Chapter Ten:Falling Apart:
It had been a week since Shannon left for Europe. Adriana was still going out and terrorizing her liver with alcohol and other organs with GHB.
"So when's your engagement party Chris?" Shouted Shiana over the pumping bass. This Saturday the girls had decided to throw a party at Jade's parent's house. The music was thumping, people were dancing, the house was alive. "It's been postponed. I think that Erika's sleeping with her personal assistant. So until she admits it, and says sorry. i'm not going through with it. You want a drink while i'm up?" Christy explained. Shiana nodded.
"You make me sick. You're gay anyway you look at it. Neither of you are hetero's, and it makes me sick watching all you women trying so hard to imitate that monotonous lifestyle. Name one couple we know that's lasted more than five minutes?" Adriana butted in, acrimoniously. "Rosie and Sandra have been good eight months now. You know that. We all got invitations to their wedding." Said Shiana in a matter of fact tone. Adriana burst into laughter. "If Sandra knew what Rosie and i were doing at their little hem party, i'm quite sure that Sandra wouldn't be so quick to skip down that aisle, don't you think?" Shiana shook her head in disgust. She'd always had a sneaky suspicion that more had transpired in that bathroom than Adriana and Rosie had let on. "I think you need to go home Adriana. You're absolutely shitfaced." Ignoring the advice, Adriana went on, "I don't see why two women would want to get married. What the fuck for? What, to conform to a society that doesn't accept you because of who you sleep with, or love? And don't even get me started on those lets search for a sperm donor on our second date dykes. Lesbian or not, i can't think of one reason why anyone would want to bring a child into this fucked up world." Adriana clasped her glass of wine tightly, aware that her drunken state had thrown all self-control out of the window. Still, drops of wine managed to spill to the floor as Adriana continued her verbal assault on the world, "Marriage is for straight people, and i refuse to agree with you or anybody else buying into the straight life."
"Well Adriana, that is your fucked up theory, and the reason you're always going to be alone." Christy argued back. "You're the one playing make-believe cereal-packet family with Erika, and you're still unhappy." Adriana's sharp tongue had drawn tears from Christy's eye. "I'm sick of your shit Adriana! Just because your life continues to throw crap at you, doesn't permit you to take it out on me. If you have a problem with me then lets hear it." That statement left the door wide open for Adriana to grill Christy, but satisfied with the misery she'd already inflicted, she imperturbably walked out.
When Adriana returned from her ramble, Christy had recovered and was trying her hand at Djing, or "Shejaying" as she'd renamed it.
There were a group of girls, around the age of 17 and 18, who had been watching Adriana all night. Being as drunk as she was, Adriana walked over to them, and took the hand of the girl she was nearest to. the girl's friends whistled, surprised and happy that their friend had caught the eye of such a goddess.
Through her intoxication, Adriana hadn't even bothered to lock her front door, and tumultuously dragged the young girl upstairs.
"My name is Laura by the way." The seventeen year old said. "It really doesn't matter." Replied Adriana, dismissing all regard for the young woman's feelings.
Adriana threw Laura on the bed as though she were a rag doll. Laura had been eyeing Adriana most of the night and this was her chance. "Take off your clothes." Demanded Adriana, pushing Laura off. Trying to appear as seductive as possible, Laura began unbuttoning her blouse. Adriana looked at this girl removing her clothes, and knew that it wasn't what she wanted. The alcohol in her mouth was beginning to taste awful, so she went to her bathroom to wash her mouth out. "Where are you going?" Laura quizzed Adriana, in an alluring accent. Adriana popped her head around the door."You know what? Forget it. Put your clothes on and go." Laura threw her clothes back on, and stormed downstairs in disappointment.
When Adriana heard her front door slam, she collapsed on her bed. She just didn't feel like sharing her bed with another random face. In her past, a one night stand was always the best antidote, or distraction, for whatever problem she may've been having. Now it would appear, that wasn't the case. She had no idea what was happening to her. "Adriana, what the hell is your problem?" She asked herself. Thoughts of Shannon plagued her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
The following morning Adriana slothfully walked downstairs in her nightgown to collect her mail. She was surprised to see that there was a loose letter, absent of an envelope. It was lined paper, and had the name: Adriana, written across it in bold letters. She dumped the rest of the letters on the table and began reading the one that had taken her interest. Intrigued, Adriana skimmed the letter, and it read:
Hello Adriana. It's me Angela. You don't quite know me but i'm a friend of Shannon's. I spoke with her on the phone this morning. She's having a good time in the U.K. She says that her father keeps trying to set her up with his best friend's son. Hmmmm. If only she had a reason to come out to her dad. She wanted me to give you her number. She would've called but never knew if you wanted to talk to her or not. So she's leaving the choice of phoning up to you. If you didn't want to do that, you could always write. The address is on the other side of this paper. She told me to tell you that she misses you and that she wants you to contact her.
Shocked by the accuracy in which Shannon knew her, Adriana opened her cabinet draw and threw the letter amongst the rest of her insignificant, trivial papers.
Another week had passed, and Adriana still had not contacted Shannon. She'd thought about it. She'd thought about nothing else. But when it came down to it, she just couldn't do it. When she'd told Shannon that she cared about her, she meant it. She cared enough not to want to corrupt Shannon with all of her problems.
"You haven't been with anyone in two weeks?" Nicole nosily asked. She was pushing buttons she didn't know the function of, and Adriana didn't even bother dignifying the remark with an answer.
"Why is that a bad thing? It lessens the risk of Adriana catching some kind of disease." Said Casey, putting an arm around Adriana and annoyingly pulling her in close. She shrugged Casey's arm off and said, "Do you guys even have your own lives? I mean seriously, you wouldn't think it, the way you're always sticking your fucking noses in my business! Why don't you all just leave me the hell alone?" Adriana more telling them than asking. Apoplectic at this stage, she got up and left Le Boissons.
"What the hell is her problem just lately?" Jade spouted.
"Yeah. Ever since Shannon left, she hasn't been coping too well. But what she doesn't need is you guys discussing her life. So just leave her to work it out for herself." Said Shiana.
Adriana slammed the front door; headed straight for the cabinet she'd thrown Shannon's addressed letter in and grabbed some paper and a pen. She was staring to regret going through with the bet. Things weren't supposed to be like this. She wasn't supposed to get emotionally involved. Putting all of that aside, she knew she had to let Shannon know what was on her mind, and stop denying how she felt.
An hour had gone by, and evidence that pen had been put to paper was non-existent. She racked her brain. But still nothing. A brainwave then struck her and suddenly it occurred to her to read Shannon's letter for inspiration. This seemed to do the world of good because the words came flowing from Adriana's heart. Assessing how she felt she wrote:
I got Angela's note. I was going to throw it away but i didn't. I told you that i was a jerk and you saw that in me at the airport. You're a great person and well...i'm not. You tell me that you love me, when you haven't the slightest clue of who i am. I don't understand why sex isn't enough for you. It's enough for me. When you told me that you loved me, i just wanted to scream at you, and tell you that i'm sick of people telling me that and not meaning it. But maybe i was wrong when i said you couldn't change me. I don't know if you put something in my drink when i wasn't looking, or something like that but i'm certainly different. Because of you, i haven't been with anyone in two weeks. Nicole wants to send me to a shrink, because she thinks i've gone crazy. I know i should be saying all of this in person, mainly because what i'm about to say has never crossed my lips in my life. I tried to stop it, but i'm fucking addicted to you. With that said, i gotta tell you something - well write it, so i've still yet to say it: I think i'm in love with you. I should be there to see your face when you read this. Lol. After the way i was with you, i completely understand if you don't reply. All this was intended for was to tell you: I don't think you and I are such a bad idea. You can call me if you want. I'm not as elusive as you think. Adriana xxx.
When finished, Adriana sat feeling drained. Everything was released and she was left open to getting her heart broken. It was a massive gamble on her part, but it was a risk she was willing to take. Shannon now held all of the cards in the deck.
It was like a new refreshed Adriana had just walked through the door. Her smile could be seen miles away; it beamed. All the compressed feelings had been allowed to rise to the surface and Adriana, after twenty years, had finally let down her guard.
"Hey guys, i got have news...Shannon may be coming back." Adriana announced with a smile that seemed permanent. Every conversation around the table came to a halt and as customary, Adriana was the centre of attention. Casey was on full alert and fell into an immediate strop.
"What? No she can't come back...What about her father? Didn't she say that he hated being alone?" Casey's words weren't really paid any mind. In her opinion this was the worst thing that could be happening. Casey had noticed Adriana and Shannon getting very close before their seperation, and in Shannon's absence Casey had been getting to spend a lot more time with her best friend. This news was anything but good. What's more, she'd planned to confess her love to Adriana in three days at her eighteenth birthday party. Now knowing better, she knew it was certainly out of the question.
"She wanted me to contact her. So i wrote her a few days ago." Casey sat on the edge of her seat, fearing for the worst and Adriana continued. "At the airport, she told me she loved me, and i wrote her...telling her that i might feel the same way about her." Flabbergasted wasn't a good enough word to describe everyone's disbelief. This kind of news belonged on CNN; it was unheard of. Adriana Larsen: the woman embodied hatred for same sex commitment, for fear of becoming just another statistic and complying to a predominantly heterosexual society, was considering a same sex commitment. The impossible was no longer. Nobody spoke. They were lost for words. It was hard for them to envisage Adriana being all soppy in love with another person. She'd always conveyed herself as this hardass who was immune to emotion. It was a side nobody ever saw; yet here she was, giddy with passion.
"Adriana, you told her you loved her? You said that to her?" Casey was more than hurt. She felt like she'd been winded. There was no two ways about this situation. Adriana was falling for Shannon and that was the bottom-line. It angered Casey knowing that. For as long as she'd known Adriana, the word love was non-existent in her vocabulary. It angered Casey knowing that Shannon had been able to do what no other woman could, and to make matters worse, Shannon wasn't even gay. She was the converted.
"I can't believe cupid fucking shot me. If she comes back, she'll get treated like a queen."
"If?"Asked Shiana, saying her first words since Adriana's confession. Adriana furrowed her eyebrows and said. "Yeah, if. She could just stay in England if she wanted to." "I'm sure that's not true. Shannon was absolutely enthralled with you Adriana."
Christy leaned over the table and offered Adriana a hug, which was accepted. "Well Adriana, welcome to the world of humanity, where people have thoughts and feelings, and last of all relationships." Christy ranted on. "You run from cupids arrows long enough, and eventually he's gonna getcha." Bella joked.
There was a loud knock at Adriana's door. She'd just finished washing the dishes and was drying her hands. The knock became louder and more vigorous, as she grew closer to the door. She was expecting Casey over, so when she opened the door too see Shannon's sparkling green eyes, it was a nice surprise. They both gave mutual smiles and Adriana moved to the side, helping Shannon with her luggage, which indicated that she was fresh back from England.
"Am i the first person you came to see?" Adriana asked, inhaling the much missed scent of Shannon's perfume.
"I had to come see you first." Shannon grinned. "I got your letter." Adriana's eyes found the floor as she became fidgety at the mention of the letter. She wasn't completely comfortable with everything. but she was trying. "You want a drink?" "Yes. Why not? I'm rather parched." Shannon said in mock of English accent. They both laughed manically and Adriana made Shannon a beverage. A little reluctant, Adriana sat next to Shannon. When all became silent, the letter subject was resumed. "I want you to know one thing Adriana. I don't say things like i love you and not mean it. I know you better than you probably think. You're the only one to ever make me feel like this...So did you mean it?" "What?" Adriana's face was almost vacant with a hint of confusion. "I thought i'd be the first person you say those words to." Shannon leaned in close, looking to study Adriana as she said those words. "Do you want me to jump through hoops too?" Adriana was getting defensive, and she was reverting back to pushing away the one's she cared about. "Don't Adriana. You know that's not what i meant. I don't want to fight with you, i just got back." "I don't want to fight either. It's just not something you force someone to say...Even if it is true." "That's ok. We can move at your pace I'm just glad that you trust me enough to let me in." Shannon compromising. Her negotiation seemed to sit well with Adriana.
Soon they were chilled on the sofa, with Adriana resting her head in Shannon's lap. Conversation was scarce; the only sound from the television. Their interaction was made up of warm, loving caresses and soft, subtle kisses.
"You're not wearing any make-up. I just noticed." Adriana said, looking up at Shannon. "I didn't bother today. I was pre-occupied with getting here. Why, is it a problem?" Shannon asked, jokily. "No. It's just that i've never seen you without some form of..." Adriana tried to explain herself before she was cut off. "What? Without make-up i'm not pretty enough for you?" Shannon tickled Adriana playfully. They laughed hysterically, highly amused by their flirting.
Before they knew it, they were in bed and almost couldn't move from their little session. Their bodies were spent from their lovemaking. Adriana amorously kissed Shannon's forehead. They lay, snuggling, in comfortable silence, until they heard the front door being unlocked.
"Adriana! A! You in? I brought some of the girls." Casey called out. Nicole and Bella followed Casey's lead and made themselves at home. It wasn't long until Casey was upstairs and searching all the rooms.
Startled, Shannon pulled the duvet up over her head. "Relax. It's just Casey. She has a key." Adriana casually confirmed, in answer to Shannon's unspoken question. "What? Why does she have a key?" Shannon wasn't pleased. Just as the letters forming Adriana's explanation teetered on the edge of her lips, the door flew open and there stood Casey gawking at them. "Case, you could've knocked." Shannon couldn't believe how calm Adriana was being about this. Casey had frozen, "Well could you give us some privacy please?" Casey closed the door and ran back downstairs in a foul mood.
Adriana hopped out of bed and started putting clothes on. Shannon looked a little uneasy about the fact that Casey had access to Adriana's home whenever she wanted. That wasn't good, especially in predicaments like this. "She's like family to me Shannon...Ok, if it bothers you that much, i'll get it back. Come down when you're ready." Adriana chuckled, "You should have seen your face when she walked in. One word: priceless." Having said that, Adriana went downstairs to greet her friends.
"Shannon's back then?" Bella asks Adriana, who nods and grins, "Did you two even talk, or did you just jump each other as soon as she set foot in the door?" Bella, being sarcastic. All the girls laughed but Casey. "So where is the famous Ms.Jefferson then?" "Upstairs getting dressed." Casey spat. Her look was firm and she was far from joking." Oh. It's about time you showed your face Shannon." Casey continued. Nicole and Bella glanced over towards the staircase and saw Shannon walking down.
They all sat for about three hours, getting reacquainted and quizzing Shannon about the women in England.
Chapter Eleven: Life With Adriana:
It had been two months since Adriana and Shannon had gotten together and they were still going strong. people were getting to know the soppy side of Adriana, especially Shannon. It was a side no one had ever seen before; strong yet vulnerable; bold but also tender and loving. Shannon was learning that Adriana could be really sweet and romantic when she wanted to be. It was refreshing to now that someone as set in their ways as Adriana could change for the better. Love was something Adriana was coming to grips with; that feeling of weakness she got when she looked at Shannon. She'd learnt the art of caring for others and how rewarding it was. Life was exceedingly good for them. Adriana had let Shannon in and it had paid off. >From time to time they would have their little arguments; never anything too serious. Shannon was happy and fulfilled. They couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Anywhere they went, people knew they were a couple; either by them holding hands or their playful kisses. Although the glares they'd earned themselves were far from benign, encouraging them to flaunt their relationship even more promiscuously. Adriana showed that she loved Shannon almost every second that they spent together, with her instinctive loving gestures or her caring, comforting words, or even just her presence. Despite that, Adriana still hadn't said those three all important words. To Shannon that was important in a relationship. Other than that, things were going swimmingly and they intended to keep it that way. Only...Casey had other plans.
Chapter Twelve: The Truth Will Out:
While wiping down the tables, Shannon gazed at her new family happily. Suddenly she felt someone behind her, and it was Bob, her boss. Instantly, she snapped out of her daydream and began scrubbing the tables harder.
"I can't believe i lost you to a woman. You know how long I've been trying to get a date with you?" Said Bob, a little jealous. He stared at Adriana and saw how flawlessly gorgeous she was. Then it occurred to him that if he were Shannon, he would have also picked Adriana. When Shannon worked, all he would hear about was Adriana this, Adriana that. He could've written a book if he'd wanted to. "You're too late. I'm gonna marry her." Shannon teased him. "You can go join them if you like. Your shifts over." This news put a smile on Shannon's face, and she went over and sat with what she believed to be, her family.
Adriana found Shannon's hand and their fingers laced, while resting on the surface of the table. Casey was glowing green, envious of Shannon. If looks could kill, she would have killed Shannon months ago. Shannon had spotted this and was tired of it. She swallowed deep and spoke.
"Casey, have i done or said something to offend you, because every time I'm around you guys, you're the only person giving me bad vibes?" That was enough to tip Casey over the edge.
"You think you're so fucking great don't you? Sitting there next to Adriana, you think you're God right? News flash, you're not!" It was obvious that Casey's anger had been building up over a long period of time. Shannon was surprised by Casey's outburst. She wasn't expecting this. It seemed so unprecedented. Casey was now leaning over the table, and getting in Shannon's face, challenging her. Also abandoning her seat, Adriana stood up and removed her sunglasses. "What the fuck is wrong with you Case?" Upon seeing this potentially dangerous situation escalate, Bella stepped in.
"Case...Casey! Sit back in your seat and calm down." Nothing appeared to be working. Not even Bella's words. Casey was in a zone of her own. Seeing Adriana and Shannon holding hands in such a loving way, had pushed her into a state of anger that could only be resolved by shouting, screaming or possibly violence. Shannon looked at Adriana. Her eyes begged to know what the hell was going on. "I don't know why you're so angry at me Casey. I really don't." Shannon's apparent lack of knowledge came across as somewhat patronizing, and now there was no chance of Casey calming down.
"Don't you ever wonder what Adriana was doing in a straight club talking to you when she's clearly gay?" Shannon looked at Adriana. Now that she thought about it, what was Adriana doing in Crush, when Hott! was only a short walk away? All attempts to diffuse the situation had failed and Adriana knew what was coming next. She sighed and said."Fuck." Nobody knew why Casey was behaving this way, but it would become obvious soon enough. "Nicole bet Adriana that she couldn't bed a straight girl. Not that great after all huh? You were nothing but a bet - a bit of entertainment for us!" Casey spat, with every intention of massacring Shannon's feelings. She then absconded the table and went outside. She was shaking in a violent uncontrollable temper. Adriana panicked and in her anger, instinctively ran out to question Casey.
When she reached Casey, she grabbed her one arm, swung her around and yanked the cigarette from her mouth. "If you've fucked this up for me, I'll kill you." "Since the first time we met, I've wanted you Adriana." Casey explained through teary eyes, and blurred vision. Adriana was shocked; almost speechless. But it was too late. She was with Shannon and Casey had missed her chance. "I'm not going to let you be with her Adriana. I'm not." Adriana calmly placed both hands on Casey's shoulders, wanting to shake her into reality. "She makes me happy. Nobody in my miserable life has ever made me happy, but Shannon does." "What about me?" Casey was failing to understand, and Adriana was rapidly growing impatient. "What about you Casey? You may have just ruined everything!" Adriana didn't know how she was going to talk her way out of this one, but she knew she had to.
When Adriana set foot back into the shop, Shannon was nowhere to be seen. Her friends saw her quizzing the whereabouts of Shannon, and pointed towards the back door exit. Adriana followed the instructions, but when she got out there, the car was gone. She knew that she was in some serious trouble.
Bella gave Adriana a life home. Adriana and Shannon had been together two months, and Shannon had a few clothes and a toothbrush at Adriana's house.
When Adriana walked in to see Shannon collecting her stuff, she broke into a sweat. This was the primary reason for why Adriana hated the idea of a relationship. She didn't want to get attached and then be left all alone if it didn't work out. They both stood on opposite sides of the lounge with the chance of saving their relationship decreasing by the nanosecond.
"Shannon?" Adriana started, cautiously. "No." Adriana exhales and attempts to explain again. "Shannon?" "No Adriana. What kind of person are you? How many more straight mates were there before me huh?" "I knew this would happen. You see, this is why i didn't want to get involved with you!" "No! Don't try and flip this all on me. Don't you dare!" Shannon screamed while throwing the last of her loose belongings into a bag. "I wasn't trying to Shannon." Now thinking back, Adriana saw that the bet was immature. But it had brought them together, so that had to be good right? "You didn't want to be with me because all i was supposed to be was some grubby little bet." "Well because of that bet, we're together now." Adriana wasn't doing herself any favours. "That's kinds not the point. I'm mad because you and your friends think it's ok to screw with lives like that. That's wrong, but as long as you're entertained then who gives a rats ass right?" Shannon hated that Adriana didn't even seem remorseful. "I'm going to kill Casey." Adriana was just digging herself a deeper hole. "Why? She was just telling the truth. I can't believe you're blaming her for all of this." Shannon's eyes were burning with rage, quite different from the magnificent green they usually were. "If she's kept her mouth shut, then we wouldn't be at each others throats right now." Adriana had just dug herself another four feet. Shannon went over it in her head, trying to properly comprehend and came out with: "You went out of your way to sleep with me because i was straight, all for a bet. My whole life changed because of your little bet. When someone's emotions are on the line you're going too far. It wasn't amusing in the slightest for me. I was so confused, and the entire time it was a game to you...Maybe you were right when you said i deserved better than you." Shannon's words felt like sharp deep knife wounds. You ever hear the saying: What goes around, comes around? Well here it was coming around in full effect. "I knew you didn't mean it when you said you loved me." "Don't even say that shit! You know i do. I'm just not gonna keep fighting for a lost cause, like Christy does with Erika." With those words Shannon grabbed her bag of items, and took it upon herself to leave.
Letting Shannon cool off was the best solution Adriana could think of. But there was no way Casey was getting off without being reprimanded. Wherever Shannon had gone, she'd walked it because the car was still neatly parked, unaware of the chaos taking place around it. Adriana drove traight over to Casey's.
Ten minutes later, Adriana found kicking and banging at apartment 234."Open this God damn door! Now! I'm gonna kill you Casey...Open this door or i'm gonna to kick a hole through it!"
After five minutes of of getting no answer, Shiana surprised her by opening the door. It was like Adriana had gained tunnel vision and everything else around her was in darkness, except Casey who was stood at the end of it. If she wanted Adriana's attention she certainly had it now. Adriana went straight for Casey, and was blocked by a wall of Nicole, Shiana and Christy. They held her back, knowing that if she were let loose, she'd do a lot of damage. "All because of your stupid high school crush, everything that's important to me is gone!" Animosity and resentment could be found in Adriana, and in high concentrations too. Casey couldn't believe how much rage she'd evoked from her best friend. "Let me go. I'm not gonna do anything. Just get off me!" The trio steadily released her. Casey backed herself against the kitchen cupboard, "What the hell were you thinking telling her that?" Adriana had seemed to calm down, and her voice was soft and relaxed. "I just couldn't sit back and watch you two, when i know it should be us together." Casey had answered wrong and her self-consideration was more than aggravating. Casey had ruined everything, and for nothing, the bone had to be picked.
Adriana couldn't help herself and charged at Casey. She grabbed her long, blonde hair and slammed her hard against the cupboard. Casey's legs buckled beneath her and she slid down, favoring her chest, as being slammed with such force had winded her. She looked up at Adriana, now knowing just how much Shannon meant to her. But the ordeal didn't end there. Adriana pulled Casey up and smashed her jaw off of the sink. Blood spattered in the sink, not a vast amount, but enough to know that Casey wouldn't be spouting anymore secrets in a hurry. This was all the damage the trio allowed Adriana to do before dragging her away. It had happened lightening fast.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? She's your best friend and you just beat the crap out of her!" Shiana screamed, full-lunged and still holding Adriana back. Nicole and Christy both went to Casey and tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible
"We stopped being friends as soon as she said what she did." Adriana points at Casey and stares directly in her tear-filled eyes, "You stupid little bitch! Because of you, the only person a care about is gone." Casey clutched her jaw, and winced in pain. Adriana then slammed the front door, leaving Casey in a bloody state.