Broken

5-Secrets

Andy walked beside his sister in the fading light, the streetlights flickered on and shone down onto the sidewalk. They approached Dax's street and the atmosphere instantly brightened as the LED streetlights shone down. All the nice big houses lined up, illuminated by outside chandeliers and porches stocked with expensive furniture. Dax's house was magnificent, a grand light coloured house with big clear windows and a huge winding staircase. Andy helped his sister up the steps and knocked quietly in Dax's door, Dax answered with a grin "Andy! Come on in." Andy stepped in and helped Klare take off her boots, Klare kicked off her snow-boots and ran into their dining room "Where is Kinney?" Andy asked, Dax looked at him and tilted his head slightly, Andy's eyes widened when he realized what it sounded like but he stayed staring at the ground but Andy could tell he was smirking. "Kinney huh?" Dax muttered, "I-its not like that!" Andy protested, but a bright red blush ran across his cheekbones and Dax just grinned wider. "She has been laying on the couch for the last hour. She looks fine but she says she feels sick." Andy sighed quietly, "Thanks for having us over." Andy said politely. Dax grinned, "Kinney huh?" he muttered under his breath and Andy blushed even redder, "It's not like that Dax!-" Dax's wide grin cut him off and he rolled his eyes. Dax's grand house made Andy slightly jealous with a large crystal chandelier hanging from above their foyer. A large wooden staircase wound up the side of their house and a wide hallway leading to their kitchen. Andy followed Dax through the hallway and saw Klare already sitting at their dining room table, Kinney lay on the couch looking pale. "Kinney! Andy and-" "Andy?" Kinney sat up and locked eyes with Andy who's cheeks were burning, she blushed as well as she looked down to the floor, "Yes... Andy and Klare." Dax said smiling.

Andy picked at the remaining food on his plate, Kinney had eaten her food quickly and stared down at her empty glass. Andy stood up and grabbed his plate silently "I'll go put my dishes away." He muttered, "I'll come too!" Kinney said quickly as she stood up and followed Andy into the kitchen, Andy nodded in acknowledgement and walked with Kinney into the kitchen. Dax laughed as they left and Klare turned to Dax with a look of confusion "What's so funny?" She asked, letting spaghetti fall out of her mouth, "Ahh, nothing." His smiled faded slightly, Klare frowned, "Tell me. Please?" She whined, Dax laughed and shuffled his chair closer to Klare before leaning in and whispering "I think Kinney and Andy like each other." Klare giggled, "Like...like-like?" Dax wiggled his eyebrows and nodded making Klare giggle louder, "Kinney and Andy sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G." She laughed.

Andy placed his plate gently on the counter and turned to face the pale faced Kinney. Andy grabbed her hand and couldn't help but notice how cold it was, "Kinney. It's alright." He said soothingly, Kinney sighed, "I don't know Andy." Her hands started shaking and tears collected in her eyes, "There is something you aren't telling me Kinney." Andy accused, Kinney's knees gave out and she collapsed to the floor. Andy crouched down in front of the sobbing Kinney and placed a warm hand on her cheek, "What is it Kinney?" Kinney took a shaky breath, "It's just... ugh my grades are slipping and my dad is threatening to send me away to live with my aunt in Europe if I don't improve them and I can't go to Europe!" Kinney sobbed, Andy sat back and sighed. "I could help you. You know, improve your grades." Kinney looked up and smiled weakly "Why would you do that for me?" She asked quietly, "Because you need it Kinney. I'm not going to let you fail when I can help." Andy lied, he wasn't about to tell Kinney he couldn't bear seeing her leave. Kinney sniffed, "Are you sure because-" Andy placed his hands behind Kinney on the floor and leaned in so his face was centimetres away from her's "Yes Kinney. That's why I offered." Kinney shivered and Andy pressed a soft kiss on her tear soaked lips, she held him there for a moment before pulling away and resting her forehead on his shoulder letting teardrops fall off her face and onto his shirt. "I'm sorry I'm like this." Andy smiled and hugged her lightly "Don't be."

"Everything is going to be alright."