Episode 11 (4.2)
October 27, 2008 04:35 PM
* * *
“I need your help Abigail, I need it desperately bad.” Misha walked over to the one of the makeup chairs and dropped into it. “You know I wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Abby snorted and moved towards the door, ready to kick Misha out. Misha, either oblivious or purposely ignorant of Abby’s actions, reached into her purse and pulled out four crisp, one hundred dollar bills. “I’m willing to pay up front everything.”
Abby raised an eyebrow, “I’ll bite, what’s going on.”
Misha turned to her and ran a hand up and down her body, putting an emphasis on her clothing. “Obviously, I’m getting ready for a photo shoot.”
Abby looked at her skeptically. “A... photo shoot?” She was ready to move to the door again.
“Yes, with a real modeling company!” Misha pulled out the worn business card and dropped it unto the pile of money. “They want me to come in for a shot tonight. I had the clothing, but,” she whispered the last part of her sentence, “I need help with the makeup.”
“You need help with your makeup?”
Misha looked scandalized, “Yes, I need some assistance. I could have done it at home, but my bathroom doesn’t provide the right type of lighting so accidents could have been made.”
Abby made her way behind the makeup chair, “Which would understandably not be your fault.”
Misha nodded, “Exactly.”
Abby began pulling out some brushes, “We have a half hour before another client comes in, I’ll see what I can do with you in that time.”
Misha smiled, then grimly set her face. “Then get started.”
* * *
“Keira, Keira wait!” Shane chased after her through the crowd, catching her right before the school exit. She turned around, staring at him. Shane collected himself, trying to find the right words.
“What, Shane?” Keira asked, impatiently.
“Look, I’m sorry. For everything. I realize now I was being a jerk.”
“Oh, so it only took a week for you to figure that out.” Keira stood with her arms crossed. Other students brushed past them, making their way to either the buses or their cars in the student lot. A few glanced at the two and Shane felt somewhat self conscious.
“Can we maybe do this elsewhere?”
“What, so you can try to force yourself on me again?”
Shane flinched. “You think I would do that?”
“I don’t know anymore, Shane. I thought you were all right with my decision, but apparently I was mistaken.”
Shane looked hurt, “Keira, I’m apologizing for that.”
“Yeah, well it took a week for that. Was I supposed to wait patiently for you to figure out that you were wrong?” One of her friends walked by and Keira gave a short wave.
Shane felt himself growing angry, “I made a mistake, Keira, and I’m trying to make it up to you.”
“Yeah, well here’s the thing Shane. I don’t know if I want you to make up anything to me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean.”
“It means I don’t know if I want anything from you anymore.” Keira turned to leave.
“Keira, wait,” Shane reached out to grab her shoulder. She pivoted and knocked his hand away.
“DONT TOUCH ME!” Students stopped in their tracks to watch them. Shane recoiled, embarrassment burning his cheeks red. Keira glanced around, noticing the attention, and fought back tears. She bolted out the doors, leaving Shane standing there with the accusatory stares. He backed up, then raced the other way.
* * *
Jackson exited the lecture hall to find Allan and Nicki waiting for him. “Uh, is something wrong?”
Nicki leapt off the window sill she’d been sitting on. “Nah, exactly the opposite. I think we figured out how to get mom and dad to cave.”
Jackson hefted his books from one arm to the other, “You did?”
Allan nodded, “We put two great minds,” he cocked his head to indicate Nicki, “together and came up with something that your parents can’t refuse.”
“Which is what?”
Nicki shook her head, “No, that part of the plan involves you coming with us.” She grabbed some of Jackson’s books and thrust them into Allan’s arms. “Follow me boys.” Jackson shot Allan a confused look. His friends just smiled and the two followed after Nicki as she led the way down the hall.
* * *
Abby pulled back to examine her work with a critical eye. Misha regarded her, still not moving a muscle. “I think I’ve done all that I can.” Abby handed her a mirror, which Misha took hesistantly. She began searching her reflection for any imperfections, any mistakes that Abigal may have made. Finally, satisfied with the results, Misha placed down the mirror.
“Well, I guess with limited time this was the best we could hope for.”
“Exactly.” Abby tightly replied.
“Well, I’m off. I’ll make sure to mention her assistance when I hit it big!” Misha stood from her seat and made her way to the door. “The money on the counter is yours, dear.”
“Thanks for the kindness,” Abby’s words dripping with sarcasm.
“Just think, if I hit it big, perhaps you might see more of me. That is, unless I am provided with my own makeup artist.” Misha left with the ringing of a bell.
“Heaven help them,” Abby said to the silent room.
* * *
Tucker glanced up from his book as Lee entered the room. Lee dragged himself in, looking absolutely exhausted. Yet there was a sense of relief flowing from his frame, like a burden had been lifted.
Tucker did a head tilt, “Hey roomie, what’s up?”
“Just had a pretty hectic last two hours.” Lee dropped into his desk chair, disturbing some of the papers unto the floor. “Had Calculus, which is always a bitch to get to. Today was even worse, because I had to turn in this damn paper, first” Lee motioned to his computer, “But it’s done!” He smiled triumphantly.
Tucker grinned deviously, “Did you like that little joke I put in?”
Lee cocked his head, “Huh?”
Tucker laughed, “Come on, I know it wasn’t that funny, but I figured you’d get a kick out of my little additions.” Lee registered only a blank face. “When I added some extra, uh, colorful words, throughout the paper?”
“Tucker, what are you talking about?”
“Lee, I wrote penis in bold letters. You had to have seen it.”
Lee began to breath heavier, “You, when, when did you do this?”
Tucker began to grow nervous, “This afternoon. I saw your paper on the computer and thought I’d play a little prank. I mean, you always read that stuff over before turning it in.”
“I didn’t, I didn’t have time. They bumped up the due date and I barely got there. Oh crap. OH CRAP.” Lee slammed his face down into his hands. Tucker got up, looking extremely sorry.
“Lee, I’m so sorry, man. I was just trying to have some fun.”
“Tucker, do me a favor,” Lee looked up from his hands, his face bright red. “Get out of the room.” Tucker backed up, went to say something, and then just left.
* * *
Molly sat peacefully in front of the television, her hands feverishly sewing when the front door opened and slammed. Her needle fell into the folds of the coach, disappearing from sight. Molly desperately reached for it and immediately leapt up with pain, nursing her pricked finger. As she sat sucking the digit, Shane was storming past her.
“Shane, STOP!” He froze and turned. “What is the deal?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re probably the worst liar I know, Shane. You storm in here and expect me to believe that everything is copacetic?”
“Why do you even care,” Shane asked accusingly.
“Well for one thing, because I have to live with you and that’s hard enough when you’re in a normal mood.” Shane rolled his eyes and went to leave. “Shane, wait, I’m joking.”
“Then save your jokes!”
Molly, humbled, tried a different approach, “I’m sorry, Shane. But come on, I’m your big sister, what’s bothering you. I do really want to know.”
Shane seemed torn between opening up and storming into his bedroom. He glanced behind him, then turned back and visibly appeared to slump. Rage drained away from his face and was replaced with a look of utter sadness and complacency. “It’s Keira.”
* * *
Nicki, Allan and Jackson entered into the student cafeteria; Tyke sat waiting for them, a folder lay on the table before him. Nicki took a seat beside Tyke; the other two sat across from him. “Hello boys,” Tyke flashed a smile. Jackson nodded, while Allan only offered a grunt.
“So what’s the story, Nick?” Jackson looked around the table at the others.
“Well, I know that you’re probably tired of commuting back and forth to school.” Nicki started, “But Mom and Dad are pretty adamant about keeping you from moving back into the fraternity. They really think that it’s going to drag you down.”
Jackson looked bored, “Yeah, that’s the cliff notes version of my life over the last week.”
“So the three of us,” Nicki indicated the others at the table, “Were trying to come up with a way that would convince them that you needed to be in the fraternity.”
Tyke cut in, “They have to believe that the fraternity has a grounding influence on you, rather than a negative detterant.”
“In other words,” Allan offered, “How does the fraternity keep your life from sucking.”
“So what if you decided to do something drastic without the frat? What if Mom and Dad were convinced that you were about to do something really life altering.”
“What are you guys talking about?”
Tyke pushed the folder towards Jackson. “Jackson Brady, today you signed yourself up to join the marines.”
* * *
“So I went to apologize to her for the kiss and she totally gave me the cold shoulder.” The two sat on the couch; Molly on the corner, Shane splayed across the entire thing. “Blew up on me in front of everyone.”
“A little dramatic,” Molly agreed.
“She says that she doesn’t know if she wants anything from me.” Shane threw his hands to his face and groaned. “All we did was kiss. She’s blowing things out of max proportion, its so nuts. It was like I had raped her or something.” Molly just nodded, letting her brother vent. “I know I made a mistake by pushing her into the kiss, but I stopped when she told me to. I don’t know why she’s doing this,” He stopped to look up at his sister, pleadingly.
“Keira’s trying to figure things out for herself, it seems, Shane. We knew that she was,” Molly thought of how to word things, “Saving herself, but I think she may be taking things to the extreme. But that is her choice.” Shane appeared frustrated by her answer. “I don’t know why she’s refusing to talk to you though.”
“She said I waited to long to apologize.”
“But she didn’t try to contact you either. If you two had a problem, one of you should have been reaching out at least. It sounds like you need communication, Shane. But if she’s not going to talk to you, maybe it’s time that you moved on.” Shane seemed shocked by that response. “Shane, you gotta decide if being with Keira is right for you. Are you able to stay in a relationship with someone who can’t be physical with you at all?”
* * *
Isabel and Julio left the parking lot and turned a corner. Isabel gasped, “I love this place. My father used to take me here when we were kids.” The small Italian restaurant sat before them, soft music echoing from the doors. As they approached, the soft tinkle of glasses could be made out, along with soft chatter. “How did you know,” Isabel asked.
“The other day I stopped into your job and spoke to one of your coworkers. Carla?”
“Carleen!” Isabel gasped, “She didn’t say a word to me.”
“I told her I wanted everything to be a surprise. Are you happy?”
Isabel smiled, "Extremely."
Posted at 10/27/2008 by beck | Comments? (1)