We’ve come along way haven’t we? [Part 4]

The soft glow of the moonlight streamed through the window,

casting a dim silver hue across Kelvin's cluttered living room.

The air was thick with the scent of chips, soda, and the warmth of

three friends, three brothers, lost in their usual gaming ritual.

Laughter echoed through the space,

blending seamlessly with the rapid-fire clicks of controllers

and the occasional crunch of a potato chip being demolished.

The main TV screen flickered with the vibrant visuals of a

racing game, its colors bouncing off the walls.

Each of them had their own setup—Hunter sat cross-legged on the floor,

yes glued to his section of the split screen. Kelvin leaned back comfortably on the couch,

effortlessly playing from his phone, while Kenny

hunched over the smaller screen to the right,

gripping his controller with the intensity of

a man fighting for his life.

"This was actually a solid way to play multiplayer,"

Hunter admitted, barely dodging a tight turn on the track.

He glanced over at Kelvin with a grateful nod.

"Tough break that you had to give up your TV, though."

Kelvin shrugged, his fingers gliding effortlessly

across his phone screen. "Nah, dude, it's whatever.

I prefer playing on my phone anyway."

His tone was light, casual, but his smirk suggested

he wasn't taking the loss too seriously.

Kenny, meanwhile, was struggling.

"How the hell do you use the drift boost?" He grumbled,

furrowing his brows as his in-game character spun wildly off-course.

Hunter, never missing a chance to explain something in excessive detail,

launched into a full-fledged tutorial.

"Alright, so you hold your brakes while taking a sharp turn,

which allows you to drift. The longer you hold it,

the more kinetic energy is stored—when you let go,

it propels you forward, giving you a temporary speed boost.

This enhances your trajectory, allowing for a sharper

and richer distance, effectively increasing—"

"Okay, okay, I think he gets it." Kelvin cut in,

shaking his head with a chuckle before Hunter could go full professor mode.

Hunter blinked, slightly offended.

"What? I was just explaining the mechanics."

Kelvin smirked. "Bro, you just turned

drifting into a science lecture."

Kenny sighed dramatically, leaning back against the couch.

"Dawg, I just wanted a simple answer."

Hunter crossed his arms.

"Well, excuse me for trying to be helpful."

Kelvin and Kenny shared a glance,

then burst into laughter, leaving Hunter to sulk

momentarily before grinning along with them.

A sharp voice rang through the house,

cutting through the fading laughter and button clicks.

"Kelvin! ¡Dile a tus amigos que es

hora de irse a la cama!"

Kelvin's mom's voice carried

effortlessly down the hall,

a perfect mix of firmness and warmth.

Kelvin, ever the respectful son,

immediately called back,

"¡Vale mamá, ya nos estamos preparando

para ir a la cama!"

Hunter, always quick with his manners,

chimed in with a grateful tone,

"Gracias por dejarnos pasar la noche."

A cheerful response followed,

"¡De nada, Hunter!"

Kelvin glanced over at Hunter with an amused smirk.

"Your Spanish has gotten better,"

he said, half-impressed, half-teasing.

"Your accent's a little weird, but hey,

at least I can actually understand you now."

Hunter grinned, puffing out his chest slightly.

"Thank you," he said with mock pride,

soaking in the praise like he

just unlocked a new language skill tree.

"But yeah, it's time for bed,"

Kelvin announced, stretching his arms over his head.

Hunter blinked. "Wait, is that what she said?

I thought she was saying we were too loud or something."

Kelvin shook his head,

already halfway through rolling out his sleeping bag.

"Nah, that would've been 'Eres demasiado ruidoso.'"

"I guess it is late, huh?"

Kenny finally chimed in, rubbing his eyes

as the exhaustion of the night slowly caught up to him.

The gaming setup dimmed as screens powered down,

and the three of them shifted gears from intense

gameplay to sleep mode. Each of them grabbed their

sleeping bags, spreading them across the floor in

the usual unorganized but functional way.

Kenny, though tired still sat up with some restlessness

looking at his brethren, something stirring up inside

him, a confession.

"Yo" Kenny spoke looking towards both Kelvin and Hunter.

Hunter and Kelvin both sat up to give Kenny, their undivided

attention, but couldn't help feel a subtle tension in the air

Almost as Kenny was going to saying some terrifying.

[]

The dim glow of Kelvin's bedside lamp

flickered against the walls,

casting long, shifting shadows over the room.

The hum of the old ceiling fan filled the otherwise

silent space, its rhythmic creaks almost acting

as a metronome to the tension that had just been introduced.

Kenny sat up first, the thick blanket

draped over his shoulders slipping slightly

as he rested his elbows on his knees.

His eyes remained fixed on the floor,

the weight of his next words pressing heavy on his chest.

"Before I came here,

I... I got my ex-girlfriend pregnant."

His voice was eerily calm,

but his fingers twitched slightly,

betraying his nerves.

Kelvin and Hunter,

still lying on their backs,

blinked in unison before turning their

heads toward him.

There was a moment of pure

silence—one where the weight

of his words should have sunk in.

And then, the laughter came.

It started off as a stifled snicker,

but within seconds, both Hunter

and Kelvin were silently shaking with

barely contained amusement.

Their bodies trembled, shoulders

bouncing in unison as they tried

to hold it in—but the moment was too absurd.

Kenny? A dad?

Nah you buggin.

Kenny, however, didn't laugh.

His posture remained unchanged,

his hands clasped together loosely as

his head hung low.

But it wasn't embarrassment.

It wasn't hesitation.

It was real.

A slow, creeping chill crawled up Hunter's

spine as he finally noticed the one

thing that sent an icy grip

around his chest—Kenny's eyes.

There was no humor in them.

Not even a flicker of irritation at

being laughed at. Instead,

there was something far worse.

A hollow kind of certainty.

A quiet, unshakable truth that

sent a foreign kind of unease washing over the room.

Kelvin stopped laughing first.

He didn't say anything,

but his hand instinctively reached out,

landing firmly on Hunter's shoulder,

halting his amusement entirely.

Hunter turned his head slightly,

glancing at Kelvin, who merely shook his head.

Hunter's chuckle died in his throat.

The laughter was gone,

but the weight of the moment lingered.

"...Nah. No way," Hunter muttered,

shaking his head in denial.

He smirked, trying to claw back the

atmosphere from earlier.

"I mean—Kenny, come on. You? A dad?

You gotta see how ridiculous that sounds, right?"

Kenny didn't react.

Hunter scoffed, his voice taking on a teasing edge.

"Yo, let me guess—you paying child support too?"

Kelvin's grip on his shoulder tightened.

"Hunter," Kelvin spoke quietly,

his voice almost a whisper,

"he hasn't cracked a smirk once.

I think we should hear him out."

Hunter hesitated.

His instincts told him to keep pushing,

to keep the mood light,

to call bullshit on all of this.

Kenny was always saying something wild—half

of their friendship was built on clowning each other.

But Kenny's face… it

hadn't changed once.

Hunter felt something stir inside him—a small,

sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The way Kenny sat there, completely composed,

not even defending himself—Hunter knew this wasn't a joke.

That realization sent something sharp through his chest.

"Yo… you're joking, right?"

Hunter's voice cracked slightly,

the teasing edge now laced with something much softer.

"You are joking, Kenny?"

Silence.

Kenny just kept staring,

his expression unreadable.

Hunter's breathing grew shallow.

The thick blanket wrapped around his shoulders

suddenly felt suffocating, as if tightening

with each passing second.

A "Khacoon" of reality wrapping itself around his mind,

forcing him to accept an inevitable evolution.

"Why aren't you confirming, bro?"

His voice was quieter now. Almost afraid.

Kelvin exhaled deeply beside him.

"Well, that's simple, my friend."

He turned his head slightly,

meeting Hunter's gaze.

"He's being deadass."

Hunter felt his stomach drop.

Kenny finally lifted his head,

meeting their gazes for the first time.

His expression didn't waver,

but his eyes held something deeper—something tired,

something heavy.

"I see," Hunter muttered,

rubbing the back of his head. "Shit..."

Kelvin remained silent,

watching Kenny carefully.

The room seemed to shrink around them,

the air thick with something unspoken.

And then—Kenny exhaled,

tilting his head back slightly,

the shadows playing across his face.

"It all started like this..."

And just like that,

the past came crashing back.

A memory unraveling itself.

A flashback to the moment it all began.

The soft murmur of students filled the classroom,

a rhythmic hum blending with the instructor's

measured voice as he droned on about equations and formulas.

Most students were taking diligent notes, their gazes fixed forward.

Kenny, however, was in his own world.

His pencil scratched against his notebook,

not with notes from the lecture,

but with idle scribbles and random thoughts.

He wasn't even sure what he was writing at this point.

It was just something to do—something to

keep his mind occupied while the seconds crawled by.

His distraction, however, didn't go unnoticed.

A small shoulder bump snapped him back into reality.

"Mmgh." Jennifer grunted softly beside him,

her body leaning slightly against his before pulling away.

Kenny blinked, shifting his gaze toward her.

"What?" he muttered, his tone laced with mild irritation.

Jennifer, a girl with messy blonde hair that framed her

sharp yet lively features, rolled her eyes dramatically.

Her loose school uniform was slightly unbuttoned at the collar,

a small act of rebellion against the suffocating dress code.

There was something about her presence—something unfiltered,

something completely untamed.

She had an aura that made it seem like

rules and expectations never fully applied to her.

And right now, she was applying that energy

toward giving Kenny a disapproving look.

"See, this is why you're failing,"

she huffed, shaking her head.

"You need to pay attention dude."

Kenny smirked, the corners of his

lips curling up in amusement.

"that's crazy coming from you."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"Didn't you score, a thirty two on your last test?

Maybe score a seventy before coming at me about grades."

Jennifer gasped,

as if Kenny just betrayed her

breaking a forbidden rule.

"Woooow, it's like that?"

she said, her lips forming a small pout.

"I was just trying to make sure you were paying attention."

Kenny chuckled, the warmth of amusement settling between them.

"I appreciate that,"

he said, slipping his notebook back into his desk.

Jennifer narrowed her eyes at him but

didn't hold back a grin of her own.

She leaned in slightly,

her voice dropping to a hushed excitement.

"By the way, Kenny—did you get the new PlayBox update?"

Kenny blinked, tilting his head. "Wait… it updated?"

Jennifer groaned, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Yes, dummy, do you pay attention to anything?"

Kenny let out a small laugh,

scratching the back of his head.

"Damn, I guess not. I've just been busy."

Jennifer clicked her tongue, feigning disapproval.

"Mmhmm. So many excuses.

If you keep that up, you'll never evolve."

Her words carried a teasing lilt,

but there was something else there—something subtle.

A quiet challenge.

Kenny met her gaze, something unreadable

flickering in her eyes before she turned away,

tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Before he could respond, the smooth yet

firm voice of the instructor cut through their banter.

"You two. Focus. No more talking."

Both of them straightened up immediately,

their gazes snapping forward as if they

had been caught plotting a crime.

Jennifer gave Kenny one last sideways glance,

her lips curling in quiet amusement.

Kenny exhaled through his nose,

shaking his head slightly before

returning his attention to the front.

After class Kenny and Jennifer

walked together in the hallway

to transition to their next class.

The hallways were alive with chatter,

sneakers screeching against the marble floors,

the rhythmic slamming of lockers,

and the occasional burst of laughter from passing students.

It was the usual after-class chaos—until it wasn't.

Kenny walked alongside Jennifer,

his hands casually tucked into his pockets,

his mind still half-focused on their earlier conversation.

"So... how do you update the PlayBox again?"

Kenny asked, glancing at her with mild curiosity.

Jennifer halted mid-step,

her head snapping toward him with a look of pure disbelief.

"Seriously?" she deadpanned.

Kenny smirked at her reaction,

finding amusement in her frustration.

Jennifer let out an exaggerated sigh before shaking her head.

"You know what? Forget it.

I'll just do it for you when I come over later,"

she muttered, clearly disappointed in his lack of effort.

Kenny raised an eyebrow.

"Speaking of home, does your mom even allow company?"

Jennifer fell into thought,

her voice shifting to a more contemplative tone.

"Honestly… I've never really asked.

It's just kinda been me and her,

so I never thought about it enough to care,"

she admitted. "She works late, though,

so I guess I can let you know tomorrow after class—"

Before she could finish, her sentence was abruptly cut short.

A sudden, intentional bump.

Jennifer barely had time to react before she

felt something cold and sticky soak into her uniform.

The sharp scent of artificially flavored fruit punch filled

the air as the red liquid ran down her shirt,

seeping into the fabric and staining her sleeves.

A hush fell over the surrounding students,

their movements slowing as they turned toward the brewing scene.

The perpetrator—a girl with her short hair tied back

into a ponytail—stood just a step away,

a smug smirk on her lips.

She wore the standard navy polo, khaki pants, and black sneakers,

her bronze-tan skin glistening under the fluorescent hallway lights.

But her moment of triumph was short-lived.

As she glanced down at the drink soaking into her own

clothes—completely ruining her outfit—her satisfaction

twisted into something else entirely.

Her face contorted in disbelief, as if she had

just realized she was the architect of her own downfall.

Jennifer—whose patience was running on fumes—stared at

the mess on the girl's uniform and let out a small,

breathy chuckle, muttering under her breath.

"Karma."

The girl's smirk instantly dropped.

Her jaw clenched, and her brows furrowed into a deep scowl.

A vein twitched at her temple as she suddenly shoved Jennifer with force,

catching everyone off guard.

A collective oohhh rippled through the crowd as

lockers rattled from the impact.

The atmosphere shifted—what had once been an idle hallway

was now an arena, students instinctively forming a

circle around them, eyes locked onto the confrontation

with eager anticipation.

Jennifer stumbled back, barely catching herself

before her gaze snapped up, sharp and blazing.

"The hell is your problem?!" Jennifer snapped,

her voice laced with both anger and shock.

Kenny, already reading the situation for what it was,

stepped between them without hesitation.

His stance was casual,

but there was an undeniable weight in his presence.

"Yeah, that's far enough," Kenny said,

his voice low, his gaze steady.

But the girl wasn't backing down.

"Move, nigga," she spat,

her eyes burning with hostility as she shoved Kenny,

trying to force her way past him.

It was like hitting a wall.

Kenny barely budged. She pushed again—nothing.

Frustration twisted her features as she tried once more,

but his body didn't even flinch.

Kenny exhaled through his nose,

his patience thinning as he caught her wrist mid-shove,

his grip firm but not aggressive.

Just enough to keep her from making a mistake.

The moment his fingers wrapped around her wrist,

a new voice cut through the tension.

"Yo, get your hands off my girl."

The voice was deep, heavy, and unwavering.

Kenny lifted his head just slightly,

his eyes locking onto the approaching figure beyond the crowd.

A dark-skinned male, towering over most of the students,

pushed his way through. His husky build screamed

athlete—most likely football.

His long dreadlocks swayed slightly as he moved,

his steps slow and calculated,

his gaze locked onto Kenny with predatory sharpness.

The moment their eyes met, the energy in the hallway shifted again.

"Nigga, didn't I say move your hands?"

The boyfriend's voice was cold now,

laced with quiet aggression.

He didn't wait for a response.

Instead, he grabbed his girlfriend's arm, pulling her back,

signaling that he was taking over.

He cracked his knuckles, his intentions clear.

But something was off.

Kenny… wasn't reacting.

No flinch, no hesitation.

Just silence.

A suffocating,

eerie silence that crawled under

the skin of every student present.

Kenny simply stared at him.

His expression blank, his body unnervingly still.

But his eyes—his eyes were something else entirely.

They weren't aggressive. They weren't scared.

They were calculating.

Cold. Observing.

As if he wasn't looking at the guy, but through him.

The boyfriend tensed under the weight of that gaze,

shifting his stance as if suddenly aware of something unseen.

But then, like any man with something to prove,

he pushed forward.

He turned his head,

breaking eye contact for just a second.

Then—quick as lightning—he swung.

It was a clean,

direct punch aimed straight for Kenny's jaw.

Too bad it never landed.

Kenny saw it the moment he moved.

The second the guy's shoulder twitched,

his fingers flexing in preparation,

Kenny had already processed the trajectory.

With fluid ease,

he leaned back just enough to let the fist pass harmlessly

in front of him.

And before the guy even realized his strike had missed,

Kenny struck.

His palm shot forward, catching the guy's chin and snapping

his head upward with a sickening crack.

A sharp, dull pain surged through the attacker's skull

as his teeth clamped together hard.

Before he could even stagger, Kenny ducked low,

twisting his body as he delivered a

devastating elbow straight to his chest.

The impact was immediate.

The boyfriend's mouth shot open as

a choked gasp escaped his lips.

His knees buckled. Blood and broken teeth spewed

from his mouth as the sheer force of

the hit drained the air from his lungs.

He stumbled back, barely able to stand as

his body fought to regain its balance.

Kenny was already moving to finish him off.

His muscles coiled, his stance shifting.

His mind calculated his next move—a clean Muay Thai knee to the ribs.

If it landed, the guy wouldn't just be done fighting.

He'd be done walking properly for a few weeks.

But just as Kenny's leg tensed—

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

A sharp, commanding voice shattered through the air like a gunshot.

An administrator had arrived.

Kenny exhaled sharply,

his body relaxing as the tension in the air finally broke.

The boyfriend slumped forward,

coughing violently as he held his chest,

blood dripping onto the tile.

The watching students scattered like cockroaches

as the reality of consequences settled in.

Jennifer, still standing just behind Kenny,

let out a slow breath.

For the first time since the confrontation started—

She felt safe.

The scene transition to the office of the

administrator.

The tension in the administrator's office was thick,

weighing down on the room like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Kenny sat with his arms crossed,

his jaw clenched as he listened to the decision being handed down.

Jennifer, seated beside him, fidgeted anxiously,

her frustration evident in the way she gripped the hem of her skirt.

Across from them, the other two students—the ones responsible

for the entire mess—sat stiffly,

their faces etched with poorly concealed anger and humiliation.

But Kenny wasn't focused on them.

His mind was elsewhere,

replaying everything that had led up to this moment.

A fight. A suspension.

All because he refused to let someone lay hands on Jennifer.

Kenny exhaled sharply through his nose,

forcing himself to remain composed.

"The decision is final," the administrator's

voice cut through the silence, his tone firm yet measured.

"Mr. Wu, you will be suspended for seven days,

and for the remainder of today,

you will be placed in in-school suspension."

Jennifer's breath hitched.

Her fingers curled into a fist against her lap

as she turned sharply to face the administrator.

"That's not fair!" she burst out,

her voice laced with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"He was just defending himself—and me! Why is he getting punished?!"

Kenny didn't react. He knew this was coming.

He wasn't stupid. You get into a fight in school,

you get punished. That's just how it worked.

"Ms. Tann," the administrator said sternly,

silencing her with a glance. "This is the decision.

You will be escorted back to class.

There's nothing more to discuss."

Jennifer opened her mouth again,

but before she could argue further,

there was a sharp knock at the door.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," the administrator called out.

The door creaked open, revealing a tall,

middle-aged man in a neatly pressed dress shirt and slacks.

His presence carried an air of quiet authority,

but his expression was neutral, unreadable.

"Mr. Saint, I'm here to pick up Mr. Wu for ISS,"

the man announced, stepping inside with

a clipboard tucked under his arm.

Mr. Saint nodded, then turned his gaze back to Kenny.

His expression softened just slightly,

his voice lowering enough that it felt almost personal.

"Ken, you're not in the wrong,"

he admitted, exhaling through his nose.

"But rules are rules. I have to give you this punishment,

not because I want to—but because I have to.

I'd rather you take this suspension than risk

this escalating into something worse.

I don't want to see you getting arrested, or worse, expelled.

I'm doing this for you, not to you. Do you understand?"

Kenny studied him for a moment.

There was no malice in Mr. Saint's voice,

no pleasure in delivering the verdict.

He meant what he said.

A small grin tugged at Kenny's lips as he nodded.

"I understand," he replied, his voice steady.

Jennifer, still visibly upset,

turned toward Kenny with a frown.

Without thinking, she reached for him,

wrapping her arms around his waist

and pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Ken… find me when school is over, okay?"

Her voice was softer now, a quiet plea meant only for him.

Kenny hesitated for a split second before he melted into the hug,

his arms coming around her just as tightly.

"Okay," he murmured,

his voice near her ear.

For the first time since the fight,

the knot in his chest loosened just a bit.

The ISS administrator cleared his throat,

a silent reminder that time was up.

"Alright, Mr. Wu, it's time to go.

Please follow me."

Kenny and Jennifer slowly loosened their hold on each other,

lingering for just a moment longer before finally pulling away.

As Kenny turned to leave,

Jennifer gave him a small wave,

her lips pressing together as if she wanted to

say something more but couldn't find the words.

Kenny smirked faintly,

lifting his hand in response before

stepping out the door.

And for the first time that day,

as he walked down the hall toward his punishment,

Kenny trailed behind the ISS administrator,

his footsteps falling into rhythm with the dull

tap… tap… tap of the man's dress shoes against the

linoleum floor. The hallway stretched before them,

long and dimly lit, the flickering fluorescent

lights casting eerie shadows against the lockers.

It was cold—unnaturally so,

like the air itself was judging him for

the shitstorm that had unfolded earlier.

The silence was suffocating.

Too quiet. Almost like the school itself was

holding its breath,

waiting to see how this would play out.

Damn. This some horror movie shit.

Kenny's hands remained tucked into the

pockets of his hoodie as he walked,

his mind drifting to the faint scent of cleaning

supplies lingering in the air.

With each step, the sound of their shoes

echoed down the empty corridor—up, down, up,

down—bouncing off the walls

like a reminder that he wasn't supposed to be here.

The administrator, a stiff,

no-nonsense man with graying hair and a permanent scowl,

didn't bother to make conversation.

Not that Kenny minded. The dude looked like he spent his

whole career waiting for moments like this—walking

delinquent students down a hallway like some sort

of warden escorting an inmate to his cell.

Kenny exhaled through his nose,

keeping his gaze forward.

"This some bullshit, man."

After what felt like an eternity,

they finally reached their destination—the infamous ISS room.

The door loomed before them,

dull and uninviting, with a tiny glass window

that barely let any light escape.

Behind it, Kenny could already feel the

soul-crushing atmosphere waiting for him.

A place where time crawled and every second felt like an eternity.

The administrator stopped,

placing a hand on the doorknob.

"Alright, Mr. Wu," he said in that same tired,

monotone voice. "End of the line."

Kenny let out a short chuckle,

shaking his head.

"dawg."

With a low creak, the door swung open.

And just like that,

Kenny stepped inside,

leaving the dimly lit hallway behind.

The sound of the heavy metal door clicking

shut behind him sent an eerie echo through the

nearly silent ISS room. The air inside was stale,

the kind of suffocating stillness that made

even the smallest noise feel intrusive.

Rows of desks were lined up in rigid order,

each one occupied by a different student,

most of them either working, staring off into space,

or scribbling mindlessly in their notebooks.

Kenny let out a deep sigh,

running a hand through his short locs

before making his way to an empty seat near

the back of the room. He flopped down,

propping his elbow on the desk and resting

his chin in his palm. "This some bullshit"…

He knew he wasn't in the wrong.

He didn't throw the first punch—hell,

he didn't even start the damn fight.

But life had a funny way of slapping you

with consequences whether you deserved them or not.

"Alright, Mr. Wu," the ISS instructor,

a middle-aged man with a tired expression

and an even more tired voice,

muttered while marking something on his clipboard.

"Since this is your first time here,

let's go over the rules. No talking. No phones. No sleeping.

You do your assigned work quietly and stay in your seat.

Any issues, and you're looking at a longer sentence. Understood?"

Kenny barely lifted his head. "Yeah, yeah, I got it."

The instructor eyed him for a moment

before turning back toward his desk at the

front of the room, already done dealing with him.

Kenny exhaled through his nose and glanced around.

Most of the students here looked dead inside—like

they'd been stuck in this lifeless room for years.

He wasn't about to let this place drain the soul out of him too.

After a few minutes of pretending to skim

through an old assignment he found crumpled

in his backpack, Kenny subtly glanced around

before lowering his hand to his lap,

where he tapped out a quiet rhythm against his knee.

His fingers moved instinctively,

drumming out a beat—something small,

something to keep his mind from slipping

into the void of boredom.

A few seats away, a girl with dyed red hair

and chipped black nail polish glanced over at him,

arching an eyebrow.

She smirked slightly before whispering,

"You in here for fighting?"

Kenny nodded but didn't return the smile.

He wasn't in the mood to entertain random people today.

The girl didn't seem to mind his lack of response.

"Nice. What'd you do? Break some dude's nose? Steal his girl?"

Kenny's jaw tightened. Yeah, actually. But not like that.

He kept his eyes forward,

not giving her the reaction she wanted.

Instead, he drowned out her presence

and fell into his thoughts.

Man… what a fucking day.

First, he gets into a fight because some

dumbass girl couldn't take accountability for her own karma.

Then he gets suspended for protecting Jennifer—like

he was supposed to just let her get jumped?

Nah. That's not how he was raised.

But the worst part?

Jennifer saw the whole damn thing.

And now she was going to think this was all her fault.

"I already know how this is gonna go.

She's gonna feel guilty.

Probably apologize a hundred times even though

she ain't do nothing wrong. She always does that.

Always trying to carry the weight of

shit that ain't hers to carry."

Kenny sighed and shifted in his seat,

leaning his head back against the stiff chair.

"Damn. I gotta talk to her after this."

The hours dragged by like a slow,

torturous death, but eventually,

the clock hit dismissal.

The moment the instructor gave the go-ahead,

Kenny was the first one out of his seat,

slinging his bag over his shoulder

and making his way toward the hallway.

As soon as he stepped out of the suffocating ISS room,

he took a deep breath like a freed prisoner

tasting fresh air for the first time. "Finally."

Walking toward the main hall,

he spotted Jennifer standing near the lockers,

her arms folded, her face twisted with obvious concern.

The moment she saw him, her shoulders relaxed slightly,

but the worry in her green eyes didn't fade.

Kenny smirked. "What, you gonna scold me?"

Jennifer shook her head,

shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"No… but I do feel bad."

Kenny sighed, already knowing where this was going.

"Jen, I told you, this ain't on you.

I did what I had to do."

"But you got suspended," she argued, furrowing her brows.

"I just… I hate that you always have to step in for me."

Kenny let out a dry chuckle.

"You act like I had to.

Nah, I chose to, and I'd do it again."

Jennifer bit her lip,

clearly unsure of how to respond.

Kenny, never one to sit in awkward emotions for too long,

reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Stop making that face," he teased.

"It's weird seeing you all serious.

You're supposed to be the one clowning me, remember?"

Jennifer pouted, rubbing her forehead.

"Asshole."

"There she is,"

Kenny chuckled.

Before she could respond,

the final bell rang, signaling the rush of students

flooding toward the buses.

Jennifer sighed. "You riding the bus today?"

"Yeah," Kenny nodded,

adjusting the strap of his bag.

"Guess you are too, huh?"

Jennifer smirked. "Duh.

I was waiting for you."

Kenny blinked, caught off guard for a second.

But before he could dwell on it,

Jennifer grabbed his wrist,

tugging him toward the exit.

"Come on, let's go before we get stuck

with the weirdos in the back."

Kenny let out a short laugh,

shaking his head as he let her pull him along.

Damn, this girl, man…

As the two walked side by side toward the bus,

the weight of the day slowly started to lift.

Kenny might have had a rough time in ISS,

but somehow, standing next to Jennifer,

cracking jokes and feeling her presence beside him,

it didn't seem all that bad anymore.

Jennifer, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve,

stole a quick glance at Kenny before finally

working up the courage to speak.

"Hey… come to my house after you get home."

Kenny raised an eyebrow at her sudden request.

"Uh… okay? But why do I gotta be quick?"

Jennifer crossed her arms,

shifting her weight to one side.

"Just—just be quick, alright?" she said,

turning away before he could press her further.

Kenny stared at her for a moment,

debating whether to tease her about how suspicious she sounded,

but something about the way she avoided his gaze

made him let it slide. Instead, he just sighed,

rolling his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll be there."

Jennifer gave a small nod,

satisfied with his answer,

and they both stepped onto their bus chatting

through out their ride to their respective stops.

As Kenny stepped inside,

the warm scent of stir-fried vegetables, soy sauce,

and ginger filled the air.

The familiar aroma of home should've been comforting,

but instead, he was immediately hit with a sharp

voice that could cut through steel.

"Kenny Jay Wu! You got suspended?!"

Feng Lao Wu stood in the kitchen,

her hands on her hips, her sharp eyes

locking onto Kenny like a hawk spotting its prey.

Kenny barely had time to drop his backpack by

the door before his older brother, Von, lounging

lazily on the couch, shook his head.

"Damn, bro. That was fast.

You didn't even get to sit down yet."

Their little sister, Lia, sitting cross-legged on the floor,

looked up from her phone with a mischievous smile.

She didn't say a word—just grabbed a throw pillow

and hurled it straight at Kenny's face.

Kenny caught it with ease,

rolling his eyes.

"No 'welcome home' or nothin', huh?"

Lia giggled before sticking her tongue out. "Nope!"

Not missing a beat,

Kenny chucked the pillow right back at her,

nailing her in the forehead.

She let out a small yelp before laughing again,

rubbing the spot he hit.

Before things could escalate,

Feng took a deep breath,

pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Enough. Kenny, what happened?"

Kenny sighed, bracing himself.

"Some girl tried to start shit with Jennifer.

She was gonna throw hands, so I stepped in.

Then her boyfriend jumped in, and, well…" He shrugged.

"You already know how that went."

Feng's expression didn't change.

"And by 'how that went,'

you mean you got into a fight?"

Kenny hesitated.

"It wasn't a fight… more like self-defense."

Von sat up straighter, intrigued.

"Did you at least handle them?"

Kenny smirked. "Broke some teeth."

Von clapped his hands together, nodding in approval.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

You should've hit 'em harder."

"Yeah, I lowkey thought about it,"

Kenny admitted, his smirk widening.

Feng slammed a wooden spoon onto the counter,

making both of them shut up immediately.

"You two are pushing it."

Kenny cleared his throat,

quickly switching tactics before his mom actually lost it.

"Ma, for real, I didn't start this.

Dude threw the first punch.

What was I supposed to do? Let him hit me?"

Feng exhaled sharply,

her frustration evident but her anger starting to simmer down.

She wasn't mad just because he got suspended—she was worried.

"You're too much like your father,"

she muttered.

Kenny's jaw tightened slightly,

but he didn't say anything to that.

He knew what she meant.

She sighed, waving him off.

"Go to your room."

Kenny took that as his cue to escape.

Kenny barely made it to his room before Von

followed him in, closing the door behind them.

"Aight, what really happened?"

Von asked, plopping onto the bed.

Kenny tossed his backpack onto the floor,

running a hand through his dreads.

"Told you already. Some dude's girl was actin' up,

he tried to step up, and I shut that shit down."

Von grinned. "And Jennifer?

She was real grateful, huh?"

Kenny raised an eyebrow.

"She said thanks, I guess?"

Von stared at him like he was an idiot.

"Bro."

"What?"

Von leaned forward, his smirk growing.

"You sayin' all she did was 'thank you'

after you just fought for her?"

Kenny shrugged.

"She told me to find her after school,

but ISS kinda ruined that."

Von's smirk didn't fade.

"So she tryna thank you personally, huh?"

Kenny rolled his eyes.

"Man, chill. She just told me

to come over after I get home."

Von blinked. "At her house?"

Kenny nodded.

Von leaned back,

crossing his arms.

"And her parents?"

Kenny hesitated.

That's when it clicked.

"Oh… she said they wouldn't be home."

Von's smirk immediately stretched into a devilish grin.

He pointed at Kenny like he had

just discovered some groundbreaking news.

"Ohhh, you growin' up fast huh," Von said,

nodding like a proud parent.

"Going to her place, alone, while her

parents ain't home? I see you lil bro."

Kenny frowned.

"Why you say it like that?"

Von dapped him up.

"Don't even worry about it, lil bro.

Just know I'm proud."

Kenny wasn't buying it.

"The hell you mean by that?"

Von just chuckled.

"Look, I got you. Ma's already on your ass,

so if you get caught sneaking out, it's over.

But I'll distract her."

Kenny narrowed his eyes.

"What's the plan?"

Von responded,

"I don't know yet, but I got you."

Kenny folded his arms, skeptical.

He knew Von was good at bullshitting,

but this was different. He needed a solid plan.

Von smirked. "Just be ready to move."

Then, without another word,

he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Kenny's brows furrowed as he watched his brother

lean casually against the doorframe,

waiting for someone to pick up.

"Yo, Kenny needs a distraction,

code 313 ASAP—no cocky blocky."

Kenny blinked.

"The fuck?"

Von just grinned, holding up a finger as if

to tell Kenny to be patient.

Who the hell was he even talking to?

Kenny wasn't sure whether to

be impressed or concerned.

3 Mins Past

Then it happened.

A loud BANG! echoed from outside.

Followed by a woman's furious shriek.

Kenny froze. His mom's voice

cut through the house like a knife.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUTSIDE?!"

Von grinned. "There's your distraction."

Kenny rushed to the back door, heart pounding.

"Who the hell did you call?"

he asked, slipping outside.

Von smirked, leaning against the doorframe

like a villain in a crime drama.

"Don't worry about it. Just get the hell outta here."

Kenny narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell did he"... "Not sure how to feel about this."

But there was no time to argue.

He pulled his hood over his head and darted off,

slipping into the evening shadows like a thief in the night.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky,

draping the streets in a hazy orange glow.

The usual city noise—distant car horns, murmuring pedestrians,

the occasional barking dog—felt oddly muted to Kenny as he walked.

(Man… why does she want me to come over so bad?)

Kenny thought, his curiosity growing with each step.

Jennifer wasn't the type to just invite him over

unless she had a reason. Usually, she was chill,

keeping things casual. But today? She was acting weird.

His thoughts drifted as he passed by a familiar abandoned

building—one of his old spots where he used to chill, drink,

and listen to music with Von.

Memories of those nights flashed in his mind—dodging cops,

seeing some weird shit in dark corners,

and just zoning out to NotPayboi Parti

under the flickering streetlights.

(Man… we gotta shoot Von's music video there.)

He shook his head,

pushing the thoughts away.

Right now, he had something else to focus on.

The houses in Jennifer's neighborhood were smaller,

a little run-down, but still had life in them.

Kids played in the yards, old folks sat on porches,

and the scent of home-cooked meals drifted through the air.

It was different from the slums

he came from—not much better, but quieter.

(I've never been to her house before.

I've never even met her parents…

so why is she acting so weird about it?)

(Something about this don't feel right…

but I already told her I'd come,

so I guess I just gotta see what's up.)

Jennifer was always bold, reckless, playful.

She had never been this… shy.

(What if this is something serious?

What if she needs to talk about something important?)

He wasn't sure if he should be nervous or excited.

"WHY ARE YOU OVERTHINKING THIS? JUST GO!"

Kenny's mind screamed at him,

but his feet dragged like lead.

His nerves were on edge,

his heartbeat thrumming like a drumline in his ears.

(Man, why do I feel like I'm walking into a trap?)

The familiar, reckless Jennifer had never been this shy,

this nervous. And somehow, that made it so much worse.

After a few more minutes of walking, he finally arrived.

Jennifer's house was small but well-kept,

the porch light casting a dim glow on the front steps.

Kenny hesitated before knocking.

(Last chance to turn back...)

Inside the house,

Jennifer was already waiting near the door,

biting her lip, her foot

tapping anxiously against the floor.

(Okay, okay… stay cool, act normal.)

She heard the knock.

Her heart jumped.

In a blur, she swung the door open.

The door swung open almost immediately.

Jennifer stood there—arms crossed, fidgeting slightly,

her usual confident demeanor replaced

by something… different.

Jennifer stood there—arms crossed,

shifting slightly, her usual confident attitude missing.

Her face was flushed,

her weight shifting from foot to foot.

She looked nervous.

That alone nearly made Kenny turn around.

"You actually came,"

she muttered, voice softer than usual.

Jennifer wanted to punch herself.

(Why did I say it like that?!)

Kenny raised an eyebrow.

"Damn, you sound surprised."

Jennifer rolled her eyes,

but it wasn't her usual playful dismissal.

It felt forced,

like she was trying to act normal

but failing miserably.

Her stomach was in knots.

(What if he doesn't want this?

What if I mess up?

What if—ugh, shut up, brain!)

"Shut up and get inside,"

she said, stepping aside quickly.

As Kenny walked in,

she closed the door a little too

fast—like she was afraid he'd run

if she gave him the chance.

(I can't believe I actually did this.)

And deep down,

she knew… this wasn't just some

casual hangout.

"This moment changed my life"

Jennifer led him through the house

without a word. The silence wasn't

necessarily uncomfortable,

but it was… different.

Kenny followed her upstairs,

his senses sharper than usual.

Jennifer, feeling awkward, but optimistic, brings

Kenny to her bedroom Kenny feeling nervous but

not willing to ask questions, just followed her

"Why does this feel like some kinda setup?"

Jennifer's mind was racing.

(Okay, okay, it's fine.

It's just Kenny.

You've hung out a million times.

So why do I feel like I'm about to pass out?!)

Her room was small but tidy,

decorated with random posters and string lights.

The bed was neatly made,

the air smelled faintly of vanilla,

and for some reason,

that just made things feel even weirder.

(Okay. Deep breath. You got this.)

She motioned for him to sit

leading them to the foot of her bed

He did.

She sat beside him, fidgeting slightly.

Jennifer's pulse pounded in her ears.

"Why am I so tense? This is stupid.

Just act normal."

But nothing about this was normal.

They both sit at the foot of the bed, with an awkward

silence, not saying anything.

Kenny cleared his throat.

"So… why the sudden invite?"

He hesitated before adding,

"What you... uh… what you tryna get into?"

Jennifer's fingers twisted the hem of her skirt,

and she quickly averted her gaze.

Her stomach flipped.

(Is he catching on already?!)

Jennifer feeling the heat rise from her face, starts to blush

and advert her eyes not being confident to respond to Kenny's

question.

Jennifer felt her entire body burning.

(Holy shit, don't ignore him, say something.)

His gut told him something deeper was going on.

Something unspoken.

Kenny feeling nervous, begins to caress her thighs,

to test the waters. "HOLY SHIT, WHAT AM I DOING, IS THIS OKAY"

"I MEAN SHE INVITED ME TO HER BEDROOM RIGHT?" "THIS HAS TO BE

WHAT VON WAS IMPLYING RIGHT?" "RIGHT?"

Jennifer's breath hitched.

(Oh. Oh my God. Oh my God.)

Her body froze for a split second.

Then, as if on instinct, she relaxed.

Jennifer wasn't even sure when it happened,

but her hand was resting lightly on his.

His fingertips barely brushed the fabric,

but she felt every inch of the contact.

Her heart was hammering.

(Am I… am I really doing this?)

Kenny's heart begins to race, but he couldn't stop now, the touch

of her body was intoxicating, he wanted more.

Kenny swallowed hard.

(Holy shit… am I actually doing this?)

Jennifer's eyes locked onto his.

For a moment, it felt like everything

else blurred away.

Kenny's fingers moved, just slightly.

Jennifer's grip tightened.

(Just kiss me already.)

Kenny's other hand grazed her cheek,

tilting her head up slightly.

Jennifer's breath stuttered.

(Oh God, this is happening.)

Their eyes met.

Jennifer felt like she was on fire.

Her lips parted slightly,

her entire body waiting.

Then, finally—

Kenny's lips crashed onto hers, and she melted.

she seemed to welcome it allowing Kenny to take charge.

Kenny pushed forward, he gently lied her down,

As he kissed her she,

pulled him closer with a tight embrace,

inviting him in.

Jennifer thought,

"This is really happening, My mom is going to kill me.

But I don't want to stop."

She let out a slight moan as Kenny hands explored her

body.

Jennifer's arms wrapped around his neck,

pulling him closer.

Kenny's grip tightened at her waist,

pulling her in like he never wanted to let go.

A soft moan escaped her lips,

and she barely even recognized

the sound as her own.

(Oh my God. This feels… amazing.)

Kenny's hands explored,

each touch sending sparks up her spine.

Jennifer's mind was a mess.

(Am I ready for this? Should we stop? Should I—)

Kenny's lips left hers, trailing down her neck.

Jennifer let out a shaky breath.

(Nope. No stopping.)

She pulled him back in, their bodies pressing together.

Nothing else existed but this moment.

"I like this, I don't want him to stop"

"I didn't know she'd be like this,

I've never seen her in this light before,

sure I thought about holding hands, but this,

am I cut out for this."

"HELL YEA, HER TITS ARE BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT,

AND SHE LOOKS GOOD IN THAT SEE THROUGH,

BLOSUE, HER SCENT, HER WARMTH,

SHE'S MINE I'M ABOUT TO CLAP HER CHEEKS."

The scene shifted to a blood stain

on the mattress and Jennifer

was fast asleep

Jennifer groaned slightly waking up.

The next thing Jennifer

remembered was waking up alone.

The warmth beside her was gone.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open,

adjusting to the dim light of her bedroom.

Kenny was gone.

A cool breeze came through

the window—the window.

Jennifer sat up.

(Did he… sneak out?!)

Her fingers instinctively

touched her lips.

A slow, small smile crept onto her face.

(Yeah… I think I really like him.)

Meanwhile, outside,

Kenny stood under the buzzing streetlights.

His hoodie was pulled over his head,

his skin still buzzing with adrenaline.

His hands were shaking.

He looked back at her house.

He exhaled sharply.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"I'm him."

Six Months Later—A Love Doomed to Die

Kenny used to think that love was

supposed to make life easier.

With Jennifer, now calling herself Brooke,

it had started that way.

At first, everything felt perfect.

She would skip lunch just to hang out with him. She'd text him "good morning" before he even woke up. She'd find excuses to visit him, to touch him, to claim him.

For months, Kenny had thought this is

what love was supposed to feel like.

And when they slept together for the first time,

something inside of him shifted.

He wasn't just some kid anymore.

She was his girl.

And for a while, that was enough.

The Cracks Begin to Show

But something changed.

Kenny didn't notice it at

first—or maybe he just ignored it.

It started small.

She'd get mad over nothing. Her jokes started feeling more like jabs. If he didn't text back immediately, she'd hit him with,

"Oh, I guess you don't care anymore."

She'd go quiet when she didn't get her way. Roll her eyes whenever he tried to make a joke.

She wanted to control everything.

And the arguments? Endless.

"Why do you always have to go home after school?

Why can't you just stay with me?"

"Girl, my mom would kill me.

I can't be sneakin' around like that every day."

"If you really loved me, you'd find a way."

That was the second red flag.

She started dressing differently,

acting differently.

Calling herself Brooke.

"Jennifer" didn't exist anymore.

And soon… neither would Kenny and her.

The Video That Changed Everything

It happened on a Friday.

Kenny was chilling outside school,

waiting for the bus, when one of his classmates,

Marcus, slid up next to him.

"Ayo, Wu, you seen this yet?"

Marcus shoved his phone into Kenny's face.

Kenny squinted at the screen.

A video.

The lighting was dim, a party setting.

The camera was shaky,

but the people in the frame were clear as day.

Brooke.

With some random dude.

Making out.

Arms wrapped around his neck.

His hands roaming all over her body.

She wasn't pulling away.

She was into it.

Kenny's breath hitched.

His fingers clenched into fists.

"Yo…" his voice was quiet. Too quiet.

Marcus laughed nervously,

pulling the phone back.

"I mean, maybe it ain't what it looks like—"

"Send me that shit." Kenny's voice was cold.

Marcus hesitated. "Bro…"

Kenny snatched the phone from his hand,

copied the video, and sent it to himself.

His heart was beating too fast.

His chest was tight.

(There's no fucking way.)

He watched the video again.

And again.

And again.

Each time, his stomach twisted worse.

This wasn't just some rumor.

This wasn't he-said, she-said bullshit.

This was real.

This was her.

His girl.

It was a flash

Kenny didn't even remember walking back inside.

One moment, he was watching the video.

The next, he was standing in the middle of the crowded hallway.

And there she was.

Brooke.

Laughing with her friends.

Like nothing happened.

Like she hadn't just been in some

dude's arms the night before.

Kenny's hands shook.

"Brooke!"

His voice cut through the hallway.

She turned, her face lighting up

at first—but then she saw his expression.

She froze.

"Kenny? What's wrong?"

"You tell me."

He walked up to her, his movements slow, deliberate.

His fingers clenched around his phone.

His breathing uneven.

Brooke shifted uncomfortably.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Kenny inhaled sharply.

"You were at a party last night, right?"

She blinked. "Yeah… why?"

"You do anything you wanna confess?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Kenny, what the hell are you talking about?"

Kenny exhaled.

Then, without another word—he

turned the phone screen toward her.

The video played.

Brooke's entire body locked up.

Her eyes widened.

Her breath hitched.

She watched herself making out with another guy.

The color drained from her face.

Kenny's heart pounded.

His voice was quiet.

"This you?"

The hallway went silent.

Everyone was watching.

Brooke's lips parted, but no words came out.

Kenny's chest felt like it was caving in.

Say something. Say anything.

But all she did was stammer.

"K-Kenny, I—It's not what it looks like—"

"Bitch, it's exactly what it looks like."

Her hands trembled. "I was drunk! I didn't mean—"

"That don't make it any better."

She stepped forward, reaching for him.

"Please, babe, let's just talk—"

Kenny took a step back.

Her breath hitched.

"We done."

Brooke's eyes went wide.

"No—Kenny, please!"

Her voice broke.

Students whispered, the weight of the

moment spreading like wildfire.

The hallway was a storm.

Kenny stood in the eye of it,

his chest tight, his hands trembling,

his mind racing. Everything felt distant.

The students surrounding them weren't

just watching anymore—they were waiting.

Waiting to see what Kenny would do next.

But Kenny?

He was waiting for this nightmare to end.

Jennifer, or Brooke—whatever she wanted to

call herself now—stood before him,

her face streaked with tears,

her hands reaching out, trembling.

Her voice broke as she spoke,

desperate, raw, exposed.

"No, no—Ken!"

Her entire body shook.

She tried to grab his arm,

but he pulled away,

taking another step back.

That distance between them?

It was suffocating.

But she wasn't going to let it stay.

She lunged forward,

gripping the front of his

hoodie with both hands.

"I'm sorry! Please!"

Her voice cracked,

the weight of it crashing

against him like a tsunami.

"I love you! I love you!"

Her cries echoed through the halls,

bouncing off the lockers,

weaving into the murmurs of hundreds

of watching students.

Kenny could hear them whispering.

Could hear the disbelief.

The pity.

For her.

For him.

For both of them.

Something in Kenny's chest twisted.

This wasn't how she acted.

Jennifer was always in control.

She was always the one calling the shots.

She never begged. She never pleaded.

And yet, here she was… falling apart at the seams.

Her fingers clutched at his hoodie

like it was the only thing keeping her standing.

Her legs trembled, her voice wavered.

Kenny wanted to believe this was some sick joke.

That she wasn't actually breaking

like this in front of the whole damn school.

But she was.

And for a moment—just a moment—he felt bad.

"Please don't leave me, Ken!"

Her fingers curled tighter.

Her knuckles turned white.

She wasn't just crying now—she was sobbing.

It was ugly

It was painful.

Her shoulders shook. Her knees nearly buckled.

She looked like she was on the verge of collapsing.

And Kenny?

His jaw clenched.

He should walk away.

He knew he should.

But something about the way she kept saying

his name—the way she kept reaching for him—made it hard.

Jennifer's mind was spinning.

This wasn't happening.

This couldn't be happening.

Kenny was hers.

They were supposed to be forever.

Even if she had messed up.

Even if she had hurt him.

He had to forgive her.

He had to.

"Kenny, I fucked up, I know!"

She choked on her words.

"Give me another chance!"

Her chest tightened painfully,

her heart hammering like it was

trying to break free.

She could feel the stares,

the judgment, the whispers from every direction.

She didn't care.

She didn't care about any of them.

She only cared about him.

Kenny's stomach twisted.

His throat was so dry it burned.

She looked so… broken.

She wasn't the fearless,

confident girl he had fallen for.

She was just a girl—terrified of being alone.

And for a moment, Kenny thought

about saying something to make it easier.

To tell her it was okay.

To tell her he forgave her.

But then…

He saw the video flash in his mind again.

Her arms around another guy.

Their lips pressed together.

The way she moved against him

like Kenny didn't even exist.

Like she didn't even love him.

Like she never really did.

His expression hardened.

He couldn't do it.

Not anymore

His voice came out cold. Final.

"You did this to yourself."

Jennifer gasped.

Her hands dropped from his hoodie.

Her lip quivered.

Her eyes filled with a new wave of tears.

She shook her head violently.

"N—No, I didn't mean it, I swear!"

Kenny turned his back to her.

The second he did, she lost it.

"Kenny, PLEASE!"

Her voice cracked so hard it physically hurt to hear.

She grabbed his wrist from behind.

He froze.

"YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME! YOU CAN'T!"

Kenny yanked his arm free,

spinning back toward her.

His voice was sharp, raw,

laced with months of pent-up frustration.

"And why the fuck not?!"

Jennifer staggered.

Her breath hitched.

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

And then—

"I'm.... IM PREGNANT."

The world stopped.

The hallway erupted.

Kenny staggered back,

his vision blurring,

his chest caving in.

"…No. No fucking way".

Jennifer reached for him again.

"Kenny. Please. I love you so much!."

His mind spun.

His vision blurred.

His chest felt like it was collapsing.

And then—

Everything collapsed.

This was the moment that destroyed everything.

Kenny's entire world changed in an instant.

Jennifer shattered beyond repair.

The school became an unstoppable force of rumors.

And no one would ever forget what happened that day.

Within an hour, the entire school knew.

By last period, the whispers weren't

whispers anymore. They were shouts.

By dismissal, his name was on every tongue,

every phone screen, every joke.

"Yo, Kenny knocked up Brooke?"

"Damn, I thought he was smarter than that."

"How you get cheated on and still end up a daddy?"

Kenny kept his head low.

Every step through the halls felt

like wading through quicksand.

By the time he made it to the bus,

his phone had already blown up.

Missed calls. Texts. Notifications.

And then, there was Jennifer.

BROOKE: Kenny please talk to me.

BROOKE: I swear I wasn't lying.

BROOKE: Please.

BROOKE: Kenny.

His grip on his phone tightened.

(Shut the fuck up.)

The messages kept coming.

BROOKE: Kenny I need you.

BROOKE: Don't do this to me.

BROOKE: I love you.

BROOKE: Please pick up.

His jaw clenched.

He turned his phone off.

And then, he just sat there.

Silent.

Numb.

Broken.

His mom was already waiting.

Arms crossed. Jaw clenched.

Her face was set in a look that

made Kenny's stomach drop.

Cold. Distant. Empty.

She didn't even yell.

She didn't even ask.

Just four words.

"You're moving out."

Kenny's breath caught.

His heart sunk.

"W-what?" His voice cracked.

Her eyes didn't soften.

"Pack your shit. You're leaving. You'll stay with your aunt in California."

And that was it.

No argument.

No discussion.

No chance to even explain himself.

His hands shook.

His stomach twisted.

But the worst part?

She wouldn't even look at him.

Her eyes held nothing but disappointment.

Like he was already gone.

And that destroyed him.

Kenny's body felt heavy.

The weight of everything pressed down

on his chest like bricks.

Jennifer.

The betrayal.

The fight.

The pregnancy.

The humiliation.

His mom.

Moving.

His life was falling apart at the seams.

And for the first time in his life—

He wept.

Alone.

In his room.

In the dark.

He wept.

Tears streamed down his face as he pressed

his fists into his eyes, trying to stop them,

trying to breathe,

trying to understand how everything

fell apart so damn fast.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

He was supposed to have a future with her.

They were supposed to be happy.

She was supposed to love him.

But she didn't.

Not like he thought.

Not like he hoped.

And now?

Now, he was losing everything.

"Bro… you good?"

Kenny looked up.

Von stood in his doorway,

hands in his pockets, expression neutral.

Lia peeked in behind him,

her small frame tense as she stared at her brother.

Kenny sniffed. "No."

Von stepped in.

Lia followed.

Neither of them said anything at first.

Just sat on the floor next to him.

The silence was… comfortable.

Von exhaled, then spoke.

"Ma's serious, huh?"

Kenny swallowed hard. "Yeah."

Von leaned against the bed,

staring up at the ceiling. "Shit."

Lia just… hugged him.

Didn't say a word.

Didn't need to.

Kenny hugged her back.

The lump in his throat tightened.

Von sighed. "I ain't gonna lie,

bruh. I think… this might be for the best."

Kenny froze.

"...What?"

Von met his eyes.

"You need a fresh start."

Kenny wanted to be mad.

Wanted to yell at him.

But deep down?

He knew Von was right.

Still, that didn't make it hurt any less.

Packing felt like burying himself alive.

Everything he shoved into his suitcase

felt like a piece of his life ripped away.

By nightfall, his bags were packed.

By midnight, his room was empty.

By morning, he was gone.

His mom didn't speak on

the way to the airport.

Kenny stared out the window,

watching the city blur past him.

Every street.

Every building.

Everything he'd known for so many years.

Gone.

When they pulled up,

she finally broke the silence.

"Kenny."

He turned.

For the first time since yesterday…

Her expression cracked.

And for just a second—

He saw it.

The pain.

The regret.

But she swallowed it down.

Her voice was still firm when she said:

"I just… I just hope you don't

make the same mistakes twice."

Kenny didn't know what to say.

So he just nodded.

His heart was too heavy to speak.

His body felt too numb.

And with that—

He walked through the airport doors.

And left his life behind.

He was in Hunter's neighborhood.

A place he'd never been.

A place he never thought he'd be.

And even though he didn't know it yet—

This new chapter?

Would change everything.

Forever.

Flash back ends

The room was silent for a long moment.

Hunter and Kelvin sat there, wide-eyed, jaws slack,

staring at Kenny like he had just

dropped the biggest plot twist of all time.

Then, at the exact same time—

"SHIT."

Both boys blurted it out together.

The tension that had settled over

the room immediately shattered.

Kelvin leaned back against the couch,

running a hand down his face.

Hunter, still sprawled out on the floor,

just stared at Kenny like he'd grown another head.

Kenny blinked at their reactions.

"…That's it? Just 'shit'?"

Hunter shook his head,

still trying to process everything.

"Nah, bro. That's not just 'shit.'

That's—" He sat up, gesturing wildly.

"That's a full-blown villain origin story."

Kelvin snapped his fingers, nodding. "EXACTLY!" "You got the betrayal, the heartbreak, the public humiliation—"

"The tragic exile!" Hunter added, pointing at him.

"And the worst part?" Kelvin continued,

throwing an arm over Kenny's shoulder

like he was narrating a documentary.

"You didn't even do anything wrong.

The universe just decided to fuck your

life up for the sake of a good storyline."

Hunter rubbed his chin, deep in mock contemplation.

"I wonder what your supervillain name would be…"

Kenny squinted at him. "Nigga, what?"

Kelvin smirked. "How about The Broken Bastard?"

Hunter snapped his fingers. "Ohhh, or

'The Forsaken Father.'"

Kelvin cackled.

"Nah, that sounds like some tragic anime protagonist shit."

Kenny groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Y'all niggas are stupid."

Hunter shrugged.

"Look, man. If the shoe fits—"

Kenny threw a pillow at his face.

Hunter barely dodged it, laughing.

Kelvin, still snickering, wiped a fake tear from his eye.

"Not gonna lie to you, homie,

but your backstory might be worse than mine."

Hunter raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? We got lore drops now?"

Kelvin crossed his arms,

leaning back with a smirk.

"Yep. And funny enough,

me and Kenny got some similarities."

Hunter leaned forward, grinning. "Well, now you have to tell us."

The playful energy in the room brightened the atmosphere,

the dark weight of Kenny's past momentarily forgotten.

The night was middle aged but

things were getting interesting.