CHAPTER 6

Chance:
The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause.
A force assumed to cause events that cannot be foreseen or controlled; luck: Chance will determine the outcome.
The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability. Often used in the plural: Chances are good that you will win. Is there any chance of rain?
An accidental or unpredictable event.
A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity: a chance to escape.
A risk or hazard; a gamble: took a chance that the ice would hold me.

One week later – Coco’s Club – Manhattan

It didn’t went so bad.
Shane was starting to think that maybe – maybe – she could really make it.
Being near Carmen and never touching her. Talking with Carmen about trivial things. Having dinner, sometimes breakfast with her. Waiting for her while she’s out working, producing some new bands, during the day. Observing her from the bar when she spins, at night.
Carmen seems less tensed, more reassured and she’s even friendly, sometimes.
She doesn’t look at Shane like she’s about to tear her clothes and fuck her wherever they are.
That’s good.
They are not friends, though.
There is something else going on between them. Something unsaid, unspoken, unseen and invisible.
But existing.
What are you gonna do if you have feelings for someone and you must keep running away from them?
What are you gonna do if she has feelings for you and she keeps running away from them?

Flashback

Eight o’clock in the evening and Shane still cannot stop walking back and forth, biting her nails.
Alone in her room, lights switched off and that gift-wrapped laying on the bed.
Shane gives a look full of expectations at it.
Pink crape paper. A sparkling yellow ribbon.
And her wallet that is now completely empty.
At the same time, Shane feels so whole, so absolutely happy about her gift for Carmen.
And so fucking nervous, at the same time.
She has spent the whole afternoon visiting boutique after boutique looking for the right outfit.
And she’s sure Carmen will like it.
The only problem is that she can’t find the guts to deliver it.
In a little more than a hour they’ll be leaving for the very fashionable Coco’s Club in Manhattan and she wants Carmen do wear what she has chosen so carefully.
She picks up the phone and presses Carmen’s room number.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Shane’s hand tightened on the receiver.
“Hello?”. Carmen’s voice and some noise in the background. A hairdryer, surely.
“Uh, hey Carmen, it’s me”.
“Hey”.
“Hey”. Shane smiles a little, feeling her heart bumping into her chest just at sound of her voice.
“Uhm… I need to see you”.
“Shane, we’re going to go in one hour”.
Shane bites her lower lips.
“Yeah I know but I have to give you something. Can I come over there?”.
“…”.
“…Carm?”.
“…Yeah. Yeah, sure. The door is open”.
“Alright”.
Shane grins widely.