𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒

(Midnight)

...Kenzo froze, squinting against the sudden brightness. "Layla? Malia? What are you guys doing awake?" he stammered. The two girls narrowed their eyes at him, their faces thunderous. "We could ask you the same thing," Layla snapped. "And where have you been?"

The two girls were really upset. Kenzo's shoulders slump as he braces himself for a lecture. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think you guys would mind. You're both grown, and I figured you could take care of yourselves for one night," he mumbles, shuffling his feet.

Malia scoffed. "Grown? Kenzo, I don't think you remember this, but I haven't graduated yet, and Layla is fresh in high school. How is that grown." Kenzo rolls his eyes, his frustration boiling over. "You guys are acting like babies. You're not little kids anymore. I'm tired of being your babysitter," he snaps, storming past them and heading up the stairs to his room.

Malia snapped at the comment. "Babysitting us!?!" Is that what you think of us!?! Kenzo, I don't know if that champagne has got into your head, but you have no choice but to raise us, all three of our fathers didn't take the responsibility of being fathers, and are mother gave her all her best to raise us on her own, and you know what happened she's now dead, so we have no one, so don't start with the babysitting bull shit, because we have no other family, but you!"

Kenzo stands frozen on the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He feels a sting in his eyes as Malia's words hit him hard. He knew their situation was tough, but he never realized just how much it affected them.

...Layla watches the exchange between Kenzo and Malia with a worried expression. She hates seeing them fight, especially over something like this. She bites her lip, debating whether or not to speak up. "Ken..." she starts softly, taking a step forward. "Malia right."

Kenzo looks at Layla, his gaze softening slightly at the concern in her voice. He knows she's right, but he's just so tired and frustrated. He sighs and turns back to the stairs, his footsteps heavy as he descends. "Fine," he says, his voice tired.

"Yeah, turn away, like the fucking coward you are!-" Malia said before walking up to her room as well. Leaving Layla in the middle of it.. again...

Layla's face falls, tears welling up in her eyes. She wraps her arms around herself, feeling more alone than ever. Kenzo notices her distraught expression, so he decides to go down to hug her as he reaches the bottom of the stairs. "Layla..." he sighs, walking over to her and pulling her into a hug but getting pushed away.

Kenzo's arms fall to his sides as Layla pushes him away and retreats to her room. He stands alone in the living room, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Great," he mutters to himself. "Now I've upset both of them."

Kenzo sits on the couch, his head in his hands. He knows he should go apologize to Malia and Layla, but he's just so drained. He makes a mental note to talk to them tomorrow when they've all cooled down.

He needed someone to talk to; he was debating if he should call Jacob, but he was probably taking care of his family, and as for Hikmkio, he was probably sleeping from all the drinking.

Kenzo pulls out his phone and scrolls through his contacts until he finds Kamila's number. He hesitates for a moment, wondering if she'll even answer his call. But he's desperate for someone to talk to, so he takes a deep breath and dials her number.

She answered, "Hello?" "Hey, Kamila. It's Kenzo..." he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I know it's late, and I'm sorry to bother you, but I just..." "...I just need someone to talk to. I've had a rough day and I don't know who else to call. Can we... can we talk for a bit?" he asks, his voice tired and strained. He sits back on the couch, waiting for her response.