ONE LAST SEXCAPADE

Kenz’s POV

Chapter TWO

I stared at the text for so long, not knowing what to do. Why the hell was Jeremy texting me? He had ignored me completely after spending the entire summer together, yet those few words he sent shifted something in me, and I really hated it.

I finally decided to reply, not warmly, just cold and short.

“What?”

I was not the vulnerable Kenz of last year. I was about to turn off my phone when he sent another text.

“Woah, one word replies? Doesn’t sound like my bunny.”

Fuck, I was irritated to my guts, yet I just could not ignore him.

“Bunny.” I hated that name so much. It reminded me of how stupid and easy I was. I used to like it when he called me that, but now? It just sent shivers of disgust through me.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, then stood up to leave.

My reflection in the mirror caught my attention.

Pale, brown, and lean.

I looked like there had been a zombie apocalypse attack on me, but it did not matter. Nobody would care either.

“Kenz! Come downstairs and greet the visitors!” my mom yelled from downstairs.

“Oof.” I sighed, trying to get the thought of Jeremy away from my head.

I walked downstairs calmly, greeting the guests in the hallways. It was the usual robotic talks and exchange of fake pleasantries.

“Oh, there he comes,” my father announced my arrival like I was some prince.

I looked around. The entire house was filled with deaconesses in colorful gowns chatting and gossiping, while the men in their usual suits talked about politics and all of that stereotypical shit. I wondered who the people in Greenville put on this classy demeanor for. I mean, let us accept it, nobody here had a million dollars or anything, yet they acted like they were relatived of Bill Gates.

“Here’s our future surgeon,” one of the pastor's wife said dramatically.

Another one grabbed my cheek. “Haha, this boy is too handsome.”

“Any girl in mind?” the priest asked.

“No, sir.”

“I’m focused on passing my exams...”

Before I could finish, my mum jumped in.

“Relationships distract young people too much,” my mum said.

“Oh please,” another woman laughed. “Let the boy enjoy small things while he can. Soon, he would not even have the time to speak with his family or gather with us like this.”

I quietly slipped away to the kitchen before they asked me more unnecessary questions. All I could think about was the text Jeremy sent earlier.

“You presented yourself well,” my mum said while stirring the chicken soup in the pot.

“Thank you, Mum.”

I grabbed a drink from the fridge.

“You know, everyone downstairs thinks I mistreat you.”

“Whatever, Mum,” I said, sipping my ginger ale.

“You’re ignoring me now?”

Another message popped up.

“Can we talk, please?” Jeremy texted.

“Leave me alone, dude,” I replied, knowing fully well I did want to meet him.

“Kenz!” my dad shouted from the living room. “Come greet Father Benedict.”

I groaned and sluggishly went down the stairs.

Father Benedict stayed near the fireplace sipping wine while everyone worshipped him with attention, even though he looked odd.

“Haha, Kenz, you’ve become a man now,” he said while looking weirdly toward me. “Your mother says you have plans of studying abroad.”

“Hopefully,” I replied.

“Hopefully?” my mum chuckled.

I corrected myself quickly. “I mean yes, Father.”

“Well, if things do not work out, the church is always open for you to serve in. No occupation is better than serving the Creator.”

This mentality right here was the core reason why half of the masses in Greenville did not aim for anything higher than middle class. They had no ambition or anything.

I smiled at the old man while he patted my shoulder.

If only he knew how badly I wanted to lose myself completely.

Dinner had started twenty minutes ago. Everyone gathered around the large table while conversations passed around.

“Kids these days are turning into something else,” one woman said.

“Social media is rotting their heads. I’m afraid it’s also destroying their morality.”

“That LGBTQ stuff especially.”

Not now, please. This was not the type of shit I could bear right now. I adjusted my plate while preparing myself for the conversation.

One woman shook her head disappointingly. “Very disgusting people.”

My father replied, “That’s why kids need strict homes.”

My phone buzzed. It was Jeremy.

“Come outside.”

I ignored it.

“Bunny.”

I gulped, but I stayed persistent, knowing fully well I was eventually going to fall for it.

“Leave me alone!!” I replied, smiling softly.

“What’s wrong? You haven’t touched your food,” my mum asked suspiciously.

“I’m fine. I just need air.”

“Nobody leaves during fellowship,” my dad said, trying to keep a smile on his face.

“I’ll be back,” I replied.

“Kenz...” my mother tried to pat my hand and make me sit, but I had already stood up and begun walking outside.

The cool air instantly hit my skin, and I felt goosebumps rising along it. I crossed the block.

“Jeremy?” I asked, unable to see due to the darkness.

Jeremy did not look any different. He was still the bulky, good looking guy I always had a crush on.

“I didn’t think you were gonna give in,” Jeremy said flirtatiously.

“I don’t have time. What do you want?” I replied.

I did not want to give him listening ears after everything he had done, but still, I could not resist him.

“Aye, chill, bae. I just wanted to see your pretty face,” Jeremy said.

“I know I did you wrong last summer, but please let me make it up to you. How about I buy you dinner?”

I knew I wanted this, but I also knew I could not be seen in a restaurant eating dinner with another guy. Greenville was indeed a weird place. I declined the offer.

“No, I have schoolwork. Sorry,” I said, almost hesitating.

“Well... okay,” Jeremy said, looking disappointed.

“I have to go now. My dad’s waiting for me,” I replied.

Turning back, my hand was suddenly held by Jeremy. He pulled me closer to him, his fingers wrapping tightly around my waist. Before I could even react, he tilted my head and kissed me.

After Jeremy kissed me, I stepped back immediately, fearing we had been seen.

“Just one dinner? Or we could just talk up in your room,” he said with a smirk.

Fuck, I was already melting. Why did I have to be so weak?

We sneaked back into my room through the window carefully, not wanting to alert anyone.

The air in the room was tense and weird.

“Still the same boring old room. It looks like a library,” Jeremy said, scanning around the room.

“Shut up,” I replied, moving closer to him. I wanted this badly, and I could not control it. I pulled him closer in one quick drag.

“Possessive much?” he said, leaning in while placing his hands on my neck. I could feel his warm, minty breath against my face.

“Kenz? Are you in your room?” my sister’s voice came from outside the door.

Shit.