Here you go! More angst! Woohoo!

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A familiar high-pitched laugh drew Kennedy's focus away from her research and to the doors of the library. Through the glass panes, she saw Layla wrapping her arms around Harrison's neck, smiling up at him. Kennedy grimaced and stopped herself from throwing up in her mouth.

When she looked from where Layla clung to Harrison to Harrison's face, she paused. He wore an easy smile, one that she had seen a million times. It was a smile that wasn't forced, wasn't put on for appearance. It was a true smile.

Sadness seeped into Kennedy's chest. It was such a pathetic reaction that she crossed her arms, staring at the couple deciding to face the facts. Her best friend liked this girlfriend. She wouldn't use the word love because she didn't believe it ran that deep, but he cared for Layla even if Kennedy thought his emotions were stupid and misdirected. Still, there was no denying the way he smiled down at the girl in his arms.

Since this was the case, she knew she needed to make a decision. There was no changing Harrison's mind on anything, she learned this from a lifetime of friendship. That meant she either needed to stop being his friend so she could avoid feeling the twist of pain she did around him or shut down her feelings for him.

The first option wasn't an option at all. He knew her like no one else. They were as close as two people could be in her mind. He understood her moods and counterbalanced her. She would never say he was her other half because as her mother pointed out a woman didn't need a man to complete them but a partner to stick by them. And Harrison was Kennedy's partner. So stopping the friendship wasn't the way to go.

That left only the second option: shut down her feelings.

As a planner, Kennedy fully believed she could do this. It was simple, she knew all of Harrison's flaws, and using them would help disconnect her heart from the positives of his personality.

There was no time like the present and with Harrison still engaged in a conversation with his girlfriend, Kennedy got to work mentally making a list.

First off, Harrison was a boy. One who farted at will. It was a constant annoyance especially when he would only laugh at her outrage.

He talked with his mouth full at times.

He would be on his phone in the middle of a conversation and leave his sentences hanging for seconds before completing them or never completing them at all.

He wore the same shirt to school multiple days in a row.

He only took ten minutes to get ready for school and made fun of Kennedy for taking twenty-five.

In defense lessons he was able to pin her to the mat faster than she could pin him at times.

He didn't know how to clean a gun or shoot, and for some reason having a distaste for them.

He burped in Kennedy's face.

He stole her food.

Kennedy kept going, finding there were many things about Harrison that plainly annoyed and angered her that he didn't care that it did. As each item was added she felt herself relaxing. She knew all of Harrison's flaws and it was easy to see why her feelings were all wrong. He wasn't worth the time. There was no reason she should like him.

When the library door opened and Harrison rushed in, Kennedy felt confident that what she had thought she felt for Harrison was over or finding its way to termination.

Then he smiled at her.

She hated him. She truly hated him.

Harrison nudged Kennedy's arm, frowning in puzzlement. "Kenny?"

She also hated that nickname and that he was the only one that used it, the idiot.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yup. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be."

Harrison eyed her but shrugged. "No reason not to be I guess."

The library doors open once again and Dennie and Amber walked in, their expressions twisted with annoyance.

"You heard me wrong," Amber said. "I wasn't insulting her."

"Really?" Dennie asked. "Because saying she has a pug nose sounds like an insult to me."

"Well, it's not. I was stating a fact, you're the getting all pissy over nothing."

"Me?!" Dennie tossed his hands up. "You're the one insulting a girl I was only talking to."

Kennedy and Harrison exchanged a glance.

"Aren't you happy we didn't set them up," he murmured.

She held his gaze, picturing the way Layla draped herself over him.

"Most definitely. Amber," Kennedy said, stalling the girl's retort. "Can we get to work now?"

"Yes," she said, shooting a glare at Dennie as she stomped to the table.

Not one to be outdone, Dennie stormed to the table Harrison was moving to, wearing his own fierce expression. Shaking her head at the complete 180 from the day before, Kennedy leaned on the table.

"What do you want to work on?" she asked.

Amber slammed her binder on the table. A sound that was doubled by Dennie. Scowling, Amber flipped over her binder and ruffled through it but without a clear idea of what she was looking for.

"Why don't we start with your Algebra 2 homework?" Kennedy suggested.

"Fine by me."

Kennedy was irritated to find that Amber's distracted state was worse than yesterday. The girl's frustration against Dennie seemed to keep her from thinking of anything else. At one point, Kennedy sank back in her chair, staring at Amber, waiting for some reaction to her lack of tutoring. Amber gave none.

"Are you paying attention at all?" Kennedy asked.

"Of course," Amber said.

"Okay then, let's continue." She rested her head in her hand, pointing at the next problem. "Oh before we continue, what was that thing Dennie was just mentioning?"

Amber rolled her eyes. "He was talking about how last year he almost went out with Vivian Winter and how it didn't work out because he realized she was too annoying and that..."

Kennedy watched Amber wondering if the girl knew that she was digging herself a hole big enough to fit a semi-truck. Amber kept talking so clearly she didn't. Knowing it was worthless to point this out to Amber, Kennedy redirected the girl's attention back to the homework and dealt with the struggle of having to keep doing so for the next hour.

When their time ended, Amber shoved her things back into her backpack and marched out of the library before Dennie who rushed to do the same, wanting to prove that he was just as angry with her as she was with him.

"That was painful," Harrison said, plopping into the chair beside Kennedy.

"Agreed."

"Now that it's over, do you want to get something to eat?"

Before Kennedy say anything, Harrison's phone rang. When he checked it, Kennedy saw that Layla was calling and felt a tinge of annoyance. Knowing that she needed to crush the feeling, she did the last thing she wanted to.

"You should take it," she said.

Slowly, Harrison swiveled his head to her as if unable to believe he had heard what she had said. "What?"

Kennedy crossed her arms and dug her fingertips into her palm to keep herself from retracting what she had said. "You should take it."

Harrison laughed. "You know reverse psychology isn't going to work, right?"

"It's not reverse psychology. I know I haven't been Layla's biggest fan but," she shrugged, "I realize that she makes you happy."

Keeping his gaze on her, Harrison set his phone aside. "You make me happy too, Kenny."

That was it, Kennedy was going to punch him. She was trying and he was ruining her efforts by being a complete jerk.

"Fine. Then let's go eat," she said, not letting herself feel anything over his act of declining his girlfriend for her.

Nodding, Harrison stood up and swung his backpack onto his shoulders. "Let's go."

Harrison pushed open the library doors, letting Kennedy exit first.

Kennedy and Harrison left the school grounds, cutting a path to the closest metro station. The interior of the station was warmer than outside but not by much and Kennedy shifted closer to Harrison for warmth. The train rumbled to a stop before them and they walked in, finding an empty pole to hold onto.

As the train took off, Kennedy stumbled, falling into Harrison, her hand pressed against his chest. Needing to severe what emotions the contact created, she brought up the reason for needing to end it.

"Sorry," she said, finding her feet. "Look, I want you to know I'm sorry for how I've treated Layla."

Harrison narrowed his eyes at her. "Where is this coming from? You've hated Layla from the moment I talked to her."

"Yeah, well I realized I can be wrong."

Harrison snorted. "I don't even think you believe what you just said."

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Okay fine, I haven't liked her but you do so I should learn to. She seems...nice."

Making a face, Harrison shook his head. "Stop. This is weird with you trying to like my girlfriend."

"What you want me to say is that I honestly think she's the type of person who would drop you in a second if someone better came along."

"Yes! It would be normal."

"Fine, I'll continue to insult your girlfriend if it makes you happy."

"Thank you, that's all I ask for. Also, I take offense that you think that there could be someone better than me."

She punched his arm, making him laugh.

The metro station Kennedy and Harrison ascended out of was in the heart of a business district and pedestrians bumped and jostled them, unaware of anything but their personal need to head home or find a drink. Overhead the sun was descending, backlighting the buildings.

They headed into a cafe and were enveloped by the warmth and bitter-sweet scent. After ordering, they claimed a table by a window and Kennedy leaned back in her chair. She stared out the window but didn't see the passing people, only aware of the presence across from her. Aware of him and the line between them that they couldn't and wouldn't cross.

"I think you were right," Kennedy said. "Amber and Dennie should never date. Even if they are best friends, it would never end well."

Harrison eyed her, shocked.

"Wait? You're serious?" he asked.

"Yeah. Best friends doesn't mean a perfect couple. Sometimes best friends are simply that, best friends."

Harrison rested his arms on the table and leaned in. "What happened to all that stuff you said a few days ago about how best friends make the best couples."

"I don't know why you're arguing with me, you're the one who talked about destroying a lifelong friendship. I agree with you. They shouldn't date and I will never get in the middle of them to try and make it happen."

Harrison drew his brows together and Kennedy wasn't sure if it was because he doubted what she was saying or didn't like it.

"But if they got together on their own then do you think they would last?" he asked.

"Maybe. But it's best that they don't, right? Not worth the risk and all that?"

After a second, Harrison softened his expression and studied the tabletop.

"Okay, yes," he said. He raised his head. "There is a risk. There is always a risk with relationships. But relationships based on friendship are known to be stronger. Take your parents as an example."

It was a good example, Kennedy knew they were abnormal in their deep affection and devotion for each other and that came from a strong friendship basis.

Still, she shrugged. "True, but they are the exception. Who's to say that it will be the same for someone like Amber and Dennie. They could be worse together."

"So you're saying they should never give it a try? They should never see what a lifetime of friendship could lead to?"

"Maybe."

The hum of the cafe swirled around them, encasing them in their own little world. Though a world with a divide in it. Harrison locked eyes with Kennedy and then gazed out on the cafe.

"I think they could make it," Harrison said, his voice low.

Kennedy stared at him, doubtful. "You do?"

He met her gaze again. "Yeah, because if you think about it even though they hit a rough patch they could be fine the next day, they can work it out. They know that they can trust each other and that even if one of them is in the wrong that it doesn't mean everything is over."

Kennedy held Harrison's gaze, knowing the soft hazel color better than she knew her own dark blue.

"I guess time will tell if they will ever get together then," she said.

He nodded, eyes locked with hers. "Yeah, I guess it will."

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Hey there nutty noodle!

(You're a noodle therefore you are naturally nutty since no noodle can acknowledge being a noodle without the understanding that they are also nutty)

Oh the pain! *dramatically puts hand to forehead* oh the tragedy! Oh the angst of it all!! *Faints*

If you feel the pain of our beloved Kennedy then share your thoughts! Or don't and see if I care cause clearly you don't! How dare you! 💬💭🗯

I'm writing this author's note late and it's clear that my oddness does not get better with time...since it's late at night and therefore time is late and SEE! This is what I mean! Someone stop me now! This will only get worse!

*runs around screaming and waving hands* someone hit me with something or I shall never stop! I will torment the world with my flailing!!

Just kidding, I've stopped, any who if you're still in distress about our two best friends finally getting together then you literally have nothing to stress about just go read the next chapter (The Truth Comes Out) you dumb dumb!

See! Told you I'm not functional at this hour. I'm leaving, I'll see you at some other point in time! BLAH!

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