3...2...1...ACTION!

Chapter X: Just Friends?

Sebastian led me over to his car where he opened the door for me and let me in. He then hopped in the driver's seat right next to me and pulled out a blind fold from his pocket. "No." I immediately said as soon as I saw it. "Come on, it'll be fun I promise!" I remotely agreed and allowed him to tie up the black piece of cloth around my eyes. Surprisingly, his touch felt gentl and warm, it was nothing like Earl, he was sweet just like Jean. I felt the car moving for approximately twenty minutes before finally coming to a stop. I could hear the waves of the ocean crashing on the shore. I was going to have breakfast by the beach, something I always adored about California, was just how close we were to the sea. He led me into a restaurant and we both sat down at one of the tables that had the best view of the ocean. I took a look around only to see that there was no one around. When I questioned him about it he simply replied, "well, I didn't want anyone to disturb us, so I reserved the entire place for just a few hours so you and I can get closer." and he stretched his arm out so his hand could hold mine. I pulled away while looking out the window, "I've always loved the ocean. I love the mystery it holds and how strong and powerful it is." I said while trying to change the conversation. Sebastian pulled out a cigarette and lit it up while waving over at the waiter to come and take our order. "I'll take an egg omelette with some water and the lady will have..?" "I'll take the same but with a strawberry smoothie." the waiter smiled at me for a second too long before taking off and disappearing into the kitchen. Sebastian offered me a cigarette and I declined it "no thank you, I think I'll quit smoking for good now." "good for you, I've tried to as well but it always gets the best of me."

"Sebastian, I would like to get to know more of you."

"What is it you'd like to know?"

"Anything you'd like to share, and I'll do the same."

"Sounds reasonable, you know, I only started smoking because I thought it was cool. Now I have become addicted and unable to get rid of it."

"Most people go for it the same way as you do."

"Yeah." he takes a long puff and blows out the smoke to his side so it wouldn't get on my face. "What about you, Jenny? Why did you start smoking."

"I grew up in tough conditions, it was my remedy."

"Well I'm glad you are starting to feel better and finally stopped smoking so much. may i ask you a personal question?"

"Well that depends on how personal that question can be, but go on."

"What exactly was the reason as to why you started smoking specifically?"

Well, it was either that or killing myself. But the second one wasn't an option. I had Jean and Charles with me, I couldn't do that to either of them. Not when they took me in and took care of me when my own family hated me for existing. I still remember my mother's words ringing in my ear "you know, you're lucky you're pretty. I'm pretty sure some rich producer would hire you once you have acquired the proper skills of acting... and seduction. A woman in our world is worthless without a man who has money. Find yourself that man and marry him. That is your key to survival." and how could I possibly forget what my father said after he was done with my mother's lifeless body laying on the living room floor "hey, hey. Shh don't be scared, your mother is just sleeping, she got tired of what we were doing together..." that pause sent shivers down my spine, i wasn't naive, i knew exactly what he had done and that she was dead. I was just far too much in shoke to even say anything or to move. The way he looked at me, his eyes still hungry and lustfull. I was still a child back then. But his eyes felt like a huge weight had suddenly been put up on my entire body. His movements were slow but I couldn't move. I was terrified, he placed an arm around my waist and pulled me in planting a kiss on my neck. I gasped for air, and I tried pushing him away but he was far stronger than I was. I hit him, punished, kicked, pulled his hair, poked his eyes, screamed, shouted, yelled. But the more I struggled, the louder his laughter. "Your screams... they excite me, the more you try to fight me, the more satisfying it gets for me to finally take you." This event happened right after school, so I was still wearing my uniform until he ripped the top off. After he was done he left me lying there on the floor with tears running down from my eyes still staring at my mother's body. He left me to take out the body and I presume he couldn't have gone far. That was the last I've seen of him because right after that, I went up into my room, grabbed a few clothing items and some money that I had been saving up and left. I went to the only person I could trust. Jean, as soon as he opened the door for me I broke down in his arms. He said that I could stay with him as long as needed. His parents were wealthy and they travelled a lot so they were barely home. I stayed in the spare bedroom. I told Jean about everything and he later called his boyfriend Charles to help us in court. His father knew a lawyer who worked for the government and a good one at that, thankfully he agreed and the case was an easy win for us since all the evidence pointed at my father being a criminal. He even had a loisy lawyer. All of that was easy, but except for the fact that he will be left off the hook in a few years time. What was also difficult was going back to school with Jean. Since he and I acted as a couple to cover his homosexuality, everyone else thought that I slept with him, the boys praised him and the girls slut shamed me. I was absent for a few days after the incident so they all spread rumors about me getting an abortion. It was humiliating, but I kept a low profile until I was ready to move on.

My family wasn't always like that. I remember a time where we were normal. Just a few months before what he had done, I was begging him to allow me to raise money to become an actress and get into art school. I suppose that angered him enough for him to be a criminal.

Of course, I would have never said any of that to Sebastian, instead I only said "just some... severe family issues." and I wasn't lying.

After breakfast he offered me a ride back home but I asked him to take me to Elinor's. I felt obliged to see her. He then flashed me a huge smile and said "I didn't think you two would end up such close friends!" I giggled politely as he let me into his car and I started thinking about the nature of my friendship with her. I have always admired her and every time I look at her it's like a spotlight has been cast on her and it's so wonderful I can't look away. But then, when she speaks, the light that was shining through her dim down and now I can see her for who she is. Her flaws, her imperfections, they all get revealed to me and I seem to grow fond of them.