Not a Night for Clowning Around

𝕋𝕎𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕐-𝕋ℍℝ𝔼𝔼

WE HAD BEEN running for what felt like forever, yet we weren't any closer to the exit.

"I think we lost them." Kellen slowed his run down to a walk.

"If you knew were the exit was, then why didn't you go?" I asked the burning question that had been on my mind.

Kellen shrugged his shoulders. "I was the last to get out, and since no one had seen where you were, I decided to go back and find you."

Everyone got out of here before me? More specifically, Jake got out? "No one else came with you?"

He shook his head. "Shawn was feeling pretty sick so Aaliyah took him home."

"What about Jake?"

"I don't know, he ran into some of his lacrosse friends and they went to go eat."

It felt like my heart had been stabbed. Jake really just left without even checking up on me? Did me running away really freak him out that much? My sadness was suddenly replaced by rage. The least he could've done was make sure I was okay. I couldn't believe I almost confessed my feelings to that asshole.

Kellen looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I just want to get out of here."

"Carter, wait."

I raised my eyebrows. "Is everything okay? Did you forget the way out?"

He shook his head. "I need to tell you something."

"I don't really think now is the time."

"Seeing that you almost died today, I need to say it before it's too late."

"Kellen, you're kind of scaring me."

He took in a deep breath and looked me in the eyes. "The truth is, I'm in love with you."

"What?"

He looked away in embarrassment. "I've been in love with you ever since we were kids. I just never knew how to tell you. But after today..." He paused. "I had to tell you before I lost you for good."

I tried to think of something to say, but my mind was blank. This was too much for one day. How was I supposed to tell the only guy who cared that I wasn't interested? I loved Kellen, but more like a brother if anything. I never saw him in a romantic light, nor did I think I ever would. Jake had my heart, but Kellen was just a friend.

"I really don't think now is the time for this," I opted as my response.

He shook his head. "Now's the perfect time. You saw what almost happened, Carter. If I weren't here, who knows what would've happened to you? I can't live another second without you knowing how I feel."

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

He looked at me with confusion etched over his face. "What do you mean?"

"I appreciate you coming back for me, but I don't feel that way about you, Kellen."

"You still have feelings for your ex, don't you?" he scoffed.

"You should know better than anyone that I hate him. I thought he was my stalker for crying out loud!"

"Then why don't you like me?" he demanded.

I looked down to avoid his eyes. "I like Jake, Kellen."

"So you pick the guy who doesn't even give two shits about you and left you to fend for yourself?" he scoffed. "First Matt, and now him? Nice taste in men you've got."

"Kellen, I'm sorry. You're a great guy, and—"

"Shut up," he spat venomously. "I don't want to hear another word from you." He shook his head. "You deserve everything that's happened."

"Are you kidding me? What kind of a friend are you?"

"The only one who cares," he retorted. "I don't see Shawn, or Aaliyah, or your precious Jake anywhere here. I'm the only one who came, Carter."

My heart did go out to him. It wasn't easy being rejected, and I felt like the worst person for breaking his heart. "Can we focus on getting out, and talk about this later?"

"Get out?" He looked at my incredulously. "You had thirty minutes to escape and be free." Kellen paused. "If you lose, surely the consequences you will see."

I accused Matt and Jake of being my stalker before, but this time I knew it.

"You're not escaping, Carter. You made the wrong decision, and now you're going to face the consequences."