Quiet Backstage: A Series of Lippa Oneshots

Clean

A/N: Hey, nessa_peachess.

P.S. I made up Gaby and Ethan.

*Mentions of emtional induced drinking*

"What is wrong!" Renèe exclaimed, walking into my shared apartment with my boyfriend, Lin. At least...I think he's my boyfriend. Renèe walked in to see me pacing a line in the carpet, my hands gripping at my hair. "You're going to hurt yourself like that. Stop and talk to me!" She lowered my hands from my head and sat down on my couch. I refused, and stayed standing.

"I think Lin is sleeping with Gaby to get that job!" I exclaimed.

"Woah, back up. Lin is doing what?!" Renèe stood up.

"I think he's sleeping with Gaby to get that role!" I repeated myself.

"Pip, that is absurd. Lin wouldn't do that to you!" Renèe told me.

"No, but that's what everyone's telling me, and--" An angst ridden shout fell past my lips as I tangled my hands in my hair again. My feet started pacing the all too familiar line in the carpet once more.

"Quit that, and look at me!" Renèe demanded, knowing that being harsh was probably the only way to get my attention in the moment. "Lin is not sleeping with anyone! Calm down! He wouldn't do that, and you and I both know that."

"Renèe, but what if--" I started.

"We are not playing the "what if" game. Lin isn't sleeping anywhere. Not with Gaby, or anyone, or anywhere besides next to you!" Renèe told me. "Now, calm down, what are you even on, my God, are you drunk?"

"No, you know I don't drink!" I snapped back.

"That bottle of wine is begging to differ." Renèe pointed to the green tinged bottle behind my shoulder.

"Not my problem." I mumbled.

"It is if you drank it."

"I didn't drink any." I snapped.

"Then why is it out?" Renèe asked.

"It was some really delayed housewarming gift from my cousin, chill." I fired right back. The room fell silent for a second. "Leave." I snapped, seconds later, breaking the silence.

"Pippa, you are not okay. You are going crazy just standing here, and you know it!" Renèe told me.

"Lin will be home within the hour, leave." I snapped.

"Fine. You have my number if you need anything." Renèe said as she walked out the door.

I sat back on my couch and sighed, throwing my head into my hands as hot tears ran down my cheeks. I lifted my head and looked over to the bottle Renèe accused me of drinking from.

Nobody was home.

One drink in my life couldn't hurt.

Heck, I was legal, I was twenty three.

I stood up and made my way to the cabinet, grabbing a wine glass from the very back of it. We always kept fancy glasses like these around, in case we ever entertained, but we never end up doing so. I walked back over to the living room, and grabbed the bottle. Cracking the cork off of the glass, I poured myself a lot a bit of the ivory liquid into my glass. With one tilt of my head back, I downed the entire glass. I sat back up normally, and put the glass on the table. I was about to pour myself another when a feeling I didn't necessarily enjoy washed over me. I sprinted over to the bathroom, not bothering to close the door. I got there just in time, because a split second later, I was throwing up. I hadn't been this sick in a long time, and I instantly remembered why I don't drink.

"Pippa?" Lin's voice rang through the apartment. "Babe?" He asked. I would've called back, but I was too weak in the moment to do anything. "Pippa...?" Lin asked, now in a more concerned tone. I mustered the strength to turn around, and there Lin was, standing in the doorframe: bottle in one hand, glass in the other. He looked indescribably disappointed. "What happened to you?" He asked, setting the glass containers on the sink and kneeling beside me. "We said we were going to regift the wine." He frowned. Lin's hand went to touch my cheek, but I pulled away.

"I don't want your hands on me." I snapped.

"Woah, where is all of this coming from?" Lin looked at me with genuine concern.

"Don't touch me with the hands you've touched her with." I sat back against the wall.

"Wait, what?"

"You're sleeping with Gaby to get that job!" I yelled, not having the energy to try to snake around the truth here. The sudden yelling did prompt me to become sick again, so Lin lurched forward, and held my hair in a makeshift ponytail.

"Where did you get that absurd idea from?" Lin asked.

"Everyone! All these headlines keep popping up on my phone, and Ethan said--"

"Okay, you're going to trust Ethan? May I remind you that he's been lying on his resume since he was sixteen." Lin rested his hand on my leg. "Princess, I'm not cheating on you. Or sleeping with anyone to get any role or job. I swear. Those reporters just like making crap up to get some money." Lin half smiled.

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart." Lin helped me stand up, and also helped me brush the gross taste from my mouth, considering how weak my body still was. He picked me up bridal style, and laid me down under the covers. Lin laid beside me, and turned the bedside lamp on. "My hands are clean, I promise." Lin wrapped his hands around my waist, and I truthfully felt safe.