An Apologetic Friend (TF)

Kenny shook his head, "No, it's not Julie," He reassured Claire while he flicked open his phone and pulled up the text, "It's from Brian. I don't think I forgot anything,"

"Mhm, me either," Claire purred, "I took home exactly what I wanted from that lodge," Kenny glanced over at her, giving a warm chuckle before reading the message over.

• Hey man, you got a second? Need to ask you something important.

Kenny raised a brow; it wasn't like Brian to ever send him a text that sounded genuinely serious.

• Sure man. What's up?
• Can you do me a favor and please tell Juliet I'm sorry? I think it might hold more meaning if it came from you. I don't know. I just don't want her to be so pissed off with me.
• Wait. What? Julie's always pissed with you, but that's never bugged you before. Did something happen?
• It's nothing, man, just some stupid misunderstanding. Just please tell her I'm sorry.

Claire sat up, looking over Kenny's perturbed face, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's just Brian asking me to...apologize to Juliet for him?" Kenny shook his head in minor confusion, "He's never done something so bad to her that he felt the need to ask me for that. It's usually just flirting; she shuts him down."

"Ooooooh," Claire nodded, and Kenny leaned in a little more, realizing she seemed to have something immediately worked out in her head, "Julie and Brian must have had a night like us. Except without the happy ending,"

"What?! No way!" Kenny was instantly in denial at even the thought. For long as he'd known Brian, even before they were friends, Juliet couldn't stand him. She ranted to him about how terrible Brian was for hours at points. There simply wasn't any way Juliet and Brian would have hooked up. "Julie hates Brian, Claire."

"Does she, though?" Claire hummed back, "She constantly talks about him. She goes out of her way to talk to him and never really tells him to back off when he's flirting. I think Juliet just hates that she does like him, and last night she did something she wanted to do for a while."

"R-Really?" Kenny all but collapsed down on the bed, "Holy shit...maybe you're right." Kenny slowly began to nod as he thought it over, "Julie was ready to fucking run this morning. And Brian texting me to apologize means something serious had to happen. He's been turned down by her a lot but...but if that happened and she's mad at him now, then it'd make sense,"

"See? I know these things," Claire grinned, "It's a gift. Cancer's are very in tune with their emotions and the emotions of others," The blonde proudly added.

Kenny was pulled out of his thoughts surrounding his cousin and his friend at the comment, "Oh, you believe in that stuff, huh?" Claire hummed a giddy yes and smiled back at him, "So a Cancer...that means you were born in the summer, right?"

"Yep, Kenzie and I were born at the end of the month! She came first, so she's the older one. I think that's why she's always so serious. She feels like the big sister," Claire thoughtfully added before scooting closer to Kenny, "Oh wait! Let me guess...based on what I've already seen and know about you....you are...hmmm," Kenny crossed his arms, merely smirking as the blonde girl pondered, "Wait, it's so obvious! You're a Cancer too, aren't you?! Thoughtful, sweet, a little quiet...yeah, totally!"

Kenny let out a chuckle, "Uh, yeah, actually. Next month is my birthday, so I guess that makes me a Cancer too; good guess,"

"No, guess, you just need to know how to read the signs," Claire waved off. Claire closed the distance between them and wrapped herself back around Kenny's arm, resting her head against his shoulder, "So, are you gonna go back home to talk to Julie?"

"I probably should," Kenny reluctantly nodded, "I'm guessing she'll probably have a thing or two to say based on this rule I just learned about. Even if she doesn't, though, I owe it to Brian to at least deliver his apology."

"Good thinking, and you should talk to Julie. She's being a butt about all this. Someone needs to talk some sense into her and make her tone down all the big ole' seriousness," Claire sarcastically tossed her eyes, and Kenny laughed, "But after you're done," Claire batted her eyes sweetly at the teen, "You should come back here...with an overnight bag."

Kenny felt his stomach flip, "U-Uh, I should?" He asked back with a growing smile,

Claire let out a small giggle, "Uh-huh, as long as you think you can sleep comfortably here...you know, eventually when we get around to that," Kenny let out a breathy laugh which Claire happily shared, "Good! Because I wasn't ready to be done with Kenny Clark," Claire reached between Kenny's legs, grabbing hold of his half-stiff cock while she pounced back onto the teen.

Kenny finally made his way out of Claire's bedroom close to an hour after Brian had texted him. He was decently exhausted, thanks to the blonde, but he was in no way going to complain about it. The teen was still reeling about losing his virginity the night before, yet here he was the next day, and he had just had sex for the fourth time with the plan for more later that night. Kenny felt his lips curl into a smile as he began to walk. Claire really wants me to come back. Hell, she wants me to spend the whole night with her! I can't believe this. I never imagined Claire would be the girl I did this with but -- What do I have to complain about? Claire is so fucking nice! She's sweeter than just about anyone else I know, and she likes me! That's about all I could ever ask for.

Kenny made his way down the stairs, but just as he reached the front door, his smile was abruptly wiped away. Obviously hearing his approach, Kennedy stepped out of the doorway leading into the dining room and planted herself directly in front of him. Her hands were locked on her hips, and her scowling brown eyes dug into him, "Leaving already, huh, Clark?" Kennedy frowned, and Kenny awkwardly slowed until he was stopped right in front of her, "Got your hour of fun with my sister and time to hit the fucking road,"

"What?" Kenny rubbed the back of his neck uncertainly, "I'm just heading back to my house because --"

"Because you're done using the cheerleader slut," Kennedy finished the thought for him, and Kenny recoiled,

"That's not what I was going to say!" He exclaimed, but Kennedy scoffed, jutting her finger into his face,

"But it's what you'd fucking mean, Clark! Now I've dealt with a lot of shitheads who've "dated" my fucking sister, but I have to admit you take the fucking cake!" Kennedy began to step forward, and on instinct, Kenny backed away, retreating from the ranting girl. "The rest of those damn meatheads she rides all night long don't have enough brain cells between them to even count as a human fucking being, but you? You're smart. Which means you know what you're doing. Which fucking means you're a manipulative, disgusting bastard who is taking advantage of my twin sister."

"K-Kennedy, what the hell are you talking about?! You have no fucking idea who I am! I'd never -- " Kenny desperately tried to explain, but Kennedy wasn't about to give him the chance, giving him a sharp shove with a hand, making him stumble back further,

"Don't try to fucking sell me anything, asshole; I'm not a fucking idiot. You're some loser nerd who can finally get what they always wanted. You take advantage of her so you can "fuck the cheerleader" like every single one of you losers dream about, and now that you've done it, you're running away. I'm sure you and that fucking twink Avery are gonna laugh about the whole thing. Tricking the airhead into bed! Well, let me fucking warn you, Clark, you go ahead and walk out that door, upset my sister, and the next time you see me..." Kenny felt himself press back against a wall, "It'll be the last fucking time you have balls. Hear me?"

"I -- Y-You have this all wrong. I'm j-just going to get an overnight b-bag," Kenny gulped as he looked down at the short blonde, who immediately slumped her shoulders and backed away, looking Kenny over,

"You're...coming back?" She blinked a few quick times, and Kenny silently nodded, tensing up as he prepared for a possible slap or punch at this point. All he was met with, however, was a long, drawn-out sigh as Kennedy backed away fully, "Oh God fucking damn it, Claire? Seriously? Uuuuuuuugh,"

"A-Are we good?" Kenny tentatively asked as he stepped forward, "Or do I have to worry about you shooting me or something when I come back?"

"Oh, for fuck sake, don't be a fucking pansy, Clark," Kennedy bitterly retorted, waving off his concern without care, "Fucking great, now I gotta put up with him? This is such fucking bullshit. At least those fucking muscle heads were easy to ignore," Kennedy grumbled under her breath before peering back over to Kenny, who stood curiously staring back at her, "What the fuck are you looking at?! Go get your stupid fucking overnight bag or whatever the fuck else you were going to do!" She instantly shouted at the teen, who jumped and quickly headed towards the door, "Better fucking hurry and enjoy your turn! Not like anyone fucking cares what I have to deal with. Hearing this bullshit across the hall all goddamn night, fuck me....ugh, Claire, I swear I'm going to throttle you..." Kenny continued to mutter bitterly as Kenny pulled open the front door and swiftly shut it behind him.

Kenny released a relieved exhale and shook his head, "Jesus Christ, it's like living next to a bomb that could go off at any moment. I don't know how Claire does it..." Kenny headed down the front steps and hesitantly looked back at the house, "God, I hope Claire is able to control her. I don't know if it's safe for me to come back otherwise."

Driving back across town, Kenny got back to his house in only thirty minutes and pulled in alongside Juliet's car. He turned his car off, let out a yawn, stretched, and slowly pulled himself out. In this short two-minute process, he was surprised to find Mindy approaching him, her head keeping low as she crept towards him, "Ken, trust me, you probably don't want to be home right now," Mindy quickly hissed out while Kenny tilted his head,

"What?" Mindy glanced at his house as she finished closing the distance, "Why are you being weird?"

"Because I drove home with Juliet, dumbass," Mindy shot back with a shake of her head, "And she. Is. Pissed. I mean, majorly pissed off. It's probably in your best interest that you come back over to my house or head back to Claire's," Mindy wholeheartedly suggested before abruptly giving him a sock in the arm, "Also fuck you, why didn't you tell me you and Claire were getting it on?"

"It just happened!" Kenny rubbed his shoulder and winced, "I was going to tell you, but then we switched rides," Kenny then looked back to the house, "Julie's that pissed off about this?"

"Oh yeah, she basically blew a gasket while we were driving back," Mindy explained with a roll of her eyes, "She has one hell of a protective streak over who is allowed to get near you and who you're allowed to be near too,"

"Tell me about it; Claire and Kennedy let me know there was a rule that the whole team was supposed to stay away from me," Kenny added, causing Mindy to give a short scoff, "It doesn't matter, obviously whatever control she thought she had, she doesn't. So I don't really care if she's mad at me. Regardless I gotta talk to her about Brian,"

"Oh, did he tell you she's mad at him because they fucked?" Mindy asked, and Kenny immediately gave his friend a double take, "What? You knew that, right?"

"No!" Kenny tossed his hands up, "I had a minor hunch because that's what Claire told me after Brian texted, but I didn't know! How do you know?"

"We talked about it," Mindy merely replied with a shrug, "Sorry, I figured Brian would have told you,"

"Yeah, well, he didn't. Not that I really care; it's not my business. Maybe once I talk to her about this all, she'll relax," Kenny suggested with a hopeful tone,

"I wouldn't bet on it," Kenny gave his friend a frown, and Mindy smiled, "I mean...uh...I'm sure it'll go great! Good luck," Mindy gave Kenny a slap on the back and quickly turned around, heading back to her house while he headed inside.

Kenny made his way inside and looked around; with his parents at work, it would just be him and Juliet inside, so he wasn't sure what level of anger he was in for. However, as the teen got further into the house, he was only met with eery silence, "Okay...walk slowly, so you don't...get hit over the head...by the insane cousin..." Kenny whispered under his breath as his head was on a swivel, just waiting for Juliet to pop out. By the time he reached his bedroom, there was still no sight of her, "Probably should pack the bag first; that way, I can book it if I have to," He hummed while heading inside.

Kenny grabbed his high school book bag and quickly went around his room, putting in a fresh change of clothes, pajama bottoms, and a few vacation sundries like his spare toothbrush and deodorant. He zipped up the bag, setting it on his bed only to jump right out of his skin, "Going somewhere?" Kenny spun around and found Juliet standing in his doorway, arms crossed and blue eyes inflamed.

"Julie, hey," Kenny gave his cousin a sheepish half-smile and a single wave, "Uh...so, uh...graduation party was cool, right?"

"Kenny, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Juliet growled as she took a few steps into his room, "What gives you the fucking right to suddenly get with one of my friends, huh?! What makes you think that's okay?!"

"Julie, I know you're upset, but come on. High school is over; we're both adults now, and besides, Claire came onto me." Kenny pointed out, doing his best to defend himself but also hopefully defuse the situation,

"So what?!" Juliet shouted back, "I don't give a fuck if she was dancing naked begging you to fuck. She is my friend, and you have no right to be with my friends! You don't see me doing that to you!" Kenny's brow began to narrow, and he crossed his arms as well, "I've made it very clear to you and them that this wasn't allowed!"

"And who died and made you empress of the fucking world?" Kenny bitterly scoffed back, "It's not your business what I do and who I do it with. If me and Claire want to fuck, then what business is it of yours? Whatever I do, doesn't affect your life! Don't get all jealous like I'm taking them away from you,"

"Wow, one night with Claire, and you're already sounding like a prick," Juliet spat back, "You have no fucking clue what you're getting into with her. You don't know her like I do. You could do so much better than someone --"

"You know what, I'm really not in the mood for one of your "Juliet knows everything" lectures today. I don't really care about you telling me that she's not good enough or that I could do better, or even that all I'll do is get hurt. I'm happy to make those mistakes all myself," Kenny grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder, "Because, you see, Julie, in my world, I know when I should give my opinion and when I should keep my nose out of it. Try to think about that before tripping over your hypocrisy next time,"

Juliet's hand shot out, catching Kenny by the arm as he attempted to walk around her, "Where the fuck do you get off?! What's gotten into you?! You're acting like Brian!"

"Brian!" Kenny finally exclaimed, "You know it's funny you mention him," He yanked his arm free from Juliet's hold, "He texted me, really wanting me to apologize to you on his behalf." Juliet's eyes widened, "I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I think I figured out why you'd be so upset with him," Juliet diverted her gaze, "You know that's the real funny thing here. I don't care if you two fucked. You two could be dating, and I wouldn't care because I don't know what's in your head or what's in his head. But you won't give Claire and me that same opportunity," The teen turned around, heading for the door, but as Juliet stayed silently standing in place, not moving an inch, Kenny finally let out a scoffing sigh and shook his head, "Look, I really didn't come in here looking to argue or shame you, Julie."

"It's whatever; you're not changing your mind, so just go," Juliet mumbled back, refusing to look up at him,

"Ugh, will you please stop that," Kenny groaned, and Juliet finally lifted her eyes, "Look, can't you just...stop? Can you not act like you're my mother or something and stop gatekeeping? Let me be happy. Claire is the first girl who I've ever done anything with. Why do you have to make me feel like shit for that?"

"I'm not trying to make you feel like shit, but you ended up fucking my friend; how am I supposed to react? And besides, it's Claire; she's the class slut. Everyone has had her. Why would I be happy about that?" Juliet shot back,

Kenny lightly shook his head, "Fine, don't be happy about it, but don't expect me just to do whatever you say because you're upset," Juliet sighed and gave a small nod,

"Fine, whatever, I don't -- I don't care, do what you want," She grumbled in bitter acceptance,

Kenny knew that was probably the best he was going to get from his cousin at this point. It wasn't great, but it was much better than leaving it mid-argument, "Alright, fine, I'll take that." He turned around, heading out the door, but stopped short one last time, "Honestly though, Julie...Brian was sorry about whatever happened. So, maybe you should go talk to him? At least hear him out?"

"Ugh, after everything else today, the last thing I want to think about is Brian White," Juliet sharply rejected the thought as she headed out of Kenny's bedroom, moving around him and heading back to her bedroom. Kenny gave a small shrug, knowing there wasn't much else he could say; it certainly wasn't his place to push it either. So with that, Kenny headed back out of his house and back towards his car, eager to get back to Claire.