Bunny - Kenjorine - Transition

Book 2 Chapter 41

I can't believe Kenny was lying about having a girlfriend. Why did he feel the need to do that?

I'm going to figure out what's going on.

"Go get him." Karen points to the front door.

"What?"

"I love my brother more than anything, but right now he's being an idiot and unless you talk to him and figure out why he's being like this, he won't ever get over his own emotions." She smiles. "I can plate the food. Go."

"Karen..." I give her a hug, holding her head to my chest. "When did you go and grow up..."

"You're acting like a mother..."

"Does it make you uncomfortable?"

She gently hugs me back. "No... mine was shitty, I like when you care about me."

I almost want to cry from how sweet that was... but I've got to focus.

I pull away. "I'll be back in a minute."

Karen nods. "He smokes just around the corner where the garage ends."

"Thank you."

I go out the front door. The air is cool. The sun is just barely going down. Golden hour.

I peek around the corner of the garage and see Kenny sitting in the grass with a cigarette, his iconic orange coat shining in the sunlight. His blond hair glitters when he moves.

He's stunning.

I need to focus!!!

When he notices me he looks for just a moment before leaning his head back against the wall to look at the sky. He blows out a puff of smoke.

I walk over and sit next to him against the wall. I hug my knees gently and look at the sunset.

"Do you remember our first kiss?" I ask without looking away from the sky.

"Yeah."

"It was between the lockers in the main hallway. We ended up skipping the rest of school after that."

"Yeah."

"Kenny?"

"Hmm?" He takes another hit of his cigarette. I'm not watching the sunset anymore. Just him.

"I know you don't actually have a girlfriend."

He sighs slowly.

"Karen told me."

"..."

"I understand if you don't want to be with me, but you can just tell me that. You don't need to lie about having a girlfriend."

The arm holding his cigarette rests on his knee. "Mar, it's not that..." he sighs. "I can't just tell you I don't want to be with you because I'd be lying." He pauses. "It's obvious I still love you. I know you can see it. Karen could see it. Bebe could see it."

"Is that why you and Bebe..."

"Mhm."

"Oh..."

I feel bad that I was the reason for his breakup, but... I'm finding it increasingly difficult to contain my smile.