Shane stared at the girls in shock, and her expression was very much mirrored.
*****, muttered Shane under her breath.
Shane, you didnt get her name?! This is new, even for you, stated Dana.
NoI, I did. I heard wrong I guess. Man I thought she said Lori! I never woulda guessed it was her, that Lauren chick. She smiled recollecting their time together. She was hot she trailed off as her fingers traced her lips, remembering the sweet taste of Lauren.
The girls looked at her, incredulous. Shane would never cease to amaze them. Alice was more vocal in her opinion.
Man, Shane, do you know how huge this is?? she cried. This is, itsits a momentus occasion! The two most major hubs on the chart, TOGETHER! Oh my God, I love my chart. Genius I tell you, babbled Alice, barely able to contain herself.
Alice. Calm down. It was just *****. Shes a gorgeous girl, but she is no different to other beautiful girls Ive been with, said Shane. With that, she grabbed her phone and wallet, uttered a goodbye and made her way to work. And yet, even as the words escaped her lips, she couldnt help but wander if there couldve been more to it. No she said to herself silently. It would never be more. Because more means feelings, and feelings mean pain. Dont be stupid McCutcheon.



Shane walked slowly home after a quick appointment nearby, dawdling and in a vague state of mind. She was stumped. Why couldnt she get into it? Alex was beautiful but she just couldnt get herself to perform as she usually did. Going down on Alex felt like a duty for some reason. Not particularly pleasurable, and she found herself wishing she was elsewhere. That NEVER happened.

All of a sudden, she looked up, hearing yelling voices coming from across the road. Shane squinted, trying to make out who it was, and if she knew em or not.

Please please please do not do this, cried a familiar voice. She was surrounded by what seemed to be every belonging she owned. Bags, small items of furniture, bits and pieces, everything. It was Lauren, her fair hair billowing wildly around her face, Shanes heart beating slightly faster at the sight.
***** YOU LAUREN!!! YOURE A STUPID ***** ! YOURE GOING AROUND SLEEPING WITH THE WHOLE *****, BISEXUAL, CURIOUS POPULATION OF LA!!!! WHAT THE ***** IS UP WITH THAT?? yelled the petite redhead. Cute, thought Shane before quickly forcing herself to pay attention. Lauren sighed, putting her hand to her forehead.
Cass, please, sshhh begged Lauren. You cannot kick me out, Ill have nowhere –
I dont give a *****! sneered Cassie, her voice icy. You broke my heart Lauren! her tone changed dramatically to soft and hurt. I loved you Lauren, and we were beautiful together, started Cassie.
No! Cassie, baby, we werent together! I TOLD you this would happen. It was just ***** Cass, thats it! I told you not to expect anything more. I knew this was a ***** dumb thing to do. Didnt I say that? That we shouldnt because I knew you would want more?
I know, but Lauren, I can change your mind. I know youre not into relationships right now, I know that. But we could be really good you and me, I LOVE you. And, you dont know it right now, but you love me too, you do, we can make this work.
Ugh! Cassie! No. We were friends. I told you, friends do not have *****, and you insisted we could keep it platonic later. I only slept with you coz you looked so damn cute. I like you a lot, I do, youre my friend and I adore you. Do you see how ***** ***** with friendship?? Asked Lauren, exasperated. Lauren could feel her chest tightening, her breath shortening. The world was closing in on her. How did her life get so screwed up and unbalanced so quickly?

Shane looked on in amusement, taking it all in, but pitying Lauren all the same.

Fine, ***** you! claimed Cassie and turned on her heel, entering the house.
Wait! Cass! If you love me, do you really want me out on the streets? asked Lauren desperately. She was playing her final card, and was fully aware of that fact.
I really couldnt give a ***** about that. You dont care about anyone but yourself so I dont see why the tables should be turned on you. And with that, Cassie slammed the door in Laurens gorgeous face.
Lauren collapsed on the pavement, her head in her hands. For once in her life, she was truly at a loss at what to do when suddenly, a tall figure stood over her.
Quite a scene you put on there, said Shane, a smile playing on her beautiful lips.
Lauren looked up, her shock obvious on her face. Shane! What are you, um, hi. Hi, Lauren stuttered. She groaned, had Shane really seen that horrendous spectacle?
Hello. Um, is there anything I can do to help?
Heh. Find me a place to live. Muttered Lauren, feeling her misery to its extent.
Ok. You can stay with me and Jenny, said Shane simply.
I – what? What? Really? asked Lauren excitedly, but trying not to get her hopes up.
Sure. We just kicked out our other roommate, Mark. Fucken psycho. He was a voyeur, through and through.
Lauren grinned. That would be fantastic! And, you dont have to worry about rent. I have a job and everything so I can easily pay my way.
Awesome. Then its settled. And Jenny shouldnt mind at all. Weve been looking for a new roomie to replace Mark. A pause. Are you sure you wouldnt mind living with someone youve fucked? Friendship and ***** doesnt really work ya know. Stated Shane.
Lauren laughed. No, it should be okay. Youre not in love with me right? she joked playfully.
No, that I am not.
Well its fine with me. But what about you? Do you mind living with someone youve been with?
Absolutely not. I can do platonic verrry well. For the second time that day, Shane wandered how genuine her words were.
After lugging all Laurens belongings to Shanes place, they fixed themselves a coffee and collapsed on the couch.
So, okay, the thing is, we only have 2 bedrooms. Said Shane slowly. She had forgotten to mention this little detail before.
Well where did Mark sleep? asked Lauren skeptically.
Couch. He said he was happy just having a roof over his head, and we were happy for less rent.
Mmkay. Well, Im not a big fan of couches, said Lauren slowly.
Ok, well you can share with either me or Jenny.
mmm, yeah I know Jenny so well. Are you nuts? Im not sharing with someone I dont know. Who Ive never met! Im sleeping with you babe, get used to it, smiled Lauren.
Shane giggled. I truly dont mind. Coming home to a beautiful girl in my bed every night, what more could I want? asked Shane flirtatiously. It was Laurens turn to laugh.
*****? she offered.
Haha. Funny. Thats not what I meant. But it would be nice, smiled Shane slyly.
Well too bad. Im not big on repeated sexcapades right now. Once, and once only. Unless its in the same night. Thats ok.
Ok, well speaking of *****, I have a question to ask you began Shane.
Yes? Am I gonna like this conversation?
I hope so. Coz I think I might enjoy it.
Well please, do tell, said Lauren.
OK, well first of all, before we get to the good stuff, why didnt you tell me I was calling you by the wrong name when I was calling you Lori?
Hahaha. I thought you were like calling me by a nickname you made up or something. It wasnt until later I realized you had just got it wrong. But I thought it was cute so I just let you keep going, was her answer.
Right. Fair enough. Secondly, were the one who added your name to mine on the chart? asked Shane with a glint in her eye.
Lauren blushed slightly. Heh. Yeah, I did. I know, I hate people who keep linking my name to theirs, like I dont want the whole world to know who Im sleeping with. But, um, I guess I justlook, you are the hottest person in LA. I was freaking proud to have slept with you. End of story. It was Shanes turn to blush. Uncontrollably.
Well, Thankyou. Thats quite a compliment. I was pretty chuffed that you did though.
Wait. Now I have a question.
Shoot, said Shane.
Do you like check the chart regularly to see if people added you? How would you know?
Shane smiled. My friend Alice started the chart, and she regularly informs me. Thats how I knew about you, she replied casually.
Oh. Ok, cool.
Speaking of the chart, Alice says, and I quote, that your list is growing exponentially. 120 in the last month, eh? asked Shane grinning.
Heh. You know your stuff.
That I do.
its, well, hmm. I dont know if I should, like, go into it. Oh what the *****, I think I should be able to tell you, she said, looking at Shanes expectant face. A quick thought ran through Shanes head, before she could catch it. Ha ha! Sucked in Al, Im getting the goss you were desperate for! Except it wasnt gossip anymore. It was just Lauren. Her friend, Lauren. Who obviously trusted her enough to let her in on this.
Ok well, I was in New York for a while, for my job. Im a stylist and I got this offer for a cool job on a movie. Angelina Jolie, ***** yeah, I wasnt gonna pass that up. Anyway, Im in New York and I met Nicky. She was typical New York Socialite. Millionairess. Her husband owned some flashy computer company. So, one thing led to another. We started sleeping together, pretending I was hooking her up with some designer threads, we snuck around, and uhI fell in love. Well I thought I did. Im not entirely sure if Ill ever get the kinda love I had with Eliza – anyway, off the point. Her son tried to crack onto me too, he was a hottie, but as you know, not a big fan of males. I told him how I was ***** and I had a girlfriend here in New York. Well he eventually put two and two together and told his father. Goodbye Nicky, goodbye incredible new job, goodbye New York. So I guess Ive been trying to heal my broken heart. Finished Lauren with a slight bitterness coming through her honey-like voice.
It doesnt help. Stated Shane quietly.
Excuse me? asked Lauren.
I said it doesnt help. You try to gloss overit doesnt make it better and easier, said Shane gently, but firmly. Trust me.
So, I take it youve been in a similar situation?
Mm-hmm. You have no idea, Shane took a deep breath and proceeded in telling Lauren the whole gory story. The whole time she was talking, she constantly questioned why she was doing it. Was she insane? She hadnt even told the whole thing to her closest friends. And yet the words just continued to flow so freely, it was just too hard to try and stop them.
Jesus Christ. Sounds excruciating. Exactly how I felt. Huh. Well dont we make quite the distraught couple. Whatever, I just dont want to endure that kinda pain and rejection again. Which is why Ive been acting like I have. I dont want more than *****. Because that means feelings, which mean pain, stated Lauren matter-of-factly. Shane smiled at this, recalling her own thoughts.
Unfortunately mdear, once youve opened that door, its pretty much impossible to close. Trust me, Im still struggling with it, sighed Shane. What was with all this brutal honesty? She wasnt even this honest with herself. And in telling Lauren this stuff, she was doing just that. Admitting to herself that was something there. She wasnt dead inside, no matter how hard she tried.

Ok, well Shane considering our issues on friendship and *****, are you absolutely positive that its ok I stay here? asked Lauren with an inquiring eye.
Oh my God, yes, of course. Ugh, dont even worry about it. Look, were 2 mature adults, we both agree that they dont mix, end of story. Itll be fine, said Shane reassuringly.
Ill take your word for it, smiled Lauren.

2 hours, 2 bottles of red wine later

The two women had spent two hours talking, and laughing, and discovering differences and quirks about each other. At first, the similarities and likenesses were easy to spot. However, on closer investigation, it was blatantly obvious that great disparities were present. Their views on life, their backgrounds, friendship groups, varied greatly. Shane took each day as it came, only worrying about what was happening at that time, not what did happen, or what would happen. Lauren was quite the neurotic crazy woman when it came to stressful situations, which she explained in detail. Another difference, Lauren was a storyteller, an extrovert, the centre of attention. Shane was also the centre of attention, though not always by choice, she preferred to keep to herself a whole lot more. Shane came from a broken family, no-one really taking an interest in her, so she had to fend for herself. Lauren had come from an over-protective, over-zealous family, who monitored every move she made.

And slowly but surely, they were finding out every detail there was to know about each other. On every possible topic.

Mmkay. Best ***** secret? asked Shane with a coy smile.
Lauren giggled. ***** secret? Like, tip or something?
Yeah.
Heh. Actually, I like to go down on a girl first when were fooling around. I like to work my magic first.
Why?! asked Shane, not seeing the logic.
Well because, it gets her hot. If I do it well enough, shell then proceed to please me so much more, smiled Lauren.
Shane looked at her, astounded. Are you serious? That works?
Oh totally. Its a very subconscious thing though, the girls very rarely notice.
Really?!
Yup.
Oooohhh so THATS why you flipped me over when I was getting ready to do my stuff, laughed Shane and Lauren joined in.
Absolutely. Didnt you notice how you performed that little bit extra?
You know what, I see where youre coming from. Totally. Now that I think about it, I did go that extra mile to put a smile on your stunning face, replied Shane.
I rest my case, shrugged Lauren.