After the Volcano

Tab’s heart raced as Jamie found Shane and Alice. She held the knife close to her. Jamie looked down at Tab, an evil glare shot from her icy blue eyes. Tab swallowed and took in a deep breath, “What you did to me Jamie…was ***** wrong.”

“WHAT I DID? …You killed Ryan.”

“You know that’s not true!” Tab shook her head, “You even told me you knew who did it!”

Jamie nodded, “Yes, but if it wasn’t for you sleeping around, being the ‘*****’ …Diane found out okay?”

Tab raised her eyebrow, “You know Diane?”

“Well yeah…She’s my cousin.” Jamie looked down and shuffled her feet. Suddenly the confidence in this fanatic wore off.

Alice’s quietly opened the laptop again and nodded, “Mmmhmm. Yeah! Look, it’s all here on her journal–

“Al,” Shane kicked Alice.

“Ow! Jesus Shane, cool it, I’m just saying!”

Tab stepped closer to Jamie and placed her hand on her shoulder, “She’s your cousin?”

Jamie looked up into Tab’s eyes, with that familiar mellow stare that Diane would usually give Tab, “Yeah…I kind of, met you at one of your midnight bashes…remember?”

***

A wasted Tab grabbed two beers and handed one to Diane. Diane just shook her head and looked at Tab with a smile on her face, What is it with you and partying?

Tab shrugged and looked around their crowded apartment, I like the sight of bodies packed into a tiny place like sardines. Diane shook her head and rolled her eyes. Im kidding. Its just fun.

Tabs figure leaned against the wall and took a sip of her beer as Diane hugged a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked fairly young. Fresh. Innocent.

Diane turned towards Tab with her arm around the fresh girl, Tab, Id like you to meet someone. The girl looked at Tab with those curious blue eyes. Tab, this is my cousin, Jamie. Jamie, this is my crazy roommate and actually kind of cool”but you should stay away from her”

***** you, Diane, Tab smiled and held out her hand to shake Jamies. Hello. Dianes cousin, really?

Jamie bit her lip as she looked Tab over, Hi. Yeah, Im her cousin.

Tab smirked and took another sip of her beer, Well, have fun, little one. I suggest you to not mess with the guys though. Stay around the girlies. She winked at the blonde, buzzed indeed. Im off to minglesee ya around.

***

“*****. *****.” Tab stepped away and turned towards the wall and placed her hands on it as she remembered part of the night, “I cant believe Diane brought you to my parties …That ***** stupid *****…”

***

Diane squeezed Jamies shoulder and laughed, seeing her cousin with rosy cheeks, Oh please, youre not blushingWhy are you blushing?

Uh, Jamie smiled, watching Tab walk away, Just the atmosphere of the room, you know. Jamie kept an eye on Tab, but she felt a bit uncomfortable as she saw her kiss a girl. Her smile faded, and Diane noticed.

Are you sure youre fine being here? I mean, you are a little young to be here whispered Diane.

Her head shook, Im fine. Just as long as nobody knows that Im young.

Okay, well, Im going to go look for Ryan. Be good. Or my ***** is gonna be kicked if your parents find out.

Dont worry, they trust you.

Good, Diane hugged her cousin, and ruffled the hair on top of her head, Well, if you ever need anything, just find me okay. Better yet, youre a smart one, if something or someone is on fire, call 911.

Jamie chuckled, I can fend for myself, Cuz.

Just making sure.

She walked away leaving Jamie alone by the wall. She folded her arms across her chest as she decided to get a soda. She looked at all the drinks and noticed that it was all alcohol. She grabbed a bottle and examined it.

You must not drink much.

Jamie jumped and turned around to see Tab, Ino. She went red and put the bottle down.

Sorry, did I scare you? Tab looked over the drinks and picked a bottle out for her, and held it in front of her.

No thanksI just wanted a soda. Jamie looked down at her feet.

Tab laughed and put the drink down, Whatever, suit yourself.

***

Jamie massaged the back of her neck as hesitation filled her body, “Actually, it was just one party”I couldnt handle going through that again. I was going to use the bathroom, and I kind of walked in on you and Ryan…and eventually I told Diane,” Tab turned around and glared at Jamie, making her whimper, “W-when she wondered why Ryan hasn’t returned her calls, and she checked his place, and saw your clothes. It was the night Ryan took you on that trip…”

She stared at the teen, a mixture of regret, hate, and fear in her eyes. Alice and Shane looked at the two, the silence between them intense. “Diane murdered Ryan.” Tab said, “Where is Diane…what the ***** happened to her?”

“She killed herself, Tab. After killing Ryan she was just…so distraught…that it kept her from killing you. But nobody knows that, only I knew…”

Shane stepped out of the closet, Can I say something?

***

-Jenny/Shane Residence-

Dont hold yourself like that
Youll hurt your knees
I kissed your mouth and back
But thats all I need
Don’t build your world around volcanoes melt you down

Carmen sat at the edge of Shanes bed, her elbows on her knees as she looked around the room. Fairly clean, with Shanes aroma floating in the air. She leaned back to lie down on the bed, her eyes closed and imagining Shanes long figure on top of her, kissing her. But it was all for pleasure. Her eyes opened to the dim room once again, regret washed over her face. She wanted something real. It was displeasing for her to wonder that the woman shes thinking about right now could be doing the exact same thing to another.

What I am to you, is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you, is not what you mean to me
You give miles and miles of mountains
And Ill ask for the sea

She got off the bed, and realized it would be too hard for her to sleep in Shanes room with that on her mind. Yet when she looked at the mattress, that night where they played Too Hot with her, would just replay right in front of her. Too bad it was just engraved into her memory; it wouldnt be too easy to just get rid of that night”Shane leaving to go out, kissing the girl, while herself kissed Jenny. Was it in spite? Did she need someone? Jenny? It was just a kiss. Kisses arent always necessarily heartfelt.

Don’t throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth, your back
Is that all you need?
Don’t drag my love around volcanoes melt me down

She wandered into the kitchen, its almost 4 AM again, the thought of Shane being with another woman lurked in her mind. Whoever it is must really be dragging out the *****. She stopped herself. Or she could be..sleeping overNo. She said she doesnt do that. She wouldnt lie. She may not be committed, but she doesnt lieright?

Her hand fetched for a glass in the darkness and she opened the fridge that spread its light to parts of the kitchen. Soy milk. No reason for beer. Just something to soothe. She filled her glass and stopped in her tracks when she realized Jenny was standing there.

Sorry, didnt mean to freak you out, she whispered.

Carmen forced a smile, Its fine, just getting a drink, she held up the glass. Quickly her smile faded, her mind was just clouded on Shane, and it rained on her whole usual down to earth mood.

Jenny cocked her head to the side and examined Carmens composure, Somethings bothering youStill thinking of Shane hm.

Her deep brown eyes looked into Jennys and sighed, Is it lame that someone Ive just met can just take over and turn my world upside down? Both good and bad?

I think thatWell it doesnt matter what others think. Ive been through it all. Whatever happens happens. Dont think about it too much though, she placed her hand on Carmens shoulder, because its tough to see a pretty face frown.

***

-Jamies Residence-

All eyes were on Shane, who was focused on Tab. Look, as fucked up as this situation is right now, Shanes gaze roamed dead center to Jamie, You need to let go of Tab.

Jamie raised her eyebrow, her arrogance floated back to her, And who are you to tell me what to do?

Shane slapped the girl, and grabbed onto her shoulders, Ive been around blondes like you before, and I am not trying to stereotypebut *****, get over it. This whole, trying to be almighty and powerful doesnt prove *****. Jamie opened her mouth to say a word, but Shane shook her head, No, Im doing the talking. Now, its ***** late, and Id really like to get some sleep. Go back to being the innocent high school girl you are, youre a senior in high school”be superior there, but dont bring Tab to your disgusting level. Youre lucky we didnt turn your ***** in. Consider this a littlewarning. Shane looked back at Tab, And you is this revenge? Are you letting the past get back at you?!

Tab sighed, I didnt plan on it. It was ***** blackmail”

I dont want to hear it, Tab. Okay? I saved your ***** again, but I dont want to see you anymore. A look of protest was on Tabs face, but she didnt say anything back.

Tab stood there while Jamie rolled her eyes and went to her room, screaming, Just ***** get out!

Shane nodded, Al, lets go.

Hold on, Im burning her files onto a CD!

AL!

OKAY!

Alice got up and took out the CD, following Shane who was already out the door. She looked back at Tab, Do you have a ride?

Tab looked up, Ill be fine. ThanksI guess.

***

-Jenny/Shane Residence-

Shane parked in front of the house and sighed. She noticed that Carmens car was still there, giving the impression that the two were busy doing whatsoever. She ran her hands through her hair, as she entered the quiet house. Hmso I guess theyre not *****. Anymore at least. Or if they even Wait why the ***** should I care. I need sleep.

She moped into her dark room and took off her shoes. She turned on the lamp and her heart skipped a beat when she saw that Carmen was sound asleep on her bed. Shane walked over and examined her beautiful face. It was nice to see something calm for Shane. Her lips genuinely smiled as she pulled the sheets back over her, carefully. She moved slightly, but did not wake. Shane looked around and found a blanket to sleep on the couch in the living room, just so she wouldnt break the peaceful dreams. She tiptoed back to the lamp and turned it off.

What I am to you, is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you, is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I’ll ask for what I give to you
Is just what I’m going through
This is nothing new
No no just another phase of finding what I really need
Is what makes me bleed
And like a new disease she’s still too young to treat
Volcanoes melt me down
She’s still too young
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me


Just as she was going to leave the room, Carmen awoke, Shane?

Shane froze, and then took a few steps back, Uh, yeah

Where you going

Just going to sleep out in the living room, she softly said.

She heard her sit up on the bed, Im sorry, I didnt mean to take your bed”

Its cool, use it for the night, itll still be there for me tomorrow night anyway she whispered. Carmen chuckled and shifted around in the sheets, Shane smiled as well, Go back to sleep.

Well, if you need something warm, you can always creep back into your own bed. Goodnight, Shane