Lost Memories

Chapter 9 - Kennedy

Kennedy's POV

I woke up the next morning to Onix shaking me and gently saying my name, being careful not to wake Annabelle.

"What's going on?" I mumbled, still half asleep.

"It's just past dawn; I thought it would be better if we got an early head start," he said a grin spreading his jaw, flashing his pearly whites. "And I know how much you love early mornings."

'Shut up," I muttered, hitting him with my pillow.

"Shh," he whispered as Annie tossed restlessly, mumbling something in her sleep, incoherently.

"But I Haven't said goodbye to Annie or any of the guys yet." I complained, still refusing to open my eyes and find him leaning over me, too closely.

"I don't do goodbyes. Never have. Anyway, it's not goodbye, we will be coming back when you lose the bet," he murmured, I could feel the heat of him practically on top of me. I pried my lids open enough to see the outline of him hovering over me.

"I guess you're right, it will make me not want to leave if Annie cries," I yawn, sitting up to stretch. He leaned away and got off my bed and waited outside the door, as I got dressed into loose fitting trousers and shirt. I opened the door and he looked over, standing up straight from his position leaning against the wall, once he saw me. We walked quietly down the passages that led to kitchen, talking in hushed whispers about what we were taking with us - sleeping bags, food for today, water skins, spare clothes and some matches, all stuffed into two ratty backpacks.

After a cup of tea and some breakfast of an apple and fried bread, I slipped back into the bedroom with the sleeping Annabelle. I grabbed some sturdy walking boots and a jumper.

"Goodbye, Annie," I whispered, before edging the door closed.

I found Onix in the kitchen packing our bags. He handed me one silently and slug his over his shoulder, with a bow and quiver of arrows over the other.

"Let's go," he said and turned to exit the tunnel. I looked around the cave one last time, savouring the moment. It was the one place that had felt like home, the only place that I had been comfortable and now I had to leave. I clenched my fists and sighed, then followed Onix down the passage and out into the open. An awkward silence gripped to us, as we walked, neither one of us daring to comment on the growing despair of leaving everyone behind. I couldn't shake the feeling of him sneaking glances at me. Looking up from my feet in his general direction, I felt agitated to the fact that my suspicions were correct, his gaze was fixed on my face.

"Will you stop that, please? It's kind of annoying." I asked breaking his trance.

"Stop what?"

"Staring at me! It's super creepy."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said nonchalantly, throwing a smirk at me.

"Yeah, right." I snorted, rolling my eyes. He pulled a wide-eyed, innocent expression to cover up the guilt hidden in the frown he wore.

"I have done nothing wrong, it's a free country."

"How would you like it if I was constantly staring at you?"

"Well, why wouldn't you? My good looks are just too amazingly awesome for you not to!"

"Pfft, right, keep telling yourself that," I rolled my eyes again. "Besides, I'm not a creepy stalker like some people."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Why were you so intent on coming with me, Onix?" I asked and he looked away, but he couldn't hide the blush. It was sort of sweet, in an Onix sort of way.