Keep on Going

"You're going, right?" Kacey asked Abby who stood in front of the mirror applying make up.

"Would you relax already? Yes, I'm going. Do you think I'm putting this make up on for my health?"

Kacey sighed as she sat on her bed nervously. Sure, she thought she had this whole thing planned out but the thought of seeing Kennedy was washing away her plans.

"I don't know what to wear." She mumbled out and Abby chuckled, "What's wrong with your normal attire?"

"Well nothing, but we are going to see a band play, and I feel like it may be too girly."

Abby snickered at her friend, "Don't let Kennedy's words mess with your head."

"I'm not! I'm just saying, a dress may not be appropriate."

"Well you do own skinny jeans, why not wear those and you can borrow one of my tops?"

She nodded and Abby looked down at her feet that had flats on them.

"And I have a pair of keds you can wear..."

Kacey groaned as she laid on her back, "This is ridiculous."

"Hey, I didn't tell you to dress down to make Kennedy happy."

"I'm not doing it for him."

"Right, well we leave in like 20 so you better get to it."

The girl breathed in forcing herself off the bed to get ready. Once she finished and walked into the living room she couldn't ignore Abby's laughter, "Well, if it makes you feel any better you look just as girly in that."

The girl groaned as she looked down at herself, ok, so the tank top did have lace on it, but come on, she felt like she was slumming it in the jeans and shoes that she oddly found comfortable.

"I give up. Forever a girl. Sue me." She replied throwing her hands up.

Abby laughed, "Something tells me Kennedy won't care either way."

Kacey rolled her eyes as she picked up her phone and slid her i.d and credit card into her back pocket. See, she was trying! Not carrying a purse was a big step for her.

Her phone vibrated in her lap as she buckled up her seatbelt waiting for Abby to start the car.

Abby glanced over at her with a smirk as if she knew who it was although Kacey was sure of who it was too.

Handsome Guy that saved you: Are you on your way? You better be on your way...

She chuckled before responding with a simple yes and Abby laughed beside her, "You so like him."

"Shut up." She grumbled as they continued the drive to where Kennedy's band was playing. Of course she liked him, but she wanted so badly not to. She always fell for the guys she couldn't change and here she was yet again hoping he would do just that, which she knew would not happen.

Once she walked into the venue, she tensed up although there was hardly any people there seeing as how Kennedy made them get there early.

"What the hell have you done to Claire?!" They heard and spun around to see John walking over to them, a smirk now lined his lips and she kept in her Bender remark.

Kacey groaned as Abby spoke, "This was all her, not me."

"I'm so disappointed." He joked, placing his hand over his heart.

"Hey John Oh, I invited her here to have a good time not to be harassed by you."

Kacey looked to her right only to see Kennedy stepping over to them which caused her breathing to grow uneven. A smile immediately hit his lips as he stopped beside her.

"Hey you're wearing jeans, and shoes..." Kennedy spoke not giving John a chance to defend himself.

"Exactly!" John yelled throwing his hands up dramatically.

Abby was now laughing from beside her, "I like this guy." She responded pointing over to John who smirked, "So..."

"Not going to happen. Let's get a drink."

The pair walked over to the bar and Kacey looked at Kennedy with a raised eyebrow and he started laughing.

"Man, apparently you can become friends instantly..."

A laugh left her lips and Kennedy grinned as he looked her up and down, "You still look girly by the way."

"I'm not apologizing for looking like a girl."

Kennedy laughed, "As I hope you wouldn't. However, this look is not bad at all."

Kacey felt her face heat up which he seemed to be unaware of.

"Let me introduce you to the other guys." He spoke, grabbing a hold of her hand innocently although it made her heart land in her stomach. She let him lead her closer to the stage where three guys stood nursing beers and talking.

"So this is Jared, Garrett and Pat." He spoke pointing each of them out and she flashed them a smile which they returned. They honestly were not what she expected but, that wasn't a bad thing.

"Guys, this is Kacey."

"The hiking girl?" The long haired boy she remembered as Pat asked.

"I will never live that down I see."

Kennedy chuckled as he placed his arm around her shoulders, "Just know you will forever mean something to me. I shall tell that story to my grand kids."

The boys laughed as she rolled her eyes, "Fantastic."

"No worries, it won't last long. It's just because you're new." Jared chuckled out and she raised her eyebrow.

"New as in new to our group." Garrett tried to explain to her as Kennedy pulled himself on the stage to sit on the edge.

"Oh, I didn't know I had been initiated."

"Oh yeah. Once you come to a Maine show that pretty much seals the deal."

"Bummer, and what if I don't want to be in this group?"

Kennedy scoffed, "Oh please, I've literally ran into you for like a week straight, you're clearly meant to be in our group."

"Or maybe I was meant to meet you to simply tell you that your band sucks."

Pat laughed from beside her, "Oh, I think I'm going to like her."

"I mean you're already my favorite so..."

The boys laughed and Kennedy watched from his seat as they began to ask her more questions. He couldn't help the smile that hit his lips as he watched them. He wanted them to like her. He wasn't sure why really, he just felt like it would be a shame if someone didn't. Hell, he liked hanging out with her so why wouldn't they?

"Guys, we have a show so..." John popped up beside her and she looked up at the tall boy.

He patted her head causing her to glare at him.

"You are the least intimidating person I've ever met. It's kind of cute actually." He replied just to get under her skin and she rolled her eyes.

Kennedy chuckled as he pushed off from the stage, "Leave her alone. You..." He spoke grabbing up her hands, "Should go ahead and grab Abby and stand right here." He said pulling over to the left side of the stage and positioning her where he wanted.

"And why is that?"

"Because people are going to start showing up, and I play right here." He responded with a wink before he walked away. She breathed in trying to clear her head and fortunately for her, Abby showed up holding two cups of, well she wasn't sure of what it was but, she was game for anything alcoholic at this point. She was too keyed up.

"Why are we standing here?"

Kacey shrugged as she grabbed the drink, "Kennedy said to."

"Oh of course."

Kacey ignored her friends words and sipped on the drink hoping this feeling would go away. She tried to distract herself by looking around at the people and Kennedy was right, the place began to fill up right after he left her and she honestly couldn't believe how big of a following they apparently had.

"I'm not getting back out in that." Abby responded once she reached her again, breathing heavily with two drinks in her hand.

Kacey couldn't help but laugh at the girl and she thanked her for the drink.

"Man, we should have talked that little one that liked you into smuggling us drinks here so we don't have to leave."

"Who are you talking about?! Pat?" She asked laughing and Abby laughed, "Yeah!"

"He's funny. Hold on, I'm going to text Kennedy and see what I can make happen."

"Yes, use your connections."

She laughed as she texted the boy telling him to come to the gate that blocked her and the stage. The alcohol was now starting to make her a bit bold which she appreciated because she was sick of the nerves.

"And?" Abby asked as she watch Kacey slide the phone into her back pocket.

"And we wait." She replied and the pair laughed.

"So are you trying to get me killed?" Kacey looked over and Kennedy stood with a smirk against the gate not even five minutes after she had sent the text.

"Do you have haters here?"

"No."

"Probably teenage girls willing to rape him." Abby chimed in and Kennedy shrugged, "Possibly."

Kacey scoffed and Kennedy's smile widened, "Contrary to your belief, girls do like me."

"Only because you're in a band."

"Or know John." Abby chimed in and yet the boys smile did not falter.

"What did you need me for Kacey Bland?" He asked trying to contain his laughter. He liked her wittiness and how some things she said and did just simply took him off guard. Was that such a bad thing?

"We need drinks...and we are scared." Abby spoke up for her and Kennedy laughed, "I don't know if this one should drink that much." He replied pointing his thumb at Kacey.

Kacey glared at him and he smiled, leaning into the gate, "If I do this prepare for the backlash."

"Of what?"

"Of the girls around you."

"Ok, this is now hilarious."

Kennedy chuckled, "Alright, you'll see."

"I mean, I'll tell them I'm your sister."

Kennedy scoffed, "I definitely do not want you to be my sister, Kacey."

Kacey stopped breathing as she watched him walk away and Abby snickered from beside her, "And honestly. I think he likes you too. Which is hilarious."

Kacey groaned finishing off her drink and she hated that it was gone at this point. As much as she hoped he did in fact like her, the whole problem with that is he would never allow himself to and she knew that. Once the show began the crowd went wild and she couldn't help but laugh at the guys stepping onto the stage. It was just weird to her.

"Hello, hello. Well, it's been a long time since we've played here and honestly, it's bringing back some teenage nostalgia, man." John said into the microphone with a chuckle as he ran his hand through his hair, "So, thank you for packing this place out. Also, bartender, if we could get some more of this that would be great." He said holding up his cup of what she assumed was whiskey.

"Oh and also, if we could get Ken's girlfriend and friend some too, that would be great." He added pointing to the two girls and Kacey groaned, placing her hand over her face. Kennedy was in a fit of laughter as he locked eyes with the girl. Well he did say he would take care of it and he did, didn't he? She would have just assumed he would have went about it a better way. She should have known better.

"I know, I know ladies, relax. I'm still single though so..." John added causing Kacey to chuckle. The kid was an idiot, in a good way.

"Thank you good sir." John spoke as a guy walked onto stage with the drinks he requested. All Kacey did was roll her eyes, did people just come to hear him talk or was there going to be music?

"So, our first songs for you guys is an oldie. It felt needed." He spoke as he held out two drinks to Kennedy. It amused her how he acted like he was simply talking to one person instead of a crowd of people. That was terrifying for her just to think about. Kennedy rolled his eyes, hopping from the stage, his guitar still wrapped around him.

"Really?" Kacey questioned and his smile widened, "Look, beggars can't be choosers, Kacey."

"Uh, I feel like this girl behind us is plotting her death." Abby mumbled as she accepted the drink.

"Oh come on, they aren't that crazy. Plus, I'm not going to let anything happen to her." He added, flashing one of his smiles before hopping back onto the stage where John introduced the song.

All her liquid confidence seemed to melt away with such simple words and her cheeks now flushed red. It was safe to say she had it bad for Kennedy Brock.