Chapter 404: Tree Hill High School
Thursday, February 9th, Afternoon
In their wisdom, the high school staff separated Keni and her best friend, her sister from another mister, Sawyer. The reason given was that Keni and Sawyer could be disruptive. So, Thursday, right after her lunch period, Keni found herself in study hall.
Sitting in the back of the room, Keni leaned back and stared at the open industrial ceiling. The study hall teacher had a no-phone policy, so Keni couldn't do what she usually did, search the web on her phone. The teacher explained back on the first day that this period is meant for homework and not social influencing.
Keni looked around the room and saw the teacher's nose buried in a magazine. At least the teacher wasn't a hypocrite, not by too much. Finally, she looked down at her backpack and wondered if she should do her schoolwork.
She sighed, and leaned back, closing her eyes, again. Keni sensed someone taking a seat at the empty desk next to her. The first thought that ran through Keni's mind is to ignore them, and they'll leave her alone.
"Keni," a familiar voice said softly. Keni's mind went bright orange. They couldn't be in this study hall, Keni would remember.
Keni sat up and turned to the voice. Slowly. She opened her eyes and looked upon Shannon Rothenburg, the co-captain of the cheerleading squad and Jackin's older sister.
"Yes, Shannon," Keni said.
"How's LK doing?" Shannon asked.
"Why are you asking about LK? Since when did you even care about LK?" Keni asked.
"Why do you accuse me of not caring?" Shannon asked.
"Because you've never shown any sort of interest in LK," Keni said.
"Why are you so protective of LK?" Shannon asked.
"We were raised together; she's as much a sister to me as any of my sisters," Keni said.
"What's that you say to Sawyer?" Shannon asked.
"I don't say anything to Sawyer," Keni said.
"I was told you say something to each other before the games," Shannon said.
"My sisters did to each other," Keni said.
"What did they say?" Shannon asked.
"Smile, be strong, and I'm standing right next to you," Keni said.
"That's nice; why don't you say it?" Shannon asked.
"Because it's my sister's thing," Keni said.
"Well, anyway, how is LK doing?" Shannon asked.
"Well, again, why do you care? But LK is going alright," Keni said.
"What caused that," Shannon started to ask and paused looked for the proper word, "What caused her reaction?"
"LK doesn't take to conflict too well," Keni said, "And that's all I'm going to say on that."
"Alright, but Jackin feels bad about what happened with LK," Shannon said.
"Just LK?" Keni asked.
Shannon shook her head, "Don't get me started on that. Our parents are pissed at Jackin," she said.
"Yeah, well, they should be," Keni said.
"You are certainly opinionated," Shannon said.
"A quiet woman doesn't make history," Keni said.
"It's a well-behaved woman seldom make history," Shannon said.
"That too," Keni said.
"You certainly march to your own beat," Shannon said.
"The best way to leave footprints," Keni said.
"You're not even curious what it was all about?" Shannon asked.
"I figured it was some stupid boys would be boys' shit," Keni said dismissively.
"That's it, basically," Shannon said.
"Well, why are they like that?" Keni asked.
Shannon shrugged, "What I could put together, but Jackin isn't talking too much about it; it's about a girl," she said.
"God, how cliché," Keni said, "Like we're some prize to be won."
"Yeah, I agree," Shannon said.
"So, you're saying Jackin and Gar like the same girl, and it's in my friend group?" Keni asked.
"Yes, and as far as I could tell, yes, but I couldn't get Jackin to tell me," Shannon said.
"That's easy," Keni said.
"It is; how could you be so sure?" Shannon asked.
"I am sure," Keni said.
"Okay, if you're that sure, then who is it?" Shannon asked.
"As I said, that's easy," Keni said.
"I'm waiting," Shannon said.
"It's Sawyer," Keni said.
"Sawyer? Are you sure it's Sawyer?" Shannon asked.
"Yes, positive," Keni said.
"You seem confident about this," Shannon said.
"I know Gar has a crush on Sawyer and has had one since we were little," Keni said.
"Really? I guess," Shannon said and shrugged.
"You're nuts if you can't see it; Sawyer is tall, blonde, athletic, and has curves; every guy in our year has the hots for Sawyer," Keni said.
"That's a bit extreme," Shannon said.
"I don't know; it seems that way," Keni said.
"I doubt it," Shannon said.
"Nothing to doubt," Keni said.
"I think the boys aren't the only one that likes Sawyer," Shannon said.
Keni looked at Shannon, "What do you mean?" she asked.
"I think you know," Shannon said.
Keni shook her head, "No, I don't," she said.
"Really?" Shannon asked teasingly.
"No, I don't," Keni said, "What do you mean?"
"I think you like Sawyer in the same way the boys do," Shannon said.
Keni looked at Shannon with a look of disbelief. "I do not, we're best friends and practically sisters," she said.
"I think you protest too much," Shannon said.
"I'm not," Keni said.
Shannon looked at Keni, "You mean to tell me you don't," she said.
"No, I don't," Keni said.
"I don't believe you," Shannon said.
"That's your hang-up," Keni said.
"Hey…." Shannon said.
"Ms. Stafford, Ms. Rothenburg, this is study hall, not some coffee shop," the teacher said.
"Yes, Ms. Bowie," Keni said.
"Yes, Ms. Bowie," Shannon said.
"I would highly suggest you take advantage of your time to do something constructive," Ms. Bowie said.
"Yes, Ms. Bowie," Keni said.
"Yes, Ms. Bowie," Shannon said.
The two cheerleaders reached down and retrieved a book each. Both pretended to do their homework until the end of study hall.
