Chapter 31: Surface Acting

A/N: I've been told the preceding Chapter's Title Lettering made the title lengthy altogether. So I have decided to change the format for the subsequent chapters.

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~ Hentritch ~

After Tiana and Jordan left, Malcolm decided to act like they were never there.

He decided he was going to have a proper conversation with Ken soon enough, probably later in the day. He wanted the both of them to be in on it together.

Of course, he knew Kendrell would not find it easy to stay away and pretend like he had moved on, till he actually did, so he was willing to be his support till then.

He didn't want Tiana and Jordan to feel they could trample on whoever because they had a little change in their front pocket or for whatever reason.

He knew seeing Kendrell looking almost unfazed will definitely do something to them. It'll hurt their pride.

With that in mind, Malcolm decided to speak up since the silence that ensued in the room after Jordan and Tiana left, wasn't setting the tone for a less emotional morning.

" Guess what bestie?'' Came Malcolm's voice while Kendrell raised his head to look at him.

" I'm not guessing because you're going to tell me." Kendrell replied dryly.

" Ok then." Malcolm replied, grinning.

" I got your favorite snacks. And, it was 'buy one get one free!'' Malcolm said with a smile.

Kendrell exhaled deeply, facepalming at the same time.

" Please Malcolm, not now."

" Ok then, some other time." Malcolm said with a wink.

Kendrell stood up and walked to the kitchen without saying a word.

" Where are you going?'' Malcolm asked.

" A glass of water." Kendrell said while he made his way to the kitchen without looking back at Malcolm.

Sighing, Malcolm nodded " Ok then." he said.

Glancing at the table, he remembered he bought some ingredients for breakfast earlier. So he stood up, picked the leather from the table and headed for the kitchen as well.

Taking lazy steps, Malcolm got to the kitchen only to find Kendrell absentmindedly holding a cup to the water dispenser, which content had filled the cup already.

" Bro!" Malcolm called out, sort of snapping Kendrell out of a daze. It took less than five seconds for Kendrell to realize what was going on but by that time, Malcolm had already turned the dispenser off.

" Sorry." Ken said like he didn't actually mean it, after all he didn't know what else he could say to stop Malcolm from looking at him. He couldn't actually read the emotions through Malcolm's eyes because he didn't care to look at him.

Kendrell turned around to leave, forgetting to take the glass of water with him.

" Ken" Malcolm called out.

" Please leave me alone. You came to the kitchen to get something didn't you?" Ken asked, without stopping to turn or look back.

" Yes I did. And I was only calling you to remind you that you forgot to take the glass of water with you." Said Malcolm.

Kendrell halted his steps.

Sighing out of frustration, Malcolm swept his brown hair backwards.

" You know Ken, if you want to heal, then you've got to stop creating certain images or ideas in your head."

Turning around, Kendrell countered.

" Heal from what? if I may ask. Did I tell you I was sick?"

" No you didn't, because you don't have to." Malcolm said before folding his arms.

" I only called you to remind you of the glass of water you left the living room to get, but you assumed it was something else. So tell me, isn't that supposed to count for something? Doesn't that mean you know all is not well and you know that I know that as well? Huh Kendrell? Isn't it?" Malcolm asked, trying his best not to raise his voice.

" No. It only means that I want to be alone." Kendrell said calmly before he turned and left. But Malcolm followed up.

" Ken, listen to me" Malcolm said, walking behind Kendrell.

" Leave me alone Malcolm."

" Really? Is that what you want?" Malcolm asked, halting his steps.

Turning around, Kendrell replied.

" Yes! That's what I want Malcolm! I want to be alone!" Kendrell yelled.

" Then what about breakfast?" Malcolm asked trying his absolute best to play it cool.

" Leave Malcolm. Leave." Kendrell said before turning around again.

" Nobody died Kendrell y_"

" And that's exactly my point. No one died, so you can leave now. There's no need for all of this." Kendrell replied curtly before lying on the sofa.

" You are not the Kendrell I know. And I don't expect you to be, not so soon." Malcolm said, feeling defeated.

All the motivation and determination he had while coming to visit Ken didn't flinch, but he decided to think things through.

Kendrell had been in almost similar situations in the past, but he had never been this way. The worst experience before this, was when his mother, Constance, obviously hated him while he craved her love.

Together as friends, Malcolm and Jordan were able to stand by him and listen to everything he wanted to tell his mother, such that some people assumed they were a group of little gay partners back then.

Kendrell never pushed them away like this, not even when they got him in trouble.

But what did Malcolm expect, when their other supposed friend was a major reason behind the pain he felt now.

Maybe he needed time alone. This wasn't a situation of 'a problem shared is half solved', It was a matter of healing and maybe space would expedite it.

With that in mind, Malcolm turned and left for the kitchen, to prepare breakfast without saying a word.

He only had a taste of what he prepared he did not even eat it.

After he was done, he tidied up the kitchen and left for the living room.

Clearing his throat, Malcolm informed Ken he was done cooking.

" I'm not hungry" Replied Ken with his eyes closed.

" Ok then."

But his next words came as a surprise to Kendrell.

" Goodbye Ken. See you some other time." Malcolm said before picking up his phone and wallet he left on the table.

Kendrell opened his eyes as quick as the speed of light, surprisingly. But Malcolm didn't see that because he had already turned to leave.

Malcolm expected Kendrell to say something _anything..., but he didn't.

Kendrell on the other hand, was dumbfounded, he didn't know what to say or how to say it.

His request for Malcolm to leave was half hearted. But when Malcolm looked at him before stepping out and shutting the door, Kendrell realized he might not have meant it at all, but it was a little too late.

Still lying down, Kendrell stared at the ceiling for a long time, without moving an inch.

Suddenly, he heard the door creak. It opened and Malcolm walked in.

Kendrell smiled, but it disappeared as soon as it came.

" Why did you come back?" Kendrell asked feeling light hearted.

" I remembered we were supposed to play chess." Malcolm said with a grin.

" So, are you going to stand there all day?" Asked Kendrell to Malcolm who was still standing by the door.

" Ok bestie." Malcolm replied with a smile.

Then,

A gentle breeze stirred Kendrell's hair to a direction and it did not fail to take Malcolm with it.

Finally, Kendrell shed a tear and then another and then another, till he dozed off.