I still got your back, you stupid bad-ass

Don't be a hero

Kenny's POV

-Three Weeks Later-

This is the hardest way to say goodbye

Cause as you walk away I'm feeling so alone...

I concentrated heavily on the novel I was reading. This is what became of me. I now spent my time doing things that could distract me.

I read books.

I watched TV, movies and comedy shows.

I went to places with Charlotte and Hannah. Stephen, Jake, Erik, Lucas and sometimes Trent and Aaron. And I went to amusement parks or the mall.

I even learned knitting. For the sake of getting myself distracted.

Pathetic.

But to be honest, knitting is kinda fun. And addictive. I made Hannah and Charlotte two cute ponchos. And I'm trying to make a sweater for Leigh.

I sighed and shut my book without inserting the ribbon mark. I frowned down at the work in progress. The electric blue scarf was almost finished, but something was missing.

I put away my needles and relaxed on the lazy boy chair I was snuggled up on and stared at the wool on my fingers. I didn't know what was missing, but I could feel it.

"Knock knock, Kenny," Charlotte chirped, prancing into my room, with Hannah.

"I'm hungry!" I whined.

They both laughed. "We know."

Turns out they brought a bunch of junk food and decided to sleepover uninvited.

But oh well. I love sleepovers.

"We brought movies, too." Hannah added.

"Isn't it a little early to be having a girl night?" I said, quirking an eyebrow--which Hannah insisted I had waxed. It was painful, and I am never going to do it again.

"Never too early," Charlotte said.

"How're you and Jake?"

She flushed with happiness and pride. "He surprised me with a rose yesterday and took me to dinner." It was Charlotte and Jake's one year anniversary.

"Aw!" Hannah and I cooed.

"She's blushing," I said slyly. "I wonder what else happened on said date?"

Hannah crawled over to Charlotte's side and poked her side. I giggled.

Charlotte looked at her, confused. "What are you doing?"

I stopped giggling, and Hannah and I both gasped.

"Oh...my god." we said simultaneously.

"What?" Charlotte said, her voice getting high.

"You're not ticklish there anymore." Hannah said in a low voice.

"So?"

"It means you're not a virgin." I said slowly, watching her reaction.

Charlotte turned red. Her expression was something like shock and disbelief.

"But--how can you tell? Just with a tickle? That can't be true." she insisted poorly.

Hannah tsk-tsked. "It doesn't apply to everyone. But I happen to know that you are very ticklish there. And you aren't anymore."

"Sooo?" I said, smirking.

"Fine," Charlotte sighed. "I'm not a virgin. Happy?"

Hannah and I high-fived.

"We knew it!" she laughed.

"Then why did you ask?" Charlotte said, irritated.

"Oh, we wanted to hear you say it out loud." I grinned. "Sorry,"

"How was it?" Hannah asked.

"Can we not go into details?" Charlotte said, blushing again.

Hannah snickered. "Fine."

I was going to add something, when Leigh unexpectedly barged in.

"Kenny," she said breathlessly. "There's a house down the street that's on fire."

We stared at her like she was a kid demanding for candy.

"I think it was the one that used to be you're old house."

*******

I could hear them screaming.

Leigh, Mrs. K, Hannah, Charlotte...the fire department. And kids from school, too.

But I had no choice.

I needed that box.

It had all the memories I wanted to keep. I didn't want it to burn down.

I coughed and covered my mouth while I dodged through the growing flames.

When I got to Grace's room, I got on my knees and grabbed the antique leather treasure chest looking box and hugged it. I felt myself sigh with relief.

But my relief didn't last soon.

I coughed and tried to stay calm but...

I can't breathe.

=====================

Chris's POV

"Ooh, Honey, what about that one?" Rozlyn clutched my arm as she pointed to a FULL pink floral bouquet.

I nodded absently. Wedding preparations with her were excruciating. Everything was pink; the ring HAD to be pink, the pearls were pink, the decorations are pink, the invitations are pink, the pen to write on the invitations is pink, the dress is probably pink..and bedazzled.. Does every SINGLE flower need to be pink? I get no say, this is looking more like a baby shower than a wedding.

My phone rang loudly, causing people in the store to stare.

Rozlyn pouted.

I walked away from her and checked the caller ID.

"Trent?"

"Chris!" he said, sounding strangled. "Kenny's--"

"I'll be there in five." the way he sounded...and when he mentioned Kenny's name, I knew it had to be something urgent. Trent almost never panicked.

And when I said five, I didn't mean five minutes.

I meant five seconds.

**********

I drove so quickly I almost passed by the burning house.

Almost.

My car screeched to a halt as I stared in disbelief at the surrounded street.

Kenny's house.

I got out of the car and spotted my family, huddled in the corner.

Leigh and my mom were crying. And so were Hannah and Charlotte. Everyone else looked close to tears.

Why was everyone crying? Where's Kenny?

I looked at firefighter who was talking to my dad. He was slowly shaking his head.

Fuck. Don't tell me---

She can't be inside that house.