Carmella? The woman let the word roll off her tongue, giving the illusion that she might have an accent as she walked over to them. Nope, Carmen mumbled and shook her head, burrowing further into Shane. Carmen? Carmen Morales? Carmen made a soft sobbing noise then paused, and finally sat up, her hair flying and poking out in odd directions. A result of her hopeless attempt to become invisible. Brandy! Carmen exclaimed smiling flakily. I- her voice dried and she swallowed nervously, trying to act cool but failing miserably. I-I didnt see y-you there, Carmen finished and rolled her eyes at herself. Shane laughed nervously, not knowing yet how to act towards this new person.

Brandy laughed at her and tried to dig for a compliment. You look good, she said, almost so convincingly that everyone thought she meant it. Carmen smiled weakly and combed her hand through her massive wreck of a coif. God, I havent seen you in ages baby howve you been? Shane raised her brows protectively at the baby comment. Mmm, Carmen grunted and shrugged, her frame teetering where she sat on her knees on the couch. Shane frowned and looked around to see if anyone else was having the same reaction. Alices mouth hung open, her brain had stopped working minutes before. Danas eyes were wide and her coffee mug froze by her lips, having been forgotten perhaps even before Alices brain shut down.

Brandy didnt act put off for a second, Whos your friend? Brandy asked, her eyes meeting Shanes shaded ones for the first time. Shane didnt notice but her right shoulder dropped back and slid down the couch comfortably as the other woman stared at her. Her legs spreading open in a relaxed way and her lips parting just slightly. Tactics only used subtly when she wanted to pick someone up. Everything was done so subtly and perfectly that no one ever noticed they were being worked by her. Except when it came to Carmen. She gave her a warning look and slapped her arm selflessly. Shane jumped and cleared her throat self-consciously. The two had a silent conversation as the four onlookers-Brandy, her date, Alice and Dana- watched, baffled by what was going on.

Carmen gave her another steely eyed glare and turned back to Brandy smiling sugary sweetly, Friends, Carmen corrected, an quiet undertone of bitterness in her words. She gestured to Dana and the ever gawking Alice. They blinked when they realized they were being stared at. Hi. Alice, this is Dana, Alice offered her hand, realizing that Dana forgot how to speak, she spoke for her.

Brandy Kellar. Nice to meet you two ladies, and you are? Brandy persisted, turning back to Shane and leaning forward invitingly. Shane, Shane McCutheon. Nice to meet you Brandy, Shane offered her hand and held for a second longer then Brandy expected she would, and even then, she didnt miss a beat. Shane finally gave in, this woman was cool she was confident, she was for real. She wanted to know how Carmen knew her so bad, it hurt, but noticing that Carmen wanted this conversation to be over as quickly as possible, she saved her.

Hey baby, we have to go pick up Angelica remember? Carmen blinked and smiled broadly, wrapping an arm around Shane and leaning into her, completely forgetting about Brandy whats-her-name. Thats right, uh we cant be late. So sorry to eat and run but we must be off- Carmella? Brandy called, just before the two where out the door. Si? Carmen asked, her head falling in despair as she turned around. Im going to call you, Brandy said with a wink and disappeared with her extremely confused companion. Carmen hung her head and sighed, shoving out the door with Shane in tow.