Bunny - Battle of the bands

Chapter 35

Kenny parks his truck in-front of Leo's house. "Here we are. You sure you're feeling better?"

"Yeah. Thank you."

Kenny kisses Leo. "Call me if you ever need to clear your head."

"... you shouldn't do that."

"What?"

"You're too nice to me, you're too caring. You get my hopes up, I have to talk myself down by reminding myself you aren't into relationships and you don't like me like that. But you just keep treating me better and better..."

"Maybe I'm just a nice person."

"Yeah... I guess. Sorry, I'm feeling emotional."

"It's fine. Go get some rest."

"Alright. See you on Monday."

Kenny doesn't drive off until he confirmed Leo got inside safely.

He looks at his car ceiling. "I'm not into him. I'm not into him. I'm not. I can't be. I don't do that anymore. Get it together Kenny, your mind is playing tricks on you... you aren't into him... he's just a good friend and sex partner. Nothing more." He ruffles his hair and takes a deep breath.

"Nothing more."

-

Kenny gets home and finds his little sister, Karen, eating cereal on the couch. Karen was Kenny's best friend, he loved her and told her everything.

He sits on the couch next to her and groans.

She talks through her cereal. "Exhausted already?"

"Yeah."

"How was the practice last night?"

"Good. We practiced until 11 so I just decided to stay over, you got that text, right?"

"I did."

"Good."

"Did that Leo kid sleepover too?"

"Yep."

"I bet you were staring at him all night."

"I'm not some lovestruck idiot. You already know what our relationship is like."

"I know way too much about your 'relationship' with him."

"I guess I tend to overshare."

"You can say that again. What's on your mind? You look like you're thinking pretty hard."

"I'm just confused. Leo had a breakdown because of some past trauma or something. I saw him, on the bathroom floor, crying his eyes out, he was a mess. Usually I'd feel uncomfortable..."

"You felt super sad, didn't you?"

"Yeah..."

"I don't know how many times I need to tell you this. But you like him."

"And I don't know how many times I have to tell you I don't like people like that anymore."

"It's insane that you think you can have a say in that."

"I can, I'm in control of my emotions."

"Then why does your heart flutter when you're around him? Why do you talk about nothing but him all day? Why do you pick up on all the small details?"

Kenny hugs his knees. "I don't like him."

"Sure. You love him."

"Cut that out!"

"Kenny, you like him. But that doesn't mean you're not scared. You're telling yourself you don't like him because you're afraid the past might repeat itself if you get too attached. I understand your past is messy, but your heart wants this right now. Cut it some slack and at least try and accept your feelings for him."