Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 27: Dream Deferred

Shauna was in her dorm room brooding.

Things went somewhat back to normal between her and Larry before he left, but she couldn't get over the fact that he would risk breaking things off with her to protect Gabby.

Ever since they were kids she always felt like she was growing up in her big sister's shadow.  The five years between them might as well have been a lifetime.  Gabby was always being overprotective and bossing her around.

She always had to play with Gabby's old toys and wear her hand-me-down clothes.   While Gabby played outside with the other big kids, Shauna could only watch from inside through the window because she was too little.

True enough Shauna was the apple of their mom's eye as the baby of the family, but in her mind it didn't change the fact that Gabby got to be first at absolutely everything.  Gabby graduated college at the top of her class.  Gabby got a great job and traveled the world.  Gabby won a fancy award. And now this.

Her cell phone rang.  Speak of the devil...it was Gabby.

She almost let it go to voicemail, but decided to pick it up at the last minute.

"Shauna?"

"Yeah.  What's up?"

"I just wanted to check on you to see if you're okay.  I'm sorry about what happened with Larry."

"I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"This is exactly why I never thought the two of you were a good idea, Shauna.  I just didn't want to see you get hurt.  And you have to focus on school."

"Is that it?  You finished trying to rub it in and lecture me now?"

"I wasn't trying to rub anything in.  That's not what I meant and you know it."

"What I know is that I'm tired of you always telling me what to do."

"Forget it."  Gabby gave up trying to be nice.  "I don't have time for your attitude."

"Why not?  You waiting for Laurent to call?  Good.  Then you can ask him why he lied to you about spending the night with that girl."

"What is wrong with you?  I swear you'd say anything because you can't stand not being the center of attention, can you?  You're so damn spoiled!"

When it came to Shauna, Gabby had a special weakness.  From the moment their mom brought her home from the hospital and she saw that tiny, sweet face lying in the crib, she would do anything to keep her little sister safe, to shield her from the big, bad world.

She loved Shauna more than her own life.  But, on the flip side, no one could irritate her more.

Gabby continued to let her angry words spill out unchecked.  "You put yourself out there with Larry and it didn't work.  That's not my fault.  So don't take it out on me."

"Wow."  Shauna's tone was dry and flat.  "Maybe if you came down off your high horse once in a while you could see what's been going on right in front of your face.   I overheard the guys talking before they left.   Laurent cheated on you and Larry was kind enough to take the blame.  You picked the wrong twin.  Deal with it."

She hung up and Gabby was left holding the phone wondering whether her sister was full of it or if some dreams really were too good to be true.