Betrayed
1186 Words
Kenzie’s POV
I wake up early to prepare for school, get dressed, and meet Lisa downstairs.
“How are you feeling?” she asks curiously.
“I’m okay.”
“You sure?” She eyes me carefully.
“Yes… let’s go.”
We arrive at school, walk over to our lockers, and take the books we need out for class. Natalie and Stella walk over, arguing about something irrelevant as usual.
“Christ, he is soooo overrated,” Natalie says.
“Who is?” I ask.
“Kenz… tell Stella… he isn’t that fine,” she says.
“He who?” My brows raise.
“Jensen Ackles.”
I hear Lisa gasp.
“I’m sorry, who?” I ask.
“Jensen Ackles… cute smile, sexy body,” Lisa says.
I just stare at them. “I don’t know who that is,” I say finally.
They all look at me like I’m an alien. Lisa pulls out her phone, searches him, and kind of shoves her phone in my face.
I turn my head to the side, trying to figure out what I’m looking at. “He’s your average American male.”
“AVERAGE,” Lisa and Stella yell.
I lift my hands in surrender. “I mean—”
“Thank you,” Stella says, smirking.
Lisa nudges me. “See? You just don’t get it. He’s… I mean…” She trails off, clearly struggling for words.
“I get it,” I say, rolling my eyes. “He’s cute. Big deal.”
Natalie snorts. “It is, Kenz.”
I shrug, flipping my hair back. “Call it being realistic. I’m not swooning over every guy with a nice smile.”
Lisa laughs, but there’s a teasing edge to it. “You mean you’re never swooning. Ever.”
“Yes, ever” I say
The bell rings, and we head to our classes. All I can think about during my classes is Dad, Anna, and her son.
After school, Lisa and I head home, chatting about homework and weekend plans. When we get to her place, I go to her room and pack my things to head home.
“Are you sure you’re ready to go back?”
“It’s okay. I’ll have to face him sooner or later,” I answer casually.
“You know you can stay as long as you want—”
“I know.” I turn to face her. “I want to do this.”
“Okay, I’ll see you off.”
“That’s—”
“I insist.”
When we get to my place, Lisa waves goodbye at the door. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Yeah, see ya,” I mumble, forcing a smile.
The moment the door clicks shut behind her, I slip quietly into the kitchen. I don’t want Dad to know I’m back. I grab a glass of water, but barely drink it. I just stand there, thinking.
My phone buzzes—Liam.
I glance at the screen, and a small smile plasters on my lips. “Babyyyyyyyyyyyy.”
He has a way of easing my worries; even a text from him makes me giggle. “Hey,” I reply.
He responds within seconds.
Liam: What’s with the gloomy reply? 😊
Me: It’s nothing.
Liam: Doesn’t sound like nothing. What’s wrong?
I take a deep breath.
Me: It’s Dad.
Liam: Adam?
Liam: What’s wrong with him?
Me: Nothing’s wrong with him.
Liam: Okay????
Me: He has a girlfriend.
Liam: Anna?
Me: You know her?
Liam: Not exactly.
Me: You know her.
The betrayal settles in. The typing bubble appears, my grip on my phone tightening.
Liam knows. Maybe he doesn’t know much, but he knows enough. The realization breaks something in me. I rush to my room, shutting the door behind me loud enough for everyone to hear.
I open my laptop to watch a movie when I hear a knock at the door. I know it’s Dad—so I don’t answer.
“Princess,” his voice booms behind the wooden door.
I don’t answer.
“Kenzie,” Dad tries again, softer this time. “I know you’re in there.”
There’s a pause. Then the sound of his hand against the door.
“I just want to talk.”
Talk. Now he wants to talk.
“Princess,” he calls again.
“I’m tired,” I call back.
“I don’t want to say much, Princess.”
I sigh. “You can come in.”
He lets himself in. “Princess,” he coos.
I don’t answer.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Anna.”
I show no sign of responding, but he doesn’t give up.
“Princess, I really like… I really like her.”
The confession grabs my attention. I sit up to face him.
“You like her?” I ask.
He half-smiles. “I do,” he says, scratching the back of his head.
His confession changes everything.
“Dad—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“I’m not asking you to accept it.” He takes my hand before continuing. “I want you to give her a chance.”
“How was dinner?” I ask.
“You would have liked her too. She asked about you.”
“And her son?” I ask, brows raised.
“He’s cool.”
“Dad.”
“Yes, Princess?”
I fight an internal battle in my head. The thoughts barge in. Should I focus on Dad’s happiness, or should I be petty? I choose the former.
Sighing in defeat, I say, “Okay.”
“Okay?” he says, shocked.
“Okay,” I repeat.
He hugs me and attacks me with kisses, which makes me giggle.
“I didn’t say I forgive you,” I say sharply.
“Princess,” he coos.
I don’t know what to do. I don’t want a new family; I’m comfortable with the one we have. But I can’t tell that to Dad. He looks happy with her, and it feels like I’m holding them back.
“I’ll think about it,” I say finally.
“Really?” he asks, brows raised.
“I’ll give her a chance,” I squint my eyes as the words fall out.
“You will?”
“I said I will.”
He stares at me like something is still on his mind.
“Something wrong?” I ask, cautious.
“Liam called.”
“He did,” I say, my voice flat.
“He didn’t want to keep it from you.”
“But he did,” I say.
“I asked him—”
“He still could have told me.”
“Princess—”
“I said I’ll give your girlfriend a chance, but Liam? I’ll speak to him when I want to.”
Dad gives me an awkward smile. He stands up to leave, gives me a kiss on my forehead, and whispers, “Hear him out, okay?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to answer and leaves.
- Writer
