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Ken wandered the corridors of the school, his science teacher's absence granting him an unexpected two-hour respite before his next classes commenced. However, a conundrum presented itself: none of his friends shared this vacant hour, leaving him uncertain of how to occupy his time.
Oh, how Ken longed for Brenda to be free during this period. Their budding romance had been flourishing, and Ken found himself yearning to be in her company, already smitten despite their limited number of dates.
Lost in thought, Ken's mind drifted to the enchanting girl, her captivating bright blue eyes, the allure of her flowing red hair, and those pretty lips...
Ken's mind was practically drooling over the vivid daydreams, his senses entranced by the enchanting image of Brenda. Lost in his thoughts, he was abruptly jolted back to reality as someone carelessly collided with him, shattering the tranquility of his reverie.
It happened to be a footballer he held disdain for, evident by the ill-tempered curse hurled his way before the interloper continued on his way.
With an exasperated roll of his eyes, Ken regained his composure and found himself in the bustling cafeteria, his original destination. Since he was alone, he figured he might as well indulge in some nourishment.
However, his attention was swiftly captured by a familiar face: David, otherwise known as Brenda's twin brother.
Ken didn't know David well, aside from the fact that he used to be friends with Jackson and shared a close friendship with Exer. Though Ken had seen him at Brenda’s house here and there and he attended the same school as the guy, their interactions had been limited, never extending to a one-on-one conversation.
Perhaps it was time to change that. A smirk appeared on his face at the mere thought of witnessing a bright smile that would grace Brenda's face upon hearing of their newfound camaraderie. It filled Ken with a sense of purpose and determination.
With this newfound resolve, Ken approached the table where David appeared to be engrossed in his studies. However, as he drew nearer, Ken couldn't help but notice the visible signs of frustration etched upon David's face, his restless movements betraying his inner turmoil as he fidgeted with his pencil.
A momentary hesitation washed over Ken, tempting him to retreat from his mission. Yet, he swiftly dismissed the notion, realizing that offering assistance to David in his moment of struggle could potentially earn him valuable points in Brenda's eyes.
After all, what better way to demonstrate his genuine care and consideration than by lending a helping hand to her twin brother?
"Need some help, blondie?" Ken greeted said blonde, settling himself next to the guy and casually draping an arm around his shoulders. David… flinched? But Ken didn't pay much mind, secretly chuckling at catching him off guard and unintentionally giving him a little scare.
"Uhh... no?" David responded, his voice strained with discomfort, which went unnoticed by Ken as he observed the tension in David's body.
"Man, you sure? Why so tense?" Ken asked, shifting his position and placing his hands on each of David's shoulders, starting to give them a gentle massage in an attempt to ease some of that built-up tension.
But the boy didn't seem to appreciate the touch, cringing and quickly withdrawing from Ken's hands with an uncomfortable laugh, which caught Ken's attention and made him raise an eyebrow.
"No need for that, Ken," he chuckled, his smile forced as he shifted and distanced himself slightly.
Ken squinted his eyes in suspicion, noticing David's strange demeanor. "What's got you so uptight?" David reacted as if he were caught red-handed, the smile vanishing from his face. However, within a second, it reappeared, accompanied by another awkward laugh.
"Just upcoming exams, you know how it is," he responded, but Ken maintained his unwavering gaze, carefully watching the guy. This seemed to make him sweat and avert his bright eyes from Ken's darker ones.
Ken couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at how he was making David so nervous, but this time, a soft laugh escaped his lips, causing David to look at him again. Ken offered the poor boy a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I feel that."
It seemed that was enough to ease David's tension slightly. Ken noticed his shoulders relax a bit, as if a weight had been lifted, and he let out a sigh of relief.
Geez, that guy really needed to unwind a little.
The thought ignited an idea in Ken's mind, causing his thoughts to wander to those hidden joints tucked away in the depths of his locker. He vividly recalled having a couple of them stashed away, just waiting to be used.
A mischievous smirk graced Ken's face, prompting David to look at him with a quizzical expression in his eyes. "You sure you don't want any help?" Ken asked, his tone resembling that of a persuasive salesman. "Because I happen to know a thing or two about relaxation, and no offense, but you look like you could use some." Ken playfully winked.
Ken couldn't help but smile to himself, realizing that this was the perfect opportunity not only to lend a helping hand to David, but also to forge a connection with the guy. And then, boom, they would be friends, and Brenda would be thrilled.
But David didn't seem to catch on to what Ken was alluding to, as he continued to gaze at him with a confused, innocent expression. Ken blinked, his smirk fading away as he couldn't comprehend how David didn't grasp what he was referring to.
"You know?" Ken emphasized, pressing two fingers against his mouth and mimicking the act of smoking. He witnessed the moment David realized, his eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and a blush started to creep up his cheeks.
"You mean we-" But before David could finish muttering that word, Ken swiftly reacted, placing his hand over David's mouth to prevent the words from escaping and potentially being overheard by anyone nearby.
But the act was abruptly interrupted as David gasped in terror, flinching and slapping away Ken's hand in the process. Ken's eyes widened in surprise, completely caught off guard by David's reaction.
His gaze shifted from his slapped hand to David's wide eyes, sensing a moment of shock in the air. Ken observed as David's eyes grew even wider, and he noticed the slight gulp that David took.
It only lasted a moment before David managed to force a smile back onto his face. "Sorry, I'm just feeling a bit jumpy," he awkwardly explained.
Ken rarely found himself at a loss for words, always ready with a reaction for any situation. However, in this moment, genuine confusion crept into his mind, catching him slightly off guard.
Nevertheless, he swiftly dismissed it, the action proving that David could benefit from some relaxation. "No worries, man," he reassured in a casual tone, though it didn't seem to ease the conflicted expression on David's face.
"So, what do you say? Ready to escape this place and unwind?" Ken playfully winked at the word unwind, knowing that David now understood his intention behind it. David shifted, appearing to contemplate the question.
In the recesses of Ken's mind, a fleeting doubt surfaced, questioning the idea. After all, it was clear that David had never smoked before. But Ken brushed it aside, promising himself to exercise caution and keep a watchful eye on David.
What could possibly go wrong, anyway? It wasn't as if it were dangerous. Ken could easily list several worse things about alcohol, yet people still consumed it, didn't they? People acted as if weed was some terrible vice, but in Ken's experience, it simply led to good, uncomplicated moments. David could surely benefit from a taste of that.
Ken's stomach churned as a shadow fell across David's face. But then, David smiled, his determination clear. Ken brushed off his unease, stood up, and gestured for David to follow. Together, they headed to Ken's locker.
Ken observed as David delicately placed the tip of the joint between his lips, but inhaled too quickly, causing him to cough almost immediately.
Ken winced, vividly recalling his own first smoking experience and the discomfort that came with it. He realized that he probably should have taught David how to inhale properly.
Ken chuckled, "You're not doing it right, hold on." He gestured for the joint, and David handed it back, still coughing. "Watch how I do it," Ken said as he brought the joint to his lips, demonstrating the correct way to inhale while explaining the technique.
"Want to give it another try?" Ken smirked. David rubbed his chest, still coughing slightly, but nodded. He took the joint back and attempted again, following Ken's instructions. This time, he successfully exhaled the smoke without coughing.
"You come here often to do this?" inquired David with an air of curiosity. Ken's face brightened, a smile gracing his lips, as he shifted his gaze towards the vast expanse of the football field, devoid of any activity.
"It’s a good place," began Ken, his words flowing with a touch of knowledge. As David indulged in another inhalation of the joint, Ken continued, "When there isn’t any practice, it’s so quiet. And you won’t get caught, because you can see someone approaching from a mile away.” Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them, as David exhaled a delicate plume of smoke.
David extended the joint back to Ken, who reclaimed it with a firm grasp. However, a sudden inspiration ignited within Ken's mind just before he was about to bring it to his lips. Sporting a self-assured grin, he playfully posed a question to David, "Wanna see something cool?”
The glimmer of curiosity in David's eyes, coupled with a nod of agreement, stirred a sense of excitement within Ken that defied explanation.
In David's gaze, there was neither judgment nor skepticism, only genuine intrigue. Emboldened by this reception, Ken raised the joint to his lips, ready to unveil one of his captivating tricks.
As the soothing tendrils of smoke enveloped his being, Ken experienced a profound sense of relief. It wasn't a matter of addiction, but rather a simple pleasure he savored whenever the opportunity arose.
Now, for the cool part - with a calculated exhale, he released the smoke into the crisp air. But before it could dissipate completely, Ken swiftly inhaled, drawing the smoke back into his lungs for a second encounter. The resulting image didn’t only look rad, but the effects surpassed those of a solitary inhalation.
But David's reaction was the true highlight, for his blue eyes widened and shimmered with awe, his face adorned with an expression of genuine admiration. This sight brought forth a smile from Ken, not the usual smug grin he often wore, but a genuine smile that emanated from deep within his heart.
Though his friends never explicitly voiced their disapproval of his smoking, their subtle looks of disappointment and uncomfortable shifts spoke volumes. So to finally have someone by his side, sharing a joint and looking at him with this impressed look instead of disgust, filled Ken's heart with an exuberant joy.
"You have to teach me sometime," David remarked, as Ken smiled and took another drag, this time simply inhaling deeply and holding the smoke within as long as he could before slowly exhaling, closing his eyes in bliss. Ken didn't need to look to feel David's gaze fixed upon him, and the mere thought brought a smile to his face.
He never really had a smoking buddy, but he was starting to enjoy having some company to share the sweet sensation with. And the way David said he wanted to learn "sometime" made him feel like this wouldn't be their last smoke session together.
Ken opened his eyes and took a quick drag before passing the joint back to David, who eagerly accepted it. Ken couldn't help but smirk at David's excitement. He hadn't expected him to enjoy it this much, but Ken certainly wasn't complaining.
As David inhaled the smoke, his blue eyes seemed focused on something, though Ken couldn't quite figure out what. But then David looked back at him, their eyes locking. Ken raised an eyebrow at David, noticing the mischievous smile on his face.
"You wanna hear something funny?" David asked, bringing the joint to his mouth for another drag. Ken nodded, interested in what he was about the hear.
David chuckled, releasing the smoke from his body before pointing towards the football field. "You see that patch of grass over there? It's completely flat compared to the rest of the field, right?" Ken knew exactly where to look, as he had often wondered what had happened to that specific spot.
The patch in question was rectangular and oddly narrow, considerably lighter compared to the grass surrounding it. It looked weirdly flat and framed by the much longer blades at the sides of it.
"Yeah? What about it?" Ken asked, his curiosity piqued.
"We were up against this team from out of town, and let me tell you, they were all huge! Like, massive!" David began, his arms expanding dramatically when he mentioned the word 'massive,' adding visual flair to his story, a big smile on his face.
“We all thought we were goners for sure,” as David recalled the memory, a distant look came into his eyes, and he chuckled at the memory while taking another drag.
"Anyways, during the game, this one gigantic kid tackled Ricky so hard that he took a whole layer of grass off, and it never grew back right." Both of them burst into laughter, Ken enjoying the image of a big guy taking down Ricky. "It was so rad. Ricky whined like a baby. I think it was one of the few times I actually enjoyed football..”
For a moment, a hint of sadness appeared on David's face as he mentioned the last part, but the joy quickly returned as Ken started laughing even louder, picturing a whining Ricky in his mind's eye.
David let out a sigh, his laughter subsiding for a moment as he took another drag from the joint. With a mischievous grin, he passed it back to Ken, who eagerly took a deep inhale.
"And then Ricky was all like—" David started, his laughter bubbling up again, "I'm dying! I'm dying!" David started mocking Ricky, his hands gesturing wildly as he got into character and Ken couldn't help but cough out a laugh, the smoke forcing it’s way out his body.
" Martyyyy! " David further mocked, placing both hands on Ken's shoulders and shook him, pretending Ken was Marty. Ken couldn't contain himself, laughing uncontrollably at David's impersonation. The two of them were in stitches, sharing a moment of pure joy and laughter.
Ken felt David's head falling onto his shoulder, their laughter still echoing in the air as they slowly began to calm down.
Ken slowly took another drag, because while he was definitely feeling something, he didn’t quite think he was on David’s level. The boy was practically crying with laughter against Ken's shoulder.
But Ken didn't mind. The weight on his shoulder and the sound of David's giggles brought a smile to his face. "This stuff really does make things funny," David’s words caused Ken to chuckle, as it was proof that David was feeling the effects more strongly than Ken.
"You're starting to feel it, huh?" Ken asked, a hint of amusement lingering in his voice.
Ken's smile grew wider as David responded with another giggle, attempting to deny it, "Whaat? Nooo."
Ken couldn't help but cackle, deciding it was a good idea to take a few more drags before passing it back to David.
As he inhaled deeply, his arm slowly moved to embrace David, remembering how David had reacted to his touch earlier in the day. This time, however, David had a different reaction. He sighed and snuggled his head further onto Ken's shoulder.
Ken’s smile grew and he began to caress David's arm, reminiscing about how blissful his first time smoking had been. And he had always enjoyed physical touch, so he welcomed the closeness.
In fact, Ken realized how much he had been missing out on as the soothing effects of the smoke started to kick in. It felt amazing to experience this feeling with someone else.
It felt really good.
"Your shoulder is so soft," David whispered with a content sigh.
Ken chuckled and replied, "Well, yours is quite bony," causing both boys to snicker.
Their laughter quickly escalated, and they soon found themselves doubling over, Ken careful not to burn either of them with the joint, as they practically collapsed into each other in fits of laughter.
After a while of having silly conversations and sharing laughter while smoking up the joint, Ken deemed David worthy.
Now, they found themselves beneath the bleachers, facing the beam covered with a multitude of names. Ken handed David the marker he had retrieved from his bag.
"Now, just put your name wherever you want," Ken said with a smug smile, gesturing towards the beam. He turned his gaze towards David, who had half-closed eyelids and a faint red tint around his blue eyes.
Curious, David asked after a minute of lazily staring at the names, "Where did you put yours?" He didn't even bother searching for Ken's name himself.
Ken couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of David, and in response, David let out a chuckle of his own. Even though David wasn't entirely sure why they were laughing, it only fueled Ken's amusement.
Their chuckles soon escalated into a full-blown laughter session, leaving both of them convulsed with mirth. Amidst the laughter, David managed to mutter, "I don't even know what we're laughing about," which only added to the hilarity. Ken found himself with tears in his eyes and aching stomach muscles from the uncontrollable laughter.
Leaning against one of the beams, Ken attempted to regain his composure, his laughter slowly subsiding. He tried to recollect what David had initially asked— oh right, where he had placed his own name.
Wiping away the tears from his eyes, Ken slowly composed himself, allowing his gaze to search for the exact spot where his name was inscribed on the beam.
Ken's face lit up with delight as he discovered his almost faded name on the beam, while David was still trying to calm down from their bout of laughter.
"Here it is," Ken exclaimed, capturing David's attention. David followed Ken's gaze, squinting slightly and bringing his face closer to get a better look.
"Wow, dude! How long ago did you write this? Your name is barely visible," David observed, his voice slow and filled with curiosity.
"I wrote it back when I first smoked a joint, goldie locks," Ken replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. David's eyes widened in reaction, a mix of surprise and admiration shining through them. Ken couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of confidence as he witnessed David's impressed expression.
"Everyone who's ever smoked a joint around here, they make their mark on this beam," Ken explained, pointing at it. "It's like a library card for weed," he added, letting out a chuckle.
David joined in on the laughter, playing along with the joke. "Ah, the initiation of stoners," he quipped. Their laughter erupted once again, their eyes locked with each other, only fueling their laughter.
Rubbing his face, David leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. However, in the midst of his laughter, he lost his balance and fell forward onto his knees.
The stumble only made them laugh harder, and a moment later, Ken couldn't resist joining David on the ground, doubling over with laughter and struggling to stay on his feet.
It took minutes for them to calm down, both with tears in their eyes. Ken's hand fell onto his stomach, feeling the ache in his ribs from all the laughter. The grass was slightly prickling in his neck, and the smell of the grass wasn’t the most pleasant, but he didn’t care.
He heard David let out a sigh, followed by a slight shuffle. Ken turned his head to the side to see David laying down closer to the beam.
A lazy smile spread across Ken's face as he watched David write his name on the beam, near Ken's own. "Stoner initiation," Ken thought, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
"I guess now you're officially one of us," Ken said, winking at David as their eyes met. David smiled, pure joy radiating from his face. "How does it feel?"
"It feels fucking great," Ken giggled, unable to contain his own amusement. The droopy smile on David's face spoke volumes, conveying his sheer delight.
"But I gotta admit, my throat is kinda sore," David added, breaking the momentary silence as he reached for his neck, as if hoping to find relief for his throat.
Luckily, Ken had just the solution. "I've got a bottle of water in my bag," he offered, mustering up the energy to stand, despite every fiber of his being longing to lie down and bask in the euphoria.
David let out a groan at the sight of Ken getting up, clearly feeling the same desire to relax. However, Ken was determined to make this a memorable first experience for David, surpassing his own longing for rest.
Ken's chuckle echoed through the air as he observed the pout on David's face, his eyes meeting his friend's with amusement. "C'mon, we can just lie down on the bleachers," he suggested, but David remained unconvinced, audibly whining and spreading his arms dramatically on the grass.
Ken rolled his eyes in amusement, a slight snicker escaping his lips, as he pondered how to lure David back to the bleachers. What could motivate him to return to their spot?
A mischievous smirk played on Ken's lips as his mind drifted to the second joint hidden in his bag.
"You know, if we head back, we can light up another joint," Ken proposed, a big grin on his face, extending his hand towards David, confident the guy wouldn't refuse such an offer.
David's face immediately lit up with interest, and a second later, his frown turned upside down as he took Ken's hand. With Ken's help, they got the boy on his feet again, and Ken was surprised at how easy it was since he had expected the guy to be heavier.
As they made their way back, Ken practically dragged David up the bleacher stairs, with David clinging to him in his blissful state. Ken didn't mind, enjoying the company and the closeness.
But Ken did wonder if another joint would be a good idea. David was already pretty high.. but then again, what was the harm, right? Ken would just take more drags than David, and everything would be fine.
Upon their return, David immediately made his way to a bench, letting out a sigh as he lied down on it. Ken chuckled as he fetched the other joint, taking his lighter along. He then settled on the slightly elevated bench next to David's.
As Ken lit the joint and drew the first puff, he heard David quietly humming beside him. True relaxation washed over him as he closed his eyes and savored the smoke filling his lungs.
"You're right, this really is relaxing," David murmured softly, prompting a smile from Ken as he exhaled the smoke.
Ken took a deep breath, relishing the sound of David's slow breaths beside him, the gentle breeze caressing his face and tousling his hair, the kaleidoscope of colors dancing behind his closed eyelids, and, of course, the aroma of top-notch weed.
Not to mention, the temperature was just right, with winter fading and spring on the horizon. The azure skies and the sun's warmth kissing his face, while the breeze still carried a hint of chill, struck the perfect harmony. He reveled in it all, bringing the joint back to his lips and inhaling deeply.
Ken, without opening his eyes, passed the joint to David, who seemed to have noticed and took it for himself.
There was a comfortable silence, the only interruption being the sound of David taking a drag of the joint.
In that serene moment, David gently broke the stillness with an unexpected confession. "I think it's pretty cool that you and Brenda are dating.”
Ken, taken aback, opened his eyes in surprise. He turned his head to the side, gazing at David, who had his eyes closed, savoring another drag. "Really?” Despite not knowing David well, he knew one thing—the guy was super protective over his twin sister.
“Yeah, I know I was skeptical at first, but... you make her happy, dude," David replied, a warm smile appearing on his face. "She needed that.” David added wistfully as his eyes slowly opened, meeting Ken's, a certain thankfulness shining through them.
Ken smiled back, feeling a swell of gratitude and warmth towards David. He realized that David's approval meant more to him than he had initially thought.
It was a powerful moment, knowing that he had earned the respect and acceptance of someone who cared deeply for Brenda.
"What the hell are you two doing?" The unexpected sound of Exer's voice startled them both. Ken swiftly sat up, turning to face Exer, catching a glimpse of David doing the same, albeit unsteadily due to his state.
Ken found himself not only facing Exer but also five other individuals. Three of them were his own friends—Jolie, Jackson, and Timothy. The remaining two were Exer's friends, Ron and Pamela. Each face displayed a different expression, but Exer's stood out the most, radiating shock and anger.
Ken tried to suppress the rising anxiety. "Yo dude, take a chill pill. It's just a bit of weed," he said, laughing uncomfortably, feeling uneasy under Exer's accusatory gaze. "It's not a big deal."
However, that proved to be the wrong this to say, as Ken could swear he witnessed a flash of pure rage flashing in Exer’s eyes. They widened initially, only to narrow seconds later in a manner that left Ken feeling endangered.
"Not a big deal? Not a big deal?! " Exer hissed, his voice rising upon repetition. "Do you know how addictive these things are?!"
Exer's penetrating glare shifted from Ken to David, and Exer strode toward the wide-eyed boy. "What were you thinking?" He snapped before snatching the joint from David’s fingers and throwing it far away.
Ken's eyes widened as the intense gaze returned to him. "And what were you thinking?" The tone turning even more venomous now that it wasn’t directed at the guy’s best friend but at Ken, the one who had provided the weed to that best friend.
"W-We we're just chilling man. I didn’t think it—“ Ken began to sputter out before Exer's harsh voice cut him off.
"No! You didn’t think, did you?” Exer clenched his jaw visibly, his entire face tense as he continued reprimanding Ken. “I mean, did you even think to ask wether this was safe? Hell, maybe bother to check his weight before putting this shit into his system?!”
“Weight?” Ken wondered aloud, genuinely perplexed, his brows furrowed in confusion.
A faint “Exer, don’t,” barely audible, likely fell on deaf ears as Exer ignored the silent plea, maintaining his accusatory gaze on Ken.
“What? You took one look at him and his baggy clothes and assumed he was the same weight as you?” Exer's frustration and anger permeated his escalating voice. “Even though his clothes are practically hanging off of him!?” He practically shouted, gesturing towards David with his arm. Despite the obvious rage in his tone, a subtle tremor betrayed the concern underlying his words.
"Exer," a firm voice halted Exer from continuing, causing all heads to turn toward the speaker, Ron. As Ron shook his head disapprovingly at Exer, his eyes conveyed both disappointment and a warning. And Ken took the chance to shift his gaze toward David.
David seemed to sense the scrutiny, and their eyes met. In those wide, blue, red-tinted eyes, Ken found a deep regret as David mouthed a slow 'sorry.'
As he observed David more closely, he started noticing the subtle change in the boy's face — his cheeks looking more sunken than they were when Ken first met the boy. Ken's heart sank as memories of the day played back in his mind, from the frail shoulder to effortlessly helping David off the ground.
Was he really such an idiot?
With a heavy heart, Ken realized that Exer was, in fact, right.
His thoughts were interrupted, as he felt the weight of a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to find Jolie behind him, her eyes carrying a certain sadness that oddly comforted Ken.
But the moment didn’t last, as Exer's gaze abruptly returned, causing Ken to redirect his attention to the irate individual. "No," he retorted sharply, "Ken should know what he did was wrong! He should never have given weed to David." Despite the words being addressed to everyone present, Exer's eyes remained fixed on Ken, unleashing his hatred.
This provoked a defensive instinct in Ken. While he could acknowledge the lack of wisdom in his actions; he never had any bad intentions, "Look, dude, David was stressed, and I just thought—"
"You couldn't care less about David!" Exer's shout cut off Ken abruptly.
"You barely even know him," he continued, placing a sharp emphasis on the words 'barely' and 'know,' his eyebrows furrowed in a display of intense anger. "You were just looking for an easy target to smoke with, weren't you? You gonna make him pay for that weed too?"
However, it wasn't only Exer's voice that was severe; the wind was rapidly intensifying, tousling Exer's hair and heightening his overall intimidating presence.
"No, I would never—" Ken attempted to respond, yet his eyes widened, and silence claimed his words as Exer advanced.
In the depths of Exer's gaze, a perilous intensity flickered, its nature eluding Ken's grasp. A chilling stillness enveloped Ken, his senses nearly convinced that harm awaited at Exer's hands.
"Oh, you wouldn't? Well, you seemed perfectly fine dragging someone who's clearly unwell," Exer confronted Ken, getting up in his face and pointing to his head to emphasize David's mental struggles, "up here and give him a substance he's vulnerable to right now. Do you even realize how messed up that is?!" Exer yelled, the only sound breaking the silence after that was the intense wind that kept getting stronger.
Exer's final shout appeared to be Jackson's breaking point. Suddenly, he wasn't facing Exer's rage but the back of his friend, arms out as if shielding Ken from a certain harm.
"Enough! David can think for himself, Exer. You can't just put all the blame on Ken!" Jackson defended, his voice stern as if reprimanding a child.
"Jackson, stay out of this. It has nothing to do with you," Ken heard a slight hesitation in Exer's voice, now uncertain when faced with Jackson—the very person Ken knew Exer had hurt, the one he was desperately trying to make amends with. But despite the hesitation, determination and lingering anger were still present, that Ken knew was directed towards him.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with you either! You need to calm down."
"Of course, this has something to do with me, I'm his bo- best friend!" For a second, Ken was highly confused by this, still in a dazy state, finding the mishap incredibly confusing. But he couldn't give much thought to it, because a deep voice called out his name from the side.
Turning his head to the side, Ken saw Ron crouching beside David, an intense worry in his eyes as he begged Ken for help within them. But when Ken shifted his gaze to David, his whole body felt heavy, his heart sinking at the sight of David.
All noises began to drown out, the voices of Jolie and Pamela starting to intervene slowly fading, even the sensation of the hard-blowing wind on his face losing its presence. The world around him became a blur as his sole focus remained on David.
The way David's eyes were glazed over, fixated on nothing, his body swaying slowly, and shivering as if cold—though he couldn't be, given the drops of sweat on his face, starting to roll down his face.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Ken rushed to Ron and David, but upon arrival, he stood frozen, struggling to find a solution to aid David. Self-pity overwhelmed his mind, guilt enveloping his entire being.
Ken swallowed, the realization of the gravity of his mistake now truly hitting him. He couldn't escape the fact that this was all his fault.
He scolded himself, his head aching at all the things his mind seemed to have missed—obvious signs that he never should have done it. How didn't he pick up on the lack of weight, the heaviness in David's eyes, the presence of the obvious eye bags? Was he really so oblivious, so focused on trying to be friends with David for Brenda's happiness or some odd approval?
All he knew was that, despite the irreparable mistake he had made, he could at least do something about it now.
But as Ken extended his hand toward David, a harsh shout pierced the air, his movement coming to an abrupt halt.
"Don't you touch him!" A palpable tension in the space around him as he became acutely aware of Exer's swift footsteps closing in.
But to his surprise, the footsteps ceased without the expected blow, even the once-bustling wind now holding its breath. Ken turned cautiously, revealing Exer with wide-open eyes, a mixture of shock and profound concern etched across his face, gaze fixated on David.
In that fleeting moment, Exer's gaze shifted back to Ken, and an inexplicable chill raced down his spine. "Go away, you guys need to leave ," Exer's words were delivered with a frigid tone, yet beneath the icy surface, an undercurrent of genuine concern and desperation rippled.
Ken hesitated, torn between the gnawing responsibility and the urging grip of Jackson's rough hand, trying to guide him away.
His gaze, however, remained fixated on David. It was his fault, a truth weighing heavily on Ken's conscience. He felt the need to take action, to extend a helping hand.
His thoughts raced, a whirlwind of desperation swirling within him, trying to think of something—
"Wait! Wait, I have water in my bag! There’s water in my bag." he urgently shouted towards the friends cautiously approaching David, a sudden realization igniting as he remembered what he had intended to offer David initially.
Jolie and Jackson orchestrated a delicate effort to steer Ken away from the group, yet his heart throbbed with a fervent desire to stay and help.
"Please, just use anything from my bag if you need. I can get it back it later," he pleaded, meeting Ron's eyes, who responded with a sorrowful smile, a nod, and a purposeful stride toward Ken's bag.
"Come on, Ken.. It's time to go," Jolie softly insisted, applying a gentle push to his shoulder in the opposite direction. Jackson maintained a grasp on his arm, not forcefully, but with a subtle urgency, signaling the need for their departure.
As he reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled away, his eyes stayed on David. A feeling of dread settled within him, fearing something bad if David slipped from his view.
With a somber gulp, he descended the bleacher stairs, eventually turning his back with regret etched in his heart. "I really didn't mean to, Jolie. I promise I didn't know," he confessed, a plea for understanding woven into his words.
Attempting to avert his gaze back to David, Ken was halted by Jolie's voice – kind yet firm. Their eyes locked, and she reassured him, "Hey, it's going to be okay. Let them handle it now, alright? They know David better, and he's going to be okay." Jolie's words, a comforting balm, resonated with sincerity.
Ken acknowledged the truth in her statement, but the weight of his own perceived foolishness lingered, casting a shadow over his thoughts.
As they found their way to the ground, Ken hesitated, pausing in his steps. Unable to resist, he turned his head once more, gazing up at the group.
"Ken, come on," Timothy's voice carried a note of urgency, echoed by Jolie and Jackson humming in agreement. Their collective desperation to depart intensified, frustration simmering among them. Ken comprehended their impatience, yet his eyes remained fixed on a heart-wrenching tableau unfolding above.
Jolie, sensing something followed his gaze, and Jackson, attempting to gently pull at his arm, sensed the shift. The pressure on Ken's arm ceased, and he felt Jackson's presence beside him, both likely witnessing the poignant scene that held them captive.
In that moment, an unspoken connection formed, binding them in shared empathy amid the unfolding drama.
From their slight distance, the group was still visible, and they bore witness to the painful scene. David rose abruptly, only to crumple towards the ground, eliciting a quick jump in Ken's heart.
Yet, the most agonizing moment unfolded as David forcefully pushed away the arms of his best friend as Exer tried to catch him, descending to the floor and dragging himself backward. Even from Ken's vantage point, the palpable fear radiating from David was unmistakable.
Amidst the cries and desperate apologies intertwined with sobs, Jolie placed a comforting hand on Ken's shoulder. He felt her gaze, and she whispered, "Ken, come on. We should leave them be." And Ken finally agreed, for the scene before them had brought a mistiness to his eyes.
What did he do?
Ken swallowed deeply and offered a deliberate nod, finding his agreement trapped within a lump that held his voice captive.
"David, please, please, I'm so sorry. It's me, it's me, it's Exer," Ken took a deep breath at the sound of the heart-wrenching sobs that accompanied the desperate apologies, trying to keep his compositions.
As he and his friends retraced their steps back to the school, the pleas continued. "Please, Day, you're safe. I promise, just listen to my voice, okay?" Exer’s voice gradually faded as they distanced themselves, and with each step, Ken's sense of remorse deepened.
“I really fucked up this time.”
Brenda was gonna hate him.
Normally, he would have relished being in her presence—the very girl who had filled his previous weeks with happiness, their flirtatious relationship evolving into something beautiful. But now?
A tension hung in the air, so thick it could have been sliced with a knife, as Ken sat on Brenda's bed while she placed his bag before him, in complete silence.
Ken's gaze remained fixed on his bag, hesitant to meet those beautiful blue eyes he had come to adore. He swallowed, sensing an impending conversation that he dreaded, fervently hoping it wouldn't result in his worst fears.
Earlier in the day, the call had come. As anticipated, it was Brenda, asking him to come over in a few hours to... talk. She mentioned that Ron had briefed her about the events of the previous day and that she had his bag.
They stayed in that position for what seemed like an eternity; him sitting on her bed, head bowed in shame, while he keenly felt her gaze from she where was standing a few feet away.
As each minute of silence passed, Ken's nervousness intensified. He began fidgeting with his hands, a level of vulnerability he had never experienced before, especially given his lack of previous involvement in 'serious' relationships.
Despite being in the early stages of dating, it felt different this time. His feelings for Brenda were genuine, and the thought of it potentially ending made him want to kneel and plead for forgiveness.
Forgiveness for his own foolishness in providing her unstable brother weed.
“I can’t believe you gave drugs to my brother,” Ken’s heart stopped at the sound of her cold voice, genuine anger seeping through.
It made Ken look up, immediately regretting it as the icy look in her eyes unsettled his stomach. “Look, Brenda, I know it sounds bad, but—“ Desperate to explain, to convey that everything that happened was never anticipated, but his words were abruptly cut off.
"But? It doesn't just sound bad, Ken, it is bad. Don't even try to say it isn't," Her voice carried a subtle shake, catching him off guard. His eyes widened as he observed the shine in her eyes and the slight tremble in her lips.
"Brenda—"
"No, I'm serious... Do you know how bad he was feeling last night? Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Ken's heart sank, his empathy extending beyond Brenda. A part of him wished to ask about David’s current state, but he understood it wasn't the right moment to voice such thoughts.
So he swallowed around the lump in his throat and stayed quiet, allowing Brenda to continue and wait for his turn. “Do you even know me? You do know how important my brother is to me, right?”
She turned away abruptly, as if his eyes were causing her pain. Shifting on her feet, her body trembled with frustration.
The tears welling up in her eyes intensified, deepening his guilt. Witnessing the aftermath of his actions in Brenda, he realized he hadn't just hurt David but also the girl he had liked for so long.
He watched as Brenda was grappling for words, her mouth opening and closing. Ken, hoping to help her understand, decided to take the chance to reply.
“I do know, I guess that’s why I wanted to spend time with him, because he’s an important person in your life,” he spoke softly, recalling why he approached David in the first place. “I really didn’t know he was struggling that much, or... Or that he was underweight,” he admitted quietly, regret lingering in this voice.
Brenda shifted her gaze back to him, tearful eyes now shining with a glimmer of empathy. She slowly walked up to her bed and sat next to him, but not as close as she normally would, her stare fixed ahead, a mix of sadness and understanding in her eyes.
"I guess I can’t blame you for that," Brenda began, her voice tinged with sorrow. "He is quite good at hiding it," a sad chuckle escaped her lips as a tear slipped down her cheek.
She closed her eyes briefly before shifting her gaze to the hands on her lap, a distant look in her eyes as she started explaining.
"For the last few weeks, David had been lying a lot about where he was eating," Ken furrowed his brows in concern. Exer hadn't really mentioned why the boy was underweight, but now he guessed he was in for something. Brenda looked him in the eye, a question in her eyes. Ken nodded reassuringly, letting her know he was here and listening.
Brenda drew a deep breath, casting a small, sorrowful smile before redirecting her gaze towards something else, all the while continuing, "He would tell Harry that he was having dinner at home, yet he'd tell our mother that he'd be having dinner at Harry’s house." Her voice broke slightly, and she placed her hand on her chest, as though attempting to ease the intense emotions she normally hid every time she spoke with him.
Ken, now fully attentive, desired nothing more than to comfort her. Slowly, he took her hand, gently removing it from where it rubbing on her chest, and squeezed it tenderly, placing their intertwined hands on his lap.
Brenda smiled at their joined hands, wearing a sad expression, then took another deep, shaky breath. “Exer was the one who noticed that he lost a lot of weight, and after that, we just sort of pieced it all together,” Ken refrained from raising an eyebrow in confusion, wondering why Exer was the one notice, but the friendship was probably the reason. They did seem quite close, after all.
"Since then, we've been really trying to get him to eat healthy again, but he’s been struggling with it a lot, and we can’t just.. force him, you know?" With that, Brenda looked back at him, and Ken nodded in understanding, reassuringly caressing her hand with his thumb.
To be honest, it all came as a surprise to Ken. He did remember the bruises he witnessed on David in the beginning of winter, but he didn't see the guy often, and when he did, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. He guessed, as Brenda said, that David was just good at hiding it.
Ken felt guilty about it now. Despite being present in the house the day it happened to David, the bruises still fresh on his face— the scene wasn't something he thought about much. When he did, it was because he knew Brenda felt sad about it, having also lost a father.
It made him feel ignorant that he didn’t realize David was suffering the same, not even questioning why he was so stressed and jumpy yesterday during his study session in the cafeteria.
How did he not think of it, really? He was so stupid.. The signs were all there, and he could’ve easily known.
But maybe it wasn’t about that? Ken knew he was naive for questioning it, but he couldn’t help but ask, “Is it because..?” still feeling uncomfortable naming it aloud, but Ken knew that she knew what he was asking.
Brenda nodded slowly, seemingly deep in thought as she stared at nothing in particular, “Yeah, Mr. Harry said it’s because he’s vulnerable to a lot of stuff right now,” her lips started trembling again, and more tears spilled, “Not just because of that day, but apparently it also has to do with how he was ‘raised’ after the divorce,” she continued, “if you can call it raised,” she added with a hint of anger, directed at her father.
Ken's frown deepened; as she spoke of her brother's vulnerabilities, he realized he had inadvertently exposed him to one of those frailties.
“I’m sorry, Brenda. If I had known...” He paused and sighed, “I promise I would never even have thought of it.”
But despite him thinking his apology would’ve soothed her, Brenda closed her eyes, as if weary, delicately withdrawing her hand from his, retreating it back to herself. Ken's eyes widened in surprise, a sense of dread settling back in his stomach.
"The last time I saw warning signs around my brother, I simply said, 'he'll be fine.' I didn’t do anything, and something terrible happened,” her voice shook, tears escaping from her closed eyes. “I can’t let this happen again, Ken. I-" she squeezed her eyes shut even tighter and clenched her fists, "I can’t make the same mistake."
Ken swallowed. In the beginning, he had anticipated this, but he believed the conversation was progressing positively. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could earn a second chance, and everything would be okay. He vowed never to repeat the mistake.
“Brenda, what are you saying?”
She opened her eyes, locking gaze with him. His dark eyes mirrored fear, while her bright ones exuded sadness, tears turning her blue eyes into a reflection of the ocean, slowly spilling over.
“You’re too reckless for this, Ken,” she sniffled, “We can’t afford recklessness.” Ken’s heart sank..
No..
“I’m sorry, Ken. But we are over.”
Ken was heartbroken, attempting to hold himself together as he descended the stairs, heading towards the door. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, he acknowledged that it would likely be the last time he'd leave this house, never to return after this.
Before he could reach the doorknob, a soft voice called his name, causing him to halt and turn around to find David, his throat tightening at the state the guy appeared to be in.
Brenda must not have been joking, because David looked absolutely... awful. The dark circles under his eyes were twice as pronounced as yesterday, the red around his eyes a testament to the tears shed. And that wasn’t even mentioning the chapped lips, slightly damaged, and now, wearing a t-shirt, the lack of weight was that much more noticeable.
But Ken didn’t want to be rude and stare, so he locked eyes with the guilt-ridden ones, “Hey man, you doing okay?” he asked as casually as he could, not wanting to come off as overbearing— he guessed the guy had enough of that already.
However, David didn’t seem to be looking for a casual conversation. “I’m sorry that Brenda broke up with you,” he apologized quietly, his voice tinged with a heavy burden of remorse.
Ken’s smile faltered for a small moment before he managed to put it back on, a genuine sadness coloring his expression. “It wasn’t your fault,” he said sincerely, the weight of truth evident in his words. It was his burden to bear.
As if David had heard the unspoken thoughts, he shook his head, “Neither is it yours, the blame shouldn’t be on you.” Ken's eyes softened; of course, David didn’t blame him.
But what did that mean? Everyone else clearly did. As much as Ken wanted to believe David instead, the others were right.
But what good would it do to argue with David about it? So, he opted to keep those thoughts to himself, nodding slowly in thanks— and goodbye, as he turned once more to open the door. But just as before, David’s voice made him halt, “Wait.”
Ken sighed heavily. Though he cared for David, all he desired was to escape, find solace in tears, and lose himself in the strains of music on his bed, perhaps even lighting a stupid joint—the very catalyst for this unfortunate situation.
Yet, Ken hesitated to outright dismiss David. He turned slightly, conveying to David that he was listening.
“What about us? We could still be friends, right?” Ken squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head back towards the door, heart sinking at the hope evident in David’s voice.
The longing to turn around, approach David with a brotherly pat on his shoulder, and assure him with a yes was overwhelming.
However, Brenda’s voice echoed in Ken’s mind, reminding him that he couldn’t afford his recklessness. The internal conflict etched across Ken's face betrayed the emotional turmoil within.
With a heavy heart, he replied while opening the door, “I’m sorry, David, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” and before David could respond, he made his way out the door and shut it behind him.