Mackenzie

Chapter 19

Sunkissed.

I stretched lazily as I yawned. I pushed my covers off my body and got out of bed. As my feet landed on the fluffy carpet on the floor, I saw my dressing mirror in two places as I fell on the floor with a loud thud.

"Bad omen," I mumbled to myself, forcing myself to sit up, rubbing my eyes. Maybe today was my ditch day. I huffed when I remembered Bambi was such a mother. I got up and walked sluggishly to the bathroom. I hit the shower and let the hot water hit my skin without mercy. I closed my eyes, sighing.

When I got home yesterday, the first thing I did was call the hospital to talk to mom, but I was told she was asleep. I tried studying, but my mind kept wandering and next thing I knew I was looking down at my phone, expecting dad's call, but just as I'd told Darren, dad didn't call. I'd only had the appetite for Apple Jacks. Damn, was cereal good with Organic Valley milk. Thanks to Darren, I always felt in Heaven while having breakfast. Speaking of Darren, he did call me. We spoke for a long time, until I felt sleepy.

I stepped out of the shower and got into my clothes, excited about having breakfast. I did a little happy dance as I got into the kitchen. Who knew that Organic Valley milk would make me happy? We probably should get married. Just then, the door opened and Bambi walked in, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey Bambi, we're not late, are we?" I asked her, looking at my watch.

"Not at all. I came here for breakfast." Bambi rolled her eyes, smiling as she grabbed a bowl and a spoon.

"Breakfast time!" She sang, doing a little dance.

I chuckled, shaking my head, secretly happy that I wasn't the only one who danced for Organic Valley milk with cereal.

As we sat down to eat, Bambi rose her spoon in the air. I rose an eyebrow looking at the spoon.

"What's up?" I asked.

"You wouldn't believe Ryan!" She brought her spoon back to her plate.

"Why?"

"Remember he said he had stuff to do after school?"

" Yep." I said, mouth full

"He was with that girl in his car!" She threw her hands in the air now.

"Really?"

"I swear on my favorite​ bra," she said in all seriousness.

My mouth hung open before I burst out laughing, "Right. I believe you, but is it still the one with the polka dots on it?"

"No! That was my favorite last two years! The new one's got emoji's on them," she smiled proudly

"Wow. How normal it is to have favorite underwear," I said sarcastically.

"Hey! Nothing bad in it.." Bambi said as she took the last spoon of her breakfast. "Anyway, about Ryan.. I suggest we don't say anything... Yet."

"Hmm" I nodded, "Yep."

......................

"So I called the hospital yesterday and they said mom was asleep." I told Bambi as we walked to our lockers.

"Really? Then, we should go visit her. I mean, three of us.. let's go see how she's doing.. after school."

"Right. Thanks," I nodded

"Hey girls!" Ryan smiled as he appeared beside us.

"Hey Ry," Bambi and I smiled back.

"Soo.. what's up?" He asked.

"Uh.. we were just talking about visiting mom. Kenzi called the hospital yesterday, but she was asleep. So, I just said, three of us should go after school to see her."

"Shit." Ryan closed his eyes as Bambi and I threw ourselves a look, knowing what was probably coming next, "I'm sorry, but... Can we move it to another day?"

"Why should we?" Bambi asked.

"Because... I'd be busy after school.. I mean-"

"We get it, Ry," Bambi said sharply, cutting him off.

"No, it's not.. see, I really want to come, but-"

"Save it," Bambi rolled her eyes and walked away.

I watched her leave, contemplating whether to walk away too or keep standing.

I heard Ryan sigh, "How did you get home yesterday?"

"Darren took me," I answered.

"Who's Darren?" He asked, confused.

"He's my friend," I said, picking on my nails.

"So.. he took you home?" He asked, hurt in his eyes.

"Yes, he did."

"Why did you let him take you home?"

"Because I asked someone if he could take me and he said he was busy.. Someone else was willing to take me, so..."

"But-"

"Can you please stop? It was a win-win for us. You got to do what you had to do and I got home in a car safely..." I glared at him and then, the bell rang. I turned to walk to class.

"Wait up, Kenzi, c'mon!" Ryan said after me, but I kept on walking.

.....................

I huffed as I got seated. Tanner was right beside me, but I didn't look at him. I was angry. Angry with Ryan for not telling Bambi and I who that girl was. Angry that we'd all said we were gonna visit mom one day and when it's time to go, Ryan's busy. What made me angrier was the fact that I knew he was gonna end up being with that girl today. I was angry because that girl was taking Ryan's attention. Call me selfish or whatever, but then, it was hard to accept when Bambi and I didn't even know the girl.

Class went fast today and I was extremely grateful for that. Mrs Martinez didn't call my name at all, though, she called Ryan because he had been sleeping. The bell rang and I took a little time to pack my notes while everyone hurried to get out of the class.. I started to walk out of the class when I felt a hand grab my arm.

I gasped as Tanner turned me to face him, "L-leave me a-alone," I begged, wincing in pain, looking at his face which was emotionless.

"Look, I-"

"You're h-hurting me." I said and immediately, his facial expression changed as he released his grip on my arm.

I sighed, rubbing my arm. I turned to leave the class.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" Tanner's voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

I turned around to look at him, unsure if that just came out from his mouth.

"Did you just say something?" I asked

"Why have you been avoiding me?" He repeated.

"I haven't been avoiding you," I replied.

"Then why wouldn't you look at me yesterday? Why wouldn't you talk to me when clearly, I wanted to know what was wrong with you? Why wouldn't you come to tutor me?-"

"Because you're a jerk!" I screamed,

"And you'd always be one! Since when did it matter that I looked at you, when all you see when you look at me is a b***h? When did it matter that I wouldn't talk to you, when all you'd do is laugh at me or use it to hurt me? When did it matter that I came to tutor you, when you'd always call me names and I'd never leave happy?-"

"I'm sorry!" He shouted, running a hand through his hair in a distracting way.

"You said that just a few days ago!" I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I'm sorry! And I actually mean it. I suck at this apologizing s**t, but I'm saying sorry."

"Mackenzie?" I heard a voice call and looked back to see Darren standing at the door, notes in his hand. He looked up at Tanner and his mouth formed an 'o', showing he hadn't noticed Tanner was standing in front of me.

"I'm sorry.. I'd just leave you guys," he said as he turned to leave.

"Don't," I said after him, giving Tanner a last look and he looked back with pleading eyes, then I turned to leave the class. I met Darren standing a way from the door.

I sighed as I walked to him.

"I thought we had English now, and that's like the only class we have together," Darren said

"Uh.. yeah." I replied, my mind wandering.

"Are you okay?" He looked at me

I smiled, "Yes. Yes, I am.."

Even though he looked uncertain, he nodded.

"Thanks for calling.. uh, yesterday night," I said

"I don't know about you, but that was the longest convo I've ever had," he chuckled

"Well, Bambi and Ryan sure have beat that record, but after that, that was the longest," I chuckled too.

We walked to English and got in while the class was rowdy with people in different corners and seats chatting.

I took my seat beside Bambi and she looked at me, "You okay?"

"You're such a reader," I playfully rolled my eyes.

"You're like, an Oliver Goldsmith book-"

"Don't. Start," I smiled, holding a hand up.

She chuckled a bit, "What's up?"

"Just a little tough time with the student," I sighed.

"McCann?"

I nodded, "He scares me officially. So, he stops me after Trig and asks why I've been avoiding him. I don't even get it, how would I even avoid someone I rarely talk to! And then he says sorry and-" I threw my hands in the air, shaking my head.

Bambi simply chuckled, "You seem mad."

"Because he makes me mad! I wonder what'd have happened if Darren didn't appear at the door."

"Hmm.. Darren," she smiled, calling his name slowly.

"You're a weirdo," I rolled my eyes, huffing.

"Well, I'm your weirdo," she flung her arms around me, grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't stand you, Bambi," I shook my head, chuckling.

"But, really... I think you should just listen to Tanner and accept his apology. He does look like somebody who doesn't say sorry," Bambi said.

"Or the other four magic words," I rolled my eyes.

Bambi chuckled,"Kenzi...."

.............

"What's up? Edward won't let me rest" Bambi said as we both ate lunch.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! I mean, he keeps telling me to help talk to you."

"And you don't plan on doing that, do you?" I raised an eyebrow

"Actually, I do..."

I sighed, "Please, don't. My life is way too full of drama"

"Alright, watch my drama." Bambi said and I tiredly looked at her,

"What?"

"Shh."

And just then, Jesse appeared at our table and I fully understood what she'd meant.

"Hey girls," Jesse smiled and while I said hi, Bambi was already blushing as usual. Jesse turned to look at Bambi as he said,"I.. I wanted to talk to you."

Bambi made bad boy Jesse nervous!

"Oh... Uh, alright," Bambi said, smiling and I realized I should just excuse them. There was no sense in making two of them leave.

"You know what? I'd excuse you guys," I said as I got up and walked, searching for a vacant seat.

"Kenzi?" Ryan called and I turned to look at him.

"C'mon, you've got to talk to me , I'm sorry, okay? I was just really curious about who took you home.. y'know, one can't​ be too careful-"

"I'm not angry because you wanted to know one who took me home," I rolled my eyes, "I'm angry because.. because.." Ny voice trailed off, "You know what? Just forget it," I sighed.

"Is it about mom?"

"You know it is!"

"Look, I'm sorry... I really am-"

"Are you really busy after school, Ryan, are you?"

"Yes, I am.. c'mon, I'm sorry. Look, I promise you, another day, I'd go with you and Bambi. I'm sorry," he pulled my cheek.

I sighed, rolling my eyes at the same time, "Alright."

"Thank you," he smiled, "Where's Bambi?"

"At the table," I looked over to her and saw Jesse had left. We walked to the table and got seated.

"What's up?" I asked Bambi.

"He asked if I wanted to hang out after school."

"And what did you say?" I asked, smiling.

"I told him we could hang out another day"

"Why?" I asked

"Because we're meant to go to the hospital after school," she gave me a 'duh' look.

"Oh," I bit my lip, "You didn't have to..." I knew Bambi would have loved to hang out with Jesse. On the other hand, I saved her a bit.. she was scared of having anything to do with him because of the kind of guy he was.

"Well, I don't wanna be like somebody," she said, glaring at Ryan.

"C'mon! I'm sorry, I swear... I'd make it up to you guys, trust me."

"Oh that's awesome! Considering you have to make two things up to us now," Bambi said.