Bunny - Kenjorine - Transition

Book 2 chapter 18

I sit about 6 feet from Kenny with Bradley. While we wait for him to wake up we quietly talk. We are sitting in chairs facing each other from across the table.

"Was it cold?" Bradley leans on his elbows.

"Yeah, but we found these candles and..."

"And?"

"Uhm, I found a blanket! And I used that to stay warm." I pray that he can't tell I'm lying. I feel like I should just tell people that Kenny and I pretty much just snuggled all night.

"That's good! I was uh... I was worried..."

"About me?"

"Yeah... I thought you'd be too cold, I almost came back for you but I was snowed in."

"Oh... well, thank you! I appreciate you worrying about me."

"I worry about you a lot more than I thought I would. You're... different from everyone else, not in a bad way... Sorry, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say..." he trails off. After pausing for a moment he looks back at me.

He smiles at me. "Marj I'm sorry for leaving you here..."

"Ah, that's okay Bradley! Hopefully when Kenny wakes up we can all get home and stay warm."

"You're really terrific, Marj. I think you're great..." he flinches. 

"What's wrong?"

"I think I... I think I like you."

I smile at him. "I like you too Bradley!" How could I not like one of my only friends?

"You do?"

"Well, yeah!"

"You... like like me?"

I giggle. "Sure! I like like you a lot lot!"

"Marj..."

He looks me in my eyes, rapidly darting from one eye to the other. He stands up so that he can lean forward and puts his hand on my cheek. "Marj, I-"

"Hey." Kenny says sternly as he stands up.

I smile and hurry over to him. "You're up! Did you sleep okay? Were you warm enough?"

Kenny doesn't look at me. He blankly stares at Bradley. Is he mad? "Yeah. I slept fine."

"What's wrong? Did we wake you up? Sorry..."

"No. I'm glad I woke up when I did." He's still looking at Bradley. Why?

He pulls me into his chest and hugs me. "You seem cold."

I don't know why he's hugging me so suddenly but... I really like it... he's so comfortable...

I nuzzle my head into him and hug him back. "Only a little. I was warm last night."

One of his arms lifts towards Bradley, not sure why, but this hug is too important to pull away, I missed him so much.

When I finally do pull away Kenny looks at me and smiles. "You should get home. I'll walk you there."

"Okay! Bradley was going to-" I turn to see that Bradley isn't here anymore. "Where'd he go?"

"He left. Don't worry about it, let's just get home, the school is so cold."