Bunny - Battle of the bands

Chapter 43

Leo sighs. "I understand..."

"It's not like you did a bad job or anything! You actually did really good, but... we think the whole school... maybe the whole town saw that article, and it has your name on it. If people think we condone that kind of thing..."

Kyle interrupts. "Not that we think you did it. You're definitely not at fault."

"Exactly, we aren't accusing you of anything, but not everyone has the full story so..."

"Okay. I'll talk to the teacher tomorrow and withdraw my name. Don't worry."

"Thank you for understanding, Leo."

"Yeah. I'm gonna go. See you guys around."

Leo turns away, biting his tongue to hold back tears. He leaves the building and takes the long way home.

Stan turns to Kenny. "Sorry dude. We had to do it. You know it was for the best."

"..."

"Are you mad?"

Kenny exhales and unfolds his arms. "Not at you guys." He packs his guitar. "I'm going home for today."

"What? But you just got here!"

"Bye."

Kenny leaves without saying another word.

-

At home, Kenny crashes on his couch. He texted Leo before he started driving but he hasn't gotten a response.

His mind was spinning, so he turned on the TV for background noise. He drifts into sleep.

-

Kenny is woken up by sirens in the distance. He opens his eyes and sees the news broadcast on his TV.

"This just in! The mob waiting outside the Stotch residence has just thrown a brick through the window. These enraged townsfolk are deeply upset by the recent news that has come to light. They are demanding that Leopold Stotch comes out and makes a statement about his involvement in young Bradley's death. After waiting outside the residence for an hour, they have started to get more and more impatient, throwing a brick through the boy's 2nd-floor window. Just how far are the protesters willing to go?"

Kenny sits up, he stares at the TV. "Am I dreaming? There's no way this is real..."

Leo's dad appears from the doorway of the house. "We told you! He isn't here! Even if he was, we wouldn't give him up to you! Mind your own business!"

Kenny grabs his keys and runs out the door. He gets in his car and begins driving all around town to look for Leo. "Damn it! It hasn't even been a day since that stupid fucking article came out! Where is he..."

Kenny calls Leo's phone over and over, but he doesn't answer. He keeps trying.

Suddenly, Kenny realizes something truly terrifying. All the blood drains from his face. "No... There's no way he would... he wouldn't... FUCK!"

Kenny flips his car around and starts driving towards the old bridge. "Please let me be wrong... Please... He isn't going to be there... He wouldn't..."