The Last Victim #JustWriteIt

CHAPTER TWELVE

Gazelle made her way silently to Dawn's room. Her mother had let her in; she really needed to see Carmela. This was important. What if there was something wrong, which is why she was behaving that odd? There could be no other explanation. Her brow furrowed in concentration, straining over the cause. This seemed to be the only legit explanation. She sighed deeply and walked to the end of the hall. Carmela's door stood ajar, a single slit of light passing through. Gazelle placed her hand on the door, hesitating before pushing it open, listening carefully on the other side. Silence. No movement. She took a deep breath. Did she really want to do it? Even without telling herself, she knew the answer. Yes she did. They were best of friends since time would have it. Even if Carmela was behaving odd, she couldn't leave her. She would be there for her. No matter what, no matter when. Pursing her lips, as she thought about Carmela's earlier outburst, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit. The windows were opened, and the cold November air gushed in. The curtains flew in the wind and the wind-chime softly chimed in the wind. On the bed, she could see a faint silhouette of Carmela, laying with her back on her. And if she was not much mistaken, the atmosphere rang with little sobs. Gazelle took a deep breath and clearing her thoughts, walked to the bed. She could see Carmela, thrown on the bed, the silver dress from the party, strewn on the floor and clad in a pair of jeans shorts and long T-shirt. Her face was buried in the pillow. Gazelle whispered.

'Carmela!'

Carmela straightened up in a bolt of lightning, trying to wipe the tears off her face in vain. What she saw made her blood boil. Gazelle sat before her, eyes, wide with faking concern and brow furrowed in concentration. What was she doing here? Making a mental note to ask mom not to allow visitors in the house without her consent, she spoke to Gazelle, hardly able to keep the disapproval out of her voice.

'What are you doing here?'

Gazelle shrunk back. Why was her tone so....mean? She could sense something being definitely wrong. They had been friends for like ever. Why were things like this happening now? Trying to keep her voice calm, Gazelle gently took Carmela's hand in both of her own. Caressing it tenderly.

'I just came to see if there was something wrong with you. I don't think you are okay. I want to make sure whatever is bothering you, is out of your life.....'

Carmela pulled her hand back with a severe tug and snarled in a harsh voice.

'Well, I want you out. Can you do that?'

The heartless words struck deep wounds in Gazelle's heart. Like frozen icicles going right through meat. The hysterics she had been controlling for so long seemed impossible to hold back anymore. Trying to calm herself down, though her voice still shook, she spoke to Carmela again.

'Really? I guess our friendship doesn't mean anything now, does it? You have no regard for what we both have been for ages? I'd rather die than leave you. But if that's what you want....' She stood up, trying in vain to hold her tears back, when a few broke free and slipped down her face. She brushed them away. 'I'll leave. Forever. You should have told me before. I wouldn't have given you this torture for this long.' She sniffed and turned to leave. She was almost to the door when she heard a broken whisper. Carmela was saying.

'Stop!'

Gazelle turned to face her, trying to compose her shattered feelings.

'What?'

Though she expected her voice to come out sharp and cold, she was surprised to hear a deeply pleading, dead voice. At the same moment she realized, spending thirteen years with the same girl, Carmela was really her life now. How deeply she loved her was something she had not known herself. The mere thought of thinking to leave her was so painful.... She wished she would have had another chance to make everything alright again...

Carmela looked at her and motioned her to come and sit beside her. She followed her and sat down. She kept her eyes down because she did not want Carmela to witness the feelings for her, the deep crushing anguish that was suffocating her right now. Carmela put a hand on her shoulder and sighed.

'I am sorry, Gazelle! I know I am being a bitch but.... I need to have... I need some space. People judging me... Comparing me with you...' Her words were punctuated with heavy sobs and tears constantly flowed down her face. Gazelle placed a hand on her back and began rubbing in a soothing way. 'I need to focus. The grand finale of the dance competition is next month and all this.... I don't want to take part in it... I am not good enough....' Her tears got faster. The pain on her face was unbelievable.

Gazelle looked at her and shook her head. 'So that's what was bothering you? You could have told me that before. You know I'll always be there for you.' Then adding more firmly, she caressed Carmela's blonde, tangled hair. 'No! You can't give up! Not right now, at least. We have been training all our lives for this international event which is going to take place so near to us. We can't let it go....'

Carmela wiped her face and looked Gazelle straight in the eye. 'You can go. You are wonderful. I am not. And there is no....'

Gazelle cut her through with warm words. 'Carmela. You have it all wrong. It doesn't matter what people think. I never work for praise. Or appreciation. All of that comes later. When you are standing there, it's just you and the microphone. Your voice is so magical, you have no idea. But being on the stage, it takes no fear, trust me. You have to do it. You have to be great. And I know you can!'

Carmela was looking at her, lost. Even in the dim light in her room, Gazelle could see her eyes were wet and reminded her of broken glass. Carmela took a while considering it. Then she spoke, her voice lower than a whisper and dry.

'You really think so?'

Gazelle smiled and nodded.

'I know so. Don't worry.'

Carmela managed a watery smile.

'But.....'

Gazelle cut her through, eyebrow raised.

'No buts. That's it. We are going for this. Alright?'

Carmela looked at the wall staring at some vague spot. Then taking the longest time to think about it, she gave Gazelle a deep smile and nodded.

'Sure thing. We never know what surprises await us.'

Gazelle laughed at her.

'Yeah. So we are good?'

Carmela gave her thumbs up sign.

'Don't worry. I have a plan.'