaring facts. The fact: this stupid useless, psycho-bitch was hurting the most important person in my life.

I wanted to hurt her, to rip her throat out with my teeth. To see her blood shoot out of her body like a sprinkler.

"Matty, what did she do to you?" Her mother crooned in a stupid babying voice, walking to him on unstable feet.

She tripped over, almost landing on Matty. Kim steadied her, holding onto her shoulders.

"Goff me!" Her mother wailed shrugging her shoulders out of Kim's grasp and turning to hit her. I grabbed her mother's arm before it could connect with Kim's face and spun her around. Her eyes were wide with shock and I started to shake.

Matty's tiny little hand on top of mine brought me back to myself. I released her hand with a rushed I'm sorry.

"Get dressed," I whispered to Kim. Matty jumped into my arms when they were offered and I settled him on my hip, where he rested his head on my shoulder. Kim stood in shock watching her mother, lying flat on her back.

"Come on, we're gonna go," I said trying to smile at Matty, who had a single tear in his eye. Kim nodded; slipping a big t-shirt over her head and grabbing flip-flops and before following me out of the room.

Once we were settled in the car, Kim turned to me, her expression was unreadable.

"Take us to Crystal's… please," she added the nicety as I stared at her.

"Oh-okay," I agreed, driving in whatever direction she pointed.

Kim called Crystal and gave her a very watered down version of the events— we arrived a few seconds later. Crystal, a young boy and an older woman stood outside of the house and Matty was the first one out of the car, rushing to the welcome party.

"Hey, Mrs. Varn! Sorry to bother you guys. Hey there Michael, where's Jordan?" Kim asked the young boy with hazel eyes and I noticed she was walking very stiffly. I stayed behind her cringing every time her hands went to her ribs.

"Jordan!" The little boy called into the house and I heard footsteps nearing.

"Oh Kim, you never bother us. Come here, give me a hug. I haven't seen you for so long," the elderly woman said holding her arms out to Kim. Kim gave her a quick hug, but I didn't miss the low hiss she made when Mrs. Varn squeezed.

"I'm going to work, Kim, Mr. Anton gave me the night shift! I hope you don't mind hanging around the house," Crystal said kissing Kim's cheek. A young boy, older than both Matty and Michael came out the door.

"Hey Matt, you coming to the movies with us?" the new boy asked slapping Matty shoulder.

"We're going to see 'Campout'!" Michael squealed.

"Oh man! That movie is full of blood and guts, how did you get your grandma to agree? Kim says I'm too young!" Matty cried eyeing Kim.

"I don't have time for movies, Matty. And that movie is stupid. I'll give you an overview: a bunch of teenagers go camping and some psycho creature thing goes crazy and kills them for having pre-marital sex," she said rolling her eyes.

"That's what it's about?" Mrs. Varn said pointing at Jordan. "You said it was a comedy, Jordan." She chuckled as she poked the older boy's arm.

"If you guys are going to the movies we'll just go," Kim said stepping back down the stairs.

"No, no, Kim. You look tired, honey. You need a break, I'll take Matty with us to see that cartoon about the talking dogs," Mrs. Varn announced looking down at the boys daring them to whine; they didn't and she smiled wide. "You guys can come too if you want. Who is this handsome young man?"

"I'm Jared Cameron, it's very nice to meet you," I said putting my hand out for her to shake, she pushed it aside and pulled me into a tight hug, then gave Kim a meaningful look that I didn't quite get the meaning of.

"Oh, it's nice to meet you too honey. Aren't you just the definition of tall, dark and handsome," she giggled nudging Kim in the rib. Kim's face hardened, but she quickly morphed it to a smile.

"Well you guys, we need to get out of here if we want to make that nice appropriate movie!" She laughed motioning the kids towards a van. Matty kissed Kim's cheek and ran to the car, sitting between the two larger boys.

"You guys are more than welcome to stay here, watch a movie or something," she called from the driver's seat.

"We've got somewhere to go, but thanks for the offer, ma'am," I called and they drove away.

"And where are we going," she asked wearily.

"To the hospital," I said my eyes trailing down to her ribs.

"I'm fine, it's just a bruised rib. It hurts, but it's not a big deal," she said as if she had much too much experience with this.

"Oh yes a bruised rib; that happens every day. How silly of me," I tried to say sarcastically, but my anger just made it sound like a rant.

"Jared, stop okay? You wanted to spend time with me— well, the fates have given me a free night. I don't have many of those so you're going to have to jump on it," she said smirking at me. She was so cute, so beautiful, her wide plump lips turned up slightly; calling me.

I had a day of almost incredible luck in the Kim department, so I took another chance and leaned forward, tracing my thumb across her cheek.

She shivered; her cool silky skin was soft. She brought her hand up, grabbing my hand but not pulling it away as I continued to memorize her face with my thumb.

I leaned in even closer, licking my lips in preparation for a kiss; she stared at me blushing. I leaned even closer, very slowly, giving Kim a chance to stop me.

She did. She turned her face to the side with a sigh but I continued forward, giving her a soft kiss on her flawless cheek.

"Jared," she started but I cut her off before she could accuse me of trying to get in her pants.

"I'm sorry, okay? I got a little carried away… if you are sure you don't need to go to the hospital stay with me, please," I begged, not letting go of her face. She grinned and nodded. Before she had a chance to change her mouth I pulled her into my car.

"Where are we going?" She asked placing her hand on my knee, it reminded me vividly of the first time we drove alone in this car and I twitched a bit. She pulled her hand away crossing it over her chest.

"My friend Emily's house, you would really like her. You have a lot in common." They did. Or maybe they did. I wasn't sure. They were both imprints so they had to have something in common, right?

"Okay," she said sounding a bit hesitant. I drove slowly towards Emily's house, enjoying the time I had alone with her in peace. My eyes automatically scanned her face every three seconds until we arrived at Emily's house. It was a small cheery little house she and Sam rented from an elderly woman on the rez.

"Don't stare at her okay, when you see her, don't stare. She's tough as hell like you and she lived through a bear attack so she has some scarring," I explained as I parked my car in the small dirt lot outside of his house.

I helped her out of the car, which made her stare at me in disbelief and led her to the door, with my hand on her lower-back. I was being bold, hoping she appreciated it—she wanted me to prove myself and I was trying. I knocked on Emily's door, smiling down at Kim, as I smelled him. Shit! Of course! Of fucking course!

"Kimberly, so nice to see you," Paul welcomed us with fake warmth. With all maturity being tossed out the window, I rolled my eyes at him and pushed him out of our way.

"Hey, Jared—this must be Kim!" Emily squealed welcoming us we lopsided grin. My fingers were crossed, literally, waiting to see Kim's reaction. She had none, not to Emily's face at least—she walked forward her hand extended with a polite smile.

"Yea, that's me. Nice to meet you," Kim said as Sam entered the room. He eyed her, evaluating her interaction with Emily, which I didn't fault, seeing as the only contact he had with Kim was through my memories.

"I'm, Sam," he smiled, throwing an evil glare at Paul who stood by the door, muttering under his breath.

"Sociopath: a person person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behaviors."

I shot him another look and pulled Kim towards the kitchen where I smelled something delicious brewing.

"Emily! It smells great in here." Emily smiled widely as we took as seat at the table.

"You guys want something to drink, lemonade?" she asked wiggling her eyebrows at me. Emily, possibly one of the greatest women in the world, after Kim and my mom— made gallons of lemonade just for me.

"Yes, please," Kim said entirely too politely for me. I did a double-take making sure it was Kim speaking. It was weird, she looked like Kim but she sure as hell didn't sound like her. I turned to Emily with wide eyes and nodded.

"So, Kimberly. How have you been since you attacked me?" Paul asked overly cheerful.

"Paul," Sam warned, but Kim cut him off.

"Do you really want to take a trip down memory lane, Pants-Pissing Paul?" Kim snapped in her normal Kim fashion, I was relieved. I liked her that way— fiery, super sexy!

"Oh, lets!" Paul squealed, his hands clamped together in joy. "Miss Kimberly here and I had a rather interesting encounter last summer. Where shall I begin," he asked the crowd. I growled and he continued, "Let's start at the beginning shall we? While working together at Mr. Johnny's Fish Fry, a young Paul Lahote, stunningly handsome and intelligent, met a seemingly normal and relatively attractive Miss Kimberly Horn, cashier and occasional fry-slave-"

"Oh get on with it, will you? You're such an ass! We went to a party, he got drunk, things hot heated, I turned him down, he insulted me and I hit him," she finished, throwing daggers at him with her eyes.

"You hit me over the head with a beer bottle. A beer bottle full of BEER after I—"

"I'm outta here, thanks for the lemonade," she stood, thanking Emily politely. Kim was faster than I expected and I gave Paul the finer as I ran after her.

"Kim, stop! Please!" I called after her.

She was ten feet ahead of me, and I rushed forward grabbing her arm and turning her to face me. She was crying, the stab in my gut was unbearable. "Oh god, Kim, don't cry. Please, please don't cry," I begged brushing the freshest tear from her right eye.

"God, you must think I'm fucking crazy," she whispered. I pulled her close to me again, inhaling deeply and tracing light kisses from her temple down to her chin.

"I think you're great. Difficult, a little scary, but great—fabulous, smart, saucy—"

"Did you just call me saucy?" she asked giggling.

"Yeah, I think I just did." Even I was confused. She laughed again, and leaned closer into me.

"Do you like me, Jared?" She asked her face nuzzled into my chest. I could feel her warm breath through my t-shirt.

"Is that a trick question? Because I'm really terrified of professing my feelings to you again, like I said you're a little scary," I joked, wrapping me arms around her and rubbing her back in small circles. She giggled bringing her arms up around my neck.

"No tricks."

"Yes, I like you very much, Kim."

"Okay, cool. Um, wanna do something illegal with me?" She said taking a big step back towards town.

"Wait. That's it? No, 'I like you too'? No, 'Jared, you're great and I want you'?" I asked following her onto Main Street.

"You're great and I want you," she said dryly. I left my car in Emily's driveway, allowing myself to be dragged up the road. After a few turns we reached the community center.

"I hope you've got jumps because I can't lift you up there," she said, stepping on a crate and climbing onto a dumpster. She hissed and grabbed her rib again, but tried to cover it with a smile.

I leapt on the dumpster without any help and she gawked at me before I pulled her onto my back and scaled the building. It was pretty damn cool, and definitely impressive, but Kim didn't seem to think so; she howled and jumped off of me as soon as we were on solid ground

"What the hell was that?" She screamed, backing away from me.

"Sorry, I should have warned you," I apologized. Her heart was beating so fast it was scaring me.

"Calm down."

"Calm down? Calm down, what in the fuck was that?" She demanded.

"What are we doing up here anyway," I changed the subject. She watched me for a long time, her heart slowing as I smiled.

"I come up here sometimes… to think… or be alone."

We were on the roof of the community center, the last pink rays of the sun filling the skin. It was beautiful, almost as beautiful as Kim.