Chapter 25

Kim's thoughts were like the internal contents of a food processor,
with said food processor flying through a hurricane. She couldn't
control herself; Roxx was doing all the talking. Kim moaned and allowed
the shockwave of orgasm take her. Roxx slithered up, casually licking a
nipple on her way to cradle her head on her ample bosom.

"Mmmm, Roxx. Just when I think it can't get any better..." She craned her
neck up and kissed Roxx's neck, then reached over for the pipe. She
touched the flame to the marijuana in the bowl, inhaled quickly and
handed it to Roxx. Taking the glass utensil, Roxx inhaled deeply, then
set it down. Kim snuggled up to Roxx, placing a hand on her flat
stomach. Kim's eyes fluttered as she careened headlong into sleep.

Now, Roxx. It's time. Lust's voice echoed through her brain. The drugs
had almost no effect on her, but keeping up appearances was vital. Roxx
smiled and kissed Kim's head. She quivered with anticipation.

This is going to be so fun. Roxx thought. She was so excited she
squeezed Kim tighter. The diminutive girl snuggled closer in her sleep.

* ******

Bobbie was dressed for school early, she knew Tim would be coming to
pick her up soon. Kim had disappeared early, as she had been doing
lately. Bobbie breathed in deeply, smelling the sharp scent of snow.
This would be her year, she decided. Put everything behind her and let
the good in her life carry her through.

Bobbie was happy to be back at school. It wasn't the toxic wasteland it
had been for Robb. In the four months since school started, she had
assimilated. Resistance was futile. People said hi in the hallway,
complimented her (insert name of random fashion item here.) It was a
very different place from what she remembered. Her time as Robb had
begun to feel like a bad dream that everyone shared. There was almost
combined decrease in the darknesses she sensed.

She saw Tim pull up through the window. He waved back at her and
playfully honked the tinny sounding horn.

Alright, let's make this year my bitch. Bobbie thought smiling.

They stopped when they saw the red and blue lights drawing their pattern
on the ground like a drunk kaleidoscope. There were three police cars
parked in front of Daily Grind, roofs lit. Three officers were standing
out in front, sipping from Daily Grind cups.

Confounded, Tim pulled the moped over and stepped off. He and Bobbie
walked inside the coffee shop. One of the morning crew was sweeping up
large chunks of thick glass. Tim's stomach dropped down a bottomless
pit.

Daily Grind's pastry case had been smashed, destroyed. None of the
equipment had been touched. Neither had the till or the safe, aside from
one shattered door and pastry case, nothing else had been touched. Tim
turned to Bobbie, pale. Bobbie was stunned. Tim came and hugged Bobbie.

"Tim," a voice rang out. It was Gilda, the owner. He snapped his head up
and let go of Bobbie.

"You must be Bobbie." She turned to Tim. "You're right, she is
gorgeous." She smiled.

"What happened?" Tim asked.

Gilda shrugged. "Vandals, I guess. Door's gonna be easy to replace, but
that case..."

Tim swallowed hard.

"I guess I can't order anymore of those cupcakes. Damn, those things
were selling so well, too," Gilda said distantly. "I'll still take
Tuesday's delivery since I already paid for it. But, until I can get
that case fixed..." She trailed off.

Tim looked deflated. "How long until you can fix it?"

"It's going to have to wait until I pay taxes... so, April or May?" Gilda
looked almost as depressed as Tim. She put her hand on Tim's shoulder.
"You'll be the first one I call." She turned to Bobbie. "I'm Gilda, and
I have been profiting from your cupcakes for a couple of months now. I
just wanted to say thank you. Those little bites of heaven of yours were
like a shot in the arm these last couple months. Never thought I'd say
'Mortal Choklate'." She chuckled, Bobbie smiled weakly. Gilda could see
that the teenager's day had been decimated. "Cheer up," she told them,
"won't be long."

Bobbie and Tim waved as they left. "Well," Tim began, "that just sucks
out loud."

Sucks? That the word you want to go with? Bobbie felt let down. The
afternoons at the bakery were some of Bobbie's happiest memories. She
felt a twinge of sadness as she realized that they wouldn't be making
cupcakes for a while. Boarding the Vespa, the mood was certainly
darkened.

It was lunch before she saw Beth and Heather, they were poring over the
latest fashion magazines when Tim and Bobbie arrived. Beth looked up and
gave an excited wave. Bobbie opened her hand, palm out. She sat down and
opened her lunch. As Tim broke the news to Beth, Bobbie saw what must
have been a far worse reaction. Where Bobbie was let down, Beth was
devastated. Her face fell and she paled, she turned and hugged Heather
awkwardly.

"Yeah," she heard Tim continue. "The case was completely shattered."

"Who would do that?" Heather asked, consoling Beth.

"Even stranger, they didn't take anything else," Tim shrugged.

Bobbie was slowly chewing her sandwich. She heard nothing, it was only
cupcakes.

And Kim...

And Roxx...

The rest of lunch passed without incident, until a fight broke out in a
corner of the lunchroom. Campus security arrived and quelled the violent
outbreak quickly, casting a pall on an otherwise average lunch. The
rest of the day passed in a blue funk. Nothing seemed right to Bobbie.
Seeing Kim and Roxx as they turned a corner did nothing to settle her
unease.

On the ride home, the Vespa suddenly died. Tim was off the moped first.
Opening the side panel, he saw nothing wrong at first glance.

"What's wrong?" Bobbie asked, just wanting to get home.

"Well, if I had to guess, I'd say it was the voltage regulator. I've got
a couple at home, they're notorious for going out, can't do much about
it till we get there. C'mon," He grabbed her hand," It's not too far.
Let's get you home. I can call my mom when I get back."

Tim took Bobbie's helmet and locked the headgear to the side of the
bike. They trundled off into the snow; Tim asked Bobbie if she was cold
no less than three times. When she didn't answer, he had his coat off
and around her shoulders. She looked up at him, there was a wispy
darkness gathering like a loose hoodie

"You okay?" Bobbie asked, huddling into Tim's jacket.

"With you? Always?" he smiled. "We may have to open a lot sooner. But,
hey, some free time. They're showing an 80s triple feature this weekend.
Wanna go? They're showing Buckaroo Banzai..."

Bobbie acquiesced immediately. It had been a while since she had just
gone out. Maybe this little break is exactly what everyone needs. All
work and no play make Jack Nicholson go crazy.

The walk went silently, with Bobbie giving Tim his jacket back as he
visibly started to shiver.

"You sure?" he asked. "We're almost there."

Bobbie rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't want to hug a Timsicle, when we
get there."

Tim ran his finger down her nose before shrugging back into his jacket.
He brought one side of it up and bundled Bobbie under his arm.

"And I thought these things smelled bad." She panted heavily. "...on the
outside."

Tim laughed and kissed her head. Bobbie grinned as their arms clumsily
slid around the small of each other's backs.

Chapter 26

Somehow the movie date became a double date with Steve and Beth. Bobbie
had seen them standing in line holding hands. She waved, causing the
other couple to let others in front of them in line. Soon they were a
quartet.

"Glad you told me about this. I've never seen this on the big screen.
She's never seen Big Trouble in Little China," Steve said to Tim. Beth
slapped at him.

"Why would I? Seems weird. You guys all watch this weird old stuff."

Tim held up a finger. "They are called classics, dear Beth. Right
Bobbie?"

The blond girl looked up distractedly. "Hmmm?"

"Oh, certainly; lessons for life in Banzai." She turned to Beth. "You'll
have a good time, I promise," She looked up at Tim. She was having a
good time, just being near Tim. Beth smiled and put her head on Steve's
shoulder.

It was a triple feature, like Tim had promised. Starting with Remo
Williams: The Adventure begins. Bobbie had seen it...before. Nobody else
had. She felt like a keeper of secret knowledge. Every line, even the
words to the song played during the end credits. But it felt different
sitting there with Tim. He smiled and laughed in all the right places.
They held hands and she leaned into him after lifting the middle
armrest. Beth had inelegantly done the same with Steve.

During the first intermission, everyone went outside to stretch. Tim was
the first to say anything.

"Don't know how I missed that one. That was cool. How haven't I heard of
it?" Steve asked.

"It came out the same..." Bobbie began.

"...weekend as Aliens," Tim finished, looking at Bobbie. "I don't know why
I'm surprised you know that," He stepped behind her and hugged her from
behind.

"I swear, sometimes you are so clueless," Beth said, swinging her and
Steve's clasped hands back and forth. "Then, you two get all nerdy. How
many times did you guys start speaking Chinese in the middle of a
sentence at the bakery?"

Bobbie flinched at the mention of the bakery.

"Firefly is a great show," Tim raised a fist. "Browncoats unite."

Steve raised a fist, too. "Remember Serenity Valley!"

Beth looked up at her date. "Not you, too."

"Hey, you'll understand when we watch. I have the dvds, your house? I
think your dad will like it too," Steve said. Beth looked at Bobbie, who
nodded imperceptibly in the affirmative. The crowd headed back in
slowly.

Steve seemed excited. "Oh, I love this move. It's so wacky. I've never
seen it on the big screen before."

"You movie people get excited by the weirdest things," Beth said,
walking on air. Bobbie had never seen her so happy. They disappeared
into the dark theater.

And she should be. Bobbie realized everything that had happened since
she met Beth. She wasn't the bent over girl anymore, she'd gone on
dates, and become an integral part of the Cheepskates crew.

It was Big Trouble in Little China, and Beth couldn't look away. She
sat there enthralled. Bobbie and Tim fell into a familiar pattern,
shared popcorn and a semi cuddle. The film let out and soon the audience
was spilling their way out to the concession stand.

"That was so cool. Bang!! Pow!! And that girl... umm. Gracie, she was
beautiful," Beth chattered excitedly.

"You know, she's Samantha on Sex and the City, right?" Steve said. Tim
and Bobbie looked blankly at him. "What? You have met my cousin, haven't
you? When they don't talk about sex, they talk about clothes." He put
his hands on his hips and said, "Shut up, I'm watching. Oh, dammit. Now
I missed who she was wearing..."

Beth hugged Steve. "You're so silly."

"I'm gonna get a couple of hot dogs, you want one?" Tim asked.

"You never could defeat me, Egg Shen," Bobbie said.

It was the end of the day, and the sun was passing over the overcast
sky. The clouds dimmed, becoming the color of an ancient tv signal.

The last film of the day had started. Bobbie had never seen this one on
the big screen. She munched her hot dog. Tim had fixed it, and done it
exactly right. Mustard, onions, relish, and jalepeno. Her favorite film,
some of her favorite people, she wished Kim could be there. Something
else was nagging her, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

No sooner than Buckaroo had driven through the mountain, a piercing
shaft of light came in from the side. Some laughter was heard. Bobbie
recognized it immediately.

Kim...She turned, and saw Roxx with her. They found seats in the back and
laughed loudly at the funny parts. Bobbie had a hard time enjoying the
movie. The laughing suddenly stopped before the world was once again
safe. Bobbie's dimmed mood stayed long after the screen promised
Buckaroo Banzai Against The World Crime League.

"Wow, that was a fun movie," Steve said. "Think they'll ever make that
sequel?"

"Nah," Tim said. "Been too long."

Bobbie's mood must have shown. "What's wrong, Bobbie?" Beth asked.

"I heard Kim in there. Roxx was with her." Beth looked unhappy, so did
Steve.

"I don't know who this Roxx is," Steve said. "But if Beth doesn't like
her, then she must be bad," Tim and Bobbie nodded solemn agreement. "

They all went and split a pizza and pitcher of Dr. Pepper at Slice of
PI.

"So what's gonna happen with the Bakery?" Beth asked.

Tim sipped at the dark soda. "I don't know. I was thinking about
dropping out and just opening. My mom will just have to help me," Bobbie
paled, and Beth gaped at Tim like he had just succeeded in eating his
own neck.

"Tim, no," Bobbie said, stricken. "You have to graduate."

"I'd still walk, just have to do summer school. "Tim took another slice
of pizza.

Bobbie looked at Tim intensely. "You're graduating on time. Don't make
me chain myself to you."

"Don't threaten me with a good time," Tim shot back, cheese hanging from
his lip. Steve laughed.

Bobbie sat in silence, picking at her pizza. First Kim, then the Bakery...

Now this?

Beth talked about the movies with Steve and Tim while Bobbie stewed. The
rest of the night left a kernel of doubt attached to a splinter that had
lodged itself deep in her cerebellum.

"Remember guys," Steve said. "No matter where you go..."

"There you are," Beth finished, kissing Steve.

As they walked away, Tim looked at Bobbie. "I'm glad you found her. I
mean, if you hadn't broken Carla Castillo's nose. She wouldn't have met
Heather or Steve. We wouldn't have her at the Bakery..."

Bobbie wished everyone would stop bringing up the bakery. She didn't
want to be reminded. She just wanted to go home.

"...and I wouldn't have met you." He folded her into his arms.

All of her vexation and worry was gone, well most of it. Soon the worry
melted away, with the tiny thorn of anxiety clinging stubbornly. She
closed her eyes and fought against thoughts of Kim and cupcakes...

"I...I... like who I am now. After the accident, I thought I didn't wanna
feel anything anymore. The pot helped," Tim let go and touched her face.
"Then you show up, rack up the highest 'fresh chick points' total ever,
and boom. I don't think you make everything better..."

"But, everything sucks when you're gone," Tim said, hugging her again.
This time a kiss completed the duet.

Chapter 27

Roxx was in the girl's restroom, handing over the bag of 'party favors'
to Carla Castillo.

"That smug cunt deserves this. No more cupcakes for a while. Bitch broke
my nose... twice."

Carla's nose had healed, crookedly, nothing a good nose job couldn't
fix. The awkward healing along the bridge of her nose made her voice
more nasal. It had the unusual effect of making her sound whiny.

"So you just smashed the case?" Roxx asked, flipping her hair over one
shoulder seductively.

"Yeah, would have loved to take the money, though," Carla whined,
shaking the bag, "But, you're payin'"

"I want her reminded of Daily Grind every time she sees someone walking
with one of their cups." Roxx lit a cigarette. "I may have something
else for you soon. Just stay out of trouble. Won't do either of us any
good if we're suspended, feel me?"

"It's casual," Carla said, looking at the bag. "Gonna be a fun week. Is
that Vicodin? Nice. See ya," Carla pocketed the bag and zipped out the
door.

Roxx watched her leave. She was glad that the Advocate had intervened
there. It was almost as if she had said, "It's not even yet. You need
more people." Roxx took a final drag before dropping the cigarette in
the toilet.

Let's see how well she does now.

****

Bobbie felt anxious, she'd felt it all day. She almost couldn't sit
still. The schoolwork was second nature. The information was always
still there, something she was glad for. She didn't know what to do
about it. She sat through her classes, trying to occupy her mind. It was
of no use. It wasn't until Drama class that anyone noticed. Beth wasn't
there, Bobbie surmised that she was sick, a quick text

"You OK, Bobbie? You seem fidgety." Amber was peering through her
glasses. The guitarist seemed concerned.

"I'm fine, it's just that... Well, with the bakery gone, it feels like
I've got nothing to do," Bobbie slightly pouted. "It's almost like I'm
going stir crazy."

"I know, right?" Amber put her hand of Bobbie's knee. "Since Kim walked
out, I've felt kind of ... I dunno, aimless. I signed up with the musical,
gonna do the lighting. Heather'll be there, too. She's doing the
costumes, and is helping with the band. I kind of want to see this. I
mean a 50s based ska musical? I don't know how in the hell Heather
talked them into it. But, your bake sale cemented that..." Amber went on
for a minute, while Bobbie pondered.

"Need some help?" Bobbie interrupted. "I've got to get out of the house.
Kim's always gone..."

"What about Tim? You two are... Y'know? I've never said this but," Amber
chuckled.

"You guys make me sick," she smiled. Bobbie looked on in mock horror.

"I'm kidding. But, you have to see it our way..."

"Our?"

"Yeah, Bella's usually quiet. But, I'm just gonna say it. We're
jealous," Amber was still smiling. "You just show up, cast out a fishing
line to slacker's cove. And somehow you pull out a good fish on your
first time."

Amber started ticking things off her fingers. "He's kinda cute, although
we couldn't see it until Heather got to him." She used the finger to
point at Bobbie. "But you did."

"He had the bakery space for us to practice." Another finger.

"He's not just another insensitive jerk, I've seen him give you his
jacket, open doors for you, and pull out your chair. You caught the one
tuna in a sea of sharks." The last finger.

Bobbie saw it; she hadn't had it spelled out for her before. But, there
it was. "He's... he's got a lot going on, something with the licenses for
the place. Health Department or something. He's talking about dropping
out to save the place and do summer school."

Amber paled. "No."

Down went Bobbie's eyes. "Yeah. I don't want him to." Bobbie looked up
and forcibly brightened her expression. "So, about the play? Want some
help?"

The redhead could plainly see the pleading in her eyes. The blue irises
so clear that no emotion could hide, "Fo Shizz," She laughed. "Where's
Beth? She's out with Steve all the time now. I think it's sweet. But
she's gone all the time, too. It's like we're all getting pulled apart."
She sighed heavily. "But that's what life is like, I guess," Her vision
blanked. "We're all gonna go off to college next year, Kim and Beth'll
be the only ones in school. I'll have classes, they'll have classes.
It's sad, but it happens."

Bobbie brooded, she hadn't thought about that. Settling in had taken up
all of her focus. Between the bakery, and her friends...

And Tim.

"I know, I can be such a Debbie Downer sometimes. Sorry, it seems like
you have a lot going on with Kim and Tim," She put her hand on Bobbie's.
"Hey, after the rehearsal today, why don't we shanghai Heather and get
some dinner? I've been itching for Chinese food for days."

Bobbie forced a smile. "Sure. Sounds great."

After class, Bobbie and Amber headed to the auditorium where the sets
were under construction. There was lots of black and white, with sharp
contrasts. She could see Heather running around with a tape measure
around her neck, measuring everybody on stage and making notes in her
little notebook.

"We need to change the bulbs up at the top and bottom, the colored bulbs
are going to be all wrong for the sets. Strictly black and white," Amber
informed Bobbie. She megaphoned her hands and yelled "HEATHER!!" The
brunette spun and saw them standing there waving. She smoothed her dress
under her legs as she sat on the edge of the stage.

She cleared her throat loudly. "A little help here? I'm trying to get
down." One of the actors rushed over and jumped off the front of the
stage, he helped her down gingerly. Heather could see beads of sweat
forming on his forehead as he tried to avoid placing his hands anywhere
important.

"Hey," Heather greeted. "Bobbie, you're here, too? Groovy."

"So where do you want us to start?" Amber asked.

Heather gestured. "Well, the bulbs are in the storage closet. But the
ladders are in the janitor's area."

"We can get them," Bobbie said.

Amber and Bobbie walked through the hallways of Delacroix High. It was a
quiet place, made all the more creepy by the lack of other human
inhabitants.

Click click click click...

Turning a corner the sound grew louder, two shapes in the distance.
Bobbie's eyes picked up the forms moving in the distance.

"Kim!" Bobbie took off running down the corridor. She got to the end of
the hallway quickly, Amber jogging.

Kim and Roxx were permabonded, like every other time she saw them
together. Roxx pulled a flask from her purse, gave it to Kim. "You're
gonna need this."

Kim unscrewed the top and tilted it back, she swallowed three, four,
five times. Shaking her head, she looked dead into Bobbie's eyes. She
could see the veins like a patchwork road map of a nation of insane
drivers. She was drunk, Bobbie decided, noticing also that her pupils
were acting funny.

So she's drunk and high. Wonderful.

"Kim, what the frak?"

"Great, now it's nerdy cussing? Fucking unbelievable, how goodie goodie
can you get?"

"Now, Kim. Don't be so hard on Bobbie, she's looking out for you," Roxx
said, clearly not meaning a single word. "I mean her boyfriend..."

Kim snickered. "Boyfriend, right... Look, Bobbie." Kim drew out the name
for effect. "back off, okay. I'm fine." It was obvious to Bobbie that
Roxx was holding Kim up. "And Mom needs to back off, too." Hic. "I'm not
gonna go robbing liquour stores or anything." Kim shot back a hateful
glare at Bobbie. "Go bake some cupcakes or something. Leave me alone.
C'mon, babe, let's hit your place for a little Roxxy Roll." She clumsily
kissed at Roxx's neck. "Amber's waiting," Kim said, indicating the
redhead.

Kim and Roxx turned and made a mostly zigzag path to the door. Even with
the drunken girl, Roxx's every move rolled and swished the right parts
the right way. Her back tattoo clearly visible, the kanji blazing in
it's darkness. Kim's darkness was pronounced, almost in sync with
Roxx's. Bobbie noticed Amber's darkness was a little deeper than usual
when she spun around.

"Bobbie?" Amber queried. "You okay?"

"Yes," Bobbie hissed. "I'm fine."

"Because, your face," Bobbie reached into her purse and brandished a
mirror. Tears had leaked from her eyes, ruining the liquid eyeliner she
was finally mastering.

"I'm okay, it's just..." Bobbie wiped her eyes lightly.

"I don't know what to do about her."

Amber sighed. "Me neither, let's get those lights and we can go grab
dinner, you're right. You really need to get out of the house."

The lights were easy enough. Everyone was out earlier than expected.
Amber used the bait of dinner to get a ride from Heather. Heather was
plowing through her Kung Pao Chicken with Lo Mein while listening to
Bobbie.

"I know, Bobbie," Heather said, dabbing at the side of her mouth with a
napkin. "I can't stand seeing her like this either. Jesus Christ, I want
to punch that slut between the silicone sacs."

"Wow," Amber said. "You really don't like her do you."

"What? Miss..." She put her hand on her hips, and raised her voice a full
octave. "I'm an alternative model. I paint my clothes on. I swing my
tits around like floatation devices," She returned her voice to normal.
"Can't believe a girl like Kim would fall for that...that... fake hussy."

Bobbie and Amber were a little stunned by that outburst.

Bobbie set down her chopsticks and put her hands together. "Well, that
settles it. She rubs everybody the wrong way."

"Yeah," Amber agreed

"...'snot all she rubs the wrong way," Heather muttered.

"Question is, what do we do about it? She won't listen to anyone, and
you need a crowbar and industrial strength solvent to separate those
two," Amber finally spoke up. The other girls looked at her. She threw
up her hands. "She needs to see it for herself, and it's killing us."
She turned to Bobbie.

Bobbie opened her fortune cookie. 'fight with courage you will win.'

Heather's read, 'free yourself from what is expected of you.'

Amber's stated. 'absence of a thing, is a thing unto itself.'

They all read each other's fortunes and laughed at how the lucky lottery
numbers were same on all three. It was too obvious to the three of them
that everyone missed Kim.

"Thanks for your help today, Bobbie," Amber said, breaking the silence.
"I hate working on the ladder."

Bobbie smiled. "No problem whatsoever. I guess we should motor."

"Hey," Heather said. "I'm the only one that gets to use out of date
slang," She looked serious.

Then broke up laughing.

The girls went home, and Bobbie went straight to her room. She wasn't
there long before she heard solo footsteps in the hall.

Kim!

Bobbie opened the door to an empty hallway, she moved down the hallway
silently and knocked on the door before opening it.

Kim was sitting on the bed with a soda. Bobbie saw her take a pill and
chase it with a swig of the beverage.

"What was that?" Bobbie asked.

"Uhhh," Kim moaned. "Got this colossal headache, Roxx gave me some pain
pills." She pinched at her temples.

"It happens when you drink too much, smoke too much," Bobbie admonished.
Kim let go of her face and rolled her eyes.

"And take too many pills," Bobbie finished. "What was that?"

"Oxy...oxy... cotton?"

Bobbie's eyes widened. "Oxycontin? Jesus, Kim. That's like using a
cutting cake with a chainsaw."

Kim shrugged. "Works, though. 'Takes away the pain from your head, legs,
and childhood' she said."

"That stuff's dangerous," Bobbie pleaded, hoping that she could get Kim
to see reason. It was crystal clear through the donut glaze of her
bloodshot, milky eyes that she would get further teaching a mountain
goat physics.

"Didn't kill you," Kim said blankly. "Get out, Bobbie." She turned to
Bobbie and smacked her fist into her palm. It was sinister now,
threatening. The old playfulness was gone.

"Just get out." She finished the beverage.

"Kim, I..." Bobbie was cut off by the empty can flying through her room
and colliding with the wall.

"Last chance... Robb. Get out. It's your turn to feel alone."

Bobbie went back to her room and stared at the computer monitor for a
long time before sleep came.

Karma's a bitch? No, Karma's a girl.

Chapter 28

"Why doesn't Bobbie like me?" Roxx asked Tim. She had caught up to him
in the hallways between class.

"Kim's like her sister. She's just being protective," Tim said,
uncomfortable. He could talk to Bobbie easily. This was different, he
felt as though he was being sized up. Whether it was for a fight or for
dinner, he couldn't tell.

"Do you think she needs to be?" The seductive redhead pulled at a lock
of her hair coquettishly.

"Uh... ummm." Tim felt himself stiffen.

"Maybe you and me and Bobbie can be friends," Tim felt a hand on the
inside of his thigh. He gasped as Roxx's hand slid higher. Tim swallowed
hard.

"That's what I like about you." She leaned in and gently kissed the left
side of his neck. "You're so sweet." She curled her right index finger
and slowly scraped it down along his plain blue t shirt.

"Catch ya around, Tiger," Roxx said as she worked a piece of gum into
her mouth slowly, dragging the corner across her lip.

She walked away slowly. The crowd seemed to part just for her as the
warning bell rang.

Tim couldn't stop thinking about that encounter all day. Even lunch with
Bobbie left him distant. So much weighed on his mind, it wasn't until he
sat in the principal's office that he began to calm down.

"Tim?" Principal Michaels said, inviting him into his office. He got up
and entered the room. Hi, Mr. Michaels. I'd like to talk about dropping
out...

He tried to think happy thoughts. Walking across the stage with Bobbie.
But, why was the picture in his head fuzzy?

And why was Roxx the one handing out diplomas?

Bella, with the band not practicing anymore, and with her afterschool
schedule suddenly full, she hadn't been around much. But, today she saw
Tim on the way out of the principal's office.

"What the fuck did you do?" Bella asked, shocked.

He hefted a sheaf of papers. "I'm outta here," he muttered, looking
down.

Her eyes opened. "You fuckin' dropped out?"

The drummer could see the sadness in his eyes. "I... yeah. Don't tell
Bobbie. I wanna tell her."

"He said that I could get the work for the rest of the quarter. And get
the rest finished in summer school. I should still be able to walk,
but." He sighed. He looked up and around. "I really wanted to finish out
the year. But, the money isn't coming in from Daily Grind. The only way
to keep it going is to just open. Bobbie'll come help, and Beth. It has
to work. My mom can't take any more of this. I just need her to sign
this." He shook the papers.

"I don't want to bring it up." He looked away. Tim ran his hand through
his hair. "I'd rather someone forged the signature. Just don't want to
talk to her about this." He fidgeted from one foot to the other.

"I...I've gotta go."

Bella watched him leave. "Poor fuckin guy." She watched him wipe his
face with his sleeve.

Poor fuckin' Bobbie.

Bella walked around, not depressed but depressed for people. It wasn't a
sensation she was familiar with. But, she felt sorry for Bobbie, and
Tim. They were the nicest people she'd ever met. A little weird, they
were way too knowledgeable about movies; sometimes to the point of
incomprehensibility. Just a quirk, and an endearing one. Bella wouldn't
have ever seen Suspiria. Bobbie had recommended it after she mentioned
she liked Black Swan. It was the unadulterated joy that shown on her
face. The joy of someone lost in doing it whatever it was they were
supposed to be doing. And, in their case, with the person they were
supposed to be doing it with. When she heard about Daily Grind's
vandalism, she felt terrible. Not because the world would be deprived of
those bites of bliss she turned out with no apparent difficulty.

...But because of that, the joy had rushed out of her life quickly. Now,
Tim was dropping out of school, Beth was sick, Kim broke up the band she
started. It made her feel guilty. Good news like she had just received
only made her feel more depressed for them.

***

Bobbie was alone at lunch. It wasn't so bad, she thought. She'd be
seeing Tim after school. He'd been down lately, she just gave him his
space. He was busy opening the bakery. But there was no way she was
planning on not seeing him. He'd been there for her, she needed to be
there for him. Kim was the biggest problem. Taking painkillers, smoking
pot; she saw Melanie in her memory. Melanie and Roxx seemed cut from the
same cloth. It was maddening, she didn't know how to fix this. Previous
experience told her she couldn't.

What could someone have said to make me see?

She deflated, realizing there was nothing anyone could have said.

"Hey, Bobbie," said a voice behind her. It was Beth, still pale from the
illness. "Where's Tim?"

"No one told you?" Bobbie asked. "He's gone."

"No," Beth exclaimed. "What happened?"

Bobbie looked down at the ground. "He dropped out to open the bakery.
I'm going there after school."

"Oh, shoot." Beth lightly stamped her foot. "That's not fair." Her face
crumpled a bit, leaving the sunniness behind," You guys are so close."

"I know," Bobbie murmured. "But, he'll do summer school and finish, I
guess."

Beth put her hand on Bobbie's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. We'll get
through this."

She smiled. "All in a day's work for an angel, right?"

It was Bobbie's turn to smile. "I guess."

"Hey, enough of that. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know Steve. Or
Heather, or Tim. Now, put on a smile missy and get back in there," Beth
said uncharacteristically.

The rest of the day went smoothly, with Bobbie slightly buoyed by Beth's
speech.