A short Kay fanfic where Kay finally realizes that that she learned from the best. I Learned From The Best BY: NYKKY jocenicole@excite.com Inspired by the Whitney Houston song with the same title written by Diane Warren for Realsongs (ASCAP) on her album my love is your love. DISCLAIMER: the characters mentioned in the story don’t belong to me but to NBC and Passions. I’m borrowing them for the purposes of this story so don’t sue me because I have stated that they don’t belong to me and I really am not trying to claim them. Besides I have NO money. Kay sat at home listening to her radio. It is a beautiful spring afternoon. Yet for her the day represents another moment without the man of her dreams. She has a gloomy look in her eyes. She is wishing that she could just move passed the fact that her best friend, without thought, replaced her for a cousin he barely knows. She shifts in her seat just as a song by Whitney Houston comes on. She normally doesn’t listen to her but something about the song reminded her of her own life. Two days ago, Miguel came over to talk with her and she told him to literally f--- off. Both of them were so surprised by her comment. However, Kay didn’t care. She finally said what she wanted to say to him for months. Miguel asked her why she said that and she told him: “Because I am tired of being this person you run to every time Charity and you have problems. I am tired of how you have no problem with hurting me as long as Charity is free of pain.” Miguel stares at her, “Look Kay I don’t know what you mean but I would never hurt you.” “Really Miguel? Well tell me something. When was the last time you spent any time with me?” “Kay you know the reason for that. Charity needs me right now. She is going through a rough time…” “Right. Kay the resilient will understand. Well, I don’t so why don’t you just get the hell away from me. I’m finished trying to save a friendship that you don’t even care about.” “Kay that’s not true. I do care about our friendship…” “No you don’t you selfish…You only care about Charity and nothing else matters to you. If it isn’t related to her then it is insignificant. Well everyone else can play second fiddle to her but not me. Not anymore. So why don’t you and that darn cousin of mine go to hell and out of my life. I’m tired of being hurt by you.” “Kay, why would you say that? How can you hurt me by saying that I don’t care?” “Because you don’t.” She walked away. Listening to the song, Kay began to hum feeling the empowerment that comes from the struggle the person in the song went through. After the song ended, Kay jumped off the stool and went to the music store and bought the single. ************************************************************************ Three months later, there is going to be a variety show and dance at the youth center. Kay has moved on with her life and tried to be there for her friend Simone who found out that Chad is her brother. The whole town was shocked and the news almost destroyed the family. However, with Chad’s help, Eve and TC ended up staying together and they see a marriage counselor. Now, though things are still strained between the Russells and Chad, they accept him more than the Cranes. Simone, Chad, and Kay became best friends and started hanging out. Although Kay is single she is actually happier since she walked away from Miguel that day. A couple of weeks ago, Miguel tried to talk to her but she refused to say anything more than a hello. Simone and Kay are trying to decide what to do for the variety show when Simone mentions Miguel. “You know he misses you a lot. When he thinks no one is looking, I catch him watching you like Reese use to.” “So what,” said Kay, “He made his choice and I made mine. Beside I don’t want to discuss him right now. We have to come up with an act.” “You aren’t even curious about him?” “No. Can we please talk about something else?” “Sure, how about…” An hour later they came up with an idea and put it into motion. ************************************************************************ Miguel is over the Bennett’s House half listening the Charity about her idea for the variety show. His mind is drifting to Kay. He kept wondering about her recently. He wanted to know what is happening in her life but she just ignores him. She speaks to him in the halls at school and sometimes she hangs out with him and others at the book café. Most of the time, she isn’t anywhere near. He turns his attention back to Charity and smiles. He really didn’t care what she did. He just wanted her to shut up. The thought brought a frown to his face. He quickly got rid of it but he wondered why he felt so annoyed by Charity’s talking. After she excused herself, Miguel went into the kitchen. Jessica is sitting at the kitchen table reading a book of poetry. “Hey Miguel.” “Hey Jess. What are you doing?” “I trying to pick out a poem to recite for the variety show. It has to be something with high dramatic content.” “I’m sure you’ll find something,” he falls silent and then he says, “How’s Kay?” Jessica buries her head a little deeper in her book and mumbles that she is fine. “Good. I’m glad,” Miguel shifts nervously for another moment then he takes a seat in front of Jessica. “Jessica, can you tell me why Kay hasn’t really spoken to me in months?” “Nope, sure can’t, have no idea,” she said rapidly and tried to get up from her seat. Miguel grabs her wrist and holds her. “Jessica, tell me. Why is Kay so angry with me for being with Charity? Why doesn’t she want to talk to me?’ Jessica sighs and then says, “Because she loves you Miguel. She has loved you for a while and you chose Charity over her. Now let me go.” Miguel releases her wrist and watches her go upstairs. A few seconds later Kay comes in through the back door. She spots Miguel and turns quickly to leave the kitchen. “Kay, stop. Please,” he said. Kay keeps her back to him, “What do you want Miguel?” “I want to apologize for not respecting your feelings, especially you feelings for me…and us.” Kay turns slowly and stares at him. Then she whispers, “It doesn’t matter now.” “Of course it does, why would say that?” “Because it doesn’t matter. You don’t have feelings for me,” she lowers her head. Miguel starts to walk over to her but hesitates. Instead he says, “How do you know?” Kay looks up, “Do you?” Before he thought about it he said, “Yes. Yes, I do. I miss you.” Just then Charity came into the kitchen. “Hey Kay” she smiles brightly. Kay ignores her. Her face becomes stony, “That’s too bad isn’t it Miguel because I don’t care.” She left the room but not before noting the pained expression on Miguel’s face. Charity looks at Miguel confused, “What was that all about?” “Nothing,” said Miguel as the pain seared through his chest. He turns and leaves the kitchen with Charity on his heels. Upstairs, Kay calls Simone. “Simone? Yeah it’s me, Kay. Listen, there is going to be a change in plans…” ************************************************************************ The night of the Variety show, the Youth Center is packed. There is a stage set up in under a basketball basket near the locker room. There are three steps that lead up to the stage. Once everyone arrived, there is only enough room for the DJ stand to the right of the stage. Performers came in from the left of the stage. Everyone is listening and watching performers show off his or her best skills. Tonight is one of the best programs that the Youth Center has given. Miguel is standing by Charity who performed earlier. She did a song on the piano. It was pretty and the response to it was enormous. After a while though Miguel began to look for Kay. He thought she hadn’t showed up but then Luis announced the next performer. “Our next performance is by Kay Bennett. She is singing a Whitney Houston song. So put your hands together for Ms. Kay Bennett.” He claps and so does everyone else. Miguel leans over to Charity “Do you know what she is doing?” “I didn’t even know she was going to be in it?” she said with a shrug. Kay steps forward in a tight silver dress that goes down to her ankles. The slits on either side of the dress are up to her thigh. The front of the dress is scooped, tied around her neck and the back is exposed down to her lower back. She has on silver heels, crystal tear drop earrings, and her hair is up in an elaborate bun. She only wears a hint of make-up. The music comes on, the lights turn up, and Kay is on the stage sitting on a stool, exposing her long left leg. Miguel is mesmerized. Then she begins singing, slowly swaying in the seat but her eyes are closed. “Did you really think that I would really take you back Let you back in my heart one more time Ooh no no” Her eyes slowly open and searchers for him. “Did you think that I’d still care That there’d be more feeling there Did you think you could walk back in my life” Just before the chorus hits, Kay gets up and begins to walk slowly around the stool. “So you found you miss the love you threw away” She pretends to throw something away. Then she walks in front of the stool. “Baby but you found it out too late Too late” She walks to the side of the stage and heads down the steps slowly and walks to the front of the stage. “And so you know the way it feels to cry The way that I cried when you broke my world in two” When she reaches the from of the stage, she raises her hand and points at Miguel who is visible to her, singing: “Baby I learned the way to break a heart I learned from the best I learned from you” She turns hand over like she is offering it to him and tilts her head a bit as she continues. “Oh baby now I learned from you” Her hand drops and she slowly starts walking through the crowd. “I remember cold nights Tears I though would never dry How you shattered my world With your goodbye” She walks through the crowd and they part like the Red Sea. “Your goodbye baby Would’ve sold my soul then Just to have you back again Now you’re the last thing on my mind” She is almost in front of Miguel. Everyone is steadily moving back. “Now you say your sorry and You’ve changed your ways” She is now three feet in front of him. “Sorry but you changed you ways too late” She steps closer as she sings the chorus. “And so you know the way it feels to cry The way that I cried when you broke my world in two” She is gazing in his eyes, singing to him and Miguel stands before her stunned. “Baby I learned the way to break a heart I learned from the best I learned from you Oh baby now I learned from you” She sings now walking around him. Miguel moves with her. It looks like a dance. They hold each other’s gazes during the whole time. “So when all you’ve got are sleepless nights When those tears are clouding up your eyes Just remember it was you who said goodbye Who said goodbye” There is a musical interlude now and Miguel takes her hand and they dance together. He spins her and brings her close to him again. A few seconds later he dips her and slowly brings her back up. Then she pushes him away and sings in a powerful voice: “And so you know the way it feels to cry The way that I cried when you broke my world in two” She starts walking backwards to the stage “Baby I learned the way to break a heart I learned from the best I learned from you” She turns around and goes to the side of the stage and walks up the steps. “Oh baby now I learned from you” She walks back to the center of the stage and takes a seat on the stool again. “I learned from the best I learned from you” Her head is lowered as the lights dim. When the lights come up, the crowd applauds and Kay takes a bow, afterwards leaving the stage. Charity looks at Miguel who is still staring at the stage. ************************************************************************ The dance is in full swing. Simone and Kay are outside talking about Kay’s performance when Miguel comes out the building. Simone looks at Kay and then Miguel and she decides to leave. Kay reaches out to stop Simone but Simone side steps and escapes back into the Youth Center. Kay and Miguel watch each other like prey. Then Miguel steps closer to her. Kay takes a few steps back. Miguel stops approaching her. They stand there a moment and then Miguel breaks their silence. “You were wonderful and beautiful,” he said softly. “Was I? Thanks a lot.” Kay nervously touches her hair. “Yeah you were. Why did you choose that song?” Kay snorts, “Well if you haven’t figured it out then the message was lost.” Miguel takes another step towards Kay, “Are you saying you sang that for me?” “Yep. I hope you got the point. I learned from you,” she said with a smile. “That’s not what I would to teach you,” he said. He lowers his head for moment and then slightly tilted he raises it again, “Kay can’t we start again?” “Didn’t you hear a word I said back in there? It is too late. I’m over you.” “But I am not over you,” he said. “Well, that’s your problem. Now you can feel they way I did when my feelings meant nothing to you.” “That’s not true Kay. I always cared for you.” “You have a strange way of showing it.” He takes another step, “Can I now show you differently how much I care?” “No Miguel. There is nothing you can show me.” Miguel steps closer to her, “Are you sure?” Kay walks right up to him. When they are nose to nose she states in a calm voice, “Yes I am,” she turns to leave. Miguel grabs her arm and pulls her into a kiss. At first she tries to pull away but then she threw her arms around him. Their kiss lasts for a moment and it is a deep, open mouth, passionate kiss that causes the body to react in a very natural and desirable way. When he pulls away he says in a husky voice, “If I keep showing you how much I care do you think you can give me another chance?” Kay kisses him again and then moves away inches from his face, whispering, “Like I said, I learned from the best, I learn from you.” They both smile and leave the Youth Center to begin again.