F•R•I•E•N•D•S

E•I•G•H•T•E•E•N

Kennedy

Despite the ongoing silence sweeping Ben's midnight painted Mustang, the sounds of my pounding heart fills the space between us.

Soon as we heard the news, Ben had practically carried me to the car, bidding Everly and Ishika goodbye. I was too dumbfounded to speak. My mind was consumed with thoughts of my parents.
Were they hurt? Were they home? Was Mom home alone?

"Oh gosh." Suddenly the oxygen in the car was thinning out as I grasp at my throat. "What if my Mom was there by herself?"

It wasn't uncommon for Tatyana Banks to work from home sometimes. She loved her haven. Ever since I could remember she'd decorated every room to her liking. Making the mansion more of a home than a house.
It fitted her, really. She was a professional journalist and interior designer, so her charms had played well for her in every aspect.

Mom always loved making the people around her happy, so doing it for a living only seemed right. Who knew years later than she'd become highly sought after and well-paid as she perfected her craft.

My thoughts are interrupted by an unknown weight pressing down on my left hand. I look over to find Ben's hand on mine, rubbing small circles mindlessly.

"Hey, she'll be okay. Tatyana is a strong woman, able to defend herself if it came down to it. And if you're anything like her, which you are, then you'll be just as strong for her right now," he consoles.

This brings an appreciative smile to my lips. He was right. There was no use assuming the worst beforehand. All I could do now is have faith and be brave for her.

It seemed like ten hours had come and gone before my house came into view. Ben quickly showed all the personnel his I.D. so we could get to my parents right away.
We pull up to the front and I don't wait for our valet to get the door for me.

Bursting through the wide oak doors, my voice echoes through the house as I search for my parents.

"Mom! Dad! Where are you?" It appeared that they were nowhere to be found as I ran to and from each room on the first floor.

"Mom!" My voice cracks, just like my faith, and I all but lose it before Ben's got me in his arms.
He runs comforting hands along the length of my back until I'm calmed. All the while whispering, "Its okay."

I stood in his embrace much longer than I needed to, wishing that his confidence would transfer to me. This is why my Father always kept him and his Dad around, I thought to myself. They really were some of the most settled, and quick thinking men in the business.

Just as I was about to speak, we heard a voice. "Kennedy?"

My entire body perks up, immediately racing towards the direction of the sound. "Dad? Is that you?"

I race to the patio out back, where my Dad had just slipped inside from. His large figure hid the entire door from view.

"Daddy!" My tears flow endlessly.

Never have I ever been more thrilled to see my parents than this moment now. And even though I wanted to bask in it, still, part of me could not fully.

"Where's Mom?" I lean my head back to look straight into his face. If there was even a chance she got hurt, I would see it etched onto his features.

Even though pain was there, he let a smile play out on his face. "Your mother's fine. She's in the Clarke House, tending to Keith," he says solemnly.

The Clarke House was the other residence on our property. It was where Ben and his Dad lived. Instantly, my heart oozes with guilt. Never had I once thought about Mr. Clarke, only caring for my own two parents. He was the head security on our team and it came with honor. He's been with our family from as long as I can remember. He and Dad were practically brothers.

"Wh-What do you mean?" My voice was shaking.

He sighs. "When the robbers broke onto the property, Kieth immediately went to confront them before the rest of the team came for backup." His gaze now rested behind me. "He got hurt, Benjamin."

A gasp falls from me. Entangling myself from my fathers embrace, I spin on my toes to face the man behind me.

His face was stoic, void of emotion like he's been taught to do since he was a child. The expertise shone through as not one vein popped out of place on Ben's brown forehead. His only tell was his hands; they were behind his back.

When we were younger, sometimes I'd sit in on his training, and saw all that took place. The instructor was a harsh, brute of a man. Being paid to mold an incredible young man in the art of protection.
Instructor Boyce would jab at Ben, provoking a sort of reaction from him. And it worked for the first few weeks.

But as that young boy grew into a teenager, he acquired a 'coping mechanism' to keep himself under wraps. He'd put his hands behind his back and he'd squeeze his wrist as hard as he can.
Sometimes it'd be so intense that he'd have to get an ice pack after training was done.

I always disliked the pain he put himself through.

Now, he was using it on himself to keep calm, even though I know his mind was anything but.

He clears his throat. "Is he okay?"

Dad walks over to him, placing one sturdy hand on his shoulder. "Kieth is a survivor. Strong and resilient. He's got a few bloody bruises but fine otherwise. Go to him."

Without another word to either of us, Ben does just that.

                           ***

It's been hours since I've heard or seen from Ben. I hadn't gone to pay Mr. Clarke a visit because I knew he and his son needed much deserved alone time.

Instead, I kept myself occupied in my room. The burgundy clock on the wall read seventeen minutes past ten. Mom and Dad would already be asleep. I should be too, but my mind would not let me. Could not let me.

Each of the girls texted me, to ask if things were alright. They expressed their joy with prayer hand emojis, thankful that my family was doing okay.
Mikayla and I kept up conversation over the phone, as she called me. We talked endlessly about projects due, campus drama and even her Mom and little brother. She truly misses Elijah a ton.

About an hour through the call, she yawns. "I'm beat. I should probably call it a night. Update me on anything new with you guys and give Ben a hello for me," she bids.

"I wish I could. I haven't seen him since we got back. His Dad got hurt pretty bad I heard." The guilt hasn't subsided either. Many a times I contemplated texting him, but quickly shut the idea down. He was only a couple yards away for crying out loud.

"Geez, will he be okay? Did he need to go to the hospital?"

"No, he's fine now. My Mom helped take care of him and he's resting now so. I'll have to check on him in the morning."

"Okay then. You get some rest too Kennedy, everything's going to be fine," Mikayla consoles.

I wanted to believe that, truly I did. But with the way things have been happening lately, I couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom.
I sigh, having been over the phrase 'it's going to be okay'.
"Thanks Kayla, I'll text you when we're heading back."

"Okay. One more thing before you go."

"Yeah?"

"Go see the boy if you're that worried about him." I don't miss her cheery tone, hinting on to something.

Even though she can't see, I roll my eyes at her insinuation. "Yeah yeah, later."