Wannabe (Inanimate Insanity Fanfiction)

If You Wanna Get with Me, Better Make It Fast

When Pepper wakes up, she's initially surprised she managed to get to sleep at all. Why would she nap right after a night of restful sleep?

"Rise and shine, darling."

Pepper starts a bit at the sound of Salt's voice. It sounds crackly and hoarse; Pepper turns to face her, and in the process, her hand finds a wet spot on Salt's pillow. She initially feels a thrill; they're so close that if she wanted to, she could reach out a hand and touch her face. Not that she'd actually do that, that was incredibly rude, but-

'Oh. Wait.'

'That happened.'

The smile that's begun to form on Pepper's face instantly drops. "Umm, yeah. Did you sleep okay?"

Salt grins ruefully. "...Mmph, I've slept better. But that's besides the point. You looked sooo peaceful. Did you know you talk? It's, like... cute."

'So she didn't sleep after all.' Pepper makes to glance out the window, but Salt stops her: "It's still morning. It's only been, like, an hour, so don't worry about the time.."

'It's only been an hour since my heart's been broken,' Pepper translates it. "Salt..."

"A-anyway, maybe we should do something else. Get a change of scenery just like you said. I don't really want to be here at his hotel..."

"Totally. But first, are you sure there's nothing you need to talk about? Because it doesn't make you weak to need help."

Salt bites her lip... and, after moments' hesitation, she laughs, devoid of mirth. "You know me so well." She gently sets her hand atop Pepper's. "Honestly, though, I just... wasn't expecting that from OJ. At all. I don't even... know what to say." She deflates.

"Girl, there's no explanation for it other than his own bad taste. You're a star, he's a breakfast beverage that can't compete with coffee OR tea."

"...I dunno... I always liked my citrus in the morning..."

"That's only because you haven't really tried coffee yet. It's an acquired taste. It's dark and very mature." '...Okay, that might be pushing the envelope a little. Time to back off.'

She groaned. "I hardly even know what to do with myself without OJ to watch... Oh God, I must have been terrible!"

"You weren't that bad. You get this, like, look in your eyes. Super intense. And it makes me determined to get the things I want, too... even if it'll never be." 'Kind of like your love, for example.' "It's just a matter of time before you notice that someone really fell for you, right?"

Salt looks at her with renewed interest. "...You really think so? Do you know if any other guys are interested in me...?"

"You're asking that now?! You got rejected only, like, an hour ago!"

"Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

Pepper crossed her arms. "Dating while you're sad about someone else is super not a good idea! Nobody wants to be a rebound fling. It just won't last if you start it now."

"But Pep, I'll get over OJ faster if I have someone new to fawn over! It's how it works. You've never had a crush before, I know what I'm talking about."

'You're kidding me. You're freaking kidding me.'

"There's no harm in finding someone new to like, darling. Just tell me!"

"Um, well, I don't know about any guys who like you..." She's careful not to emphasize 'guys.' "But I'm sure that a new opportunity is closer than you think."