Chapter 10

“Hey sorry I’m late….” Carmen shook her head. “A client wasn’t satisfied with her hair so I had to stay back…so what movie do you wanna rent?” “The Notebook?” Carmen made her way through the shelves of DVDs, thumbing her way through the movies starting with N. “Here,” she took it out and held it in front of her. “That’s like a chick flick,” Shane took the DVD over from her and squinted at the back of it. “I’m a chick Shane, so pick out the movies you want,” Shane grabbed a number of movies and Carmen realised she had an eclectic taste. They settled in the jeep and Shane switched on the radio. Her fingers tapped the wheel to the beat and she bobbed her head. Carmen looked over and smiled. Maybe they really could be friends and this movies’ night seemed to be a great start. She mulled over that thought until they reached Shane’s house.

“Jenny’s out,” Shane said as she unlocked the door and flicked on the lights. Carmen settled on the couch and stretched her back. She caught Shane looking at the exposed skin of her stomach with the rising hemline and Shane looked quickly away. “So you wanna watch the Notebook first?” “Kay,” Carmen grabbed the cushion and hugged it. Shane took off her jacket and sat down on the couch. She was so close, her thigh was touching hers. She draped her arm around Carmen and for a moment, she resisted. She didn’t want to upset the comfortable camaraderie that had been between them the whole night but maybe it was okay for her to just lie her head on her shoulder. Carmen shifted and rested her head on Shane’s shoulder.

Shane looked down at the top of Carmen’s head. Carmen had been quiet ever since the movie started and she guessed she was absorbed with watching it. She had no interest in the movie whatsoever. Not that it was a chick flick but she couldn’t help looking at Carmen’s hint of cleavage revealed by the neckline of her shirt. Damn, she shouldn’t be checking out her friend’s boobs. She dragged her gaze reluctantly away and stared straight ahead. When the credits appeared, she shook Carmen gently on the shoulder. Was she asleep? She heard a faint sniffle and leaned forward. “Carmen?” Carmen’s eyes were blood-shot and tears were running down her cheeks. Panic ran through her and she knelt down on the floor, her palms cradling Carmen’s face. “Carmen, are you okay?”