Tactical Avoidance

Kenny made his way up the now very quiet streets, watching as the few remaining stores flicked off their open signs, and the majority of cars passing him making the turn to head to Snowdrop. He took a moment to replay the events of the day. He took Tessa out, they shopped, they flirted, and then they were at a hotel. One thing led to another and he ended up taking her virginity and after they shared a long, warm shower together, rinsing their bodies clean. Then, they took another hour to relax in their hotel room taking advantage of room service to still have their dinner date in full. From there he walked the girl home, said his goodbyes, and left with the last of the sun finally completely gone, and the night's sky overtaking the small mountain town. It was the definition of a perfect date, one that he would have given anything to have at the start of the summer, so why did it all feel so hollow in his mind?

It wasn't all that long ago that Kenny was happy to have a chance like this, to be alone with his thoughts in a town just about asleep, but now it was trouble. The teen's mind was in utter turmoil, time and time again he tried to pretend things were just as simple as when they all started months ago but the simple truth was, they weren't anymore. What am I gonna do? Quinn...Ellie...Tessa...they all want to date me, they all have told me how much they liked me and they want more. And I'm too chicken shit to make a choice. Ugh, I'm such a piece of shit. I keep sleeping with them and for what? It's not like they're gonna suddenly stop having feelings for me and wanting more. And it's not like my feelings for them are going to get any less real. Kenny wanted to hit himself, hell he almost wanted Will to show up and give him the ass kicking he felt he deserved this time.

Bella...Nicole...Juliet, three fucking more girls I've also fucked and one is my own fucking cousin! So I'm fucking two sets of sisters, my own family, and my friend, and I thought this wouldn't come back to bite me? Why do I do this? God damn it, I need to stop thinking with my dick, and try to actually be fair. None of them deserve to be strung along. I don't want to hurt them, but doing nothing is only going to make everything worse. I need to work this out, make a choice, and let the girls down as gently as I can before it's too late...

Kenny hung his head and sighed, "Only fucking problem is, I don't know who'd I pick," He lightly shook his head, as much as he knew i was a completely selfish thing to think, he still cared about, and liked every single girl. Quinn had so much passion, Ellie was filled with this romantic desire. Everything with Tessa felt so genuine, Bella, for all her faults, caused a rise in him that he never knew was even there, and there was something so comfortable about Nicole when he was with her. And then Juliet...as wrong as it was, his heart still skipped a beat whenever he thought about that night he shared with her. "This feels fucking impossible," Kenny groaned as he pressed his hands against his face, "I wish I could just talk to someone about this..."

Kenny lowered his hands and another profound sigh followed, this time however, it was cut short. The teen had started to turn his steps, making his way across his front lawn only to lift his eyes and see Juliet's car parked next to his. In an instant Kenny was frozen in place, his eyes snapped over to Juliet's bedroom window and through the curtains he could see light. Oh shit, she's back...oh fuck, no way, I can't, not right now! I don't know what to say, I'm so not ready to have that conversation! She took off last time I open my stupid mouth! I'm in the middle of trying to sort out everything else, I can't add sorting out my feelings for her at the same time! I can't...no...I can't do this.

Kenny's panic was in complete control as he backed off his lawn and quickly jogged off, getting away from his house before anyone inside caught sight of him. "I wanted to talk to someone? Someone who can understand this, someone who won't judge..." He pulled out his phone and flipped through his contacts stopping over Nicole's number. "If there is one fucking person who can help me sort this out it's Nikki, I know it." Kenny tapped the number and immediately began typing.

• Hey Nikki, are you around, I have a favor to ask

Kenny continued to walk, staring at the screen with near baited breath. Thankfully it was only a minute before his phone dinged with a response.

• Whoa, it's been a minute, I honestly thought you lost my number...Is this the only reason you text me these days? Am I just your booty call, Clark?

Kenny grimaced, "Ah, shit. Good job asshole, you fucked up again..."

• Nikki, I'm so sorry I haven't texted you since that night in the hotel. I swear to God, I'm not trying to ignore you purposely or anything. And no, I swear, I wasn't texting for that. I just needed to talk, please.

To his surprise it only took a few seconds for a response.

• Jesus, Ken, I was only messing with you. I'm not mad or anything. Are you okay? You seem really stressed out.

Kenny breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh thank God."

• Sorry, yeah, I am really stressed and I need to talk to someone. Honestly, I think I need to talk to you. I have so much shit going on right now and I can't go home right now. So is it cool if I came over?

Another few seconds past.

• Can't go home? What are you talking about? Your parents wouldn't kick you out.
• They didn't kick me out, it's a long story. It's about Juliet. But that's not all that important. I just really need some advice and I trust you Nikki. Please?
• Oh shit, sorry, I thought I texted yes first lol. Yeah, come over, I was bored anyway, and it sounds like whatever you've gotta talk about is gonna be juicy.
• Thank you, Nicole! I'm heading over now, I'll see you soon. Thanks again!
• No problem, what else are friends for, Clark.

Kenny finally felt a relieved smile on his face, "She'll help, Nikki always helps," He assured himself as he headed towards the redhead's house with an extra skip in his step.