The "Wrong" Girl

Kenny's body flinched as the door slammed shut, and he heard Nicole hurried footsteps rushing away. He felt like a boot to the stomach, all the air left him, and his stomach was twisting in the tightest knot he had ever felt. To be so confused for so long, so lost, and finally, when he found his way to clarity, Nicole was rejecting him. What was the point? Why would she even be here today if she didn't want me? She helped put this together, and the other night in her bedroom...there was something more, I know it. Kenny pursed his lips, not wanting or willing to accept this outcome.

"Well, that settles that," Quinn's voice broke the silence,

"What?" Kenny turned his head, giving the redhead a bit of a sharper glare,

Quinn shrugged, "It's pretty fucking clear that she's had second thoughts, so it's settled. Nicole is out. So it's between me and Elle,"

Kenny looked over to Ellie, surprised to find her taking an eager half-step forward, "She's right. Nicole ran out on you; she clearly isn't as serious about this as we are,"

"No," Kenny frowned, backing away, "That's not what's going on; she's -- She's confused! This isn't something normal for her, and she just needs some support! I'm not giving up on her!" The teenager headed for the door,

"Kenny, wait, come on!" Quinn defiantly called out,

Ellie crossed her arms, "You're only getting yourself hurt; let's talk about this!" Ellie pleaded, but he left, all the same, shutting the door behind him.

The teenager wasted no time, jogging up the hall, rounding the corner, and reaching the elevator, where he found Nicole waiting. Her head was low, her whole body slouched, and her arms tightly hugged against her body, "Nikki!" The redhead jumped at Kenny's callout and looked over at him, her face a ghostly white,

"Kenny, please, I can't do this. So let's not," Nicole begged as the teen ran right up to her, "This whole thing was a mistake. I don't know what I was thinking. I just got -- I was being an idiot, and I pushed things too far. I'm sorry,"

Kenny's eyes filled with concern, "Why are you apologizing? I chose you, Nicole, and I meant it. I want to be with you, no one else. I know that's scary for you, but --"

Nicole let out a bursting little shout and threw her hands up, "Just stop! Okay?! I don't want to hear this!" She all but demanded, "This isn't scary for me, Kenny; it's fucking stupid! It's stupid that we'd go steady! A guy like you with a girl like me?! No chance it'd work!"

"Why not?! Why wouldn't it work, Nicole?" Kenny wholeheartedly argued back,

"You're not the kind of person that I should be with. You're too...nice! It's not what I want; I need someone with something -- I don't know, but you're not it!" The girl spat back, and Kenny frowned,

"Don't do this," He calmly returned, "Don't try and push me away like this. You know everything you're saying is bullshit right now. I heard you that night in your bedroom; I know what you really think; you told me,"

"I was trying to get fucked, Kenny; I would have told you anything," Nicole balled his hands into fists and clenched her teeth, "Stop pushing this! I'm telling you no! What did you think was going to happen here? You and I live happily ever after? Let's be fucking honest, Kenny, I'd get bored and fuck someone else in less than a month, or you'd get fed up and walk out in a week. I'm not playing that fucking game. It was a mistake to get this close, it fucked with my head, but I'm seeing clearly now. So that's it. Goodbye,"

"That's. Not. True!" Kenny sharply denied yet again, "I'm not walking out on you, Nicole; I don't care how much you try to fight it. You were in that room with Quinn and Ellie for a reason. I know how you feel about me; I'm not listening to this bullshit. You won't drive me off,"

Nicole let out a growl, "You were supposed to pick one of them!" Nicole slapped the back of her hand into her other palm with each word, "I wasn't supposed to be the girl; you picked the wrong one, Kenny!"

"I picked the right one," Kenny crossed his arms, nothing but complete conviction behind his words, "I love you, Nicole," The redhead flinched and squeezed her eyes shut, "I mean it. I've been through one hell of a summer, but the entire time, there was only one person I trusted with everything, and that was you. You were the one I was always so close with, the friend I trusted, and the girl I always wanted more with. This didn't come out of nowhere,"

"K-Kenny..." The elevator dinged, and the doors rolled open. Nicole let out a gasp of relief, rushing inside. Kenny attempted to follow, only for her to roughly shove him back, hitting the close door button immediately, "I'm sorry. I can't do this. I'm sorry. Just forget about me, okay?" She begged as her eyes welled up, and the door shut between them, leaving Kenny standing on the other side, watching the only girl he wanted disappear from his life.