Chapter Two

{Kennedy POV}

I didn't feel like going back to class after the encounter with Sasha, Mr. Jones, and literally everyone who was there to witness both of the encounters. So I decided to walk around school, gain knowledge of my surroundings on my own.

I hate having to depend on others. I've always been independent. That was one of the reasons why I was my grandpa's favorite. He was my role model my whole life. Even after he passed, I strived to be like him.

At age 17, he faked his birth certificate and joined the marines and fought in the Korean War. Every Christmas, our family and friends would sit around the camp fire in our back yard and Grandpa would tell stories about all the Korean women that he'd have sexual affairs with. He would tell us about how Korean women would shove potatoes with blades in them up their vaginas so when American men slept with them... Yeah.

He later got kicked out for accidentally selling stolen government machinery to a higher-ranked officer. And when he married my grandma and had my mom, he always made sure they were stocked with food. Every time they went grocery shopping, he'd buy 4 of everything (cans, noodles, and stuff that can be placed in a storage container for years) Two went under the house with all the emergency stock and the other two went into the house for eating.

When I was 3, I kicked him in the shin and he kicked me back. I then proceeded to pout and cross my arms. He whined at me in a mocking tone and said, "Yeah. It don't feel so nice to be kicked now does it?" And then we clicked. He's never given my mom a real hug because thats how he was raised. His parents never said "I love you." to him. But he's said that to my mom, so progress! But I got a real hug from him.

One summer we were visiting them and my brothers were being my brothers but I didn't like it so I went and pouted to my parents and my grandpa. Everyone in the room thought he was going to make fun of me, but he sat me on his lap and hugged me saying, "boys are stupid." Smartest man that ever lived. Wisest words ever spoken. Just saying...

My moms jaw dropped and she looked so jealous. I laughed and grandpa said, "See things will always turn okay. When you least expect it, hope will come."

I miss you, Grandpa. I wish you were still here.

"Oh. Hey, Kennedy. Are you okay?" I hear that husky voice again snapping me out of my thoughts. I look up and see him standing 3 feet in front of me with a concerned look on his face.

"Huh?" I reply, stupidly.

"You got some tears here." He points to his own cheeks with a soft smile. Oh! I quickly wipe away a few traitorous tears that escaped. I nod. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm great. Honest." I smile. It's obvious he doesn't believe me, but he doesn't push it. Thank God. He nods and opened his mouth to say more but got cut off, again, by the bell. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that he keeps getting cut off.

"2nd period." He mutters looking at the fancy watch on his wrist. He looks back at me. "Do you know where the gym is for second period?" I shake my head. "Okay, go down that way. Turn right and then turn another right and the signs should direct you the rest of the way. Do you want me to walk you or are you okay getting there on your own?"

"I'm okay. I got it." He nods and walks away.

xxx

{Parker Jones POV}

I got a call 2 weeks ago about a family moving back here after a tragic accident. The school told all the staff to have everything prepared for them. Apparently our principal was close with someone in the accident that happened to be someone close to the family. I don't remember all the specifics.

I expected a family. Just not 4 incredibly noticeable gingers and a blonde little girl. And I especially did not expect to feel an attraction towards the oldest redhead. I honestly didn't have any expectations, but I didn't think of those possibilities.

When she walked into the office this morning, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Everything she did screamed confidence, but in a sexy, modest way. Not the kind of fake confidence that Sasha seems to have.  I want to turn around slap myself for thinking that way about a student.

I finished making copies for my 2nd period class and went to the attendance receptionist, Linda. She's blond with crystal blue eyes and pale skin. She's rather beautiful for a 42 year old women who's married with 2 children.

"Hey, Linda. Who were they?" I ask her. She turns around and looks at me.

"Oh those are the new— well old— family. Such a tragedy. My heart goes out to that poor girl and her family. I can't believe it's been almost 4 years. It's so strange to see her back here. I haven't seen her since she was 15." She gushed.

"What's her name?"

"Kennedy Simms." She turns back around to her computer. I recognize that name. I look down at a sticky note I have on top of my laptop.

'3rd period—new student: Kennedy Simms.'

It read. Oh! That's where.

"Linda can you come here for a minute? I need help with the emails to Sean." I hear the principals voice from behind us. She nods to me while passing. I nod back. I go to her computer and pull up Kennedy's student information and schedule. I print it out.

There's something about her that won't leave me alone. I saw her once and I already printed out her information. I sigh. I walk over to the printer and snatch the papers that have printed.

I leave the office and see her little family. I couldn't help the curiosity to watch. I knew it was very inappropriate and rude to watch, but my feet wanted to stay rooted to their spot. So I leaned against the wall to watch from afar — creepy I know.

I see her whisper something to the little girl who is about the same height then pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She nods and skips off, trying to find her classes I assume.

"Logan and Simon, you guys good?" She asks.

"Yeah we got this." One of the boys nods.

"Let us take Kailey. You do everything else, let us help a little bit. You do so much for us and you need a break." The other boy adds. I think she went to protest before the angelic little ginger decided to speak very wise words for a small child. I couldn't help but smile at the scene.

"They're right, Kenz. You do everything. You gave up your future for us to have a better life. You're giving up college so that you can raise me and Shelley and the idiot thing 1 and thing 2 right there. Mom and dad would be so proud of you, Kenz. But they also wouldn't want you doing this all by yourself. We're a family. And we're all we got."

There's something so elegant about her. Sasha has been trying to get my attention for months. I'm repulsed by her many desperate attempts and lack of self-respect. But this tiny ginger has capture my attention with just one glance.

"Hey little bug, when did you get so wise?"

She shrugs innocently and says, "Learned from the best big sister in the world." My smile widened. My cheeks actually hurt.

She picks her up and spins her around. While turning around her gaze met mine. I smirked and walked off.

My first period is my prep hour so I usually eat breakfast at my desk while prepping with some Elvis playing in the background softly. I went to use the bathroom and on my way back I didn't see the furious redhead storming out of a classroom and running right into me. She almost fell back but I quickly wrapped my arms around her waist before she could. She looked up at me and quick pushed herself out of my hold.

She felt so good in my arms. Wait, what?! No!

"I'm sorry." She apologized. I went to say it wasn't her fault but her brothers stormed out after her, interrupting me before I even had the chance to speak.

"Oh! There you are Kennedy. I thought you would have kicked a tree over by now. I mean that was pretty intense for you and I know how mad you get when stuff like that happens. And I can't even believe she would bring our parents up. That bitch knew she was bringing up a sore subject just to get at you. If I wasn't such an amazing, good-looking, charming, smart guy, I would've punched her. I mean, can you eve—."

She walks up to him and punches him in the stomach hard, effectively cutting him off. "Dude. Shut up I'm fine. I just needed air before I wrapped my hands around her scrawny little neck and watch the life drain out of her eyes while she begs me for mercy." She states. Her brothers look like they're plotting the murder of the person I assume is Sasha.  "Oh my God, guys I'm joking. I realized she's trying to start unnecessary shit to get back at me from middle school. And for that, I repeat, I pity her."

Not only is she sexy, she's smart and mature. Stop!

"That was very well said." I speak. She forgot I was even there.

She turns around, "I totally forgot you were here." She breathes.

I smirk, knowing all too well. "I figured as well. See you in 3rd hour, Ms. Kennedy Simms." I nod my head at her. She nods back. I turn my gaze to look at at brothers behind her. "Make sure she doesn't strangle Sasha." I walk away hearing her brothers start laughing like hyenas.

Well this is going to be interesting...