Exceptions to the Rule

You know what I like about Rom-Coms? They're easy, even if everyone doesn't get the person they long for, they're still happy. Love's really ruined that for me. I'm kinda struggling to see how people walk away from romance unscarred. I know, if things were different, I'd be reacting the same way Rouge is right now.

"Rouge..." I begin, before she snaps herself back into the room.

"I know.... I know. I'm straight. I met someone, so did she. it's all finished, isn't it? We all get our happy ending..." She rambles.

There really aren't words, instead I scoot closer and pull my sister in for a hug. "I'm sorry." I offer. What more can I do really? "When did you realise... That you like her, I mean?"

Rouge sighs at my assertion. "That's the thing... I don't know, I don't know if I have real feeling for her, or if I'm just jealous about how she wants Skye more than me. I don't know if I would want to be with her, and... And I can't tell her not to go out with Skye on the vague notion that one day I might decide I'm interested... It's not fair on her."

"This doesn't seem fair on you." I counter. "There's no good answer, and you don't have to decide right now, but if you do nothing but defend yourself, you'll just push everyone away." I quote her own words, hoping maybe she'll at least listen to her own wisdom.

My twin pulls away and looks at me with irritation. "This isn't you and Elise, she's decided, she's chosen her, I don't get a say in that, I don't even know if I want a say in that. And if I do, does that mean Rob does too? And Skye? Where does it end? How many people would have to get hurt instead of me?" She demands, with increasing anger. "That's my choice, be happy with the outcome, or hurt everyone... So what would you do?"

I know I should have expected a negative response, but, I couldn't just let her torture herself, if making me the bad guy is what she needs then I'll play my role. She once told me about her argument with Trish the night we went to the Free Ride, how Trish's words broke through and made her realise the truth. Well, I'd say it's time to weather the storm.

"Honestly, not that long ago, I'd have done nothing, not rocked the boat, I'd have shut up and put up with it." I admit, recalling the days before Amanda's exit. "But then I learned... How it felt. And now? If someone tried to take Elise from me I'd go to war, I'd kick and scream, I'd burn every bridge I had to show her how I really felt. You asked me why I call her Moon? It's because I literally can't exist without her anymore, I'd just... Fall apart... Maybe you don't like Trish, maybe you do, but either way, there are people in your life that you cannot live without, and if you don't figure it out, you'll fall apart too." I conclude.

Was that too far? I'm not lying, Elise is everything to me, but is it really fair to compare us? Rouge looks away before standing up and looking back to me.

"Thank you." She murmurs, her voice wavering. "I need to think... But... Thank you for caring about me." She tells me with a sob, exiting the room. I hear her footsteps rush up the stairs and soon after the bang of her door closing. I feel hollow, did I really help? Is this how Rouge felt when she saw me breaking down over Elise? Did it hurt her this much?

I owe her way more than I can repay.

*

"It's very unrealistic, that's all I'm saying." Elise smirks as the movie's credits roll, she'd joined me in the living room after Rouge left, I'd caught her up on the drama but I think she felt as helpless as me. Instead of worrying we decided to watch a film, rom-coms are my cure-all after all.

I roll my eyes at my girlfriend's comments. "I know, the guy just runs through airport security, doesn't get shot, and gets there at exactly the right second, but come on, it's tension." I argue.

"Oh, that bit's fine." Elise explains. "I just mean it's unrealistic that it was only him, a girl like that? There'd be an army coming to win her over. When I left Paris, there must've been half a dozen guys who wanted me to stay!" She brags, a cheeky smile maintaining on her face.

"Right, same, I actually have a dozen partners, all from different countries, you're just my French conquest." I joke, nudging her in the ribs.

Elise snorts at my attempt at humour. "Sure, Lapin, I should just be grateful you've fit me into your busy womanising schedule."

"Oh, don't worry, you're by far my favourite." I grin, putting my arm around her and holding her tight. The sound of the front door cuts short my thought process, and the subsequent barking confirms that Mum's home.

Ruby runs around the corner and immediately tries jumping up onto the sofa, she's still too small, maybe I should look for a higher bed frame, might keep her off it. Elise caves to the pup's pleas and helps her up onto the sofa, descending into incomprehensible baby talk as Mum enters the room.

"Hey girls, how was your evening?" She asks, letting herself fall into the chair. Elise and I look at each other, silently agreeing for me to come up with the story.

"Nothing special, the band played, had a few drinks, came home early, it was fun." I lie. Come on, what am I meant to say? "How was Jasper's?"

Mum snorts at the question. "It was peaceful, which is all I needed to know, I was worried he wasn't handling it well after the argument, but it seems like he's more worried about you."

I flinch at the idea, Jasper doesn't need to worry about me, I'm fine, I've got the girl of my dreams living in my room, I'm riding high... Oh. She's talking to Elise. Yeah, that makes more sense.

"He needn't. It's not his fault." Elise answers, taking a break from talking nonsense to the dog. "I'm fine, I just need some time before I talk to my parents... Then he can worry, I might slap them until my hand's raw." She clarifies, her voice reaching a simmering fury I haven't seen in her for a while.

"Well, if you get tired, let me know, I'll take over." I concur. Mum looks at me with a disapproving glare. Sometimes it's clear where Rouge's death stares came from, it's an intimidating site. I stand by my offer though.

Elise seems to appreciate it, giving me an smile, hey, maybe fantasizing about beating people up makes us bad people, but I'll be evil if I get to be evil with her. Mum makes her exit, trying to hide her own amusement.

Things are messy right now, Trish and Rouge are struggling to figure out their own stuff, I don't know if I can help with that... But I do know what I can do. Reservations are for Saturday. Jasper transferred some cash to me. All I need is transport... Problem is, a taxi that far would blow my budget, and everyone I know that can drive isn't a great option. Trish has other stuff going on, Jasper and Mum would be awkward, and it seems unlikely the Monroes would be willing to give us a ride, just a feeling there.

I'm so fucking stupid.

The obvious candidate was right in front of me.

Looks like I have a goal for tomorrow.