It's Called Sarcasm [1] ⌲ Twombly

05 | kenzie

"Kenzie..."

"Kenzie..."

"Adams, get up, we're gonna be late!"

I jolt up when I hear Stuart's voice break through my fog of sleep, opening my eyes to see his familiar face hovering above mine.

"You are a heavy ass sleeper. I stood here for like 5 minutes trying to-"

"Did you call me Kenzie?" I ask, surprising us both. His brow furrows and he folds his arms over his chest.

"Yeah, is that not okay...?" He asks, and I shake my head.

"Please don't call me that." I say bluntly, whipping the covers off my body and making my way towards the bathroom.

"Why not?" He asks, raising his eyebrows.

"My mom used to call me that. It's just weird hearing it from other people." I shrug as I make my way into the bathroom.

"Used to?" Stuart asks from the other side of the door.

"Yes. Used to. As in before she died." I reply as I change into a pair of jeans and a flowy shirt, tying my hair into a neat bun on the top of my head.

"Wow...I-I'm sorry." He says and I can't help but smile slightly, opening the door and giving his hair a gentle ruffle.

"Thanks, Twombly." I say as I begin lacing up my converse. "It's no big deal. I mean, it is, but it-it happened a while ago."

"Still...I couldn't imag-"

"Stuart, come on," I beg, knowing that if I keep talking about it I'll start wailing like a little girl, and the last thing I need is to cry in front of Stuart Twombly. "It's okay, really. Let's just head downstairs, yeah?" I say, grabbing my bag off the hook by the door and slinging it over my shoulder. I look back at him and he nods, grabbing his beanie and shoving it onto his head.

"Yeah."

***

"Welcome to day two!" A guy with a rather big afro says once everyone is settled in and seated. "I am Sid. Eight year googler. You guys are new googlers, therefore you are Nooglers!" He says with just a little too much enthusiasm.

"Wow." Stuart mumbles under his breath and I gently bump his shoulder with mine, giving him an exasperated look.

"Would it kill you to show a little less annoyance?" I say and he looks up at him.

"Hush and pay attention, woman." He teases, mocking me from yesterday. I shove his head to the side and he laughs softly, pinching my side playfully. I swat his hand away with a small laugh before turning my attention back to the front.

"Now, this place is all about community and collaboration. So, you'll be working in teams from now on-"

"You have five minutes. Pick your teams." Chetty says after snatching the mic from Sid. I look at Stuart as everyone starts moving around like crazy, trying to find their teams.