Shades of Gray

Preface

Danny

"Kennedy, can we talk?" I see the question already forming on her face.

"Uhh, sure sweetie."

I grab her hand and we walk in silence over to my car. Most of the other guys on the team are already filling the parking lot, arms around their girlfriends or high fiving each other over our third win of the season against the Eagles. We reach my mustang and I open the passenger door for her then walk over to the driver side and get in.

Well, it's now or never. I think to myself. I turn in my seat to face her. Her green eyes burn a hole in me as she crosses her arms defensively over her chest.

"What is it Danny? This better not be going where I think it's going because the spring formal is coming up and I've already bought my dress and got the tickets and you know they are non ref-"

"I wanna break up Kennedy", I rush out before my nerves got the better of me. She sat there staring at me for what felt like an eternity but was more than likely only thirty seconds,

"No..." she finally spoke. Her eyes cast down for a second and when she looks back up the rims are filled with tears.

"No Danny, we are not having this conversation because we are not breaking up!" She looks at me incredulously, her big green eyes pleading for me to be lying to her. For a second, I wanted to but I knew I couldn't.

"Ken.... you know things haven't been good between us for a long time. And I've made excuses for your actions because of your parents' divorce but neither of us are happy and I'm done wasting your time trying to delay the inevitable..."

She turns her face from me shaking her head. Her dark auburn hair hides half of her face from my view. I reach for her arm, "Ken..."

She snatches it away, eyes glaring at me. "Don't Danny, just fucking don't!"

She turns and reaches for the door handle, getting out of the car and slamming it hard. I stare after her as she storms off to her little Camaro, head down and arms folded across her chest. She peels out of the parking lot never looking back my way. I sit in my car for a few more minutes after she leaves, my head resting on the steering wheel. Someone taps the window, I look up to see my friend Tyler smiling down at me. I turn on my car and roll down the window.

"What's wrong Dan? Everyone's already headed over to Shaun's house for the post-game party."

"Eh, I'm not exactly in a party mood Ty. I think I'm just gonna head home." I started putting on my seat belt. Tyler looks at me with understanding.

"Ended it with Kennedy huh?"

I nodded my head.

This is what I appreciate about my friendship with Tyler; it doesn't take much explanation for him to understand any situation I'm going through. We've been best friends since preschool and he's the only person I trust.

"Tell the guys I'll talk to them later, k?"

"Alright buddy, you take care," he pats my shoulder and starts for his car.

Yeah, thank god finals is in two weeks and then I'll be able to put all of my focus into training over the summer, I think to myself as I slowly drive out of the parking lot.

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Charlotte

Summer in Columbus, Georgia is excruciating; Thank goodness these are the last of the boxes. Mom is already in the kitchen unpacking the blender to whip up some of her delicious frozen Strawberry Lemonade.