The Roses

Part 5

"What happened? Is she okay?" a familiar voice that was smooth soft, like slick had spoken sadly, it was quiet. Like whoever said was trying not to wake someone.

"She's fine she just is in shock. It must be hard losing someone you've known for years like that," another voice had said, this time unfamiliar, a bit rougher, but not enough to be a man's voice. Athena still laid there; in the darkness. Her eyelids were still too heavy to open, but she wanted to see who was speaking in such a familiar voice...

"Hey Athen, I'm sorry. I should have told them to back off, or to ya know," Venessa sniffled, as she put her hands on her face and continued, "I knew that you were sensitive with that stuff and I didn't do anything. I'm sorry." Why are they crying? Athena finally grabbed enough strength to open her eyes, and finally see whose silky voice was so sad. Venessa.

"It's not your fault," Athena rasped, as she gave a weak smile. Venessa looked up and grinned, tears falling freely down the sides of her Ivory skin. Athena sat up uncomfortably in her bed at the sight of Venessa crying, she reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Don't cry, it's really not your fault. I was just surprised that's all. Please don't cry," Athena cleared her throat, and looked directly into Venessa's sky blue eyes. Athena's velvet voice calming her immediately, she nodded and smiled again. I'm glad she's okay. I wouldn't know what I'd do if Athena wasn't okay. Venessa thought to herself, as she softly tucked her dark black hair behind her ear. Athena threw herself off the bed, startling Venessa.

"So! We gonna go? I hate hospitals," Athena grinned, while she stretched dramatically. She's crazy. Venessa thought to herself again.

"Woah, cowgirl calm down, we still need to check out with the doc to make sure everything is in check," Venessa laughed, standing up from her seat and putting her hands in front of her.

"Screw the doc," Athena smiled, while flicking her wrist at Venessa signaling that 'Everything's fine'. Yeah, she's definitely crazy.

"Whatever short stack," Venessa giggled, while running her hand through her hair.

"Hey! I'm not short, you're just freakishly tall. I'm 5'6," Athena snapped, while crossing her hands over her chest like a child.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say gremlin," Venessa teased again, while giggling a bit at Athena's defensiveness. Athena skipped out of the door, as Venessa sauntered out the door.

"HEY! Where do you think you're going young lady?!?!" the doctor yelled, chasing after them. Athena giggled.

"Hey, look I tried. There's no use," Venessa shrugged, as Athena grabbed her hand so she'd start skipping with her. The doctor stopped, and sighed figuring that everything would be fine.

After they got back to the apartment, Athena realized the reason she was in the hospital in the first place; John.

"So," Athena cleared her throat, "about John."

"Right, basically.. he uhh.. was murdered yesterday," Venessa threw her head down.

"How?" Athena's voice began to crack, as her eyes began to water.

"His.. throat was slit," Venessa looked over to Athena and her expression softened.

"Oh my god. Was he robbed?" Athena asked, tears streaming down her bege skin.

"Uh, no. They think it was a planned murder. Like someone wanted John dead. They asked me a couple questions, but I don't; didn't know John that well. They want you in for questioning. Don't worry I'm your alibi, just in case," Venessa replied, looking at Athena with compassionate eyes.

"Oh.. okay," Athena shaked, finally letting it all out.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Venessa comforted, as she hugged Athena closely. Venessa's hug was tight, but not enough to hurt. Almost like a hug a mother would give you after your first heartbreak. But Athena didn't know what that felt like, since her mother died at a young age. When she first heard about it she reacted the same way she reacted when John died. Ever since then, whenever someone close to her died, she'd pass out. Not exactly the best reaction for most. But, she'd get by I mean she does; most of the time.

After the girls had their 'Chick flick' moment Venessa headed to work, she was already late due to the whole 'passing out' session. Athena decided she would still try to go to work, though she knew she may not last long she wanted to try.

So, she got up from her place on the couch and threw on her uniform. She didn't bother to put on makeup, and she didn't really care. One of her best friends died. One of the only people in the world she had left, so again; she really didn't care.

She snatched her keys off the kitchen counter and strutted out the door. She finally reached her beautiful purple 1966 Pontiac Parisienne, opened the car door and plopped down on her white leather seat. She sighed, as she gripped the white steering wheel with her eyes shut closed.

"Let's do this," she sighed to herself, as she opened her eyes again and began driving that beautiful car.