CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.   freedom ain't nothing but missing you

      Kennedy haunted Xavier's mind. Everything about her came back into a series of film reels. Her smile, her laugh, her eyes, her cries. He couldn't close his eyes without seeing her. The night of the break up haunted him the most.  It was the hardest thing he ever had to do. In his mind, Xavier told himself that he was going the right thing. It turns our freedom meant nothing but missing her.

He missed being able to talk to her. He missed being able to hug her and call her. It was his fault. She tried talking to him and he ignored her. He ignored her because he thought it was the best thing for the both of them. In reality he hated himself for hurting her.

She was sunshine and he was midnight rain. He regretted everything he said and did. It was unfair to pull her into his chaos. Kennedy felt the same way. They were both going through hard times. Now, Xavier wanted to wave a white flag and pretend what happened that night never happened. The only thing was he didn't know if that's what she wanted.

When Wednesday asked him to the Rave'N, Xavier was shocked. He didn't think Wednesday saw him that way. And she and Kennedy were friends. It was a spur of them moment kind of thing and it caught him off guard. He didn't have the heart to say no.

He was painting his mural when he saw Kennedy walk outside. He sat the paint and brush down and quickly jogged up to her. "Hey, Ken."

She stopped walking and looked at him. "Hey, Xavier." She said back with a blank face.

"How was Jericho?"

Kennedy hummed. "It was good. I found an outfit for the dance." She told him.

He nodded his head. "That's good."

She nodded too. "Yeah, it should be fun. I'm sure you're excited to go with Wednesday." She emphasized bitterly.

Oh, how he knew it was coming. She started to walk away and Xavier cursed himself. He chased after her.  "We're just going as friends. S-She, uh—"

"I don't care, Xavier." She declared and faced him again. "Have fun at the dance. Wednesday's a catch."

He stopped her before she could walk away. 
"Kennedy—"

"I'll see you there."

Xavier let her go that time. His eyes lingered on her back and he closed his eyes, cursing at himself out loud.

Kennedy sat alone in her room reading a book. Presley was with Yoko. She was curled up on her bed. There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" She shouted. When Wednesday walked into the room, she stiffened. "Hey."

"Hello." Wednesday said back.

She bookmarked her page and put the book on her nightstand. She sat up. "What's with the honey?" She asked, pointing to the jar of honey in her hand.

"Eugene asked me to give it Enid. He hopes it'll give him a chance with her."

She chuckled. "He's sweet."

Wednesday looked around the dark room. "I know you're upset about Xavier." She stated.

"I'm not—"

"No need to lie, Kennedy." She interrupted and sat down on her bed by her feet. She kept her hands on her lap. "You're very expressive with your emotions. I can see that it hurts you."

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Wednesday—"

"I went to his art studio that day," Wednesday stated, making her go silent. "When I went inside. . . there were drawing of the monster everywhere."

"What? Why would you do that, Wednesday?"

"You've seen the scars on his neck. He didn't tweak his back from fencing, Kennedy."

Kennedy's face fell. "You're not seriously accusing him of being the monster, are you?" She scoffed.

"I'm just trying to find answers," Wednesday answered. "Anyway, when I walked out he saw me and asked what I was doing. To keep from looking suspicious, I asked him to the dance. He looked shocked that I even asked. I don't like him like that."

The pair stared at each other in silence. Wednesday's face didn't move a muscle like always, but Kennedy saw in her eyes that she was being honest. "I know you don't. Sorry for being hostile."

Wednesday looked down at her lap. How do you know when you like someone? Like, not in a friend zone kind of way?"

"Is there someone you're interested in?"

"No." She immediately denied.  "I just. . ." Kennedy raised one of her brows. Wednesday sighed. "Tyler."

She squealed. "Oh my god, you like Tyler—!"

"No, shhh!" She shushed her loudly and her dark eyes grew wide. "I'm not good at these kinds of things. I ran into him in Jericho. Told him that I was going to the Rave'N with Xavier and he got defensive. Said I was giving him mixed signals."

Kennedy titled her head. "What signals?"

"That's what I said."

She smiled at her. "You're turning into an actual teenage girl, Addams."

Wednesday cringed. "Don't make me throw up."

"Well, let's say you do like Tyler, which I feel like you do. You show more emotion around him than you do with anyone else. You know when you get that feeling inside you. It's a tingling feeling. Kind of feels like you're going to be sick but you also feel like you're floating in clouds. That's how you know. When you feel like you'll do anything to protect him, then you'll know. When you're comfortable around and can talk to him about anything, you'll know. When you know, you know.

Wednesday's face contorted into confusion and also disgust. "I hate talking about this."

"I know." She nodded while smiling. "Does this make us friends now."

She stood up and started to walk out of her room.  "Possibly."

Kennedy was the only person who didn't have a date to the Rave'N. Usually, that wouldn't bother her but now she just felt left out. Hearing Enid ramble on and on about her date didn't make her feel any better. "He's so cute, Kenny! And he doesn't care that I'm an outcast!"

"That's great, Enid." She said back, her words muffled as her face was shoved into Enid's pillow.

She frowned.  "Are you still mad about Wednesday and Xavier?"

"I'm not mad. I'm just upset that I'm the only person without a date."

Enid pursed her lips and sat beside her. "Well, why don't you go with Ajax?" She suggested.

Kennedy poked her head out from the pillows and gave her a weird look. "Come again?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I don't think he's going with anyone."

She sat up. "You want me to go to the Rave'N with the boy that you're hopelessly in love?"

Enid smiled. "I know you don't like him like that,  Kenny. You two are friends. Sure I'm mad that he stood me up but I'm not petty. Ask him!"

Kennedy stared at the girl for a minute. "You're too good for this world, Enid Sinclair."

The weekend rolled by quickly and before Kennedy knew it,  it was the night of the Rave'N. She formed Ajax in the quad and asked him to be her date (As friends). Of course he was hesitant because him and Xavier were friends but then she assured him that Xavier could go screw himself. So Ajax agreed.

She was getting ready with Presley in their room. Her outfit was a black two piece set with long flared pants and a long sleeve top with puffy sleeves. It hung off her shoulders, revealing her collarbones. It was also sparkly, which is usually something she never wore, but she figured she would for a night. Her hair was styled in an afro. Her nails and toes were painted black and she wore tall clear heels.

Presley was wearing a sparkly lilac dress with clear spaghetti straps. It reached above her thighs and she was wearing black fishnet tights along with black combat boots. She wore speed sparkly gloves. Her long brown hair was in simple loose waves. "Damn,  we're like the anti Rave'N."

Kennedy chuckled and put in her earrings. "Now you know why I didn't sign up for the decorating committee."

"I cannot believe Enid was the one who suggested you go with Ajax. Isn't she going with a normie?"

"She is, which I'm very skeptical about but I already told her to give him the talk." Kennedy said started putting on mascara.

"Hurt her and we hurt him." She stated.

"Bingo." She closed the mascara tube and faced her. "So, how do I look?"

Presley gasped. "Like Xavier's gonna have a heart attack tonight!"

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Can we not talk about Xavier tonight? I want to have fun. I want to let loose."

"Okay, okay." Her friend nodded and gave her a smile You look gorgeous. Everyone's gonna be on their knees when they see you."

"Yeah, I doubt that."

Presley gave her a look. "You'll have everybody eating their words about what they've said about you."

Kennedy half smiled. "Thanks, Pres."

"I'll see you down there, yeah? I have go meet my hot girlfriend." The vampire smirked and grabbed her clutch. She beamed. "It feels so good to say that."