Keep on Going

"So does this mean we aren't into Kennedy anymore?" Abby grilled her as they sat on the couch next morning eating cereal from bowls and watching cartoons like they were kids.

Kacey rolled her eyes, "I mean, why can't I go on a date? Kennedy doesn't like me like that and Ben is really sweet and adorable so why not?"

"I mean, you don't have a reason not to I get that, you know until Kennedy gets jealous and punches this Ben kid out."

"I really don't see him punching anyone."

"Mhm, I guess we see him differently then." She replied with a mouth full of lucky charms.

"So when's this date?"

"I mean, he asked me last night what I was doing for tonight but, I mean, do you think that's too soon?"

"No? I mean how else are you suppose to get to know him?"

Kacey shrugged. She honestly got a good vibe from Ben and she wanted to hang out with him, but the other part of her couldn't stop thinking about Kennedy and it was nagging at her more than she wanted it to. Maybe Ben would make her finally get over these feelings she had for him.

"So you're going to go, right?"

"Yeah, I'm going to go."

"If Kennedy doesn't confess his love before then, right?" Abby joked and Kacey glared at her as she removed herself from the couch in order to take her now empty bowl to the kitchen.

As she finished cleaning the dish and putting it back in it's place the doorbell rang and she heard Abby yelling that she was closer. She rolled her eyes as she strolled over to the door opening it to surprisingly see Kennedy standing there.

"Oh, um, hey, didn't expect to see you. What's up?" She asked trying to stay calm although she knew her cheeks were already flushed simply because here she was standing in front of him in pajamas and with no make up.

"It's ten in the morning little girl, shouldn't you be out of pajamas?" He asked flashing a smile and she rolled her eyes, "I can do what I want." She replied stepping aside to let him walk in.

"Abby, Ken's here! You might want to get pants on!" She yelled to her friend. She heard her friend curse and run to her room causing Kennedy to laugh.

"Glad to know you two just sit around like that all day."

Kacey chuckled as she moved into the now empty living room and sat down which he followed suite in doing.

"So what's up?" She asked as she crossed her legs underneath her.

He shrugged as he relaxed in his seat. He knew he had officially hit an all time low but he just had to know what was up between her and Ben. It had bothered him all night and even this morning he wasn't able to let it go.

Kacey chuckled, "Just wanted to come sit here with us?"

"Maybe. I feel like I hardly spent time with you last night."

She frowned, "I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention you know?"

"I know, I was kidding. It's not a big deal. So tell me, have a date yet?" He asked forcing a smile in order to make it sound more enthusiastic than it was.

She nodded, "Well he asked me to hang out tonight."

"And are you?"

"I don't see why not."

Kennedy nodded unsure what to say and she interrupted the silence.

"You know him pretty well?" She asked and he nodded once more, "Yeah, he use to date Jared's cousin who was around all the time back in the day and he kind of just stuck around."

"So you like him?"

Kennedy locked eyes with her as he debated with himself. He honestly did like him and if he didn't know Ben liked her he knew he would have given him great reviews but now he had to force himself from saying every negative thing the boy had ever done.

"Yeah, he's a good guy." Kennedy forced out and she grinned, "Well if you say so he must actually be."

Kennedy rolled his eyes and before he could speak, Abby walked back in.

"Well hello."

Kennedy laughed, "Hi."

"Well since you have company I have no reason to not go to the gym today, so I'll talk to you later. Have fun on your date!" She said with a smirk before walking out of the apartment.

Kacey let out a sigh as she looked back at Kennedy. He grinned softly and she spoke, "So what now?"

Kennedy laughed, "I don't know."

She sighed as she rested her elbow on the arm of the couch and set her chin in the palm of her hand. Kennedy couldn't help but watch her carefully.

"You should just be like this all the time."

She looked over at him with a confused expression.

"I don't understand the need for make up. It's stupid. Like, you're beautiful without it."

A blush immediately hit her cheeks as she tried to find words.

"You must be delusional now."

He scoffed, "I'm not. It's the truth. I thought the same thing the day I ran into you at the coffee shop."

A grin hit her lip, "Well, thanks I guess."

"You don't take compliments well you know that right?"

"Yeah, they make me pretty uncomfortable."

Kennedy laughed, "Why?!"

"I don't know they just do!"

He shook his head with a smile, "That's ridiculous."

"Nope. What's ridiculous is you ruining my Saturday morning."

"How so?"

"I want to sleep." She grumbled relaxing her head against his shoulder. He couldn't even object to that simply because if all of this hadn't been on his mind he would still be asleep as well. He really wasn't a morning person and yet for the past few days he couldn't sleep past 9. All because of her and he knew that.

"I got an idea." He stated moving from the couch and she groaned simply from him taking away her pillow.

He held out his hands for her and she grudgingly placed hers in his.

"Let's nap." He stated with a grin as he pulled her to her room. Her breathing immediately became erratic as she allowed him to pull her to her room which she never recalled him being in before.

"God, this is just as girly as you." He spoke with a smile on his lips as he looked around the room before falling onto her bed.

Kacey rolled her eyes, "Shut up."

He chuckled as she laid beside him nervously and he turned on his side to look at her. He knew he shouldn't feel the need to compete with Ben, especially since him and Kacey weren't anything and hell, he didn't even have feelings for her like that...at least that's what he kept telling himself. But for some reason, he wanted her to know he was better than Ben. That unlike that boy she barely knew, he would always be there for her.

"I'm glad I met you." He said randomly as the pair stared at each other.

"Why? Like saving me all the time?" She asked with a grin and he chuckled, "Nah, you're just, I don't know..."

"Mhm, are you trying to say the coolest person you've ever had the pleasure to save?"

Kennedy let out a laugh, "Exactly what I'm trying to say."

Kacey giggled from beside him causing his smile to widen. She was adorable and even he knew that.

"I'm glad I met you too." She replied, placing her hands under her pillow as she locked eyes with him.

"Good." He whispered out and the silence between them was nothing but comfortable. What was sad is he couldn't remember the last time he felt this way around a girl. It was refreshing and yet slightly nerving.

Kacey wasn't sure when they fell asleep but the next thing she knew she was waking up. She squinted her eyes, trying to focus on the ceiling and it only took her a few seconds to notice that her hand rested on someone's arm that was wrapped around her. She immediately looked to her left only to see Kennedy. She forgot he was here. Butterflies immediately hit her stomach as she watched him sleep peacefully, his arm still wrapped around her keeping her close enough to be able to smell his cologne. She shut her eyes tightly trying to get rid of her nerves but she had never been this close to him, well besides a hug, so this was overwhelming her at the moment.

She forced her eyes open again as she began to feel around for her phone hoping it was beside her and not by him. Once she found it, she clicked on the screen to see the time and almost panicked. How did she manage to sleep so long with the boy?! She now had only 2 hours at the most to prepare for her date with Ben who had already texted her several times probably thinking she was standing him up which wasn't the case. She sighed as she began texting him apologizing and that she would in fact be ready by 6.

"Why are you already so flustered?" She heard in a sleepy voice and glanced over at Kennedy who was looking at her. Even though he had just woken up, she couldn't help but find him attractive and she wanted to curse out loud because of it.

"Because it's four! Ben's picking me up at six and does it look like I've even started to get ready?!"

Kennedy chuckled clearly not as upset as she was, "Relax will you?" He mumbled, rubbing her side where his hand rested and that was definitely not making it any better for her.

She breathed in deeply trying to cool herself down from the urgency she now felt and from Kennedy's touch.

"Calm down. We will have you ready on time for the ball, Cinderella." He mocked, pressing his lips to her temple before moving off the bed.

Kennedy adjusted his shirt once on his feet and she watched him run his fingers through his hair a few times. Why did she find everything he did to be so cute?

"Gonna pick out my outfit?" She asked just trying to stop watching him.

Kennedy grinned, "Oh yeah. So go shower and what not and I'll get that ready."

"I'm already terrified." She mumbled as she moved from the bed and headed to the bathroom.

Kennedy laughed as she shut the door and he walked over to her closet. He honestly thought about covering her up simply because he didn't want her to look her normal cute, showing too much leg self, but he knew she would think something was up so he decided against the jeans and a turtleneck. He fumbled through her dresses and stumbled upon one he had yet to see on her. He stared at the simple red dress and he could already picture her in it. The thought alone made him shiver and he decided that was it. As he placed it on the bed he gave it one last glance deciding if he wanted Ben to see her in it but before he could change his mind the girl came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.

"So?" She asked and his eyes met hers. He tried to not glance over her figure and he cleared his throat due to nerves.

"Um yeah. Here." He replied holding it out to her and she nodded before taking it and stepping back into the bathroom.

Kennedy groaned and fell onto her bed, covering his face with his hands. This was so pathetic. He knew that and yet he couldn't stay away from her. Maybe he was just physically attracted to her. That would make sense though. He had been physically attracted to a lot of girls and never liked them. He sat up as if a revelation had just happened. That was it. There were no feelings...there couldn't be. Just a strong physical connection.

Kennedy must have laid there longer than he thought because the bathroom door opened and the girl stepped out completely ready. His eyes diverted to her and his breathing stopped immediately.

"So, is this ok?" She asked nervously as she fiddled with her fingers in front of her. She bit her now red lip and he just blinked.

"Like is it too dressy? I mean, maybe I should change." She replied second guessing it since he was now silent and her nerves were now about going out with Ben not the boy in front of her.

"What? N-no. I mean, this is perfect. You um, you look beautiful." He finally got out as he moved from the bed smoother than he thought he would at this point.

"Promise?"

Kennedy chuckled, "Why would I lie to you?"

She shrugged and he stepped to her, "Have a good time. If something happens though and you need a ride, me to beat him up, anything at all, just call me, ok?"

She grinned, "Oh thanks."

He flashed her a smile before kissing her forehead, "Ben's a lucky guy, make sure you tell him that." He stated as he left her room.

Kacey stood there having the same feelings for Kennedy all over again and Kennedy made his way out of the house hoping his feelings, or whatever they were, would just go away.

Sometimes you never get what you want.