LABYRINTH | Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

23 | domino effect.

"Isn't this...I don't know, disrespectful to the dead?"

Oliver's question is logical. Smoking and drinking in the middle of a graveyard, in front of my parents' tombstones isn't something I would say is a respectful nor polite thing to do. In fact, a month ago I would have absolutely kicked myself for this.

"Who cares, at least I bought them flowers," I shrug, taking a drink from the almost empty bottle of whiskey before pressing the cigarette against my lips.

It was one-thirty in the morning when I called and asked him to pick me up. As per my new normal, I couldn't sleep and my thoughts were all-consuming so I needed a distraction.

To be completely honest, I felt a little bad for sneaking out of the house considering it's only my second full weekend staying with Scarlett, but I was desperate for something to get me out of my own head.

"Did I tell you how they died?" I question, blowing the smoke away from his face.
He's being more responsible than I am and not drinking since he has to drive, but he is sharing a cigarette with me. Or I'm sharing with him I suppose, considering he was the person that brought the packet with him.

"No, you didn't."

"They killed themselves," I deadpan.

His expression turns to one that's more sad and there's several moments of uncertainty from him on how to respond before I break out into a fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?" He asks, completely confused, chuckling slightly at my sudden outburst.

"My parents killed themselves," I explain, rolling back onto the grass, laughing so hard I start coughing. "I mean, I, their one and only child-wasn't even enough for them to want to live. How fucking sad is that? It wasn't just one of them either, it was both. Both of them killed themselves."

Oliver laughs along with me. Probably not for the same reason I'm laughing, but more so because he laughs when other people laugh. It's like a domino effect.

When I finally get ahold of myself and can let out a deep breath, I focus my gaze on the clear night sky above. "Oh," I breathe, "I hate them."

"Kenzie, you don't mean that," he decides.

"Oh, I do. Very much so. You know, they stopped telling me that they loved me before I was eleven years old. I hate them," I reiterate, reaching beside me for another cigarette and the lighter.

There's a pause as I hold it under the flame and press it against my lips before dropping my left hand onto my stomach. I go to close my eyes and rest for a few minutes, but suddenly I feel Oliver clasp his hand in mine which makes me freeze.
He's never held my hand before.

"What are you doing?" I frown, keeping my gaze on the stars and instantly moving my cold hand away from his.

"I was holding your hand."

"Why?"

"Well, because you're sad and...I don't know."

"I don't need you to comfort me, Oliver," I say, "you're not my boyfriend."

"I know that, I just thought that...never mind."

"Don't do that," I turn my head and glare at him.

"Don't do what?"

"Don't make me feel bad for not wanting to hold your hand. It's not part of our agreement," I remind him.

"What was our agreement again, because I think I'm unaware of a few 'rules'?" He questions.
He's sat himself up now and is looking down at me. It makes me feel slightly intimidated and almost a little vulnerable despite the fact he's seen me naked on multiple occasions. This feels scarier and I'm unsure as to why.