A Real Lot

As our lips break apart, Elise falls into my arms and rests her head against my shoulder. As confident as I was a minute ago, a part of me really didn't expect it to go this well. It's almost enough to distract me from the immediate issue.

"Oh, you're getting soaked!" Elise says suddenly, picking up her umbrella and holding it above us both, and looking back into my eyes. "Not that I'm complaining, but, you seemed so angry, why did you come back?" Ah. Some of these details will not reflect well on me. I suppose they shouldn't though, I wasn't exactly the best over the last 48 hours.

I explain everything, my misunderstanding, falling out with Rouge, my spiralling into depression, and... My ill-advised dalliance with Trish... Better to be honest...

"So, Trish is Bi?" Elise asks. Yeah. She's gonna end me. "Oh, don't worry, I get why that happened, I'm just thinking if she's an option should I settle for you?" She adds, with a smug grin on her face. Okay, I deserve that one.

"Well, she said she's not interested in relationships, just sex, so I guess you're stuck with me." I smile back. "I did bring your clothes though, does that get me any points?"

Elise considers this for a moment before replying. "That depends, did you wash them like you said?" She asks.

"Er... No... Sorry..." I answer honestly. It's not like I was in the mood the last couple of days. This answer causes Elise to move her face closer to my ear.

"Good." She decides with a whisper. Wow. That went from zero to a hundred real fast.

"You know, stuff got so dramatic, I forgot you're secretly hornier than sin." I admit.

"True." She concurs. "But I am still a lady! So you've got to earn my hand! Where are you taking me for a date?" She continues, sticking up her nose. Gotta say, it's good having my best friend back. Are we still best friends? Are we girlfriends now? Is that too soon? I've got to stop questioning this stuff. Still, she's right, what declaration of affection is complete without an actual plan? Really wish I'd have thought about that before.

Elise sighs with a smile. "You know, movies are fun, I'm free after school tomorrow?" She decides for me. Not like I'm complaining.

"It's a date." I confirm. "But I buy the popcorn." I have to have a little bit of dignity. Some time passes as we let the rain clear, but it's soon clear enough to go our separate ways. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but Elise's parents getting home and finding her not there while she's "off sick" would be pure sorrow.

As she begins walking away I line up next to the bus stop, nothing in sight, but before I can settle in and wait I feel familiar lips on mine again.

"Okay, I'm really going now." Elise sighs, almost skipping as she heads away toward her house. Well, this is the part where I wake up, right? Or I come into school tomorrow and it turns out she never existed? I don't know why I insist nothing good can happen. Rouge would probably slap me again if she heard me now. I owe her a lot for today. Maybe I should get her something? I don't really know what she likes though. Vodka? Maybe not after the other night. My pondering is interrupted as a familiar car pulls up in front of me.

"Well, well, well." Announces Jasper's voice. "Looks like we've got a truant." He mocks. I know I was a dick to him before, but I can't help but smile at his presence.

"I had a free afternoon, came to give some clothes back to a friend." Not technically a lie. "Any chance you can give me a lift?" I continue. I'm pushing my luck, but Jasper's too responsible for his own good.

"Well... I am heading to see Mum anyway... But then you were a twat yesterday... Lots to think about..." He thinks aloud with faux indecision. I roll my eyes as I walk round to the driver's side, letting myself in. "It's good to see you back to yourself. I take it things are sorted?"

"Yeah... I'm sorry, you were right, it turns out I was giving up on myself too easily, I shouldn't have said those things." I apologise as the car begins to move. I have a feeling I'm going to be doing that a lot. The apologies, not the car ride. "Congratulations on the baby, you're going to be an awesome dad."

"Do me a favour and tell that to Mum, will you? She's more nervous than me, and that's saying something. Her and Minnie are in a battle over whether the baby get's the whole 'Red' naming convention. Though, looking at you, I can see why she's worried." He explains before poking me in the side of the head. "Did you have to lose the name? What are you now? Seafoam? Turquoise?" He laughs.

I'd almost forgotten my hair had changed, everything kicked off so quickly I never got a chance to show it off. That reminds me!

"Same name, just more me. It was your friend Anya that did it, do you remember her?" I explain, causing a surprised look on my brother's face.

"Anya? Anya's not a friend, she's my ex!" He clarifies. Oh. Oh no. "Went out for a few months until we stopped in at that bar on Low Street, turns out it's a gay bar, doesn't bother me, until my girl leaves with the bartender!" He continues with a cackle. "Turns out, she was in the closet the whole time, fair enough, I think, nothing to be done. So I go to another bar, drown my sorrows, and I bump into one Minerva Guile, so win-win really."

Wow, I knew he came home drunk one night with Minnie propping him up and she just never left, but I didn't know the full story. The bit that I commit to memory is the bar on Low Street. Might be a nice place to hang out with Elise where no one knows us.

"Not quite how she told the story, but, if it helps, she's still with the bartender, so maybe you can have a double wedding!" I joke. Bad joke. Why did I do that? Damn it, romance has turned me into a romantic.

"Yeah, not likely! Still, your turn next, you got a plus one for the reception?" Jasper retorts. Really shouldn't have made that joke.

Yes, my dear supportive brother, actually, I'm gay, and I'd love to bring my girlfriend to your wedding. A request I know you won't deny because I know you as a human being respect different sexualities.

That easy. It'd be that easy. But it's not what I say.

"I'm content as I am, Rouge is the popular one, maybe see if you can fit her fan club in?" Is what I actually respond. I know it seems stupid, but I can't handle the drama of telling people and them insisting how supportive they are and me having to figure out if they're telling the truth or not.

We reach the house before he has a chance to pry further. We make our way inside and Jasper shouts a greeting to Mum, who I hear from the kitchen. Another wrong I need to right. I follow Jasper through, to find Mum writing at the dinner table, she doesn't look up as we enter. It's hard to think what to say, I really left her out in the cold.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my hair." Is all that comes out of my mouth, causing Mum's eyes to fly round to me, followed by her standing up with a shocked look on her face. "If it makes you feel better it'll grow out eventually!" I add, forcing a smile.

No words return to me, just a hug. Mum pulls me in, taking a deep breath.

"Well, I think you look lovely" I hear her finally answer. "But don't scare me like that. I told you to talk to me if you were having trouble." She adds. I know she's right, but it's easier not to know the obvious sometimes.

"You're right, it wasn't anything serious, just an argument with a friend." I explain as I move away. "I acted like a brat, I'm sorry."

"Aah... I think I get it... Boy trouble?" She asks knowingly. What is it with people and my love life today? A disapproving look from me puts an end to that line of speculation. "Fine, fine! I won't ask. But are you using protection?" Oh. My. God. Is this Hell? I fell in front of a car and went to Hell, didn't I?

"Psst. She's doing it on purpose." Reveals Jasper, a fresh cup of tea in his hand. "Used to do it to me all the time when I was your age. I've already used that angle today Mum, maybe give it a couple of days." He continues, drawing a disappointed look from our mother's face.

"Shame. Well, Rouge said she wanted a word when you got in, her and her friend are upstairs, do you know her?" Mum advised, must be Trish, weird she came her rather than home, wonder what Rouge wants. That's stupid. I know the answer. They want gossip.

I make my way upstairs, past my room and knock on Rouge's door.

"Come in!" Answer two voices at once. Followed by sounds of disapproval from Rouge's voice as I enter.

"What? We knew it was her!" Trish answers, Rouge presumably annoyed at her inviting people into someone else's room. Rouge is sat at her desk, working on her laptop, some things don't change. Trish has made herself at home on Rouge's bed, laying across it with her head dangling up-side down off the edge, her long white hair cascading to the floor. "You! In! Details!" She orders, sitting up and patting the space on the bed.

I obey and take my seat on the bed. I explain the situation, what happened, what I said. Rouge listens while working, Trish reacts as if she's in a pantomime to each new piece of information.

"Oh good, you kissed her, then didn't fuck her. We're officially back to two days ago." Responds Rouge with her usual level of sarcasm.

"What, you think I should have fingered her in a bus stop?" I answer. I know Rouge isn't being serious, but sarcasm begets sarcasm.

"You tried to fuck me in a bathroom. Like, this morning." Trish counters. Damn it, can't we just forget that?

"Once again. Very sorry." I reply, scrunching my eyes to try and purge the embarrassing memory. "But I did good, right? Like, I felt like I was in an old film."

Rouge sighs, still typing away. "Do you need approval for all your decisions? You got the girl, what do you want, a cookie? Just don't blow the date and you're golden."

"Aww, leave it out, you're proud of her really!" Trish decides. "And hey, with those two going off together it leaves you and me-" She begins, before getting precisely cut off.

"Never gonna happen." Rouge answers, looking directly at Trish, halting her typing momentarily, a sense of tedium in her voice. "This one's been begging for a shot at me since the party." She explains for my benefit. Wow. No wonder Trish tried to get me to help. That was brutal. Begs the question as to what happened when they were drinking after I went to bed to give her so much confidence.

"Attempt number 28." Trish explains. "But I'm seeing a crack in the armour. Few hundred more chat-up lines and it's a sure thing!" She continues with a sly smile. I'm taken aback, but what sticks out is Rouge's reaction. Going to have to ask her about that later. "But more importantly... We need to discuss your strategy for tomorrow." Trish concludes, rubbing her hands together.

Given what I've seen of Trish's flirtation... I'm not sure I'm going to follow this advice.