Keep on Going

Lucky for Kacey, the thoughts of Kennedy passed rather quickly and within a few days she had forgotten him all together. Which at this point, she couldn't help but think it was a good thing. She really didn't have time in her life for a "crush" or whatever Abby claimed he was. It was better this way.

Kacey had just finished a small photoshoot she had taken up last minute because she needed the money. Although she hated doing full body work simply because it wasn't her, the shoot went good and she chuckled at herself being in a pair of skinny jeans that they let her keep. She doubted they would ever get worn but she'd keep them anyways.

Since the shoot was over she decided to stop at the coffee shop close to the office. She had been stuck in that studio since 6 that morning and it was now rounding on noon and she was hungry and tired. She didn't care that she had scrubbed all the makeup they had put on her off and her hair was now in a loose braid. She needed refreshments.

She opened the door to the familiar coffee shop, a chime signaling she was there as she made her way through. She didn't waste time getting in line although she was still debating on what to get. A croissant and iced coffee sounded really good at the moment. As she ordered and paid the girl, she stepped to the side, waiting on her coffee as she tried not to think about digging into her croissant as she stood there.

"We have got to stop meeting like this."

Kacey whipped her head to the right to see Kennedy sitting at the bar, a book in hand and coffee in the other. He was the last person she expected to see and yet she found her heart race at the sight of him. He always looked cute. Even in a simple grey shirt and blue jeans.

"You know, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were stalking me. I mean, if you want to hang out that bad you can just ask." She stated boldly. She didn't know where that came from but the lack of food and sleep probably played a huge role in it.

A smile immediately hit Kennedy's face and she was thankful for the girl handing her the coffee otherwise she would have gotten lost in him.

"Have a seat." He stated, pulling out the chair beside him. With an eye roll she sat beside him and he spoke, "You have yet to embarrass yourself. This is a new beginning in our relationship."

She immediately rolled her eyes, the embarrassment she felt before now seeping back to the surface. Of course, he let out an endearing laugh at that point, "I find it cute, but whatever."

She tried to focus on her coffee and not her burning cheeks as he continued," So you made an impression the other night with my friend. He liked you."

"Huh?"

"John, he said you were cool."

"I insulted him, but ok." She stated as she tried to remember their conversation and Kennedy laughed, "John likes feisty people."

"Mhm." She mumbled and she watched him shut the book, sitting it on the table.

"So Kacey, I feel like we are now friends and I know nothing about you."

"Back at you."

Kennedy smiled once again, of course he would, it's like he knew what it did to her.

"What do you want to know?"

"I don't know. Whatever you want to tell me."

"Mhm, I'm in a band."

"I think you mentioned that before."

"With John."

"Now that's amusing."

Kennedy let out a laugh, "I knew you would say that. We're actually pretty good. You'll have to check us out sometime."

She nodded and he continued, "I don't know Kace, I'm 24, my last name is Brock, and I play guitar and contrary to popular belief I don't rescue people from hiking very often."

She rolled her eyes, a smile lining her lips and he placed his arm on the table, "You're turn."

"I'm not in a band, I'm 22, last name is Bland and contrary to popular belief I don't go hiking and get stranded often."

Kennedy let out a laugh, "Good to know. Also, I'll point out that we have the same initials."

"Oh that must mean we are meant to be friends." She joked and he grinned, "I mean, I'm starting to think so. How many times can one person run into someone? It's simply fate I tell you." He teased back and she laughed, "I'm sure so..."

His eyes met hers for a split second and she focused on rolling up the half eaten croissant back into the paper it came in.

"Come on." He said moving from his seat. She looked up at him in confusion and he grabbed her forearm, "Come on. I'm not going to murder you. It I wanted to do that, I would have just pushed you from that cliff."

Her mouth fell open and he laughed as he dragged her out of the coffee shop.

"Where are we going?" She asked once his hand dropped from her, leaving her a pile of mush.

"To get lunch. It's 12. I'm hungry. Models are always starving, so here we are." He stated as they began walking down the street.

"There you go, another sexist remark." she stated falling into step with the boy.

"It's not sexist. There are male models that don't eat I'm sure."

"Possibly..."

Kennedy chuckled as they came upon a pizza place and he looked at her as they came to a stop.

"Do you eat pizza or only salads?"

She rolled her eyes, "Get in there." She mumbled, pushing him lightly and he laughed as he grabbed a hold of the door. The pair sat by the window all the while Kennedy talked about his band. Not that she minded, she liked hearing him talk and the expressions he made while telling stories were adorable. She almost lost track of what he was talking about several times throughout just because of that.

She did NOT have a crush on him. She found herself repeating that until she gave up on it being true. It was a lost cause.

"We have a show here in a week or so, you should come! I mean, I know everyone says their band is good, but legit, ours is."

She laughed, "I will most definitely have to hear it."

A pleased smile lit his face as he watched her from where she sat. He couldn't help but be intrigued by her. She was witty and yet shy, girly and yet here she was eating pizza with him and not only that, but with her hands. He just liked being able to figure people out and he couldn't seem to figure out, Kacey.

"You do need to give me your number though. If I'm going to keep running into you I think it would be easier to know before hand." He grinned and she chuckled although butterflies filled her stomach, "Agreed."

Kacey slid her phone across the table to him and she watched him as he entered his number. She was definitely not going to tell Abby about this. She would be so happy she would probably post it on every social media site she owned. Plus, this was just a friendly gesture, it wasn't like it was a date. It was just him and her becoming friends. Nothing was wrong with that and yet she knew Abby would not see it that way.

"I should take a picture of you in those jeans for John. He won't believe me."

She rolled her eyes. Of course he discussed her with John. It was like the two were teenage girls.

His smile widened at her expression and he couldn't help but take in her appearance. Jeans, a simple shirt, no make up. If he had to bet he would make one on no one ever getting to see her like this which was a shame. Her being like this made her more real to him.

"Hey, they look good though so..."

"He's a jerk so...."

Kennedy smiled, "Well you weren't all sweet either, dear."

"I'm always sweet." She replied with a fake smile and he scoffed as he sat his arms on the table, "All lies Miss Bland, and I don't even know you that well."

"Mhm, you have me all figured out, huh?" She joked and he chuckled, "I don't think so in the least bit but, I'm trying."

Her eyes locked with his and he cleared his throat as he relaxed back in his seat. This boy was going to be the death of her she could just tell. Between the nerves in her stomach and the way her brain seemed to shut off when he smiled, she was in trouble.

"So is Abby your roommate?" He asked breaking the silence that had formed between them. It wasn't that it was uncomfortable, it was just that Kennedy felt too comfortable with her right now and he hated that feeling. He only felt that around someone he had known forever and he barely knew her, he didn't want her to have that satisfaction yet although she had no idea she did that to him.

"That she is."

"She's a bit, well, different from you."

Kacey laughed as she picked up her cup of Pepsi, "That she is. I love her though. She means well."

"She meant well by making you fend for yourself in the woods?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Apparently in her mind she did. She thinks I need to meet new people or something, but come on, not everyone is a social butterfly and what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing I assume. Plus, you ironically met me and clearly I am not going anywhere so..."

She laughed as she placed her cup back onto the table, fiddling with the napkin simply because of her nerves and the fact she couldn't believe she was telling him all this.

"Don't tell her that or she will continue to try and do things like that to me. I mean, I'm 22 and she acts like I'm going to die alone already."

A smile hit his lips as he relaxed on his arms, "I don't think you will die alone, Kacey Bland. If you do, we are all royally screwed."

"No worries, I don't think I will, I just, you know, I'm picky and she can't seem to understand that."

"Picky? How?"

"I don't know, I'm kind of a hopeless romantic..."

"So, you're hoping Prince Charming will show up at your house with a white horse and you'll ride off into the sunset?"

She rolled her eyes, "Well no, clearly. But I don't see the need to settle for some feeble romance with someone just because. I mean, I believe true love does exist and it's out there, it's just finding that person, you know?"

Kennedy stared at her before shaking his head, "All that's bullshit."

"It is not."

"It is so. That kind of love does not exist. It's what we created for movies and books and somehow girls think that's how it's going to be, but it's not. Ryan Gosling isn't going to build you a house and wait for years until you're ready to be with him again. You either love someone or you don't. You're with them or you’re not. No one is going to fight for you for however long it takes and no one is going to love you so much that they would die without you or years into a relationship still do romantic shit for you. It doesn't mean love doesn't exist it's just being realistic."

She frowned at the boy across from her and she breathed in before speaking, "Then you've never been in love."

Kennedy scoffed, "I have been in love, Kacey. And it was all those things at the beginning but you see, none of that lasts. None of it. I can't and will not believe in any of it because unlike everyone else who continuously gets their hopes up, I'm realistic about it. Happily ever after is just something we tell ourselves when things are miserable in our lives."

"You can't honestly believe that." She said seriously and he nodded, "I do."

She shook her head as she pushed her plate back. The boy before her immediately crushing all her hopes she had of him. She hated how easy it was. Not that she didn't like him, it's just she would never understand how anyone could think that and she definitely wouldn't waste time on someone who did.

"Well I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, won't we?" She finally spoke and he nodded as he stared at her from across the table, "Yeah...I guess so."