" We DO NOT say that name around here, nerd!" Lisa yelled, glaring at Jason.
Jason, a terrified look on his face and hands raised out of fear, nodded slowly. Kim, took his hands in hers and brought them down as she positioned herself between him and Lisa. "If you really want to know the story, I'll tell you, " Kim paused. "But, I don't want you to judge me, or her for that matter, until you hear the whole thing."
Jason nodded, still confused and partly terrified as Lisa scowled while sitting down. "Jay", Kim said. He looked into her eyes, trying to readjust his face so she would know she had his full attention. "I need you to promise you won't judge me for this okay?"
Jason had a few concerning thoughts pop into his mind, but quickly swatted them away. Surely Kim - beautiful and innocent and loving and kind, Kim - could not have done anything nearly as bad as he was thinking, and was just being dramatic for effect. "I promise. I won't judge you, Kim." He said, kissing her hands. "Now can I please hear this story about the alleged 'Rosemary rebellion'?" he asked.
Lisa clenched her fists and began to speak before Kim raised a staying hand. "Yes, you may. I'll tell you everything. But, buckle up. It's a doozie."
- - -
"So you deny it, then?" Lisa asked.
"Nope. Not even a little bit. I definitely did what you said I did, Peach"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Lisa yelled, slamming her first onto the table.
"Lisa." Kim gave her friend a stern look. Lisa immediately sat back in her chair mumbling an I'm sorry that was aimed at no one in particular. Kim turned her attention to Rosemary. Her best friend. For several years, her ONLY friend. The one person Kim knew, or at least thought, she would be able to count on for her entire life. But here she was, hearing Rosemary openly admit to betraying that very friendship Kim held so dear.
"I don't want to lie to you guys. Not anymore. And since Pea- I mean Lisa, here is clearly a master detective and has all of the facts"
- - -
"Wait, wait, wait. Peach? I've known you guys for almost 6 years and I've never once...heard..." Jason's voice trailed off as he noticed Lisa slowly standing from her chair and clenching her fists.
"Go ahead, Jason. Call me Peach. I.Dare.You." Lisa cracked her knuckles as she said this.
"Sorry. So, very sorry. Forget I mentioned it at all. Please, for the sake of my physical well-being, continue the story."
Kim smirked as she watched her bestfriend and boyfriend, one cowering in fear and the other towering like a mother bear that stumbled upon a hunter. "Okay, you two. That's enough," she said, trying not to laugh.
Lisa slowly, sat back down, glaring at Jason the entire time. "One day, she won't be able to protect you, new guy. And when that day comes." Lisa made a slicing motion across her neck as she said this. She then instantly changed her disposition. "Please, continue the story Kim!"
So.Damn.Creepy. Jason thought, as he tried to collect himself and return his attention to Kim.
- - -
"Since, Pea- I mean Lisa, here clearly is a master detective and has all of the facts, I see no need to carry on with the charade. We all know how this is going to end. I wrote the rules, remember?" Rosemary spoke nonchalantly.
Kim could tell there was something up. Or, at least, she hoped there was. Rosemary was her best friend. What reason could she possibly have for such a betrayal? She had to have a reason. Right? "This isn't over until I have all of the facts, Rose. So, start from the beginning. I need to hear your side of the story before I can come to any sort of verdict." Kim was trying, desperately, to give Rosemary a chance to defend herself, and hopefully do or say something that would allow her to remain a member of the D6. And, more importantly, as her friend.
"You really don't want to hear this, Kimmy. Please, don't make me say any of this. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I've already owned up to what I did, so can we please move forward. Levy your justice, as the wronged party and 2nd in command, so we can get this over with. Please." Rosemary wasn't giving anything away. She was stoic, monotone, and sitting completely still. She maintained eye contact, wasn't stuttering. Nothing that could possibly suggest she had any feelings - positive or negative - towards the situation. And that was exactly how she wanted it.
"Rose. Please. We're best friends. Or, at least, I thought we were. And I'm not going to just kick you out of this group that YOU created, without first hearing your defense. So, please, for my sake, tell us what happened." Kim was the opposite. Her emotions were clearly on display. Everyone knew she was feeling hurt by this. They just weren't sure which part hurt her the most.
Rosemary thought for a moment. "Fine. You win. But, don't blame me if you don't like what you hear. And, don't let Peach here try to murder me." Rosemary looked from Kim to Lisa and winked. Lisa's scowl, followed by Kim glaring at her, made the moment completely worth it for Rosemary. She was going to miss these weirdos. Despite how she was behaving now.
"You have my word. Lisa won't hurt you. Now, please, start from the beginning." Kim attempted to steel herself. She knew that the story Rosemary was about to tell could potentially ruin a near decade-old friendship, but she needed to hear it for herself and directly from the source.
- - -
"And then she told me the story, I was pissed and told her I hated her and wanted her to die. Lisa threatened to pour hair remover in her shampoo, and I kicked her out of the D6. End of story. Who wants to go see a movie?" Kim had clearly changed her mind about telling this story, as the emotions began to overcome her. That much was obvious to Jason. But, not knowing the full story, he was oblivious to just how much these emotions were hurting her.
"If you really want to stop telling the story, we can stop here." Jason paused as he took Kim's hand. "But, clearly you aren't over what happened. I think it would be better if you told the story. Maybe that will help you handle these emotions?" He didn't want to push her. But, he also really needed to know this story. He knew he couldn't ask Lisa or any of the other D6 because they would just shut him down. Ielisabeth would probably only give him the "cliff notes" version which wouldn't get him the answers he was looking for. And, asking Rosemary was absolutely out of the question for what should be obvious reasons.
"Fine," Kim sighed. "I'll tell you the whole damn story. But, if I start crying, it is absolutely 100% your fault. Just remember that."
"I usually blame myself when it isn't my fault, so I think I'll manage." That was only a bit douchey, dude. Way to go.
"Wow, I didn't know you were capable of being such a douche. And to think I was almost starting to not completely hate you." Lisa said, hatred dripping off of every word.
"That's enough, Lisa." Kim interrupted. "Now, where was I..."
- - -
As Rosemary told the story of her alleged betrayal, the members of the D6 sat opposite her completely enraptured. Jordan and Zach exchanged looks of shock and horror at every dramatic turning point. Ryan sat, mostly unbothered, occasionally looking up at any mention of something racy or a friend of his being involved. Lisa, a look of disgust on her face, sat listening, mocking Rosemary at any chance she could. Kim sat, stunned. The deeper into the story Rosemary went, the more painful it was for Kim to hear. She wanted to stop it, but knew she couldn't. She asked for this, gory details and all. She couldn't back out now. That's not what a leader would do.
"And that's that, I suppose. I did it, I got busted, and now I'm here confessing my sins. Anything else you need to know about, or can we get to the part where you kick me out and we go on about our lives?" Rosemary said, still as matter-of-fact as she has been since she arrived at Lisa's house for this "investigation".
Kim sat, speechless. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She was so shocked, so hurt, that she couldn't manage a single word.
"I hope you're happy, Rosemary. You broke her heart. She always told me that you were the one person she could count on to never betray her or hurt her. I should've known better than to believe that. I wish I had trusted my instincts from the beginning and not trusted you. But, it's too late for that." Lisa paused. She looked at Kim, then to the boys. Jordan, Ryan and Zach all nodded. Kim still sat, motionless. Lisa stood and spoke. "As acting 2nd in command, I hereby strip you of all rights and privileges that come with being a member of the Deep 6. You are also to be banned from any and all Deep 6 or D6-associate events. As you will be graduating soon, you will not be permitted to petition for reinstatement or added to the 'friends with benefits' list." Lisa paused. "You're the worst kind of person, Rosemary. Betraying those you claim to love, all for your own personal gain is beyond selfish and you should be ashamed of yourself." Lisa smoothed her skirt and sat down, before placing a hand on Kim's shoulder. "It's okay, sweaty. I've got you now," she whispered as she hugged Kim.
Rosemary sat silently, for a moment, before standing and walking towards the door. Once she was outside and certain that no one could see or hear her, she wept. Only for a moment. Just long enough for a single tear to fall from her face. She had been holding in the sadness for days, now. But she could finally let it out. Her mission had finally been accomplished. She could finally give her full attention to the task at hand.
- - -
"So...that's it?" Jason sat, confused as he looked from Kim to Lisa and back again. "That's the story of how Kim the heartless, 'banished' her own best friend from every non-school related social event?" he paused. "I was expecting a little more than that. Considering you didn't actually do the 'banishing' part."
Kim smiled. "I don't know what I would do without you, Jay. You were right. I do feel better from telling that story," she kissed his cheek before standing and beginning to walk into the kitchen, ignoring his confused look.
"Wait, but I didn't get anything from that story. Aside from the fact that Lisa is evil and Rosemary is super evil," Jason stopped as he said this. Surprised that Lisa wasn't spazzing out, he continued. "I'm all for my girlfriend feeling less emotionally traumatized, but I was expecting to actually learn something from that story. So I would know how to respond to Toni" Jason immediately paused.
Lisa jumped out of her seat and was standing between Jason and Kim in an instant. "So the secrets finally out. You've been cavorting with the enemy behind our backs. Just like that bitch, Rosemary. I KNEW it! Something told me you were just like her, but I was prepared this time. I never stopped hating you, so I don't even feel a little betrayed this time." Lisa turned to Kim. "Let me hurt him for you, Kimmy. I'll make sure it lasts forever," she smirked as she said this, and looked at Jason over her shoulder.
Kim smiled. "It's fine, Lisa. I already knew Toni contacted him." Jason and Lisa both looked stunned. "She reached out to me last week, asking if we could talk. I knew that if she couldn't get to me, she would try to talk to someone close to me. And, since you already hate her and Rose, it obviously had to be Jay." Kim laughed as the weight he was carrying visibly fell from Jason's shoulders. "Now, as for what to say to Toni. Just tell her to shove it. Her and her sister. I'm done with them. I have been for a while now. No use crying over spilled milk, right?" And, on the surface, Kim almost believed it when she said that.
