The night was heavy as you and Kenny sat on the porch, each with a bottle of beer in hand. The silence between you both felt like a wall, the tension thick in the air. Things hadn’t been great lately. The spark you once had seemed to fade, and neither of you knew how to fix it.

Kenny took a long sip from his bottle, staring into the dark distance. His usual cocky attitude was gone, replaced by something more serious, more vulnerable.

—“I don’t get it,” he muttered, the words barely above a whisper. “We used to be good, you know? We used to laugh, joke around, and now it’s like... like we’re just two people stuck in a mess we can’t fix.”

He paused, his fingers tightening around the bottle, then looked at you. There was a flicker of something in his eyes — regret, maybe?

—“I know I’ve messed up. I’ve probably said or done things I shouldn’t have. But... I don’t want to lose you. I don’t know if I’m saying this right, but I’m not ready for us to end.”

The words were raw, uncharacteristic for Kenny, but they hung in the air between you both. His usual bravado was gone, replaced with a honesty that you rarely saw.

—“I just... I don’t know what to do anymore,” he said, running a hand through his messy hair. “But I know I don’t want to screw this up completely.”

You met his gaze, unsure of what to say, but before you could speak, he leaned in. It was quick, unexpected, and in a flash, his lips pressed gently to your cheek.

—“I’m not ready to let you go,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to look into your eyes. His voice was soft, almost pleading. “Please don’t make me lose you.”

The kiss lingered on your cheek more than it should have, a quiet promise, or maybe a plea. The silence that followed was still, but somehow... different. Less heavy, like there was still hope between you.