Author's Note: Some of y'all may hate me for this chapter but it had to be written. Also this chapter will focus more on Jack and what's going on in his head. Explain why he's been acting the way that he has.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kickin it


Sunday, November 11th, 2012

Brewer Residence

"This is the most stupidest play ever!" Kim exclaimed before throwing the script on the floor

Jack arched a brow at her dramatics, "Is it now?" he asked mostly rhetorically but he knew Kim would answer as if he wasn't

The two were over at Jack's house for a study date. The date was Jack's idea because they haven't hung out one-on-one lately. Jack was laying on his stomach on his mom's gray sectional couch propped up on his elbows with his script underneath him. While Kim sat criss crossed on the left shorter side of the large couch with her script in her lap. Or it was before she threw it. Over the course of the thirty minutes they spent reading the play, Jack could see her slowly getting worked up and was waiting for the moment she snapped.

"Yes! How the heck are they supposedly in love after one encounter? And Romeo claimed he was so in love with that Rosalind chick."

The black belt snorted, "You know how many times Jerry claims he's in love with a pretty girl? It be like that sometimes."

Kim was on a roll and the boy knew she wasn't really hearing him, "And you know I read somewhere that Romeo is seventeen! Seventeen! While Juliet is thirteen. He's a creep!"

Jack nodded in solidarity, his lips twitching as he struggled not to smile, "Completely."

"A total dirtbag creep that should be locked up!"

Jack knew he probably shouldn't say what he was about to but did it anyway, "You do know back in the day that was considered normal right?"

Kim whipped her head in his direction, eyes blazing, "She was thirteen. Thirteen! The same age as Audrey! Just entering her teenage years while he's almost an adult! You'll be okay with Audrey dating a seventeen year old?!"

Jack raised his hands in surrender, "Of course not I'm just reminding you that back then that was normal and not controversial like it is today. Stand down soldier."

The blonde relaxed her posture then leaned down to pick her script back up, "I'll never understand the appeal of Shakespeare."

The skater flipped a page of his script, if Romeo & Juliet was considered one of Shakespeare's best plays, he dreads reading more of his work. "You and me both."

The pair fell back into silence as they began focusing on the script again. It was just the two of them downstairs, Audrey was upstairs in her room doing whatever and their mom was in the backyard. She checked in on them twenty minutes ago before getting a call and leaving for the backyard. With Thanksgiving coming up their mom was starting to make arrangements for flying down to Colorado. Since most of their family lives in Colorado it makes sense for them to come down there instead of vice versa.

Jack isn't really a fan of the holiday. Of course he loves spending time with his grandparents but that's about it. He doesn't care for his uncle River and definitely not his cousin Kai. In fact he can safely say he hates Kai and would much rather not have to see his smug, punk ass face. Jack doesn't know what he ever did to his cousin that made him despise him so much and make it his mission to make him miserable. The skater blames his uncle for wanting to pass the rivalry he has with his mom down to them.

Karate was very important to his family with his grandfather starting it all. He fell in love with the sport when he was fourteen and started taking classes. He continued taking lessons then when he was a third degree black belt was offered to teach Bobby Wasabi. When his grandpa met and married his grandma he passed the sport onto his mom and uncle. A rivalry formed between them but his grandpa though it was healthy to have competitiveness between them. That rivalry turned sour and ruined their sibling bond, with both of them wanting to upstage the other and prove themselves to their dad. It's sad that even now there is no trace of sibling camaraderie between them.

Fortunately Jack's mom realized just how toxic her dad's teaching was and how it damaged her relationship with her brother. She still passed karate down onto Audrey and him but she didn't try to create a rivalry between his sister and him. His uncle River on the other hand didn't seem to realize the error of their dad's way. His uncle also passed karate onto his son, Kai, and compared Kai's skills to Jack's. He boasted about any award Kai won or when he advanced to a higher belt and pointedly asked if Jack did the same. That always managed to rile his mom up and revert her back into the competitive mode she was when she was a kid.

Jack wasn't interested in competing against Kai and just wanted to play with his cousin. Growing up in a boarding school the skater wasn't able to see Kai or any of his family that much. He always looked forward to summer vacations and holidays because he missed his family terribly. That was one of the reasons he didn't stay in Ojai Valley like Audrey did. So whenever he visited Colorado where his grandparents and cousin lived he was excited. Only the feeling wasn't mutual. Kai constantly wanted to compete, brag, and taunt Jack about being better than him. Jack tried not to rise to the bait like his dad told him not to but he could only take so much. He started giving Kai the same treatment his cousin gave him and actively participated in the rivalry.

"So have you talked to your dad recently?"

Jack blinked, snapped out of his thoughts by Kim's question. He looks up from his script (that he hasn't even been reading) to glance at her before shifting his gaze to the bowl of trail mix sitting on the ottoman. He pushed himself up onto his knees then kicked his legs out from underneath him off the couch to get up and grab the bowl. He honestly forgot that bowl was even there, his mom was very cautious about eating in the living room. She allows it on the account if Audrey and him were extra careful and made sure not to leave any crumbs behind.

He grabbed the bowl then sat upwards on the couch, "No. Unless you count talking to his voicemail that I had to leave thanking him for my birthday gift."

Kim frowned in confusion, "He hasn't called you?"

He chewed aggressively on a peanut, "Nope. Too busy with work and his new girlfriend."

That information was a shock to Jack, Audrey, and even their mom. Apparently their dad isn't alone in Afghanistan, he's shacking up with a woman. If that wasn't already a kicker but it also turns out that he's been seeing this woman for six months. Six months but he didn't think to tell his kids that, they found out from Facebook. Not even his page but a friend of his. He was too freaking busy with Bethany to even call him for his birthday.

"Didn't you say that he said he would?"

The skater laughed humorlessly, "Kim I thought you'd know by now that he's full of empty promises. You can't trust anything he says about staying connected with his 'beloved kids' that he supposedly cares so much about."

Kim tapped her pencil against her script thoughtfully, "Maybe he really is caught up in his work. Have you tried to call him?"

The boy stubbornly shook his head, "No and I don't want to." he retorts curtly before grabbing a handful of trail mix then getting up to place the bowl back on the ottoman

Kim arched a brow in confusion, "What do you mean you don't want to?" she set the script next to her then turned her body towards him

"Exactly that. I don't. I knew as soon as he announced that he was going on another tour that once again he'll be absent and I don't care. If he doesn't want to be here then he's not going to be here and I won't hold my breath waiting for him to call."

"You're full of crap and you know it. It's obvious that it bothers you that he isn't good at staying in contact. So why don't you reach out to him? You can't complain about it if you don't do anything to fix it."

Jack usually loves Kim's blunt, no-nonsense attitude. It was just another thing that made her, her, and beating around the bush could get annoying. But now her bluntness annoyed him. What does she know?

"I shouldn't have to!" Jack exclaimed, "I shouldn't have to beg my dad for attention. He should want to reach out to me and Audrey because we're his kids. We're his kids and a dad should know that we're more important than his work."

His dad chose work over his family again and again. For Jack's tenth birthday party. Almost all of Jack's karate tournaments. Audrey's eleventh birthday. Their family's annual Christmas trip to Breckenridge Ski resort. Thanksgiving 2010. Now Thanksgiving 2012, he'll be spending it with Bethany instead.

The blonde gave him a look, "Jack-" she began but he doesn't wanna hear it. He shook his head.

"Look just drop it ok? We're supposed to be focusing on this stupid play," he looked back down at his script, "besides, it's not like you can understand."

Jack saw Kim bristle in the corner of his eye. A rush of guilt filled Jack for snapping at Kim. He knew she was just trying to help but she just didn't understand. She lives in a two parent household where both of them are actively involved in her life. Sure Chuck wasn't her bio dad but from the vague information Kim gave the gang Chuck was a better dad than him.

There was a tense silence between them for a long minute.

She exhaled a long breath, "Ok."

Jack hated that. How she just gave in and didn't snap back. Just surrendered without any complaints. That wasn't who Kim was. He wanted to apologize but his mouth refused to form the words. Instead the tense silence continued.

Jack cleared his throat, "Anyway, back on topic. We're on scene 12 right?"


Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Seaford High, 5th Period, Spanish 1

"I want you guys to pair up and practice the conversation from the book on page twenty-three. Because of the odd number of students there will be one group of three." Mrs. Smith informed the class

Eddie shared a look with Jerry who sat in a desk on his left, they fist bumped. Eddie will never stop being grateful that Jerry was in his Spanish class. Without him he'll more than likely be failing. He resents the school's policy that they need to take two years of a foreign language in order to graduate. Why do they need to learn another language? Pretty much everybody in America speaks English. It's not like he plans on going to Mexico or something.

Mrs. Smith continued, "I want you guys to say these sentences in complete spanish. I better not hear any English. Now levantaste."

Jerry jumped out of his seat and began pushing his desk towards Eddie's. "Ok dude this is a piece of cake. All you really have to do is add las or los and maybe de. I can do this in my sleep."

"Easy for you to say. I only understand half of what she's teaching us." Eddie grumbled as he pushed his desk against Jerry's

Jerry shot him an easy grin as he reached over to clap him on the shoulder, "No te preocupes dude. I got you."

Eddie stared blankly at his friend, "I don't know what you just said but I'm gonna assume it was something like no problem."

Jerry laughed then removed his hand and sat down on his desk and started flipping to the page. Eddie followed his friend's actions with much reluctance.

"Hey Eddie!" Grace's voice called. Eddie instantly snapped his head in her direction like a dog when it hears his owner whistle. The brunette beauty gestures him over to her with a smile.

"I'll be right back." Eddie distractedly told Jerry as he got up. He thinks he hears Jerry's mutter something about him being whipped underneath his breath but he ignores it.

He approached the girl full on nerves while rubbing his suddenly sweaty palms on his pants. Grace was smiling at him while Lorie didn't even acknowledge him. He didn't care, all he noticed was the sweet smile on his crush's face. Much to Eddie's pleasant smile Grace continued talking to him for the past few weeks. Not just Grace but Lyndsey, Ethan, and the others. Not even that but Grace accepted his friend request on Facebook and even requested to follow him back! He couldn't believe his luck and kept pinching himself to see if this was real.

He was slowly becoming part of The Elite and Grace was talking to him! He thought that won't happen until at least the second semester of sophomore year. It only took three months into his freshman year to get almost everything he wanted. He just needs to woo Grace then his dream will come true.

"Hey Grace," his eyes shift over to the blonde next to her, "Lorie." The blonde barely glanced at him before looking back down to her textbook.

"You want to join us? We could be the group of three." Grace suggested

It took a few moments for Eddie to process what she said and stop gawking at her. She looked gorgeous as usual in a long sleeve white cardigan that ties in the front over a black shirt paired with blue denim jeans. Her glossy, sleek brown hair as usual fell past her shoulders.

"I was gonna join my friend," Eddie hesitantly began

"I'm sure he won't mind," Grace quickly dismissed, sensing he needed more encouragement she gave him a pleading look, "please? I really want you too."

She wanted him too?

Just like that Eddie's hesitation vanished, "Oh? Then yeah, I will. I'll go tell um, um" Eddie momentarily forgot his friend's name, "Jerry. Yeah Jerry that."

Grace flashed him another smile before Eddie started backing away and bumped into a desk. Eddie mumbled an apology to the person occupying the desk then turned around and speed walked to where a snickering Jerry was.

"What was that about?" His friend asked once he stopped laughing

Eddie shifted nervously on his feet, scared for what he was about to tell Jerry. He cleared his throat, "Grace wants me to join her and Lorie."

Jerry's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Oh?"

"Yeah and um I want to." Eddie awkwardly continues, guilt flooding him at the fact he was about to ditch his friend no questions asked.

"What? Dude you're ditching me for her?" Eddie looked down, guiltily, feeling like the worst friend ever

That was until Jerry exclaimed, "my man!" Eddie looked back up to see Jerry grinning proudly, "I've never been prouder!"

As usual Jerry left him feeling confused, "What?"

"You're finally ditching me for a girl. I honestly never thought I'd live to see the day. Especially with Grace of all girls."

Eddie was dumbfounded. Jerry wasn't mad that he was ditching him, he was instead proud of it? He was just gonna ignore the insulting shock of Grace talking to him.

Jerry shooed him away, "Go on man. Don't keep your girl waiting."

Eddie obeyed and walked back over to Grace in a daze, "You were right he didn't mind."

"Sweet." His crush enthused. Eddie grabbed a desk and pushed it against theirs as his mind ran a mile a minute trying to figure out what this means. Does this mean anything?

Once his desk was where he wanted it, he sat down and placed his textbook on top of it. The only thoughts in his mind was to not mess this up and to be cool.

"Okay the instructions are talk to your partner about the number of people in the classes listed down below." Lorie read

Eddie glances down at the eight sentences in the textbook. They weren't complete sentences since they were supposed to fill in the rest. They recently began unit 2 and their new main focus was numbers. This assignment required using their knowledge of school classes that they just took a test on two weeks ago. A test he barely passed with a low C.

"Question one chicas, matematicas, and sixteen." the blonde continued

Grace slowly nodded as she processed the words, "That'll be hay dieciséis en los clases de matemáticas right?"

Lorie shook her head, "No las because matematicas is a feminine word." she corrected

The queen bee-in-training wrote that down, "Right. I keep forgetting."

Eddie just listened to the two girls talking and wrote down what they were saying, he trusted their answers. With Lorie being a brainiac and Grace seeming to be excelling in the class if the B's and A's he saw in passing on their tests and quizzes were anything to go by.

"So," Grace began drawing his gaze, "Lynds, Ethan and I came up with what to do about Kelsey."

For some reason that caused an uneasy feeling in Eddie's stomach, "What do you mean?"

"Something to get her to leave you alone," Grace looked up from her work, her green eyes on his brown ones, "that's what you said you wanted right? Cuz she's like really bothering you?" Grace asked

Eddie felt backed into a corner, especially when Lorie looked up from her own assignment to look at him, "Well, yeah." he slowly agreed

"Then we have the perfect plan for that. After this, I'm positive she'll leave you alone forever."

Eddie nervously chuckled, not liking the sound of that. He fiddled with his pencil, "That sounds kind of ominous."

Grace laughed, "Don't look so scared, we're not gonna like kill her or throw pigs blood on her."

That comforted him a bit but not enough to unwind the knot that formed in his stomach. Lyndsey and Ethan were known for not being the nicest and pulling cruel pranks every now and then. Truman's pranks compared to theirs were child play. He may not like Kelsey like that and she might annoy him but he doesn't want to see her hurt.

Eddie broke eye contact to stare at his paper, "I just don't want her to get hurt. Sure she annoys me but I don't want anything really bad to happen to her."

"And that's really sweet but you don't have to worry about that. I'd never participate in anything traumatic or something that will cause physical 's not who I am. It's just a little prank." Grace tries to sooth the boy's obvious frazzled nerves.

That actually did calm Eddie and allowed him to relax his tense shoulders. He didn't even realize he hiked them up. Lorie privately rolled her eyes at how easy the boy was. He was so whipped for Grace he didn't realize he was being manipulated.

"All you have to do is get Kelsey to come to Shore Park tomorrow around five," Grace reached over her desk to lay her hand on Eddie's arm, "I can count on you right? I mean we are doing this for you."

Just like that the yellow belt was back under her spell. She swore that the prank was nothing traumatic or caused physical damage. He has no reason to not believe her, she's a sweetheart. "You have my word."

She removed her hand, flashing him another smile. He'll never get tired of them being aimed at him, "Great."

Lorie shot both of them an irritated look, "Can we focus on our work now?" she impatiently asked

Grace nodded, "Yeah. Sorry Lor."

The trio delved back into their textbooks with the two girls chatting about the assignment. Eddie tried to ignore the sinking feeling he felt for agreeing to whatever prank he just did.


Bayview Mall

"A talent show? Really?" Jack questioned his ginger haired friend, brows raised in surprise at the information given to him

Milton nodded in confirmation, "Yeah I think it's a great idea! And luckily so did Evelyn so it's a go."

Milton and him were wandering in the mall as they waited for karate practice to start. The rest of the gang left for the dojo roughly ten minutes ago but Jack wanted to walk off the soft pretzel he ate. Or skate it off if he was being totally honest. Milton offered to walk with him because Jack didn't want to walk alone and he was a good friend like that. It also gave time for Jack to privately check up on him. Milton seemed better, he's back to wearing his sweater vests and plaid collar shirts. He started earning A's again on his schoolwork and Milton shared that he finally stopped looking at Julie and his photo album. In fact, Milton said he packed away anything Julie gave him as long as anything from items or mementos from their relationship. He was finally moving on.

Jack squinted in confusion, "Why would you want to do a talent show?"

It wasn't that he had anything against talent shows, it's just, a talent show? When brave (or dumb) students get up on stage in front of their peers and perform for them. Where they willingly open themselves to ridicule and judgement from said peers. If they embarrass themselves they won't be able to live that down for a very long time.

"It wasn't my idea, it was actually Eddie's. He believes a talent show would be a great way to showcase his band more."

Jack snorted, "Why am I not surprised?" he shook his head as he thought about the yellow belt's obsession to be popular, "but I agree that having a talent shows a good idea. We haven't had one since seventh grade and the students enjoy it."

The one talent show the shaggy haired boy went to he had a blast. Theatre geek Ana sang a song he can't remember the name of but she sounded good. The blonde girl Jerry took to the cotillion did an 'interpretive dance' that had most of the audience laughing. Jack didn't find it funny, just deeply embarrassing and cringed throughout it. Jerry on the other hand -who was sitting next to him- was laughing his head off. Jack will admit he couldn't help but laugh when Sidney and Albert performed. It was supposed to be a magic act but it went horribly.

Jack threw away his pretzel wrapper paper as he passed a trash can, "Especially laughing at someone's expense."

Milton shook his head as he chuckled, "So I take it from that response you're not going to sign up?"

"Nah I'll just be one of the students laughing at someone's expense." Jack quipped.

Spotting the all too familiar blue and black uniform of a mall cop Jack halted his skateboard mid movement. He tucked it back under his arm as discreetly as possible. He really doesn't feel like getting in trouble again with Joan the mall cop or his mom again.

Milton's phone text notification went off and he pulled it out of his pants pocket. "Eddie just sent me an SOS message. Get to the dojo ASAP."

Jack exasperatedly rolled his eyes, "Knowing him his SOS could be he ran out of shampoo for the shower. Or lost one of his snacks."

The two shared a chuckle and Mlton tucked his phone back in his pocket, "You're right."

Brushing that off they continued walking in silence, nearing the dojo. Then less than two minutes later Jack's notification rang too. He frowned, "Audrey just sent me one too."

The two boys shared a look of concern. Eddie was one thing, he's known for being a bit dramatic with his SOS texts. The only person that tops him is Jerry. But Audrey, that may actually be serious.

"Well now I'm actually worried." Milton admits

Jack nodded his agreement, "Yeah me too."

Jack and Milton shared a look before both speeded over to the dojo. Since the two were already close to their destination they got there fast. Jack entered the courtyard that the dojo was in first but Milton was close behind. Jack froze when he saw the dojo, mouth agape. He was speechless. He heard Milton's footsteps behind him when he entered the courtyard.

"Holy Christmas nuts!"

Milton brushed past him to rush into the dojo. Jack's feet started moving before he even thought about it as he followed Milton.

Their dojo was...trashed. Punching bags slashed open, punching dummies beheaded, trophies broken on the ground, bo staffs broken in half, pictures frames thrown on the ground, posters torn down, lockers dented, You Guys Suck! And Losers! Were spray painted on the walls. Rudy was pacing back and forth in front of his open office door with his hands in his hair as he muttered to himself. Eddie was sitting on the red bench (the only thing left unscathed) next to Jerry while Kim was standing in the right corner of the mat next to Audrey ranting. Brody and Sloane sat on the bench in front of the dented lockers.

Jack rushed over to Audrey, eyes scanning her for any visible harm. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Audrey waved him off, "I'm fine. It was like this when we got here."

The skater sighed in relief, his worry slowly vanishing at the reassurance. At least for his sister anyway. He continued staring at her and could see just how shaken up she was by this. Her leg was jumping up and down- a nervous tick of hers- and she was hugging herself.

Jack turned away from Audrey to try to get information from someone else. He glanced at Kim but she was pacing and muttering what sounds like a string of profanities under her breath in a heavy southern accent. He'll leave her alone for now.

Instead he walked over to Eddie and Jerry, "What happened?" he demanded

Eddie shrugged helplessly, "No clue. It was like this when we got here."

Jack's fist clenched and unclenched as he took in the damaged dojo again. His dojo, his safe haven, his second home, was damaged. As weird as it sounds he feels violated. Something that means so much to him was cruelly trashed.

The skater crossed his arms over his chest, "Why would this- who would do this?" He asked no one in particular

Kim- who was finally done ranting- was the one who answered, "I'll tell you who. Two words. Black Dragons."

Jack tensed. Could this be Frank's retaliation for the fake id? He did find it odd that Frank hasn't retaliated for that prank yet. It honestly had him on edge, waiting for the curly haired teen or his minions to respond. There was a pit in his stomach that wouldn't go away. He wasn't sure if it was from nerves or guilt or maybe both.

Milton walked over to her, his thinking face on, "You think?"

The blonde in question snorted, "Who else would do this? The Black Dragons hate us. We all know that. How many times have they told us multiple times we suck and are losers?"

Milton conceded the point with a slight nod, "True but breaking and entering and vandalism? You really think that's up their alley?"

"When it comes to Frank and them, I don't put anything past them." Eddie bitterly remarked

Rudy overheard everything they were saying, "But why would they do this? Things have been silent on Ty's end lately. They haven't bothered us and we haven't bothered them." he asked

Jack's heart started thudding faster and his palms became clammy. He suddenly wished he was anywhere but here. He was absolutely positive this was Frank's revenge for the fake id. If he knew Frank was going to attack the dojo Jack never would've agreed for the prank. This was just over the top. Jack tried to ignore the small voice in his head that shot back so was giving Frank a fake id of a criminal.

Jerry also starts looking real guilty. He got up from the benches and rubbed the back of his head. He chuckled nervously, "I don't know man. Heh, those Black Dragons are crazy, why, why do they do anything?"

Milton, Sloane, and Kim side eyed the dancer. Jack silently begged him to shut up, Jerry crumbled under pressure.

"They just do anything ya know? You can't tell what they're gonna do. They're just crazy." The dancer continued to ramble

Kim suspiciously narrowed her eyes at Jerry and began closing in on him, "What do you know Jerry?"

Jerry eyebrows met his hairline and backed away from Kim, "What? Me? I don't know anything. Why are you looking at me for?" Jerry babbled in a high pitched voice sealing his fate

Jack subtly started inching towards the locker room. Jerry was about to sing like a canary and Jack didn't want to witness the blow out. He never understood how Jerry can lie so smoothly to adults when he's close to being busted but in the same breath crumbled at times like this.

"Your voice always gets higher when you lie Martinez." Kim growled, successfully backed Jerry against Rudy's office wall

"No it doesn't." Jerry denied still in a high pitched voice. He realizes this and his shoulders slumped, "Oh really Jerry? Really?"

Two more steps and Jack would be in the locker room. For some reason he couldn't comprehend he didn't move. His eyes were glued on the confrontation between his girlfriend and one of his best friends. It was like watching a trainwreck, horrible but fascinating in a depraved way. Kim grabs Jerry roughly by the ear, "Spill now."

"I don't know anything!" He cried causing Kim to twist his ear

"Ok! Ok! I give up! Have mercy woman!" Jerry surrendered, the blonde let go of his ear but stayed close to him

"Randy, Jack, I might've given Frank a fake id with a picture of a wanted criminal on it and we might've called the cops on him to get him arrested." He spilled as he rubbed his sore ear

Kim's eyes widened, "You what?" she exclaimed and Jack suddenly felt eyes on him. He was too nervous to raise his head to see who's eyes they belonged to.

Milton closed his eyes at the admission as if it pained him, "Dear God."

Eddie sprang up from the bench and pointed at Jerry, "I knew you guys were up to something."

"Never thought I'd say it but this is making me miss sensei Darby." Sloane muttered causing Brody to smirk

Kim stepped away from Jerry to round on Jack, "Please tell me he's lying and you weren't involved in this."

Jack raised his gaze to meet Kim's pleading look. He felt lower than low, and wished desperately to disappear from here. He looked away from her, not able to face her or say what she wanted him to. The guilt was written all over his face

Kim sharply inhaled, "Unbelievable." Her voice shook

Rudy started massaging his temples, "I'm gonna go call Bobby to see if he could pay for the damage. Jack, Jerry don't think about going anywhere. We're going to talk about this." He demanded in an uncharacteristically stern tone before walking into his office

Kim began walking to the dojo's exit, "You know what? I am out of here."

Jack bolted after her, "Kim wait," He needed to explain himself, make her see his reasoning even if he didn't exactly have one yet.

She threw an arm behind herself without looking back, "Leave me alone."

He reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her, "Kim," he began

Kim finally whirled around to face her, "No you were spending all this time plotting and scheming with them for your stupid revenge against Frank."

Jack stiffened, "It's not stupid."

"Why are you so obsessed with attacking Frank!" she yelled in frustration

"Because!" Jack shouted back

Because maybe if he's focused on Frank he won't have to think of his dad leaving him. Again. Choosing work over his family. Again. That by the time he finally comes back Jack would be a freaking junior.

Then on top of that Jack has to deal with Brody and Sloane and him not being the best in the dojo anymore. He knows it's a petty thing to care about but he can't help it. He got used to being the best and getting praised by Rudy and the rest of the gang. It made him feel special and was a good confidence booster. The exact opposite to how he felt with his cousin Kai who seemed to have a life mission of making him feel less than.

Only none of that made it past his lips.

The incomplete explanation floated between them. Kim stared at him as if she'd never seen him before. She scoffs, a look of pure disgust on her face then stormed out of the dojo.


Seaford High

Main Corridor

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

"So are you guys signing up for the talent show?" Eddie asks Grace and Lyndsey as they left choir

Eddie was slowly getting used to talking to his crush, and by that he means he's able to form coherent sentences around her and not get lost in her beauty. He still loses brain cells when she touches him or flashes him a smile but he's getting better. Instead of all brain cells, it's only some. The shock of her talking to him still hasn't wavered and he doesn't think it ever will. Girls like Grace don't talk to guys like him. It was an unspoken law in high school, the pretty and popular stay with their kind and the losers stay with theirs. Yet here she is talking to him, treating him as if they were on the same level. Her and her friends including Lyndsey freaking Pryce. Eddie may not agree that Grace was mean but even he can admit that Lyndsey was. Yet she too was talking to him like she didn't previously act as if he didn't exist. Though most of their conversations were about Jack and his relationship with Kim.

"Definitely," Lyndsey smugly confirms, "I already know what I'm singing. Rihanna's Only Girl."

Eddie nodded his acknowledgement even though she wasn't looking. Honestly he wasn't a huge Rihanna fan, he was more into Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran. Though he's gotta admit Rihanna is insanely beautiful.

"Great choice," Grace praises, "I don't know what I'm singing." She pulls a thoughtful face, "Maybe a Katy Perry song."

As creepy as it might sound he already knew that his crush's favorite artist is Katy Perry. A few of her Facebook status updates were praising Katy Perry's new songs and it showed her liking the singer's Facebook posts. Now that Eddie is officially friends with her on the website he could see Grace's photo albums and last year for Halloween she dressed as the singer. No one

"My band's performing." He tells the girls as they turned a corner into the main hallway of the building where the large staircase was at

Grace turned her head towards him, "Oh yeah? Do you know what song you wanna play?"

"Not yet either. We're still deciding if we wanna do a cover song or original one."

Writing original songs turned out to be harder than Eddie previously thought. Scratch that, writing good original songs is harder than he previously thought. Eddie knew from the beginning that he didn't want to be a cover band and took the initiative to look up how to write songs before he held auditions. He showed them to Kim to get her opinion on it since she was the only musician he knew. Also because he knew she wouldn't sugarcoat the truth which was what he needed. Sure Milton was in middle school band and can play the French horn and keyboard but it wasn't the same. Milton was more into jazz and old timey music. He literally enjoys listening to classical music. Classical music. Need he say more?

Kim listened to modern music like a normal person. Sure she also likes Country which he won't pretend to understand but he won't judge. Much. Kim tells him which songs she thinks sucks and which could be good with improvement. When she has the time she helps him write songs but that unfortunately doesn't happen often. Though before auditions she helped him write two songs that he presented to the band. Most of them liked it with Randy being the odd one out but they decided to use them. Together they worked on creating the music for the songs and deciding on the vocalists. Eddie can proudly say those songs were complete. Those two along with the three Ana wrote that Milton and him liked.

Lyndsey paused by the water fountain to take a long sip. Once finished she wiped her mouth and her eyes shifted over to the staircase, "Hey look, freak alert."

He turns in the direction of Lyndsey's gaze and sure enough spots Kelsey. She was sitting by the staircase talking to Donna. The girl was wearing yet another monstrosity she calls an outfit and paired it with another pair of cat ears. How can she be brave enough to dress like that to school? To walk around with a smile as if she isn't painting a giant target on her back?

Grace stood next to her fellow brunette and followed her line of sight. She clucked her tongue, "That girl is so brave. I could never wear that to school."

Lyndsey snorted and crossed her arms, "Anyone in their right mind would never wear that to school."

Eddie shifted his backpack on his shoulders and looked away from the eccentric girl. He was at a loss for words. The familiar uncomfortable feeling that comes with Kelsey bubbled in him. He hadn't asked her to come to Shore Park to meet him yet. He knew he told Grace that he would but when he saw Kelsey in the courtyard at lunch, he fled the other way. Something about the prak rubbed him the wrong way even after Grace assurances it was harmless. Yes Kelsey annoys him more often than not and yes he wishes she'll leave alone. Still part of him thinks pranking her was a bit much. She doesn't deserve that, right?

Lyndsey's eyes shifted over to him, "Have you talked to her yet about the park?"

Eddie internally panicked at the question. He turned away from the girls and towards the wall on his right. He was suddenly very interested in the artwork that the Art club hung up on the wall, "Um no."

Lyndsey's green eyes burned into his temple, "Why not?"

Eddie shoved his hands into his denim jacket pockets. He scraped his shoe against the floor, still avoiding facing Grace and Lyndsey, "I uh haven't found the time."

"Well now's the perfect time. Your girl's right there." Lyndsey countered

He could feel both girls staring expectantly at him. He snuck a glance back at Kelsey. She was still animatedly talking to Donna, gesturing wildly with her hands as she does. He's trying and failing to come up with any excuse not to go over there. His conscious was screaming at him to not go through with this, to just rush out the doors of the school and not look back. But a bigger part of him, the part that is hopelessly in love with Grace and craves acceptance from her is bugging him not to. Does he want to look uncool in front of her? Does he want to ruin a chance to impress Grace and prove to her he's cool? What if she stops talking to him because he won't go through with it? Then what?

He glances at Grace. The love of his life. The most beautiful girl of Seaford High. Was staring back at him. He can't lose this chance, not when he's so close to winning her over. It's just a harmless prank. Grace would never do anything so cruel.

Eddie nodded, his resolve strengthening, "Okay I'll do that right now."

Grace grants him a smile while Lyndsey's face remains impassive. He looks away from them to begin his walk over to Kelsey. The two girls seem to have finished their conversation with Donna walking away from her. Kelsey sets her backpack down on the circular thing by the stairs and begins rummaging through it. With her back turned, she didn't see Eddie approach her.

Eddie clears his throat, "Hey Kelsey."

Kelsey whips around, startled, "Eddie! Hi!" Her blue eyes widened. "What-what's up?"

The yellow belt shrugged, hands coming up to his backpack straps, "Nothing much just wanted to see how you're doing."

Eddie internally cringed, hoping that didn't come off as awkward as it felt. He doesn't know how to talk to her, so used to just avoiding her. If this was to work he had to come off as friendly. Pretend that talking to her was normal and he doesn't make a habit to avoid being in the same room as her. That includes pointedly ignoring the look of surprise on her face.

"Really? Oh um I just telling Donna about flag practice cuz you know I'm on Color Guard and Sandy smacked Heather with her flag."

Eddie's brows rose in surprise, "Oh that's...sad."

"Yeah but it was kinda funny in the moment. Heather's fine she just got a bloody nose. But she'll live. I mean of course she'll live no one dies of a bloody nose." Kelsey rambles, her hand rose to fiddle with her necklace of a phonebooth

Eddie just stares at her at a loss for words. Kelsey never ceases to shock him. "Yeah okay," he shakes his head. He needs to focus on his mission, "are you doing anything tonight?"

"You mean besides writing more Avengers fanfiction?" she says with a chuckle, "no."

He's not even going to touch on the fanfiction comment. He would've ran away by now but alas he can't. "Well would you wanna meet me at Shore Park around five?"

This time Kelsey was the one to stare at him in shock. She snapped out of it after about a minute with a shake of a head and blinked, "Yeah, yeah. I mean of course, totally heh. That can work."

Eddie forced his lips into a smile. "Great, well uh," he looks down, unsure what to say next, "I'll see you then."

Kelsey jerkily nods, "Yeah okay."

With his mission complete he made his escape. He forced himself to not high tail out of there like he desperately wanted and instead walked calmly. The plan was all set. Now all he had left to do was wait.


Bayview Mall

Lava Java

Jack was a little confused when Kim texted him to meet her at the Lava Java cafe. It was a small coffee shop in the mall owned by Brett Parker's dad. The place sat on the second story of the mall next to the Nordstrom. The gang rarely eats there because none of them really cares for coffee. The only one who drinks it is Kim, Jack tried it once but thought it was disgusting. He entered the small cafe with nerves in his stomach. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted towards his nose along with chocolate chip cookies. At other times that would make him hungry but not now. Now he was confused and nervous.

His eyes scanned the small place for his girl. He stepped further into the place, bypassing the tables that were placed near the entrance by the glass windows. The front of the cafe had floor to ceiling windows while farther back was built with bricks. In the left corner of the cafe was where he finally spotted her. At a two person table snug in the corner next to a brick wall. A coffee cup was on the table next to a half eaten croissant. She was texting on her phone so she didn't see him approach her table, skateboard tucked under his arm.

.

"Hey Kim," He nervously greets the girl once he reaches the table.

Kim looks up from her phone, partially startled to see him. "Jack."

"How's the hand?" He asks while propping his skateboard against the brick wall. After that he pulled out the chair across from the girl

Kim raises her injured hand for a short examination. "It'll heal."

In an act of surprising turns of events Kim injured her fist by punching Eddie. Filled with fury the blonde beauty stormed over to Milton's house- which was where Eddie was at- and punched him right in the jaw. After getting over his shock, Jack wished he was there to witness it. Only turns out punching someone in the face can actually be painful for the puncher as much as the punchee.

Milton filled him in that the reason behind that was because she found out his participation in a cruel prank pulled on Kelsey. The rundown Milton gave him was that Eddie along with Grace, Lyndsey, Ethan, and Tj lured Kelsey to Shore Park in order to attack her with water balloons. Apparently Eddie told Kelsey that he wanted to meet her there to hangout. She was so excited. So excited just to get attacked. When Jack found that out he kinda wanted to punch him too. He couldn't believe Eddie would do something like that. Take part in something so cruel.

Jack clasped his hands together on the table once he was seated. He stares at her, "How's Kelsey?" he asks in concern

"Still crushed," Kim flatly answered, "she stopped writing fanfiction, won't watch her favorite Bond movies or Doctor Who. Not even the Avengers! She loves that movie!"

Jack lowered his gaze to the table, "I can't even imagine how she must be feeling." he muttered sympathetically

Kim barked a humorless chuckle, "Yeah," she agrees, "but I didn't call you here to talk about Kels."

"I want to apologize again. I'm sorry for not telling you about Frank and you're right I was acting like an idiot. What happened to the dojo, I didn't think it would go that far. Though I was partially responsible for getting him arrested-"

"Jack please just stop talking."

"Look it's not the pranking that bothered me. To be honest I couldn't care less about Frank getting what he deserved."

"Oh."

The confusion in his voice was clear and Kim rolled her eyes. She took a long sip from her cup probably to gather patience. She set the cup back down and inhaled then exhaled a deep breath.

"What bothered me was the lies and secrecy. And that you spent pretty much all your free time to find out new ways to torture him that we hardly hung out."

Jack frowned, still not getting it. "We've hung out," he argued remembering just last sunday at his place

KIm shot him an exasperated look, "Not much. And most of the time when we do it was because I had to set it up."

Jack thought about that. Before Sunday Kim was the one to suggest they go to the movies, their date at the Pier, and the roller rink. He thinks the last date he was the one to come up was at the bowling alley back in September. His main focus from then to now was getting Frank back and thinking of his dad.

"I feel like I'm the one that's putting in effort in this relationship. Like I have to force you to pay attention to me."

"You're not forcing me," Jack vowed

Kim leaned her head back to look at the ceiling, "I know that. Or at least I hoped but actions speak louder than words Jack."

"I'm sorry I didn't know you felt that way."

She returned her gaze back to him, "Well it's not like I ever told you this so how could you?"

Jack felt like the lowest of the low. Here he was focusing on a curly haired idiot completely oblivious to his crush of two years' pain.

He had to make this right, "I'll make it better. From here on out I'll be completely focused on you. Us."

"That's sweet, really, but," Kim trails off biting her lip, "but I think we should just be friends."

He blinked, felt completely blindsided but didn't at the same time. He knew coming into the coffee shop something bad was going to happen. He knew her wanting to meet there was a red flag but the words still shocked him, "What?"

"I like you Jack and I have ever since I first met you," Kim paused, "and I know you like me back. If you tell anyone this I'll give you another black eye but I sometimes fantasize what it would be like if we dated. I had this cheesy picture in my head but that fantasy relationship compared to ours is completely different. Better."

Kim starts breaking the croissant into smaller pieces. Eyes glued to the pastry on the table. "I think you're not ready to be in a relationship yet. This dating thing is new to you, I know that but you don't seem to know the basics of being a good boyfriend. Like paying attention to your girlfriend or keeping your promise of coming when you said you would."

"I really meant to come, I swear."

She raised her gaze again to meet his eyes. Brown on brown. Her gaze felt scrutinizing and it made him deeply uncomfortable. "But you had a church thing," she says

He slowly nodded. Remembering that was the excuse he gave her. He started tapping his index finger against the wooden table,"Yeah."

She was still staring hard at him. "It had nothing to do with your obsession with Frank?"

He glared at her, "I don't have an obsession with him!" he snapped

"Just answer the question."

He struggled against the urge to look at the table. Instead he looks over her shoulder at a couple sitting at a table a few feet away from them. "N-no."

Kim closes her eyes and sighs deeply, "You're a terrible liar." her voice was full of resignation and that was the worst thing

"Okay fine it wasn't a church thing but I just felt like if I told you the truth then you'll just get mad. And I really did mean to come it just Jerry texted me and-"

"Just stop," she snapped with a glare, "This is exactly what I mean. You could've just been honest with me but you chose to lie. Terribly so might add."

Kim looked down at her lap for a minute, gathering her thoughts and trying to calm herself down, "I just don't think you're ready for a relationship. I feel like the best decision for me is that we stay just friends."

Jack's knee jerk reaction was to reject that. To fight against what she was saying. Demand that she doesn't give up on them so quickly and insist she was wrong. This was the girl he had a crush on since the moment he saw her in the lunchroom two years ago. He dreamed of what it would be like to finally stop dancing around the thing between them. To admit he liked her and wanted to be with her. To finally kiss her. Only when he finally did get with her his main focus was taking Frank down. The reality is he doesn't deserve her.

He knew Kim's mind was made up and that there was nothing he could say that'll change it. "If that's what you want."

Kim steadily met his gaze, "It is," she confirms

Jack slowly nodded, "Then okay."

Her brown eyes sparkled in surprise, "Okay?"

His easy acceptance surprised her. He guesses she thought he'll argue. He's not the type to sit back and accept something if he doesn't like it. He'll fight until he's out of breath or is forced to give up.

"There's nothing I can do to change your mind. Even though I think you're wrong and I want to stay together but when Kim Crawford makes up her mind then that's that."

Kim stares at him for a few seconds longer until lowering to the table, "Well then um, good." He couldn't place her tone; happy? Disappointed? Relief? Did she want him to argue against her choice? Or was she happy he didn't? Make the separation easier. He didn't know Kim was always a hard one to figure out. When he thinks she'll go right she goes left instead.

Silence falls between them. Both unsure what to say next and both avoiding eye contact with each other. That was it. Two years of pining, mixed signals, longing looks, and heavy silences all led up to a relationship that lasted a little over two months. He doesn't even know what to say right now or how he feels. He wanted to be with her so bad for so long and when he did he completely blew his shot. What type of idiot is he? He gets the girl then ignores the girl?

Kim was the first to break the silence. " I should go. I have a bus to catch. See you later." She gets up from the table and panic flares in Jack's chest when she starts to leave. He can't let her go without saying something to appease the tension between them. Something to make up for his crappy behavior.

"Kim," The skater called and she turned around. Staring at him expectantly and maybe a hint of hopefulness? He can't tell.

He's wracking his brain for something perfect to say that'll make everything better. Let her know how sorry he is and how he wants to do better. That she still means so much to him. Just say something.

"I'm sorry I disappointed you." Was all he could think off

She gives him a sad smile. There was definitely disappoint in her eyes. He feels like he failed at something. "I know. It's okay Jack."

She turns back around to leave the coffee shop and him by himself at the table with a heavy heart.


Author's Note: I feel like I have to clarify this. Kick is Endgame. Okay so don't freak out because I made that decision before I even started writing this story. Their endgame but it's gonna be a while until they get back together. Like I said before I want this story to be realistic and a couple staying together all four years isn't realistic. Yeah it happens but rarely. So kick will see other people for the time in between but those couples won't last. I have a strong feeling I'm gonna lose a few readers because their precious kick isn't together the whole length of the story but I hope some of y'all will stay and wait it out.