Chapter 416: Seaview Manor
Saturday, February 11th, Morning
She was never a late sleeper, unlike most of her family. Getting up, she dressed and put her hair up in a bun. Heading down to the kitchen, she ate a quick bowl of cereal. Once she finished, she headed to the back garden. Looking around in the early morning haze, she headed to one of the outbuildings.
With a pause, Keni took out her smartphone and sent her mom and Lucas a text. After it was sent, she unlocked the outbuilding and grabbed her bike. Looking around, she strapped on her helmet and started off.
After pedaling out to the main entrance of Beaulieu Manor, passing several staff members coming into work, she turned down the road and started riding. The route was a familiar one to her, having done it many times but never alone. This trip would be a first for her, and she knew grounding was probably going to happen.
The ride was a good, strong one; she needed to be on when she got to the road. The road was pretty long, but not too long. Keni knew this road like the back of her hand. Often, she rode bikes on this street with Sawyer, LK, and Gareth, sometimes even Brett. That was a Peyton thing, no electronics.
Finally, the pillars to the driveway of Leighton came into view. Leighton brought many good memories for Keni, but Leighton wasn't her destination. The neighboring house, Seaview Manor, was her destination.
For the life of her, Keni couldn't figure out why Seaview Manor was named that. You couldn't see the Atlantic from there. Keni shook her head and pedaled down Seaview Manor's driveway; the house came into view rather quickly.
Finally, she arrived at the house and stopped. She got off her bike and rested it on the kickstand. Removing her helmet, she hung it on the handlebars.
Keni walked up to the front door and rang the bell. After waiting a few minutes, Keni could hear someone moving behind the door. Finally, the door opened, and Meggy Reuter, dressed in a robe and looked at Keni.
"Kendall, what are you doing here, this early? Does your mom know you're here?" Meggy asked.
"My mom is in New York, Doctor Reuter, but I texted her and Uncle Lucas," Keni said.
"Still, do you know what hour it is? Also, what are you doing all the way over here? How did you get here anyway?" Meggy asked.
"Yes, I do know what time it is, I'm here to see Gar, and I rode my bike," Keni said.
"Kendall, that's crazy, Gareth is grounded, and he's not supposed to have friends over," Meggy said.
"Know this, but it's kind of important," Keni said.
"What could be so important?" Meggy asked.
"It involves Sawyer," Keni said.
"Sawyer?" Meggy asked, "Is Sawyer okay?"
"Yes, Sawyer is fine," Keni said.
"Does her dad know?" Meggy asked.
"Sawyer is fine; she's in bed sleeping," Keni said.
"So, what do you want to see Gareth about?" Meggy asked.
"It's between me, Gareth, and Sawyer," Keni said.
Meggy nodded, "Okay," she said, "Gareth should be in his room."
"Thank you, Doctor Reuter," Keni said and walked past Meggy. Keni looked around the house she'd seen many times and jogged upstairs. Keni knew Gareth's room location and went right to it.
Keni opened the door and saw Gareth sleeping. After taking a breath, Keni jumped on the bed, getting a running start, landing with a loud bang. This landing caused her and Gareth to bounce.
Gareth, shaken awake, violently looked around the room and spotted Keni on his bed. Gareth sat up and looked at Keni.
"Keni, what the hell," Gareth said.
Keni turned over to a sitting position and looked Gareth in the eyes. "Had to wake you up somehow," she said.
"You could've just shaken me," Gareth said.
"That's no fun," Keni said.
"So, what are you doing here, and how did you get here?" Gareth asked.
"I rode my bike," Keni said and looked at Gareth, "Gar, are you naked?"
"Umm, I'm, ahhh!" Gareth said.
"Ewe!" Keni said, "I almost sat on! Ewe! I'll wait outside."
"Keni!" Gareth said.
Keni got up and left the bedroom, closing the door behind her. The bedroom door opened after a few minutes, and Gareth stepped out wearing sweatpants and a Tacit Blue t-shirt.
"Why are you here, Keni?" Gareth asked.
Keni looked up at Gareth. "Gar, we need to talk," Keni said.
"About what?" Gareth asked.
"Sawyer," Keni said.
"What about Sawyer?" Gareth asked.
"She only just figured out you've been crushing on her since we were kids," Keni said.
"What?" Gareth asked.
"I just told her because she asked why you fought Jackin," Keni said.
"Oh," Gareth said.
"Gareth, why did you pick a fight with Jackin?" Keni asked.
"Honestly, I don't know," Gareth said.
"Come on, Gar," Keni said.
"My mind went blank, Keni; I just can't remember," Gareth said.
"Gar, you're our friend, not our protector," Keni said.
"I'm the only guy you grew up with," Gareth said.
"We need a friend, not a protector, Gar," Keni said.
"Oh!" Gareth said.
"Are you that dense?" Keni asked.
"No," Gareth said.
"Good, don't get in another fight, no matter what, it's not worth it," Keni said.
"Sure," Gareth said.
"Good," Keni said.
"Okay," Gareth said, "How did Sawyer react to what you told her?"
Keni sighed, "I think she's been taken aback," she said.
"Oh!" Gareth said.
"Don't worry about it," Keni said, "It's a lot to process for here, and you know how Sawyer is."
Gareth nodded, "Yeah, she's very focused on her own task," he said.
"That's our Sawyer," Keni said.
"Why are you helping me?" Gareth asked.
Keni smiled, "Because, Gar, I want Sawyer to be happy, and I want you to be happy," she said.
"Shouldn't Sawyer decide her own happiness?" Gareth asked.
"She will, but there's nothing wrong with a nudge," Keni said.
"What about you, Keni?" Gareth asked.
"What about me?" Keni asked.
"Aren't you into Sawyer?" Gareth asked.
Keni reached up and smacked Gareth on the forehead. "You of all people should know, Gar, Sawyer has been as much a sister to me as my sisters," Keni said and nodded, then hung her head, "and more so than some."
Gareth nodded.
Keni sighed.
"Keni!" Lucas called from the ground floor.
"Yes, Uncle Lucas?" Keni asked.
"Get down here!" Lucas called back.
Keni sighed, "Coming!" she called back, looked at Gareth, and shrugged. Keni walked downstairs and saw Lucas standing at the bottom of the stairs with Meggy standing next to him. Keni walked over to Lucas and looked at him. "Yes?"
"What in the world were you thinking coming all the way out here? Your mom is worried and blew up my phone about this stunt you pulled," Lucas said.
"I needed to talk to Gareth since he's grounded and suspended; the only way I can talk to him is to pedal my ass over here," Keni said.
"You could've given me a heads up, Keni, I could've dropped you off, or you and Sawyer could've come here together," Lucas said.
"No, Sawyer, couldn't come with me on this trip," Keni said.
"So, you wanted to see your boyfriend," Lucas said.
Keni laughed, "Not hardly, Gar is just a friend, Sawyer isn't involved with this conversation," she said.
"Okay, let's get going; your mom is going to facetime you about this. Your bike is in the car; you need to follow it," Lucas said.
"Yes, Uncle Lucas," Keni said and headed out the door.
Lucas turned to Meggy. "I'm sorry, Meggy," Lucas said.
"No problem, and Lucas," Meggy said.
"Yes," Lucas said.
"Call me; let's have dinner soon," Meggy said.
Lucas nodded and left the house.
