4

Chapter Song: Down Low- Astrid S

My alarm went off sooner than I'd like. With a groan, I forced myself out of bed to search for my slippers. The cold grey wood was so unwelcoming.

I walked towards my closet to decide what to wear before I make coffee. For some reason, I always had to get dressed before I did anything in the mornings unless I had to shower. I would make coffee first and let it cool while I was showering if I needed to.

I decided on my favorite pair of black ripped jeans, an oversized sweater the color of a pumpkin, and I threw on a pair of Vans last minute. It wasn't cold enough for boots yet, but it was a little chilly lately. Chilly enough to make a hot coffee.

I took the stairs two at a time to brew everyone's morning coffee before putting on my makeup. I knew dad had a late night last night, and Tish didn't have to be at the studio until later this morning, but I decided to make a full pot anyways.

I kept my makeup simple and decided to braid my hair, it looked more like a rope but oh well. I would get more glamorous but some days its just too much work. I kept it simple with mascara some bronzer and highlight. My eyebrows were naturally thick so I just threw brow gel in to keep them from curling every which way.

After I was finished getting ready, I heard Tish upstairs so I decided to see if she needed any help. She put me on snack duty for Livi, and I heard Liam get in the shower. A normal routine for all of us. I would help out if needed, and Liam would be running late.

For some reason I found myself thinking about Cal and I's conversation in the weight room the other day. Over the past two years, we've had conversations here and there only because the guys would hang out at our house sporadically. He was probably the closest friend I had besides Liam and Riley.

Last year he started dating a cheerleader named Noelle. Sweet girl but apparently she cheated on him with some senior. I heard it from Riley who heard it from some girls in her dance class. At least that was the rumor, but all Cal had told me was that she cheated.

I didn't ask who with, it wasn't really my place. If he wanted me to know he would tell me. At least that's what I had to tell myself. He didn't have to tell me at all, but he still did. I appreciated the fact that he felt comfortable telling me, but at the same time, it was a little weird. He never really talked to me about her that much.

"Liam!" I called downstairs. "Hurry up you're going to be late." Yesterday my dad and I went to pick up my Jeep so I didn't have to rely on him anymore. Which meant we would take turns driving together unless one of us was running late.

I waited for a response but got nothing. Oh well, not my problem.

______________________________

I was standing at my locker scrolling mindlessly through my Instagram when my locker slammed shut. I jumped back and let my phone slip to the floor in the process. It clattered to the floor but the sound was lost in the shuffling of everyone's shoes.

I crouched down to pick up my phone while I placed a hand on my chest. "Jesus Riley, you scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry." She laughed. "So you'll never guess who is my date for the party on Friday!" She squealed clasping her hands together.

"Who's your date?" I paused, "to your party. At your house?" I rolled my eyes. I still found it a little funny she was taking a date to her own party, but I wasn't judging her.

No matter what, I loved Riley. She always seemed to be able to turn any situation into a good one. Even when her parents were out of town she always said that it gave her more time with us.

"Lucas!" She practically screamed while spinning around in a full circle.

Lucas was Riley's dream boy of the week. Sometimes I swore I lived my dating life through her and all her boys. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it, very admirable. A lot of jealous underclassmen would try to call her a slut so then I would step in and have to set the record straight.

She was the type of girl everyone wishes she was, the "it girl". She was naturally beautiful with slightly exotic looks. She was half Puerto Rican and Cuban. I envied her looks compared to mine. Her dark hair and full lips with big Bambi eyes.

As opposed to my naturally blonde hair with brown eyes. She had a total dancer's body with a tall and thin frame. She was a total bunhead. When she walked it was almost as if she was dancing through the air, gravity seemed to be ruled by her.

I was lean but muscular as opposed to her thin and toned frame. Even though Riley could be a supermodel I had never been intimidated by her looks or her body. We respected each other's differences. I always wish I had her height, but she wanted my boobs. It all worked out in its own weird way. It was refreshing to have a friend and not be jealous of each other.

"Cal told me to find him at your party this weekend." The words spilled out of my mouth like vomit. Her mouth practically hit the floor as I rushed to cover mine before I could say more.

"Kenny!" She squealed. "No way. How? I thought you guys don't speak like ever." She wasn't wrong.

I began to tell her everything that had happened in the past few days from swim practice to how he ended up in my bedroom, to him falling on top of me in the weight room. Her eyes never left mine, as she nodded her head smiling egging my story on.

"Do you think he's going to ask you out?" She squeaked.

"I don't know why would he?"  I could feel my eyes getting bigger. Would he really ask me out?

I shrugged it off letting my eyes wander around the sea of students walking in the halls. So many faces but not the one I was hoping to see.

Stop it, don't think about him.

"Listen KP you're smart and gorgeous and are practically guaranteed a scholarship to any college with those fins of yours." She poked at my ribs, "also." She added, "you have guys begging to date you so why not choose the one who's been in love with you for almost two years."

"There is no way he was in love with me for two years Riles." I scoffed. It was impossible. "There is no way he could have even been interested in me like that," I said. It even sounded weird coming out of my mouth. We weren't like that.

I watched as she just eyed me some more waiting for me to put the pieces together. The only problem was that they weren't fitting. He couldn't have liked me. Like me? No, not a thing.

"What?" I whined.

There couldn't be. We were off-limits to each other. Why would he even like me anyway? Yeah, Riley just told me a bunch of nice things, but did that mean Cal saw those things? He never actually showed any real interest in me either. The past few days were just a weird coincidence nothing else.

"Really Ken?" Riley looked at me about to say more but the bell rang at the perfect moment. "I'll see you in Bio." She said pausing our conversation to dance down the hallway.

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Friday and Riley's party rolled around. The first week of Junior year was done, only forever to go, or at least it felt that way. I thought as I finished curling my hair, and added a fresh swipe of lip gloss to complete my makeup.

I went to stand at my full-length mirror to check my outfit one last time. I decided against my white T-shirt and threw on a transparent mesh top instead to show off my strappy bralette. It was my favorite one, all black with this gorgeous lace detail. I tucked it into my leather wrap skirt and threw on some booties. At the last minute, I grabbed my grey leather jacket in case I got cold.

I went upstairs to make an iced latte to take with me. I wasn't much of a drinker so I just needed something to fill my hands. I didn't like the feeling of being drunk.

Me and Riley got drunk over the summer on Vodka and frozen lemonade at the lake. While it was a good time it felt like my mind and body fought the entire time. I also couldn't stop throwing up.

So Mason had to carry me back to Riley's afterward. It was my first and only time ever drinking. So I just choose not to, plus I would much rather sleep in my own bed at the end of the night then a random couch. I also was smart enough to not risk getting caught.

I stared at the countertop waiting for my coffee to brew. I still wasn't sure about how tonight was supposed to go. Usually, I would offer to drive Liam and Cal. At the end of the night I would usually drop Tyler and Mason off or they'd stay at one of our houses. But none of the boys were around, at least I didn't hear any of them.

Of course the usual will happen- I'll meet up with Riley for a bit until she's whisked away by whatever guy she was in to. This time around it was Lucas. Play beer pong or Kings cup with the girls from the swim team and whoever decided to join us. I would have to get Riley to play beer pong because we were champions. At some point, I would run into the boys. Would I hang out with Cal then? Or not at all?

You're thinking too much into this! It's just Cal!

"Well don't you look nice." My dad's tired green eyes smile at me. "But don't you think you'll be cold?" He nodded towards my clothing or lack thereof.

"I'll be fine dad." I tilted my head giving him the look. I poured my almond milk into my tumbler with coffee then added my ice. "Is Liam dropping Olivia off at her sleepover tonight?" I said without looking up.

"No, actually I dropped her off today." He said matter of factly.

I raised my brows, "oh".

"You know I can do this parenting thing too plus me and Tish have a date night." He winked at me. I winked at him back.

It's not that my dad was a bad dad. He was an amazing dad. But it was just hard to be there all the time when you're a surgeon. That's why I stepped up to the plate, someone had too. He was a mess when we lost our mom, but I think Liam tended to forget he lost his other piece. He tried to keep it together around us but I could always tell. Then he met Tish and I saw some light back into his eyes. She made him really happy.

"Is she getting ready and where is Liam then?" I looked up.

He pulled me away, "he said he will catch up with you there he's getting a ride from Tyler, and yes but if she takes any longer well be late!" He practically yelled towards their closed bedroom doors.

"Huh okay." I nodded sipping my latte as I began to look for my keys.

"Have fun tonight kiddo, call if you need anything." He nodded as if secretly telling me to not do anything insane.

"Well don't you look cute." Tish sauntered into the kitchen wearing a black wrap dress and tan suede heels.

She was impossibly perfect. From her pin-straight blonde bob down to her never chipped pedicure. You would think I would hate having a stepmom, but actually she was pretty great and made my dad happy. That was all I could ask for.

"Thank you." I beamed. "Try telling someone else that." I threw my head towards my dad before leaving the kitchen.

"Be safe text me!" He called after me ignoring my comment while I grabbed my keys.

"Got it!" I hollered back as I opened the door.

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The photo I used at the beginning of this chapter to me describes Kennedy's and Riley's friendship. It's that ride or die, loving, fun kind of vibe. :)

Also all the pictures I use are from Pinterest they are not my own!