Forever Trust In Who We Are

LXXIX

Chapter LXXIX

After the play, Kristen was picking up the sewing kit that she had left on the right wing of the stage, when she heard giggles and smooching noises, coming from behind the crossover. As they approached she could recognize clearly one of the husky laughs and she turned in her direction to see Penny, smiling, stumble into view. Whose smile disappeared the moment she saw Kristen.

"Kiki!" She stopped in her tracks.

"Where have you been?" said Kristen, staring suspiciously at her, while she stood up. "I need to talk to you."

Giving a quick warning look to the person behind her, that remained unseen. She hurried to Kristen's side, and grabbed her by the arm to take her away, saying, "Let's grab a beer."

Kristen let her drag her away but still looked back trying to find out who the person Penny was with was. But her friend removed her quickly from the place.

A few minutes later, both girls were drinking outside the theatre's back exit. Despite being late autumn, the night was warm and windless. The stars shone in the purple sky. Except for a bunch of other actors smoking and laughing a few yards away, the street was deserted. Penny's partner in the play came to join the others.

"Listen, I won't be going on the tour with you guys," Kristen said, at last gathering the courage to do what she had gone to do. "I'm sorry."

Penny snorted a loud laugh. "It's okay! I knew Fred Flintstone wouldn't let you out of Bedrock, but he was kind of fun to poke, I guess."

"Come again?" Kristen was suddenly taken aback by her friend's unexpected response.

Penny laughed harder, "His face when I insisted you come! Oh, God. Priceless!"

"So you only asked me to go just to pick on him?" Kristen spat, frowning.

"Of course not!" Penny held her hands up. "Honey, I want you to come more than anything! Everyone does. And we're planning to have so much fun!"

"But you said—"

"Look, knowing you guys, I was sure there was not a chance, you'd come. Still, I risked it. To see if you'd show some backbone." She punched Kristen's shoulder.

Kristen looked down, embarrassed.

"Hey," Penny hugged her. "I'm sorry. I didn't do it to fuck up with you." She rolled her light blue eyes. "Or maybe a little, okay? Sorry. I promised myself not to get mixed on your love life... or judge you, again."

"And you shouldn't have, Penn!" Kristen retorted.

"It's hard for me to shut my mouth, you know that."

With folded arms, Kristen shot a boring look at her friend, "If you really wanted me to come, you could have told me when we were alone, and then I could have prepared James, break it to him at my discretion." Using James's words left Kristen speechless, suddenly understanding his meaning. Like her, he was going to ask for something he knew his band might utterly oppose. Shit! And understood she'd been prompt to distrust him immediately. A sudden rush to go back and clear things up invaded her.

"Fine. You're right," Penny conceded, unaware of Kristen's internal turmoil. "I'm just jealous at how he's got you all for himself now. I miss you, our dance classes, and the slumber parties."

"Me too." Kristen held her again.

"Kiki!" Penny curled her arms around her.

"I really wanted to go, I did..."

"What's up with men and this trip?"

"Why?" She let Penny go, puzzled.

"Mark is also paranoid. Since he's got this important deadline and can't come, he's been an asshole. Acting all possessive and stupid. Can you believe he kinda popped the question? I think he's jealous of Neil," Penny nodded in her friend's direction.

"Oh my God, Penny! Congratulations!"

"No, no, no, no... I didn't say yes."

"N—no? Why? You guys have been together for almost two years now."

"I don't know. I don't think I'm ready," Penny's eyes went back to her companion again.

Kristen eyed her with suspicion, "Are you..." she cleared her throat, cocking her head in the direction of Penny's partner, "...with him?"

Penny tried to bite a guilty smile.

"Oh, poor Mark. Jesus!" She shook her head. "Do you love him?"

"Neil?" Penny chuckled. "No! Oh, Kiki, you're so innocent. It's just for fun. I love Mark. You know I do, but..."

"But?" Kristen arched a quizzical eyebrow.

"You know me, I'm not wife material."

"So? What are you gonna do?"

"I asked for time to think, hoping he will take it back."

"You should be honest with him," Kristen advised. "It's the least you can do."

"I know, I just don't wanna hurt him."

"You already are! Listen to me, Penelope Mitchel, as your friend, I can't let you do this to him anymore, damn it. Do things right!"

"I know, I will. Honestly, I'm trying to find a way to tell him I'll move to Los Angeles in late Spring. I can't waste time here anymore."