Chapter 3


Dana sits in the passenger seat, sneaking sly furtive glances at Alice who seems to be concentrating intently on the traffic as she drives to her apartment. She wants to start a conversation to alleviate the silence but nothing comes to mind, she berates herself it’s Alice funny sarcastic Alice why can’t I talk to her? She sighs under her breath and wonders if she’ll ever feel comfortable around her friend.
“Dana, do you want to listen to the radio?” If someone doesn’t break the silence Alice thinks she’s going to scream.
“Yeah whatever, I’m easy, well not oh god, Al is it always going to be like this.”
“I hope not that’s why we’re having the talk to stop this awkwardness that’s between us.”

She switches the radio on just as Dana decides to do the same, as their hands touch they both feel the electricity as they make contact. They allow their fingers to entwine for a few seconds then hurriedly move them apart, the car is filled with the dulcet tones of Suzanne Vega and her velvety voice singing Caramel, god need to change this station quick to romantic, to near the bone to their feelings, Alice switches station and is glad when Marilyn Manson is playing then she realises that its Tainted Love. She thinks its a conspiracy the next thing is Dido will be singing, maybe silence is better.

Alice is so grateful when they pull up outside her apartment, no more angst ridden songs, stupid radio, not everyone is into romance who are you kidding, its what you want, you want the dream, the sweet gestures the lingering looks, you want it so much that it hurts.

Dana sits in the seat thinking let me out of this suffocating atmosphere take me back to the fighting and joking Alice and Dana, I can’t cope with this tension, god her lips are so inviting, I really want to kiss her, god control your hormones you’re engaged you shouldn’t be having thoughts like this especially about Al she’s your best friend she’s not an object of lust

“Are you coming in or do you want to stay here?”
“No I’m good.”

Alice walks ahead her keys dangling in her hands, she is imagining holding Dana kissing that mouth that her mouth is beginning to get really acquainted with, hold on she’s engaged what happened to talking things through,don’t complicate things any further.

She quickly opens the door allowing Dana to enter even though every instinct is telling her she should slam the door and lock it and leave her outside, she’s safe there.

“Do you want a coffee?”
“No thanks Al, I think we should just sort this out so that we can go back to what we do best.”
“Take the mickey and bait each other?”
“That as well but your my best friend you’ ve been there for me so much and I hate feeling awkward around you.”
“Right there with you, but I don’t know how to start.”
“Alice Piesceki lost for words, hold the front page.”

Alice reaches her arm to playfully punch her friend for the comment but Dana moves out of the way, and she punches empty air. Dana moves into the living room and sits on the sofa casually resting her arms by her sides. Alice joins her and they sit together trying to avoid their legs touching. Alice opens her mouth to say something but Dana’ s proximity is unerving her, she wants nothing more than to be held in those strong arms she yearns to feel Dana’s touch, she tries to control her emotions but a fact hits her, we’re alone in my apartment no-one knows we’re here, as the thought invades her head she swallows and gingerly moves her hand so that it’s resting on Dana’s knee. Dana looks at her with a surprised gaze at her action but behind the surprise there is another look which is fighting for supremacy, its the look of want of need and lust all rolled into the one package.

Alice seeing the look knows she should stop this but how to fight the burning desire that look is instilling in her, she moves her hand up and down Dana’s muscled leg, Dana places her own hand on Alice’s leg and mirrors the movement of her friend. Alice is gaining in confidence but more than that in need she wants to possess Dana, she longs to hear her crying out her name she is about to slide her hand further up when she hears the sound of a key turning in the lock.

The noise brings them both to their senses, Dana snatches her hand away as if its been burnt as Alice does the same. They look up to see an emotional Tina on the verge of collapse, Alice reaches up and takes her before she falls. Dana watches thinking great timing Tina.

Tina senses the tension even in her state and knows she’s interrupted something important, a fact that becomes more apparant as Dana jumps up and flees the apartment like a pack of wild dogs is after her. Alice watches her go and sighs deeply so much for talking, she pushes Dana thoughts to the back of her mind as she concentrates on the broken woman in her arms. One thing at a time.