Darkson High

3.15

Kendra sat on the closed toilet lid, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The music from the party outside was muffled through the bathroom walls, the bass vibrating in time with her racing heart. Her thoughts kept looping back to the truth or dare game, to Shanti kissing that girl. The images replayed in her mind like a cruel, unwanted film reel she couldn't shut off.

The look on Shanti's face, that hesitation before she leaned in for the kiss, kept stabbing at her. It wasn't like Kendra had any right to feel this way—she and Shanti weren't together. But that didn't stop the twist of hurt deep in her chest, the sense of something breaking apart.

She could still hear Maggie's taunting voice asking those invasive questions, needling at her insecurities like only Maggie could. Kendra felt so small, trapped between her confusion and the crushing weight of her own feelings. She wanted to be bold, to be confident, but she didn't know how. She thought back to the memory in junior high when Shanti had been so forward, so clear about what she liked. And now... now everything felt like it was slipping away from her grasp.

Tears welled up in Kendra's eyes, and she wiped at them furiously, hating that she was crying in a bathroom at some party. The realization of how clichéd it was made her feel even worse. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to take deep breaths to calm herself, but it only made her chest feel tighter.

Then she heard a voice outside the door, muffled but familiar. "Kendra? You in there?" Nikky's voice, tinged with concern, cut through the haze of her thoughts. "Kenny, come on. Are you okay?"

Kendra stayed silent, biting her lip hard enough to nearly draw blood. She didn't want to answer, didn't want to face anyone right now.

There was a pause, then Nikky's voice grew more insistent. "Hey, someone help me push this door open—"

"No!" Kendra's voice was sharp, surprising even herself. She quickly stood and unlocked the door before Nikky could get someone to help break it open.

Nikky pushed the door ajar and peeked in, her eyes softening when she saw Kendra's tear-streaked face. She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her, her expression shifting from concern to a deep understanding. "Kendra... what happened?"

Kendra shook her head, but the tears started falling again, her shoulders trembling. She'd been trying to keep it together, but the sight of Nikky—her best friend, the person who knew her better than anyone—was too much. "I—I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Nikky," she stammered, her voice breaking. "Everything feels so... messed up. I'm messed up."

Nikky sighed, stepping closer, her voice softening further. "Hey, hey... it's okay," she murmured, pulling Kendra into a tight hug. "You're not messed up. You're just figuring things out, that's all. We all are."

Kendra buried her face into Nikky's shoulder, her tears flowing freely now. "I liked her, Nikky. I really like her, but I don't know what she feels, and I'm scared I'm just... some joke to her."

Nikky held her tighter, her own throat tightening with emotion. She could feel Kendra's pain, and it hurt her too. "You're not a joke, Kenny. You're one of the most genuine, kind-hearted people I know. If she can't see that... well, that's on her, not you."

They stood there for a long moment, Kendra crying softly while Nikky held her. Eventually, Kendra's sobs slowed, her breathing steadier, and she pulled back, wiping her face with the sleeve of her dress. "Thanks," she whispered. "I just... I needed to let it out, I guess."

Nikky gave her a small, supportive smile. "Always here for you, Kenny. Always." She patted her shoulder. "Come on. Let's get out of this sad little bathroom, huh?"

Kendra and Nikky stepped out of the bathroom into the hallway, and the sounds of the commotion outside grew louder. Shouts, cheers, and the unmistakable sound of a fist connecting with flesh reverberated through the air. Kendra's heart sank, recognizing that kind of chaos all too well. She shared a knowing look with Nikky, who rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Pushing through the throngs of people gathered near the doorway, they emerged onto the front porch and saw it—the fight was happening right there on the lawn. Jake, his blue eyes alight with that dangerous mix of intensity and amusement, was locked in a brawl with Tom. Even from a distance, it was clear that Jake was dominating. His every move was deliberate, sharp, and filled with a controlled fury. Tom, on the other hand, was looking worse for wear, struggling to keep up with Jake's relentless pace.

"Are you kidding me?" Nikky groaned, throwing her head back slightly. "These idiots are at it again."

Kendra couldn't take her eyes off Jake—he looked different in this state, his face a mix of raw anger and something almost predatory. She could sense the tension in his stance, the way his fists moved with purpose. She noticed Oliver at the edge of the circle, looking frazzled as he tried, unsuccessfully, to push through and stop the madness. His face was set in a stern frown, his dry humor failing him this time as he tried to reason with the shouting onlookers.

"Jake, man, come on! Knock it off before things get worse!" Oliver called out, but his words were drowned by the roar of the crowd. He shot a glance at Nikky and Kendra, eyes wide with frustration and concern. "Can someone get these idiots to stop?"

Nikky huffed, shaking her head. "Oh, I've had enough of this macho crap," she muttered. She stepped forward and yelled over the noise, her voice sharp and commanding, "Hey! One of you morons—throw me the car keys! I'm not sticking around to watch this nonsense!" Her words cut through the crowd, drawing a few glances her way, but the chaos continued.

Kendra's eyes scanned the crowd, spotting Shanti a few feet away. For a moment, their eyes met. Shanti's expression was a mix of concern and something softer—an unspoken apology, maybe, or a silent question. Kendra's heart twisted with a familiar ache. She wanted to go to her, to say something, anything, to make sense of what she was feeling, but it all seemed impossible with everything else happening around them.

Oliver, still on the sidelines of the fight, tried to get closer, waving his arms. "Jake! Tom! This is dumb, just stop already!" But his voice was barely heard over the shouting and chanting. It was clear he was frustrated, knowing well enough that neither of them was in the mood to listen to reason right now.

Amidst the chaos, Trey tossed a set of car keys toward Nikky. She caught them with a swift motion, muttering under her breath, "Finally." She turned to Kendra, placing a hand on her arm. "Come on, Kenny. Let's get out of here. We don't need to be part of this mess."

Kendra nodded, but her gaze lingered on Shanti for a moment longer before she turned away. She could feel the weight of Shanti's stare on her back as she followed Nikky to the car. The sounds of the fight grew more distant with every step, but the turmoil in her chest remained, a reminder of everything unresolved.

As they walked away, Nikky tossed one more annoyed glance over her shoulder at the brawl, muttering to herself, "Boys and their stupid drama. Too used to this shit." She shook her head and focused on getting Kendra out of there, knowing there was no point in sticking around to watch more of Jake's reckless bravado or the chaos it left behind.