◜perfect pretenders◞

symone: oh my god, you're so sweet.

symone: i don't think i could handle it tbh

symone: that's because i have an innocent face but usually behind closed doors, i'm not so innocent.

symone: and also, yes. i would sneak out to meet you if you threw rocks at my window. it'd be like an 80s rom com or something and i think that's cute

kennedy: 😘😘😘

kennedy: nope. i already gotta try and survive you.

kennedy: again. all these surprises. how am i supposed to survive you?! 😍

cameron pursed his lips for a moment as she attempted to be there for him. it was nice of her, he had to admit that but it was weird. not a bad weird but he just wasn’t used to kennedy being there for him. he laughed though. a genuine laugh spilled from his lips when she spoke. “fuck that guy.” he agreed as he looked at her. “it’s alright. plus, i mean, i haven’t really had anyone stick around me long enough for it to turn into anything else.” he added, shrugging his shoulders. it didn’t necessarily bother him. he, of course, would like to be in a happy relationship but it wasn’t on the top of his priority list. for now. he liked the fact that they were both trying to be there for each other. his parents would probably be proud if they knew they were never friends in the first place. he looked at her as she got more comfortable on his bed, laying back. he chuckled, “yeah, i won’t be surprised if i hear it from you both. it’s weird being the middle man, you know? i’ve never been the middle man. i want to hear how that sleepover goes though.”

Kennedy couldn’t lie and say that being there for Cameron left natural yet, but it definitely felt like a step in the right direction. Cameron had been there when he literally had absolutely zero obligation or reason to show Kennedy any sort of kindness. It was only fair that Kennedy do the same. Plus, hearing Cameron laugh brought a genuine smile to Kennedy’s face and she couldn’t deny that knowing she was the reason for it made her feel like maybe she could be a decent friend to him someday. “And all of those people suck, because you're worth sticking around for.” And if things kept going this way, she would be too. “If nothing else, you’re stuck with my ass for eternity now.” She chuckled, reaching over and patting his arm. Kennedy was starting to realize they were more alike than different - neither of them had serious relationships high on their priority list, but neither would be mad about being in one either. Cameron just helped Kennedy’s situation along a little quicker. Like real friends did. She smiled over at him, suppressing an obnoxiously happy giggle at the thought. “Well, you’re officially the middle man. And the only man that will ever be involved in this relationship. If it ever becomes that.” She laughed, arms wrapping around her middle. “You’ll hear all about the sleepover. And probably all of the drama involved with dodging her parents.” Kennedy smiled, but sighed, already exhausted at the thought. Good thing Symone was worth it.

symone: that sounds so bad but at least it's for me though

symone: i know :( maybe that's why she has cameron wrapped around her finger too

symone: i raid my parents liquor cabinet and i sneak out whenever i want and i do things i know i shouldn't behind my parents back

symone: you know, normal teenager stuff i think.

symone: i tried to make it sound like it was something big but i wasn't

kennedy: i mean it's definitely worth it for you.

kennedy: 100% definitely why. can you imagine living with that cuteness?!

kennedy: wait wait wait rewind.

kennedy: a. would not have pegged you as the girl who broke into the liquor cabinet. b. does this mean i can come throw rocks at your window and you'll sneak out to meet me?

symone: there's going to be a lot more of that video

symone: she is so cute, right???? and i can't tell her no so every time she sees me, she can't help but touch my hair.

symone: i guess maybe i could tell you since you said please

kennedy: i've never been more excited to almost die in my life.

kennedy: she honestly is. it's so hard to tell her no!! just too precious.

symone: right! you're gonna need someone to help you with those tanks.

symone: she's so sweet and she may or not be obsessed with my hair?? does she ever mess with your hair??

symone: i can't tell if i should keep you on your toes and let you find out later or actually tell you

kennedy: i mean, if it's more of that video then i'm going to need like ten.

kennedy: omg sTOP she does and i cannot handle how cute it is. you should have seen her the day i wore space buns. it was a riot.

symone couldn’t help but find kennedy to be attractive and the more she talked, the more attractive she was. she was definitely her type and she was happy she decided to meet up with her. she didn’t mean to be skeptical when cameron brought it up but she was just surprised that he was going out of his way to hook her up with someone. she giggled, “i feel that.” she was a mess herself but she tried to keep everything together as much as she could. “you’re on the school paper too? i guess that’s not so surprising since you mentioned that you’re a writer. anyways, i think it’s cool.” her smiled widened. she couldn’t help it. the girl in front of her was already talking about going on more dates with her and she was excited about that. symone reached out and grabbed her wrist gently, tugging on it. “you don’t have to hide. i thought it was cute.” 

Kennedy honestly didn’t know what her type was - she’d never allowed herself the time to figure it out. She definitely knew she found Symone physically attractive, though. And the more they talked, the more Kennedy liked the way Symone’s mind worked and who she was as a person. They liked similar things, yet they were different enough in personality that Kennedy couldn’t see herself getting sick of spending time with her. So far, anyway. Kennedy’s own laughter mingled with Symone’s and she nodded. “I am! The editor, actually. So that’s where I spend way too much of my time.” She chuckled, “I’m glad you think so, though! I’m a fan of it myself.” It was more than that, though. Up until this point the paper had been Kennedy’s one and only serious relationship. Hopefully, though, that was about to change. Kennedy’s smile mirrored Symone’s as she let out a sigh of relief when the mention of more dates didn’t scare her off. She let her hand fall from her face when Symone tugged on her her wrist and let her hand slip into the other girls, holding onto it gently. “I, uh, I’m really glad you think so. Most people think I’m nuts.”

symone: i think cameron said he might come so you guys can sit together or something. i think he's only coming because his little sister wants to see me dance too.

symone: you seem like the good kind to me. i might be nice but that doesn't mean i'm not trouble either. :)

kennedy: oh good he can bring my second oxygen tank lol.

kennedy: okay but really that's so sweet!

cameron didn’t mean to be untrusting toward kennedy since the two of them had been getting along lately but he couldn’t help it. it was just recently that the two of them had gotten close enough to have a conversation that didn’t include taking a jab at each other. “alright.” he breathed out. she was probably the first person he’d even mentioned it to. he didn’t even tell his mom anything about it, only that the two of them were over and that was only because she asked. “so, i guess i’m just  a little weird about relationships.” hooking up was something completely different and so, cameron had slept with a couple of people but dating was something different for him. he laughed a little, “i sure hope so.” he rolled his eyes, “i was trying to be a good friend. i didn’t sign up for this.” he joked. “i’m joking. i would actually like to hear about what happens between the two of you. i just want to hear that you guys are hitting it off.”

Kennedy didn’t blame Cameron for not trusting her. They still weren’t that close and she’d done more than enough to make anyone skeptical of her intentions and motives. The fact that Cameron wasn’t outright laughing in her face at the idea of her being genuine was a win enough for Kennedy. She nodded, listening intently as he spoke. “That makes sense, I think. I mean, I’d assume if someone treats your poorly - which, fuck that guy by the way - it’d leave a bad taste in your mouth. It just sucks that one person ruined something that’s supposed to be positive for you.” Kennedy was rambling and she knew it, but she couldn’t help it. Emotions and feelings weren’t her strong suit around someone new and, despite knowing Cameron for ages, she’d never opened up like this around him or vice versa. The fact that both of them were trying meant a lot. Laughing, Kennedy let her head fall back on the pillow she’d propped herself up against. “Too late!” She grinned, arms laying on top of her stomach. “Well then I’ll keep you updated on that. And I’m sure Symone will too.”

symone tucked her curls behind her ears and even though she wished she would’ve tamed her hair a little more before coming to meet kennedy, she had a feeling that the girl in front of her wasn’t all that worried about the way her hair looked. she was already kinda into her, which was okay because symone thought that kennedy was just as attractive. “thanks.” she smiled. she liked to keep in mind what her mom used to tell her. if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it at all and she was always told to talk like a lady. she almost rolled her eyes at the thought but only because her siblings weren’t held to the same standards. she laughed, “are you a perfectionist?” she asked. “that’s good though. at least nothing you do is too messy or messy at all.” the smile on symone’s face felt like it was glued there. she was so interested in what kennedy was saying that she didn’t even realize that it was there. “i’d still like to hear you play sometime though but you know, only if you want to. you’ve already agreed to let me see your work so i can’t ask you for everything on the first date.” she laughed with kennedy after she did her impression and nodded her head, “impressive. i like it.”

Kennedy’s own curls were unruly that day - the weather making them wild and untamable - so she only found Symone’s to be that much more attractive. Kennedy was a goner the moment she’d walked in, so no matter what her hair looked like Kennedy was bound to be into her. Kennedy chuckled and sighed, falling back in her chair. “God, I wish that were true!” She shook her head, “I’m more like an organized mess, most of the time. I’m a perfectionist but I’m not great at it. I focus most of that perfectionism into editing my school’s newpaper and the rest of my life is just...a mess.” Including her love life, but she wasn’t about to add that. Kennedy couldn’t wipe the grin off of her face even if she’d wanted to. Symone’s own smile the biggest reason for that. “I could probably be talked into it after a couple of dates. Maybe a drink or two, if you’re into that sort of thing.” She grinned, enjoying the idea of multiple dates already. Kennedy dropped her face into her hands and shook her head. “I can’t believe I actually did that!” Her voice muffled through her hands. “I usually save that for at least the third date.”

symone: well then i'll be able to spot you in the crowd if you bring an oxygen tank

symone: that's a relief

symone: blackmail? hm, you're trouble but that is a good idea.

kennedy: exactly! so it works out perfectly!

kennedy: glad you think so :)

symone: thank you thank you

symone: i don't know how you'll survive my competition but i'm happy you'll be there

symone: thank you. i'm so happy you understand

symone: it is but what can you do??

symone: me too :)

kennedy: ofc ofc

kennedy: i'll bring an oxygen tank it's fine bc i DEFINITELY can't miss it now

kennedy: more than you could know

kennedy: i mean, blackmail is always an option ;)

cameron’s step dad didn’t take it as well as his mom did but he didn’t get why it mattered. he wasn’t even his biological son. his mom made sure that he  never made any snarky comments toward cameron though and he was partly thankful for that. he wasn’t a huge fan of the guy in the first place. he nodded, a light smile on his face. “no judgement, right.” he wasn’t sure how much he could trust her when she said that but he didn’t want to assume that she was going to go behind his back, especially after the favor he just did for her. he figured now he was on her good side and hopefully it stayed that way. “thanks, i guess. just isn’t easy to trust when you’ve been hurt.” he added, looking at his feet. he laughed, shaking his heads and holding his hands up in surrender. “i didn’t mean it like that. i just wanted to make sure that we were talking about the same thing.” he replied. he glanced at the tv screen for a moment and shook his head, “i don’t know how much of that all i want to hear but i’m assuming i’m going to hear it anyways.” 

Kennedy pursed her lips, nodding slowly at Cameron’s skepticism. She wholeheartedly deserved that and she knew it. “I mean it. Promise.” She held her hands up in the universal sign of surrender, chuckling. She owed him too much now to not mean it. It was hard for her at times, but Kennedy really did want to be a friend to Cameron like he’d been there for her. She frowned, not at pleased with the idea of someone hurting Cameron that much. “I think that’s pretty fair.” Not that Kennedy would really know, but she could empathize. Kennedy’s smile returned, making the dimples in her cheeks pop. “Okay, okay. Good, then I think we’re on the same page.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh no! You’ve set this all in motion! You’re now obligated to hear it. I’ll try to keep it PG for you, though.”

symone: i told you my hips don't lie

symone: i'm glad you enjoyed the video ;)

symone: it's not a big deal, i just want to be in my own bubble for a while longer before i tell them.

symone: they are?? all they want is to expose you when they're the one getting in trouble

symone: is it friday yet omg

kennedy: you did and it's so true

kennedy: enjoyed is not a strong enough word 🤤

kennedy: and i can 100% respect that. you should come out when you're ready and only when you're ready.

kennedy: omg yeah that sounds terrible???

symone: okay but prepare yourself

symone: [sends a video]

symone: i mean, i don't care who else knows because that doesn't bother me but my parents aren't... i don't know, they're not very accepting.

symone: and so it doesn't have to be on the dl too much but just mainly around my parents

symone: and my siblings because my brothers s u c k

symone: i want to see you too

kennedy: okay okay okay

kennedy: ...nothing could prepare me for that sWEET LORD

kennedy: how are you real honestly like????

kennedy: that sucks i'm so sorry, but yeah. i got you. we can tell or not tell whoever you're comfy with.

kennedy: rip i don't have any sibs but i hear they're the worst

kennedy:

symone: are you going to die if i send it to you

symone: that is so good to hear

symone: parents can be the worst

symone: and uhm, i guess this should be the time to bring this up and i hate to bring the mood down but

symone: my parents don't know that i'm into girls

symone:

kennedy: maybe? but i'd die happy??

kennedy: definitely have to agree

kennedy: they definitely can be yes

kennedy: oh. oh shit.

kennedy: i mean, i get it. my parents didn't know either until i was outed, so...it's cool?

kennedy: i don't mind keeping things on the dl?