Dana accepted, of course, and the girls started at the Planet. Alice
gave a little nod to the others, but sensing Dana’s hesitation, she
then waved them off again, giving Bette a little wink. They found
a small table in the corner, and Alice, in a boring voice, began to
tell the story about the history of LA, which she barely knew, and was
just pulling out of her *****. Dana was laughing histerically, when she
accidentally exclaimed, “You’re so beautiful!”



Feeling extremely dumb, Dana lowered her head to the table, realising
that she had just messed up big time. You’re so beautiful? Well, duh,
Dana, she’s amazing, but did you have to scare her off in the first
hour!!!!



Alice, on the other hand, was feeling incredible. She liked this woman
the moment their eyes met, and she knew Dana had to be attracted to her
in some way, especially if she would come back to find her. Oh, and not
to mention, Alice caught Dana glance at Alice’s ***** as she pulled her
into The Planet… which made her day. Alice looked at Dana, who was
growing more uncomfortable by the minute. She replied, “I think you’re
beautiful too. Oh, listen, earlier, I forgot to tell you my last name,
you know, just in case you ever need to look me up, and I’m not
here…heh… well, it’s Pieszecki. “



“Oh, ok, um. Fairbanks. Dana Fairbanks.” Dana was wondering if Alice
had told her she was beautiful just to lighten the mood and make her
feel better. Still, even if it was said only to brighten her spirits,
it was enough.



“Ok, well, how about we hold off on the whole LA history stuff. I want to learn more about Dana Fairbanks… what do you do?”



“Well, um, I play tennis. Professionally. Well, I’m not big, or
anything, like no one really knows my name, but, I moved her because my
parents said it would help me get my career moving. So, of course, I
agreed. And that’s really it. There’s not a lot about me, because my
life is just…tennis.”



“Hmm…that sounds… boring. But I can change that. So, listen, I really like you, and-”



“Wait, you didn’t tell me about your life. What do you do?” Dana felt
stupid changing the subject like that, but she was getting nervous.
Maybe Alice really could tell that she was a *****.



“Oh, well, Alice Pieszecki…let’s see. I’m sorta like this journalist.
And um, I’m not big either. But i have a few things going. But it’s not
my life, at all, cause I’m usually avoiding everything that has to do
with work. So, my life is really my family. And not like an ordinary
family, like the one you have. My family is made up of my friends. See
those girls over there? They’re a part of my family. But it’s totally
cool if you don’t want to meet them right now! Or..ever.”



“Did you say…a journalist?” Dana’s throat tightened. Maybe this was a
setup! Maybe they were actually on TV right now, and someone was going
to pop out with a camera and everyone including Alice’s “family” would
start laughing! And then Alice was going to grab her microphone from
her purse and say, ‘Guess what Dana, you’ve been outed!’ ” I think I
have to go..”



“What..Dana? Where are you going? Do you even know? I can help you find
that club! Please, wait!!!” Alice chased Dana out of The Planet, and
grabbed her arm. ” Dana, please, don’t go. Or let me come with you. I
just want to spend time with you.”



“Why, I’m not that interesting. There’s nothing about me you can put in your articles! Please, just, just leave me alone!”



“Dana, what are you talking about! I just wanna help you. I want to be
your friend. I want you to be a part of my family… well, one day.
‘Cause we just met, and you don’t seem to be comfortable…like…ever.
Just, tell me what’s wrong. You can trust me. I mean we just met an
hour ago, but I already know that I would never do anything to hurt
you. Uh… I mean- God… you’re so- Dana Fairbanks!” Alice had an
uneasy laugh. Alice wanted to kiss Dana so bad…she was losing
it fast.



Dana couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Did Alice really like her?
She couldn’t tell. Yet, she didn’t have any friends, and for some
reason, this girl was genuinely interested. And that face. How could
you ever walk away from that? “Alice…I want to be your friend too.
And, I’m sorry, I just, I got scared. It happens to me a lot. But i’m
feeling weird. Around you. It’s not like I’ve never felt like this with
other people before. But I’ve usually been able to hide my feelings,
and this time, it’s not happening. I think I can find the club on my
own. Maybe, we just shouldn’t be friends. Because, I really-”



“Dana, I like you . I was trying to tell you earlier before you freaked
out. Listen I know you’re…*****. And to me, that’s great because-”



“Wait, you know? Is it that obvious? Oh no, do you realize I’m
ruined…I can’t play tennis anymore! I didn’t even meet my coach and I
already know I’ll never make it because someone- someone who actually
works at their job as a journalist- is going to out me! ” Dana sat on
the curb. She felt terrible. But now, all of a sudden, her mind was set
on Alice. Alice said she liked Dana. And she was pretty sure that
before she cut her off, Alice had told her it was great. “But what’s so
amazing about me being ***** anyway? Can’t I just keep pretending I’m
straight!”



Alice joined Dana on the curb. She touched the girl’s arm,
sending chills up and down her spine. “Well, sure. If you want to suck
all your life. You may have a career, but you won’t be happy. Listen, I
know a way that you can be ***** and keep a career. You can pretend that
you’re straight…for now-until we figure out the best way for you to
come out. And when you’re not working, you can be a really, hot,
*****! And nobody has to know! Except for me. But anyway, Dana, I
told you I like you. Do you like me?”



“What does it matter? Aren’t you straight anyway?”



“Sometimes. I’m bisexual. I like everybody. ‘Cause to me, love is love,
no matter who I’m recieving it from. I just want love, you know. But
right now, I’m in…***** mode. ‘Cause I really like this girl.”



“Oh, well then I guess it doesn’t matter if i told you i liked you, right?”



“Well, actually, it would mean a lot, since you’re that girl.”



Their eyes met, and they stared at each other for what felt like
eternity. But neither girl could pull away. Alice couldn’t take it
anymore. She moved in closer and kissed Dana on the cheek. She didn’t
want to do anything more because she was afraid Dana would freak again
and make up another story about how someone walking down the street
would know she played tennis and go tell the world Dana Fairbanks was a
big *****.



But Alice was in for a suprise. Dana leaned in and kissed Alice on the
lips. Her hands were gripping the side of the curb for support, because
she was melting into Alice. Alice pulled her closer and threw her arms
around Dana. Dana moved her hands away from the curb and placed them
gently on Alice’s soft cheeks, tracing her fingers along Alice’s jaw
line. They were in heaven.



Slowly, the girls parted, Alice staring at Dana, while Dana quickly
glanced around them to make sure no one was around. She then returned
to Alice, and they both smiled. “Ok, you got me, I’m a *****. But can
you take me to this club as your straight friend? For today?”



“Sure. But after this meeting, I was wondering… do you want to hang out with me? I’ll show you more of LA.”



“I can’t think of anything better.”





Two hours later, Dana and Alice were leaving the club and jumping into
Alice’s mini. Alice reached for the tennis players hand, and gently
squeezed it. ” So, where to?”



“Well, do you think you could introduce me to your family? And then, maybe… your place?”



Alice couldn’t help but laugh. Dana looked so cute as she lowered her
head once again in embarassment. “Sorry, you just really suprise me.
First you kiss me, and now you want me to take you back to my place?
What happens after that, huh? I really hope you seduce me. I think that
would be amazing fun!”



Dana smiled. “Well, since we just met today… do you think, maybe we
could just watch a movie? As friends? I like you…so much. And I
really want to get to know you a lot better. So, do you think we could
take it slow?”



“Sure, absolutely, anything for you. But can I ask you something?”



“Yeah, ok.”



“Can friends kiss like that?”

TBC