“Well I would have asked you but I got a little turned off by your declaration that time that you didn’t love me.” The words were out of Alice’s mouth before she could think about it, and once they were out in the open, they were immediately regretted.

“Al I” This was Dana’s opportunity to tell Alice how much she hated what she had said, and how much she really did still love her. However, those sort of things aren’t as easy as they seem. And rather than have to face her true feelings and admit to Alice that what she did was wrong, Dana decided on the defensive route. “It wasn’t without due cause”

“What?” Alice moved up from the lounge, causing all of the alcohol she had drunk to move straight to her head. She stumbled slightly as she talked. “Is that why you came here? To lecture me?”

Alice could feel the alcohol in her body already taking a firm grasp over her inhibitions. There was no doubt that in a more sober context, Alice wouldn’t have pursued Dana’s comment at all. Unfortunately the six or seven drinks Alice had already consumed proved that this was, if anything, a sober context.

“What is your deal?” Alice asked suddenly, causing a surprised Dana to turn and face Alice. “Honestly Dana. You hate me for something that happened several months ago. Something I didn’t do on purpose and that I have tried to explain to you and yet you just can’t get over it. I have spent the last eight months hating myself for what I did and waiting for your forgiveness but I don’t think I can do it anymore!”

“You’re drunk Alice,” Dana replied quietly, looking at the carpet intensely.

“No I’m not,” Alice whispered desperately. “I am tired and emotionally drained but that is it. Do not think that what I am saying to you is simply the result of intoxication.”

“Fine then, you aren’t drunk you’re simply rude,” Dana retorted before standing up in an effort to go. “Alice I’m not expecting you to hold some big burden for my sake. But you cheated on me that eight months ago and it broke my heart. It isn’t as simple as you make it out to be and I’m not in the state of mind to forgive you, not by a long shot.”

“Why the fuck not?” Alice exclaimed. “Jesus Dana! This is what I mean! You are so bloody stubborn! Just forgive me and you’ll feel better and I’ll feel better and generally we will lift up the standards of living in LA. And as for that stuff about cheating, well that’s all bollocks. It was one stupid kiss that Gabby pushed on me and I felt nothing. And regardless of that kiss and the eight months we haven’t talked I have and always will care for you Dana and it hurts me to know that you think otherwise.”

“What? Just like it hurts me to know that I fell in love with a cheap, back-stabbing, fucking media whore Alice?” Tears streamed down Dana’s face as she yelled back, unable to hide her feelings behind a mask of propriety any longer. “I loved you and you fucked it all away on some sleazy kiss with Gabby that got you two days worth of talk in some crappy tabloid. How can I possibly forgive you for that? Huh? When I know that I was not only tricked and manipulated by someone, but that I fell for their game so badly that even after they hurt me I’m actually still in love with them. I don’t want to forgive you Alice. Ironically all I want you to do is disappear from sight again so I can get on with my life.”

Dana pushed past Alice and walked out the door, wiping the tears from her eyes as she went, leaving a shell-shocked Alice in her wake.

“Well fuck me,” Alice sighed before running out the door to follow Dana, through the extensive crowd in The Planet and out the front door.

“Where the fuck did you go Fairbanks,” Alice murmured to herself as she scanned the area, not able to make out one figure that resembled her ex even slightly.