La Pantera

Ch. 33 Same Old Patterns

Song for Chapter: Not Friendly by Flo Milli

Stevie woke up an hour later, squinting her eyes until she saw where she was. It all came back at once and she didn't know how to process it. Her thoughts were interrupted by Matt chuckling next to her. "Sleep well?", he teased. Her hair was a mess and her makeup was smeared. She gave him a glare before going back under the covers again. "Fuck off!", her muffled voice whined. "Aw come on baby.", he laughed. He pulled the blanket off her head, and was met with her infamous glare. "Your birthday's done. Quit actin' ballsy.", she sneered. "You need coffee.", he laughed. He slipped out of bed and pulled his boxers on. Stevie realized he intended on making her breakfast and wasn't sure how to respond. She usually pulled the reverse uno card and left instead of the man having that control, but now she didn't know what to do. She knew he was the same way, it was just a matter of who got the first say. "I'm probably keeping you from work, I can go.", she reached for her dress only for Matt to say, "You sure? It's not everyday I make coffee for a Panther.", he lightly joked at the end. "Panther? Where's that coming from?", she asked. "You don't know? All the tabloids have been referring to you as 'The Panther of Hollywood'.", he picked up a few he had and showed them to her. "Why do you have tabloids with me on the cover?", she smirked up at him. "I bought them to read the news, don't flatter yourself.", he cocked his brow. Stevie knew bullshit when she heard it, but she let it slide as she read the articles.

"All cuz I got a Panther tattoo and say a few things?", she smirked. "It's more than that Stevie....you're inspiring people our age and younger to be themselves, especially kids who don't fit in. You're the Panther because you're loud but silent, you're lethal with your words and your fists, you have that fuckin' stare for cryin' out loud, and you take command of everything you do. Everyone's noticed, and I'd be proud if I were you.", he grinned. Stevie smiled , feeling she had gotten her point across with her main audience. But it was amazing to hear she was inspiring people to be themselves. Never did she think in a million years she'd be a role model of sorts. People like her usually succumbed to drugs and poverty, she had just made it out alive. If only those people really knew I was actually the Panther....., she smirked to herself. The Panther that roamed the night and took on corrupt police, the Panther that helped people in poverty, exposed the rich, and more. She thought back to the night she had rescued the girl from the Mormons, wondering how she hadn't been caught. She could cover her tracks well, but one day her luck was going to run out. Her brows were furrowed in thought for a while which made Matt worried. "Hey, you okay?", he asked. "Mhm..whatcha makin' me for breakfast?", she cocked a brow at him. "It's a surprise. You'll like it.", he grinned and headed downstairs.

When Matt came back up, he saw her sitting up in bed with one of his tee shirts on. "I want that back before you go.", he smirked. "And have me do my walk of shame in my dress? I thought you'd be more considerate.", Stevie teased him. "Well...if it really concerns you, why don't you stay the whole day? That way you can leave at night.", Matt suggested. It was his turn to cock his brow her way. Stevie thought his offer was a bit ridiculous, but a whole day with Matt did sound interesting. "Alright...I suppose I can spend a day with you.", she teased. He handed her her plate of eggs and waffles, the two eating in comfortable silence. After a while, it was her turn to speak as she said , "I saw a recent interview of yours on TV for Rumblefish.....you think gangs are ridiculous 'uh?". Her tone was half playful, half serious. Matt didn't realize her intention with the baiting question. "Yeah. It's such a disorganized way of life. It's sad people have to succumb to that lifestyle when there's more potential for them. There's no need to be hurting and killing people to show dominance.", he explained himself. Stevie thought of this response as arrogant, scoffing and shaking her head. "What?", he asked. "You'll see why there's gangs if I took you back to the areas I grew up in.", her voice became deadly cold, her eyes lit up in fire. "I think it's a rather condescending way of saying people that go in gangs are brutes, and it shows you know nothing about people like me.", Stevie glared at him. "I think you're taking it way too personally...I'd like to know more about that side of you. You never told me about that part of your life.", Matt was amused from her anger, but curious about her backstory. "Oh ...I see, you think this is funny?", Stevie laughed darkly, seeing him smirk. She shook her head, standing up and putting on her heels. "Now where are you going?", Matt asked annoyed. "Out.", she snapped. "Why are you so fucking upset?!", he snapped back. "Here's my fuckin' issue: you love to be all flirty and stuff with me at certain times , but as soon as I show my real self, my 'gang, feisty' self, you have this fucking ego about it. Figure your shit out before we do somethin' like this again.", Stevie growled his way. "Okay, you are completely overreacting about this! As usual!", Matt stood up now, his eyes becoming burning coal once more. "No I'm not!", she yelled back. "You're just bitter that you'll never be as respected in this industry because of how you behave!", he finally yelled back.

Silence was what filled the room. A pin could drop and be heard for at least a minute. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to say that to her. She laughed darkly for a few seconds before a wild look emerged on her face. "You don't realize how far off you were with that statement baby....but now I know more about you as a person. Go to hell.", she walked out, slamming the door hard that the room shook.
She soon made it back to her house in peace, closing her front door. "What a fucking dick...", she snarled to herself. She was angry at how he treated her, feeling like she was back at square one all over again. She kicked her wall, screaming a primal cry before throwing her purse on the ground. "Why am I attracted to that ape?!", she questioned aloud. She needed some friends right now, and she knew the person to call.

Jon Bon Jovi showed up, closing the door after she let him in. "Can't believe that asshole said that to you.", he shook his head. "Yeah, well he did and I want to scrape his nuts off his body.", she scoffed. "Let's not do that.", Jon laughed, sitting on her couch with her. Stevie looked at him, sighing to herself. "He's someone I vibe with, but sometimes he's such a cock.", she sneered. "Well one day he'll grow up and see what he missed out on.", Jon gently pat her knee. She flinched at first but let him do so. "It's fine Jonny...I know he still loves her.", she said. "Who Diane?", he asked. "Yes dumbass!", she snapped impatiently. "So let him go for her...he'll look stupid as hell the whole time.", Jon laughed. "Yeah....I don't think I'm ever gonna be taken seriously.", she frowned. "You are Stevie...they're just afraid.", he said. "Afraid of what?", she asked.

"A woman who doesn't need anyone's approval."