california – hahayeah Shane was cute in the end of that chapterand yes youll get to see her in front of Carmens family in this one.

CFone – Yes, there is still hope for Tab. And it was fun writing that side of Shane

JanetMG/JadedRogue – thats a huge compliment to hear from you! Wow *blush*

TheRealJLO – Hahadefinitely not an easy feat. Thanks.


Casa de Crazy: Part One

Carmen drove down the street, the sun still high in the sky; her hair flowed slowly with the air, while her shades gleamed in the light. She moved along with the music that played. She slowed to a stop, and just when she was about to honk, she looked over to see Shane waiting at the step in front of her house”Sunglasses on, pinstripe jacket, button up shirt, and a pair of slacks thrown on to her slender figure. The look she had always appealed to Carmen, and made her want to jump her at the sight every time; instead, she flashed a smile and waved. Shane smirked and walked over. It puzzled Carmen how someone who looked confident, walked confident, and talked confidentwas actually giving signs of apprehension on the phone just a few hours ago. Carmen forced her eyes to look forward as she took in a deep breath, and gripped the steering wheel a little harder than usual. Shane opened the passenger door and seated herself, Carmen looked over, Hey, ready?

Shane buckled her seatbelt and nodded, Yeah.

Alright, she bit her lip as she drove, periodically glancing at Shane at the corner of her eye. Luckily with the shades on, Shane did not notice, as she casually sat, elbow on the armrest, her index and middle finger resting on her lips. How can such a simple pose intrigue me so much?! Carmen laughed to herself, which broke Shane from her pose.

What are you laughing at? her low raspy voice spoke.

Carmen just smiled and glanced over at her, Trying your laugh-at-yourself-therapy thing.

Are you mocking me? The car braked at the stoplight. Shane laughed and shook her head, Youre such a *****.

Her mouth gaped at the statement, Am not! Her right hand slapped Shanes thigh playfully.

Shane chuckled and raised her brow, Welldoes it work for you?

The laugh thing? She questioned, turning toward Shane to see her nod, and then quickly facing the road again once the light turned green. Um, yeah. I suppose. It turns whatever is bothering you, into something thats more workable and attainableby laughing at it, cuz then it wont be as intimidating. I think. I dont know.

Shane nodded and looked out of the window, the Sun ablaze, surrounded by only a handful of clouds, against the blue backdrop. Yeah that sounds about right

The ride went in silence after that”well, talking wise. The music still played, but even though, it was still intense for both women to just sit there while they drove to the destination.

Lately I’ve been wishing I had one desire
Something that would make me never want another
Something that would make it so that nothing matters
All would be clear again
But I guess I’ll have to settle for a for a few brief moments
And watch it all dissolve into a single second
Try to write it down into a perfect sonnet
Or one foolish line

Cause that’s all that you’ll get
So you’ll have to accept
You are here, then you’re gone

Shane listened to the song, and looked over at Carmen who focused on the road. Is she trying to tell me something with this song? She slumped into her seat slightly, and rested her head on the palm of her hand, watching the trees and houses go by. Noits just a song.

But I believe that lovers should be tied together
Thrown into the ocean in the worst of weather
Left there to drown, left there to drown
In their innocence

But as for me I’m coming to the final chapter
I read all of the pages and there’s still no answer
Only all that was before I know must soon come after
That’s the only way it can be

So I stand in the sun
And I breathe with my lungs
Trying to spare me the weight of the truth…

She gulped and pinched the bridge of her nose. She hated when songs influenced how she felt, UghI wouldnt want to be rude and tell her to turn it off though Her jaws clenched together as she sat through more of the dramatic lyrics.

Saying everything you’ve ever seen was just a mirror
You’ve spent your whole life sweating in an endless fever
And laying in a bathtub full of freezing water
Wishing you were a ghost

But once you knew a girl and you named her lover
Danced with her in kitchens through the greenest summer
But autumn came, she disappeared, you can’t remember
Where she said she was going to

But you know that she’s gone
Cause she left you a song
That you don’t want to sing…

Singing I believe that lovers should be chained together
Thrown into a fire with their songs and letters
Left there to burn, left there to burn
In their arrogance

But as for me I’m coming to my final failure
I’ve killed myself with changes trying to make things better
And ended up becoming something other
Than what I had planned to be

Carmen noticed Shanes drooping exterior and courageously decided to acknowledge it, You okay?

Shanes eyes drifted down at her lap through her sunglasses, her fingers lightly tapping her knee, Yeah. Justthe song she said, her jaw loosely hanging as she breathed.

Carmen pulled into the driveway of a house, she put the volume down and examined Shane”her eyes stare off into nowhere, and her body seemed to be in a statue-like state. Carmens hand gripped Shanes tense shoulder, HeyCarmen to Shaneis there life in there?

Huh? Yeah, Shane looked up, to see that they have already made it to the house, sorry my mind went off there.

Well, were here, she said, moving her hand off her shoulder to unbuckle her seat belt.

Shane did the same, and looked at the house, Yeah, I noticed.

Carmen opened her door as she saw her cousin, and ran over to give her a big hug. Shane gulped and bit her lip, seeing that she was the only stranger there. She ran her fingers through her hair and took in a deep breath, Okay Shanetoday is not the day to be an *****. She opened her door and slowly walked over to the two. Carmen slowly broke away from the hug, Shane Id like you to meet Anna. Anna, this is Shane.

Shane held out her hand and smiled, Hi Anna. Happy birthday. They shook hands.

Thanks Shane, nice to finally meet you.

Shane raised her eyebrow, Finally meet me? Has she talked about me? Yeah, you too.

Well, I need to get back inside, said Anna, Have to get dressed!

Okay, Carmen smiled and looked over at Shane, Now, you grab one box of records and Ill get the other. Well bring it over to the back.

Both walked back to the car to grab the boxes out of the backseat. As they carried the stuff to the backyard, Shane just had to ask while she followed Carmen, Sowhat was with the nice to finally meet you from Anna?

What do you mean?

Shane shrugged and adjusted her grip on the box, I meanshe wouldnt say that if you havent talked about me.

Carmen giggled and rolled her eyes, Oh my goodness, Shane. Like I would say anything bad about you”

So you have talked about me. She stopped, while Carmen kept walking.

I told them I was going to bring a friend, and that it was going to be you.

Shane thought for a while, and proceeded walking again, whispering, And how much do they know about me? She looked around, feeling many unfamiliar faces make assumptions about her.

Carmen placed the box on the floor underneath a table, and Shane mimicked, Well they cant know much, if I dont know much. Carmen could see Shanes eyes drift away as her hands slipped into her pockets. Shane, youll be fine. I promise. And right now, I have some more family to introduce you to.

Haha, uh, okay. A hand reached up to scratch the back of her head, a common movement in the book of Shane actions”this one interpreted to be one that expresses a rather anxiety prone feeling.

One by one, and a couple by a couple, Carmen would kindly introduce the reserved Shane who she had to nudge to keep from hiding behind those shades of hers. It seemed to Shane that each room they went into was packed with gentle faces. Shane grabbed Carmens arm to slow her down and she leaned into her ear, whispering, How many are there

Tons. Here, lets head over to the den. Meet all the kids.

Shane stood up straight, a little reluctant to follow her down the hallway to a room full of kids, Great. Love to meet the offspring She chuckled at herself again, and took in a mouthful of air before plunging into the room. She saw tons of children playing with toys, drawing, chasing each other. Then her gaze moved over towards Carmen, on her knees and giving each of them some attention, Howcute was all Shane could think of. Before she knew it, Carmen had all their attention to Shane.

Why dont you kids have a little fun with Shane? Make her feel like its her home too, she whispered to them. They all nodded, and ran over to Shane.

Whoa! her eyes went wide as each of them hugged her.

Carmen stood up and walked over to Shane, who had her hands up in the air, afraid to touch them. She laughed, Dont worry, Shane, theyre not carrying diseases.

Shane forced a smile, and then broke into laughter as well, feeling herself grow red, Dont leave me here with them.

They like you! Besides, I have a little catching up to do, and I have to set up my stuff”

Well, let me help you, I mean that is what Im here for, right? She raised her eyebrow, waiting for an answer”only to get a smile from the woman. Carmen Im not a kid person.

She sighed and touched Shanes face, Okay guys, you can stop hugging Shane for now. Carmen took Shanes hand and walked her over to the side, Shane trust me, these kids are great. Just watch them for a while, okay? I mean, they really do like you.

Shane looked into Carmens eyes, and nodded, Okayokay fine, Ill watch them for a while.

And it wouldnt hurt to have a little fun with them. You know, play with them”its very therapeutic, she smirked.

Shane just shook her head, Oh you think youre sooo funny.

Carmen began to walk away, Have fun.

Her body slowly went over to the couch on the other side of the den, away from the kids. She sat down and folded her hands on her lap. She watched them; they were all irresistibly cute, and innocent. One of them, a little boy, drifted towards Shane. He looked at her with a curious face, and Shane raised her eyebrow at him, Hello. He didnt say anything back. Shane leaned closer to him, she put her elbows on her knees, Hi. Im Shane. And you are Still the kid said nothing, Am I doing something wrong Nothingokay. Whats your favorite color? The boy rested his chin on his chest, his hair shading his eyes, and still no answer. She looked him over and noticed his hand had a cast. You wanna sit down? He looked up at Shane who patted the space next to her. He nodded and sat, mimicking Shanes first posture, folded hands, except his feet dangled out in front of him. Thats a nice cast you got there.

Thanks, he finally replied softly. ImMatthew

Matthew Shane leaned backed, Does it hurt? He just shrugged. Ah, so youre tough. Nothing gets to ya He smiled softly. She massaged the back of her neck, Sonot much of a talker?

I like the color blue

Blue, Shane nodded, Yeahgreat color.

He looked at her, and saw her holding her sunglasses in her hand, How come youre not wearing your glasses

Well, she held them up and looked at them, Im not cool enough to wear them inside. She looked at him and smirked. But hey, why dont you put them on She held them out for him, and he carefully put them on. Lookin goodbut wait, you need something else. She meticulously shaped his head of hair into the perfect messy look. Oh yesWhy dont you check yourself out in the mirror.

He looked in the mirror and a big smile appeared on his face. Shane took a breath accomplishment. He sat back down next to her. I like it.

I do too. But I think my glasses are way too big for you. Shane jumped as her phone began to vibrate, Sorry little Matthewgotta take this. She walked out into the hallway, and leaned against the wall, Hello, she said in that robotic raspy voice of hers again.

Shane, where are you?

Al? Whats up? Her eyes went left to right, seeing Carmens relatives stare at her again.

Guess who I saw

Shane sighed and rubbed her forehead, AlIm not into guessing games.

Youre no fun. GUESS! She squealed.

No, she shook her head.

I sawDianeyou know, Tabs old roomie, the murderer slash suicidal, no anger management chick.

Shane rolled her eyes. She looked up at the ceiling, Youre seeing things. Shes dead.

I couldve sworn I saw her.

I hate to tell you this, Al, but you need glasses.

Alice sighed, and changed the subject, Okay, whatever. So where are you again?

Ohum, Im at thisparty. Carmens cousins 21st birthdaybig family.

Ooooo, Alice chimed. Any good eye candy worth taking a taste test there.

Shane looked around, Um

Never mind, bad question, the only candy you want is that sweet caramel, Carmen of yours Everything else is like a tootsie roll to you.

Shane tugged at her collar, ***** you, Al.

Alice gasped, Shanes falling”

SHUT THE ***** UP! she screamed. Everybody stopped their conversations and turned to Shane. Shane went red, and muffled the phone at her neck to say Sorry, to everyone. She walked into the nearby-unoccupied bathroom, I got to go”

No! Please dont. Im dying here. Dane and her Ton Ton are dragging me along their date because they feel bad for me, and I need someone sane and uh Sane rhymes with Shane.

Shane laughed, Ahaha, damn that sucks. Im sorry. But, I really have to go. Bye Al.

NOOOOOOOO”

Shane took the phone away from her ear as she shook her head. She slowly stuck her head out of the bathroom, like a turtle. Once she saw that everybody has gone back to their own tte–tte. She quickly walked herself back into the den to see that Matthew has fallen asleep on the couch. She sat next to him and ran her fingers through Matthew’s soft hair, I dont know what it is about this kid but I see myself in him She saw a folded paper in his hand with her name on it, and she warily took it from him. She unfolded it and looked at it. It was a drawingtwo stick figure people. One tall and very slender with short hair, the other almost exactly alike, except much shorter. And to top it off, in scrawled writing it said: Me and my friend. Shane smiled warmly, and looked down at the snoozing Matthew.

The other kids walked over to her, with other drawings as well”all for Shane. She kindly thanked each of them, but kept Matthews in her jackets breast pocket. Then the kids tugged Shanes hands and persuaded her to go draw more things with them. She surrendered and laid her jacket on top of Matthew like a blanket.

Before Shane knew it, Shane was comfortable enough that she forgot there was a crowd of people at the door, watching her and the kids draw. She could hear them mutter things like, Wow lookshes got them tamed! and Heyisnt that sweet Shane then thought to herself, with a smirk on her face as she finished a crayon drawing, Wellthis isnt so bad

Carmen pushed through the crowded door and smiled in awe, Shane

Shane looked over her shoulder, and smiled, Hey. She held up a crayon, Wanna draw?

Carmen smiled and walked over, taking the crayon, Can Ican I talk to you for a second? She grabbed her hand again and led her away, just like the first time she convinced her to stay with the kids. Shane smiled sheepishly and looked to the side, and Carmen just stared at her, Wow

Shane looked into her eyes, What?

What happened? she smiled and caressed Shanes cheek.

They are irresistibly cute little onesEspecially Matthew. Hes like a mini me

Carmen tilted her head to the side and chuckled, Okay, little Matthew is definitely not a player, but I get what you mean.

Yeahhe drew me a pictureits not something Bette would put upbut I dont know. It was sweet.

You seem sodifferent.

Shane raised her eyebrow as her figure leaned against the wall behind her, I do?

Carmen nodded and bit her lip as she walked backwards into the bathroom, with her finger telling her to follow, Come.