Chapter 14

The next day, after Kendra's parents had left, the T-birds and Pink Ladies paid their visit for about half an hour, chatting with Kendra and catching her up on recent events. Marty was still sulking, apparently, and Wilhelm was getting anxious. He feared it would be the end of them, but Frenchy assured him it would certainly not be.
"Marty loves you," she had said. "She'd never leave over a fight so… so trivial."
"Where's Danny?" Kendra asked softly.
"He's just outside," said Wilhelm. "He wanted to visit you, ah, personally, since he's the one who saved you. Don't worry. Your parents are watching."

The gang left, and Danny entered as they waited outside.
"Hey Kendra," Danny said softly. "How ya doin'?"
Kendra closed her eyes as tears started to form and sniffled.
"W… What's wrong?" Danny asked gently. He sat down in the chair next to her bed and cocked his head. "Hold on a sec… why you cryin'? Don't… no, don't cry."
Kendra sniffled again. "It was him," she said thickly. "He did this to me!"
"He's not gonna hurt you anymore," Danny said soothingly. "The gang's gonna make sure of that."
Kendra took Danny's hand as her eyes widened. "Please don't tell him I'm here!" she said frantically.
"He's not gonna know," said Danny, "even though he put you here, he won't know. Who is this guy, anyway?"
"Freddie," said Kendra, shuddering. "Freddie Falcerone."
"Leo's right-hand man," Danny replied, narrowing his eyes. "The plot thickens."

Kendra closed her eyes as Danny stroked her hair. "Why?" she asked. "Why are y'all protectin' me? I… I couldn't possibly be worth all that."
"Of course you are," said Danny.
"I ain't the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree," she said softly, "and I'm certainly not the prettiest."
"Well I think you're pretty," said Danny before he could stop himself.
"Thanks," said Kendra. "But in all honesty… I'm not worth much, and part of me wishes that, well… part of me wishes I weren't even here."
Danny could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces. "Kendra," he said softly, holding her close as she started to cry again. "Is that what Freddie told you?"
Kendra nodded. "Time and time again," she sobbed.
"Everything Freddie told you," said Danny gently, "forget it."

Kendra sobbed as she clung to Danny tightly, trembling.
He rocked her gently and stroked her soft hair. "Shhhh… hey," he said very gently. "No tears, Kendra." He rubbed her back comfortingly.
"Don't leave me," Kendra sobbed. "Please don't leave me."
Danny smiled as he continued to comfort Kendra. "I'm not gonna leave you, honey," he said softly.
As Danny left the hospital, he started to feel conflicted. Sandy was his girl, sure… but Kendra… she needed him, and could she be more his type? Danny sighed to himself as he drove back to his house. This would require some thought.

"I swear to you, when I find that bastard…"
"I know," said Kendra, who was now talking to Wilhelm. "You'll put a hurtin' on him."
"I'll carve my initials into his forehead," he hissed. "Ooh I'm seething!"
"I imagine so!"
"And I have to say… my poor girlfriend thinks I've got the hots for you."
"What?!"
"Ja… I'm taken, but… well she thinks because I'm chivalrous and protective of the ladies, that means I've got eyes for you somehow."
"Wah… do you?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong, Kendra," said Wilhelm, holding up his hands. "I certainly like you! But I'm taken." He chuckled. "By the lovely Marty Maraschino, who I wouldn't dare betray! We can be friends, but… well things can't progress beyond that."

"I understand," said Kendra. "Much as I like you and the other T-birds and Pink Ladies, and as grateful as I am, which don't get me wrong, I am, I'm findin' I like Danny Zuko more and more."
"He is seeing an exchange student named Sandy," said Wilhelm, "but if things don't work out between them, who knows? Perhaps he'll see something more in you."
"Maybe so," said Kendra.
"Meanwhile Sandy's spending more time with my cousin Alexander. Danny's jealous, of course, but… well you can't stop people from feeling how they wish any more than you can stop Prussia from being the greatest kingdom this world's ever seen."
"Any more than you can stop Wilhelm the First from unifyin' Germany?"
Wilhelm smiled, pleasantly surprised. "You know of Wilhelm the First?"
"Yeah… turns out I may not be the smartest, but I like European history."
"At any rate, who is this Schweinhund that beat you?"

"My ex, Freddie Falcerone."
"That bastard Balmudo's lieutenant. We'll find him, I swear it!"
"Maybe you could settle this over a race?"
Wilhelm scoffed. "Race? I'll carve my initials into his car!"
Kendra giggled. "I knew I liked you, Wilhelm," she said. "But you shouldn't cheat on Marty."
"Who by the way is still sulking. We had our first fight over whether or not I felt something for you, for God's sake!"
"What?"
"Ja, she got jealous. Careful, Kendra, she may not like you too much."
"Oof… I'll be stayin' away from her."
"I know Marty. She's not violent, she won't hit you, but by God, she can throw shade."
"Cha-cha di Greggorio used to say nasty things about me all the time," said Kendra. "I dare Marty to try and do better."
Wilhelm chuckled. "My poor Kirschelein," he said sympathetically. "I should call her tomorrow."