The Blue Jay {Short Story}

Part 2

A/N: I realize this is a weird storyline 😂 but I already started so I might as well finish.

"Yeah, Kenzie's here. Why?"

Kenzie's eyes snapped open. They darted around the room. Everything was as it should be. She turned her head slightly to the right. Time, 7:34 A.M.

"I don't know if she wants to see anyone, she's still in bed."

"MOM! WAIT, I'M AWAKE!" Kenzie yelled down the stairs, jumping out of bed. She scrambled around the room and quickly got dressed into a pair of blue-and-green genie pants and a blocky, colorful t-shirt before practically falling down the stairs.

"Who is it?" Kenzie asked, squinting her eyes at the sudden light. The kitchen was filled with cold light, and although it was nice for reading, it burned one's eyes in the morning.

Her mother surveyed the crazy-looking creature, with frizzy, unkempt hair and drooping eyelids that she called her daughter. She smiled to herself, and started to say go back to bed.

"Oh, Scott! I didn't know you'd be coming!" Kenzie had already shuffled over to the door. She grinned and flipped back her hair, eyes sparkling.

"What's up, early bird?" Scott laughed, a slightly mischievous smile forming on his face. His laugh was deep and sounded like distant thunder.

"Haha," Kenzie said, rolling her eyes and yawning. "Why are you here anyways?" She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Honey, I have to leave now, goodbye have a good day! Remember, I'll be back to pick you up at 9," Kenzie's mom interrupted hastily, flashing a smile at Scott as she rushed out the door, loaded down with about three different colors of purses and a four-wheel suitcase.

I rolled my eyes, but found a smile creeping back to my face as Scott raised an eyebrow curiously. I reached out and slammed the door, not before yelling, "MOM YOU FORGOT TO CLOSE THE DOOR!"

"DON'T YOU DARE--"

"So," Kenzie said, folding her arms again, "I already told you why I can't come. Not only that," Kenzie scoffed, voice dripping in hidden anger, "we're going to be at the science thingy the entire day." She shivered at the thought, and Scott's eyes widened suddenly. He combed through his hair and his smiling face faded into a stony stare.

"Tomorrow's your birthday, isn't it," he said, almost whispering. He stared off into space, lost for a moment.

"Yeah," Kenzie answered regretfully, sighing and staring down at her feet. "I already tried using that against my mom, but she's...kind of stubborn."

Scott laughed nervously, and shifted his gaze to Kenzie's downfallen face. She had lost her smile, and she looked tired, eyes drooping.

"Ok, but at least it's not the whole weekend," he said hopefully, keeping his gaze on Kenzie's eyes. Her expression instantly changed, not to a smile, but lightened. "We can get together on Saturday, or Monday," he continued, running his hands through his hair once more.

"Oh yeah, I forgot we have Monday off," Kenzie said, voice rising to its usual happy tone.

"Wait!" Scott suddenly interrupted her, raising a finger and narrowing his eyes. "Don't you hate biology?"

Kenzie frowned playfully at him, punching his arm and corrected him sharply, "I don't hate animals, I'm not that kind of person. I only hate..birds."

Scott laughed, and opened his mouth to say something.

"Not specifically birds," Kenzie continued, ignoring his expression, shrugging, "just anything with wings. I mean, bats, bugs, stuff like that too."

Scott tipped his chin sideways curiously. "Why though?"

"I don't really know, I just...do," Kenzie answered reluctantly, fists clenched. An emotion unknown to Scott melted into the eyes of the usually positive girl standing in front of him. Her face grew red, and she inhaled sharply. Her eyes glittered and seemed to sink inside themselves, full of a combination of hate, anger, and a dark past. Scott felt his heart begin to race, and his eyes grew wide as he realized he was afraid. Something clicked in his mind, and he blinked quickly and shook his head.

"I guess it only make sense, we all hate something without reason. I for one, hate coffee," Scott said quietly, grinning and watching Kenzie's eyes nervously, waiting for a reaction.

She shivered violently, and breathed deeply. She lifted her eyes and the two teen's eyes met. They again sparkled with life and joy. "Same!" she said eagerly, laughing lightly.

Scott and Kenzie stood next to each other in the doorway, enjoying the silence. Both of them felt reluctant to break the perfect silence.

"Well," Scott finally said, regret filling his eyes, "I will see you," he pointed two finger guns at Kenzie, "on Saturday, ok?"

Kenzie smiled and waved as the tall softmore made his way out of the door, nearly tripping on the metal decor garden border. Kenzie laughed as she saw him stumble down the driveway, pretending to trip on every step until he reached the end of the block. He stuck his hands in his hoodie pockets, and walked briskly down North Street, smiling to himself.

Kenzie's brow furrowed as she watched him walking down the street into the fog. The house was silent, empty. She looked at the wall clock, which was ticking furiously. 8:01 A.M.

She groaned and shuffled back to her room. She looked in the small, round, shiny mirror hanging next to her childhood pictures, and giggled as she observed her appearance. Her hair was unbrushed and falling down her shoulders like ten different waterfalls, and her face covered in fading crease marks from her pillow. She made a goofy face, crossing her eyes. She laughed again, and grabbed a nearby brush. She combed through her hair, wincing at each pull. As soon as it was straightened, she tied it back in a sloppy ponytail and pulled her grey-and-black stripped beanie.

Kenzie started to yell, "Hey Mom," but realized the house was already empty.

She picked up a sticky note and scribbled a note to her mother (who worried constantly) and smiled as she stepped out into the fresh air. There was a brisk wind, but there was no dust in it. The sun shone palely through the foggy clouds.

"Perfect day for a walk," Kenzie murmured to herself, steps light and a smile on her face.