“Well, that’stoo bad,” I snap, dropping her hand, my expression hardening as I pull away. “Because that’snevergoing to happen. Ever.”
Larisa scoffs, crossing her arms defensively. “Why not? You can’t seriously besatisfiedwithKenny.”
“Have youseenKennedy recently?” I ask, not wanting to waste another breath on this bitch. As far as she’s concerned I’m in a relationship, a status she clearly doesn’t give a shit about.
“Yourgirlfriend?” Maya clicks her tongue with a shrug. “No, we hav—”
I don’t let her finish her sentence as I slam the door in their faces. Useless. Where the hell is she? Searching the hallways, I stop by the kitchen and refill my flask, taking a swig. She better not be passed out somewhere. I pull out my phone as I walk into the living room and dial Kennedy’s number.Pick up. Pick up. Pick up.The line rings and rings until I get her voicemail. Fuck! I need a smoke.
As I make my way to the backyard, I spot Sawyer sitting on the couch in front of the TV, Corrine perched on his lap.
“Have you seen Kennedy anywhere?” I ask him. I’m running out of options here.
“You lose your littlepet?” Corrine snickers, her eyelids fluttering open and closed. “Maybe you should get a leash.”
“What? Are you fucking kidding me? You don’t know where she is?” Sawyer barks, sitting upright, tossing Corrine to the side.Discarded. “I told you to watch her!”
“I’m not her fucking guardian,” I snap, irritation flaring. I should’ve checked in on her more. God damn it. “Just let me know if you see her, yeah? I’m going for a smoke.”
“Fuck!” Sawyer grumbles, standing up. “Maybe she’s downstairs. I’ll go check.”
“Baby,” Corrine pouts, crossing her arms. “Don’t leave me all alone. I’m drunk, what if something happens to me?”
“Okay,” Sawyer sighs, holding out his hand. “Then help me look for her.”
“Yeah...” Corrine eyes his hand warily. “I don’t really care where Kenny is so...”
“Then just sit there and don’t move,” Sawyer states, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “I’ll be back in a few.” He turns to face me, his gaze serious, sober. “If anything happened to her, it’s on you, understand?”
“Oh, fuck off,” I fume, pushing past him toward the French doors that lead to the yard.
On me?On me? I wasn’t the one who gave her the edibles.Fuck!I close the door behind me and look around the scarcely lit and quiet backyard as I dial Kennedy’s number again. Propping the phone against my ear, I attempt to light a cigarette. A melodic ringing in the distance grabs my attention. What—I focus my vision, trying to make out a blurry figure at the far end of the pool. Is that...?
Are you kidding me? What the hell is she doing out here? “Kennedy!” I call out, shaking my head as I walk toward her.Let’s just disappear and not tell anyone where I’m going!“Kennedy! Is that you?” As I get closer, relief releases my tense muscles. It is her. Thank God. She’s swaying back and forth, humming under her breath, the moonlight reflecting off of her shiny hair. Is she deaf? “Kenny! Hello?”
Kenny spins around, a loopy grin on her face. Oh shit, the edible has definitely kicked in. I eye the wine glass full of popcorn in her hand. Either she couldn’t find a bowl, or this is how the American elite eat snacks.
“Ollie!” she exclaims, running toward me, her bare feet slapping against the ground. “Hi! Oh my God. You’re here! Welcome! Look at the moon! It’s so big!”
“What are you doing out here?” I snap, ashing my smoke on the ground. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. You can’t just run off! And where are your bloody shoes?”
“I got tired of them so I took ‘em off,” she explains, smiling so wide that her face might crack. “And I didn’trun off.I had to go to the bathroom but of course, every bathroom was busy.” She leans in close to me, humor bouncing around her face as she whispers, “Because everyone is probably doingdruuuugs.”
Oh, Christ, she’s high as fuck. “Well, this is abackyardnot abathroom,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “A bit confused, are we?”
“I know that!” Kenny rolls her eyes playfully. “I didn’t like pee outside or anything, God, what am I? An animal? I just wanted some fresh air. It’s so muggy and smelly inside. Plus!” She tugs on my jacket, pulling me beside her. “Look at the fucking moon. It’ssoooobig. Isn’t it big?”
“Yes, the moon is large,” I chuckle, following her gaze. Stoned Kenny is thoroughly entertaining. “Good job, Kennedy, you’reveryobservant.Sucha smart girl.”
“I know!” Kenny shoves a hand full of popcorn in her mouth, staring up at the glowing mass in the sky. “Did you know that every year the moon moves 3.6 cm away from the earth? Isn’t that crazy?”
“Really?” I muse, nodding my head. It’s nice to see that weed hasn’t hindered her nerdiness. “What afascinatingfact. Truly.”
“Well, you know, some can sing, some can dance, I can spew out moon facts like no other,” she laughs, her eyes widening with excitement as she faces me. “Oh! I have another skill too!”
“Yeah?” I ask, stifling a grin. She’s so energetic right now. I half-expected her to fall asleep after the weed entered her bloodstream. “Better thanmoon facts?”
“Hmm,” she hums, actually contemplating the question. “I wouldn’t say it’s better but it’s a little cooler.Just a little.”
