Thoughts In
Retrospect
PART 2A: All The World's A Stage
(A should have been scene from "Tough Love")
Walking out into the cool air, Jessie sighed audibly. She could feel the flush leaving her face after exiting from the heat of the theatre. But seriously thinking about it, the heat hadn't been the only thing that had been making her face flushed. After the slightly uncomfortable encounter with Katie, with the older girl being so obviously fixated on Sarah, Jessie had excused herself declaring she'd wait for everyone outside. What really did she expect anyways. She'd just met the other girl a few days ago and already she was expecting the brunette to care about her existence. Sure you sit outside a convenience store together and she mentions becoming friends with you, it doesn't really mean anything beyond that though. All she was doing was being nice. Why would she really want to be friends with some pathetic loser. Or at least that's what was occupying the majority of Jessie's thoughts before she heard someone calling out her name.
"Jessie! Hey wait up." Turning around Jessie stopped and waited for the approaching figure running to catch up to her, decidedly not very excited as the identity of the figure became clear.
"Hey" Stopping just in front of Jessie, the other girl made a show of catching her breath. Before straightening up to look Jessie in the eyes. Holding Katie's gaze briefly Jessie shoved her hands in her pockets before shifting uncomfortably and decided that the pavement was incredibly interesting. Not noticing the obvious discomfort of the blond Katie continued talking in a playful tone.
"I come running out here to catch you and all you have to say to me is "hey"?" Frowning up at Katie, Jessie's gaze shifted around the parking lot, looking for any sign of her family, and not exactly feeling comfortable in this situation.
"With all that heavy breathing you fake so well maybe you should be the one in the play." Glaring at the older girl, Jessie spat out the words before turning away and walking to a nearby bench. "What's so important that you chased me all the way out here anyways when it seems to be such a strain on your system." Shooting another look of pure venom in the direction of the other girl, Jessie saw Katie wince at her words as a look of hurt crossed her face. Immediately upon seeing this she regretted her words as she watched Katie fidget with her hands and try to find anywhere else to look. She definitely hadn't expected this. Backstage she had noticed how uncomfortable Jessie had been talking with Sarah, and something in the back of her mind compelled her to ease any concerns away from the younger girl. She had definitely not expected this.
"Nothing. Nothing's important, just forget it. Umm I should probably go anyways. I'll, I'll see you around." The pain was evident in her voice, looking once more at Jessie, Katie quickly turned and began walking away. Intending to escape before she received anymore wrath. However, her plan was foiled after no more than five steps as a hand caught her tightly around the arm, halting her retreat, and causing her to turn around to see a pair of blue eyes looking at her intently.
"Wait. Don't go." Letting go of the other girl's arm, Jessie looked away shyly before looking back into the brown eyes where the hurt from her verbal lashing was still evident. "I'm sorry, Katie, I didn't mean to be so harsh, I guess I'm just tired. And well, Sarah's been hassling me all night and I snapped. And I think I was going to snap anyways, it's just you've really been the first person who's talked to me one on one since we finished tonight. And I'm really sorry." Pursing her lips together tightly and keeping her mouth shut before another string of babble poured forth, Jessie looked up at Katie innocently, to find the other girl smiling at her sweetly.
"You know what, I get it. It's okay. I guess I should be understanding you know, opening nights can be very stressful. And since you're sorry and everything." Realizing she couldn't help herself, Katie was all too ready to forgive and forget. The fact that this would inevitably lead to disaster and possibly a World War never entering her mind as she smiled at the blond girl standing guiltily in front of her. "I guess I can forgive you." And the smile she received then was proof enough that World War be damned she had made the right decision. Still smiling at each other, the girls walked back over to the bench and sat down comfortably letting the silence embrace the moment before either dared to speak.
Taking the initiative Jessie casually began to reassemble Katie's previously attempted conversation, remembering that there had been a reason the girl had chased her all the way out here in the first place. "So, what did you want to talk to me about so badly that you ran all the way out hear anyways, risking heart attack and certain death from the exertion."
"I dunno, I just wanted to talk to you I guess." She replied nonchalantly with the hint of a grin playing delicately at her features. "You know, get to know the girl. We seem to have our best conversations in front of buildings at night"
"Oh yea, all one of those conversations hey?" It wasn't hard to like this girl. Jessie was discovering that more and more every time they talked. And the funny thing was it seemed she was genuinely interested each time. Shaking herself from her thoughts she turned her attention towards Katie again, who seemed to be in the process of proving the merits of a single conversation.
"Do not mock the power of a single conversation." She stated with simple conviction. "I mean it was in said conversation that I learned your life's dream of becoming a woman suit." The two girls laughed and looked at each other earnestly before Zoe came bounding up to Jessie announcing that they were going and if Jessie wanted in on the pleasure of going home in a vehicle she should come now.
Saying that she'd be there in 15 seconds Jessie waited until Zoe was well down the sidewalk before standing up and looking down at Katie. "I guess this is my cue to exit."
"I guess it is at that." Standing up Katie let her hand gently graze Jessie's elbow before hugging her arms to her chest tightly, shivering slightly. "It's getting kinda cold anyways." Looking around the parking lot quickly and seeming to make up her mind about something Katie quickly embraced the younger girl in front of her. And looked quickly away missing the surprise that flitted across Jessie's face, as well as the hint of a smile that playedat the corners of her mouth. "By the way you were really amazing tonight."
Jessie then smiled, a bit broader than she expected. "Thanks. But um I should really go. It's been way more than 15 seconds. I'll see you tomorrow?" Walking backwards away from Katie, Jessie kept her eyes locked with the other girl's.
"Yea of course. Tomorrow. With school and all that
stuff." Smiling back at the retreating figure of the blond, Katie sunk back down onto
the bench, shaking her head lightly. World War be damned indeed.