Mutual Understanding

It was early the next morning when the room began to waken; most tired, some hungover, but only one completely unaffected. "As far as sleepovers go? That one was pretty meh, could have used more drinks and some actual music." Nicole teased as she heard small grumbles in response. Quinn slowly ran her hands through her hair, Ellie was guzzling down a bottle of water, and Juliet was still curled up in her bed, trying to stop the entire room from spinning. Tessa and Kenny, however, while tired, were both well enough to focus on picking up some of the mess left from the night before. Ever the tease, Nicole couldn't help but move over to Juliet's bedside, "How are we doing here? Not ready for the day yet, sunshine?"

Juliet let out a loud groan that mixed in with a growl, "Shut. Up." Nicole laughed and watched as, with a pained moan, Juliet pressed a pillow over her head. "It's so loud and bright...I hate this...Nicole, I hate you."

Nicole looked around in feign shock as the others couldn't help but let out a little snicker, "Hate me? What did I do?!"

"You brought liquor, and you let me drink it; you suck," Juliet mumbled back.

Nicole tossed her eyes, "Oh, lightweights, it's always someone else's fault, isn't it?" Nicole reached out and gave Juliet a little shake, "Come on, let's get you up, give you some water, and then a little breakfast. You'll feel better," Juliet swiftly batted at Nicole's arm and curled harder into her bed.

"Come on, Nikki, let her be," Kenny finally pipped up, and Nicole lifted her hands and merely shrugged back with a **** but accepting nod. "Jules, I'm going to go back to the car and get you some aspirin from my gym bag, and then I'll stop at the dining hall and get you a bagel or something. Okay?" Juliet's hand lifted, and she gave her cousin a thumbs up. "Okay, if you can move, try to do like Nicole said, and get some water." Juliet weakly moaned back, and Kenny gave a slow shake of his head, "Anyone else coming with?"

"That sounds so good right now," Quinn fully agreed while jumping up from her bed,

Ellie felt a rumble in her stomach, nodding as well, "Food sounds good, something small..."

"Oh, I'll put together my hangover pack for everyone; you'll all be fine by ten!" Nicole chipperly suggested,

"Alrighty then, let's get to it then," Kenny motioned to the bedroom door, and as the girls started to follow him towards the door, Ellie pipped in,

"Tess, are you coming?" Kenny glanced back at the brunette and was surprised at her lingering back, looking unnaturally anxious and reserved,

"I'm...feeling a little gross, I think I might head back to your room, get my bag, and take a shower first," Tessa answered in such a way that it seemed she was agreeing with her own suggestion for the first time as it was leaving her. "I was just...hoping I could ask a favor," Her eyes finally lifted and locked on Kenny's, "That guy from yesterday, it still just creeps me out; think you could walk me back to Mimi's dorm room?"

"Oh, uh," Kenny looked between the three girls who immediately had all eyes on him, "I mean, sure, I wouldn't feel right saying no regardless,"

"Thank you," Tessa diverted her gaze once again, and now Kenny felt a nervous pit in his stomach,

"Well, we could hang back here until you get back," Quinn quickly suggested, though, at that very moment, Juliet sprang from her bed, sprinting past them into their small bathroom, and the sounds of her yacking filled the room, "Oooooor not,"

"Poor thing," Nicole winced,

"Yeah, um, maybe we should just meet up at the hall; that noise is making me nauseous already," Ellie urgently pushed her way to the bedroom door and headed out into the hall,

"That works; I was hoping to have a chance to talk to you two alone today," Nicole reached out, taking Quinn's hand and leading her out after Ellie, "See you later, Clark," Kenny lifted a hand, giving an uncertain wave to the others before turning his attention back to Tessa who continued to sheepishly stare down at her feet.

"Uhhhh, Tess? You good?" Tessa rolled her lips, letting out a humming yes, "Um, want to go?" Another humming yes in response, and Tessa walked right past Kenny, heading out the door and turning up the hall. "Okay, this is just getting worse and worse...what the hell is going on now?" Kenny whispered under his breath as he took off after the brunette.

The entire walk to Ellie's dorm became much more of a game of following the leader for Kenny. Tessa seemed hell-bent on keeping ahead of him, not slowing, not saying a word, and certainly not even looking at him. They had crossed the dorms, went down a floor, and reached Ellie's room in only a few minutes, and it was only once Tessa let herself inside did Kenny hear a sigh of relief. "Okay...okay..." Tessa softly whispered to herself, taking deep breaths as Kenny followed her inside,

"Tess? What is going on with you? Are you alright?" Kenny gently asked, easing the door shut behind him.

The brunette tightened her fists at her sides, her whole body shook, and after a few more seconds, Tessa spun around with a little hop. Her face was bright red, eyes squeezed shut, and the words came bursting out of her like a balloon popping. "We need to break up!" Kenny's head immediately pulled back, his brow lifted, and confusion came flowing out of every orifice. "Or stop seeing each other, or whatever we want to call this!"

"We...you're breaking up with me?" Kenny tilted his head, "I...uh, was it because of something I did last night?"

"Yes! Wait, No! I mean you -- Oh God, I had this worked out in my head; I had all the words ready. I knew what I was going to say, and now it's all gone!" Tessa threw her head back in anguish, "Please, give me two seconds; I have to remember -- I just need to -- I'm sorry, Kenny." Kenny continued to stare at the brunette, lost, as for a breakup, even if that's not exactly what he would call it; she really didn't seem all that upset. More embarrassed, if anything.

"That's okay?" Kenny took a few tentative steps over, moving to Ellie's desk. He leaned back, bracing both his hands on its edge, "Take the time you need; I can wait..."

"Ugh, this is exactly what I didn't want to happen," Tessa smacked her palm against her forehead, "This was supposed to be like a band-aid, you know? Fast?"

"Right..." Kenny awkwardly cleared his throat, "Maybe we can start off somewhere kinda simple? Like, maybe, what I did? Because, whatever it was, I want to immediately apologize. I didn't want to hurt, upset you, or make you uncomfortable around me." The teen sincerely stated, though he almost immediately regretted this as Tessa only let out a whine and cupped her hands over her face, which was turning red once again.

"Oh, no, no, no! It's not that! You never did anything wrong, Kenny; that's not what this is about!" Tessa's voice was now almost shrill, and she began to pace. Her hands fell away from her face, and she blew out a sharp breath, "I'm very happy with everything we've been doing! The dates, the dinners, the...the sex, all of it, it's been amazing, everything I've ever wanted!"

Kenny scratched the top of his head, "But? It's not me; it's you? One of those things?"

"No! I really want to date you!" Tessa exclaimed, and Kenny finally let out a sigh and looked back at her, utterly bewildered,

"I'm sorry, Tess, I'm not following you here. What exactly is happening right now?" Kenny crossed his arms, "If it's not because of me and not because of you, then what is it?"

"It's Elle!" Kenny felt his body go numb,

"Y-You...you know about Elle and me?" Tessa's whole body sunk, her eyes shut, and she meekly nodded, "Shit...I...God, I'm a real asshole; I didn't want to hurt you like this...How long did you know?"

"Awhile," Tessa shrugged, "Actually, I had a hunch way before we even met; I only found out that night in the hotel room. It was right after we finished and were going for a shower. I saw she texted you. About the gym...about what you two would do after the gym closed."

"Wait," Kenny pushed off the desk, "You knew that long ago? Why didn't you say something?"

"Because it didn't bother me, really. I...I took it as a challenge. Mimi and I, we've always fought over things. I was the older one; I got things first, but she didn't like that, so it was always a thing about trying to outperform the other. But there was one thing that my little sister had that I didn't, and that was the ability to talk to guys." Tessa shyly brushed her bangs behind her eye, her cheeks a now light shade of pink. "Ellie had a lot of boyfriends, hook-ups, attention, whatever you want to call it. I was always the cute girl who made a fool out of herself. Until you, at least. You, I actually was able to do okay. I saw you liked me, and I did everything I could to not screw it up."

Kenny blew out a breathy laugh, "Well, you certainly didn't screw it up, that's for sure,"

"I know, that's why when I saw that text, I said, 'No way, Mimi, this time I get the guy. You can go look for another one!' I mean, Ellie had just broken up with Will; I figured she was trying to get back out into the world of guys and would be back to the parties with Nicole in no time. Why would she care in the end if I had you for myself?" A profound sigh left Tessa, "Then there was last night...when she said she loved you."

"You heard that," Kenny ran a hand over his jaw, "I -- That was the first time she ever said that to me, and I...I didn't know what to do..."

"She was drunk; she probably doesn't even remember it," Tessa shrugged, "But that's not important. What's important is...I...can't date someone my sister is in love with. I just can't do that to her. If she had a little crush, or you two were just in a fling, I could try, but Ken," Tessa gave her head a small shake, "She said loved you. Love! That's different. I like you, I know that, but I can't say that yet. I don't know if I love you, but if she already does, then I need to back off."

Kenny swallowed hard, "I understand that, but...Tess, I'm still trying to figure out if I love her back, you know? It's such a big thing, and I don't know how to figure that out,"

"I'm sure it is; I wish I could give you some advice, but, hell, Kenny, I just lost my virginity to you; I don't know a damn thing about love." Tessa honestly replied, "The only thing I do know is I love and respect my sister enough to know where that line is. And unfortunately, whether you love her or not is irrelevant. We can't be together as long as she holds those feelings for you. I'm sorry. That's just how it is."

Kenny wet his lips, thinking for a few short moments, "No...don't be sorry," He finally said, looking up at Tessa with a bittersweet smirk, "I can respect that; you don't play with people's emotions, and you stand by your morals. That's a strong thing to have...I envy it," The brunette returned with a thankful gaze, "Elle's lucky to have a sister like you." Kenny tucked his hands into his pockets and blew out a long, awkward breath, "Sooooo, we're just...friends then,"

"I'd like to be," Tessa warmly replied, "I just hope you know I don't regret anything we did. I'm very thankful for the memories you've given me."

"Heh, at least I was good for something then," Kenny weakly joked back,

"Oh, you're always so hard on yourself," Tessa moved over and pulled Kenny into a quick hug, "Look, we're young; everything is confusing, love and sex being the most, trust me, I've been struggling even longer,"

"Tess, you're like a year older than me," Kenny sarcastically pointed out,

"A year is still longer!" Tessa playfully replied as their embrace broke, "Besides, I've read enough stupid romance novels to at least tell you this. I really hope that things could work out between you and Mimi, but just because she said she loves you doesn't mean you have to love her back. Make sure before you make any decisions you know where you land on that before doing anything else."

"That's...really good advice, actually, thanks," Kenny pushed his hands back into his pockets, "I got a lot to think about," The two fell into a semi-awkward silence, "What are you going to do now?"

"Like right now? Take a shower," Tessa joked, and Kenny let out a small chuckle, "After that, I think I'm going to spend a little time on campus, check out the sights, and maybe try my hand at seeing if there is a non-creepy college guy who might go to a movie with me or something. I don't know,"

"Heh, well, I hope that goes well for you. But hey, if one starts getting too weird and in your face, you can still call me; I'll always help a friend," Tessa let out a laugh,

"Well, I appreciate that officer," She teased and gave him a small sock on the arm, "Well, I believe you have somewhere else to be, hmm?"

"Oh yeah, that's right, I should probably get back to Juliet sooner than later," Kenny headed for Ellie's door, glancing back to Tessa, "Uh, I'll talk to you later?"

"Count on it," Tessa assured with a small wave, "Good luck,"

"Yeah, thanks..." Kenny opened the door and headed back out into the hallway. As the door shut behind him, he felt a bit more relief and even more stress lift off his shoulders. He liked Tessa, that was for certain, but he understood exactly why everything had just gone down the way it did, and he was grateful. "Well...down to three...yippy for me," He dryly muttered to himself before his eyes abruptly sprung open. Wait, are all three of them together?!