Kim sighed as he carried Kennedy up the stairs. He wasn’t sure why he was helping, considering they barely got along, and he knew it was all his fault. Now, as he placed Kennedy down gently on the bed, he paused to catch his breath, staring down at him.
Kennedy was restless, his face twisted in discomfort. His legs kicked the sheets, and he began mumbling. At first, Kim ignored it, figuring he’s just too exhausted or was in a deep sleep. But then Kennedy’s voice became clearer, more distressed.
Mom... Ma... mom, don’t go, please. I love you... I miss you, Mom... Please don’t leave like Dad did..., Kennedy’s voice broke as he kicked around in bed, tears sliding down his face.
Kim froze, unsure of what to do. This wasn’t the Kennedy he knew—the sharp, confident, sometimes quiet cardiac surgeon who always seemed to have everything together. This was something else, something vulnerable. For a moment, Kim debated walking out of the room. After all, they weren’t exactly friends.
But as Kennedy continued to mutter in his sleep, clearly caught in some kind of nightmare, Kim felt a pang of sympathy. He gently sat down at the edge of the bed, watching Kennedy struggle. “What’s going on with you?” Kim wondered to himself. He had never seen this side of Kennedy, and it made him uneasy.
Kim wasn’t great at comforting people, he tended to ease a situation with humor and that was his coping mechanism but seeing Kennedy like this stirred something in him. He reached out hesitantly and placed a hand on Kennedy’s shoulder, giving it a small shake.
Hey... wake up, man, he said softly, though his usual tough demeanor lingered in his tone. It’s just a bad dream.
Kennedy flinched, his body tensing for a moment before his eyes fluttered open. His breathing was uneven, and for a few seconds, he seemed lost, disoriented. He blinked, his eyes wet from the tears he’d shed.
Kim pulled his hand back, standing up quickly. You were having a nightmare, he said, keeping his voice neutral. You’re... alright now.
Kennedy wiped his eyes, realizing what had happened. He looked embarrassed, quickly sitting up and straightening the covers. Thanks, he muttered, avoiding Kim’s gaze.
Kim,just nodded. He started to turn toward the door but paused, glancing back.
Look, I don’t know what that was about, but... if you need something, let me know. I mean, we don’t have to get along for me to help you, alright?
Don't tell Ad, Kennedy said.
You, I'm here worried about you and you are worried I'll tell my brother, I..... sorry I didn't mean to lash out, Kennedy something is wrong with you, I'm not good at consoling people but if you ever need to talk or help, talk to me, call me anytime and I'll come to you, Kim said.
Kennedy didn’t reply, but the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease a little. Kim took that as a small victory and headed out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
As he walked down the hallway, Kim found himself wondering what had caused such a strong reaction in Kennedy.
They had their differences, sure, because he was always bullying Kennedy yes, but this was something deeper. Something painful. For the first time, Kim realized that maybe Kennedy wasn’t as put-together as he let on. Maybe, underneath all the confidence, there was more to him than Kim had ever thought.
He asleep, Trent asked.
Shit man don't sneak up on a dude like that, I was about to swing on you,Kim said jumping.
Jump scare, so you saw it, Trent asked.
I don't know what you are talking about, Kim said.
Don't act stupid, the nightmares, the rubber bands on his hands, Trent said.
What's going on with him, bro, Kim asked.
Want some wine, Trent asked leading Kim to the upstairs house bar.
Beer, Kim said.
Trent gave him a bottle.
A year ago, Ken lost his mom, Trent said.
She's dead, his mom, why don't I know this Kim asked.
Don't act like you would have cared, he had a small funeral for her, Trent said.
I would have cared, against popular belief I'm not that heartless, Kim said.
Kim, do you know how she died, She had cardiac arrest at home, alone, Kennedy was supposed to arrive there early to meet her but he took on a last minute operation and by the time he got to her she was gone, Trent said sipping his wine.
Damn, he blames himself, doesn't he, thinking if he got there early then she will still be alive Kim said.
Yes, those rubber bands in his hands are his coping mechanism, whenever he's lost in thought he snaps them against his skin, till it hurts and he stops thinking. He stays here because we are all he's got. He would have killed himself long ago if it wasn't for Adrian, Adrian acts like he doesn't see but I heard him, look for a therapist, he's been trying to make Ken go to therapy, but Kennedy keeps saying he's fine.
I don't think Adrian has given up though, he doesn't know what to do, I try to help where I can, but Ken needs help, and I'm not good with emotions, Trent said.
He needs to be forced into therapy, he thinks Adrian doesn't know about the nightmares and coping mechanisms right, then we use it against him, Kim said.
That's a good idea, but forcing someone to do therapy, Trent said.
So, he doesn't want to be saved but we are going to force him, I'll do it, we hate each other, I'll gladly be the villain in his story Kim said.
Villain my ass, you care about him, why do you hate him so much and don't give me the bullshit about how he hurt Adrian at their high school graduation, Trent said.
I don't hate him, I just, I don't know man, anyway I have practice tomorrow, see you Kim said and left.
Trent shook his friend and went back to his room.
