Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 25: Apology

It took Larry almost the whole next day to track Shauna down.  She wasn't at any of her usual spots—the dorm, the school library, her mom's house—and she wasn't answering her phone.  He was about to give up when she finally called him back.

Her voice was cold.  "What do you want?"

"Meet me somewhere."

"I don't see the point."

"Just do it."

"Fine."

Shauna leaned against her car with her arms folded in the parking lot behind her dorm waiting for Larry to show up.  The place was deserted since most of the students were gone home for the weekend and only a few street lights illuminated the darkening evening sky.

She was already furious from yesterday.  Now she was even angrier at herself for breaking down and agreeing to see him.  But it was too late for regrets as Larry's recognizable silhouette crossed the lot towards her.

He approached with his hands in his jacket pockets and stood there contemplating Shauna for a while before he spoke.  She was wearing a cutoff GSU t-shirt with a plaid miniskirt, All-stars, and the front of her hair covered with a bandanna...and she looked mad as hell.

He'd been thinking about what to say to her on the way to meet, but nothing he came up with seemed right.  So, he decided to go with the first thing that came to his mind.

"I'm not good at saying I'm sorry.  But I'm sorry."

Shauna scowled up at him through her long lashes.  "That's it?  That's all you wanted to tell me?"

"What do you want me to say?"  Larry dropped his eyes to his feet.  "I messed up.  And I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You?"  Shauna laughed sarcastically.  "You're the one who messed up?"

Larry's brow furrowed and his eyes darted back and forth wondering what she was getting at, but he didn't respond.

Shauna stepped forward and pushed him in the chest.  "Damn it, Larry.  I know you love Laurent, but why are you lying for him?"

He looked down at the spot where she hit him and opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again looking at her inquiringly.

She answered the question on his face before he could ask it.  "I heard you two talking at Gabby's house yesterday."

Larry took his hands out of his pockets gesturing in frustration.  "So, why are you still mad then if you know the truth? Why you got me out here like this looking for you all day?"

"Because," she rolled her neck and re-crossed her arms.  "You were still dead wrong for lying. And so is your brother for messing around on my sister.  I thought he loved her."

"No, you don't understand.  Lau loves Gabby, but he...well...I didn't think she would believe him if he told the truth.  He didn't sleep with that girl."  Larry stepped closer to her.  "I promise."

"Yeah, right."  Shauna shook her head in disbelief.   "So you were just gonna let me think you did?  What if I had said I never wanted to see you again?"  Her eyes turned glassy.

Larry unfolded her arms and took both her hands in his.  "But I knew you wouldn't."

Her chest heaved with emotion.  "But I could have.  I could've been through with your ass."

"No,"  He touched his forehead to hers.  "You couldn't."

Shauna's lips trembled as Larry pressed his mouth softly to hers.  She balled her fists up against his chest.

"I hate you."

"Okay."  He kissed her again.

"Oh, and I wasn't with any other girls when I was in New York if that's what you think."

"Really?"

Larry nodded.  "Really."  He lifted her up onto the trunk of the car.  "I missed you."

Shauna's eyelashes fluttered and she exhaled heavily.  "I missed you, too."