THE RETRIBUTION (The Enigma of Kenzie Williams)

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Jake is awake?" I asked closing the door shut.

I switched the light on and saw him sitting up and looking at me.

The room smelt like aspirin and methylated spirits. I walked over and sat in the corner of the bed.

"You look better already." I continued

"When can I go home?" He asked and raised his face.

"Soon, Jake soon"

"What is wrong with me?"

"You see" I hesitated and then said "you have a little bug called cancer, eating and feeding on your blood"

"Am I gonna die?"

"No, why would you ask that?"

"Kenzie my teacher died from cancer"

"Well, your case is special. You have me, mum, Stacy, and Kiara to protect you"

"Is Kiara that strange-looking sassy girl?"

"Yeah, and she isn't strange"

"I don't like her and I don't think she likes me"

"Of course, she does," I said and held his hand close to my face. "Look, you're going to be fine, okay?"

"You think so?"
"I know so. You hungry?" I asked finally and he smiled

* * * * * *

The vending machine rattled and the choco bar fell out of its place.

I kept thinking of Chase as I tore the wrapping paper. In my mind's eye, I kept seeing that boy at the party.

He looked so much like Chase. The truth was that I wanted it to be Chase really bad.

Then again, how would I feel if it were Chase? Heartbroken I guess. Would Chase do that? Would he be that......

"Kenzie, what's up?" Kiara said cutting into my thoughts.

"W-w- - what? What is it?" I stuttered

"I should be asking you that. I mean I've been talking to you for the past five minutes. You look worried"

"Oh sorry I didn't hear you"

"How did you not....." she said and paused

"wait, are you crying?" She continued when she saw me cleaning my face.

"Of course I am." My lips wobbles as I hugged her

"Awww hon what's up?"

"It's Chase. I think he is cheating on me"

"Why do you think so?" She said rubbing my hair

"That day at the dance, I saw someone that looked so much like him kissing Annie"

"Looked like him?"

"Yeah"

"Okay, I don't know exactly but I heard some girls talking about Annie's date with a guy. I don't know if it's true but, I think we should go see."

"What restaurant?" I said finally

* * * * * *
I kept tripping over cobblestones as we walked to the restaurant.

I was about to come face to face with the truth and I wasn't sure I was ready for it.

We took two more steps and we were finally at the restaurant. I opened the door and we walked in.

Kiara looked around and sighted some seats behind a buttload of stuffed animals.

There were chains of poppy flowers arranged in strings in every corner.

My mouth watered as a waitress carrying a tray of gently poached salmon fillets and a side order of potatoes sautéed in butter and thyme.

"Want some juice?" She said holding up a juice box.

"No I'm fine" I declined.

"Come on, it'll help relax you" she persisted, smirking.

I reluctantly accepted it and gulped down the whole thing.

Then, I started to sneeze.
"What the heck is in this thing?" I screamed.

"I don't know, let me check" she placed the box close to her face and started listing "pineapple, grapes, raspberries, passion fruit and... Oh, mangosteen."

"Oh no"

"What?"

"I'm allergic to mangosteen"

"I'm sorry. Let me go get you some water" she said standing up to go.

"Forget the water," I said holding her hand.

"Why? I mean you need it"

"Chase is here."

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