Friends or Lovers?

2

Fantasia went home thinking about the almost kiss that happened between her and Taraji. It's almost as if she wanted it to happen, but she quickly shook that thought out of her head. Her and Taraji were friends, nothing more. And on top of that, she had a husband! "Damn." She whispered to herself. She had forgotten all about that man, he was definitely worried about her, seeing as it was almost 2 am.

Tasia walked into her hotel room, hoping her husband was asleep, but he was indeed not.

"Where you been?" His voice echoed in the room, causing Fantasia to slightly jump.

"I was out with my girls and forgot to call. I apologize." Fantasia spoke softly, walking towards him.

"I was worried, call next time please."

"I will."

"Alright, now that I know you're alive, I'm going to sleep. Good night my love." Kendall kissed his wife, before heading to the bedroom.

Fantasia felt extremely guilty, and she didn't know why. Nothing happened, granted Taraji's face was very close to hers, but that's all that happened. More than what should've happened in the first place, right?

They had finally wrapped for The Color Purple, and the cast could not be happier. As much as they loved using their talents and being around each other everyday, they also missed their own families at home. During the last few weeks of shooting, Taraji and Fantasia found themselves becoming closer. Of course, it was portrayed as a sisterhood. A friendship, if you may, but they knew it was more than that. Well, Taraji knew. She knew her feelings for Fantasia were strong, way past a simple friendship. Tasia, on the other hand, was in denial. She felt the romantic tension between them, but ignored it because she has a husband and daughter waiting for her at home. What would she look like cheating? With a woman at that. What kind of example would she be showing her 4 year old child? So, selfishly, she kept her relationship with Taraji simple. She couldn't allow herself to become attached, even though Taraji made it difficult. Sometimes the way she spoke would have Tasia in shambles. Her own husband didn't even have that effect on her. Fantasia found herself at Taraji's house almost every other night, she felt like it was a sin.

"Tasia, we aren't doing anything." Taraji reassured her friend for the thousandth time.

"I know, I don't know why I'm tripping." Fantasia smiled, sipping her drink.

"Thank you, now. How is that baby of yours doing?"
"Well, she ain't no baby no more, but she's doing good. Giving me and her daddy a headache."

"Him.. how he doing?" Taraji rolled her eyes.

She definitely was not a fan of Fantasia's husband. You'd think he abused her the way she acted, when in reality it was her own jealousy. Tasia knew that, but like everything else, she decided to ignore it.

"My husband is fine as well."

"Why do you do that?"

"What do I do Raji?"

"My husband is fine." Taraji stressed, husband, to show her frustration.

"Well, he is my husband. What do you want me to say?" Fantasia chuckled, but quickly stopped when she notice Taraji was far from laughing.

Taraji took a deep breath, trying to collect her thoughts.

"What are we doing here Tasia? I mean, we're too grown to be acting like teenagers."

"I thought we were drinking and gossiping, but I guess not." Fantasia sat her glass down, now confused.

"You know that is not what I'm talking about, don't bullshit me. We talk every single day. You come to my house damn near every day, and you stay till the fuckin sun comes up. How do you not feel what I feel?"

Fantasia looked down guiltily. Of course she felt it, she always has. But she couldn't do that to her family.

"I have a husband and child Raji, I can't- I can't just pack that up. I truly do love that man." Fantasia now had tears filling her eyes, her emotions running wild.

"So, you've just been dragging me on an emotional rollercoaster these couple months, for what? The fun of it?"

"No, I didn't-."

"You didn't what Tasia? You didn't know what you were doing? Or you didn't know that you were hurting me in the process?"

"I'm sorry, I truly am Raji."

"I think you should go." Taraji stood up from her couch, her own tears falling, "you can let yourself out."

Before Fantasia could say anything else, Taraji disappeared upstairs. Fantasia knew she messed up big time, but she had to protect her family. Her and Taraji could never be a thing, ever.

It had been weeks since Fantasia and Taraji spoke, and Fantasia felt guilty. She knew that it was her fault, but what did Taraji expect her to do? Packing up your life is not simple, especially in their situation.

Today there was a cast interview with Danielle, Taraji, and Fantasia. No one knew about their fall out, and Fantasia didn't know how it was going to play out.

"Tasia!" Danielle squealed, hugging her friend tightly.

"Dani baby." Fantasia smiled big, embracing her.

Taraji walked up behind them, with the fakest smile plastered on her face. Of course Fantasia knew it was fake, hell she knows Taraji like the back of her hand and could read her like a book now.

"Hey divas!" She said as she hugged Danielle, but didn't even look Fantasia's way.

"Miss ma'am you look good." Danielle snapped her fingers in awe of Taraji's radiating beauty and stunning outfit.

"Oh girl please, me. Look at you."

Fantasia seeped into the background, feeling uncomfortable already. This was going to be a long day.

After the first interview it was very evident that something was going on between the two cast stars. Danielle felt it, but decided not to say anything because it wasn't her business.

"Excuse me, for a second please." Taraji smiled before exiting the room.

Fantasia was right behind her, hot on her trail.

"Raji, you good?" She asked with genuine concern.

Taraji ignored her, rolling her eyes.

"I know we haven't talked in some weeks, but I still love you girl. You know that."

"Ha, yeah right." Taraji let out a dry laugh, "I don't want your sympathy right now. I barely want to do these damn interviews with you, but I'm a professional and I know better than to let them get any suspensions. But just know, everything I say or do is not real. We are no longer friends. Because of you."

"Taraji, I said I was sorry a million times, what more do you want from me?"

"Nothing. Keep your sorrys. I'm the one who should be sorry for allowing you to play me the way you did. You're a mess Tasia." Taraji shook her head, before heading back into the room.

Fantasia was left alone again, which was a normal thing for her at this point. She quickly fixed herself up, before also returning into the room.

"Come on girl, they're about to start." Danielle waved Fantasia over.

"I'm here, I'm here." Fantasia chuckled, as she sat in her seat.

She slightly glanced at Taraji, and she almost saw hatred in her eyes. More so hurt than anything.

This was going to be a long day.