A/N: Sorry for being so salty about Stan in the last chapter. I found out today it was one user repeatedly asking me about Stan coming back then they PMed me and told me that Stan deserved better and that they didn't like the KENDY story because Stan wasn't in it. But IMMA JUST SAY IT ONCE AGAIN JUST IN CASE: THIS IS A KENDY STORY. IF YOU WANT WENDY TO END UP WITH STAN GO READ SOME STENDY! That's all. Most people have been really wonderful and supportive of this story though, and for that, I can't thank you all enough. Sorry for the long A/N I just felt like I needed to explain that because it really was just one person constantly complaining about Stan and It was really bothering me lol happy reading

The next day Wendy got up and got ready for school. She wondered if Kenny was going to see her today. She wanted to look cute for him. She spent a long time picking out the perfect outfit- a skirt, tights, a turtleneck, and a long blazer to top it off. She pulled her hair up in a messy bun and put on some dangly earrings. They were gold leaves, she had a necklace to match.

As she was waiting for Bebe to pick her up she sat and looked at her phone. She texted Kenny:

Do you wanna go get lunch today?

She hoped he'd respond quickly. She still couldn't help but feel like he was ignoring her in some way. She heard Bebe honk and she grabbed her backpack and walked out the door.

When she got out to Bebe's car she didn't look at her. "Who are you all dressed up for?" She asked rather dryly as she pulled away from the curb.

Wendy laughed nervously and tucked her hair behind her ear, "What the fuck, Bebe? I'm just wearing clothes. Am I not allowed to look nice?"

"Oh come on Wendy, everyone knows you're being an attention whore when you wear a skirt that short." Bebe laughed it off as some kind of joke.

Wendy looked down at her skirt. It looked fine to her. She'd worn it so many times before. It was slightly shorter than the school dress code allowed but everyone was always pushing the limits there. "What do you mean?" Wendy questioned, she was starting to get offended now. Was Bebe implying that she was a whore?

Bebe turned into the school parking lot. "I just thought you'd have the common decency to wear something a little more appropriate for the weather."

"What the hell's your problem?" Wendy asked. As soon as Bebe parked she pulled open her door. As Wendy left Bebe reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Wait, this ain't for Kenny is it?" Bebe smirked, "Are you trying to look hot for him?"

Wendy ripped her arm away and got out of the car. "For the record, I'm not the one who's boobs are about to fall out of her shirt." She slammed the door and began walking towards the school. "God, what the fuck is her problem?" She asked aloud as she walked into the school.

Once inside she walked to her locker to drop off her bag. She pulled out her textbooks and closed the locker. Red was walking up to her with a big smile on her face. "Hey! You look so cute today."

"I'm glad someone thinks so," she mumbled as she pulled her book to her chest.

"Who said they weren't?" Red questioned.

"Bebe," Wendy groaned, "She has something up her ass today. She kept trying to pick a fight with me on the car ride over. I don't know what her problem is."

Red looked around the hallway as if she was checking for someone. "I told you, she's jealous." She said in a hushed voice.

"Jealous of what?" Wendy shook her head and began walking down the hallway. Red walked next to her.

"Jealous of you and Kenny, duh." Red laughed.

"There's nothing even to be jealous of." Wendy groaned. "I don't even know what we're doing right now. I think he's in it just to fuck me."

"What? He was totally into you like more than that."

"No look at this." Wendy stopped and tucked her books under her arm. "Look how much we were texting," she scrolled through her and Kenny's conversation. "Than look at this, yesterday he came over and we.., you know..." Wendy always felt uneasy sharing that stuff even with her friends.

Red just grinned.

"But then look at how dry he got here." She showed him the end of their conversation, "And today he's ignoring me." Wendy closed her phone. "I think he just likes me for the sex. Maybe Bebe was right." Wendy sighed.

Red just stayed silent. "It does look kind of damning." She sighed, "Give him some time, Wendy. I was really rooting for you two."

"I was rooting for us too." Wendy looked down. The bell rang. Wendy and Red parted ways.

The day dragged on for Wendy. She kept periodically checking her phone throughout the class. Around third period she gave up. She couldn't figure out Kenny. Maybe she owed Bebe an apology, though she was a bitch to her this morning.

During lunch, Wendy, Red, and Bebe sat together like nothing was wrong. None of them talked. Red tried to break the ice, "I hate how they serve school lunch at eleven-thirty. It throws off my schedule for the rest of the week."

Bebe just nodded and Wendy just ate her sandwich quietly. After lunch, Wendy checked her phone again. Damn, still nothing. She started to type out a text:

Hey, are you mad at me?

She stared at it. Was it too clingy? Too weird? Was she overthinking this? Did she need to give him more time? Was something wrong?" She sighed and put her phone in her pocket. The next class she had was physics. They had a lab today, it was about the last thing she wanted to do.

After a boring introduction by the physics teacher, they were put into lab groups. Wendy got put with Craig and David. At least she could stomach them.

The three of them got to work on their lab. As they did their work they talked about school and everyday life. David took the notes and Wendy measured the substances and Craig double checked them for accuracy.

"Craig you're friends with Kenny, right?" Wendy asked as she handed Craig some material.

"Yeah, why?" He replied. He seemed kind of focused. Wendy didn't know if now was the time or place to be talking about relationship problems with his best friend.

"Do you know why he's not texting me back?" Wendy asked. She hated the way it sounded when it came out, but the other half of her hair was desperate to know.

"He has been texting you back? When, today?" Craig asked, he raised an eyebrow.

"Well yeah-"

David started laughing, "Wendy, don't you know where Kenny is? He's probably in some foster home. Have you not heard the rumors? His parents got arrested and Kenny's gone today." David shook his head.

"What, is that true?" Wendy turned to Craig.

"Yes," Craig replied, though he looked at Wendy strangely. "Wendy, can I talk to you later? Privately?" He asked.

Wendy just nodded. They finished their work. At the end of the period, Craig and Wendy walked out in the hall together.

"What is it you wanted to tell me?" Wendy asked.

"It's about Kenny. He's at my house. Don't tell anyone though. He's worried he'll go into Forster care. I don't really know what his plan is though." Craig told her softly.

"Damn, so he's like hiding?" She asked.

Craig nodded, "My guess is he's probably asleep right now. Look." Craig pulled out his phone. Wendy couldn't help but notice the weird way he held it out to show her his screen. He held it from the top

With two fingers.

On his screen, there was a message from Kenny, received ten minutes ago. "Check your phone, I'm sure he text you during that lab." Craig put his phone in his pocket and turned to leave.

Wendy pulled out her phone, there was a message from Kenny on her lock screen. "Wait, Craig!" Wendy called out, but it was too late.

She glanced at the time. She needs to hurry to make it to her next class on time. She started down the hall texting Kenny as she went.

Hey, Craig told me what happened, is there anything I can do?

She slipped her phone into her pocket as she entered her next class. The bell rang as soon as she sat down. Luckily today was a workday in history class so she had all the time she wanted to text Kenny back and forth.

Kenny: No it's okay, Craig is letting me hid out here for a bit

Wendy: And after that?

Kenny: I hadn't really thought of it yet.

Kenny: Maybe a beach somewhere

Kenny: Would you run away with me?

Wendy: I'd love to run away

Kenny: Great, so it's settled then. We're running away to someplace warm, sunny and tropical

Wendy couldn't help but smile at that. She pictured her and Kenny on a beach somewhere. She dreamed she'd be drinking coconut milk from a coconut and Kenny would nap next to her as she read a book.

Wendy: Are you free today?

Kenny: Yeah, want to hang out?

Wendy: Yes, it's been a long day. You can come over again after school if you'd like

Kenny: Sounds like a plan

Wendy set her phone down on her desk and her heart fluttered. She smiled softly as she began to work on her work. Maybe today didn't have to be so bad after all.

•••

Kenny had spent the whole morning sleeping and most of the afternoon scrolling through Reddit sprawled out on Craig's couch in his underwear. When it got close to the end of school Kenny decided he needed to get ready for the day.

He took a shower and changed into a clean set of clothes. He pulled his orange jacket on as well. He stood in Craig's bathroom and brushed out his hair. He hoped he looked halfway decent. He squirted a spritz of Craig's cologne and wondered if he was trying too hard.

Luckily for Kenny, it was sunny today. He had to walk to Wendy's house since his truck was still sitting abandoned at his home. The walk from Craig to Wendy's house was short. Kenny could hear his heart thumping in his chest as he walked. He wondered if Wendy thought less of him now after finding out his parents got arrested.

He lit up a cigarette and took a drag. He effectively drowned out any cologne he'd spray on himself earlier.

Kenny felt uneasy as he walked towards her house. He could see it just down the street. There was a car parked on the curb and Wendy was leaning up against it talking to whoever was inside. He didn't know what it was, he was just happy it wasn't Bebe.

He dropped his cigarette as he got closer. Wendy's friend drove off.

She looked up and saw Kenny walking towards her. A smile spread across her face. She almost ran towards him. Kenny just grinned and opened his arms.

"Hey!" Wendy said as she wrapped her arms around him. She smelled like flowers and strawberries. Kenny held her close.

"Hey, how was school?" He asked as he continued to embrace her. He didn't want to let her go, but she pulled away.

"It was okay. Bebe is mad at me though." Wendy started to lead Kenny towards her house.

"Why is she mad?" Kenny asked. He felt his stomach start to turn. Did Bebe know about them? Had Wendy said something to her?

"She told me that I was trying too hard with this outfit and that it wasn't appropriate for this weather." Wendy shook her head as she inserted her key in her front door.

"Wait so, she was upset about your outfit?" Kenny looked her over. She opened the door and pulled him inside with her.

"Yeah, essentially I guess. Though I think something else is bothering her." Wendy's eyes met Kenny's.

Kenny felt uneasy. He knew exactly what was wrong with Bebe. "I think your outfit looks great."

"Thanks," Wendy said, her and Kenny were close now. Kenny felt like they were close enough to kiss but Wendy pulled away. Her cheeks had a soft red hue.

"Do you want some tea?" Wendy asked, "It's herbal. My mom's been into all these new kinds lately. I think she makes it more because it's so cold now."

"Yeah, that sounds good." He replied, Wendy lead him to the kitchen. He sat down at their island as she put the kettle on. When he was in Wendy's house he felt out of place. He was worried his shabby close brought down the value of this place.

"Hey, what do you think you're gonna do about school? You can't just keep missing it forever." Wendy came and say to him. She kicked off her shoes and leaned on the island with her head in her hands.

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet." Kenny sighed, he looked over at Wendy. He loved the way the light hit her. Her cheeks were glowing with highlighter and her lips looked perfectly glossy. There was nothing more he wanted to do right now than feel them on his own. "I'm worried about going into the system. I'm almost eighteen, I don't want to deal with a group home for the last year of high school."

"Is there anything else you could do?" Wendy asked she turned towards him. "Have you thought of getting emancipated?" She asked.

Kenny sheepishly looked at her, "I don't even know what that is. It sounds complex." He wanted to crawl in a hole right about now. He wondered if Wendy thought he was stupid- she definitely wouldn't be the first.

"It's a way you can separate from your parents before you turn eighteen. That way you can stay out of foster care. Though, I suppose, it wouldn't make things any easier. You'd be all alone." She replied. The tea kettle started to steam. She stood up and walked over.

"Yeah, I'm worried about Karen. I have no idea where she is right now." He ran his hand through his hair. Karen had been a constant thought. He hoped she wasn't too scared.

"Oh yeah, Karen." Wendy whipped around, "You don't know where she is? I thought you two would be together."

"No, she was there when my parents got arrested."

"Oh." Wendy brought a tray over with some teacups. "Where were you?" She questioned. Setting the tea down in front of them.

"I was with you." He responded.

"Oh," Wendy said softly. He watched as she dropped two things that looked like little brown rocks in her tea. "Do you want some sugar?"

"Yeah, if it's better that way." He replied. She dropped the rock-like things in his too.

"You're gonna want honey too." She drizzled honey over the top and then smiled as she handed it to him.

Kenny gave her a crooked smile in return. "You know Wendy, you really saved me. If it wasn't for you, I'd be in a foster home right now. But instead, I get to take an extended vacation from school."

Wendy laughed, it sounded so light. "I'm glad you look at it that way." She dipped her tea.

"I'm being serious. If it wasn't for you, who knows where I'd be tonight." Kenny took his first sip of tea. It tasted like flowers and honey. It was a taste he knew he'd never be able to recreate without Wendy's help. Wendy's presence made it sweeter.

Wendy pushed her hair back behind her ear. "I'm glad you're here with me."

Kenny looked up at her, he couldn't hold it back anymore. His hand came up and cupped her face. He pulled her in for a soft gentle kiss, "Thank you." He said softly after pulling away. His voice was barely above a whisper. His hand still resting on the curve of her face.

Kenny could feel Wendy's breath on his lips as she spoke softly, "Why do you kiss me like that?" He could see her smile.

"What do you mean?" He asked, he couldn't help smiling back. When they were this close nothing else existed in the world to him.

All he could feel was the curve of her face. All he could see was her eyes staring into his. His nose filled with the scent of strawberry and tea, a smell he could only identify as being purely Wendy. His lips were sticky, now covered in the lipgloss he'd admired on her earlier.

"Why do you kiss me like this?" Wendy asked, her voice still low and soft. Kenny didn't have time to process what she meant until she engulfed his lips in a passionate kiss.

He felt the world crumble away around him. At this moment he and Wendy were the only two people on earth.

His hands desperately reached for her face. Longing to pull her closer to him. He felt her fingers reaching around his back, slowly almost tentatively. He needed to be closer to her.

He lowered his arms around her waist and pulled her in, leaving no space between their bodies. Kenny hadn't even noticed they had stood up to continue their kiss.

It was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He never wanted this moment to end. He was never much into kissing, he never felt anything really. But this was something else. He felt like he couldn't get enough. What was this? Lust? Love?

He was suddenly aware of his heart beating. His hands were trembling lightly. He felt nervous, was he messing this up? Did his breath smell like cigarettes? Was he a good kisser? He must've tensed up because the next thing he knew Wendy was pulling away from him. "Kenny," she sounded slightly flustered too.

Kenny didn't want her to finished though. He swooped back in capturing her lips in another kiss. This time his hands traveled her body, feeling every curve, almost memorizing it. He didn't want to forget the curves of her body, the way she felt pressed up against him.

She had her fingers tangled in his hair, he had his hands resting on her ass. He wondered if she had picked this outfit out just for him. The thought made his heart flutter but also brought a smirk to his lips.

This time he pulled away. His hands still resting on her. "Wendy?" He said softly. He slowly began to trail kisses down her neck, softly sucking at the nape.

"Yeah?" Wendy asked, breathlessly.

"I think something bad might be happening to me." He spoke softly as he continued to kiss her neck. "I'm missing you a lot when you're not around me. I'm starting to wish we could spend every day together." His words were so soft and foreign to him he wasn't even sure they were coming from his own mouth.

"Kenny, I don't know what to say." She replied she was tangling her hands in his hair. It felt nice and soothing. "I've been feeling the same way. Have you really been feeling that way?"

"Yes," Kenny kissed her neck again. He trailed back up to her lips. Kissing them again softly. "I think that maybe I'm-"

The sound of the garage door being raised cut through both of their thoughts. Kenny quickly jerked away, but so did Wendy. She smoothed her dress and they both sat back down. Kenny took a moment to try and wipe the lip gloss from his lips. He felt like he'd smear it all over his face in the process.

When Wendy's mom walked in they were both sipping their tea like nothing had happened. Kenny willed his hard-on to go away, praying that he didn't smell like cigarettes. He could only get caught with one of those things at the moment.

"Hi, mom." Wendy smiled at her mom, "You remember Kenny, right?"

Her mom laughed, "How could I forget? He threw up on our carpet."

Kenny's face went beet red, "I-I'm so sorry about that still. I feel so terrible."

"I'm just giving you a hard time." Her mom grinned, "From what Wendy tells me you're a very sweet boy."

"Can Kenny stay for dinner tonight?" Wendy asked.

"I promise I won't throw up again," Kenny added, trying to keep some of his dignity.

"Of course Kenny can stay, Sweetie. I was about to get started cooking now. I'm making chicken noodle tonight." Her mom smiled at Kenny.

Kenny smiled back. He was kind of relieved her mom came in when she did. Kenny felt like he was about to give in to a powerful feeling. He felt like he was about to tell Wendy that he loved her. He felt like maybe he did love her.

"Me and Kenny are going to go watch a movie, call us up when dinner is ready." Wendy smiled and motioned for Kenny to follow her down into her basement.

•••

Wendy sat next to Kenny on her couch. She was snuggled into the nook of his arm. They'd been sitting in silence for a while. Wendy wasn't really paying attention to the TV, her mind just mostly drifted back to kissing Kenny. She wanted to do it again, but she didn't dare with her mom upstairs. She also worried her dad would be home any minute.

"Kenny, just for the record I would've loved to keep making out with you," Wendy said softly, she rested her head on his chest.

"Me too."'Kenny replied, but he didn't look down at her.

"What were you gonna tell me earlier?" She asked, she reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers. Wendy thought his hands felt strange. He had long slender fingers that were somewhat bony. The only other hands she'd held were Stan's and his were big and strong. She always thought he held her hand too tightly. Kenny's fingers just slipped through hers, it was a perfect fit.

"Hmm?" Kenny asked, his hand tightened around hers.

"I thought you were going to tell me something upstairs. You were like 'I think I'm...' then my mom came home." Wendy really wanted an answer. It had sounded so important at the time.

"I think I'm really starting to have feelings for you," Kenny said softly, he sounded a bit unsure of himself.

"Really?" She asked, she sounded a little too eager in her response.

"Yeah... well truthfully, I'm scared." He replied again.

"Why? Because you don't believe in love?" She asked, recalling their conversation on New Years'.

"I don't know. Sometimes I just feel..." he trailed off, "I don't know what I feel." He replied. "I like being around you, like a lot." Wendy looked up at him. His cheeks held a soft pink hue.

"I like being around you too." Wendy giggled. She pulled herself up and kissed his cheek. She settled back down in the crook of his arm.

"I'm worried I'll disappoint you." Kenny suddenly blurted out.

"Why would you think that?" Wendy looked up at him. His eyes were sparkling blue. His hood was pulled up over his head.

"I just... I think a lot of things could go wrong."

"What kind of things?" Wendy's brow furrowed in worry. Had she done something to upset him?

Kenny tilted his head back and rested it on the back of the couch. He let out a long sigh. "I just need some time to process everything."

"Oh, I see." Wendy moved away from him and sat on the couch. Why was he sending such mixed signals now? Earlier he'd seemed so into her.

"Wendy please, I don't mean it in a bad way." He looked over at her. "I've never felt like this before. I'm scared because what if..." he shook his head. "There's too many what if's that I'm not ready for. And then there's my situation at home. I don't know what to do about that either." He groaned and sat up straight turning towards Wendy.

"I love being around you, but I'm worried I'll let you down. I feel kind of guilty, you know? I just feel like I might be dragging you down. I feel a lot of uncertainty and a lot of confusion." He continued. He seemed ashamed. He wouldn't make eye contact with her, instead, looking at the floor while he spoke.

"Kenny?" She reached her hand out and touched his forearm gently. She waited for him to look up at her. His shaggy hair fell in his face. She thought about what he said. She wondered why he was so afraid to put himself out there, why he seemed so afraid of his feelings. She felt bad for him in a way. Years of bottled up emotions couldn't have been good for him.

"I'll always be here for you, okay?" She said softly, smiling. "Promise." She squeezed his arm lightly.

Kenny smiled back, "You'll let me figure my mess out?" He asked her.

"I want to help you figure it out."

Kenny's smile faded, "I can't ask you to do that. I'm in some real shit right now."

"Well, then how can I help you?" She asked. She listened intently for Kenny's answer.

"Don't change a single thing you're doing. You're already helping me so much." Kenny pulled her in for a tight hug.

She thought she heard him sniffle, but she wasn't too sure. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close.

They held their embrace for a long time. Wendy didn't mind. She felt safe in Kenny's arms. She felt a warm feeling she hadn't felt in forever spread across her body. For a moment she felt peaceful and secure.

She let her eyes flutter shut as Kenny softly rubbed her back. "Thank you, Wendy," Kenny said softly. She just hugged him tighter.