What Remains

Chapter 24

We Can Make This House A Home
I will be the house that holds every part of you.

Kenny's setting something up. He's been taking trips outside the entire day, and at some points he's even left the house. I'm completely intrigued. Automatically I assumed that we're doing something nice, so I made myself presentable. I took a long shower, then found some decent clothes. I really got a good look at my arms in the mirror, and it made me laugh a little. My muscles grew a bit. I flexed in the mirror a little, I have to admit. I like looking strong, it makes me feel powerful. I can't imagine how Kenny must feel looking in his reflections and seeing himself. I wouldn't be able to stop flexing.
That just makes me think of his mask.
He says he takes it off in private, but the only time he is in private anymore is if he's in the bathroom. He's only taking that thing off for like five or ten minutes— that's insane for how much he wears it. I mean, I'm respectful enough to know not to rip it off his face, but the way it's constantly there and blocking me from seeing his expression makes me want to scream. Have I not earned at least the right to know what his expression is?

I'm reading in the library as Kenny comes in. Immediately, I shut my book and stand up to go see him. I catch him as he's shrugging off his jacket. He struggles a bit as he strains to detach the sleeves from his broad shoulders.
"Are you done now?" I ask with a clear teasing air.
Kenny glances, then does a double take as he notices my cleanliness. "You look nice." He mentions as he steps out of his shoes.
I cock a brow upwards. "And you look rushed, what are you up to?" My tone is suspicious. He probably wants to throw me through the wall because of it.
"You'll see." Kenny shrugs. My mouth falls agape in a sarcastic gasp as he pushes past me abruptly.
My hands fall to my hips, "Mind your manners!" I shout after him. He waves around his hand in a petty reply.

Well, his manners didn't magically become top-notch, but he did make me food after he came back down. He's wearing a black pullover hoodie and dark blue jeans. How over-the-top-nice. I guess I can't blame him with how cold it is. It's after dinner, and the sun is setting. He keeps looking— or, surveying the kitchen window. Honestly, he's making me nervous. I haven't asked about it, but I'm sure he's caught my confused stare numerous times. He's washing the dishes right now, and I'm sitting at the island sort of just watching. I feel like I shouldn't move.
I decide to start a conversation because I'm tired of just sitting in silence. "Are you a night person or a morning person?" I ask as I lean my chin against my palm.
Kenny hums, "Night. You?" He replies.
"Night. I can't understand morning people." I say, "Like, imagine wanting to get up and do things at 6 in the morning— I can't even function at that point." I catch myself before I can ramble on. Now, I have to press into my mind for some more little questions to keep him talking. "What's your favourite animal?"
"Wolf," Kenny answers almost sheepishly. Ironic. He thinks for a second, then readjusts the weight from one foot to the other. "I like the darker ones."
I give a short grin. "You remind me of a crow." I mention.
Kenny looks back at me with a glint of amusement in his hazel eyes. "A crow?" I can hear his smile.
"Mhm." I pause, furrowing my brows a little, "But I think you could also be a grey wolf."
"You remind me of one of those small foxes... or perhaps a deer." Kenny places down a dish and turns to me. His arms cross over his chest as he leans against the countertop.
I chuckle, "A deer and small foxes— oh, the Fennec foxes?" My brows raise. They're cute little things; I only know what they are because of those little diagram things you have to present in middle school. I did mine on them with.. oh. Nevermind.
"Those." Kenny agrees with a nod. "And what's your favourite animal?"
I feel like such a kid to admit it, but this conversation is actually sort of fun. "I like otters." I lean forward, clasping my hands on the cold surface of the dark marble, "They hold hands to show their love! I saw it once at a zoo."
There's a moment of welcome silence before I take a breath. "When are we gonna go?" I ask, glancing at the window.
Kenny looks over his shoulder for a spell. "Not much longer." He sighs.
"So we're waiting until it's pitch-black?" I furrow my brows in question. I sound more baffled than I am.
Kenny meets my eyes; his have 'unimpressed' written all over them. "You're so nosey." He remarks.
I roll my eyes at his statement,  "And you're so secretive. It doesn't work out at all." My shoulders shrug to my ears.
Kenny pauses, glances behind him once more, then takes a low breath. "It's a full moon." He mentions.
"That's good luck." I reply, standing up from my seat. I walk over to his side of the kitchen and lean against the counter the opposite way of Kenny. The moon is big and bright. I look at Kenny with a light expression,"We should go now. It's late enough."
Kenny gives a small chuckle. "You'll never change, will you?"