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KIM STARED down at her breakfast hard with no intention of eating it; she just sat there
the house was silent and her mother was currently at work, so kim didn't have a ride to the church her and her mother agreed to go to when ruby's mother, ophelia, was talking about it at the block party last night
and kim didn't remember to get ruby's number
so she was stuck at home for the day.
that was until she heard the doorbell,
breaking from her thoughts, kim stood up and walked over to the door — she checked who it was before opening it, receiving a hug from ruby
"hey girl!" ruby greeted before pulling out the hug and smelling the house "oou, you were cooking, kimberly? it smells good! do you mind?" kim shook her head before ruby wandered into the kitchen, kim slowly following after her
ruby grabbed a plate and served herself the eggs on the stove; she took a fork and took a quick bite before nodding in approval "damn! your mama got a chef on her hands" ruby said, her mouth full as kim laughed
when ruby was done eating she looked over at kim, shocked as if she was just noticing something "uh hoe? why aren't you dressed?"
"for what?" kim tilted her head to the side "church, kimberly!" ruby put her hands on her hips as kim took a moment to examine her
ruby wore a mid-thigh red dress with a black lace coating and sleeves, matching red pumps and her face was clear of makeup except for the red painted perfectly on her lips — i thought it was bad to wear red to church, kim thought
"but it's 12 in the afternoon; what time does your church start?" kim asks, cringing because she felt so unfamiliar
her old church in iowa was prompt, scheduled and punctual. sunday school at 8:15, intermission between the hours 9 and 10, the service started at 11 and ended at 12:30. it sounded boring but it was something kimberly had grown used to
"there's multiple services kimmy" ruby said, rinsing her plate in the sink "mom and i usually try to catch the 12:30 one since all the cool people come at that time and pastor ukeyme leads the service" kim nods although she was still confused
"well hurry up then! i'll text jace to turn off the car!"
"where are you going?" leo asked, face turned to the wall as kimberly got dressed after taking a shower "church" she mumbled, pulling a sweater over her head to wear with her skirt
the tension in the room was awkward between them since their previous conversation
after leo told her she'd have to find the person who killed him, multiple things ran through her mind
1. he was killed? 2. i hope he doesn't tell me that i have to kill his murderer in exchange for his life back 3. how was leo killed? 4. what if his murderer is a psycho?
kim didn't and couldn't say anything in response back to him so she just nodded before she left the room, cooked herself breakfast while in a haze
which brought her to this current situation
"i'm sorry if i scared you" his words were soft and apologetic, it made kimberly's heart feel as if it were being broken in two — i'm being cold towards someone who cares for me
kim sighed deeply and walked over to the blonde boy, wanting to touch his shoulder to get him to turn around so she could get on her tip toes and just kiss him right there
but she couldn't, she called his name
"are you dressed?" he asked carefully and it made kim swoon again at his gentlemen ways
"yeah just...turn around" kim frowns sadly "please"
leo faced his way towards her with sullen eyes, the sight made kim's eyes start to water "i'm sorry" he whispers again
out of impulse kim held her arms out and came towards him, attempting to embrace the spirit but all that happened was her arms going through his body — kim looked down at the floor ashamed before bringing her arms back to herself
"i'm sorry that was stupid. i knew it wasn't going to work but i did it anyways..." kim apologized as her eyes were still on the floor to avoid leo's stare
"i'm so stup—" "no." his rough tone made kim look up "don't ever call yourself stupid, because you're not. you're smart and you're beautiful" leo states, his stare at her was now confident
even though she was still sad, his words made her smile — it was the most beautiful sight leo had ever seen;
leo opened his mouth to tell kimberly something that was long-awaited but their moment was interrupted when a knock came upon the door
kim and leo flinch; both eyes on the door
"kim, you good? can i come in?"
kim quickly wiped a single tear that fell
her eyes went back to find his but he was gone
kim blinked once at the thin air before quickly grabbing her phone, purse and some flats
she went over to the door and gave ruby a small smile, "no need. i'm done. let's go to church." ruby gave her a big smile back before wrapping her arm around kim's, leading her back downstairs
kim took one last look at her bedroom door
we forgot to say goodbye
after kim locked the door, ruby led her to what she assumed to be jace's car, the spacious vehicle was filled with kim's newfound friends from last night
ruby opened the backseat door for kim and signaled her to hop in while everyone in the car greeted her, she gave all of them a wave before sliding in next to youth
ruby shut the door and sat up front with jace before telling him to go as kim watched leo through the car window
she found him staring down at her from her bedroom window
