[chapter eight]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-) Warning: Contains "colourful" language.
**
"Okay, a blow up doll would have more personality than she just did."
Jimmie fumed, slamming his palm against the countertop and glaring at Chad.
Chad shrugged noncommittally and waited for Jimmie's onslaught of emotion to continue.
"I mean, she was totally…plastic!" Jimmie whined. "And fake and just…ugh!" He said, making a guttural noise in his throat.
"She say why she did it?" Chad asked evenly.
"She said it's because it's what I want, which is bullshit. I want my real Kendall back! I don't know where this RoboKendall came from, but I hate it!"
"Me too." Chad agreed.
"Did you see that getup she had on? And the hair?!" Jimmie practically shrieked.
"I barely recognized her." Chad nodded.
"Jeff didn't." Jimmie said, his voice dropping again. "At all."
"What?" Chad said in confusion. "He didn't recognize her?"
"No!" Jimmie shouted. "He was all hitting on her - right in front of me!"
"Ew." Chad wrinkled his nose.
"Big ew." Jimmie agreed. "Not only did he not recognize my girl, but he was trying to pick her up - with me standing there! Invited her to dinner and everything!"
"You slug him?"
"Thought about it."
"I woulda."
"I know."
"Why was she being so fake and boring and scary? I mean, she's the one that broke up with me!" Jimmie said, his voice rising in volume as he changed thoughts again.
"She doesn't see it that way. You suggested she stay away for a few weeks, and she took that to mean a break up. How would you feel?" Chad asked. "Honestly?"
Jimmie glared at the older man but said nothing.
"I'm not tryin' to piss you off, man." Chad backpedaled. "But you have to understand her side too. You told her to stay away, which she took to mean she isn't good enough for you anymore. Whether it was Jeff or the media that forced it, you were the one that told her. You see?"
Jimmie continued to glare for a long moment. "This sucks." He said, making Chad laugh at his profound observation.
"I know." He agreed.
"It's a Catch 22. If I tell her I want her back, she'll think it's because she changed. If I don't want her back, then I don't like either version of Kendall. If I try to get her back, she's going to run. If I don't try and get her back, she'll think I don't love her."
Chad sighed. "I think you're fucked, bud."
"Tell me about it." Jimmie sighed. "I want her back. God, I want her back."
"She's willing to sacrifice herself for you." Chad said gently.
"Yeah, but I'm not."
Jimmie said glumly.