Bunny - Kenjorine - Transition

Book 2 chapter 8

"Mar! Welcome home!" Kenny smiles as I walk in and shut the door behind me.

"Hey, sweetie..."

"Is everything okay? Did something happen at Craigs house?"

I look up and see Karen standing in the kitchen washing a plastic cup.

"Mar..? What happened?" Kenny grabs my hand.

My mind is buzzing. It feels like I'm thinking at 200 mph but no thoughts are appearing at all.

"Karen..." I say slowly.

She looks up at me and her face goes pale. I think she has a guess as to what happened.

"Marjorine... what happened..." she asks cautiously.

"I talked with Craig's sister while I was there... uhm..."

"Mar?" Kenny squeezes my hand.

I look at him with sad eyes and his expression turns dark. He looks scared. He looks terrified even. He knows what's about to happen. He knows he's at risk to lose one of the two most important people in his life.

I can't just stand by. I need to tell her that I know and reject her so she can move on.

"Karen, she told me."

I feel Kenny's hand shaking.

"She told you..." Karen responds.

"I know about how you feel."

The room falls silent. All three of us scared for what might happen, who might lose it.

"She..."

"Karen, I'm sorry but you know I can't-"

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"Jesus, don't apologize! I already knew there was no chance for me! There never was! I was always just a friend. Nothing more."

"I'm sorry Karen, I..."

"But you didn't need to go and fall in love with my fucking brother!"

Kenny flinches.

I step towards Karen. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you-"

"Stop apologizing!!!"

"... Karen..."

She looks up at us, her eyes full of tears.

She runs towards Kenny and snatches his car keys. Before either of us can stop her she's already getting into the truck.

"Karen!" Kenny starts running after her.

She drives away, leaving me and Kenny behind.

"No... FUCK!" Kenny yells.

"I think I know where she's going. Come on, I know a shortcut."

Kenny and I hurry to Craig Tuckers house. Just as I thought, Kenny's truck is parked badly on the road in front.

Karen is at the front door yelling at Tricia. "You told her? Why?!"

"Karen, I couldn't keep watching you destroy yourself over this crush. You need to get over it. She doesn't love you, she loves your brother."

"I know! But telling her won't change anything."

"It will. You'll get rejected and start to heal."

"Yeah? Trish, maybe normally that would work, but I live with her. I watch her fall more in love with my BROTHER every day!"

"She's in college! Can't you just find someone your age?!"

"I'm trying to get over it but you can't change feelings. This was supposed to resolve itself. I'm going to have to run away or something now!"

No... she can't run away. She isn't ready to live on her own.

I look over at Kenny. He's frozen. He is scared.

I know I have to do something, even if I don't want to.

"Karen!" I yell as I walk towards the house.

"Marjorine, not now."

"Karen I'm going away for a while. I'll move out until you're feeling better. Don't run away, you need Kenny and he needs you."

Kenny runs up. "What?!"