Shane: See right there’s where you’re wrong… one I can’t let anybody in, and two… I have nothing to give.

Alice continued to play with Shane’s hair while she leaned down and kissed her playfully on the forehead. Shane began wiggling to the beat of the song cocking her head side to side making Alice bust out laughing. She hadn’t seen Shane act goofy since they first met.

Alice: Stop with the ‘Can’t bullshit’. Hun you have so much to give, you just don’t see what everyone else sees.

Alice and Shane hooked eyes. All of time seemed to stop as they looked at each other… for once; they really looked at each other.

Shane: What the ***** was that? Control yourself you can’t ***** this up with Al she’s hurt enough as it is… she doesn’t need you dumping your problems on her. Al I… I think you have this diluted image of me… everyone does… they think I’m this stud who has a tortured soul and everyone wants to be the one to help me let it out… but the truth is… I have no soul… I’m empty… I always have and always…

Alice leaned down and gave Shane a kiss. A gentle kiss as she pressed their foreheads together. She held their lips together trying to keep Shane silent… keep her from saying anything else to berate herself. She hated when anyone especially Shane tried to blemish the image she had of her. She saw Shane as strong and fearless not broken and empty like she saw herself. Alice pulled out of the kiss and looked down at Shane. Shane’s eyes were closed and Alice thought she saw that shadow of a smile that Shane often let those closest to her see. Shane opened her eyes and looked at Alice.

Shane: Ok now was that one for me being me also?

Alice: What the ***** were you thinking? She probably thinks your crazy! No she thinks you just want her ’cause you miss Dana… but she’s so much more than Dana… she’s your everything… you can’t ***** this up like you fucked things up with Dana… you swore from the beginning you’d never mess with Shane…

Shane: Hey Al you ok?

Alice didn’t know that she hadn’t said anything for a few moments. She just had a nauseated look on her face, and Shane wondered if she was getting sick from the tequila.

Alice: I think… .I… we should eat something before I get sick.

Alice got up abruptly letting Shane’s head fall roughly to the floor. She practically ran to the kitchen and began pacing.

Alice: Calm down… Ok… ***** Al this is the last thing she needs right now. She needs a friend, not a desperate woman.

Alice walked back and forth in the middle of the room with her hand on her forehead.

Alice: Now what the ***** do I do…there’s no way I’m going back in there with Prince playing….the man makes me weak. Hey can you switch the CD!