106Disclaimer: I don't own twilight
August 20th, 2007
She could just kill him. She really could. Of all the days to ditch, he had to choose today. She wanted to strangle him, no make that rip his head off. Screw his stupid band. She loved their music, but honestly, no one could actually sing in the group. Her brother was amazing playing the drums, but his band mates could use work; then again, she was a bit biased. She wasn't upset per say that the band kept trying to make it big in the Seattle music scene. She encouraged it. She really did. No, she was more annoyed that they chose tonight of all nights to do it. How could Kyle tell her this via text? Did he want a death wish? Knowing him, he probably knew that if he had told her in person, he would've been stuck here, at their home, with her. There would be no chance in hell that she would've let him escape her had she known his plans. Kim closed her eyes while squeezing her fists a few times as she took purposeful deep breaths. If she lost her cool now, she wouldn't calm down in time for dinner. Kim swiped a piece of hair that had fallen into her eyes back behind her ear as she tried to imagine how the night would play out.
What would she tell her father? "Hey dad, Kyle only skipped out on your engagement party. No big deal. Maybe he'll make it to the next one?"
And then the question of how her father would react; would he blame her for not stopping him, or would he just accept Kyle's behavior? If going off previous situations was anything to go on, her father would most likely eat up any excuse given, rather then know the truth. He tended to turn a blind eye to Kyle's miscellaneous behavior.
What really bothered her though was why in the hell did Kyle pull this shit again? "Because he's always listening to you spout out words such as 'follow your dreams' and 'don't let anything stop you and the band'." Kim could really shoot herself sometimes.
"Breathe Kim," she muttered softly to herself as she closed her eyes and took calming breaths. She couldn't think about that now, not until the dinner was over. Her father was counting on her to make a good impression. If Adam didn't feel welcome, then it was all over. Kyle not being there would definitely make things awkward. He was the comic relief, or so she unofficially dubbed him. Kyle was a bit ridiculous without actually trying; plus he actually liked Linda and her kids. The woman made their father incredibly happy, and it was hard for Kim to come to terms with the change this union would have on her family. Linda had kids as well, who would be there too, what the hell was she supposed to do? Mitch and Adam were far from fun companions.
Its not that she didn't like Linda; it's more that they hadn't connected yet like her dad kept promising. He claimed they just needed a common interest to get the 'party started,' because then the fun would really begin. Yes, she was appalled her father used those words too.
"Kimbo darling, think you could put the baked potatoes into the oven to warm up?" Brian Connweller asked his only daughter as he walked past her room. When she nodded slowly, he smiled in 'thanks' and continued to get ready in his own bathroom.
She made her way into their humble kitchen, annoyed with the situation entirely. After putting the potatoes into the oven to reheat she looked behind her to make sure her father wasn't around. Pulling out her phone, she began punching in her brother's cell phone number. If he really thought he could get out of this without hearing from her, he had another thing coming. Making sure her father was out of ear shot, she began tapping her foot impatiently as the other line rang. If he ignored her call-
"Hello?" her brother answered cautiously.
Kim wanted to growl. Instead she went with, "What the hell?"
"Ehh…I'm sorry?" he answered nervously, letting out a chuckle.
"Does dad know where you are?"
"If he did, he would kill me. Promise you won't tell him?"
She wanted to scream. "Kyle, how long did you know you would miss this? Because if you knew a few weeks ago, I swear I will-"
"No. No, Casey called me earlier today telling me a label was interested in our music. The girl would only be in this area till tonight but told us if we could make it to Z.A.P. then she would give us a look. Kim, I think this could really be it!" He explained earnestly, hoping she would forgive him.
She wanted to be mad at him, but she was his biggest fan. She wanted the band to succeed just as much as he did. "Why tonight? You know how awkward it is for me," she whined.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. Really I am. But I have to do this."
She sighed in resignation, "What should I tell dad?"
"I don't know, be creative just- oh hey, I have to go. Casey and Dave want to do a quick sound check. Wish me luck! Bye!"
He hung up before she could tell him he would be great. Putting away her phone she sat down at the kitchen table. She already knew what she would tell her dad; Kyle was sick. Her dad would eat it up, and would never question his baby girl. As far as he was concerned, his children loved to spend time with the family and would never skip it for other reasons.
Suddenly wondering how long she was supposed to wait for their company she raised her head and called out, "Hey Dad? When do they get here?"
"I told her eight o'clock, that okay?" he called back, his voice slightly muffled from the closed bathroom door.
"Yeah," I hollered back before frowning. Eight o'clock? It was almost four thirty as she glanced at the digital clock on the microwave. They usually ate diner around five, what was she supposed to do without dying of starvation until then.
Kim stood up and slowly made her way to her room, making sure to turn her radio on. She slowly inspected her room. In the past, Kyle has been known to borrow items, and then claim she lost them on her own. She would literally make his life hell if he took her things with him on his impromptu trip. She checked under her bed for the laptop, inside the desk drawer for the iPod, and on the shelf for the picture of Kyle and her as small children dressed up as pumpkins alongside their glowing mother.
At the thought of her mother, Kim sighed. She missed her, she truly did. It has been years since anyone in the family had seen her. Apparently, Jennifer Connweller did not love her family enough to stick it out past Kim and Kyle's fifth birthday. How a mother could leave her children Kim had no idea. No one talked about it, her dad refusing and Kyle equally as adamant. Plus now that her father had found Linda, it seemed taboo to mention their previous life. Kim just wished she could learn more about what her mother was like, or why her parents had such a falling out that it ended in a nasty divorce a month after she left.
Was her mother kind, gentle, radiant? Did her mother have a favorite flower or smell? Was her mother into a certain type of music? Kim wished she knew, and she wished her father would open up. It was especially hard to cope with on hallmark holidays such as mother's day and her birthdays. On mother's day, everyone sends a card to their father's mother, but on birthdays, the missing presence was ignored. How jealous Kim would grow of her many friends, whose mothers always made them lunches and offered comforting advice when needed. It wasn't that her father wasn't a comforting and open presence, but it wasn't the same as having an actual mother or woman to talk too.
It had been years since Kim had actually talked about her 'girl' problems as her father and Kyle dubbed them. So many questions, and it wasn't as if she could ask anyone. Sure she could ask her friends, but it just felt awkward. And she hated that.
Kim picked up the old photo, focusing on her mother's young face. Scanning the picture, Kim noticed, as she always does, the similar facial features she'd inherited from her mother. Subconsciously glancing over at the mirror, Kim pulled at her face, inspecting it further. She frowned at her lips, slightly too large for her face. She then poked at a small bump forming on the side of her face. Most likely a pimple, though it was hardly noticeable. Kim constantly thanked the heavens or whatever higher power there was for her clear skin. She figured it was probably her best feature, besides her thick and full eyelashes. Kim sighed, before turning away from the mirror. She knew by no standards was she ugly or unfortunate looking, but she also knew that most boys don't spare her a second glance. And why should they? She was nothing if not ordinary. Also, Kyle was one protective influence at school when he didn't approve of the guy; which happened to ruin almost every possible relationship she ever wanted.
Lying down on her bed, Kim glanced around at the little mementos she had collected over the years. On her wall hung a collage of photos her friends had given her for her golden birthday three years ago. Everyone looked so young, so free. On her dresser was a glass dolphin that came from Florida- a friend had brought it back as a souvenir. Her eyes glazed over as she remembered the paper maché forest she built a few years ago, sitting on the floor next to her desk. It was her favorite memento because it reminded her of all the mysteries the forest of LaPush seemed to hold.
All her life, the forest has represented her home. It was everywhere she was—behind the school yard, on the edge of the road of her house, and the border of LaPush. The forest was always a place of mystery and beauty. Kim would go there to think, to just be the little girl that missed her mother and wanted to have a sister instead of Kyle. She'd grown up and realized that maybe she didn't truly want a sister, but a mother definitely. It would've saved her the awkward phase called middle school from both her father and herself. She was mentally scared from the diagrams her father showed her to explain what was happening to her body. And while she loves that he did that, it was still a little too much information to discover with her dad.
For years, her family had become the pity of the town. For three months, different families had sent over home cooked meals for her and her family. The teachers had allowed Kyle to not do his homework for a while; until they found out he was abusing their sympathies. Her father got a raise at work to help support the family, and Kim herself had made a few extra friends—most likely because their mothers forced them too. No matter, it had been refreshing when her family no longer became the Reservation gossip.
Three years ago, the talk of Reservation became the Cullen Family. The elders of the Rez were upset for unknown reasons, and the hatred just manifested all throughout LaPush. Kim had never really understood the anger, but followed the crowd none the less. All she truly knew of the family was that they moved from Alaska and Mr. and Mrs. Cullen had five adopted children all in high school.
Of course after a year, the hype surrounding the family died down a bit, people accepting that they really were an average family.
Then about a year ago, Sam Uley went missing. Kim remembered everyone from the Rez going on search parties through the forest, hoping to find some trace of the missing teen. It had been scary for everyone, because after a few weeks it became a real possibility that he was dead. Leah Clearwater, his fiancée at the time, spent weeks organizing searches and posting signs all over the area. It was quite a scandal, Kyle and her father both believed that Sam had sudden second thoughts about his fiancée, so he skipped out of town. Kim personally agreed with her father. What LaPush kid gets lost in the woods? It seemed a little too spoon fed to be a real story. Whether the elders made it up, she couldn't tell you. But one thing for sure was something happened to Sam while he was in the woods.
When he finally came back, he was different. And not what people were expecting either. He looked terrible, and most people, Kim included had assumed he'd been with civilization. Sam looked exhausted, and bigger. As in, he grew at least five or six inches while away. Kyle said Sam was at least 6 ft, before and after he was around 6'6 ft. And he'd gained muscles. The kind male models strive for after years of training and careful diets. Kim would be lying if she admitted that she didn't find Sam suddenly attractive after his return. And Leah thought so too of course, but that relationship ended for reasons unknown to Kim. The only thing she did know was that not soon after he broke it off with Leah, Sam was seen around the Rez talking to Emily Young, Leah's cousin. Talk about a scandal. Kim seriously wanted to punch the guy. What kind of asshole dates their ex-girlfriends family member? Not a year later, just a few months ago, they announced their engagement. Kim wanted to gag.
Poor Leah was devastated, completely heartbroken. Kim remembers visiting once; to give Sue something for Leah, and Leah could be heard in her room crying. Sue had only shaken her head in disappointment, as if she knew how unfair life could be. As a little girl, Leah would baby-sit Kyle and Kim while Mr. Connweller worked longer shifts at work. Both children adored Leah because she let the two twins stay up later and Leah even played games with them. It wasn't until the twins were in middle school did Leah stop watching them. Unknown to Leah, Kim truly admired the beautiful, confident girl she used to associate with the name, Leah Clearwater. Kim remembers going home after that day, and mentally vowing to dislike Sam Uley; on principle alone. It was girl code to dislike another man that left you for a family member. How much lower could he go?
And just a few weeks ago, rumors began going around that Sam was recruiting some guys off the Rez to join his gang. As far as she knew, it was innocent enough, but some people swore it dealt drugs or something equally scandalous. She had no worries about Kyle, because Kyle always insulted Sam to his friends, constantly calling him a 'creep' and 'arrogant ass.'
Kim turned over to her side, confused on what to think of Sam Uley. He was a mystery to her, and she would figure it out, some time before she graduated. She had a whole year after all.
"So Adam, Linda told me you passed your diver's test. Did my advice help?" Her father asked pleasantly, completely engrossed with Linda's children. Kim could swear her father adored them more then his own actual offspring.
Adam was Linda's sixteen year-old. He was tall and willowy, with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes. His sixteenth birthday was last month and apparently he just got his license. Adam was sophomore class secretary at Forks High School as well as a member of some stupid club that basically monitored library books. Yay. Kim wanted to pull her hair out. Adam smiled, "Yeah, it was great! I told the instructor that I was a little nervous like you said, and she seemed to be a lot nicer after that. Thanks Mr. Connweller."
Her dad smiled, " Please, Call me Brian. And it's a certified weapon. Tell women you're vulnerable and they melt like putty into your hands; right honey?" He winked at Linda who rolled her eyes but grinned lovingly. They both turned to look at Kim, who smiled back, but secretly wanted to barf into her napkin. All night, conversation had consisted of "Oh Linda I love you so much. You complete Me." and "Brian, you are the best thing that's happened to me after my husband died. I'm so lucky to have found you. My kids adore you, and so do I"
If she could sneak away she would. She was happy for her dad she really was, but this pretend family the couple seemed to embrace isn't as clean cut as it looks. Kim knew for a fact that Adam was not as sweet as he appeared. He was in a "hard" crowd in Forks. Well, as "hard" as kids in Forks could get-meaning most of the kids thought they were tough shit if they smoked weed or drank at parties. The club that her dad thought was so great, the one that watched over library books was code for stoners at Forks. Really, why have a club to watch over books when a librarian was paid to do the same thing. And his older brother, Mitch, was nineteen and off at some community college. He tended to ignore the invites to these dinners. Why her father thought he would come today really baffled her.
Really, her future step-siblings were just the greatest.
Adam knew Kim knew the truth as well. He was two grades younger and they went to separate schools, but word still got around. He was nice enough, when he was with his mom, but since Kim didn't like Linda - they just never really talked. She ignored him whenever she saw him in Forks and vice versa. Kyle actually got along fine with the kid; which irritated Kim to no end. Adam was just so…how to describe his annoying tendencies. First of all, every time he's come over to the house, he always snoops in her room. Kim had caught him twice already, and both times he claimed he got lost. She wanted to snort, Lost my ass. Need my bra to find your way back to the hallway? Also, he was a mouth breather. A mouth breather. As in, he sounded like he just ran a marathon every time he took in a breath; which might possibly be from the weed he smoked everyday, or that he never learned to breathe through his nose. Also, he just sounded like a stupid kid. It was hard to explain, but there was a huge difference between a junior in high school and a freshman. Those two years had so much growth in them, and despite Adam still developing- Kim had no patience. They just couldn't connect.
And Mitch. Kim had met him two years ago, at that point he had been senior while she was a silly sophomore. It was much the same as the current situation with Adam, only Kim could imagine that Mitch couldn't deal with her and Kyle for many of the same reasons. A difference in level of maturity really dampened a future relationship. It also didn't help that Mitch actually did drugs. Linda was ignorant to her boy's experiments. Mitch was hanging with an older crowd that went to the community college. They hooked him up with meth and weed. Kim only knew this because Mitch had offered her some the first time she met him. Neither twin liked Mitch, mostly because he was too far gone. He was the type of boy one knew was bad. He had gages in his ears, tattoos all over his body, and an equal amount of piercing. At first glance the look is rather attractive, as his curly hair only adds to the bad boy image. Only, Kim could see the destruction his habits were having on his body. His skin sagged off his body, his face gaunt and yellow. His teeth were a disgusting shade of yellow, and probably had infections all throughout his mouth area. It made her sad that Linda either knew and ignored it, or honestly had no idea. Mitch never stopped by, from what Linda had mentioned in the past year.
Kim was brought out of her musings when Linda laughed rather loudly at something her father had said. "Did he really? That silly boy!" Kim could only assume they were discussing her idiotic brother.
They planned a summer wedding, meaning she had about a year to get used to the idea of her dad remarrying. It was the begging of her senior year, and she prayed that it would be the best yet. Luckily, she would be out of the house by the time everyone moved in together. Only poor Adam was stuck living with the lovebirds as Kyle and Kim preferred to dub them.
Kim again repressed the urge to gag. Her father smiled dumbly at his previous joke. He stood to gather everyone's plates, "Desert anyone?"
Everyone nodded, and Kim stood help her father serve dessert- carrot cake, Linda's favorite apparently.
"Kim, mind grabbing some wine glasses, I want to make a toast," he motioned toward their glass cabinet. She shrugged and grabbed four. When her father didn't protest, Kim smiled inwardly. He hardly allowed her to drink alcohol, ever. Maybe having Linda around wouldn't be so bad after all.
When each person had a half full glass of Red Wine her father raised his glass and motioned for everyone to do the same. "I would like to make a toast," he began, "to my beautiful fiancée, Linda. When we met two years ago, something happened to my heart that I didn't think possible after so long. You taught me what it means to love another again, and it's made me so happy. We've had our fair share of up and downs, but despite our reservations I know this marriage will rock the socks of those who have their doubts! Baby, it's you and me, and our beautiful children! We can do this, and I love you! Thanks for being my light in the dark!"
Linda laughed and soon Adam and Kim joined in, though with less enthusiasm, not that the happy couple noticed. "I love you too baby!" Linda said as she wiped her eyes and stood to kiss Kim's father.
Kim could only internally groan. How could she hate Linda when it made her dad this happy?
August 30th, 2007
It had been about a week since the dinner with Linda and Adam. Her father had only continued to radiate happiness anytime anyone talked to him or mentioned Linda's name. Kyle returned later the next day, faithfully playing sick as to fool their father. Apparently the possible record deal was another bust. The woman pretended to be from a label, when really she just thought Casey was quite the catch. Kyle was more then disappointed but did his best to let it go. He knew long ago how difficult it was to break into the music industry.
It was Saturday, the last Saturday of summer vacation. Tonight, Kim was watching over her neighbors while the parents went out one last time before the school year began. The mother was a teacher at the high school, and called Kim as a favor. There were many things Kim would rather do on her last free weekend before the beginning of her senior year, but she also needs the cash. Plus, the children were adorable, and she actually liked this teacher.
"Kiim! I'm hungwy…" A small voice echoed through Kim's ears, snapping her back to reality. She'd been silently watching the Disney movie Cars with the older son, Noah, on the couch.
Looking around for the source of the noise, Kim silently sat up from the couch. She slowly detached herself from the sleeping boy that had wrapped himself around her halfway through the Disney film. Standing up, she found a small girl sitting on the floor, staring up at her with large trusting eyes.
"Tummy hungwy!" the young girl said while patting her stomach with her small chubby fingers. Kim smiled at how utterly adorable the words were. Was she this cute as a child? Kim bent down to pick up the toddler, making sure to raise her eyebrows in surprise as she asked, , "Is Lena hungry? Really?"
"No!" the girl shouts defiantly.
"No? No you're not hungry?" Kim challenged, making her way into the kitchen in search of the cupboard of snacks meant specifically for the children. The girl's parents had warned her that Lena was in a stage when No actually meant yes; Lena just had fun saying the word. Unfortunately, all night, Kim had battled with the toddler over the simplest of actions. Lena didn't want to take a bath, or pick up her toys and that had only been experiences in the last twenty minutes that didn't involve tantrums. As adorable as the young girl was, Kim couldn't help but count down the hours until she could leave.
"No!" Lena smiles, giggling a little at the game they're playing.
"Which is it Lena? Yes or No? I was going to give you some fruit snacks, but if you're not hungry…" Kim trails off; knowing full well the mention of Nemo will distract her.
"Oooh Nemo!" Lena squealed, reaching for the kitchen cupboard.
Smiling knowingly, Kim set Lena down and followed her to the cabinet that had all the snacks. Grabbing a few packages of Finding Nemo fruit snacks, she bent down to give the excited girl her meal. After a few minutes of watching Lena devour the animated and colorful fruity fish, Kim picked her back up. "Lena do you know what time it is?" she asked quietly as they passed the sleeping Noah on the couch.
Shaking her head, the child stared up at Kim, her eyes wide.
"Well I do," Kim paused to open the nursery door, "its bed time for a certain young lady."
"No!" Lena cried with a challenging gleam as she squirmed in Kim's arms.
"Yes! And sadly, what I say goes," Kim mumbled as she put the child back into her crib. She sighed as she fixed the gate that had been knocked down previously—explaining how Lena got out of bed in the first place. Lena whimpered as she shrank back into her plush bedding, squeezing the yellow teddy bear with hearts for eyes.
"Goodnight little Lena. Sleep tight, and no more sneaking out! You need your rest," Kim whispered soothingly, while shutting off the light and closing the door.
Silently walking away, she frowned when she heard the rising cries of the toddler. How she wished she could rock and sooth the child, but her parents were trying to train Lena to sleep by herself. So while it was tough, Kim did her best to ignore the cries, knowing they would disappear once the child succumbed to exhaustion. Shaking her head, Kim walked over to the sleeping boy still entangled in blankets on the couch.
"Noah…" Kim repeated in a sing/song voice, while gently shaking the four-year-old. "Come on buddy; let's go sleep in your big boy bed."
Noah blinked a few times before sitting up, jumping off the couch and walking into his room. His steps thumping as he blindly plopped his body onto his bed. Kim had to refrain from laughing as she watched him walk like the dead into his room. His hair was sticking up at odd angles his eyes remained half closed the entire walk to his room. Quietly following him, she tucked the already tired boy into his Washington Huskies comforter. His favorite team, he'd said at dinner.
"Goodnight Noah," she soothed into his ear before adding, "thanks for being such a good listener." Kim gently placed a kiss on his forehead and Noah only grunted before turning over onto his side. She crept out of his room, terrified to wake him up, though she doubted he'd wake from the state he seemed to be in. But still, she was tired too! Babysitting could be quite exhausting.
Relieved, Kim sat back down on the couch and stared at the opposing wall for a few minutes. She sighed, wiping her eyes from mental and physical exhaustion. Checking the clock, she sighed again realizing she still had an hour before the parents returned from Seattle. Lying back, she pulled out her phone. Quickly scanning through her contacts, she smiled to herself when she got to the one she wanted.
Waiting for the line to pick up, Kim played with her long black hair. Combing threw the small knots while silently thanking the heavens she had thick hair. Usually it was a pain to manage, leaving her to just wear it down most of the time, but today it came in handy for she was sure she lost enough hair to make a wig with all the tugging and pulling little Lena did on her poor head. She loved to girl to death, but sometimes having your hair constantly pulled and tugged at can put a slight damper on the relationship; at least on her end.
Pressing the phone to her ear, Kim waited patiently for her friend to pick up. After all, they already agree to hangout later tonight.
"Oh, look who decided to finally call," a melodic voice jokingly sang.
"Hey girl," Kim breathed.
"So, are the rascals out for the night?"
Kim laughed into the receiver, "As of now, yes. What about you?"
"Hun, they've been conked out since seven; I'm that good," her friend stated with sarcasm.
Kim raised her eyebrows. Laura was probably the least kid friendly person she knew. The girl detested young children. She only babysat for one couple, her aunt and uncle because she got free range in the house and power over her little cousins. "Oh, so basically you bribed them with candy so that they'll pretend to be asleep for when the parents arrive?"
Her friend remained silent before finally uttering, "Minor details."
Kim smiled despite herself, "Sure."
"So…give me the low down. What actually happened today?"
"Umm I'm not really sure where to start," Kim muttered. "Tell me what you know."
Kim heard a huff from the other line, and smiled slightly. Her best friend Laura was truly a gossip guru. Kim wouldn't be surprised if Laura already knew the entire story, and more. After an incident in middle school, Kim demanded that if anything went around concerning her, Laura should tell her first, before comparing with other gossips. It was just code. A girl should be able to trust her best friend and if she can't then something is seriously messed up with the world.
"So I heard Luke broke up with Chelsea. Correct?" Laura stated.
Kim nodded before shaking her head in embarrassment. Laura couldn't see her—duh! So she let out the habitual, "uh-huh."
"And he then preceded flirt with you at the grocery store. For ten minutes I might add?" Laura asked, with a knowing tone.
It was Kim's turn to huff. She rolled her eyes at her friend's antics, wondering why everyone was so freaked out by this. People flirt harmlessly out of school all the time. It's not that big of a deal. "Yeah, just as I got a few things my dad asked me to pick up. How is this even gossip worthy Laura? Isn't there anything else more interesting for people to talk about? And how do people even know? There was hardly anyone at the store."
"Oh it was some wanabee sophomore that saw you two. And it's more the fact that he just broke up with Chelsea before talking with you."
Kim was mortified. Did this mean Chelsea would be after her blood? If so, then she was screwed come Monday. Chelsea was…just not someone worth messing with. "But nothing is going on between us!" she whines, allowing her frustration to seep through to Laura. Could she not interact with a boy without people assuming they were dating? It's not like she'd ever had a boyfriend before. Kim knew she certainty wasn't the girl most guys went to after they broke off previous relationships.
"Yet," Laura comments, still not believing her friend is being totally honest. "I mean, don't get me wrong hun, but Luke is from a whole different breed…it's going to cause people to notice," she trailed off.
"A different breed?"
"Well yeah, he's like mega popular, while you're…" she trailed off again, probably realizing this was not what her friend would want to hear after such a long day. "You know—"
"Okay I get it." Kim muttered. She subconsciously flexed her hands, annoyed at her so called best friend's brutal honesty. Don't get her wrong, she loved Laura because she held nothing back, but sometimes, she just didn't want to hear the inconvenient truth. Kim was far from the lonely kid everyone secretly made fun of, but she never embraced the popularity like her twin brother did.
"So did anything happen?" Laura asked hopeful, always one to keep the conversation on track until she discovered what she needed or wanted.
"Happen? Laura, we walked in grocery store isle's together for like five minutes before I went off to check out. Sorry I didn't want to jump him when all I could smell was deli meat and baked goods," Kim snapped, annoyed that people cared so much. This was why she hated LaPush—the gossip central of Washington.
"Well, I would've. Luke is a fine piece of ass."
"Look, he probably just did it to because he's now able to flirt with whoever without Chelsea breathing downs his neck. Besides, you and I both know he's one of Kyle's good friends. So it was probably more for Kyle's sake than mine." Kim reasoned, ignoring Laura's small girl crush on Luke, yawning in the process. Kyle was always asking his friends to watch out for her during school. They didn't have the same group of friends, but both groups knew of the two siblings and accepted them. Obviously, Kyle was more popular at school, while Kim preferred to just observe rather than get involved in all the drama Kyle's group seemed to thrive off of. She didn't mind, because for the most part, she'd known these people all her life and honestly didn't want to be close friends with them.
"True," Laura slowly agreed. Kim could tell her friend still wished for her to get a boyfriend. Preferably Luke Roberts.
Turning the tables, Kim asked vindictively, "Well, what about you and Greg?"
Laura giggled, "He was over earlier today. I'd say he's great."
Kim groaned and covered her eyes and the mental images instantly appearing in her mind. She'd accidentally walked in on the passionate couple too many times to count- her mind was irrevocably scarred. "Say no more."
After a moment of silence Laura asked, "So you still want to hang out tonight?"
"Yes of course. Your house?"
Laura laughed, "Already got the movies set out and countless forms of junk food that will make us gain wait stashed in my room."
This would be good. Every year, the two friends ended the summer with a all night sleepover where they watched funny and romantic movies while eating their hearts out. It was therapeutic, a mourning of sorts for the summer. This year would be no different. Kim was excited to just let go with her best friend. "Sounds like a plan, I'll text you when I leave."
"Okay, bye girl." Laura hung up, and Kim smiled. She stood up and searched around for her shoes. Pulling them on, she grabbed her car keys on the counter and waited for the children's parents to walk in.
When the parents finally did return, Kim went over the normal procedure. She told them of how good the kids were, despite any actual issue that occurred. If the parents thought she had a hard time with the kids, they might not rehire her so she might have exaggerated how easy the night had been. Once in her car, she first texted Laura to let her know she was leaving. Then she texted Kyle: "won't be home till tomorrow morning. cover for me." she texted before pulling away from the house. Feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, she carefully looked at her brother's response.
"now we're even."
With a roll of her eyes, Kim drove off to what she knew would be a long night of hugs and comforting junk food, and future inside jokes.
August 31st, 2007 (Next Day)
"Kyle, don't even start! It's not my turn to clean the bathroom. I just want to relax," Kim argued as she got out of her car in the driveway. Kyle was sitting on the porch glaring at her as their neighbor Paul Grey only nodded in acknowledgement and smirked. Paul lived in the duplex with his mother, while Kim and her family lived on the other side. Almost all her life her brother and she had grown up with the quick tempered boy. She had only a few neighbors, and while Paul Grey was annoying at best, he was familiar and the only person their age.
When they were younger, Paul and Kyle would team up and play pranks on her. Their favorite was stealing her dolls and hiding them randomly throughout the small neighborhood. Kim still to this day, has yet to find her teddy bear that another girl had given her for a birthday. Kyle claims it was in the freezer, while Paul remembers putting it in a gutter. The fact that neither can remember nor find it does little to comfort her. She's just glad the gift had been given by a girl that moved away years ago. Otherwise it might be awkward that she 'lost' the gift. Her father only laughed at the boys antics. Kim could not understand it, but her father actually liked Paul.
Kyle continued to glare as Kim closed the distance from the driveway. "What do you mean 'It's not my turn?" he mimicked in what she assumed was supposed to resemble her voice. Only, it sounded more like a chipmunk rather than a girl. Paul seemed to think so too because he outright laughed.
"It's pretty self-explanatory," Kim countered, not in the mood to deal with Kyle or Paul and all their stupid games. For years, she just did things for him, but after having a deep, emotional, and empowering girl's night with Laura (got to love sleepovers) Kim decided she would no longer take shit from people; including her twin.
"But I covered for you last night!" he whined.
Kim snapped her head up, eyes blazing. "So?" When Kyle only stared at her blankly, she continued, "Kyle, I cover for you all the time, and what do I get in return? Maybe a 'thanks Kimmy', or a 'you're the best', but that's about it. So suck it up bud, because I don't care. Just two weeks ago I had to cover for the stupid dinner with Linda. A dinner that you know means the world to dad."
Kyle watched her for a moment, before scratching the back of his head as he replied rather sheepishly, "But Kimmy, you never ask for anything. You're just a good, scratch that, great person. I really am lucky to have a sister as nice and understanding as you!" Kyle then proceeded to slowly inch towards her, as if to hug her.
Kim rolled her eyes at his antics, not in the mood to play the 'gullible sister' this time around. "Kyle," she asked in a sickly sweet voice, matching his shit-faced smile with one of her own, "I'm asking you now; go clean our bathroom."
Kyle frowned before glaring and standing in anger, "You can't be serious. I have plans today, and I know for a fact that you don't. You never do."
He did not just go there. "Kyle, I'm going to walk away now."
Paul stood excitedly, throwing his fist righteously in the air, "Kyle, are you going to let her boss you around like that?"
Kyle shared a smirk with his friend, "Why, no, I don't think I will. Kimberly, where has this attitude come from? You come home, and I merely wish to welcome you. And no, I get greeted with your piss-poor attitude. That is hardly fair."
Kim took a deep breath, and walked up to her brother. Trying her best to look intimidating, which was rather hard at her 5'5 ft status, she glared with all her might at her twin. "Fuck you. I'm done."
Paul began to jump up and down with growing excitement, "Fight, Fight, Fight!" at the same time Kyle mumbled a "Wait, what?"
"I'm over this," Kim shouted as she began to walk into her house to go preferably to her room. "And Paul, don't expect a ride from me this year."
Paul frowned, "What did I do?"
Kyle only nudged him to shut up. "Kim, if we promise to leave you alone today, will you clean the bathroom?"
"No, I'm going to bed," she stated with determination, "while you are going make our bathroom spotless-"
"But-"
"No, I've spent the whole night up with my best friend. I'm running on an hour so sleep, so hell to the no. I'm not doing this. Leave. Me. Alone."
Just as she reached her bedroom door, she remembered what she wanted to say, "Oh by the way…" she trailed off.
"I knew you'd change your mind," Kyle stated with a knowing smirk.
"No," his face fell, "just remember to scrub behind the toilet, because those stains are all you!"
Paul laughed again while Kyle looked horrified. Paul then leaned into whisper something to Kyle, making both grin rather manically.
He only stared at her as she walked into her room, in shock that she actually stood up for herself today. Though always being one to get the last word, Kyle muttered loud enough for her to hear, "Either someone took their 'bitch pills' this morning or it's that time of the month…"
Kim only slammed the door as she plopped down on her bed. She couldn't keep the smile off her face when she heard her father smack Kyle upside the head for being rude to his sister. Sometimes, she was grateful Kyle wasn't another girl. Sometimes.