𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 ✾ (𝐣𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞)

TWENTY-SEVEN !

DIFFERENT !

"KENZIE? OH, THERE YOU ARE," ANNIE rushed into the locker room, desperate to find out if her best friend was okay.

"annie, hi! i need to talk. urgently," mackenzie pulled her friend around many corners and through several locker rows to confirm that nobody would be able to hear her.

annie's expression changed from anxious to worried, "kenz, what happened?"

kenzie blinked, and her eyes were coated with a thick layer of tears. "i really like johnny, you know? i love him. i haven't known him for too long, but i know what i feel. you understand me?"

annie nodded slowly, confused as to what this conversation could possibly lead to. "are you alright? don't cry, kenz. did something happen between between you and johnny?"

mackenzie had finally reached her breaking point. all at once, her pale face (due to feeling sick), flashed to a deep red. the huge lump in her throat made it difficult to push any words out. "no," she shook her head, "nothing between us."

"what's this have to do with john?" the girl asked, concerned. although it was just a question, it made kenzie's eyes water.

"noah," she gulped, "i don't know what's happening. a few minutes ago, i told him that i'm getting my last name changed tomorrow. something about the way i knew he was actually happy for me, i don't know what it was, but it made me feel queasy, like my heart ached."

annie laid her hand on kenzie's shoulder, "kenzie, do you like noah?"

"no," she said immediately, "never. that's impossible, he's basically my brother." she wiped her eyes.

"i don't see the problem, then."

mackenzie crossed her arms, staring at her shoes for a good minute. "i just don't understand what i was feeling. i want to know, i thought maybe you would know. and why do i feel so guilty about it?"

"maybe his revolting face just made your stomach turn," annie grinned, "i'm sure you have nothing to worry about, i know you love johnny. let's get out of here, do you want to hang out?"

she nodded, "yeah. let's go."

buddy 🥶
[ attachment: 1 image ]

i'd rather be
hanging out than
here :((

buddy 🥶
kenz!!!
delivered 8:40 pm

buddy 🥶
kenzieeee
delivered 8:46 pm

buddy 🥶
can u come over
for awhile tonight??
we haven't hung out
in a min
read 8:51 pm

buddy 🥶
coach said i did
great at practice tn

i have a game this
weekend. maybe you,
john, and nads can come?
read 9:01 pm

buddy 🥶
u read my message

is everything ok?
read 9:13 pm

buddy 🥶
oh mannn u
suck. just wait.
read 9:15 pm

"bye annie!" mackenzie waved goodbye to her friend as annie's car pulled out of the driveway. "thanks for the ride!" she added, and annie just waved out of the car window.

the girl smiled, thinking about the fun night she had. she'd never hung out with annie alone, as they weren't as close, and they never had the time. they didn't do much, just relaxed on annie's couch. however, it was still a good time to kenzie.

she turned around on the front of her family's deck, preparing to go inside, smile still playing on her face. though- the smile soon faded as she became face to face with what was waiting for her.

"what are you doing at my house?" she frowned. he stepped forward, a sad look in his eyes. no, he wasn't crying, but the worry and stress in his eyes was crystal clear.

"i tried contacting you all night," noah said, "nadia wouldn't answer, you wouldn't, annie wouldn't, johnny didn't hear from you either. i was scared half to death. are you okay?"

"i'm fine," she swallowed, "thanks for caring, but you can go now. goodnight, noah." she gently pushed him out of the way as she opened the door to her house.

to mackenzie's surprise, and liking, her body remained normal when she made eye contact with noah. no more sunken heart, or twisty stomach. it was as if nothing ever happened.

"night, kenz. text me if you need anything," he waved, walking down the steps of her porch, and down the road to his own house.

the girl ran up the stairs and plopped onto her bed, letting out a long sigh of relief. not only was she confused as to what she was feeling earlier, but she was overly happy that she knew noah was only a friend to her.

johnny was the only one she had eyes for.

KARLEIGH SPEAKS!
whew thank gosh