|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:03:00 GMT
Chapter 16:
Vanessa and Benji were on their way to Paul’s. They both sat quietly as Benji drove. Vanessa stared out of the window letting her tears fall freely. Benji was trying to find various ways to keep his mind busy. If he wasn’t playing with the radio, then he was taping away at the steering wheel. He was making Vanessa’s nerves increasingly worse.
Once they reached Paul’s driveway Vanessa examined herself in the mirror trying her best to cover up her sadness. When she looked out at the cars covering Paul’s yard she spotted one that made her stomach flip. Benji noticed it too. “Could this day get any worse?” Vanessa whispered.
“V…” Benji tried placing his hand ontop of Vanessa’s but she quickly moved her hand away. Benji sighed “you sure you want to do this?”<br>Vanessa did not bother answering him. She just got out of the vehicle and waited for him to do the same.
They reached Paul’s front door but before they entered Vanessa took Benji’s hand in hers and plastered a fake grin across her face. Benji opened the door and the pair walked in.
The entire house was filled with people and wreaked of alcohol.
“Hey V…Hey Benj” Paul’s girlfriend greeted the couple with hugs. “Hey Alexis.” Vanessa beamed. “You guys want some thing to drink? We have a keg in the back. Wait…what am I saying, you both don’t drink alcohol.” Alexis corrected herself. “Actually” Vanessa began “I could use a beer.” Both Benji and Alexis looked at her in surprise. “You sure V?” Alexis asked. “Yeah.”<br>Alexis and Benji exchanged confused looks. “Okay beer it is then. I’ll be right back.” Alexis headed towards the back of the house leaving Benji and Vanessa alone.
“Vanessa, what are you doing? You know you get out of hand when you drink.” Benji stated. Vanessa gave him a look that could kill, and then left to find Alexis.
Benji watched Vanessa walk away from him. Soon he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Hey bro.” Benji turned around to see his twin. “Hey Joel.” He said with a lack of enthusiasm. “What’s up with you?”<br>“What you mean?”<br>“You seem…kinda…out of it. Is something wrong Benj?”<br>Benji looked at Joel’s confused expression; there was no lying to him. “If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell Vanessa that you know.”<br>“Alright…”Joel said slowly “what’s up?”<br> **** Vanessa stood in Paul’s back yard people watching with Alexis. “Oh my…look at her” Alexis said, pointing towards a brunette with barely any clothing on. “I think my little sister has the same shirt…and she’s five.” Vanessa laughed.
“How is Sam, by the way.” A cold voice came from behind Vanessa. She turned around quickly. “Jacob?” “Hi Vanessa, how have you been?”<br>“I’ve been great.” She said as she eyed her ex up and down. “Yeah well you look great. How bout we go some where’s where we can talk?”<br> Vanessa looked over at Alexis who was silently screaming “no” and then she looked back at Jacob. “Alright”<br>****** Benji and Joel sat on Paul’s bed talking. “Whoa wait…you did what?” Joel screamed to his brother. “I che…” “No, I know what you did Benji. I just can’t believe you would do some thing so stupid. And to Vanessa? Benji she’s perfect, how could you do that to her?”<br>“I dunno Joel I…” “Wait, does she know?”<br>Benji nodded his head yes. ”And she still came here with you? Oh my God. She still wants to be with you huh?”<br>“Yea, she said she just wants me to be happy.” Benji whispered. Joel looked at Benji in anger.
********* In the next room, Vanessa and Jacob sat on the guest bed. “So how are things with you and Benjamin?” Jacob smirked. “Great, just great.” Vanessa lied. “Oh really, because the other day I could have sworn I saw him and that Candy chick at Pablo’s Restaurant.”<br>Vanessa stared down at the floor. “So…maybe they aren’t great.”<br>“But, I could make things better.” Jacob whispered as he slid his hand slowly up Vanessa’s skirt. “Jacob” Vanessa shook her head no and tried to stand up. Jacob stopped her and pinned her down to the bed. “Where you think your going?”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:04:17 GMT
Chapter 17:
“Jacob, please…just let me go.” Vanessa struggled to break free from Jacob’s grip, but he outweighed her greatly. “Just shut up!” He exclaimed as he tore away at her shirt.
********* Joel ran his fingers through his spiked hair. He got up off of the bed and stood staring at Benji. “That’s why she sounded so upset this morning. I can’t believe this. Man I mean” Joel began pacing around the room “that was just low Benj.”<br>“I know. I know. And I regret it sooo much now. It’s just…things have changed so much between me and her.”<br>“That doesn’t give you the right to be such a dick.” Joel snapped at his twin. Benji was speechless. He knew Joel was right and there was nothing left to it. “I’ve got to find her and try and talk some sense into her. There’s no reason for her to stick around and be miserable just to make you happy.” Joel left out of the bedroom and headed down towards the living room searching for Vanessa.
***** Vanessa watched through teary eyes as Jacob hurriedly took off his pants, throwing them across the room. “Jacob…please…don’t do this.” She sobbed. “Would you just shut up?” He yelled at her while he positioned his self on top of her body. Her pleads were only making him angry, and his every movement caused excruciating pain.
Vanessa tried one last time to get away but Jacob was too strong for her. He began to lightly kiss her neck as she cried.
He then stopped and held on to her face, forcing her to look into his eyes. As he began to force himself into her, Vanessa closed her eyes as tight as possible.
***** After Joel searched the living room for Vanessa he made his way into the back yard. There was still no sign of her there, but he did spot Alexis.
She was seated in Paul’s lap, giggling happily when Joel made his way over to her. “Hey Alexis” he called out “do you know where Vanessa is?”<br>Alexis’ laughter stopped and her face became blank. “She umm…she” she stuttered on whether or not Vanessa would want Joel to know who she was with at the moment. “Alexis, just tell me already. I really need to find her.”<br>“She’s….she’s with Jacob. They went inside some where’s.”<br>“Jacob? Why the hell…” Joel paused for a second “wait I just looked all over the house for her and didn’t see her.”<br> Joel, Paul, and Alexis exchanged a knowing look. “You don’t think they…”Paul began. Alexis and Joel knew what he was trying to say. “No…they couldn’t be” Alexis answered.
At that moment, Joel got a strange feeling inside of him, almost as if he could tell something was extremely wrong.
He ran inside of Paul’s house, Paul and Alexis were trailing behind him.
He ran straight into the hall way and he could hear screams coming from the guest room. Joel stormed into the room. “Oh my God”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:05:09 GMT
Chapter 18:
The image that now sat before Joel was one that overwhelmed him with shock and fury. “What the fuck is going on here?” he yelled and made his way over to the two bodies that were lying entwined in the bed.
A naked Benji, along with a naked Hannah were now occupying the bed that was once the sight of Vanessa and Jacob’s struggle.
Joel grabbed his brother and threw him out of the bed. He began sending numerous blows and kicks to Benji’s body.
Paul and Alexis finally reached the bed room. “Oh my God” Alexis whispered and brought her hand to her mouth signaling her astonishment. She stood in the door way trying to piece together what was taking place.
Paul ran over to Joel and struggled to get him away from Benji. He wrapped his arms around Joel’s waist and carried him away from his now bleeding twin. Joel still kicked and yelled various obscenities at Benji.
Benji slowly got up and wiped the blood away from his face. He looked over at Hannah who was struggling to collect her clothing.
“Let me go!” Joel yelled to Paul. He was angry and only wanted to make his brother pay. “Joel I can explain” Benji started and put on his boxers. “No, I don’t want your fucking excuses!”<br> Alexis, who was still standing in the door way, caught something out the corner of her eye. She turned and looked down the hallway where she saw Vanessa emerging from the bathroom, wiping her eyes. “V?” Alexis called out. Vanessa made her way over to the guest room door and once she was close enough, Alexis noticed the bruises forming along Vanessa’s arms. “Oh my…V, what happened? Wait...where’s Jacob?”
Vanessa started to speak but the noise coming from within the guest room got her attention. She looked in and saw Benji trying to clothe himself and a partially clothed Hannah was sitting upon the bed crying into her hands. Joel and Paul were on the opposite side of the room and Paul was trying his best to hold Joel back.
“What the…” Vanessa walked into the room and looked around at the soap opera that seemed to be taking place. “What’s going on?” she asked confused.
All the yelling and fighting came to a halt as every one in the room looked over at Vanessa. Joel tried to free himself from Paul’s hand, reassuring him that he would be okay. Paul let go of him and Joel walked over to Vanessa.
“V…” he began but stopped. He looked into Vanessa’s blood shot eyes then down at her arms. He didn’t need to ask questions, it was obvious what was wrong. “Where is he, where’s Jacob?”<br>“No this isn’t about that fucking asshole. It is about why the hell my boyfriend seems to have slept with your ex girlfriend.”<br>No one answered her so she slowly made her way to Benji and looked into this guilt filled eyes. “You slept with her, didn’t you?” she whispered low enough that only Benji could hear. Benji nodded his head yes and within seconds Vanessa’s hand glided across his face leaving a streak of red. Benji held his burning cheek and looked at a tear streaked Vanessa. He opened his mouth to speak but Vanessa stopped him. “Don’t” she shook her head and left out of the room.
Once she was gone, Joel walked over to Benji. Paul watched him closely, ready to jump in when needed. Joel looked into his brother’s eyes and spoke, his voice cracking in pain. “You” he pointed in Benji’s face “I don’t even know you any more.”<br> He left out of the room, glaring at Hannah as he passed her. ****** Vanessa sat on the large swing which adorned Paul’s front porch. She held herself and cried deeply.
She thought back at what had happened and wondered where Jacob had gone to. In the peak of his sexual act he had carelessly let go of one of Vanessa’s hands and she used it to her advantage. He yelped in pain and jumped off of her body giving Vanessa the freedom to grab her clothing and run out of the room. She went into the bathroom and locked the door waiting for the moment when she felt it was safe to leave. She did not know that in only a few minutes Benji and Hannah would use that same room to break the hearts of their lover’s even further. Never had she imagined that such a thing would happen.
Paul's front door opened and Vanessa watched Joel walk over to her with his hands in his pockets. “Hey” he greeted her. Although the darkness of night hid his face, the sound of his voice gave away the fact that he was crying. Vanessa patted the space next to her signaling him to sit down. Joel did just that and Vanessa scooted closer to him wrapping her arms around his torso, Joel did the same.
“Want to talk about it?” Joel whispered. “No…you?” Vanessa looked up at Joel and watched him shake his head no. She then laid her head in the crook of his neck and held him closer than she ever did before.
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:06:32 GMT
Chapter 19:
Paul’s front door swung open and closed with a bang, startling Vanessa and Joel.
Benji stood on the porch staring down at Joel and Vanessa. It killed him to see her taking comfort in some one other than him. “Guys…” He wanted to explain his actions and ask for forgiveness. He didn’t want either one of them to hate him. Yet seeing them both suffering because of the pain he caused them left him unable to speak. There they were the two people in the world he loved most. If any one else would have hurt them or betrayed them, he would be the one to stand up for them and fight for them. But now, what was he supposed to do when he was the one causing them pain?
Vanessa and Joel sat eyeing Benji, waiting for him to speak. When it was obvious he wasn’t going to finish his sentence Joel took Vanessa’s hand in his. “Come on V. Let’s go.” He stated trying to pull Vanessa up off of the swing. Vanessa didn’t budge. She sat still looking at Benji with hope in her eyes. She wanted him to tell her it had all been a dream, just one crazy dream. But the tears in his eyes told her otherwise. She looked up at Joel and made her choice. As she left with him she heard Benji calling her, pleading with her to stay. She looked at Joel for reassuring and he squeezed her hand a little. It was his way of telling her it would be okay. Joel opened the door to his SUV, letting Vanessa in. Once she was inside he closed her door and got in himself. He started up the engine and before pulling away he looked over at Vanessa. She was staring out at the window looking at Benji whom was still standing on the porch. Vanessa cried deeply as she looked at Benji realizing it was now completely over.
Joel softly placed his hand under Vanessa’s chin and turned her head slowly in his direction. “You sure you want to leave?” he asked, praying that she would say yes. Vanessa bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Where to?” Joel began pulling out onto the road.
“You can just drop me off at my house.” Vanessa whispered. Her throat was aching from the crying she was trying to hold back. “V, you know you can just come home with me.”<br>She shook her head. “No, I’d feel better just going home. Thanks though.”<br>Joel looked at her slightly confused. “But what about…” “I doubt Benji will be coming home tonight” she read his mind “he doesn’t come home every other night so why would he tonight?”<br> Joel nodded and drove off towards the familiar house. **** He pulled into the drive way and looked over at Vanessa. Her cheeks were soaked from all the tears and she looked as if she had been to hell and back. He hated seeing her so upset. “Vanessa, I know that no matter what I say or do I can not change what my brother has done to you. But I’m sorry, I’m sorry you had to go through all this.”<br>Vanessa didn’t speak, she continued staring out of the window. “V?”<br>She turned and looked at Joel, his eyes were beginning to water as well. “Don’t be sorry Joel.” She bit her lip and shook her head. Vanessa began crying harder. “It’s just, I can’t believe this you know? I knew we were going to end. I knew our relationship was over. But never, never did I believe it would end this way. And not only did he hurt me but I mean his own brother? This night has just been so fucked up. I can’t take this any more Joel. I can’t take all this pain.”<br>Vanessa placed her head in her hands and sobbed. Joel rubbed her back as he fought back tears himself.
After crying until she felt so could cry no more Vanessa lifted her head and wiped away a few tears. She felt as if she needed to break the tension so she let out a slight laugh. Joel looked at her curiously. “I need a vacation.” She laughed.
A light bulb went off in Joel’s head. “Well you know, I never cancelled that trip to Hawaii.”<br>“What are you trying to say?”<br>Joel responded with a smile. “No, Joel. I can’t I have work and…no.”<br>“Oh come on V. It’ll be fun. Just me and you.”<br>“Yeah exactly, just me and you, the gossip columns would run wild with that story.”<br>“So! Let them believe what they want.” Vanessa continued to shake her head no while Joel gave her sweet eyes. “Pllleaaseee” he begged “I could really use the trip myself and I can’t go alone.”<br>“Joel…” Vanessa shook her head again. “Look” he began “at least think about it. I have a private plane scheduled to leave Monday morning at seven. If you show up, then great we will have the best vacation ever and forget about all this shit. If you don’t, then I understand…I will be very disappointed but I will understand.”<br>He dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a white ticket. “Here, just think about it V. You know you need this trip just as much as I do.”<br> Vanessa reluctantly took the ticket from Joel’s hand. “I’ll think about it. Thanks Joel.” She gave him an innocent kiss on the cheek then stepped out of his vehicle. “Night” he called out after her. “Night.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:07:45 GMT
Chapter 20:
**A week later (the following Sunday)**
It was a decent day outside. The sky was clear of clouds and there was a nice breeze. The entire yard smelled sweet from the overwhelming amount of flowers it possessed. Joel, Vanessa, Alexis and Paul sat outside of Alexis’ home all gathered around a picnic table enjoying the weather. “So then the waitress said, ‘do you want fries with that?’” The punch line of Paul’s joke was met with laughter from all ends of the table. No one really understood it but, they laughed at his effort to be funny.
Everyone laughed, except Joel. Vanessa looked across the table from her and saw his gloomy aspect and quickly her smile faded. He had been that way the entire week. Although she had made a great deal of effort to forget about that night Joel, understandably, couldn’t seem to do the same.
“I’m going to go check on the lasagna” Alexis announced. “I’ll help you.” Vanessa offered. The two girls left the backyard and went into the house.
“V, you really don’t need to help ya know.” Alexis called out to her friend as they walked through the house, then into the small kitchen. “Yeah I know” Vanessa chuckled. “I just wanted to take this time to thank you for letting me stay here until I found my own place.” “Vanessa, it’s not a problem. I’ve really enjoyed having you here this week.” Alexis smiled as she removed the almost burnt Italian dish from the oven. “Really?”<br>“Yea, really. Anyways, me and Paul are going to have some family over tomorrow, but that shouldn’t affect you being you are going to be with Joel and all.”<br>“I’m going to be with Joel?” Vanessa asked, honestly confused by the statement. She was digging through the refrigerator in search of Kool-Aid. “Um, you and Joel…Hawaii.” Alexis watched with a peculiar eye as Vanessa poured herself a glass. “Oh, that. Who said I was going?”<br>Alexis began cutting the lasagna into little squares. “Well, no one really. I mean I just thought that you had to be really crazy to turn down a free trip to Hawaii with your best friend.”<br>“Well then, call me crazy.” Vanessa replied as she placed the pitcher of Kool-Aid back into the fridge and sat down at the kitchen table drinking the red mixture. Alexis turned and stared at her. “Vanessa, you can’t be serious. You’re really not going?”<br>Vanesa shook her head. “I’ve got too much work to do.”<br>“Please, you and I both know you can get some one to cover for you in a snap.”<br>Vanessa hung her head down and seemingly became amazed at her knew Steve Maddens.
“Vanessa” Alexis said taking a seat next to her friend “what’s the real reason you don’t want to go?”<br>Vanessa shrugged her shoulders and reassumed staring at her feet. Alexis let out a deep sigh. “Look V, if you don’t go for yourself, at least go for Joel. I mean look how depressed the poor guy is. He needs this.”<br> Paul walked into the kitchen breaking their conversation. “So is it done?” he walked over to his girlfriend and gave her a peck. “Yes sweet heart.” Alexis accepted the small kiss.
Joel joined them in the kitchen. “Guys, I think I’m going to head out. I’m pretty beat.”<br>“What? No, I cooked and…look we have Kool-Aid. You love Kool-Aid.” Alexis protested. She made her way up to Joel and tried to get him to sit. Vanessa laughed at Alexis. “Yeah, that’s really going to make him want to stay.”<br>Alexis glared in her direction as she dragged Joel to the table. He sat down undesirably and took the glass from before Vanessa. “HEY!” Vanessa shouted as Joel began sipping on her drink. “Get your own!” She grabbed the drink from him sending Kool-Aid flying in every direction.
“Children!” Alexis yelled “look what you did!”<br>Joel stuck his hand into the sticky substance and then flicked the liquid onto Vanessa in a playful manner. “Joel!” Vanessa cried out and tried to wipe the Kool-Aid from her body. When that failed she took the remainder of the drink and tried dumping it over Joel’s head, he stopped her, sending Kool-Aid flying over them both. “Guys!” Alexis screamed at the two. Paul began laughing at their childish antics. “Don’t encourage them!” Alexis scolded him. Paul threw his hands up in defense. Soon the entire glass of Kool-Aid was scattered around the table covering Joel and Vanessa.
The door bell rang through out the house. “I’’ll get it” Alexis declared “when I come back I want this messed cleaned up.”<br>“Yes mother.” Joel laughed.
“Come on, let’s go wash up. I’m starting to get sticky.” Vanessa jumped up from the table and went into the bathroom, Joel following behind her. She wet a wash cloth for the both of them and handed one to Joel. She couldn’t help but stare at him through the mirror. He was still smiling from their previous actions. Joel noticed her stares. “What?” he asked as he rubbed the spilt drink from his arms. Vanessa shook her head. “That’s the most I’ve seen you smile in a week.”<br> Joel nodded in agreement. “Well, that’s the most I’ve seen you smile in months.”<br>Vanessa’s smiled faded. He, once again, was right.
“Vanessa” Alexis barged into the bathroom “some one’s here to see you.”<br>“Who?” Vanessa asked curiously. Alexis looked from Vanessa, to Joel, then back to Vanessa again. “It’s Benji.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:10:11 GMT
Chapter 21:
A/N: Okay I’m switching POV’s on ya’ll because…well because I can. So this chapter is in Vanessa’s POV.
“Who?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if I had heard her clearly. I couldn’t have. “Benji.” She repeated. Her face was turning pale and she looked uncomfortable standing there. Her eyes kept switching from me to Joel.
“V, you don’t have to see him” Joel’s whispers were met with his hand on my shoulder. “I can get rid of him.”<br>He could get rid of him? That would probably involve an ambulance. “No.” I started walking out of the bathroom. “I need to do this myself.”<br> The walk from the bathroom, down the hall, and into the living room felt as if I was walking the green mile. I knew what sat waiting for me, but I was unsure of what would happen in the end.
I stood at the end of the hallway looking into the living room at Benji. He was dressed in wrinkled clothing and his head rested in his hands. I almost felt sorry for him; he was obviously going through a tough time himself. ‘No, he did this. This is his entire fault.’ I told myself over and over, took a deep breath, and then walked over to him.
I stood before him with my arms crossed. When he finally looked up I immediately noticed his tear soaked eyes.
“Vanessa” Benji cried. He reached out for my arm but I rejected him. The look on his face after I pulled my arm away was as if someone had just stabbed him through the heart. It was just as painful for me to turn him down. I so badly wanted things to go back to the way they used to be. But they couldn’t, in order to love you must trust and I could never trust Benji again.
“What do you want?” I asked coldly. “I just want to talk. I want us to work all this out. Vanessa, I need you.”<br>“You need me? You need me?” I spoke with sincerity and acted surprised. Benji answered with a nod. He looked hopeful, as if he truly believed his one sentence had won me over.
“No Benji, what you need is to come up with some sort of way to work things out with your brother.”<br>Benji’s head dropped down to his hands once again. “Don’t you see Vanessa. I screwed up. Joel will never forgive me, and neither will you.”<br> I wanted to run to him and hold him. I wanted to tell him every thing would be okay. I was about to, when Joel stepped into the room.
“Can you blame us?” he yelled. “Look at what you did to us. To your best friends Benji.”<br>Benji picked his head up and looked at Joel.
“And look at you, Mr. “I’m so perfect’” Benji snapped back “you’re the reason all this happened. You’re the one who started it all. I thought you cared about me but all you wanted was to take Vanessa away from me, that’s all. All you cared about was yourself and your happiness.”<br>Joel took a step back and his jaw hung open. I looked at both the brothers in confusion.
“Benji, what the hell are you talking about?” I questioned my ex. “Go ahead, tell her Joel. Tell her how you hooked up me and Candy that night. Tell her how you brought her to the office and set us up on that date.”<br>“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?” I yelled, begging for answers. Benji’s words were becoming unclear to me.
“Tell her Joel. Tell her how you’re the one that told me it would be okay to cheat on her with Candy. What was it you said Joel? ‘What she don’t know won’t hurt her?’ Isn't that what you kept reasurring me when I said I didn't want to see Candy any more. You’re the reason our relationship is over. Tell her.”<br> My body began shaking and I slowly turned to Joel. I felt as if I was going to faint. “Joel?” I asked. He didn’t look at me. He stared at Benji with fury, his body was stiff and his hands were clinched. “Joel? What…” In slow motion, Joel’s fist was gliding across Benji’s face and blood was flying from Benji’s mouth.
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:12:59 GMT
Chapter 22:
Joel didn’t stop there. Soon he was laying on top of his brother. His fists were swinging in every direction and Benji sat there taking the blows.
Paul ran into the room and interjected. He pried Joel off of Benji’s body; Joel continued to kick and scream to be released. “You fucking asshole. I can’t believe you. You think you can just come in here and make up some bull shit story. What the fuck is wrong with you?”<br> I stood watching the actions taking place around me as if I wasn’t really there, as if it was just some television show playing out before me.
“I had nothing to do with you fucking cheating, you dick. I didn’t even know about it until you told me at fucking Paul’s party.” Joel continued to yell.
Benji slowly picked himself up off the floor and stood. He held onto his throbbing stomach then turned from his brother, to me. His guilt got the best of him and his head hung down towards the floor. “I’m sorry” he mumbled as he left out of the room. “Come back you fucking pussy” Joel called out after him. I watched Benji leave and felt no sympathy for him. The front door closed slowly and Paul let go of Joel.
Joel took a few breaths before remembering that I was standing there. He walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. I stared down at the floor. “V” he called out softly. I didn’t respond, I didn’t know how to. “Vanessa” he shook me slightly forcing me to look up at him. “Please, tell me you don’t believe what he just said. Vanessa, you know I would never…” “Joel, I just want to be alone right now, okay?”<br>His arms fell from my shoulders and his eyes began to water. I moved passed him and headed down the hallway towards the guest room.
Once there, I closed the door behind me, locking it. My body flopped down lifelessly onto the bed and I began sobbing into a pillow.
******** “V, honey are you okay?” “Vanessa? Paul and Joel both left, it’s just you and me. Do you want to talk?” “Vanessa, will you at least let me know you’re alright in there?”<br> I sighed heavily and pushed my body up off of the bed. I unlocked the door and swung it open, startling Alexis. “I’m fine. I just want to spend the rest of the night alone, okay?”<br>She nodded. “Okay. But if you need anything you know I’m here for you.”<br>“Thanks Alexis.”<br>She gave me a small grin and I closed the door as she walked away.
I walked over to the small desk that sat in the room and plopped down on the chair. I rested my head in my hands and began thinking about it all. “Where should I go from here?” I thought aloud.
I felt an uncomfortable object poking me in my behind. I stood up slightly, removing it from under me. It was the plane ticket Joel had given me.
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:14:37 GMT
Chapter 23:
I slowly placed the ticket down upon the desk. Thoughts of Joel raced through my head. He needs this trip more than any one. Not only has he lost his girlfriend of over three years, but he has also lost his brother; his best friend. And even though going off to Hawaii where every one is bright and cheery was the last thing I wanted to do, I owed it to Joel.
Standing up from the spot I was seated at, I walked over to the guest bed and picked up my cell phone. I watched as my fingers dialed the familiar number and listened as the phone began ringing.
After four rings I heard some one pick up the phone…then place it back down. I sat in shock as I heard the dial tone echoing through the line. “What the…? I can’t believe he just hung up on me.”<br> I quickly dialed the number again only to get his answering machine. “Hey…it’s Joel. You know what to do.”<br>“Joel, it’s V. Pick up…come on Joel, please just pick up the phone….alright well I’m coming over.”<br> I hung up the phone and grabbed my keys. As I ran out the house Alexis questioned where I was headed to in such a hurry. “I’m going to Joel’s. He’s being stubborn and won’t pick up the phone.”<br> ********* I reached his house and ran to the front door. Finding the door bell I push down onto the button until my finger began to cramp up. I banged profusely on the door yet, still no answer. “Joel! I know your home! Your car is in the drive way!”<br>Still no answer.
I walked over to the side of the house. It had been ages since I climbed through a house window and I hoped I still had the ability to do it. I picked Joel’s bedroom window. Peeping in I could see him laid out on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Boy is he in for a surprise.”<br> I quietly removed the screen and slowly lifted up the window. “Should have locked your window Joely.” I thought to myself.
As the window creaked open, Joel’s head turned into my direction and his eyes grew with surprise. “Vanessa?” I climbed into his bed room and as I looked down at Joel, I began to blush. For my view from outside hid the fact that he was only in his boxers.
I quickly turned around, allowing him to cover up. “You do know this is breaking and entering.” He asked. “No it’s not. You had warning. I told you I was coming over. If you would have answered your damn door I wouldn’t have had to use the window. Besides...I didn't even break any thing.”<br>“I was trying to get some rest. I haven't slept in days. You can turn around now.”<br>I turned back and looked at him. He was dressed in a pair of jeans, leaving his chest bare. ‘Wow, some one’s been working out.’<br> He patted the spot on the bed next to him and I did as he requested. “You okay?” I whispered. His eyes locked with mine. He shrugged. “I dunno.”<br>“Well…is there any thing I can do for you?”<br>Our heads began moving closer and closer with each word. “I dunno.” He answered softly. “Do you know any thing?” I slightly laughed. He smirked, causing my heart to skip a beat. “I dunno.” As he spoke I felt his cool breath upon my lips. He moved his head in even closer and I closed my eyes. Our lips touched, and slowly we both moved away; opening our eyes slightly to study each other’s reaction. Then again, we kissed.
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:16:54 GMT
Chapter 24:
As we were locked in a kiss that seemed to last forever, I began to get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I pushed him away from me and jumped off of his bed.
I stood facing away from him, my hands in my pockets, and my eyes gazing out the window.
“V? What’s wrong?” I shook my head in response and mumbled “I can’t do this”. “Do what?” He now stood behind me and grabbed my hand, forcing me to turn around. I looked into his eyes, they were full of concern. “This Joel, me and you.” I removed my hand from his and stared at the floor. “Your, you’re his brother and…”I shook my head once again “This is just wrong.”<br> I turned around once more and tried escaping through the window but he stopped me and pulled me into his chest. “No Vanessa, what he put you through, that was wrong. But this…this is far from wrong.” He placed his hands behind my head and forced me into a kiss. My heart longed to be lost in his lips forever, but my head was begging me to do otherwise.
Tears began lining my eyes as I pushed him away once more. “I can’t”.
He thought for a moment, and then nodded in understanding. His head hung low as he spoke through tears “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”<br> I reluctantly turned away from him and climbed out of the bedroom window. “And Vanessa” He called out. “Yeah?”<br>“Next time….use the door.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:17:14 GMT
Chapter 25
The next morning my alarm sounded at five am. “What the fuck?” I groaned as I reached over to turn it off. I had no recollection of setting it in the first place. I ignored the thought and threw the covers back over my head, only to have them pulled off.
“Wake up baby girl.” Alexis beamed. “What? No! And don’t call me that.”<br>“If you don’t get up you’re going to miss your plane.”<br>“Plane? What plane?” I looked at her with scrunched eye brows. I knew what she was referring to but I refused to admit it. “Um hello!” She began making hula motions with her hands. “I’m not going.” I grumbled and threw the covers back over me head. “Oh yes you are!” She once again removed them, tossing them onto the floor. “Come on, I was a sneaky little friend and packed your bags while you were out last night.” She tossed a bag onto the bed. “Didn’t you hear me? I said I wasn’t going.” I got up and retreated to the kitchen.
“Give me one good reason why not.” She demanded as she followed me. I didn’t answer. “Vanessa?...Hello, answer me.”<br>“BECAUSE I KISSED HIM, OKAY?”<br>I sat down at the kitchen table and Alexis sat across from me. I looked up at her and was met with a bright smile. “What?” I questioned her. “Well it’s about damn time.”<br>I rolled my eyes. “Alexis it was wrong. He’s Benji’s brother. I mean that’s just sick.”<br>She shook her head. “No it’s not” Alexis reached her hand out to meet mine “V, we’re talking about Joel here. He is so caring and generous and…he loves you. He has loved you for so long. And look how happy he makes you Vanessa, you can’t deny that. Who cares who his brother is? The truth of the matter is you have been with the wrong twin this entire time and you’ve known it, you just never wanted to admit it.”<br>I sat for a second, taking her words in. “So he loves me?” I grinned. Alexis ignored me and began walking away. I watched as she reached into a drawer and pulled some thing out. “Did he tell you he loves me? How do you know that he loves me? I mean he probably doesn’t.”<br> Alexis returned back to the table and placed down my plane ticket. “Well I guess there is only one way to find out.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:17:55 GMT
Chapter #$@!
I sat in the taxi shaking my foot nervously. Butterflies no, bees, yes bees were swarming in the pit of my stomach. My heart felt as if it were about to escape from my chest and my hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they flinched continually. I hated this feeling, the rush you get before you plunge into some thing unknowing what awaits you. I hate not being able to even image what could unfold. I hate it all, yet with out these feelings, without these moments, what is there to live for?
I leaned over towards the front of the cab to glance at the clock on the dash board, 6:45am. As I leaned back against my seat I caught the eye of the driver. He looked extremely unhappy with me. I guess my nervous sighs and my shaking foot which was causing the entire cab to shake was making him a little ticked. I began biting my nails as I averted my eyes from his. If only he understood where I was headed and the fact that he plane was to leave in 15 minutes leaving me with just enough time to get in and go through baggage check along with every thing else.
The taxi began to slow down and I looked out the window to see the busy airport awaiting me. It took me a second to gather my things which just added to the driver’s anger. I handed him his money and stepped out of the cab and onto the air port pavement. I watched as he peeled away in his taxi. Probably relieved to never have to see me again.
With a deep breath I stepped forward and began my descent into the airport.
I really underestimated the time it took to get through the airport security checks and such. By the time I was through fighting with every security guard in the airport and finding where it was I needed to go it was already 6:55am.
“Just five more minutes, that’s all I have.” I worried aloud. I felt someone’s breath upon my face and could see his face out of the corner of my eye as he leaned over my body. “Sounds like you better hurry then.”<br> As he spoke his breath begged warmly at my ear, his voice caused my body to shake with fear. I turned around slowly, cautiously.
“Jacob.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:18:51 GMT
Chapter:…something
“So tell me Vanessa, did you miss me?” he hissed. I watched as a devilish smile snaked across his face. Just the image of him standing before me made me queasy. “Jacob just leave me the fuck alone.” I whispered. “Oh getting brave are we? I think you forgot who it is that you are talking to. Let me refresh your memory.”<br>He grabbed my wrist tightly and began pulling me away from my destination. “Jacob, stop, where are you taking me?” I screamed loudly, you would think in an airport full of people some one would stop and help. Nope. “You think I’m stupid huh. You think I don’t know about you and Joel and your little trip?”<br>“What? How do you…” “Shut up, it doesn’t matter how I know. Word gets around Vanessa. And there is no way in hell you’re getting on that plane so just forget about it.”<br>“Jacob!”<br>“Now Vanessa, don’t make a scene. We wouldn’t want people to think some thing was wrong now would we?”<br> He forced my panic stricken body into the bathroom. Once we were both inside his hand swung across my face then he pushed my body down upon the floor. I tried my best to scoot away from him but just as before, his massive body outweighed mine and he began the familiar task of stripping me of both clothing and pride. I screamed and tried my best to get away however some thing inside was telling me to just give up hope, so I did. I lied there staring at the ceiling, waiting for it all to end.
“Get the fuck off of her!” someone yelled peeling Jacob off of my frail figure. Fists were thrown, blood was splattered, and in the end a man dressed in a suit and tie stood staring down at Jacob’s motionless body.
I couldn’t speak, I was in such a deep shock that I could not comprehend what was happening. I was not supposed to be saved. The man carefully picked me up off the ground and stood me up on the floor.
He placed both his hands on each side of my face. “Are you okay?”<br>I stared into his face for a second gathering my thoughts. I managed to find my voice “Yeah, are you? I mean…what time is it?”<br>“It’s a little past seven.”<br>“I’m going to miss him.” I moved past the man and began walking out of the bathroom. “Miss, I really don’t think you should leave. Miss?”<br> He must have thought I was crazy but I needed to see Joel, I needed to get on that plane. And nothing, not even a close encounter with Jacob, was going to stop me.
Chapter: Something else
I walked up to the gate which led to the plane. I was relieved to see Joel standing there, leaning against a wall, and repeatedly glancing down at his watch. “Yeah I know I’m late.” I spoke. Joel quickly looked up from his watch and at me. I saw the bewilderment in his expression. He examined my torn clothes and my worn out face.
He rushed over to me and slipped both of his hands through my hair and behind my head. His body stood only inches apart from mine. “Oh my God V. What happened?” He whispered. Looking into his eyes I became lost for a moment. “Jacob happened.”<br>Joel shook his head in anger and I could have sworn his voice began to crack as he spoke again. “I’ll kill him, I swear.”<br>“No, it’s okay Joel. Every thing is okay now.”<br>He pulled me into his chest and held me as close as possible. Then he pulled away. “Wait, I thought…you know? I thought you didn’t want this?”<br> Both and my heart and my mind raced at the same time. “Well, I kind of realized some thing.”<br>Joel stared at me deeply, patiently waiting for me.
My heart was crying out to speak but my worries were holding me behind. My breathing became heavy as I fought back the words I longed to say. Alexis’ words played through my mind ” V, we’re talking about Joel here. He is so caring and generous and…he loves you. He has loved you for so long.”<br> I shook the thought from my mind and with a deep breath I blurted out the words as fast as I could. “I love us.” Joel pulled back a little and stared at me in confusion. I realized my mistake. “I mean…” I looked into his eyes once again, getting lost in the comfort of them “I love you, Joel.”<br> I stared at him, waiting for a reply. ‘Say some thing, please, any thing. Speak.’ Still silence was all he gave me.
Was Alexis wrong? Did he not love me? What was going on?
“Joel, say some thing, please.” I pleaded, tears were forming in my eyes. He moved away from me and went back towards the wall. He picked up his luggage then made his way back to me. “Vanessa I…” He slipped one hand behind my head and began to caress me with his thumb. “I think we should get on the plane now.”<br> He turned away and started towards the exit. “What? No!”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:19:54 GMT
He turned back to me with a blank expression. “Vanessa, just trust me, please.”<br>“Joel, I can’t get on that plane until you tell me how you feel.”<br>Joel shook his head and started walking towards me. I watched curiously as he set his luggage down. Then, in a second, my body was sprung across his left shoulder.
“Joel, put me down, I swear to GAWD, JOEL.” I tried my hardest to get down but his grip was strong. He bent down and picked up his luggage and I watched the ground below us change as we stepped out of the airport and eventually, onto the plane.
Once we were inside and the door was closed he set me down. After fixing my clothing I took my first look around the private plane.
I immediately brought my hand up to my mouth and gasped. My eyes traveled slowly around the plane. There were hundreds of bouquets of flowers adorning the entire plane. Each their own kind and each in their own unique arrangement.
I turned back and looked at Joel, whom was grinning like crazy. “Go ahead, read the cards.” He scooted me forward towards the flowers. “All of them?”<br>He laughed. “Just go.”<br> I picked the first bouquet and read the card aloud. “I'd like to pour milk all over you and make you part of my complete breakfast? WHAT?”<br>I turned back and looked at him, I could tell he was cracking up inside. “Go on, read another one.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure I want to…” “Trust me.”<br> I went on to another random bouquet and picked up the card. This time I hesitated a bit to open it “Are you tired? 'Cause you've been running through my mind all day. How original.”<br> “Keep going.” Joel stated. He was still standing in the front of the plane. This time I picked two cards. “If you held up 11 roses in front of a mirror, you would see 12 of the most beautiful things in the world." And lastly, “If you were a booger I'd pick you.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
“Joel how many more of these are there?”<br> “Just one more.” He walked forward and presented one last card. This one was different from the rest. This card was gold and tucked inside an envelope. I carefully removed it from the envelope and read the contexts to myself. “Do you have a quarter? Because I told my mom I would call her when I fell in love.”
I looked up at Joel, my hands shaking and my heart pounding. Hoping that this was not some sick joke. “You’re in love?” I watched as he nodded his head. “With me?”<br>He nodded once again.
“I always dreamed of telling you but as you can see, I’m bad with words." he chuckled a bit "So when all these events began to unfold and there was nothing holding me back from telling you any more, I came up with this. My own way of saying I love you Vanessa.”<br> I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. “Gawd, I love you Joel.”<br> After a few seconds I slowly pulled away and stared at him. “So what were you going to do with all these flowers if I wouldn’t have should up?”<br> The infamous Madden grin slinked across his face. “I don’t know; find me some hot Hawaiian chick.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:21:02 GMT
Chapter XYZ
**Joel and Vanessa have been in Hawaii for a few days now** Our hotel suite was white, every inch of it. It was complete with an ocean view, private pool and a balcony.
Joel and I stumbled into our hotel room laughing from our prior events on the beach. Once the door was shut behind us I turned facing Joel and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep kiss. “I love you.” I whispered as we pulled away. “And I love you” he replied.
I closed my eyes as once again we kissed and soon I could sense my passionately numb body being carried to the large bed. I opened my eyes to find Joel positioned on top of me, kissing away at my neck. If felt so good but it was too soon, and I knew it had to stop.
“Joel, sweetie. I think we’re moving a bit to fast.” I stated. I was scared of what he might say. Every other time I told a guy to stop he didn’t and I ended up emotionally or physically wounded. Joel’s kissing halted and he looked down at me. “Okay my love.” He gave me one last kiss then moved from on top of my body.
He laid down next to me and a large smile grew across my face. ‘He actually stopped, no questions asked’. I thought.
He propped his head up on his arm and faced me “I think I’m going to go for a swim, you coming?”<br>“Um, nah. I’m a lil tired. I think I’ll just stay in and take a nap if you don’t mind.”<br>He made a puppy dog face and asked “You sure?”<br>“Yeah, sorry.”<br>“That’s okay. You get some rest. I’ll be back in a bit.” After planting a kiss on my forehead he was gone.
I layed in the bed rather comfy yet, I could not fall asleep. Some thing just was not feeling right. I turned my head and looked out the large window on side of the bed. It was in perfect view of the pool and I laughed as I watched Joel ‘cannon ball’ into the pool.
Just as Joel emerged from the water, the hotel room phone began to ring.
I reached over to the night stand and answered it, a little puzzled as to who could be calling. “Hello?”<br>“Vanessa! Oh my God, where’s Joel?” It was Alexis, she was speaking extremely fast and by the sound of her voice some thing was obviously wrong. “He’s outside, why what’s the matter?”<br>”V, Benji’s in jail.”<br>
|
|
|
Post by Kezzie on Jun 2, 2004 18:21:43 GMT
Last Chapter Ya Heard?:
Back in L.A.
Joel maneuvered his S.U.V. frantically around the traffic. He bit his nails out of nervousness as he drove. The entire plane ride back home was silent as was the ride to the jail where Benji was being kept.
Joel didn’t want to be there, “Let that bitch rot in there for all I care” were his exact words when I told him about Benji’s situation. But, after a few phone calls from Ms. Madden, Joel was pressured into returning home and going to the jail to see Benji with the rest of the Madden family.
I was so anxious to get there and find out what was going on that I was making myself sick. So once we pulled up outside the jail I was quick to jump out. Joel, however, did not budge.
I walked over to the driver’s side of the car and opened his door. He was seated still, staring at the building. “Come one sweetie.” I whispered to him. He then turned his head and looked at me and shook in disgust, not for me but for his brother.
He got out and we entered the building.
Ms. Madden along with the rest of the Madden clan met us in the lobby. (I dunno if jail’s have lobbies but this one does because it’s special).
Ms. Madden pulled Joel into a hug then released him and spoke to the both of us. “I’m sorry ya’ll vacation had to be cut so short but I’m happy to see you both here.”<br> Joel nodded in understanding and plopped down on a chair next to Josh.
“So did ya’ll find out why he’s in here?” I asked Ms Madden. “He got into a fight with a man in a bar room. They are both in here. They both pulled out weapons and that’s why they are holding him here.”<br>I shook my head. “We have to wait to see him” she continued “and frankly I don’t even know what to say to him.”<br> We all sat patiently waiting for the guard to allow Benji visitors. A half an hour passed and still we heard nothing from any one. Joel was pissed and it was obvious. But I knew that deep inside he had to be some what concerned for his twin.
A police office finally came over and approached Ms. Madden. “You’re Benjiman’s mother?” he asked. “Yes sir.”<br>“Well mam it looks like your son will not be able to leave. We cannot let him go on bail due to the charges against him. He will also need to appear in court in a week.”<br>“What…what is he being charged with?” Ms Madden stuttered. “Attempted murder.”<br>Every one gasped.
“What? What happened? And what about the other guy? What is he being charged with?” Josh stood up and began yelling at the officer. “Mr. Madden tried stabbing an older man in a local bar. The man is going to be free to go. It has been found that he drew his weapon only in self defense.”<br> “Oh my God.” Ms. Madden hung her head and began praying to herself.
“Only one of you will be able to see Benjamin. I’ll come back in a few minutes and escort that person to our meeting room.”<br>The officer walked away leaving every one in shock. All our heads hung low and no one spoke.
In only a few seconds the back door opened and a different officer began escorting a man out from the back of the jail and into the lobby. The officer took a set of handcuffs off of the man and told him. “Okay Mr. Combs you are free to go.”<br> At that moment I watched the Madden family’s heads shoot up and they all stared at the newly released prisoner. When the man reached where we were seated he stopped dead in his tracks.
“Dad?” I heard Joel mutter. And at that moment every thing began to piece together.
THE END!
|
|