A new face joins Middleton High. Rafael (OC) is the boy's name and he moved from abroad. How will he adapt to his new environment as he meets Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable and the rest of the colourful cast of characters in Middleton for the next 3 years? And what will his presence add? We're about to find out in this HS journey full of adventure, action, fun and drama!
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Middleton High (Kim Possible - OC insert)
- Thread starter EmperorOfHeavyMetal
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Statistics (3 threadmarks, 17k words)
User Total EmperorOfHeavyMetal 3
A New Kid in Town
New
EmperorOfHeavyMetal
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2026
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It was currently 17h00. I was starting to feel the pressure and anxiety building within me. School began tomorrow and, naturally, I was pretty nervous.
I had been in this country for only a week so far and everything was still new to me. It's one thing to visit a foreign country as a tourist, which is something I've always loved to do. But to move to one and attend school in it to boot? That's a whole new layer of complexities and troubles to teenage life. Especially to a kid like me who's always been shy, awkward and has experienced bullying in the past. Not only would I be the new kid in school this time, but also the foreign kid with a funny accent, I bet. Plus, my mother was also going to teach in this school. So could you blame me for being highly anxious?!
We moved all the way from Portugal to the USA, more specifically to Middleton, Colorado. It's not as big as Lisbon, but it's also not a small city per se. It's part of what's called the tri-city area in the state of Colorado alongside Denver and Colorado Springs. Middleton is the smallest of the 3 cities, with a population of around 250000 inhabitants. Not a megalopolis by any means, but it would be a large city back in Portugal. Now, why did we move from Portugal to the USA? My mother got a job as a school teacher at Middleton High, so therefore she had to move and so did I. Also, why was I attending the same school she's going to work at? Because I'm 15 years old and have to attend school, it's not like I have a choice, and it wouldn't make sense for me to attend a much further away HS from the one my mother will be teaching at. So, I was doomed ever since my mother got greenlighted to teach at Middleton High, pretty much.
I was sitting on the living room sofa. The house we moved to here in Middleton was pretty nice. It had a small yard and a fence and everything. Outside it was white and had a dark grey/almost black roof. I kept staring at the TV even though it was turned off. You might be wondering why I was not trying to enjoy my last hours of freedom before going back to school, which was a fair question to make, truth be told. But, the thing is, I was an anxious guy, and when I dreaded something that's nearby, I basically became paralysed and found myself unable to do anything but sit down or lie down and overthink about it as the clock kept on ticking.
"Rafael?" my mother entered the living room. "Here you are." She stood to the side of the sofa.
"Need anything, mum?" I asked with a neutral expression, even though I had a feeling I knew what the kind of subject she's going to broach was.
"I just want to know how you're doing." She smiled softly.
"Oh… I'm alright, I guess" I scratched the back of my head.
"I don't want you to be nervous, dear. It's going to be fine." She tried to reassure me.
"I mean, it was just so fast, you know?" I sighed. "Moving from Portugal all the way to here and we've only been here for a week so far."
"I know." She sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "But I'm sure you will adapt quickly, dear. You're a smart and strong boy."
"I'm just scared of this new environment, you know?" I lowered my head nervously.
"I know you've been through a lot, dear. But moving abroad can be the perfect opportunity for you to start over. And remember, we're in this together. I'll be working in Middleton High as well, so if you ever need my help don't hesitate to reach me, OK?" she smiled softly.
"I guess… but the USA? Why couldn't you pick a fellow European country to move to? There's English speaking countries in Europe too, like Ireland and the UK…" I look at my mother dryly.
"Well, Middleton High offered me a job. No school in Ireland or the UK did" she chuckled.
"The USA is so different from Europe as a whole, though…" I said tiredly.
"I know, dear. But perhaps we should take this as a learning opportunity." She ruffled my hair slightly. "Did you put everything in your backpack yet?"
"Yeah." I nodded.
"Have you seen the copy of your schedule yet? I left it on your room's desk the other day." she asked.
"Yeah, I have. Don't worry, I won't go in blind on my very first day." I reassured her.
"Good." she smirked. "Just wanted to make sure."
My mother stood up and told me she's going to start preparing dinner for later today. And also suggested I turn on the TV or play some video games to unwind. She did warn me not to start a new story-driven sort of game, however, since summer break ended tonight, naturally. I just turned on my Nintendo GameCube and played some Super Smash Bros. Melee until dinner. I loved this game!
Later that day, we ate some chicken, rice and vegetables for dinner and then, around 22h00, my mother told me I better go to bed. School started early tomorrow, at 8h00. Ouch! I didn't have any fight in me today, so I nodded and walked up to my bedroom, changed and slid between my bedsheets, turned the light off and looked at the ceiling for nearly an hour. I couldn't sleep due to my nerves. I kept turning in bed trying to find the best position to sleep. The last time I had been this nervous the night before a new school year was in 7th grade or something. I was now 15 and about to start 10th grade tomorrow and yet I was still a little kid, it seemed. Even though I was now about 175cm tall, going through puberty and only 3 years away from legally becoming an adult. Teenage years are so weird and lousy.
As I eventually fell asleep, I had rather intense and fast paced incoherent dreams like I usually do when I'm highly anxious or excited about something or when I'm ill. Unfortunately, I was not ill, so no chance of skipping school tomorrow… rats!
I suddenly found myself walking through a huge city that I didn't know, with wide plazas, tall buildings, large hotels and shopping malls and a never-ending metro system. Somehow my legs took me places automatically. Destination? Unknown. Suddenly I felt someone shaking my arm but didn't see anyone touching it?!
"Rafael! Wake up!" a voice told me. I looked around and it didn't seem to belong to any of the faceless people in the crowd walking around me.
"Wake up! Time for school!" I heard it again… mum?!
And then, suddenly my eyesight went blind and I stared at the back of my eyelids for a few seconds until I was able to open my eyes and feel my mother gently rocking my upper body in bed with her hands. It looked like it's morning already and time to get up and go to school on my first day.
"Good morning, dear!" Mum smiled softly at me. "Time to get up."
I slowly sat-up in my bed and rubbed my eyes. I still felt a little tired and sleepy. I let out a deep sigh and my mother gently tapped me in the back trying to give me strength and courage for me to get up and face the beginning of the school year in this foreign land. I stood up and walked to the bathroom to take my morning shower. It didn't take too long, but I washed properly. Then, I brushed my teeth and gargled. And then, I went back to my room and got dressed. Here in the USA, the school year started earlier than in Portugal. So, the weather was still hot since we were still in summer. We were in late August, for crying out loud! Therefore, I just put on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and sneakers. The t-shirt I was wearing today? My Slayer t-shirt. Might as well look badass on my first day of school!
I climbed down the stairwell and entered the kitchen to join my mother for breakfast. She was reading a newspaper while she drank her coffee mug. I took a seat and had a ham and cheese sandwich and a strawberry yoghurt in front of me waiting to get opened. I didn't waste time and ate my breakfast silently. As I finished eating my sandwich and my yoghurt and my mother finished drinking her coffee, she folded her newspaper and told me it was time to go. So, we headed to the garage and entered her car. She took the driver's seat, obviously, and I sat in the back. Sadly, public transportation in the USA was rudimentary in most places, so it was not feasible for me to take any form of public transportation to and from school. I was going to have to rely on my mother giving me rides. As suffocating as it was that she's working at the same school I was attending! It sucked having no choice. And school was a bit far from home to walk to every morning and Americans didn't build their cities for walking, but for driving around. Strange people…
Throughout the 30-minute car ride, I admired the scenery of Middleton's suburbs and the closer we got to the city centre. Lots of green areas, trees, nice houses and a sense of peace. It did seem like a nice and peaceful city overall. Then, we finally got to Middleton High. Mum drived to the parking lot to park the car, and when she's done parking it, she looked at me.
"Ready, dear?" She smiled softly at me.
"Do I have a choice?" I shrugged.
She chuckled. "I mean, do you feel nervous?"
"Don't think so, no…" I lowered my head as I answered her without sounding very convincing.
"You can get out. I'll get out of the car a bit later. I might as well let you walk to the school entrance alone on your first day in order to let you get used to it" she smiled softly.
"Oh…" I was a bit surprised at her statement. She was giving me some privacy and not letting every kid in school know from the first minute I stepped in Middleton High that I was the son of a teacher. That was surprisingly comforting from her. I nodded, opened the car door, took a quick look around the school parking lot, shut the door gently, took a deep breath, and walked to the school entrance.
Once I stepped inside Middleton High, I felt a bit overwhelmed. So many students! And the halls were long and wide too. So, this was an American high school… It was just like in the movies. So many kids were walking around and none seemed to notice me. I guess the school was so large that people couldn't easily tell who's new at first glance or something. I took out a small paper with the number of my locker. I was a bit excited since I never had a locker back home. Why did American schools have lockers, anyway? I needed my books and notebooks to take home with me to study and do homework. Were they meant to just store valuables to avoid them getting lost or stolen? Most likely. Anyway, I got to my locker and it was rather spacy. I put a lock on it and now I needed to pick a combination for it. I input 3-1-6, as in 'Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass' hehehe!
I just put my lunchbox in my locker. No point in carrying it around throughout the day. Now, I had to head to my first class of the day. I checked my schedule and it said I started with history in classroom nr. 40. I walked around the school looking for it and found it just a few minutes before the bell rang. Once it did, other students began entering the classroom and I followed suit. I sat in the back in order to go incognito. Plus, my eyesight was good and I was taller than average, so I didn't need to sit in the front rows. A few of my classmates were chatting as they waited for the teacher to arrive in the classroom. They either didn't notice my presence or didn't seem bothered by it, even if they didn't recognise me. Not even my Slayer t-shirt seemed to draw their attention, which led me to think they didn't even know the band or anything about heavy metal music. Plebeians!
I double checked my schedule to see if I was in the right place, and I was indeed. I did notice classes were only 1 hour long here, while back in Portugal they're usually 90 minutes long. It looked like the USA kept a similar runtime for classes to Portugal before the 2001/2002 school year. On the other hand, I noticed lunch break was only 30 minutes long, yikes!
A couple of minutes after the bell rang, the teacher entered the classroom. He was a tall, burly man with a big chin and short dark brown hair. He had a stern look on his face and wore a brown blazer and a black tie.
"Okay people LISTEN UP!" he commanded, and the whole classroom went quiet in their seats. "As some of you might not know yet, my name is Steven Barkin and I am your history teacher for this year and also am still Middleton High's football team coach in case any of you would like to try out for the football team this season!" He explained it loudly and authoritatively. "This year, in history, we'll learn about various topics such as the democratic revolutions, the industrial revolution, the rise of European imperialism and colonialism, WW1, the Great Depression and WW2."
Well, at least it was going to be an interesting curriculum! But this teacher sounded like he was pretty strict. And that could easily kill any student's enthusiasm for a class, no matter how interesting the subject matter might be. Barkin then began taking attendance, calling each student's name one by one in alphabetical order. We must raise our hand and say 'here' as he called our names. When he reached my turn, he mispronounced my name but I just raised my hand and didn't bother correcting him.
"You're an exchange student, right?" he asked me.
"Yes…" I nodded a bit shyly. I could now feel the whole classroom's eyes on me.
"What country are you from?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Portugal…" I replied short and quick.
"Well, welcome to the United States" he smirked. "If you have any questions don't hesitate in asking me, OK?"
I nodded and he resumed the attendance call. It looked like this Barkin fellow was not so bad after all? But I could tell he was a demanding teacher and I better make a good effort in his class.
The class went on normally. No one misbehaved and Barkin didn't yell at anyone either, fortunately. He just started telling us about the American and French Revolutions, mostly focusing on the American one. I had already learned about them back in 7th or 8th grade, so this was nothing new to me and it was easy to keep up with the material.
The bell rang at 9h00 and I had a 10-minute break until my next class. I left the classroom and didn't know where to go. After all, I didn't know any other kids yet so I could not hang out with anyone during break. I decided to explore the school a bit more and walk down the hallways. I reached two large doors eventually at the end of a hallway. They were ajar, so I took a peek in and it looked like they led to the school's gym. No class seemed to be ongoing, so I stepped in. The school gym had a basketball court, a volleyball court, bleachers and… I saw some people practicing something, but no teacher around? I walked a bit closer and saw a group of girls wearing colourful outfits that showed a significant amount of skin, exposing the girl's midriffs and showing off their legs. They seemed to be practicing some strange dance moves, and then it dawned on me… these were cheerleaders like the ones I saw in American movies! And they were practicing their routine at the moment. I took a seat on the bleachers and watched them for a bit. Taking a better look at them now, they wore purple outfits with a bit of orange and yellow as well. As for the cheerleaders themselves, they were all very physically attractive. They were all thin and in shape and had pretty faces.
They seemed to have a leader or captain, or whatever they're called. It was this stunning redhead with green eyes and smooth pale skin. It was hard to keep my eyes off her legs. She seemed to be guiding the other cheerleaders with her commands and they all seemed to respect her and do as she says. They then did something that looked like a human pyramid of some sort, with the gorgeous redhead standing on top of the other girls.
The practice seemed to be over and the girls were now chatting and giggling between themselves. I couldn't really make out what they're saying. Not that it mattered, really. Suddenly, one of the girls seemed to be walking in my direction. She had wavy sunny yellow, long blonde hair, blue eyes, a slender build, pretty face and nice legs. She was now standing in front of me and looked me in the eyes curiously.
"Enjoying the show?" she smiled as she cocked her head slightly to the side.
I just blinked fast, stunned at this smoking hot girl being so close to me and coming over to talk to me. That was not something I've ever truly experienced before.
"Cat got your tongue?" she giggled. "Don't worry. I don't bite." she smiled at me and I blush slightly, still unable to speak.
"Tara? What are you doing?" a voice came from behind the blonde and then another cheerleader showed up. This one was a tanned brunette with shoulder length hair in a shag cut, a slender albeit curvier body and with eyes that were either blue or green, I couldn't really tell. Regardless, they were gorgeous and hypnotic as much as their owner was. The brunette glanced at me. She had a strange aura to her. She emanated a more snobbish and intimidating energy than the blonde. Even though she was smirking at me, she came across as smug.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" she raised her eyebrow as she maintained her smirk.
"He was watching us practice, Bonnie." the blonde told her.
"Oh, really?" Bonnie's smirk widened. "Liked what you saw, boy?"
"Hum… it was cool…" I stuttered a bit embarrassed.
"He's so cute!" Tara giggled and I blushed again.
"Anyway" Bonnie cleared her throat "I don't recognise your face." She looked at me as if she was studying me. "Are you new in Middleton High?"
"Yeah…" I nodded a bit hesitantly.
"I knew it!" Bonnie put her hands on her hips triumphantly. "What's your name, new guy?" she asked with a sense of confidence that came more across as arrogance than self-confidence, but maybe I was just reading too much into it.
"Rafael." I replied curtly.
"Rafael?" Both girls blinked and exchanged glances. "That's an uncommon name." Bonnie raised her eyebrow.
"Where are you from?" Tara put her hands on her knees and bent over, her face now being close to mine, making me even more nervous.
"P-P-Portugal" I stuttered and sweat slowly dropped down my forehead.
The girls' eyes opened wide. "Oh, interesting!" Tara exclaimed. "How did you end up here in Middleton of all places in the US?" Bonnie asked me filled with curiosity.
I swallowed and prepared to answer them. I was not going to tell them the crucial detail of my mother getting a teaching job at Middleton High. That would automatically make me lame in front of two smoking hot babes. So, I decided to just tell them a half-truth. "Had to move here due to my parents getting a job in this city." I explained and hoped they were unable to tell I was withholding something more from them.
"Ah, makes sense." Bonnie nodded. It looked like that answer was good enough for her. Phew!
"Your accent is pretty cool!" Tara smiled at me.
"It is?!" I was surprised.
"Totally!" she nodded energetically.
I blushed yet again. Jesus, I'm dying here!
"What are you two up to?" another voice came from behind them, and suddenly another one of the cheerleaders cut between Tara and Bonnie. And it was none other than the gorgeous redhead who seemed to be their leader! She stared at me with an extremely confident aura that made me feel very self-conscious and insecure about myself. This was the type of girl that's the alpha female of her social group. A girl so popular and so hot that I'd never be able to get anywhere near her, since she'd just think of me as a lame loser geek. I felt paralysed as she stared at me and studied me, definitely judging me harshly even without speaking a single word or displaying any betraying facial expressions.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!
The bell rang. I automatically jolted up from my seat and ran away out of the school gym in embarrassment with my face burning red. This was the most embarrassing moment I've experienced in a long time. I was now 'weak' in the eyes of 3 hot popular girls. What a horrible way to start my life as a HS student in the USA!
I slowed down as I got closer to my next classroom. I didn't even remember what class I was about to have. I only remembered the number of the classroom somehow. I entered it and took a seat. Not many empty ones left, so I sat down next to this blonde guy with freckles on his face who wore a short sleeved red jersey and a blue shirt underneath it. The teacher entered the classroom and class began. It looked like it was geography class.
Some minutes later I noticed a strange presence in the corner of my eye. I turned my head and noticed something pink on the blonde guy's shoulder… was that a rat?!
The blonde guy noticed me looking at the big rodent. "Oh, that's just Rufus!" he smiled. "He's harmless."
"Rufus?" I blinked. "What kind of animal is he?"
"Oh, he's a naked mole rat!" the blonde guy said it excitedly. He seemed to really care about his pet. But why bring a pet rat to school of all places?!
"By the way, Ron Stoppable is the name!" He pointed his thumb at himself.
"Rafael" I told him my name.
"Rafael… like the ninja turtle! Where are you from?"
"Portugal."
"Oh, cool. How long have you been here in Middleton?" he asked filled with curiosity to know more about me.
"Just a week." I shrugged.
"Ah so you're pretty new to the States." he realised. "Must be a huge change from back home, no?" he smiled softly now.
"Yeah, a bit. Hard to say how I feel so far, really…" I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.
"Well, don't worry about it. We're friendly here in Middleton." he said reassuringly.
Class went on without anything noteworthy happening. The geography teacher was an older woman who seemed close to retirement and didn't have much energy left in her. Therefore, the class was a bit boring and a lot of my classmates barely paid attention to it and chatted with their classmates instead. The teacher didn't seem to care much. She looked like the type of teacher that was not very authoritative compared to Barkin, for example.
The bell rang and Ron asked me if I wanted to hang out with him during break. I shrugged and accepted it. He seemed nice and harmless. It looked like I've made my first friend at Middleton High!
We left the classroom and Ron suddenly asked me something. "Hey, didn't I see you in history class earlier today as well?"
"Oh? You have history with Barkin too?" I raised my eyebrow, not remembering Ron from the previous class I had.
"Yeah, he's the worst!" he threw his hands in the air.
"Oh?" I blinked and looked at Ron a bit concerned. Barkin indeed came across as a strict teacher, but was he really that bad?
"He gives me flack constantly!" Ron covered his eyes "It's like his job is to instill fear in my heart" and let out a sigh in defeat.
"Ah, that kind of teacher…" I rolled my eyes. "I hate those too."
"I know, right!" Ron nodded. "Trust me, Rafael. You don't want to get on his bad side." he warned me and I nodded understandingly.
"Yeah, he seems tough." I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.
"Anyway, tell me more about yourself, dude." Ron changed the subject to something more pleasant.
"Well, I like video games, anime, wrestling and heavy metal." I summed it up for him.
"Video games and wrestling? BOO-YAH!" he punched the air in excitement. "I'm a big fan of those myself too!"
"Cool!" I smiled.
"What kind of games are you into?" he asked, very eager to hear my answer.
"Oh, so many. Mostly Nintendo, Sega and Capcom games. I have a GameCube instead of an Xbox or a PS2, for example. I also have a Game Boy Advance." I added.
"Ah, I have a GBA too! Not a GameCube, though. I got the PS2 instead. What do you play on the GBA?"
"I don't have that many games for the GBA since it's not my primary system, so I basically have Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Pokémon Ruby, Mario Kart Super Circuit, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, Super Mario Advance 2, Warioware Inc Mega Microgame$, Golden Sun and Super Mario Advance 4." I looked up in the air as I listed all my GBA games off the top of my head.
"Nice little collection." Ron flashed me a thumbs up. "I have Pokémon, Warioware and Mario Kart too! Who's your starter in Pokémon Ruby?"
"Torchic. Yours?"
"Treecko" he pointed his thumb at himself and flashed a cocky smile. "He's my spirit animal."
"You mean your spirit Pokémon." I chuckled.
"Whatever." Ron chuckled too.
We kept on chatting as we walked down the school halls when suddenly someone ran in our direction. It was… the pretty red headed cheerleader! Why was she running in our direction?
"Ron!" she waved. Wait, she knew Ron?!
"KP!" Ron waved back at her. KP, he said? What did that stand for?
The redhead stopped in front of us and began talking to Ron. Not only did they know each other, but they seemed to be pretty close friends. They were incredibly comfortable with each other and shared a lot of inside references and jokes, it sounded. I just stood there stunned and looking like a deer in headlights. How did Ron, a fellow geek like myself, manage to chat with a popular hot girl like this red headed cheerleader?! And how did he not feel nervous and intimidated at all? And why did she even give him the time of the day? I thought girls like that wouldn't be caught dead talking to guys like Ron.
The redhead looked at me now and Ron smiled. "Oh, right, KP, this is my newest buddy, Rafael. He's new in Middleton and moved recently from Europe."
The redhead looked at me and smirked. "You're the guy who watched our cheerleading practice earlier today, aren't you?"
I blushed a bit at her question and looked away from her, since I was too embarrassed by the fact I ran away from them.
"I'm Kim Possible. Teen hero." She introduced herself. "Nice to meet you."
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, and my silence became a bit awkward. Ron nudged me with his elbow slightly. "You ok, man?" he asked, a bit worried. I nodded slightly but didn't open my mouth.
"You're a shy one, aren't you?" Kim smiles.
I lowered my head a bit and blushed slightly.
"Don't worry, Rafael. KP and I aren't going to hurt you." Ron placed a hand on my shoulder.
"So, which European country are you from, Rafael?" Kim asked.
"Portugal…" I answered her with a low timid voice.
"How nice! Welcome to Middleton!" she smiled. "If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me or Ron."
The bell rang and we had to finish our conversation. Also, what did Kim mean by calling herself a teen hero? Was that slang for something here in the USA? Having said that, she did seem nicer than I expected a girl like her to be. But I didn't really know her yet, so I was still a bit wary. I didn't expect her to physically hurt me or anything like that, though. As for other students, I hoped none would bully me. I've been through that in the past and I didn't want to go through such pain ever again. How would I deal with it if someone tried to bully me, though? I had some ideas up my sleeve, but hopefully I'd never need to resort to them…
I had been in this country for only a week so far and everything was still new to me. It's one thing to visit a foreign country as a tourist, which is something I've always loved to do. But to move to one and attend school in it to boot? That's a whole new layer of complexities and troubles to teenage life. Especially to a kid like me who's always been shy, awkward and has experienced bullying in the past. Not only would I be the new kid in school this time, but also the foreign kid with a funny accent, I bet. Plus, my mother was also going to teach in this school. So could you blame me for being highly anxious?!
We moved all the way from Portugal to the USA, more specifically to Middleton, Colorado. It's not as big as Lisbon, but it's also not a small city per se. It's part of what's called the tri-city area in the state of Colorado alongside Denver and Colorado Springs. Middleton is the smallest of the 3 cities, with a population of around 250000 inhabitants. Not a megalopolis by any means, but it would be a large city back in Portugal. Now, why did we move from Portugal to the USA? My mother got a job as a school teacher at Middleton High, so therefore she had to move and so did I. Also, why was I attending the same school she's going to work at? Because I'm 15 years old and have to attend school, it's not like I have a choice, and it wouldn't make sense for me to attend a much further away HS from the one my mother will be teaching at. So, I was doomed ever since my mother got greenlighted to teach at Middleton High, pretty much.
I was sitting on the living room sofa. The house we moved to here in Middleton was pretty nice. It had a small yard and a fence and everything. Outside it was white and had a dark grey/almost black roof. I kept staring at the TV even though it was turned off. You might be wondering why I was not trying to enjoy my last hours of freedom before going back to school, which was a fair question to make, truth be told. But, the thing is, I was an anxious guy, and when I dreaded something that's nearby, I basically became paralysed and found myself unable to do anything but sit down or lie down and overthink about it as the clock kept on ticking.
"Rafael?" my mother entered the living room. "Here you are." She stood to the side of the sofa.
"Need anything, mum?" I asked with a neutral expression, even though I had a feeling I knew what the kind of subject she's going to broach was.
"I just want to know how you're doing." She smiled softly.
"Oh… I'm alright, I guess" I scratched the back of my head.
"I don't want you to be nervous, dear. It's going to be fine." She tried to reassure me.
"I mean, it was just so fast, you know?" I sighed. "Moving from Portugal all the way to here and we've only been here for a week so far."
"I know." She sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "But I'm sure you will adapt quickly, dear. You're a smart and strong boy."
"I'm just scared of this new environment, you know?" I lowered my head nervously.
"I know you've been through a lot, dear. But moving abroad can be the perfect opportunity for you to start over. And remember, we're in this together. I'll be working in Middleton High as well, so if you ever need my help don't hesitate to reach me, OK?" she smiled softly.
"I guess… but the USA? Why couldn't you pick a fellow European country to move to? There's English speaking countries in Europe too, like Ireland and the UK…" I look at my mother dryly.
"Well, Middleton High offered me a job. No school in Ireland or the UK did" she chuckled.
"The USA is so different from Europe as a whole, though…" I said tiredly.
"I know, dear. But perhaps we should take this as a learning opportunity." She ruffled my hair slightly. "Did you put everything in your backpack yet?"
"Yeah." I nodded.
"Have you seen the copy of your schedule yet? I left it on your room's desk the other day." she asked.
"Yeah, I have. Don't worry, I won't go in blind on my very first day." I reassured her.
"Good." she smirked. "Just wanted to make sure."
My mother stood up and told me she's going to start preparing dinner for later today. And also suggested I turn on the TV or play some video games to unwind. She did warn me not to start a new story-driven sort of game, however, since summer break ended tonight, naturally. I just turned on my Nintendo GameCube and played some Super Smash Bros. Melee until dinner. I loved this game!
Later that day, we ate some chicken, rice and vegetables for dinner and then, around 22h00, my mother told me I better go to bed. School started early tomorrow, at 8h00. Ouch! I didn't have any fight in me today, so I nodded and walked up to my bedroom, changed and slid between my bedsheets, turned the light off and looked at the ceiling for nearly an hour. I couldn't sleep due to my nerves. I kept turning in bed trying to find the best position to sleep. The last time I had been this nervous the night before a new school year was in 7th grade or something. I was now 15 and about to start 10th grade tomorrow and yet I was still a little kid, it seemed. Even though I was now about 175cm tall, going through puberty and only 3 years away from legally becoming an adult. Teenage years are so weird and lousy.
As I eventually fell asleep, I had rather intense and fast paced incoherent dreams like I usually do when I'm highly anxious or excited about something or when I'm ill. Unfortunately, I was not ill, so no chance of skipping school tomorrow… rats!
I suddenly found myself walking through a huge city that I didn't know, with wide plazas, tall buildings, large hotels and shopping malls and a never-ending metro system. Somehow my legs took me places automatically. Destination? Unknown. Suddenly I felt someone shaking my arm but didn't see anyone touching it?!
"Rafael! Wake up!" a voice told me. I looked around and it didn't seem to belong to any of the faceless people in the crowd walking around me.
"Wake up! Time for school!" I heard it again… mum?!
And then, suddenly my eyesight went blind and I stared at the back of my eyelids for a few seconds until I was able to open my eyes and feel my mother gently rocking my upper body in bed with her hands. It looked like it's morning already and time to get up and go to school on my first day.
"Good morning, dear!" Mum smiled softly at me. "Time to get up."
I slowly sat-up in my bed and rubbed my eyes. I still felt a little tired and sleepy. I let out a deep sigh and my mother gently tapped me in the back trying to give me strength and courage for me to get up and face the beginning of the school year in this foreign land. I stood up and walked to the bathroom to take my morning shower. It didn't take too long, but I washed properly. Then, I brushed my teeth and gargled. And then, I went back to my room and got dressed. Here in the USA, the school year started earlier than in Portugal. So, the weather was still hot since we were still in summer. We were in late August, for crying out loud! Therefore, I just put on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and sneakers. The t-shirt I was wearing today? My Slayer t-shirt. Might as well look badass on my first day of school!
I climbed down the stairwell and entered the kitchen to join my mother for breakfast. She was reading a newspaper while she drank her coffee mug. I took a seat and had a ham and cheese sandwich and a strawberry yoghurt in front of me waiting to get opened. I didn't waste time and ate my breakfast silently. As I finished eating my sandwich and my yoghurt and my mother finished drinking her coffee, she folded her newspaper and told me it was time to go. So, we headed to the garage and entered her car. She took the driver's seat, obviously, and I sat in the back. Sadly, public transportation in the USA was rudimentary in most places, so it was not feasible for me to take any form of public transportation to and from school. I was going to have to rely on my mother giving me rides. As suffocating as it was that she's working at the same school I was attending! It sucked having no choice. And school was a bit far from home to walk to every morning and Americans didn't build their cities for walking, but for driving around. Strange people…
Throughout the 30-minute car ride, I admired the scenery of Middleton's suburbs and the closer we got to the city centre. Lots of green areas, trees, nice houses and a sense of peace. It did seem like a nice and peaceful city overall. Then, we finally got to Middleton High. Mum drived to the parking lot to park the car, and when she's done parking it, she looked at me.
"Ready, dear?" She smiled softly at me.
"Do I have a choice?" I shrugged.
She chuckled. "I mean, do you feel nervous?"
"Don't think so, no…" I lowered my head as I answered her without sounding very convincing.
"You can get out. I'll get out of the car a bit later. I might as well let you walk to the school entrance alone on your first day in order to let you get used to it" she smiled softly.
"Oh…" I was a bit surprised at her statement. She was giving me some privacy and not letting every kid in school know from the first minute I stepped in Middleton High that I was the son of a teacher. That was surprisingly comforting from her. I nodded, opened the car door, took a quick look around the school parking lot, shut the door gently, took a deep breath, and walked to the school entrance.
Once I stepped inside Middleton High, I felt a bit overwhelmed. So many students! And the halls were long and wide too. So, this was an American high school… It was just like in the movies. So many kids were walking around and none seemed to notice me. I guess the school was so large that people couldn't easily tell who's new at first glance or something. I took out a small paper with the number of my locker. I was a bit excited since I never had a locker back home. Why did American schools have lockers, anyway? I needed my books and notebooks to take home with me to study and do homework. Were they meant to just store valuables to avoid them getting lost or stolen? Most likely. Anyway, I got to my locker and it was rather spacy. I put a lock on it and now I needed to pick a combination for it. I input 3-1-6, as in 'Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass' hehehe!
I just put my lunchbox in my locker. No point in carrying it around throughout the day. Now, I had to head to my first class of the day. I checked my schedule and it said I started with history in classroom nr. 40. I walked around the school looking for it and found it just a few minutes before the bell rang. Once it did, other students began entering the classroom and I followed suit. I sat in the back in order to go incognito. Plus, my eyesight was good and I was taller than average, so I didn't need to sit in the front rows. A few of my classmates were chatting as they waited for the teacher to arrive in the classroom. They either didn't notice my presence or didn't seem bothered by it, even if they didn't recognise me. Not even my Slayer t-shirt seemed to draw their attention, which led me to think they didn't even know the band or anything about heavy metal music. Plebeians!
I double checked my schedule to see if I was in the right place, and I was indeed. I did notice classes were only 1 hour long here, while back in Portugal they're usually 90 minutes long. It looked like the USA kept a similar runtime for classes to Portugal before the 2001/2002 school year. On the other hand, I noticed lunch break was only 30 minutes long, yikes!
A couple of minutes after the bell rang, the teacher entered the classroom. He was a tall, burly man with a big chin and short dark brown hair. He had a stern look on his face and wore a brown blazer and a black tie.
"Okay people LISTEN UP!" he commanded, and the whole classroom went quiet in their seats. "As some of you might not know yet, my name is Steven Barkin and I am your history teacher for this year and also am still Middleton High's football team coach in case any of you would like to try out for the football team this season!" He explained it loudly and authoritatively. "This year, in history, we'll learn about various topics such as the democratic revolutions, the industrial revolution, the rise of European imperialism and colonialism, WW1, the Great Depression and WW2."
Well, at least it was going to be an interesting curriculum! But this teacher sounded like he was pretty strict. And that could easily kill any student's enthusiasm for a class, no matter how interesting the subject matter might be. Barkin then began taking attendance, calling each student's name one by one in alphabetical order. We must raise our hand and say 'here' as he called our names. When he reached my turn, he mispronounced my name but I just raised my hand and didn't bother correcting him.
"You're an exchange student, right?" he asked me.
"Yes…" I nodded a bit shyly. I could now feel the whole classroom's eyes on me.
"What country are you from?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Portugal…" I replied short and quick.
"Well, welcome to the United States" he smirked. "If you have any questions don't hesitate in asking me, OK?"
I nodded and he resumed the attendance call. It looked like this Barkin fellow was not so bad after all? But I could tell he was a demanding teacher and I better make a good effort in his class.
The class went on normally. No one misbehaved and Barkin didn't yell at anyone either, fortunately. He just started telling us about the American and French Revolutions, mostly focusing on the American one. I had already learned about them back in 7th or 8th grade, so this was nothing new to me and it was easy to keep up with the material.
The bell rang at 9h00 and I had a 10-minute break until my next class. I left the classroom and didn't know where to go. After all, I didn't know any other kids yet so I could not hang out with anyone during break. I decided to explore the school a bit more and walk down the hallways. I reached two large doors eventually at the end of a hallway. They were ajar, so I took a peek in and it looked like they led to the school's gym. No class seemed to be ongoing, so I stepped in. The school gym had a basketball court, a volleyball court, bleachers and… I saw some people practicing something, but no teacher around? I walked a bit closer and saw a group of girls wearing colourful outfits that showed a significant amount of skin, exposing the girl's midriffs and showing off their legs. They seemed to be practicing some strange dance moves, and then it dawned on me… these were cheerleaders like the ones I saw in American movies! And they were practicing their routine at the moment. I took a seat on the bleachers and watched them for a bit. Taking a better look at them now, they wore purple outfits with a bit of orange and yellow as well. As for the cheerleaders themselves, they were all very physically attractive. They were all thin and in shape and had pretty faces.
They seemed to have a leader or captain, or whatever they're called. It was this stunning redhead with green eyes and smooth pale skin. It was hard to keep my eyes off her legs. She seemed to be guiding the other cheerleaders with her commands and they all seemed to respect her and do as she says. They then did something that looked like a human pyramid of some sort, with the gorgeous redhead standing on top of the other girls.
The practice seemed to be over and the girls were now chatting and giggling between themselves. I couldn't really make out what they're saying. Not that it mattered, really. Suddenly, one of the girls seemed to be walking in my direction. She had wavy sunny yellow, long blonde hair, blue eyes, a slender build, pretty face and nice legs. She was now standing in front of me and looked me in the eyes curiously.
"Enjoying the show?" she smiled as she cocked her head slightly to the side.
I just blinked fast, stunned at this smoking hot girl being so close to me and coming over to talk to me. That was not something I've ever truly experienced before.
"Cat got your tongue?" she giggled. "Don't worry. I don't bite." she smiled at me and I blush slightly, still unable to speak.
"Tara? What are you doing?" a voice came from behind the blonde and then another cheerleader showed up. This one was a tanned brunette with shoulder length hair in a shag cut, a slender albeit curvier body and with eyes that were either blue or green, I couldn't really tell. Regardless, they were gorgeous and hypnotic as much as their owner was. The brunette glanced at me. She had a strange aura to her. She emanated a more snobbish and intimidating energy than the blonde. Even though she was smirking at me, she came across as smug.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" she raised her eyebrow as she maintained her smirk.
"He was watching us practice, Bonnie." the blonde told her.
"Oh, really?" Bonnie's smirk widened. "Liked what you saw, boy?"
"Hum… it was cool…" I stuttered a bit embarrassed.
"He's so cute!" Tara giggled and I blushed again.
"Anyway" Bonnie cleared her throat "I don't recognise your face." She looked at me as if she was studying me. "Are you new in Middleton High?"
"Yeah…" I nodded a bit hesitantly.
"I knew it!" Bonnie put her hands on her hips triumphantly. "What's your name, new guy?" she asked with a sense of confidence that came more across as arrogance than self-confidence, but maybe I was just reading too much into it.
"Rafael." I replied curtly.
"Rafael?" Both girls blinked and exchanged glances. "That's an uncommon name." Bonnie raised her eyebrow.
"Where are you from?" Tara put her hands on her knees and bent over, her face now being close to mine, making me even more nervous.
"P-P-Portugal" I stuttered and sweat slowly dropped down my forehead.
The girls' eyes opened wide. "Oh, interesting!" Tara exclaimed. "How did you end up here in Middleton of all places in the US?" Bonnie asked me filled with curiosity.
I swallowed and prepared to answer them. I was not going to tell them the crucial detail of my mother getting a teaching job at Middleton High. That would automatically make me lame in front of two smoking hot babes. So, I decided to just tell them a half-truth. "Had to move here due to my parents getting a job in this city." I explained and hoped they were unable to tell I was withholding something more from them.
"Ah, makes sense." Bonnie nodded. It looked like that answer was good enough for her. Phew!
"Your accent is pretty cool!" Tara smiled at me.
"It is?!" I was surprised.
"Totally!" she nodded energetically.
I blushed yet again. Jesus, I'm dying here!
"What are you two up to?" another voice came from behind them, and suddenly another one of the cheerleaders cut between Tara and Bonnie. And it was none other than the gorgeous redhead who seemed to be their leader! She stared at me with an extremely confident aura that made me feel very self-conscious and insecure about myself. This was the type of girl that's the alpha female of her social group. A girl so popular and so hot that I'd never be able to get anywhere near her, since she'd just think of me as a lame loser geek. I felt paralysed as she stared at me and studied me, definitely judging me harshly even without speaking a single word or displaying any betraying facial expressions.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!
The bell rang. I automatically jolted up from my seat and ran away out of the school gym in embarrassment with my face burning red. This was the most embarrassing moment I've experienced in a long time. I was now 'weak' in the eyes of 3 hot popular girls. What a horrible way to start my life as a HS student in the USA!
I slowed down as I got closer to my next classroom. I didn't even remember what class I was about to have. I only remembered the number of the classroom somehow. I entered it and took a seat. Not many empty ones left, so I sat down next to this blonde guy with freckles on his face who wore a short sleeved red jersey and a blue shirt underneath it. The teacher entered the classroom and class began. It looked like it was geography class.
Some minutes later I noticed a strange presence in the corner of my eye. I turned my head and noticed something pink on the blonde guy's shoulder… was that a rat?!
The blonde guy noticed me looking at the big rodent. "Oh, that's just Rufus!" he smiled. "He's harmless."
"Rufus?" I blinked. "What kind of animal is he?"
"Oh, he's a naked mole rat!" the blonde guy said it excitedly. He seemed to really care about his pet. But why bring a pet rat to school of all places?!
"By the way, Ron Stoppable is the name!" He pointed his thumb at himself.
"Rafael" I told him my name.
"Rafael… like the ninja turtle! Where are you from?"
"Portugal."
"Oh, cool. How long have you been here in Middleton?" he asked filled with curiosity to know more about me.
"Just a week." I shrugged.
"Ah so you're pretty new to the States." he realised. "Must be a huge change from back home, no?" he smiled softly now.
"Yeah, a bit. Hard to say how I feel so far, really…" I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.
"Well, don't worry about it. We're friendly here in Middleton." he said reassuringly.
Class went on without anything noteworthy happening. The geography teacher was an older woman who seemed close to retirement and didn't have much energy left in her. Therefore, the class was a bit boring and a lot of my classmates barely paid attention to it and chatted with their classmates instead. The teacher didn't seem to care much. She looked like the type of teacher that was not very authoritative compared to Barkin, for example.
The bell rang and Ron asked me if I wanted to hang out with him during break. I shrugged and accepted it. He seemed nice and harmless. It looked like I've made my first friend at Middleton High!
We left the classroom and Ron suddenly asked me something. "Hey, didn't I see you in history class earlier today as well?"
"Oh? You have history with Barkin too?" I raised my eyebrow, not remembering Ron from the previous class I had.
"Yeah, he's the worst!" he threw his hands in the air.
"Oh?" I blinked and looked at Ron a bit concerned. Barkin indeed came across as a strict teacher, but was he really that bad?
"He gives me flack constantly!" Ron covered his eyes "It's like his job is to instill fear in my heart" and let out a sigh in defeat.
"Ah, that kind of teacher…" I rolled my eyes. "I hate those too."
"I know, right!" Ron nodded. "Trust me, Rafael. You don't want to get on his bad side." he warned me and I nodded understandingly.
"Yeah, he seems tough." I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.
"Anyway, tell me more about yourself, dude." Ron changed the subject to something more pleasant.
"Well, I like video games, anime, wrestling and heavy metal." I summed it up for him.
"Video games and wrestling? BOO-YAH!" he punched the air in excitement. "I'm a big fan of those myself too!"
"Cool!" I smiled.
"What kind of games are you into?" he asked, very eager to hear my answer.
"Oh, so many. Mostly Nintendo, Sega and Capcom games. I have a GameCube instead of an Xbox or a PS2, for example. I also have a Game Boy Advance." I added.
"Ah, I have a GBA too! Not a GameCube, though. I got the PS2 instead. What do you play on the GBA?"
"I don't have that many games for the GBA since it's not my primary system, so I basically have Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Pokémon Ruby, Mario Kart Super Circuit, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, Super Mario Advance 2, Warioware Inc Mega Microgame$, Golden Sun and Super Mario Advance 4." I looked up in the air as I listed all my GBA games off the top of my head.
"Nice little collection." Ron flashed me a thumbs up. "I have Pokémon, Warioware and Mario Kart too! Who's your starter in Pokémon Ruby?"
"Torchic. Yours?"
"Treecko" he pointed his thumb at himself and flashed a cocky smile. "He's my spirit animal."
"You mean your spirit Pokémon." I chuckled.
"Whatever." Ron chuckled too.
We kept on chatting as we walked down the school halls when suddenly someone ran in our direction. It was… the pretty red headed cheerleader! Why was she running in our direction?
"Ron!" she waved. Wait, she knew Ron?!
"KP!" Ron waved back at her. KP, he said? What did that stand for?
The redhead stopped in front of us and began talking to Ron. Not only did they know each other, but they seemed to be pretty close friends. They were incredibly comfortable with each other and shared a lot of inside references and jokes, it sounded. I just stood there stunned and looking like a deer in headlights. How did Ron, a fellow geek like myself, manage to chat with a popular hot girl like this red headed cheerleader?! And how did he not feel nervous and intimidated at all? And why did she even give him the time of the day? I thought girls like that wouldn't be caught dead talking to guys like Ron.
The redhead looked at me now and Ron smiled. "Oh, right, KP, this is my newest buddy, Rafael. He's new in Middleton and moved recently from Europe."
The redhead looked at me and smirked. "You're the guy who watched our cheerleading practice earlier today, aren't you?"
I blushed a bit at her question and looked away from her, since I was too embarrassed by the fact I ran away from them.
"I'm Kim Possible. Teen hero." She introduced herself. "Nice to meet you."
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, and my silence became a bit awkward. Ron nudged me with his elbow slightly. "You ok, man?" he asked, a bit worried. I nodded slightly but didn't open my mouth.
"You're a shy one, aren't you?" Kim smiles.
I lowered my head a bit and blushed slightly.
"Don't worry, Rafael. KP and I aren't going to hurt you." Ron placed a hand on my shoulder.
"So, which European country are you from, Rafael?" Kim asked.
"Portugal…" I answered her with a low timid voice.
"How nice! Welcome to Middleton!" she smiled. "If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me or Ron."
The bell rang and we had to finish our conversation. Also, what did Kim mean by calling herself a teen hero? Was that slang for something here in the USA? Having said that, she did seem nicer than I expected a girl like her to be. But I didn't really know her yet, so I was still a bit wary. I didn't expect her to physically hurt me or anything like that, though. As for other students, I hoped none would bully me. I've been through that in the past and I didn't want to go through such pain ever again. How would I deal with it if someone tried to bully me, though? I had some ideas up my sleeve, but hopefully I'd never need to resort to them…
Student President Election
New
EmperorOfHeavyMetal
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2026
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Today, I started my school day with English literature class. And it was the class my mother teaches. Back in Portugal, it's not legal for teachers to teach their own kids in public schools, but it looked like it was here in the USA, or at least here in the state of Colorado. This was really strange since I never had my mother as my teacher. Now, you might be wondering why a Portuguese woman was teaching English Literature in an American high school? Well, my mother was an English teacher back in Portugal, so she had a very good command of the language, barely had an accent and also loved reading. She knew all about the more well-known English literature authors from the USA, the UK and Ireland. Her personal hero being Oscar Wilde.
While going through the attendance call, I think everyone noticed my mother and I shared the same last name and came from the same country, so the cat was pretty much out of the bag. If this wasn't the most awkward and embarrassing moment in my entire life, then it was definitely in the top 3.
The class was… unlike anything I've ever experienced. It was so odd to have your own mother teaching you a class and you needing to separate both the fact she's your parent and your teacher. Plus, you had to call her Mrs. Last Name. So strange.
You could hear a pin drop during the class, since she knew how to command respect and make her students listen to her voice. No one dared to disrespect her.
After the bell rang, it was time for lunch. I picked up my lunchbox from my locker and felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and it was Ron.
"Hey, dude, come sit with me and Kim at lunch." he smiled as he invited me to have lunch with him and Kim Possible. I slowly nodded. Seemed perfectly innocuous.
We went to the school cafeteria and sat down across from Kim.
"So, Rafael…" Kim was definitely going to ask me something, and I had a feeling I knew what it was. I looked up at her, waiting for her to proceed.
"Our English Lit teacher… she's your mum, right?" and there it was, folks.
"Yeah…" I rolled my eyes.
"Woah, what?!" Ron gasped. I guess he was a little clueless and not just a bit of a goofball.
"Look, I'm just trying to have a normal HS experience, OK?!" I acted defensively.
"I guess it must be kind of awkward." Kim smiled sympathetically.
Oh, you had no idea, Kim! It was really awkward and embarrassing. But I couldn't overtly show it or else other kids might pick up on it and tease me for it.
"If we're your friends, will we get better grades?" Ron joked.
"RON!" Kim cried. "That's low!"
"Yo, chill, KP!" Ron waved his hands defensively. "I'm just messing."
"Let's change the subject, OK?!" I asked a bit firmly. Both Kim and Ron were a bit surprised by my borderline outburst, but they nodded and decided to honour my request.
"Sorry. Didn't want to make you uncomfortable." Kim smiled.
I opened my lunchbox and took out my homemade lunch. My mother made me some pastéis de bacalhau with rice and salad for today. Pastéis de bacalhau would be literally translated as codfish pastries, I guess. They're not sweet, mind you, but salty. Rufus stared at them intensely. I better watch out.
"Don't steal Rafael's food, Rufus!" Ron chuckled as he lectured his naked mole rat pet.
"Is that fish?" Kim asked.
"Yes, cod, to be more precise." I nodded.
We all ate our respective lunches and, a few minutes later, we got interrupted by one of Kim's cheerleader squad members. It was the hot tanned brunette with shoulder length hair. Bonnie was her name, if I remember correctly. Kim seemed to tense up a bit as Bonnie approached our table, for some reason. Or maybe it was just my impression.
"Hey, Kim." Bonnie smirked smugly.
"Hey, Bonnie." Kim replied with a slight frown on her face.
"I see you're hanging out with the new kid." Bonnie glanced at me quickly.
"So?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"What, are you trying to kiss up to our English Lit teacher by befriending her son or something?" Bonnie chuckled.
"So not the truth!" Kim shook her head. "Not everyone likes to use people, you know." and folded her arms.
"Yeah, Rafael is a cool dude. He's into games and wrestling like me, too!" Ron smiled.
"Oh, so he's just another dork." Bonnie rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Why couldn't we get a foreign hottie this time like when we got Hirotaka and Wally?"
I couldn't help it but feel a bit hurt by Bonnie's comments. To have such a hot girl tear me down like this didn't do any good to my already low self-esteem.
"Anyway" Bonnie leaned in closer to Kim now. "Remember that elections for school president are coming soon. I've heard you're thinking of running, K." Smirked.
"Yes, I am. Why?" Kim raised her eyebrow in suspicion.
"Well, I think Middleton High deserves a better president than someone who's always away on missions saving the world, don't you think?" Bonnie flashed a smug grin at Kim.
"Really?" Kim stood up. "And who might that be?"
"Why, me, duh!" Bonnie touched her chest proudly with the palm of her hand.
"Is that so?" Kim slightly clenched her jaw.
"Prepare to get embarrassed before the whole school, Kim" Bonnie's nose practically touched Kim's as she challenged her with a determined look on her face.
"As if I'm going to lose to you!" Kim bit back.
"You'll see." Bonnie walked away with a smug smirk and tossed her hair behind.
"UGH!" Kim clenched her fists. "That girl is always trying to one-up me!"
"Don't worry, KP. You can easily beat Bonnie." Ron reassured her.
"I mean, isn't Kim the most popular girl in school?" I asked while scratching my head.
"Not exactly…" Kim sighed. "I'm popular, yes, but there's some people higher on the food chain than me. Mostly seniors and jocks. And Bonnie rivals me in popularity, as much as it pains me to admit it."
"Oh…" I took a final bite of my lunch and finished my water as I tried to process that information.
"When are the elections?" Ron asked.
"In 2 weeks. I have 2 weeks to prepare." Kim said. "I'm having posters and fliers being printed with my face on them as we speak." Smirked proudly.
"What exactly does the school president do?" I asked, a bit lost.
"Oh, he or she is basically the spokesperson for the school's entire student body." Kim began explaining it to me. "Also, they're responsible for giving ideas about future school events and help organising them as well. Events such as dances, parties, fundraisers, etc."
"And I can't think of anyone better than KP to do it!" Ron punched his palm enthusiastically and Rufus nodded in agreement.
"That sounds like a lot of work and responsibility." I shuddered slightly.
"It is." Kim nodded. "But I'm a very type-A kind of person."
It looked like the next couple of weeks of Middleton High would be interesting with the election campaign for school president. The battle between Kim and Bonnie might divide the school. Hopefully neither party would go overboard and take it down a nasty personal road. That wouldn't be good for anyone.
As I arrived at Middleton High the next day, I started seeing posters and fliers everywhere for both Kim and Bonnie. Anywhere you went in school and you saw their faces accompanied by 'VOTE KIM' and 'VOTE BONNIE' under their respective faces. I guess it was not a bad sight to have two of the prettiest faces in school plastered all over Middleton. I sure didn't mind and a lot of other guys most likely felt the same way, too. And I guess a lot of the votes each girl would get would not be based on their personalities or platforms but on their looks instead. Who was I going to vote for? Eh, I hadn't thought about it. Perhaps I'd just abstain. I didn't want to take part in this battle of egos. Politics weren't really my thing.
"Vote for Bonnie Rockwaller!" a girl handed me a flier with Bonnie's face on it. I accepted it automatically without remembering to say 'no, thank you'. I guess I could always toss it in the rubbish sometime later, but I might as well open it and read Bonnie's platform. As I opened it, I saw a few pictures of Bonnie posing with her cheerleader friends, some popular seniors and jocks. She didn't seem to add any particular substance in her platform for school president. She just promised more parties and a yearly fashion event, it seemed. Didn't look very appealing…
A bit later, I walked into Ron who was standing by a table stacked with brochures on top of it. He handed one over to me. "Hey, bud! Don't forget to vote for Kim!" Well, naturally, I couldn't refuse this one. It would be a rude thing to do to a friend. I opened it in front of him and Kim seemed to have a more detailed platform she was running on for school president. She promised a more transparent and efficient handling of student council funds in order for the school to organise better and more interesting events and to also have some spare funds left for higher school club funding and also the creation of more extracurricular activities. And also, more involvement from the students to improve their day-to-day school life, with the creation of a suggestion box. Kim was running on being an open president who listened to her fellow students' concerns and ideas.
"Oh, this is a good platform to run on." I nodded as I read it.
"I couldn't agree more, buddy!" Ron smiled. "KP will make a great president!"
"Have you read Bonnie's platform yet?" I asked him, curious about his take on it.
"Oh yeah, it's so lazy. A yearly fashion event, really?" he rolled his eyes. "Boring."
Later that day, Kim told us how confident she was feeling about her chances so far, when suddenly we noticed a commotion down the hall. As the crowd approached us, we saw Bonnie being accompanied by Brick Flagg, the school's American football team quarterback and a few of the cheerleaders.
"Oh my God! Bonnie is so cool and popular! I'm totally gonna vote for her!" one random girl said it excitedly as she marveled at the sight of Brick and the cheerleaders walking next to Bonnie.
"I know, right! Much cooler than Kim who only has her dorky friend, Ron!" another random girl added. I could feel Ron wincing at that comment even without looking at him. That's gotta hurt, ouch.
"And that weird foreign kid who hangs out with them a lot lately?" a random guy spoke about me now. "Who even listens to heavy metal these days?!" And he and the two girls laughed.
As the commotion walked away, the three of us were left looking at each other in low spirits.
"This is not going to be easy." Kim frowned.
"KP, you need to step your game up." Ron told her.
"Pfft, people who don't like heavy metal have no taste!" I protested, offended at that random guy's comment about me.
"This is so not fair!" Kim threw her arms in the air exasperated. "Bonnie's platform is so barebones compared to mine!"
"But she has Brick Flagg and cheerleaders endorsing her." Ron raised his index finger. "In HS, that's what truly gets you far in this kind of stuff."
"Yeah, I know." Kim frowned again. "It's all about the top of the food chain."
"Hey, you got your friends, KP! That's what counts, right?" Ron placed a hand on Kim's shoulder.
"Riiiight…" Kim nodded and smiled nervously.
A few days passed, and the campaign was going stronger and stronger. Kim now was showing off pictures of herself with a few handsome popular guys and hot popular girls. What?!
I went to find Kim during my first break of the day and found her chatting with several other students. I tried to cut in to get a word with her but I was unable to.
"Buzz off, pal! We're talking to Kim Possible here!" one random tall guy cried at me.
"Yeah, shoo!" One random girl in yoga pants waved her hand with a gesture that told me to go away.
Frustrated, I sighed and walked away with my head down. Kim probably didn't even notice me.
At lunch, I sat alone with Ron. Kim seemed to be having lunch with a larger group of people on the other side of the cafeteria.
"What's with Kim?" I asked Ron with a hint of annoyance in my voice as I pointed my thumb in Kim's direction.
"I don't know! It's like she's trying to emulate Bonnie's tactic of allying herself with hot and popular people to gain more votes!" Ron opened his arms in frustration and Rufus nodded with a sad look on his face.
I didn't like the sound of this one bit. Was Kim putting Ron and I, her friends, aside in exchange for votes?
After the last class of the day, I managed to catch Kim alone and I confronted her about it.
"Kim, why are you ignoring me and Ron today?" I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for her answer.
"I'm busy running my campaign, Rafael." she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, and it looks like you discarded Ron and I for more popular and aesthetically pleasing people." I folded my arms with an annoyed look on my face.
Kim stared at me and let out a deep sigh before justifying herself. "Look, I really want to win these elections, and I need the endorsement of popular people to help me get votes to defeat Bonnie."
"I thought you wanted to make Middleton High a better place and for every student voice to get heard." I frowned, not hiding my disappointment.
"Look, politics are complicated, OK?" Kim explained it, sounding a bit unsure.
"Sounds like you're ashamed of me and Ron, Kim." I shook my head.
"What?!" Kim's eyes opened wide. "That's absurd!" She said with a tone that suggested she found my accusation insulting.
"I guess you're not any different from other attractive and popular girls after all." I sighed.
"Excuse me?!" Kim bristled at my remark. "Are you comparing me to someone like Bonnie?!"
"Not literally, no…" I sighed again. "But you are starting to sound like you're too good to hang out with guys like me and Ron and would rather hang out with the hot and popular crowd just to get some votes."
Kim clenched her fists now. She's clearly offended by my accusations. Perhaps I did say too much…
"That's so not true!" she cried. "I'm not throwing Ron and you under the bus! I just need to win these elections and this is the only way for me to beat Bonnie!" she explained.
"Look, this argument is pointless." I facepalmed. "Have a nice weekend, Kim." I put on my cap and walked out of the school building.
Later that night at home, Kim lied in her bed pondering about the conversation she had with Rafael in school that afternoon. She was a bit confused and unsure. She did concede that she's sort of been avoiding both Ron and Rafael within the last few days, and she did feel a bit bad for it, but on the other hand, she wanted to win the election badly and beat her rival Bonnie, and objectively speaking, Rafael and Ron weren't popular and being in their company during the campaign period would not get her any significant amount of votes, especially ever since Bonnie decided to use popular people for her campaign as well. Kim was just trying to fight with the same strategy.
"What else am I supposed to do? Get myself crushed in the voting booth by my school nemesis?!" Kim sighed in frustration as she vented into her pillow.
The election day was only 48 hours away. Kim arrived at school and was shocked and angered at the sight she saw. A bunch of posters attacking her! "Kim is too busy being a hero", "Kim hangs out with a Nacho-eating guy and his naked mole rat", and also copies of an unflattering photo of Kim when she had a really bad hair day. What made matters worse was the fact today was the big debate between Kim and Bonnie!
Kim furiously took down some of the posters attacking her. She should have known Bonnie would use such immoral tactics to fight Kim during these school elections. But it was still a shock to actually see them.
Other students watched Kim in the school hallways with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. Was Kim really a reliable option for school president? She was indeed often going on her missions with Ron all over the world. And she was also always hanging out with Ron and his naked mole rat, even if she's been hanging out with other more popular people lately, but was it a genuine connection or just Kim trying to obtain more votes? Most students knew Bonnie was fake and not always the nicest girl around, but they knew what she was like and what to count on if she got elected school president. 'The devil you know', as the saying went…
Ron spotted Kim and ran up to her. "KP! Your debate against Bonnie today is very important." he warned her.
"I know, Ron." Kim sighed. "She's sinking so low with these attacks on me…"
"You can't let her win, KP!" Ron clenched his fists in determination and so did Rufus.
"I know!" Kim raised her voice slightly.
"By the way, have you seen Rafael today?" Ron changed the subject now.
"No." Kim shook her head "He and I had a little argument the other day." and frowned slightly.
"Oh?" Ron sounded surprised and looked concerned.
"Look, Ron, I'm sorry I haven't hung out much with the two of you lately. It wasn't my intention to discard you or anything." Kim said apologetically.
"Come on, Kim." Ron smiled reassuringly. "You know you and I go way back and how strong our friendship is."
"True." Kim nodded and smiled weakly. "But Rafael hasn't known me for long and thus we didn't spend enough time yet to get to know each other better and build trust."
"Hey, don't sweat it!" Ron placed a hand on Kim's shoulder. "Rafael is a good guy, but a bit stubborn and proud. I'll talk some sense into him."
"Thanks, Ron. You rock." Kim smiled.
"Now, go prepare yourself for your debate against Bonnie."
Kim nodded with a determined look on her face, seemingly regaining her confidence and competitive drive.
The bell rang and my algebra class was finally over. I hated Maths! I packed in my books and pencil and was one of the first students to leave the classroom. I went to the bathroom to do number 1 quickly, and when I got out, I had Ron waiting for me.
"Wassup, Ron?" I nodded.
"Dude, we need to talk." he said to me with a serious look on his face.
"Something wrong?" I raised my eyebrow warily.
"You were unfair to Kim the other day."
"All I did was tell the truth." *I folded my arms. "Kim has clearly abandoned us to go hang out with the more popular crowd in pursuit of her political ambitions."
"Kim would never do that!" Ron protested, and Rufus nodded.
"Oh yeah?" I rolled my eyes, not buying Ron's argument. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"Look, I know Kim might have made a mistake to get more votes, but that doesn't mean she's abandoned us." Ron tried to convince me.
"Why should I take your word for it, Ron?" I asked dryly.
"What do you mean? You don't believe me?!" Ron sounded a bit taken aback by my words.
"No, silly." I raised my hands defensively. "I just think you're being a little too naïve."
"Look, pal!" Ron pointed his index finger on my chest. "I've known Kim since Pre-K. You have only known her for less than a month."
"Well, maybe that's why I know not to trust her blindly like you do." I added.
"Look, Kim is my best friend, and I won't stand for you talking smack about her, OK?" Ron now seemed to be getting more irritated.
"If you want to remain friends with her, good for you." I sighed. "But if she wins the election and ditches you for more popular and hotter people, don't come telling me I didn't warn you."
"You're way too cynical, dude!" Dude threw his arms in the air in desperation.
"I have my reasons for being so!" I pointed my thumb at my chest.
"You're not always right, and you don't know everything!" Ron cried.
I just let out a deep frustrated sigh. Clearly talking to Ron was like talking to a brick wall. Seeing I didn't have anything else to add, Ron just let out a frustrated growl and walked away.
"Pffft!" …did Rufus just stick his tongue out at me?! I couldn't believe it! It was one thing to have Ron and Kim upset with me, but Rufus? Now, THAT hurts!
Time finally came and the debate between Kim and Bonnie was about to begin. Mr. Barkin acted as the moderator of the debate. The 3 were on stage and most of the audience consisted of Middleton High students, naturally. There was a lot of chatter among the audience.
"Okay people, LISTEN UP!" Mr. Barkin yelled on the microphone, immediately making the audience go quiet in fear. "It's now time for the school president debate between Kim Possible and Bonnie Rockwaller. As you all know, the former president of the student council graduated last school year, so the spot was left vacant and you, Middleton High students, have now the chance to decide between Miss Possible and Miss Rockwaller *pointed his open palms at both girls*. So, let's stop wasting time and start. My first question, ladies, is: What makes you the best choice for student council president?"
Mr. Barkin first looked at Kim. Looks like the first turn to speak was hers.
"Well," Kim cleared her throat. "I believe in making our school better for everyone. And the best way to ensure that starts by a more efficient and transparent handling of school funds. Then, we can have a good mix of activities for everyone. Parties, events, increased funding for clubs and a wider option of extracurricular activities. The cafeteria food also needs some improvement. Enough mystery meat on Wednesdays, for starters. And also, every student has the right to be heard and that's why I also want to implement a suggestion box in order to encourage my fellow classmates to send the student council their suggestions."
"Very well, Possible." Barkin now looked at Bonnie. "What about you, Rockwaller?"
"That's adorable, Kim. Really." Bonnie scoffed. "But, unlike you, I know exactly what Middleton High students want. More parties, more cool events like a yearly fashion event. But obviously, you wouldn't know that since you spend more time saving the world instead of socialising with your fellow classmates."
"Excuse me?" Kim raised her eyebrow with a tone of annoyance in her voice. "I am known to be very reliable by both my peers and the teachers alike. In spite of also being a hero who goes on missions often. In case you've forgotten, Bonnie, I'm also the captain of the cheerleader squad, the very same squad you're a part of."
"That only further proves my point, Kim." Bonnie waved her hand dismissively. "You're too busy saving the world and that even takes time from your captain duties as cheerleader squad captain. You're telling me you can add the school president to the mix and juggle all 3 of those responsibilities equally?"
"Why…" Kim hesitated a little. "Of course I can!" but quickly recovered. "And what's with the implication that my hero duties are taking precious time from my duties as the cheerleader squad captain?" Kim folded her arms and looked at Bonnie with a look of defiance, demanding to hear her reasoning.
"Well…" now it was time for Bonnie to hesitate a little. "You haven't been giving 100% to the cheerleader squad lately."
"Is that so?" Kim's eyes widened in slight irritation.
"Yeah!" Bonnie said it matter-of-factly. "You need to give it… 120% from now on!"
"LADIES!" Mr. Barkin raised his voice. "Stick to the point. This is about you running for school president/student council president of Middleton High. Not about the internal affairs of Middleton High's cheerleader squad.
"You're right, Mr. Barkin." Kim nodded. "I apologise."
"Alright, next question." Barkin looked at his notes. "How will you handle conflicts between students and the school administration?" He looked at Bonnie this time. Looks like she's the one who will have to answer Mr. Barkin's question this time around.
"Conflicts?" Bonnie scoffed. "When I become president, students will not get into any conflicts with the school administration since I'll be the greatest president Middleton High has ever had. My approval rating will be close to 100%!" She flashed a proud and smug smile.
"That doesn't answer the question, Rockwaller." Mr. Barkin rolled his eyes. Looks like Bonnie is beginning to test his patience.
"Indeed, it doesn't." Kim interjected "Because that's all Bonnie has been doing during her campaign. All she does is brag. She doesn't have a well-structured platform of any kind!" and accused Bonnie.
"Oh, like you have, Kim?" Bonnie scoffed in irritation.
"Have you even been listening?" Kim's voice raised in irritation. "The very first time I spoke in this debate I summed up my platform very clearly!"
"ORDER!" Mr. Barkin ordered.
"Order?" Bonnie looked at him dryly. "What are you, a judge?"
The audience laughed. Myself and Ron included.
"Watch your tone, Rockwaller!" Mr. Barkin pointed his index finger at Bonnie. "My point is, as the debate moderator it is my job to prevent it from becoming a catfight."
"CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT!" Ron stood on his seat and chants. Cringe…
"SIT DOWN, STOPPABLE!" Mr. Barkin yelled at Ron, who immediately slumped down on his seat and grinned nervously. Meanwhile, Bonnie just rolled her eyes and Kim facepalmed at her best friend's enthusiastic heckling.
"Possible." Mr. Barkin resumed the debate. "What about you? How will you handle conflicts between students and the administration?"
"I have a lot of experience mediating conflicts, Mr. Barkin." Kim smiled. "Not only since I'm a global hero, but also because I have leadership experience as captain of the cheerleader squad and as class representative, but I also believe in diplomacy and respect. I'm a good listener and any student can come up to me and talk to me about anything they'd like to discuss."
"A clear answer." Mr. Barkin smirked. "Anything you'd like to add, Rockwaller?"
"As a matter of fact, yeah." Bonnie scoffed. "I'm more popular than Kim Possible and have better connections with the popular crowd and other important people in our community thanks to my family ties. Therefore, someone like me is much better suited to represent Middleton High's students." She now places her hand-palm on her chest as she confidently makes her statement.
Chatter broke out in the audience. Middleton High's students are very much into the debate and arguing who might be the right choice for school president, after all. Naturally, Ron is all pro-Kim. Me? Well, I'd say Kim is better suited for the role too. I'd much rather be represented by her than by someone like Bonnie, yikes! But I'm not sure if Kim can beat Bonnie that easily.
"QUIET, PEOPLE!" Mr. Barkin barked his orders again. "So, Possible, Rockwaller; can both of you go more in detail about your propositions?"
"Absolutely. We need to improve the cafeteria menu. The mystery meat on Wednesdays is not something anyone would ever bring themselves to eat, let's face it. Students have the right to decent and edible food." Kim said.
"Oh please!" Bonnie rolled her eyes. "This is a public school. The food being lousy is par for course. Just bring a homemade lunch instead."
"Not everyone has the financial conditions to bring a homemade lunch to school 5 days a week, Bonnie." Kim sighed in frustration. "That's the whole point of free meals in public schools, you know?"
"Then, if you want good cafeteria food, go attend a private school instead." Bonnie folded her arms.
"Are you kidding me?" Kim was now incredulous at Bonnie's ignorance. "If a student's parents can't even afford to make them a homemade lunch for school 5 days a week, do you honestly believe they can afford enrolling their kids in a private school?"
"Well, then maybe you should be less megalomaniac with your platform, Kim!" Bonnie pointed her index finger at Kim with an accusatory tone.
"Megalomaniac?!" Kim blinked in rapid succession. "That's a new insult. Even from you, Bonnie."
"You heard me, Kim!" Bonnie nodded with a stern look on her face. "You're making a lot of promises to improve Middleton High, but where do you think all the money comes from? Taxes. If you want to improve the cafeteria food options, increase club funding, add more extracurricular activities and organise events then you'll have to explain to all of our parents that their property taxes are going to increase!" Bonnie now scanned the audience with her index finger. The students now began chattering loudly amongst themselves again. Once again, Mr. Barkin ordered everyone to keep it down.
"That's why I'm also going to improve the handling and transparency of funds better if I become president!" Kim slammed her fists on her podium. "You're telling me you'd handle the school's funds better with your constant parties and your yearly fashion event? What, you're going to pay famous clothes designers with the school funds? Good luck with that!" Kim rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"What about the school image?" Bonnie changed the subject now. "Look at me and now look at you! I'm much better looking and dress much better than you. Plus, everyone has seen what you look like on a bad hair day." Smirked.
"You had no right to use that picture of mine to use it as a personal attack against me in your campaign!" Kim protested, raising her voice. Her irritation was palpable. "That was a new low, even for you!"
"Is that so, Miss hero outfit who hangs out with a dorky guy and his strange rat?" Bonnie sneered.
"HEY!" Ron stood up and protested. "Don't belittle Rufus!"
I pulled Ron down. This time Mr. Barkin did not need to order Ron to shut his mouth. So, I've saved him the embarrassment this time.
"Do you even care about the school and the students, Bonnie?" Kim asked. "This all feels like a vanity run for you."
"Look who's talking!" Bonnie chuckled. "You're captain of the cheerleader squad, a global hero, a class representative and a tutor already. Now you want to become school president on top of it all? Face it, Kim, you love the spotlight and have a highly inflated ego."
Kim's jaw clenched. She was getting angrier as Bonnie kept striking a nerve. Kim must not fall into Bonnie's little game.
"Alright! Keep it classy, ladies!" Mr. Barkin ordered. "Now, it's time for you to conclude. You first, Rockwaller."
"You want a fun and cool school? Vote for me, Bonnie Rockwaller." Bonnie smiled as she placed her hand-palm on her chest. "If you want a boring school that wastes resources on stuff no one cares about then vote for Kim Possible. Bonnie smirked at Kim as she took one final shot at her.
"No more personal attacks in this debate!" Mr. Barkin warned sternly. "Now, it's your turn to conclude, Possible."
Kim straightened up and calmed herself down. "At the end of the day, it's about making sure every student has a voice. A public school should be inclusive and the representative of its student body should be someone who is open to listening to the suggestions from any student, regardless of their background. If you want an inclusive school that makes students feel more comfortable and motivated to study and socialise, vote for Kim Possible. I will not help turn Middleton High into an elitist school!" Kim glanced at Bonnie quickly as she said her last sentence.
"Very well!" Mr. Barkin straightened his tie. "This concludes the debate. Thanks for your time, Possible and Rockwell. And everyone else" he then walked up to the edge of the stage with the mic on his hand to address the audience. "Don't forget to vote this Friday!"
Today was Friday, finally. Not only because it was the end of another school week but also because it was election day. And I've had enough of this drama surrounding the school president election pitting Kim and Bonnie against each other. My mother drove me to school as always, and as I stepped into the school building, I saw Ron having his hands full of small rectangular pieces of paper.
"Hey, Rafael!" Ron handed me one of those pieces of paper. I looked at it and it said 'Bueno Nacho coupon'.
"Oh, food discounts? Nice. But why are you giving them out?!" I asked, perplexed.
"Simple. It will convince people to vote for KP" Ron smiled proudly.
"Doesn't sound very 'legal'…" a drop of sweat fell down the side of my forehead.
"Hey! This is still way more ethical than anything Bonnie has done!" Ron reacted defensively.
"That's kind of a low bar to set, man." I chuckled.
Ron ignored me and went back to handing out the Bueno Nacho coupons. Rufus also hands them out. It is a funny sight, I admit. Should be a fun day…
Around lunch time, I spotted Bonnie giving money to a small group of people. So, she was buying votes? Wow. That's just… I couldn't even find the right adjective to describe it.
I saw the lines piling up to vote in the school's elections. Looked like a lot of people were adhering to it. I wondered if schools keep track of the abstention rate... anyway, I headed to my locker to place my lunchbox back in the locker, since I was done eating. I turned around and saw Kim standing behind me.
"Hey." she smiled weakly at me.
"Hey…" I replied not so energetically.
"You know…" Kim looked a bit embarrassed about something. "I wanted to apologise. I shouldn't have set Ron and you aside during my electoral campaign."
"Oh…" I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Could I trust her? "Well, Kim, you do seem sincere."
"I give you my word, Rafael." she smiled reassuringly. "Honestly, you were right. I did kind of forget momentarily that my decision to run for school president was with the intention of making Middleton High a better place and for every student's voice to be heard. I let Bonnie get too much to me and I began viewing this election as a personal battle between me and Bonnie, thus nearly forfeiting my principles." she lowered her head and sighed, clearly looking guilty.
"Look, it's OK, I forgive you." I raised my hands. "In fact, you did well in the debate against Bonnie."
"You think so?" Kim lifted her head and her mood improved slightly.
"I do." I smiled.
"So, does this mean I have your vote?" She now smiled at me mischievously.
"Oh, I haven't voted…" I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"Really?" Kim raised her eyebrow and flashed a look of disappointment on her face.
"Well, I'm not much into politics…" I laughed nervously, hoping Kim would accept my reasoning, but I suspect she won't let me go so easily.
"So, you don't care about making the school you attend a better place?" Kim folded her arms and looked at me sternly.
"It's not that!" I waved my hands defensively. "It's just that…" I tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn't find one.
"For someone whose mother also works here as a teacher, I expected you to care a lot more about the way the school functions." Kim shook her head in disapproval. Ouch! That one hurt. All I can do now is break eye contact with Kim and feel a little embarrassed.
"Look." Kim took a deep sigh. "I am not telling you who to vote for. We live in a democracy, after all. But by abstaining, the message you're sending is that you don't care and also that you're running away from your duties and responsibilities."
"Running away?!" I was slightly taken aback at Kim's accusation.
"I'm telling it like it is." Kim smirked at me. Rats! Now she's the one who's got me cornered. "So, what's it going to be, Rafael? Are you going to run away, or are you going to make a decision, even if it might be one you end up regretting in the future?" she tapped her foot on the floor now.
"I don't owe you any explanation!" I blurted out nervously and ran away. I could overhear Kim shouting 'WAIT!' but I ignored her.
I ran into the boy's bathroom. No one else was in it right now, fortunately. I placed my hands on the sink and looked into the mirror as I breathed a bit heavily. Unfortunately, Kim was right. I was, indeed, running away. Which was something I've been doing my whole life. I was a coward. It hurts to hear it, especially from a friend, but it was even more painful when it was the truth. It cut deep, you know? Not that I liked being told what to do either, so I was currently having an internal struggle whether I would go vote or not. The voting booth ended in 3 hours. I had one more class today. So, I'd still have time to vote after I was done with my last class of the day.
As I was done with my last class of the day, it was time for me to make a decision: go home or go vote? I noticed my mother waiting for me right outside the school building entrance. I approached her warily.
"Rafael, how was your day?" She smiled at me.
"It was alright. The weekend is finally here!" I tried to sound as excited as possible.
"Did you vote yet?" she asked me.
"Erm… well…" I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"No?" mum raised her eyebrow. "Well, go vote now, then. I'll wait here."
"B-but I don't…" I tried to tell her, but the rest of the words didn't come out of my mouth and I was unable to form a coherent sentence.
"You're not going to vote for your friend?" She looked at me with a slight frown. Obviously by friend she meant Kim Possible.
I just lowered my head and avoided making eye contact.
"You know." my mother sighed. "Friendship is a wonderful thing, Rafael. And being friends with someone isn't just hanging out with them during breaks. You're supposed to help them and support them when they need you."
"Meaning…?" I asked, even though I pretty much could guess what she was going to say next.
"What if Kim loses by one vote to Bonnie?" She looked at me very seriously now. "Will you still believe that you abstaining did not make a difference?"
I didn't answer her question. She did make a good point and I couldn't think of a counter-argument.
"Voting is not just a right, Rafael. It's also a duty." She lectured.
"I know, I know…" I sighed.
"Well, I will not force you to vote, but listen to your subconscious and follow your heart. You can't just run away forever." Geez, were mum and Kim suddenly sharing the same brain or something?!
"I'll be waiting in the car. Make your decision and then come to the car, and we'll go home. Take your time, but remember, there's less than 2 hours for you to vote." Mum turned around and walked away. I was left standing right outside the school entrance doorway filled with indecision.
A few minutes passed and I remained standing in the same place. Suddenly I felt something climbing up my pocket… I looked down and it's Rufus.
"Rufus? What are you…?" before I even finished my sentence, he picked up my wallet with his front teeth!
"Hey, don't touch my wallet!" I moved my arm trying to take it back from Rufus, but he just jumped and began running away with my wallet under his teeth! He ran into the school building and I chased him down the school halls, looking like an idiot. What is Rufus thinking?! Why the sudden interest in my wallet? He kept running away and then entered the school gym where the voting booths are. He jumped on top of one of the booths. Wait, don't tell me… this was all part of a plan to make me vote! I look at the booth and there's no line. I saw one guy leaving the voting booth. It looked like most people had voted already. Suddenly, my feet began moving on their own in the direction of the voting booth and I was now standing face to face with the voting ballot. Or well, a white piece of paper that had "Kim Possible" and "Bonnie Rockwaller" written on it with two empty boxes in front of them where you were supposed to mark 'X' with your vote. Couldn't expect something too fancy for a public high school. They needed to save money on printer ink. I picked up the pen and looked up at Rufus. He nodded as he looked at me. I ticked the 'Kim Possible' box, folded the paper, turned around, walked to the nearby table and slid the folded ballot into the box. As soon as I was done, Rufus jumped on the table in front of me and dropped my wallet on it. I quickly took it back and put it back in my pocket. Rufus nodded happily and we both walked out of the school gym together. And what do you know? Kim and Ron were both waiting for us and smirking at me.
"So, you did vote, after all." Kim said it with a hint of mischief.
"All he needed was a little push, KP!" Ron grinned proudly, as Rufus climbed to his hands.
"Well, what's done is done." I shrugged and chuckled.
And I went home. It looked like the results would only be known on Monday, since the votes would be counted that morning. And Monday morning came and the results were announced on the school P.A. system: "ATTENTION MIDDLETON HIGH STUDENTS! THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT ELECTION ARE IN: KIM POSSIBLE - 300 VOTES. BONNIE ROCKWALLER – 299 VOTES. WINNER: KIM POSSIBLE!"
Kim celebrated effusively and Ron and Rufus were the first ones to congratulate her. Bonnie, obviously, seethed in anger as she heard the news she lost to Kim. As for me, it looked like if I had not voted, it would have ended at 299 votes for both candidates! So, it looked like my vote was decisive and that it was better for me to go vote, after all. I needed a pink rodent to steal my wallet momentarily in order to drag me to the voting booth, but hey, details, right?
While going through the attendance call, I think everyone noticed my mother and I shared the same last name and came from the same country, so the cat was pretty much out of the bag. If this wasn't the most awkward and embarrassing moment in my entire life, then it was definitely in the top 3.
The class was… unlike anything I've ever experienced. It was so odd to have your own mother teaching you a class and you needing to separate both the fact she's your parent and your teacher. Plus, you had to call her Mrs. Last Name. So strange.
You could hear a pin drop during the class, since she knew how to command respect and make her students listen to her voice. No one dared to disrespect her.
After the bell rang, it was time for lunch. I picked up my lunchbox from my locker and felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and it was Ron.
"Hey, dude, come sit with me and Kim at lunch." he smiled as he invited me to have lunch with him and Kim Possible. I slowly nodded. Seemed perfectly innocuous.
We went to the school cafeteria and sat down across from Kim.
"So, Rafael…" Kim was definitely going to ask me something, and I had a feeling I knew what it was. I looked up at her, waiting for her to proceed.
"Our English Lit teacher… she's your mum, right?" and there it was, folks.
"Yeah…" I rolled my eyes.
"Woah, what?!" Ron gasped. I guess he was a little clueless and not just a bit of a goofball.
"Look, I'm just trying to have a normal HS experience, OK?!" I acted defensively.
"I guess it must be kind of awkward." Kim smiled sympathetically.
Oh, you had no idea, Kim! It was really awkward and embarrassing. But I couldn't overtly show it or else other kids might pick up on it and tease me for it.
"If we're your friends, will we get better grades?" Ron joked.
"RON!" Kim cried. "That's low!"
"Yo, chill, KP!" Ron waved his hands defensively. "I'm just messing."
"Let's change the subject, OK?!" I asked a bit firmly. Both Kim and Ron were a bit surprised by my borderline outburst, but they nodded and decided to honour my request.
"Sorry. Didn't want to make you uncomfortable." Kim smiled.
I opened my lunchbox and took out my homemade lunch. My mother made me some pastéis de bacalhau with rice and salad for today. Pastéis de bacalhau would be literally translated as codfish pastries, I guess. They're not sweet, mind you, but salty. Rufus stared at them intensely. I better watch out.
"Don't steal Rafael's food, Rufus!" Ron chuckled as he lectured his naked mole rat pet.
"Is that fish?" Kim asked.
"Yes, cod, to be more precise." I nodded.
We all ate our respective lunches and, a few minutes later, we got interrupted by one of Kim's cheerleader squad members. It was the hot tanned brunette with shoulder length hair. Bonnie was her name, if I remember correctly. Kim seemed to tense up a bit as Bonnie approached our table, for some reason. Or maybe it was just my impression.
"Hey, Kim." Bonnie smirked smugly.
"Hey, Bonnie." Kim replied with a slight frown on her face.
"I see you're hanging out with the new kid." Bonnie glanced at me quickly.
"So?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"What, are you trying to kiss up to our English Lit teacher by befriending her son or something?" Bonnie chuckled.
"So not the truth!" Kim shook her head. "Not everyone likes to use people, you know." and folded her arms.
"Yeah, Rafael is a cool dude. He's into games and wrestling like me, too!" Ron smiled.
"Oh, so he's just another dork." Bonnie rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Why couldn't we get a foreign hottie this time like when we got Hirotaka and Wally?"
I couldn't help it but feel a bit hurt by Bonnie's comments. To have such a hot girl tear me down like this didn't do any good to my already low self-esteem.
"Anyway" Bonnie leaned in closer to Kim now. "Remember that elections for school president are coming soon. I've heard you're thinking of running, K." Smirked.
"Yes, I am. Why?" Kim raised her eyebrow in suspicion.
"Well, I think Middleton High deserves a better president than someone who's always away on missions saving the world, don't you think?" Bonnie flashed a smug grin at Kim.
"Really?" Kim stood up. "And who might that be?"
"Why, me, duh!" Bonnie touched her chest proudly with the palm of her hand.
"Is that so?" Kim slightly clenched her jaw.
"Prepare to get embarrassed before the whole school, Kim" Bonnie's nose practically touched Kim's as she challenged her with a determined look on her face.
"As if I'm going to lose to you!" Kim bit back.
"You'll see." Bonnie walked away with a smug smirk and tossed her hair behind.
"UGH!" Kim clenched her fists. "That girl is always trying to one-up me!"
"Don't worry, KP. You can easily beat Bonnie." Ron reassured her.
"I mean, isn't Kim the most popular girl in school?" I asked while scratching my head.
"Not exactly…" Kim sighed. "I'm popular, yes, but there's some people higher on the food chain than me. Mostly seniors and jocks. And Bonnie rivals me in popularity, as much as it pains me to admit it."
"Oh…" I took a final bite of my lunch and finished my water as I tried to process that information.
"When are the elections?" Ron asked.
"In 2 weeks. I have 2 weeks to prepare." Kim said. "I'm having posters and fliers being printed with my face on them as we speak." Smirked proudly.
"What exactly does the school president do?" I asked, a bit lost.
"Oh, he or she is basically the spokesperson for the school's entire student body." Kim began explaining it to me. "Also, they're responsible for giving ideas about future school events and help organising them as well. Events such as dances, parties, fundraisers, etc."
"And I can't think of anyone better than KP to do it!" Ron punched his palm enthusiastically and Rufus nodded in agreement.
"That sounds like a lot of work and responsibility." I shuddered slightly.
"It is." Kim nodded. "But I'm a very type-A kind of person."
It looked like the next couple of weeks of Middleton High would be interesting with the election campaign for school president. The battle between Kim and Bonnie might divide the school. Hopefully neither party would go overboard and take it down a nasty personal road. That wouldn't be good for anyone.
As I arrived at Middleton High the next day, I started seeing posters and fliers everywhere for both Kim and Bonnie. Anywhere you went in school and you saw their faces accompanied by 'VOTE KIM' and 'VOTE BONNIE' under their respective faces. I guess it was not a bad sight to have two of the prettiest faces in school plastered all over Middleton. I sure didn't mind and a lot of other guys most likely felt the same way, too. And I guess a lot of the votes each girl would get would not be based on their personalities or platforms but on their looks instead. Who was I going to vote for? Eh, I hadn't thought about it. Perhaps I'd just abstain. I didn't want to take part in this battle of egos. Politics weren't really my thing.
"Vote for Bonnie Rockwaller!" a girl handed me a flier with Bonnie's face on it. I accepted it automatically without remembering to say 'no, thank you'. I guess I could always toss it in the rubbish sometime later, but I might as well open it and read Bonnie's platform. As I opened it, I saw a few pictures of Bonnie posing with her cheerleader friends, some popular seniors and jocks. She didn't seem to add any particular substance in her platform for school president. She just promised more parties and a yearly fashion event, it seemed. Didn't look very appealing…
A bit later, I walked into Ron who was standing by a table stacked with brochures on top of it. He handed one over to me. "Hey, bud! Don't forget to vote for Kim!" Well, naturally, I couldn't refuse this one. It would be a rude thing to do to a friend. I opened it in front of him and Kim seemed to have a more detailed platform she was running on for school president. She promised a more transparent and efficient handling of student council funds in order for the school to organise better and more interesting events and to also have some spare funds left for higher school club funding and also the creation of more extracurricular activities. And also, more involvement from the students to improve their day-to-day school life, with the creation of a suggestion box. Kim was running on being an open president who listened to her fellow students' concerns and ideas.
"Oh, this is a good platform to run on." I nodded as I read it.
"I couldn't agree more, buddy!" Ron smiled. "KP will make a great president!"
"Have you read Bonnie's platform yet?" I asked him, curious about his take on it.
"Oh yeah, it's so lazy. A yearly fashion event, really?" he rolled his eyes. "Boring."
Later that day, Kim told us how confident she was feeling about her chances so far, when suddenly we noticed a commotion down the hall. As the crowd approached us, we saw Bonnie being accompanied by Brick Flagg, the school's American football team quarterback and a few of the cheerleaders.
"Oh my God! Bonnie is so cool and popular! I'm totally gonna vote for her!" one random girl said it excitedly as she marveled at the sight of Brick and the cheerleaders walking next to Bonnie.
"I know, right! Much cooler than Kim who only has her dorky friend, Ron!" another random girl added. I could feel Ron wincing at that comment even without looking at him. That's gotta hurt, ouch.
"And that weird foreign kid who hangs out with them a lot lately?" a random guy spoke about me now. "Who even listens to heavy metal these days?!" And he and the two girls laughed.
As the commotion walked away, the three of us were left looking at each other in low spirits.
"This is not going to be easy." Kim frowned.
"KP, you need to step your game up." Ron told her.
"Pfft, people who don't like heavy metal have no taste!" I protested, offended at that random guy's comment about me.
"This is so not fair!" Kim threw her arms in the air exasperated. "Bonnie's platform is so barebones compared to mine!"
"But she has Brick Flagg and cheerleaders endorsing her." Ron raised his index finger. "In HS, that's what truly gets you far in this kind of stuff."
"Yeah, I know." Kim frowned again. "It's all about the top of the food chain."
"Hey, you got your friends, KP! That's what counts, right?" Ron placed a hand on Kim's shoulder.
"Riiiight…" Kim nodded and smiled nervously.
A few days passed, and the campaign was going stronger and stronger. Kim now was showing off pictures of herself with a few handsome popular guys and hot popular girls. What?!
I went to find Kim during my first break of the day and found her chatting with several other students. I tried to cut in to get a word with her but I was unable to.
"Buzz off, pal! We're talking to Kim Possible here!" one random tall guy cried at me.
"Yeah, shoo!" One random girl in yoga pants waved her hand with a gesture that told me to go away.
Frustrated, I sighed and walked away with my head down. Kim probably didn't even notice me.
At lunch, I sat alone with Ron. Kim seemed to be having lunch with a larger group of people on the other side of the cafeteria.
"What's with Kim?" I asked Ron with a hint of annoyance in my voice as I pointed my thumb in Kim's direction.
"I don't know! It's like she's trying to emulate Bonnie's tactic of allying herself with hot and popular people to gain more votes!" Ron opened his arms in frustration and Rufus nodded with a sad look on his face.
I didn't like the sound of this one bit. Was Kim putting Ron and I, her friends, aside in exchange for votes?
After the last class of the day, I managed to catch Kim alone and I confronted her about it.
"Kim, why are you ignoring me and Ron today?" I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for her answer.
"I'm busy running my campaign, Rafael." she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, and it looks like you discarded Ron and I for more popular and aesthetically pleasing people." I folded my arms with an annoyed look on my face.
Kim stared at me and let out a deep sigh before justifying herself. "Look, I really want to win these elections, and I need the endorsement of popular people to help me get votes to defeat Bonnie."
"I thought you wanted to make Middleton High a better place and for every student voice to get heard." I frowned, not hiding my disappointment.
"Look, politics are complicated, OK?" Kim explained it, sounding a bit unsure.
"Sounds like you're ashamed of me and Ron, Kim." I shook my head.
"What?!" Kim's eyes opened wide. "That's absurd!" She said with a tone that suggested she found my accusation insulting.
"I guess you're not any different from other attractive and popular girls after all." I sighed.
"Excuse me?!" Kim bristled at my remark. "Are you comparing me to someone like Bonnie?!"
"Not literally, no…" I sighed again. "But you are starting to sound like you're too good to hang out with guys like me and Ron and would rather hang out with the hot and popular crowd just to get some votes."
Kim clenched her fists now. She's clearly offended by my accusations. Perhaps I did say too much…
"That's so not true!" she cried. "I'm not throwing Ron and you under the bus! I just need to win these elections and this is the only way for me to beat Bonnie!" she explained.
"Look, this argument is pointless." I facepalmed. "Have a nice weekend, Kim." I put on my cap and walked out of the school building.
Later that night at home, Kim lied in her bed pondering about the conversation she had with Rafael in school that afternoon. She was a bit confused and unsure. She did concede that she's sort of been avoiding both Ron and Rafael within the last few days, and she did feel a bit bad for it, but on the other hand, she wanted to win the election badly and beat her rival Bonnie, and objectively speaking, Rafael and Ron weren't popular and being in their company during the campaign period would not get her any significant amount of votes, especially ever since Bonnie decided to use popular people for her campaign as well. Kim was just trying to fight with the same strategy.
"What else am I supposed to do? Get myself crushed in the voting booth by my school nemesis?!" Kim sighed in frustration as she vented into her pillow.
The election day was only 48 hours away. Kim arrived at school and was shocked and angered at the sight she saw. A bunch of posters attacking her! "Kim is too busy being a hero", "Kim hangs out with a Nacho-eating guy and his naked mole rat", and also copies of an unflattering photo of Kim when she had a really bad hair day. What made matters worse was the fact today was the big debate between Kim and Bonnie!
Kim furiously took down some of the posters attacking her. She should have known Bonnie would use such immoral tactics to fight Kim during these school elections. But it was still a shock to actually see them.
Other students watched Kim in the school hallways with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. Was Kim really a reliable option for school president? She was indeed often going on her missions with Ron all over the world. And she was also always hanging out with Ron and his naked mole rat, even if she's been hanging out with other more popular people lately, but was it a genuine connection or just Kim trying to obtain more votes? Most students knew Bonnie was fake and not always the nicest girl around, but they knew what she was like and what to count on if she got elected school president. 'The devil you know', as the saying went…
Ron spotted Kim and ran up to her. "KP! Your debate against Bonnie today is very important." he warned her.
"I know, Ron." Kim sighed. "She's sinking so low with these attacks on me…"
"You can't let her win, KP!" Ron clenched his fists in determination and so did Rufus.
"I know!" Kim raised her voice slightly.
"By the way, have you seen Rafael today?" Ron changed the subject now.
"No." Kim shook her head "He and I had a little argument the other day." and frowned slightly.
"Oh?" Ron sounded surprised and looked concerned.
"Look, Ron, I'm sorry I haven't hung out much with the two of you lately. It wasn't my intention to discard you or anything." Kim said apologetically.
"Come on, Kim." Ron smiled reassuringly. "You know you and I go way back and how strong our friendship is."
"True." Kim nodded and smiled weakly. "But Rafael hasn't known me for long and thus we didn't spend enough time yet to get to know each other better and build trust."
"Hey, don't sweat it!" Ron placed a hand on Kim's shoulder. "Rafael is a good guy, but a bit stubborn and proud. I'll talk some sense into him."
"Thanks, Ron. You rock." Kim smiled.
"Now, go prepare yourself for your debate against Bonnie."
Kim nodded with a determined look on her face, seemingly regaining her confidence and competitive drive.
The bell rang and my algebra class was finally over. I hated Maths! I packed in my books and pencil and was one of the first students to leave the classroom. I went to the bathroom to do number 1 quickly, and when I got out, I had Ron waiting for me.
"Wassup, Ron?" I nodded.
"Dude, we need to talk." he said to me with a serious look on his face.
"Something wrong?" I raised my eyebrow warily.
"You were unfair to Kim the other day."
"All I did was tell the truth." *I folded my arms. "Kim has clearly abandoned us to go hang out with the more popular crowd in pursuit of her political ambitions."
"Kim would never do that!" Ron protested, and Rufus nodded.
"Oh yeah?" I rolled my eyes, not buying Ron's argument. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"Look, I know Kim might have made a mistake to get more votes, but that doesn't mean she's abandoned us." Ron tried to convince me.
"Why should I take your word for it, Ron?" I asked dryly.
"What do you mean? You don't believe me?!" Ron sounded a bit taken aback by my words.
"No, silly." I raised my hands defensively. "I just think you're being a little too naïve."
"Look, pal!" Ron pointed his index finger on my chest. "I've known Kim since Pre-K. You have only known her for less than a month."
"Well, maybe that's why I know not to trust her blindly like you do." I added.
"Look, Kim is my best friend, and I won't stand for you talking smack about her, OK?" Ron now seemed to be getting more irritated.
"If you want to remain friends with her, good for you." I sighed. "But if she wins the election and ditches you for more popular and hotter people, don't come telling me I didn't warn you."
"You're way too cynical, dude!" Dude threw his arms in the air in desperation.
"I have my reasons for being so!" I pointed my thumb at my chest.
"You're not always right, and you don't know everything!" Ron cried.
I just let out a deep frustrated sigh. Clearly talking to Ron was like talking to a brick wall. Seeing I didn't have anything else to add, Ron just let out a frustrated growl and walked away.
"Pffft!" …did Rufus just stick his tongue out at me?! I couldn't believe it! It was one thing to have Ron and Kim upset with me, but Rufus? Now, THAT hurts!
Time finally came and the debate between Kim and Bonnie was about to begin. Mr. Barkin acted as the moderator of the debate. The 3 were on stage and most of the audience consisted of Middleton High students, naturally. There was a lot of chatter among the audience.
"Okay people, LISTEN UP!" Mr. Barkin yelled on the microphone, immediately making the audience go quiet in fear. "It's now time for the school president debate between Kim Possible and Bonnie Rockwaller. As you all know, the former president of the student council graduated last school year, so the spot was left vacant and you, Middleton High students, have now the chance to decide between Miss Possible and Miss Rockwaller *pointed his open palms at both girls*. So, let's stop wasting time and start. My first question, ladies, is: What makes you the best choice for student council president?"
Mr. Barkin first looked at Kim. Looks like the first turn to speak was hers.
"Well," Kim cleared her throat. "I believe in making our school better for everyone. And the best way to ensure that starts by a more efficient and transparent handling of school funds. Then, we can have a good mix of activities for everyone. Parties, events, increased funding for clubs and a wider option of extracurricular activities. The cafeteria food also needs some improvement. Enough mystery meat on Wednesdays, for starters. And also, every student has the right to be heard and that's why I also want to implement a suggestion box in order to encourage my fellow classmates to send the student council their suggestions."
"Very well, Possible." Barkin now looked at Bonnie. "What about you, Rockwaller?"
"That's adorable, Kim. Really." Bonnie scoffed. "But, unlike you, I know exactly what Middleton High students want. More parties, more cool events like a yearly fashion event. But obviously, you wouldn't know that since you spend more time saving the world instead of socialising with your fellow classmates."
"Excuse me?" Kim raised her eyebrow with a tone of annoyance in her voice. "I am known to be very reliable by both my peers and the teachers alike. In spite of also being a hero who goes on missions often. In case you've forgotten, Bonnie, I'm also the captain of the cheerleader squad, the very same squad you're a part of."
"That only further proves my point, Kim." Bonnie waved her hand dismissively. "You're too busy saving the world and that even takes time from your captain duties as cheerleader squad captain. You're telling me you can add the school president to the mix and juggle all 3 of those responsibilities equally?"
"Why…" Kim hesitated a little. "Of course I can!" but quickly recovered. "And what's with the implication that my hero duties are taking precious time from my duties as the cheerleader squad captain?" Kim folded her arms and looked at Bonnie with a look of defiance, demanding to hear her reasoning.
"Well…" now it was time for Bonnie to hesitate a little. "You haven't been giving 100% to the cheerleader squad lately."
"Is that so?" Kim's eyes widened in slight irritation.
"Yeah!" Bonnie said it matter-of-factly. "You need to give it… 120% from now on!"
"LADIES!" Mr. Barkin raised his voice. "Stick to the point. This is about you running for school president/student council president of Middleton High. Not about the internal affairs of Middleton High's cheerleader squad.
"You're right, Mr. Barkin." Kim nodded. "I apologise."
"Alright, next question." Barkin looked at his notes. "How will you handle conflicts between students and the school administration?" He looked at Bonnie this time. Looks like she's the one who will have to answer Mr. Barkin's question this time around.
"Conflicts?" Bonnie scoffed. "When I become president, students will not get into any conflicts with the school administration since I'll be the greatest president Middleton High has ever had. My approval rating will be close to 100%!" She flashed a proud and smug smile.
"That doesn't answer the question, Rockwaller." Mr. Barkin rolled his eyes. Looks like Bonnie is beginning to test his patience.
"Indeed, it doesn't." Kim interjected "Because that's all Bonnie has been doing during her campaign. All she does is brag. She doesn't have a well-structured platform of any kind!" and accused Bonnie.
"Oh, like you have, Kim?" Bonnie scoffed in irritation.
"Have you even been listening?" Kim's voice raised in irritation. "The very first time I spoke in this debate I summed up my platform very clearly!"
"ORDER!" Mr. Barkin ordered.
"Order?" Bonnie looked at him dryly. "What are you, a judge?"
The audience laughed. Myself and Ron included.
"Watch your tone, Rockwaller!" Mr. Barkin pointed his index finger at Bonnie. "My point is, as the debate moderator it is my job to prevent it from becoming a catfight."
"CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT!" Ron stood on his seat and chants. Cringe…
"SIT DOWN, STOPPABLE!" Mr. Barkin yelled at Ron, who immediately slumped down on his seat and grinned nervously. Meanwhile, Bonnie just rolled her eyes and Kim facepalmed at her best friend's enthusiastic heckling.
"Possible." Mr. Barkin resumed the debate. "What about you? How will you handle conflicts between students and the administration?"
"I have a lot of experience mediating conflicts, Mr. Barkin." Kim smiled. "Not only since I'm a global hero, but also because I have leadership experience as captain of the cheerleader squad and as class representative, but I also believe in diplomacy and respect. I'm a good listener and any student can come up to me and talk to me about anything they'd like to discuss."
"A clear answer." Mr. Barkin smirked. "Anything you'd like to add, Rockwaller?"
"As a matter of fact, yeah." Bonnie scoffed. "I'm more popular than Kim Possible and have better connections with the popular crowd and other important people in our community thanks to my family ties. Therefore, someone like me is much better suited to represent Middleton High's students." She now places her hand-palm on her chest as she confidently makes her statement.
Chatter broke out in the audience. Middleton High's students are very much into the debate and arguing who might be the right choice for school president, after all. Naturally, Ron is all pro-Kim. Me? Well, I'd say Kim is better suited for the role too. I'd much rather be represented by her than by someone like Bonnie, yikes! But I'm not sure if Kim can beat Bonnie that easily.
"QUIET, PEOPLE!" Mr. Barkin barked his orders again. "So, Possible, Rockwaller; can both of you go more in detail about your propositions?"
"Absolutely. We need to improve the cafeteria menu. The mystery meat on Wednesdays is not something anyone would ever bring themselves to eat, let's face it. Students have the right to decent and edible food." Kim said.
"Oh please!" Bonnie rolled her eyes. "This is a public school. The food being lousy is par for course. Just bring a homemade lunch instead."
"Not everyone has the financial conditions to bring a homemade lunch to school 5 days a week, Bonnie." Kim sighed in frustration. "That's the whole point of free meals in public schools, you know?"
"Then, if you want good cafeteria food, go attend a private school instead." Bonnie folded her arms.
"Are you kidding me?" Kim was now incredulous at Bonnie's ignorance. "If a student's parents can't even afford to make them a homemade lunch for school 5 days a week, do you honestly believe they can afford enrolling their kids in a private school?"
"Well, then maybe you should be less megalomaniac with your platform, Kim!" Bonnie pointed her index finger at Kim with an accusatory tone.
"Megalomaniac?!" Kim blinked in rapid succession. "That's a new insult. Even from you, Bonnie."
"You heard me, Kim!" Bonnie nodded with a stern look on her face. "You're making a lot of promises to improve Middleton High, but where do you think all the money comes from? Taxes. If you want to improve the cafeteria food options, increase club funding, add more extracurricular activities and organise events then you'll have to explain to all of our parents that their property taxes are going to increase!" Bonnie now scanned the audience with her index finger. The students now began chattering loudly amongst themselves again. Once again, Mr. Barkin ordered everyone to keep it down.
"That's why I'm also going to improve the handling and transparency of funds better if I become president!" Kim slammed her fists on her podium. "You're telling me you'd handle the school's funds better with your constant parties and your yearly fashion event? What, you're going to pay famous clothes designers with the school funds? Good luck with that!" Kim rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"What about the school image?" Bonnie changed the subject now. "Look at me and now look at you! I'm much better looking and dress much better than you. Plus, everyone has seen what you look like on a bad hair day." Smirked.
"You had no right to use that picture of mine to use it as a personal attack against me in your campaign!" Kim protested, raising her voice. Her irritation was palpable. "That was a new low, even for you!"
"Is that so, Miss hero outfit who hangs out with a dorky guy and his strange rat?" Bonnie sneered.
"HEY!" Ron stood up and protested. "Don't belittle Rufus!"
I pulled Ron down. This time Mr. Barkin did not need to order Ron to shut his mouth. So, I've saved him the embarrassment this time.
"Do you even care about the school and the students, Bonnie?" Kim asked. "This all feels like a vanity run for you."
"Look who's talking!" Bonnie chuckled. "You're captain of the cheerleader squad, a global hero, a class representative and a tutor already. Now you want to become school president on top of it all? Face it, Kim, you love the spotlight and have a highly inflated ego."
Kim's jaw clenched. She was getting angrier as Bonnie kept striking a nerve. Kim must not fall into Bonnie's little game.
"Alright! Keep it classy, ladies!" Mr. Barkin ordered. "Now, it's time for you to conclude. You first, Rockwaller."
"You want a fun and cool school? Vote for me, Bonnie Rockwaller." Bonnie smiled as she placed her hand-palm on her chest. "If you want a boring school that wastes resources on stuff no one cares about then vote for Kim Possible. Bonnie smirked at Kim as she took one final shot at her.
"No more personal attacks in this debate!" Mr. Barkin warned sternly. "Now, it's your turn to conclude, Possible."
Kim straightened up and calmed herself down. "At the end of the day, it's about making sure every student has a voice. A public school should be inclusive and the representative of its student body should be someone who is open to listening to the suggestions from any student, regardless of their background. If you want an inclusive school that makes students feel more comfortable and motivated to study and socialise, vote for Kim Possible. I will not help turn Middleton High into an elitist school!" Kim glanced at Bonnie quickly as she said her last sentence.
"Very well!" Mr. Barkin straightened his tie. "This concludes the debate. Thanks for your time, Possible and Rockwell. And everyone else" he then walked up to the edge of the stage with the mic on his hand to address the audience. "Don't forget to vote this Friday!"
Today was Friday, finally. Not only because it was the end of another school week but also because it was election day. And I've had enough of this drama surrounding the school president election pitting Kim and Bonnie against each other. My mother drove me to school as always, and as I stepped into the school building, I saw Ron having his hands full of small rectangular pieces of paper.
"Hey, Rafael!" Ron handed me one of those pieces of paper. I looked at it and it said 'Bueno Nacho coupon'.
"Oh, food discounts? Nice. But why are you giving them out?!" I asked, perplexed.
"Simple. It will convince people to vote for KP" Ron smiled proudly.
"Doesn't sound very 'legal'…" a drop of sweat fell down the side of my forehead.
"Hey! This is still way more ethical than anything Bonnie has done!" Ron reacted defensively.
"That's kind of a low bar to set, man." I chuckled.
Ron ignored me and went back to handing out the Bueno Nacho coupons. Rufus also hands them out. It is a funny sight, I admit. Should be a fun day…
Around lunch time, I spotted Bonnie giving money to a small group of people. So, she was buying votes? Wow. That's just… I couldn't even find the right adjective to describe it.
I saw the lines piling up to vote in the school's elections. Looked like a lot of people were adhering to it. I wondered if schools keep track of the abstention rate... anyway, I headed to my locker to place my lunchbox back in the locker, since I was done eating. I turned around and saw Kim standing behind me.
"Hey." she smiled weakly at me.
"Hey…" I replied not so energetically.
"You know…" Kim looked a bit embarrassed about something. "I wanted to apologise. I shouldn't have set Ron and you aside during my electoral campaign."
"Oh…" I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Could I trust her? "Well, Kim, you do seem sincere."
"I give you my word, Rafael." she smiled reassuringly. "Honestly, you were right. I did kind of forget momentarily that my decision to run for school president was with the intention of making Middleton High a better place and for every student's voice to be heard. I let Bonnie get too much to me and I began viewing this election as a personal battle between me and Bonnie, thus nearly forfeiting my principles." she lowered her head and sighed, clearly looking guilty.
"Look, it's OK, I forgive you." I raised my hands. "In fact, you did well in the debate against Bonnie."
"You think so?" Kim lifted her head and her mood improved slightly.
"I do." I smiled.
"So, does this mean I have your vote?" She now smiled at me mischievously.
"Oh, I haven't voted…" I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"Really?" Kim raised her eyebrow and flashed a look of disappointment on her face.
"Well, I'm not much into politics…" I laughed nervously, hoping Kim would accept my reasoning, but I suspect she won't let me go so easily.
"So, you don't care about making the school you attend a better place?" Kim folded her arms and looked at me sternly.
"It's not that!" I waved my hands defensively. "It's just that…" I tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn't find one.
"For someone whose mother also works here as a teacher, I expected you to care a lot more about the way the school functions." Kim shook her head in disapproval. Ouch! That one hurt. All I can do now is break eye contact with Kim and feel a little embarrassed.
"Look." Kim took a deep sigh. "I am not telling you who to vote for. We live in a democracy, after all. But by abstaining, the message you're sending is that you don't care and also that you're running away from your duties and responsibilities."
"Running away?!" I was slightly taken aback at Kim's accusation.
"I'm telling it like it is." Kim smirked at me. Rats! Now she's the one who's got me cornered. "So, what's it going to be, Rafael? Are you going to run away, or are you going to make a decision, even if it might be one you end up regretting in the future?" she tapped her foot on the floor now.
"I don't owe you any explanation!" I blurted out nervously and ran away. I could overhear Kim shouting 'WAIT!' but I ignored her.
I ran into the boy's bathroom. No one else was in it right now, fortunately. I placed my hands on the sink and looked into the mirror as I breathed a bit heavily. Unfortunately, Kim was right. I was, indeed, running away. Which was something I've been doing my whole life. I was a coward. It hurts to hear it, especially from a friend, but it was even more painful when it was the truth. It cut deep, you know? Not that I liked being told what to do either, so I was currently having an internal struggle whether I would go vote or not. The voting booth ended in 3 hours. I had one more class today. So, I'd still have time to vote after I was done with my last class of the day.
As I was done with my last class of the day, it was time for me to make a decision: go home or go vote? I noticed my mother waiting for me right outside the school building entrance. I approached her warily.
"Rafael, how was your day?" She smiled at me.
"It was alright. The weekend is finally here!" I tried to sound as excited as possible.
"Did you vote yet?" she asked me.
"Erm… well…" I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"No?" mum raised her eyebrow. "Well, go vote now, then. I'll wait here."
"B-but I don't…" I tried to tell her, but the rest of the words didn't come out of my mouth and I was unable to form a coherent sentence.
"You're not going to vote for your friend?" She looked at me with a slight frown. Obviously by friend she meant Kim Possible.
I just lowered my head and avoided making eye contact.
"You know." my mother sighed. "Friendship is a wonderful thing, Rafael. And being friends with someone isn't just hanging out with them during breaks. You're supposed to help them and support them when they need you."
"Meaning…?" I asked, even though I pretty much could guess what she was going to say next.
"What if Kim loses by one vote to Bonnie?" She looked at me very seriously now. "Will you still believe that you abstaining did not make a difference?"
I didn't answer her question. She did make a good point and I couldn't think of a counter-argument.
"Voting is not just a right, Rafael. It's also a duty." She lectured.
"I know, I know…" I sighed.
"Well, I will not force you to vote, but listen to your subconscious and follow your heart. You can't just run away forever." Geez, were mum and Kim suddenly sharing the same brain or something?!
"I'll be waiting in the car. Make your decision and then come to the car, and we'll go home. Take your time, but remember, there's less than 2 hours for you to vote." Mum turned around and walked away. I was left standing right outside the school entrance doorway filled with indecision.
A few minutes passed and I remained standing in the same place. Suddenly I felt something climbing up my pocket… I looked down and it's Rufus.
"Rufus? What are you…?" before I even finished my sentence, he picked up my wallet with his front teeth!
"Hey, don't touch my wallet!" I moved my arm trying to take it back from Rufus, but he just jumped and began running away with my wallet under his teeth! He ran into the school building and I chased him down the school halls, looking like an idiot. What is Rufus thinking?! Why the sudden interest in my wallet? He kept running away and then entered the school gym where the voting booths are. He jumped on top of one of the booths. Wait, don't tell me… this was all part of a plan to make me vote! I look at the booth and there's no line. I saw one guy leaving the voting booth. It looked like most people had voted already. Suddenly, my feet began moving on their own in the direction of the voting booth and I was now standing face to face with the voting ballot. Or well, a white piece of paper that had "Kim Possible" and "Bonnie Rockwaller" written on it with two empty boxes in front of them where you were supposed to mark 'X' with your vote. Couldn't expect something too fancy for a public high school. They needed to save money on printer ink. I picked up the pen and looked up at Rufus. He nodded as he looked at me. I ticked the 'Kim Possible' box, folded the paper, turned around, walked to the nearby table and slid the folded ballot into the box. As soon as I was done, Rufus jumped on the table in front of me and dropped my wallet on it. I quickly took it back and put it back in my pocket. Rufus nodded happily and we both walked out of the school gym together. And what do you know? Kim and Ron were both waiting for us and smirking at me.
"So, you did vote, after all." Kim said it with a hint of mischief.
"All he needed was a little push, KP!" Ron grinned proudly, as Rufus climbed to his hands.
"Well, what's done is done." I shrugged and chuckled.
And I went home. It looked like the results would only be known on Monday, since the votes would be counted that morning. And Monday morning came and the results were announced on the school P.A. system: "ATTENTION MIDDLETON HIGH STUDENTS! THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT ELECTION ARE IN: KIM POSSIBLE - 300 VOTES. BONNIE ROCKWALLER – 299 VOTES. WINNER: KIM POSSIBLE!"
Kim celebrated effusively and Ron and Rufus were the first ones to congratulate her. Bonnie, obviously, seethed in anger as she heard the news she lost to Kim. As for me, it looked like if I had not voted, it would have ended at 299 votes for both candidates! So, it looked like my vote was decisive and that it was better for me to go vote, after all. I needed a pink rodent to steal my wallet momentarily in order to drag me to the voting booth, but hey, details, right?
EmperorOfHeavyMetal
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2026
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It's a Teen rated fic, so definitely do not expect explicit stuff. Kissing, though? Sure.
Arrowman
I trust you know where the happy button is?
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2021
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Thanks.It's a Teen rated fic, so definitely do not expect explicit stuff. Kissing, though? Sure.
Drakken's and Shego's Pop Trouble!
New
EmperorOfHeavyMetal
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2026
- Messages
- 4
- Likes received
- 3
Ron and I were hanging out at his place and playing video games. I brought my GameCube over. What game were we playing? Super Smash Bros. Melee. I mostly have been playing as Fox and Mario, while Ron was mostly going for Captain Falcon and Link. I've been doing better than Ron, but he has beaten me a few times as well.
We then decided to take a break and snack on some cookies.
"Man, Smash Bros. is so fun!" Ron exclaimed as he took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie.
"I told you." I chuckled before I took a bite of my cookie. "Hum, these cookies are great!"
"My mum made them!" Ron grinned proudly. "She makes the best cookies in Middleton!"
"I believe you." I nodded. "Can't remember the last time I ate such good homemade cookies."
We kept on snacking and loving every bite of Ron's mum's cookies. I ended up letting out something in Portuguese: "Tão bom!"
"Huh?" Ron looked at me. "Did you say something, dude?"
"Oh, I blurted out something in Portuguese." I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"Nothing nasty, I hope." Ron smirked, giving me a naughty look.
"Haha no!" I quickly denied it a bit defensively. "I just said 'so good!'"
"I told you. These cookies are the bomb!"
"Indeed they are."
"Anyway, maybe you can teach me some Portuguese, Rafael." Ron snapped his fingers, as if he had a brilliant idea.
"Oh…" I looked at him a bit surprised at his request. "I dunno, Ron. I'm not a teacher…"
"Right, that's your mum." Ron remembered. "Just repeat what you said a little while ago and I'll try to pronounce it."
"Oh, alright." I shrugged. "Tão bom!" I repeated it slowly.
"TOOW BON!" Ron said it in a funny way and I nearly choked on my cookie laughing.
"Dude, that's not how you pronounce 'tão' hahah!"
"Hey, now!" Ron starts acting defensively. "Foreign languages should be easier to pronounce. It's not fair!" and he folded his arms in annoyance.
"Pay attention, Ron. Tãããooo Bommm" I spoke it even slower this time to make sure Ron grasped it.
"TJOOOOE BAUUUU!" he tried to repeat it and sounded even funnier and more off this time around. I laugh again.
"Oh this is hilarious!" I punched the couch we're both sitting on as I laughed.
"Alright, forget about the Portuguese lesson!" Ron groaned. "Let's get back to gaming, OK?"
"Fine by me." I chuckled, still a bit amused by Ron's mispronunciation of my language.
At Dr. Drakken's Lab, Drakken was bragging about his scientific genius while Shego just nodded and rolled her eyes after every statement of his. So, business as usual.
Suddenly, something started to glow inside a pod. Both Drakken and Shego looked at it in surprise.
"Wait, what's this?" Drakken raised his eyebrow. "This ancient weapon we found last week is reacting to something."
"How?" Shego asked incredulously. "It's been inside that pod all week."
"It is a mystery, alright." Drakken scratched his chin pensively. "But, regardless, we can now see what it's capable of!" Drakken flashed an evil grin.
"Woopdidoo!" Shego exclaimed sarcastically.
"Shego! Stop being condescending and open the pod!" Drakken ordered her as he pointed at the pod the mysterious weapon was being held in.
"Alright, hold your horses, Dr. D!" Shego sighed and rolled her eyes again. She walked to the pod and pressed the button to open it. The weapon was now free again and hovering in the air while glowing red. Drakken ran up to it and gently picked it up with his hands. The weapon was a large and somewhat heavy hammer.
"Let's see what this baby can do now!" Drakken looked excited.
"Yeah, you're totally going to take over the world with a giant hammer." Shego rolled her eyes yet again. "What, you are going to hammer some nails harder or something?" And now she was frowning at Drakken.
"Bring me some titanium rocks, Shego!" Drakken ordered her, and she complied even if not particularly convinced of whatever this ancient hammer could do. No way a hammer could easily break titanium rocks, right?
Anyway, Shego placed a bunch of titanium rocks on a table in front of Drakken and folded her arms as she waited for him to do what he was about to do. Drakken grinned and took a swing with the hammer, slamming it down on the rocks. Result: the rocks broke into tiny pieces and dust.
"Woah woah, time out!" Shego waved her hands in a bit of shock. "Since where are you that strong, Dr. D?"
"It's not me, Shego!" Drakken grinned. "It's this ancient hammer!"
"How can a hammer be that powerful?" Shego asked incredulously. "What material is it even made of?"
"Steel, duh!" Drakken answered tersely, as if it was obvious.
"No way ordinary steel could do that!" Shego was now raising her voice. "And you know it!"
"Well, the fact it's called an ancient weapon means it's no ordinary hammer." Drakken shrugged.
"So, what is it? A Magic Hammer like the one from Zelda?" Shego rolled her eyes.
"Well, maybe!" Drakken replied defensively. "Who cares, anyway?! We now have a very powerful weapon in our hands!" He held it with one hand and raised it in the air.
"OK, so it's a stronger than average hammer." Shego folded her arms. "But how is that going to help us take over the world? It's not like you can fire a laser beam or cause mass explosions with a hammer."
"Well, for starters, it could help us defeat Kim Possible!" Drakken flashed an evil grin.
"Alright, fair point." Shego said it dryly. "But all it's going to take to defeat Kim Possible is some big ol' hammer?"
"Do you not have any faith in me or something?" Drakken felt offended by Shego's attitude.
"Considering your plans have failed, let's see… 500 times by now, can you blame me?" Shego put her hands on her hips and shot Drakken a defying look.
"Anyway, Shego! This is just the secret weapon."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been working on a plan to take over the world again!"
"Proceed." Shego widened her eyes.
Drakken turned the screen on. Footage of a factory-like building could be seen on it.
"This is a pop factory, Shego!" Drakken exclaimed excitedly.
"That's bad for your teeth, you know." Shego smirked.
"I'm not gonna drink it, Shego!" Drakken cried.
"Then, how do you plan on taking over the world with a pop factory?" Shego folded her arms with a look of amusement on her face. "That's a ludicrous plan, even for you, Dr. D."
"Simple." Drakken cleared his throat. "I'll flood Middleton with pop." He raised his index finger as he explained his latest evil plan to Shego.
"...why not just use water, instead?" Shego asked Drakken dryly.
"Because, Shego, water is not corrosive like pop is!" Drakken flashed his trademark evil grin. "And I've also been developing a substance to make pop even more corrosive than it already is. And no, it doesn't work on water. It cannot make a non-corrosive liquid corrosive, it can only make an already corrosive liquid even more corrosive." He explained.
"Ah, sounds fun!" Shego smirked.
"Basically, people in Middleton will not only have to worry about getting their homes and cars flooded with pop, but also will have to worry about the pop destroying their properties!" Drakken lets out an evil laugh.
It's another school day, and Ron, Kim, Monique and I are hanging out. Monique is a friend of both Kim and Ron who usually wears red and is a big fan of fashion and pro wrestling.
"Monique, this coat is gorgeous!" Kim's eyes opened wide as she looked into the magazine Monique was holding open.
"I told you, girl!" Monique smirked.
"A shame Club Banana doesn't sell it." Kim sighed.
"I know." Monique also sighed.
"Girls and fashion…" I groaned and rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, you're telling me." Ron rolled his eyes as well, as did Rufus.
"Oh, we're boring you guys?" Monique looked at us dryly.
"As if you two would know good fashion." Kim smirked.
"I don't need to know it." I folded my arms. "I don't care about it at all."
"Yeah, we can see that, Rafael." Monique chuckled and Kim also did so. I just rolled my eyes, not letting their comment affect me. I like my heavy metal band hoodies and my video game related hoodies as well. No one can stop me from wearing them ever.
Suddenly, a ringtone went off. I did not recognise it. Looks like it's Kim's. She then pulled out the strangest looking mobile phone I had ever seen.
"What's the sitch, Wade?" Kim asked the strange looking phone as she looked at it.
"Kim." A voice came out of the strange phone. Must have been the Wade guy Kim mentioned. "Drakken and Shego are in the outskirts of Middleton attacking a local pop factory."
"A pop factory?" Kim raised her eyebrow. "Why?"
"I don't know yet. But you and Ron better check it out." Wade warned her.
"Yeah, we can't let Drakken ruin the local pop industry!" Ron clenched his fists.
Kim and Ron nodded and ran away, leaving Monique and I alone.
"What just happened?" I asked, perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Monique raised her eyebrow at me.
"Where are they going?"
"They're going to stop Drakken's latest evil plan, duh!" Monique rolled her eyes, as if she was telling me something obvious.
"Evil plan?! What?!" I was getting more and more perplexed. Just what kind of people were Kim and Ron?!
"Kim is a teen hero who's saved the world countless times, Rafael." Monique stared at me in disbelief. "You didn't know?"
"Oh, wait, so she's literally a teen hero?!" My eyes nearly popped out of my face in realization.
"Yeah, dude." Monique nodded as she smirked at me, amused by my ignorance. "I know you're sorta new here, still, but it looks like you've been rather slow on the uptake."
"Erm…" All I could do now was scratch my head sheepishly. How embarrassing. But, really, who would expect 2 highschool kids to be superheroes who go out to save the world?! I guess that does explain Kim and Ron having a very close friendship. Things were starting to get clearer now.
Kim and Ron entered a van. The driver is a jolly and chubby middle aged man wearing a beanie.
"Thanks for the lift, Mr. Anderson." Kim smiled.
"Oh don't mention it Kim." Mr. Anderson let out a jolly laugh. "It's the least I could do after you helped my shipwrecked crew last spring!"
"Oh, that? No big!" Kim waved her hand, trying to play it down.
"I've almost gotten eaten by a shark!" Ron cried in horror at the memories.
"Shark?" Kim raised her eyebrow. "It was a dolphin, Ron."
"They both have big fins on their backs, OK?" Ron threw his arms up in the air. "It's not like I could tell at first glance."
"And we're here, kids!" Mr. Anderson stopped the van and let Kim and Ron out. Kim waved him goodbye and both her and Ron entered the pop factory.
At the factory, Drakken's henchmen took down the security guards and the factory employees to begin their sabotage in order to flood Middleton with pop. They are dropping the corrosive-raising substance in the pop tank before releasing all the pop in the factory into Middleton.
But, Kim and Ron have arrived and began taking down Drakken's henchmen.
"Kim Possible!" Drakken cried.
"I'll handle Kimmie-cakes!" Shego jumped and landed in front of Kim.
"We meet again, Shego." Kim put on a fighting stance.
"Missed me?" Shego smirked. But Kim did not answer and both girls began fist fighting like always.
"Get her, KP!" Ron cheered in support of Kim. "Guh-huh!" And so did Rufus.
Kim and Shego fought all over the factory for several minutes when Wade called Kim on her Kimmunicator again.
"Wade, I'm busy now." Kim answered as she dodged another one of Shego's strikes.
"Kim, it looks like Drakken put some corrosive-raising substance in the pop tank." Wade warned.
"Corrosive?!" Kim's eyes widened as she spoke with a concerned tone.
"Yes, it could cause a lot of destruction if it increases the corrosive nature of pop tenfold." Wade's expression turned even more serious.
Kim looked to her right and could see the soda in the big tank was acting funny. Clearly it had already been spiked with something from Drakken's henchmen. Then, Drakken pulled down a lever and the tank turned horizontal and the pop began spilling all over the factory and also leaving it. Ron, who was standing on the ground floor, did not jump at first, and as the pop hit his lower body, he was now left in his underwear.
"AH! NOT AGAIN!" Ron covered his underwear with his hands in embarrassment.
"The pop will melt Middleton away!" Drakken let out an evil laugh.
"That's horrible!" Kim cried as she dodged a kick by Shego.
"Yeah? What are you gonna do about it, princess?" Shego sneered.
Kim's expression hardened and she landed a kick in Shego's gut, which tossed her against the wall.
"Ron!" Kim shouted, looking for her friend and partner. "We need to save Middleton!"
"You cannot stop the flooding, Kim Possible!" Drakken announced victoriously. "It's too late!"
"What! You're lying, Drakken!" Kim was now getting angrier.
But Drakken seemed to be telling the truth. Both Ron and Kim could tell all the factory valves were sabotaged and there was no way to stop a single drop of pop from flooding Middleton now. So, all they could do now was head back to Middleton to prevent any further damage.
In Middleton Downtown, the pop washed over the streets and slowly melted the cars and bikes away, and also damaged the road and pavements. The pop also made its way to the suburbs, knocking down trees and melting bushes and yard fences away. And also melting clothes away, of course. Lots of people ended up in a similar situation to Ron's, without shoes and pants. Or even without upper body clothes!
"Come in, Wade!" Kim turned on the Kimmunicator, speaking with a clear sense of urgency.
"Kim, you and Ron need to go to a science lab 3 blocks away to find a formula that can neutralise the highly-corrosive substance that Drakken laced the pop with. It won't stop the flood, but it will make it way less destructive, which should be your priority for now."
"Gotcha, Wade." Kim nodded. "Ron, follow me!" Kim gestured at Ron with her hand. Ron nodded and ran after Kim, following her to whatever she was taking him. Both jumped on an improvised rafter to navigate through the flooded Middleton streets.
"Rufus made this rafter, KP!" Ron pets Rufus proudly.
"You rock, Rufus!" Kim smiled at Rufus.
"Huh-huh!" Rufus squealed happily.
The rafter took the duo… well, trio, down the pop flooded streets of Middleton towards the science lab. Of course, the rafter slowly melted away as it rode the highly corrosive pop, despite it being made of a thick and resistant titanium material. Just as the trio arrived in front of the science lab, they jumped out of the rafter in time as it sunk into the deep pop flood and most likely melted away under it. As Kim and Ron jumped off the rafter, Kim drew her grappling hook, held on to Ron, and fired it at one of the windows of the top floors of the science lab building, pulling both heroes onto the outside of said window.
"Phew, I thought I was gonna turn into Ron-nade!" Ron wiped his sweaty forehead in relief.
Kim just nodded and cut the window glass open. Both her and Ron entered the science lab. They knew they needed to hurry up before the pop would tear down the foundations of the building with them inside it. That or before the water le… pop level could rise all the way up to the top floor with them inside still and melt both teen heroes away. Kim and Ron frantically looked at various formulas and test tubes looking for something that could counter the highly corrosive substance, essentially an anti-corrosive agent. And, of course, Rufus also helped.
"It doesn't seem to be anywhere!" Kim let out a cry in frustration.
"For real!" Ron nodded in agreement as he kept digging into drawers.
"Squeek!" Rufus pointed at test tubes that were filled with liquids that were labeled 'anti-corrosive agents' below them on their shelves.
"Wade, is this it?" Kim held her Kimmunicator in the air, right in front of said shelves to show them to Wade.
"Yes!" Wade nodded. "Now mix them up in order to create a super powerful anti-corrosive agent to lower the corrosion levels of the pop to normal levels."
"Right on!" Kim nodded and got to work, as did Ron.
After they're done carefully mixing up all the anti-corrosive liquids from the test tubes into one large container, it begins acting wild, as if it was boiling.
"It looks like it's going to explode!" Ron held his face with his hands in horror.
"Let's throw it into the pop fast, then!" Kim grabbed the large container, ran over to the nearest window and threw it into the soda flood stream. After it landed in it, it quickly began lowering the anti-corrosive properties of the pop back to normal levels.
"We did it!" Kim and Ron high-fived each other. Kim then took out her Kimmunicator again to contact Wade. "Now what, Wade?"
"Well, I'm afraid now you have to wait until pop stops streaming into Middleton or clean the city of it somehow…" Wade scratches the back of his head a bit defeatingly.
"I think I know how!" Kim smirked, clearly coming up with a good idea. "Follow me, Ron!"
Now it was safe to touch pop again, but nonetheless, the streets were flooded and they couldn't just walk on the pavement yet, so Rufus made a wood rafter this time around. There was no danger of it melting away anymore, after all. Ron and Kim boarded it and Ron decided to put his hand into the pop and drink a little of it.
"Ron!" Kim scolded him. "I can't believe you!"
"Hey, this pop is good stuff, Kim!" Ron smiled.
"But it's dirty from flooding the city!" Kim grimaced a bit and was clearly grossed out that Ron drank a bit of it.
"Hey, pop has never hurt the Ron-man!" Ron said it cockily. And Kim could only roll her eyes.
"Anyway, what's your idea, KP? Where are we going?" Ron asked, confused.
"We need a bunch of tank trucks to suck up all the pop that's flooding Middleton." Kim explained.
"Oh right!" Ron nodded. "That makes sense."
Around 15 minutes later, they reach a parking lot with several tank trucks in the outskirts of Middleton that hasn't been affected by the floods yet.
"Hurry, Ron!" Kim motioned to him. "We each need to set up the hoses to fill in the empty tanks with the pop that will be arriving here anytime soon!"
Ron nodded and they got to work. They finished the job right at the last minute as the stream of pop was about to enter the parking lot. As it did, the hoses sucked it into the several tank trucks. There were about 30 of them parked in the massive parking lot, so they ended up being enough to stop the flood and suck all the pop off the streets of Middleton. The streets were safe to walk on again, even if they were sticky from the overtly sweet pop.
"We did it, KP! BOOYAH!" Ron pumped his fist in the air.
"Uh huh." Kim nodded. "But where did Drakken and Shego go? Are they still at the factory? Let's go!"
At the factory, Drakken was in shock at the live news coverage announcing the flood was over, and it was all thanks to Kim Possible. And not too long after, Kim and Ron entered the factory again for a final showdown with Drakken and Shego.
"Give it up, Drakken! Another one of your evil plans has been foiled!" Kim announced menacingly.
Drakken nearly panics, but then remembers… he still had the secret weapon. The big hammer! He picked it up and posed in front of Kim, holding it in front of him.
"Woah, look out, Kim!" Ron's jaw dropped at the size of the hammer.
Drakken charged and striked with the big hammer, missing Kim, but hitting a wall behind her and knocking it down, not just into pieces, but into dust.
"Woah!" Kim's eyes nearly popped out. "That's no normal hammer…"
"Indeed it isn't, Kim Possible!" Drakken grinned. "It can pulverise even titanium into dust. Imagine how easily it can shatter your bones!"
"AH!" Kim's mouth opened wide in fear. This hammer was trouble indeed. Drakken took another swing, and this one nearly hit Kim.
"Why is it glowing red?" Ron asked.
As Drakken prepared another swing, Kim was faster this time and gave Drakken a jump kick in the face, knocking him behind to the floor, making him drop the hammer.
"Ugh!" Shego facepalmed in frustration. "Leave the fighting to the professionals, Dr. D!"
Ron just couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Like Rafael would say, 'TJOOE BAUUUM'" he shouted happily with a thick American accent, butchering the Portuguese pronunciation of the words 'tão bom' taught to him by Rafael.
"What is that loser sidekick even saying?" Shego rolled her eyes.
Kim was now standing over Drakken. She took a look at the hammer on the floor, and suddenly its red glowing light turned off.
"Huh?" Kim looked at it a bit perplexed. "It was glowing and no longer is it?" She picked it up and scratched her head.
Ron now joined Kim by her side. "That is weird, indeed."
But Shego rushed, knocking Kim down, and now the hammer is in her hands. "Don't party just yet, Kimmie!" she sneered.
"Shego!" Kim groaned in pain as she slowly got up.
Shego then launched at Kim with the hammer in her hands and took a swing at her, slightly missing her. The hammer hits the wall… but doesn't even crack it.
"HUH?!" Shego gasped. "I thought this thing was supposed to be super powerful?!" she looked at it incredulously as she landed on her feet.
"It stopped glowing, Shego!" Drakken cried. "I guess that means its powers have been deactivated!"
"But how and why?" Shego cried back in frustration. "How does this junk even work?!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Ron laughed hard. "This is TJOOOE BAAAU!" He repeated his butchered pronunciation of the Portuguese expression Rafael taught him recently.
And now, suddenly, the hammer is glowing a red light again, much to Shego's and Drakken's positively surprised expressions and Kim's horrified expression.
"Wait, what!" Kim cried with her hand covering her mouth in shock.
"Alright, you're toast!" Shego flashes a smug smirk and takes a quick swing at Kim, nearly missing her by a hair this time. Kim feared for her bones for a precious split second there.
"Why, you!" Shego groaned in frustration at Kim.
"Ron! Say those strange words again!" Kim looked in Ron's direction now.
"What words?" Ron raised his eyebrow.
"The words you said before the hammer began glowing red again!" Kim's face frowned as she nervously shouted in his direction.
"Oh TJOOE BAAAU?" Ron repeated the Portuguese expression again. "Why?"
And the hammer stopped glowing again.
"That's it! Those words activate the hammer!" Kim realised it. "Ron, NEVER say those words again!" Kim ordered him.
"OK! OK! How could two words Rafael taught me have such an effect?!" Ron was now more confused than ever.
"Rafael taught you those words?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"Yes! He told me it was a Portuguese expression!" Ron explained it.
Just as the two heroes were distracted arguing, Shego and Drakken escaped on their spaceship, leaving our heroes alone in the empty and damaged pop factory.
"Ugh!" Kim groaned in frustration. "They got away, again!"
"Well, at least they didn't take the hammer." Ron pointed at it lying on the floor.
"You're right, Ron." Kim slowly walked to it and gently picked it up. "We need to take this to an expert to tell us what kind of weapon this is. Seems like an ancient sort of weapon.
"Like Thor's hammer?" Ron smiled.
"I don't think so, no…" Kim shook her head. "I don't see anything that could be related to Norse mythology here.
Next day, in school, I ran up to Kim and Ron as soon as I saw them.
"I saw you guys on the news!" I quickly spoke. "You two really saved Middleton!"
"Hey, that's just what we do, man!" Ron smirked proudly.
"Yeah, so not the drama, Rafael." Kim waved her hand, trying to make it look less of a big deal than it was.
"So you two are literal teen heroes? Crazy!" I looked at both Kim and Ron in awe.
"Pretty cool, huh!" Ron's smirk was now getting more smug.
"By the way, Rafael." Kim now looked at me with a serious look on her face.
"Yeah?" I raised my eyebrow. What could Kim possibly want to tell me?
"Ron told me you taught him some Portuguese words recently." she folded her arms as she looked at me, almost as if she was studying me.
I looked up at her for a few seconds trying to remember what she could possibly be referring to and then I remembered it. "Oh yeah, I did. Why?"
"What exactly did you teach him to say?" Kim pressed.
"Nothing naughty!" I waved my hands defensively. "Just a regular expression: Tão bom. It simply means 'so good'. I was complimenting his mother's chocolate cookies, because they're delicious. Ever tasted them, Kim?"
"Oh yeah, I did. They are delicious." Kim smiled. "But wait, could you pronounce that again?"
"Tão bom?" I raised my eyebrow as I slowly repeated the two words to her.
"Those two words seemed to activate an ancient hammer weapon whenever Ron said them." Kim's eyes widened.
"Oh, that's because he butchered the pronunciation completely!" I laughed. "For all I know he might have said something supernatural in Sumerian or something."
"Hey! Not my fault Portuguese is a pain to pronounce!" Ron folded his arms in annoyance.
"Well, then don't say those 2 words ever again, Ron!" Kim warned him sternly.
I now smiled and remembered something that I knew I would regret, but it's worth it. "By the way." I smirked.
"Hum?" Kim looked at me again, this time a quizzical look on her face.
"There's also a feminine version of that expression. 'Tão boa'." I explained mischievously.
"Right, a lot of languages are different from English, having gendered nouns." Kim smiled, not realising what point I was trying to make here.
"Well, yeah, and Kim, you are tão boa, I must say" I smirked naughtily.
"I am so good? I know I am, but thanks, anyway." Kim shrugged.
"Wait, Rafael." Ron interjected. "Didn't you tell me the feminine version of the expression also had another meaning to it?"
"It does? What?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"Well…" I tried to spit it out but I couldn't find the guts to say it, but Ron clearly being the blabbermouth he is, was about to break it.
"KP, Rafael just said to you in Portuguese that you are 'so hot' or 'so fine'." Ron explained it nonchalantly.
"Oh yeah?!" Kim blinked fast in surprise and looked at me now with a slightly tense expression on her face. "Is that so, Rafael?"
"Well… yeah…" I began sweating.
"Say that again." Kim ordered me dryly.
"Why…?" I was a bit scared now. And for good reason, since Kim was now holding her backpack with one hand only and giving me a bit of an evil look.
"Is that a way to talk to a girl?" Kim raised her arm and I began running for my life as she ran after me throughout the school halls.
"I'm sorry!" I cried as I kept running away from Kim.
"No! No!" Kim kept a stern look on her face as she chased after me. "Tell me how hot I am, to my face again! Now in English!"
And Kim chased me down for a while until I reached a dead end and suffered the wrath of getting smacked in the head.
We then decided to take a break and snack on some cookies.
"Man, Smash Bros. is so fun!" Ron exclaimed as he took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie.
"I told you." I chuckled before I took a bite of my cookie. "Hum, these cookies are great!"
"My mum made them!" Ron grinned proudly. "She makes the best cookies in Middleton!"
"I believe you." I nodded. "Can't remember the last time I ate such good homemade cookies."
We kept on snacking and loving every bite of Ron's mum's cookies. I ended up letting out something in Portuguese: "Tão bom!"
"Huh?" Ron looked at me. "Did you say something, dude?"
"Oh, I blurted out something in Portuguese." I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"Nothing nasty, I hope." Ron smirked, giving me a naughty look.
"Haha no!" I quickly denied it a bit defensively. "I just said 'so good!'"
"I told you. These cookies are the bomb!"
"Indeed they are."
"Anyway, maybe you can teach me some Portuguese, Rafael." Ron snapped his fingers, as if he had a brilliant idea.
"Oh…" I looked at him a bit surprised at his request. "I dunno, Ron. I'm not a teacher…"
"Right, that's your mum." Ron remembered. "Just repeat what you said a little while ago and I'll try to pronounce it."
"Oh, alright." I shrugged. "Tão bom!" I repeated it slowly.
"TOOW BON!" Ron said it in a funny way and I nearly choked on my cookie laughing.
"Dude, that's not how you pronounce 'tão' hahah!"
"Hey, now!" Ron starts acting defensively. "Foreign languages should be easier to pronounce. It's not fair!" and he folded his arms in annoyance.
"Pay attention, Ron. Tãããooo Bommm" I spoke it even slower this time to make sure Ron grasped it.
"TJOOOOE BAUUUU!" he tried to repeat it and sounded even funnier and more off this time around. I laugh again.
"Oh this is hilarious!" I punched the couch we're both sitting on as I laughed.
"Alright, forget about the Portuguese lesson!" Ron groaned. "Let's get back to gaming, OK?"
"Fine by me." I chuckled, still a bit amused by Ron's mispronunciation of my language.
At Dr. Drakken's Lab, Drakken was bragging about his scientific genius while Shego just nodded and rolled her eyes after every statement of his. So, business as usual.
Suddenly, something started to glow inside a pod. Both Drakken and Shego looked at it in surprise.
"Wait, what's this?" Drakken raised his eyebrow. "This ancient weapon we found last week is reacting to something."
"How?" Shego asked incredulously. "It's been inside that pod all week."
"It is a mystery, alright." Drakken scratched his chin pensively. "But, regardless, we can now see what it's capable of!" Drakken flashed an evil grin.
"Woopdidoo!" Shego exclaimed sarcastically.
"Shego! Stop being condescending and open the pod!" Drakken ordered her as he pointed at the pod the mysterious weapon was being held in.
"Alright, hold your horses, Dr. D!" Shego sighed and rolled her eyes again. She walked to the pod and pressed the button to open it. The weapon was now free again and hovering in the air while glowing red. Drakken ran up to it and gently picked it up with his hands. The weapon was a large and somewhat heavy hammer.
"Let's see what this baby can do now!" Drakken looked excited.
"Yeah, you're totally going to take over the world with a giant hammer." Shego rolled her eyes yet again. "What, you are going to hammer some nails harder or something?" And now she was frowning at Drakken.
"Bring me some titanium rocks, Shego!" Drakken ordered her, and she complied even if not particularly convinced of whatever this ancient hammer could do. No way a hammer could easily break titanium rocks, right?
Anyway, Shego placed a bunch of titanium rocks on a table in front of Drakken and folded her arms as she waited for him to do what he was about to do. Drakken grinned and took a swing with the hammer, slamming it down on the rocks. Result: the rocks broke into tiny pieces and dust.
"Woah woah, time out!" Shego waved her hands in a bit of shock. "Since where are you that strong, Dr. D?"
"It's not me, Shego!" Drakken grinned. "It's this ancient hammer!"
"How can a hammer be that powerful?" Shego asked incredulously. "What material is it even made of?"
"Steel, duh!" Drakken answered tersely, as if it was obvious.
"No way ordinary steel could do that!" Shego was now raising her voice. "And you know it!"
"Well, the fact it's called an ancient weapon means it's no ordinary hammer." Drakken shrugged.
"So, what is it? A Magic Hammer like the one from Zelda?" Shego rolled her eyes.
"Well, maybe!" Drakken replied defensively. "Who cares, anyway?! We now have a very powerful weapon in our hands!" He held it with one hand and raised it in the air.
"OK, so it's a stronger than average hammer." Shego folded her arms. "But how is that going to help us take over the world? It's not like you can fire a laser beam or cause mass explosions with a hammer."
"Well, for starters, it could help us defeat Kim Possible!" Drakken flashed an evil grin.
"Alright, fair point." Shego said it dryly. "But all it's going to take to defeat Kim Possible is some big ol' hammer?"
"Do you not have any faith in me or something?" Drakken felt offended by Shego's attitude.
"Considering your plans have failed, let's see… 500 times by now, can you blame me?" Shego put her hands on her hips and shot Drakken a defying look.
"Anyway, Shego! This is just the secret weapon."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been working on a plan to take over the world again!"
"Proceed." Shego widened her eyes.
Drakken turned the screen on. Footage of a factory-like building could be seen on it.
"This is a pop factory, Shego!" Drakken exclaimed excitedly.
"That's bad for your teeth, you know." Shego smirked.
"I'm not gonna drink it, Shego!" Drakken cried.
"Then, how do you plan on taking over the world with a pop factory?" Shego folded her arms with a look of amusement on her face. "That's a ludicrous plan, even for you, Dr. D."
"Simple." Drakken cleared his throat. "I'll flood Middleton with pop." He raised his index finger as he explained his latest evil plan to Shego.
"...why not just use water, instead?" Shego asked Drakken dryly.
"Because, Shego, water is not corrosive like pop is!" Drakken flashed his trademark evil grin. "And I've also been developing a substance to make pop even more corrosive than it already is. And no, it doesn't work on water. It cannot make a non-corrosive liquid corrosive, it can only make an already corrosive liquid even more corrosive." He explained.
"Ah, sounds fun!" Shego smirked.
"Basically, people in Middleton will not only have to worry about getting their homes and cars flooded with pop, but also will have to worry about the pop destroying their properties!" Drakken lets out an evil laugh.
It's another school day, and Ron, Kim, Monique and I are hanging out. Monique is a friend of both Kim and Ron who usually wears red and is a big fan of fashion and pro wrestling.
"Monique, this coat is gorgeous!" Kim's eyes opened wide as she looked into the magazine Monique was holding open.
"I told you, girl!" Monique smirked.
"A shame Club Banana doesn't sell it." Kim sighed.
"I know." Monique also sighed.
"Girls and fashion…" I groaned and rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, you're telling me." Ron rolled his eyes as well, as did Rufus.
"Oh, we're boring you guys?" Monique looked at us dryly.
"As if you two would know good fashion." Kim smirked.
"I don't need to know it." I folded my arms. "I don't care about it at all."
"Yeah, we can see that, Rafael." Monique chuckled and Kim also did so. I just rolled my eyes, not letting their comment affect me. I like my heavy metal band hoodies and my video game related hoodies as well. No one can stop me from wearing them ever.
Suddenly, a ringtone went off. I did not recognise it. Looks like it's Kim's. She then pulled out the strangest looking mobile phone I had ever seen.
"What's the sitch, Wade?" Kim asked the strange looking phone as she looked at it.
"Kim." A voice came out of the strange phone. Must have been the Wade guy Kim mentioned. "Drakken and Shego are in the outskirts of Middleton attacking a local pop factory."
"A pop factory?" Kim raised her eyebrow. "Why?"
"I don't know yet. But you and Ron better check it out." Wade warned her.
"Yeah, we can't let Drakken ruin the local pop industry!" Ron clenched his fists.
Kim and Ron nodded and ran away, leaving Monique and I alone.
"What just happened?" I asked, perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Monique raised her eyebrow at me.
"Where are they going?"
"They're going to stop Drakken's latest evil plan, duh!" Monique rolled her eyes, as if she was telling me something obvious.
"Evil plan?! What?!" I was getting more and more perplexed. Just what kind of people were Kim and Ron?!
"Kim is a teen hero who's saved the world countless times, Rafael." Monique stared at me in disbelief. "You didn't know?"
"Oh, wait, so she's literally a teen hero?!" My eyes nearly popped out of my face in realization.
"Yeah, dude." Monique nodded as she smirked at me, amused by my ignorance. "I know you're sorta new here, still, but it looks like you've been rather slow on the uptake."
"Erm…" All I could do now was scratch my head sheepishly. How embarrassing. But, really, who would expect 2 highschool kids to be superheroes who go out to save the world?! I guess that does explain Kim and Ron having a very close friendship. Things were starting to get clearer now.
Kim and Ron entered a van. The driver is a jolly and chubby middle aged man wearing a beanie.
"Thanks for the lift, Mr. Anderson." Kim smiled.
"Oh don't mention it Kim." Mr. Anderson let out a jolly laugh. "It's the least I could do after you helped my shipwrecked crew last spring!"
"Oh, that? No big!" Kim waved her hand, trying to play it down.
"I've almost gotten eaten by a shark!" Ron cried in horror at the memories.
"Shark?" Kim raised her eyebrow. "It was a dolphin, Ron."
"They both have big fins on their backs, OK?" Ron threw his arms up in the air. "It's not like I could tell at first glance."
"And we're here, kids!" Mr. Anderson stopped the van and let Kim and Ron out. Kim waved him goodbye and both her and Ron entered the pop factory.
At the factory, Drakken's henchmen took down the security guards and the factory employees to begin their sabotage in order to flood Middleton with pop. They are dropping the corrosive-raising substance in the pop tank before releasing all the pop in the factory into Middleton.
But, Kim and Ron have arrived and began taking down Drakken's henchmen.
"Kim Possible!" Drakken cried.
"I'll handle Kimmie-cakes!" Shego jumped and landed in front of Kim.
"We meet again, Shego." Kim put on a fighting stance.
"Missed me?" Shego smirked. But Kim did not answer and both girls began fist fighting like always.
"Get her, KP!" Ron cheered in support of Kim. "Guh-huh!" And so did Rufus.
Kim and Shego fought all over the factory for several minutes when Wade called Kim on her Kimmunicator again.
"Wade, I'm busy now." Kim answered as she dodged another one of Shego's strikes.
"Kim, it looks like Drakken put some corrosive-raising substance in the pop tank." Wade warned.
"Corrosive?!" Kim's eyes widened as she spoke with a concerned tone.
"Yes, it could cause a lot of destruction if it increases the corrosive nature of pop tenfold." Wade's expression turned even more serious.
Kim looked to her right and could see the soda in the big tank was acting funny. Clearly it had already been spiked with something from Drakken's henchmen. Then, Drakken pulled down a lever and the tank turned horizontal and the pop began spilling all over the factory and also leaving it. Ron, who was standing on the ground floor, did not jump at first, and as the pop hit his lower body, he was now left in his underwear.
"AH! NOT AGAIN!" Ron covered his underwear with his hands in embarrassment.
"The pop will melt Middleton away!" Drakken let out an evil laugh.
"That's horrible!" Kim cried as she dodged a kick by Shego.
"Yeah? What are you gonna do about it, princess?" Shego sneered.
Kim's expression hardened and she landed a kick in Shego's gut, which tossed her against the wall.
"Ron!" Kim shouted, looking for her friend and partner. "We need to save Middleton!"
"You cannot stop the flooding, Kim Possible!" Drakken announced victoriously. "It's too late!"
"What! You're lying, Drakken!" Kim was now getting angrier.
But Drakken seemed to be telling the truth. Both Ron and Kim could tell all the factory valves were sabotaged and there was no way to stop a single drop of pop from flooding Middleton now. So, all they could do now was head back to Middleton to prevent any further damage.
In Middleton Downtown, the pop washed over the streets and slowly melted the cars and bikes away, and also damaged the road and pavements. The pop also made its way to the suburbs, knocking down trees and melting bushes and yard fences away. And also melting clothes away, of course. Lots of people ended up in a similar situation to Ron's, without shoes and pants. Or even without upper body clothes!
"Come in, Wade!" Kim turned on the Kimmunicator, speaking with a clear sense of urgency.
"Kim, you and Ron need to go to a science lab 3 blocks away to find a formula that can neutralise the highly-corrosive substance that Drakken laced the pop with. It won't stop the flood, but it will make it way less destructive, which should be your priority for now."
"Gotcha, Wade." Kim nodded. "Ron, follow me!" Kim gestured at Ron with her hand. Ron nodded and ran after Kim, following her to whatever she was taking him. Both jumped on an improvised rafter to navigate through the flooded Middleton streets.
"Rufus made this rafter, KP!" Ron pets Rufus proudly.
"You rock, Rufus!" Kim smiled at Rufus.
"Huh-huh!" Rufus squealed happily.
The rafter took the duo… well, trio, down the pop flooded streets of Middleton towards the science lab. Of course, the rafter slowly melted away as it rode the highly corrosive pop, despite it being made of a thick and resistant titanium material. Just as the trio arrived in front of the science lab, they jumped out of the rafter in time as it sunk into the deep pop flood and most likely melted away under it. As Kim and Ron jumped off the rafter, Kim drew her grappling hook, held on to Ron, and fired it at one of the windows of the top floors of the science lab building, pulling both heroes onto the outside of said window.
"Phew, I thought I was gonna turn into Ron-nade!" Ron wiped his sweaty forehead in relief.
Kim just nodded and cut the window glass open. Both her and Ron entered the science lab. They knew they needed to hurry up before the pop would tear down the foundations of the building with them inside it. That or before the water le… pop level could rise all the way up to the top floor with them inside still and melt both teen heroes away. Kim and Ron frantically looked at various formulas and test tubes looking for something that could counter the highly corrosive substance, essentially an anti-corrosive agent. And, of course, Rufus also helped.
"It doesn't seem to be anywhere!" Kim let out a cry in frustration.
"For real!" Ron nodded in agreement as he kept digging into drawers.
"Squeek!" Rufus pointed at test tubes that were filled with liquids that were labeled 'anti-corrosive agents' below them on their shelves.
"Wade, is this it?" Kim held her Kimmunicator in the air, right in front of said shelves to show them to Wade.
"Yes!" Wade nodded. "Now mix them up in order to create a super powerful anti-corrosive agent to lower the corrosion levels of the pop to normal levels."
"Right on!" Kim nodded and got to work, as did Ron.
After they're done carefully mixing up all the anti-corrosive liquids from the test tubes into one large container, it begins acting wild, as if it was boiling.
"It looks like it's going to explode!" Ron held his face with his hands in horror.
"Let's throw it into the pop fast, then!" Kim grabbed the large container, ran over to the nearest window and threw it into the soda flood stream. After it landed in it, it quickly began lowering the anti-corrosive properties of the pop back to normal levels.
"We did it!" Kim and Ron high-fived each other. Kim then took out her Kimmunicator again to contact Wade. "Now what, Wade?"
"Well, I'm afraid now you have to wait until pop stops streaming into Middleton or clean the city of it somehow…" Wade scratches the back of his head a bit defeatingly.
"I think I know how!" Kim smirked, clearly coming up with a good idea. "Follow me, Ron!"
Now it was safe to touch pop again, but nonetheless, the streets were flooded and they couldn't just walk on the pavement yet, so Rufus made a wood rafter this time around. There was no danger of it melting away anymore, after all. Ron and Kim boarded it and Ron decided to put his hand into the pop and drink a little of it.
"Ron!" Kim scolded him. "I can't believe you!"
"Hey, this pop is good stuff, Kim!" Ron smiled.
"But it's dirty from flooding the city!" Kim grimaced a bit and was clearly grossed out that Ron drank a bit of it.
"Hey, pop has never hurt the Ron-man!" Ron said it cockily. And Kim could only roll her eyes.
"Anyway, what's your idea, KP? Where are we going?" Ron asked, confused.
"We need a bunch of tank trucks to suck up all the pop that's flooding Middleton." Kim explained.
"Oh right!" Ron nodded. "That makes sense."
Around 15 minutes later, they reach a parking lot with several tank trucks in the outskirts of Middleton that hasn't been affected by the floods yet.
"Hurry, Ron!" Kim motioned to him. "We each need to set up the hoses to fill in the empty tanks with the pop that will be arriving here anytime soon!"
Ron nodded and they got to work. They finished the job right at the last minute as the stream of pop was about to enter the parking lot. As it did, the hoses sucked it into the several tank trucks. There were about 30 of them parked in the massive parking lot, so they ended up being enough to stop the flood and suck all the pop off the streets of Middleton. The streets were safe to walk on again, even if they were sticky from the overtly sweet pop.
"We did it, KP! BOOYAH!" Ron pumped his fist in the air.
"Uh huh." Kim nodded. "But where did Drakken and Shego go? Are they still at the factory? Let's go!"
At the factory, Drakken was in shock at the live news coverage announcing the flood was over, and it was all thanks to Kim Possible. And not too long after, Kim and Ron entered the factory again for a final showdown with Drakken and Shego.
"Give it up, Drakken! Another one of your evil plans has been foiled!" Kim announced menacingly.
Drakken nearly panics, but then remembers… he still had the secret weapon. The big hammer! He picked it up and posed in front of Kim, holding it in front of him.
"Woah, look out, Kim!" Ron's jaw dropped at the size of the hammer.
Drakken charged and striked with the big hammer, missing Kim, but hitting a wall behind her and knocking it down, not just into pieces, but into dust.
"Woah!" Kim's eyes nearly popped out. "That's no normal hammer…"
"Indeed it isn't, Kim Possible!" Drakken grinned. "It can pulverise even titanium into dust. Imagine how easily it can shatter your bones!"
"AH!" Kim's mouth opened wide in fear. This hammer was trouble indeed. Drakken took another swing, and this one nearly hit Kim.
"Why is it glowing red?" Ron asked.
As Drakken prepared another swing, Kim was faster this time and gave Drakken a jump kick in the face, knocking him behind to the floor, making him drop the hammer.
"Ugh!" Shego facepalmed in frustration. "Leave the fighting to the professionals, Dr. D!"
Ron just couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Like Rafael would say, 'TJOOE BAUUUM'" he shouted happily with a thick American accent, butchering the Portuguese pronunciation of the words 'tão bom' taught to him by Rafael.
"What is that loser sidekick even saying?" Shego rolled her eyes.
Kim was now standing over Drakken. She took a look at the hammer on the floor, and suddenly its red glowing light turned off.
"Huh?" Kim looked at it a bit perplexed. "It was glowing and no longer is it?" She picked it up and scratched her head.
Ron now joined Kim by her side. "That is weird, indeed."
But Shego rushed, knocking Kim down, and now the hammer is in her hands. "Don't party just yet, Kimmie!" she sneered.
"Shego!" Kim groaned in pain as she slowly got up.
Shego then launched at Kim with the hammer in her hands and took a swing at her, slightly missing her. The hammer hits the wall… but doesn't even crack it.
"HUH?!" Shego gasped. "I thought this thing was supposed to be super powerful?!" she looked at it incredulously as she landed on her feet.
"It stopped glowing, Shego!" Drakken cried. "I guess that means its powers have been deactivated!"
"But how and why?" Shego cried back in frustration. "How does this junk even work?!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Ron laughed hard. "This is TJOOOE BAAAU!" He repeated his butchered pronunciation of the Portuguese expression Rafael taught him recently.
And now, suddenly, the hammer is glowing a red light again, much to Shego's and Drakken's positively surprised expressions and Kim's horrified expression.
"Wait, what!" Kim cried with her hand covering her mouth in shock.
"Alright, you're toast!" Shego flashes a smug smirk and takes a quick swing at Kim, nearly missing her by a hair this time. Kim feared for her bones for a precious split second there.
"Why, you!" Shego groaned in frustration at Kim.
"Ron! Say those strange words again!" Kim looked in Ron's direction now.
"What words?" Ron raised his eyebrow.
"The words you said before the hammer began glowing red again!" Kim's face frowned as she nervously shouted in his direction.
"Oh TJOOE BAAAU?" Ron repeated the Portuguese expression again. "Why?"
And the hammer stopped glowing again.
"That's it! Those words activate the hammer!" Kim realised it. "Ron, NEVER say those words again!" Kim ordered him.
"OK! OK! How could two words Rafael taught me have such an effect?!" Ron was now more confused than ever.
"Rafael taught you those words?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"Yes! He told me it was a Portuguese expression!" Ron explained it.
Just as the two heroes were distracted arguing, Shego and Drakken escaped on their spaceship, leaving our heroes alone in the empty and damaged pop factory.
"Ugh!" Kim groaned in frustration. "They got away, again!"
"Well, at least they didn't take the hammer." Ron pointed at it lying on the floor.
"You're right, Ron." Kim slowly walked to it and gently picked it up. "We need to take this to an expert to tell us what kind of weapon this is. Seems like an ancient sort of weapon.
"Like Thor's hammer?" Ron smiled.
"I don't think so, no…" Kim shook her head. "I don't see anything that could be related to Norse mythology here.
Next day, in school, I ran up to Kim and Ron as soon as I saw them.
"I saw you guys on the news!" I quickly spoke. "You two really saved Middleton!"
"Hey, that's just what we do, man!" Ron smirked proudly.
"Yeah, so not the drama, Rafael." Kim waved her hand, trying to make it look less of a big deal than it was.
"So you two are literal teen heroes? Crazy!" I looked at both Kim and Ron in awe.
"Pretty cool, huh!" Ron's smirk was now getting more smug.
"By the way, Rafael." Kim now looked at me with a serious look on her face.
"Yeah?" I raised my eyebrow. What could Kim possibly want to tell me?
"Ron told me you taught him some Portuguese words recently." she folded her arms as she looked at me, almost as if she was studying me.
I looked up at her for a few seconds trying to remember what she could possibly be referring to and then I remembered it. "Oh yeah, I did. Why?"
"What exactly did you teach him to say?" Kim pressed.
"Nothing naughty!" I waved my hands defensively. "Just a regular expression: Tão bom. It simply means 'so good'. I was complimenting his mother's chocolate cookies, because they're delicious. Ever tasted them, Kim?"
"Oh yeah, I did. They are delicious." Kim smiled. "But wait, could you pronounce that again?"
"Tão bom?" I raised my eyebrow as I slowly repeated the two words to her.
"Those two words seemed to activate an ancient hammer weapon whenever Ron said them." Kim's eyes widened.
"Oh, that's because he butchered the pronunciation completely!" I laughed. "For all I know he might have said something supernatural in Sumerian or something."
"Hey! Not my fault Portuguese is a pain to pronounce!" Ron folded his arms in annoyance.
"Well, then don't say those 2 words ever again, Ron!" Kim warned him sternly.
I now smiled and remembered something that I knew I would regret, but it's worth it. "By the way." I smirked.
"Hum?" Kim looked at me again, this time a quizzical look on her face.
"There's also a feminine version of that expression. 'Tão boa'." I explained mischievously.
"Right, a lot of languages are different from English, having gendered nouns." Kim smiled, not realising what point I was trying to make here.
"Well, yeah, and Kim, you are tão boa, I must say" I smirked naughtily.
"I am so good? I know I am, but thanks, anyway." Kim shrugged.
"Wait, Rafael." Ron interjected. "Didn't you tell me the feminine version of the expression also had another meaning to it?"
"It does? What?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"Well…" I tried to spit it out but I couldn't find the guts to say it, but Ron clearly being the blabbermouth he is, was about to break it.
"KP, Rafael just said to you in Portuguese that you are 'so hot' or 'so fine'." Ron explained it nonchalantly.
"Oh yeah?!" Kim blinked fast in surprise and looked at me now with a slightly tense expression on her face. "Is that so, Rafael?"
"Well… yeah…" I began sweating.
"Say that again." Kim ordered me dryly.
"Why…?" I was a bit scared now. And for good reason, since Kim was now holding her backpack with one hand only and giving me a bit of an evil look.
"Is that a way to talk to a girl?" Kim raised her arm and I began running for my life as she ran after me throughout the school halls.
"I'm sorry!" I cried as I kept running away from Kim.
"No! No!" Kim kept a stern look on her face as she chased after me. "Tell me how hot I am, to my face again! Now in English!"
And Kim chased me down for a while until I reached a dead end and suffered the wrath of getting smacked in the head.