I know I had this look as if I were ready to kill someone and that she saw it as she approached from the school. Her smile fading to a nervous one and then disappearing totally when she heard my first words, "You owe me an explanation."
"What's wrong?" Val asked. "I do something?"
"Sasha Keller?" I asked. "Recognize that name?"
"I do" She said in a voice that I thought was honestly shocked. "Since when did you know her?"
"Since she threatened me to stay away from you this morning" I said, "And dropped the bombshell that you and her were still together."
"That is a lie" Val shot back. "I broke up with her. What the fuck would she tell you that for?"
"That's two of us that would like to know" I said. "It's over with her?"
"I broke up with her so I could hang out with you" She said as I smiled.
"You dumped your girlfriend just so you could hang out with me?" I asked.
"She hit me, and a lot too" Val said as she looked down at her hands. "I finally gave up on her and I was already into you so I broke up with her."
"Before or after we started the petition?"
"After, a few days" She said as she joined me and leaned against the back of the car. "You remember that really cold night when you invited me to sleep in the bed with you?"
"Yeh" I said.
"I knew then I was into you, I watched you sleep for like two hours that night" She said, "You're so beautiful."
"Why did she have to say that for?" I asked. "I..."
"You like me?" She asked as she bumped my shoulder playfully.
"Maybe" I said as we both laughed.
"She's jealous that I'm trying to move on" Val said. "I still have feelings for her in a way but she hurt me to bad and I won't go back to that."
"You had bruises on your arm that night at my house, when you conned me into sharing my bed" I said as gave me a mock horror look.
"I did not con you" She said, "You offered."
"I know" I said as she gave me a warning look. "The bruises?"
"Her" She said as I turned and hugged her around the neck. One which she gladly returned.
"I'm so sorry" I said as our eyes met again. "That is so unfair."
"You know I hate fighting so much" She said as I listened, my forehead touching hers. "I'll let you be right all the time as long as you don't scream at me or hit me."
"Ok that's weird, I feel the exact same way" I said. "I hate screaming and fighting. I'd rather avoid a fight than do that."
"Cool" She said with a bright smile. "We never fight anyway."
"Yeh cause you know I'm always right" I said as she grinned and shrugged.
"Anything you say Kim" She said as she leaned in and kissed my cheek. Prompting me to smile and point at her and say, "Stop that."
"I'm taking advantage of you again huh?" She asked in a soft voice.
"And you know I don't like girls" I said as she again shrugged and was about to lean in again when she spotted something behind me and stopped. "What?"
"Get in the car, please?" She asked as I turned and saw a very pissed looking Sasha marching towards the car. "Get in the car, please?"
"She's not gonna hit you again and if she does, she's got me to deal with" I said as Val smiled. Both of us turning and presenting a united front.
"What do you want Sasha?"
"What are you doing hugged up with this whore?" Sasha asked as she pointed at me. "You and me..."
"ARE NOT TOGETHER" Val screamed as I hugged her from behind. "Get that straight. You lied to her."
"OK, I did, but you know you still love me" Sasha said, "And we were meant to be together."
"You hit me for the last time" Val said as she smiled back at me, one which I gladly returned. "It's over, right Kim?"
"We got a date" I said as we both looked back at her.
"NOOOOOOOOO" Sasha screamed in a rage as her hands clinched to fists and she looked ready to fight. Val turned to me and said, "Let's just go ok?"
"You are not leaving" Sasha said as she followed after us. Val opening the door and pushing me in almost as I slid to the passenger side and turned just as I saw and heard the unthinkable. Sasha smacked the taste out of Val's mouth, snapping her head to the right and forcing her to slump into the car. "God, look what you made me do. I'm sorry, Val you know I didn't mean it."
"I'm through with you" Val said as she looked up at Sasha.
"Come on, let's go" I said as I tried to pull Val around to start the car, which she did a moment later. Sasha for whatever reason simply backed away and watched us leave. The shock of what happened had me silent for the longest time as Val drove and turned down onto my street. Pulling up across the street she stopped and turned the car off. Me watching Gemini playing in the yard for a moment before I finally spoke, "I can't believe she hit you, are you ok?"
"Stung, she can really hit" Val said as I slid across the seat and looked at her cheek which was still red with Sasha's emblazoned hand print. I touched it gently and rubbed my fingers across the skin as she smiled. "Feels better now."
"Oh it does huh?" I asked as she smiled at me.
"Stop hurting completely if you kissed it" She said in a flirty voice.
"Well..."
"HEY!" Gemini screamed from the other side of the fence. Looking over at us as we both got out the drivers side. "Hi."
"Hi big mouth" I said as we both came into the yard and she ran to us. Me picking her up as she smiled happily.
"And I don't gots a big mouth, you do" She said as she pointed at me.
"I agree with you" Val said as she poked Gemini in the stomach and made her laugh.
"If you want me on a date, you better start agreeing with me more" I said as Val grinned and nodded her head.
"Yes ma'am" She said with a huge grin as Gemini reached over and rubbed her cheek gently.
"Did sissy beat you up?" Gemini asked as Val and I both laughed.
"No, sissy wouldn't hit me" Val said as Gemini grinned and crossed into her arms happily. "But you can if you want too."
"Oh yeah I'm sure" Gemini said as we both laughed again.
** ** ** Meanwhile @ Sasha Apartment ** ** ** "SASHA SPEAKING"
"YOU ARE SO FUCKING STUPID" I screamed at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I'm Sasha Keller, the psycho you've seen running around in the first parts of this story. I'd like to apologize for the way I've been acting but you just gotta understand how bad life sucks without Valerie in it. We were together for over a year before things started going bad. It was around the time that I got my own place that things began to fall apart. See I had trouble at home with a drunk ass father and two punk brothers who do nothing but drugs and after I turned 17 (18 soon) I ran and somehow managed to get on my feet and stable. Lots of stress. Which Val didn't help when all she ever wanted to do was bitch at me about everything. So long story short I hit her, a few times. "How can it be her fault when you hit her, YOU STUPID WHORE."
"Having another conversation with yourself?" Cara asked from the other side of the bathroom door. That's my roommate and really my only friend. She's 20 and very much in the 'family way' if you know what I mean. "Maybe this time that mirror will talk back."
"I hit Val again" I said as I jerked the door open and marched past her. Her grabbing my arm and stopping me.
"Why?" She demanded. "She refused to bow to your every demand?"
"Fuck you, she was with that trailer trash whore of hers" I spat. "She won't even talk to me, she's so in love with that girl."
"Can't say that I blame her" Cara said a moment before I screamed in frustration.
"Why can't you be on my side, just once?" I asked. "One time."
"Listen to me you psycho, you hit her, you call her names and you pushed her away" Cara said, "And you wonder why she left you?"
"I apologized..."
"You need help Sash" She said in a calm voice. "You can't control your temper and I'm getting scared."
"Why?" I asked softly. "I've never hit you."
"I'm 5 months pregnant and I wanna have this baby so bad" Cara said, "And I'm scared..."
"Scared of what?"
"You hurting me and the baby" She said. A case of realization coming over me in that moment. "You have choices."
"What?"
"One you go to therapy, I already made you an appointment and you work on this" Cara said, "Or you can fend for yourself and I'll go and move in with my sister and her family."
"I can't make rent without you" I said.
"You need help you stupid bitch" Cara said in a growl as she got in my face. "Please Sash for once in your life do something for someone else."
"I don't need help" I said in my stubborn voice. That's my drunk ass fathers side coming out. Cara dropped her head into her hands and pushed past me and simply picked up the phone. A moment later dialing a number and waiting for an answer. Her next words nearly stopped my heart as she said, "Hey sis, yeh can I still move in with you guys?"
"What?" I asked as I moved in front of her.
"Yeh I'll be packed, a half hour..." She asked into the phone as I panicked and said, "OK, therapy, I'll go, I swear Cara, I swear."
"You sure?" She asked as she pulled the phone away from her ear.
"Yes, just tell her you changed your mind, please?" I asked as Cara smiled and pressed the phone to my ear.
"The time at the beep will be..." The recorded voice said and I knew I'd been had. So you know what I did, I laughed.
"Four thirty, we need to get going" Cara said as she picked up my car keys and handed them to me.
"Today?" I asked.
"Yes, Dr. Jennifer Black, downtown" She said as she gently took my hand. Me offering a little resistance at first. "Please Sasha?"
"I don't need to talk to some head shrinker..." I said as she covered my mouth with her hand gently.
"You remember the day we met and you said you'd like to get with me?" She asked. I did and I still remember that day, over a year ago. We both were looking for a roommate at the Community Center and well we met by total accident. And me being me started to flirt (this was before Val and I) but Cara made it clear she was straight. So I dropped it and other than a few flirty looks and comments, nothing has ever developed. Although I never really gave up on the fantasy. "You do right?"
"Of course" I said as I smiled. "You're so my straight fantasy girl. Baby bump and all."
"You give this a chance and make an effort and..." She said and seemed to be choosing her words carefully. "...and I might be willing to give you a chance too."
"Fool around?" I asked with a dorky smile as she laughed.
"Right, I'm sure you wanna see this naked"
"You'd be surprised" I said with a grin.
"So deal?" She asked.
"Deal" I said as I boldly kissed her cheek and she smiled and blushed. Even squeezed my fingers around hers. For the first time since Val dumped me, I think I'm beginning to feel alive again. I really didn't think some head shrinker was gonna help me but because of Cara I went. Well I sure felt a million times better after it was over. Cara kept her promise and stayed with me and made me tell her everything, which I did gladly. For the rest of the day all I wanted to do was hang out with her and not see or think about my ex. But you know what they say, old habits die hard and with this girl they are nearly impossible to kill.
** ** ** Meanwhile @ Kim's Place ** ** ** "KIM SPEAKING"
"KIM KIM KIM KIM KIM" Gemini screamed as she charged out onto the porch and crashed into my arms as I laughed and picked her up. Val laughing from beside me. "Can I go with you?"
"No, I'm going to school" I said as she frowned. "You're not old enough to do that just yet."
"Will you play with me when you get home?" She asked.
"I sure will" I said. "If you're good."
"I not mean" Gemini said as Val laughed. "Val am I mean?"
"Kim is really the mean one" Val said as Gemini smiled and hugged her, happily agreeing to that statement as she crossed into her arms.
"Hey" Tori said as she came bouncing out onto the porch with her book bag. "You heading to school?"
"No, circus" I said as she gave me a dirty look. "Val's got a try out for the bearded lady."
"Ok, OK, you got me back with that one" Val said as we all laughed.
"Can I bum a ride?" Tori asked nervously. "It's on your way."
"No cause everything you see you'll report back to mom on" I said.
"What is she gonna see Kim?" Val asked as I blushed.
"Nothing now" I said with a defiant look in my eyes as Val grinned.
"Pile in" Val said to Tori.
"Thank you" Tori said as she bounced by, Val grabbing her arm gently. "What?"
"That big mouth reports back to your Mom, you and me got problems and don't ask me to ride again" Val said as the smile left Tori's face. "You hear me?"
"Mom gives me extra money if I do it" Tori said as my lip dropped open in shock. "I don't like it."
"You spying little shit" I said as I started after her. Val, with Gemini in her arms stopping me.
"Stop, it's not her fault" Val said as I glared at my now scared younger sister.
"Don't be mean, be happy" Gemini chirped as I laughed and Mom came onto the porch.
"Off to school are we?" She asked.
"You pay Tori to keep tabs on me?" I asked as her face showed the shock. "Huh?"
"Torrance, you're grounded" Mom snapped as Tori glared at me and then turned around and ran off the porch. No doubt stopping around the side of the house and beginning to cry.
"No, she's not" I said, "That is so unfair."
"I am her mother and I make those decisions" Mom said. "You better watch your mouth."
"We both know I can move out" I said firmly.
"Why would you wanna do that?" She asked.
"Cause you make Tori spy on her" Val said.
"I'll thank you to stay out of this Valerie" Mom said.
"So you're so worried I'm doing something that you make Tori's life a living hell to spy on me?" I asked as I turned and moved in front of Val and took my little sister and sat her down. Val looked at me like she was in a state of complete confusion. I touched her cheek gently and caressed it as she smiled and I stepped closer and for the first time I kissed her. Softly and yeh it was to make a point but it was also because I wanted too. She touched mine in return and moved her lips against mine for a long moment. Me pulling away and grinning, one she gladly returned. Her saying, "You trying to get grounded?"
"No" I said as I smiled. "I just did it. You complaining?"
"Excuse me?" Mom asked. "What was that?"
"It was a kiss between friends" I said as Val again gave me a confused look. "Friends that are becoming more?"
"I hope so" Val said as her hand found mine and I gladly accepted hers in mine.
"I knew it" Mom said in clear frustration. "I knew all of this talk about protecting the students who are gay would lead to you being confused."
"I'm not confused" I said, "It's just nice being with someone who doesn't put pressure on me."
"I never will either" Val said as I smiled. "And I am the one who is gay and anytime she wants me to back off I would. Last night was the first time she even knew I was gay and the first time I told her I had feelings for her. She didn't run away screaming, so we're moving slow."
"I dunno" Mom said.
"Mom it's not your decision" I said softly. "If you don't want me to see her...I can't deal with you being a Nazi."
"And since when am I acting like a Nazi?" Mom asked with hands on hips.
"Forcing Tori to spy on me?" I asked. "You're gonna make her hate you and when she does get old enough to leave she will."
"That's just silly" Mom said.
"Of course it is, I'm only 17 I couldn't know anything about life" I said. "Keep pushing her and see what happens."
"Fine, if I'm grounded..." Tori said as she reappeared from around the side of the house and stomped up the steps and onto the porch. "...then you can keep your money, cause I'm not spying on Kim again."
"I need to lay down" Mom said. "Both of my daughters have lost their minds."
"You paid her to spy on me" I said, "I ain't lost anything woman."
"I did, I lost my marbles" Gemini said as all action froze and everyone looked down at her. "I did, day rolled off da porch."
"Young lady, we are gonna have a long conversation when you get home, both of you" Mom said as she took Gemini's hand. "OK?"
"OK" Tori and I said in unison.
"Bye bye cheeseburgers" Gemini said as Mom disappeared back inside with my goofy baby sister and with a breath of relief me and Tori headed for school with Val. For the first time Tori and I acted like sisters and friends, cracking jokes and wrestling over the seat until Val forced us apart after parking in the school parking lot. Dragging me out of the car and holding me with my arms at my side as Tori attacked my ribs. I know everyone in the place had to have heard me squealing in laughter until I broke free. Tori headed off to her classes and Val walked me to my locker.
"I'm sorry about that tickling, you're not mad at me?" She asked as we stood now by my locker.
"No" I said simply. "But I do have to use the bathroom now."
"Bathroom huh?" She asked with a suggestive raise of the eyebrows as I blushed. "I better go and protect you."
"With your psycho ex, you better" I said as Val grinned and leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Stop that."
"I'm so bad, always taking advantage of you huh?" She asked with a beautiful smile.
"Like earlier in front of my mom" I said as she laughed.
"That's unfair and you know it" She said as I stuck out my tongue. The bell ringing at that moment.
"I better go"
"So who's stopping you?" I asked. "Not me. Go already."
"Why don't you kiss me and I bet I'd go a lot quicker" She said with her hands sliding to my waist as she moved closer. "Huh?"
"We're in school, not sure I'm..." I said nervously and being cut off when she placed two fingers over my lips gently.
"It's ok" She said simply. "See ya after?"
"Looking forward to it"
"I hope so" She said as she smiled and picked up her book bag. Me touching her arm and saying as she looked back, "I am looking forward to it."
"You're my dream girl Kim" She said as my heart beat faster. "You are. Give me a real chance? I'll be good to you..."
"Yes" I said as I threw caution to the wind and kissed her. For a long moment no one else existed on this earth as my lips moved against hers so perfectly. "WOW, now that's a rhythm I could get used to."
"Sure beats having the blues" She said as she touched her forehead to mine and we both smiled. "See ya."
"Bye" I said as a case of adrenaline shot through me like no other time in my life and I knew then I was falling for her. She walked off and I closed my locker and was about to head to my own class when I sensed someone standing behind me. Turning and seeing a by now familiar face I almost pissed my panties. Sasha. "Look ummmm..."
"I don't want trouble" She said. "I wanted too say I'm sorry for yesterday."
"Whatever, if you wanna hit me just go ahead cause I'm not gonna fight you" I said as I sat my book bag down.
"I'm trying to apologize, I realized I have some issues and..."
"Look just get it over with" I said firmly. "I don't care."
"But you do care about Val" She said. "I see that now."
"Ok" I said and seeing a very concerned looking Val making her way back down the hall as if she had forgotten something. I tensed up as Sasha touched my hand.
"I really am sorry for acting like a raging psycho" She said as Val dropped her book bag and charged.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VAL STOP" I screamed. Watching in horror as she slammed her body into Sasha and drove her ex into the lockers with a sickening thud. Both crashing to the floor as my fingers went into my hair in shock. Not sure what to do. Sasha covering her face and grabbing her ear as she began to cry. Val scrambling to her feet the best she could and standing over a fallen Sasha. My brain finally came back online a moment later and I hugged Val from behind to keep her from going anywhere. Seemingly stunned at what she had done.
"Calm down, Valerie, calm down, she wasn't hurting me" I said as Val stopped and looked back at me. "She was apologizing."
"Her?" Val asked as Sasha rolled onto her side and we both could see the damage. Her ear was now covered in blood as she covered it with her hand and cried in sobs. "Ohmigod, Sash, I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you..."