*

“So you see, she really didn’t do anything,” Jenny told Carmen, her voice silky and comforting as she stroked Carmen’s arm. It was about 3 or 5 day’s after the ‘upset’.

“She could have stopped it if she wanted to Jen. She didn’t. Plus isn’t Drew still there?”

“Well, yeah-”

“Well then nothing!”

“Carmen! We need the money. Drew is a nice person. God, you know that! It was just a mistake. One that Drew made not Shane,” Jenny protested, getting fed up with this already. Carmen sighed raggedly and raked a hand through her hair, nibbling her lip as she did so. She thought of something else that tugged at her heart and she noticeably cringed.

“Listen, ultimately you have to decide what to do. But this is stupid. You love Shane, she loves you Nothing has changed. Drew feels horrible and- Just. You know- er!” Jenny yelled as loud as Jenny could, which wasn’t very loud but Carmen still flinched. “Sorry,” She whispered softly. “I’m just- frustrated. Okay. You know, it’s up to you Car. I understand your worries and all that other *****, but I just can’t stand to see Shane hurting like this. You know it’s her birthday tomorrow-”

“I know,” Carmen whispered softly as if that meant something- something with some strong hidden meaning.

“Okay, yeah so We’re having a party for her and Moira’s also coming tomorrow, so it’s kind of a dual party. So if your not coming for Shane, at least come to meet Moira, then if you still want, you can leave. It would just mean a lot to me,” Jenny said, her hand stroking Carmen’s arm as she stood. Her eyes where comforting but disappointed as she gazed down at Carmen. Carmen nodded and bit her bottom lip some more. Her face was faraway but Jenny knew she’d heard.

“I’ll let myself out,” Jenny practically whispered.

“Jenny?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you- For, you know, coming over. Thanks for everything Jen.” Jenny smiled behind Carmen’s back as she stared out the window, deep in thought. She nodded and shut the door behind her. God, how she hoped Carmen would make the right decision.

*

“Go the ***** away!” Shane mumbled from behind her bedroom door.

“Shane!” Jenny said determinedly. Shane was immediately there, she flung the door open angrily. The only thing that Jenny was happy about at all was the fact that Shane hadn’t turned to drugs to recover from the break with Carmen. She was clean, that much Jenny was sure of. Other then that, there was nothing that made her happy about how Shane was acting. She was so angry. Mostly angry at herself for letting herself trust someone with her heart again. Jenny sadly knew, she could never, ever, do it again. It made her want to cry every time she saw her friends poor broken face and saw the hatred there, but she stayed positive for her, trying to make up for Shane’s lack of.

“What? I’m not ***** goin’! I’m sorry Jen, I know it means a lot to you, but I really care ***** all!”

“Shane I know that’s not true,” Jenny said. Her voice neither hurt, nor accusing, just simply telling Shane to cut the bullshit for tonight.

“If I go everyone’s gunna want to celebrate and pat me on the *****’ back. I hate birthday’s. Who the ***** thought it be a great idea to make such a fucken big deal out of *****’ becoming a year older. ‘Oh yay! I’m closer to death! Woop-di-fucken-doo!’” Shane mocked. Jenny almost laughed.

“I don’t really like celebrating my own birthday’s either, it’s so corny. Like you want people to know and be happy for you. But you don’t-”

“I just don’t!”

“Yeah well I’ll tell them to cut the happy birthday ***** since it’s obviously not a happy birthday, but just come to meet Moira?” She was taking a taxi from the airport to The Planet, where they’d be celebrating. It was late and Kit had closed up just for the occasion.

Shane threw her head into her hands and grunted, “Fine.” Angrily. Jenny knew not to press so she simply backed out of the room and mouthed ‘thank you’.