See You Again

XXI

Vanessa had asked me one thing: to stay away from Kenzie. Did I intend to comply when she asked? Not really. Did I comply? Hell no. Am I scared of Vanessa's wrath? Very much, yes.

That's probably why I didn't want to tell her, nor did I plan on it, to be honest. It makes everything more difficult, but Kenzie doesn't want to tell her either and so we keep on with our day as if nothing has changed. We're not hiding or making a secret out of our relationship, but we both think it's better to keep it between us for a while.

It generates a weird feeling within me when I'm alone with Vanessa, like right now, as we sit down on the pine dining table doing errands for Etsy. If Etsy asks, who am I to say no? She's letting me stay at her house, anyway.

I suspect she does it to keep us together, to create as much alone time between us as possible while everyone else is at the beach and she is upstairs yelling at someone on the phone. Normally I wouldn't mind it, but I'm no longer chasing after her, even if whatever feelings I have for her didn't fade like magic.

"I know you would prefer to be at the beach with the others," she breathed. "I'm sorry she made you do this."

I shook my head. "It's alright, I don't mind it."

I took the last bite of my sandwich, a reminder of how long I've been here filling papers that I had grown starving. We didn't have lunch yet. Etsy's cook sent them all with an enormous picnic to eat at the beach while the three of us were expected to stay and eat whatever it was the cook would make. I knew for a fact he hadn't even started, knowing Etsy takes hours on her business phone calls.

That's when I look at the door to the kitchen and see a blonde head peeking from the left. I smile at her, but she's gone before I can say anything.

I excused myself and went to the kitchen, but she wasn't where she had been seconds ago. That's when I feel her hands on my shoulders and then I have to steady myself on the wall as she sets herself on my back.

"What are you..." I start, but she hushes me.

She slides off me and sits on the table, legs dangling out of her white, wet dress. Her hair is soaked and heavy drops fall off the darkened tips, making small puddles on the glass table. I can see her dark blue bikini through the dress glued to her, and it makes me sad I didn't go with her.

"What were you doing?" she whispers, not wanting Vanessa to know that she was here.

I leaned against the wall in front of her. "Filling papers for Etsy. Small stuff, but it takes a lifetime."

"Have you had lunch yet?" I shook my head at that. "Good. I'm going to change and then we can go."

"Go where?"

She smiled. "Whichever restaurant hasn't closed since I've been here last."

I stepped forward and rested my hands on the table, on either side of her legs, making me in the same line of vision as her.

"I still have tons to do. I can't leave Vanessa by herself."

Kenzie rolled her eyes. "You need a lunch break. Two hours. I'll talk to Etsy."

I didn't think that would work so good but I didn't oppose it.

"And then you skip your responsibilities like any decent teen and join me at the beach." She smirked and I couldn't help but smile back.

I pecked her lips, and then Vanessa's voice came from the other room. "Will? Where did you go?"

"I'll be there in a second," I said and kissed her again. At some point, I was no longer sure if I kiss Kenzie because I want to or just because I can. I'm entitled to it and she will not slap me for it. I think.