Who is He Kissing?
Chapter One
Tell Me, Who Does He Prefer?
Rio
"Show-stoppin' numbers, da da-da dum... Add it all up, you have a hit! A little... hmm-mm magic..."I couldn't help but sing along to the Jem song playing on the stereo. I was preparing to escort her to yet another premiere. Ever since she was nominated for that Oscar, it's been one Hollywood party after another. It's not that I mind the status or celebrities... it's just...
I miss Jerrica.
I can not remember the last time we had any time for each other. And Jem... I feel like she is all I have time for lately. Don't get me wrong--like I told Riot, Jem's a lot of fun, but Jerrica is twice the woman Jem is. But Jem is such an enigma. When I'm with her, there is this strange pull towards her--like opposite poles of magnets, drawn together by law of nature rather than of our own free will.
There is one thing that could explain this--Jem is Jerrica. Damn, that would explain a lot. But what it would not explain is why my girlfriend has not shared this with me--or why she was compelled to come on to me as Jem. If this were the truth, I don't even know how I would feel about it. Things would be a whole lot less complicated, but it completely removes trust from the picture. I love Jerrica so much, and I know she loves me, but why would she deceive me?
Eh, not that it even matters. Obviously, I'm just trying to complicate things--I've seen Jem and Jerrica together many times. How could that possibly happen if they were one and the same?
Jem
"Jem, is this your boyfriend?"
"Jem, what did you think of Howard Sands' new movie?"
"Jem, who are you wearing?"
It never ends. It only gets worse.
I stepped into the waiting limo, dodging reporters and photographers. I was not in the mood. Rio slid in after, closing the door behind him. "I made reservations, if you're hungry," he commented.
"Sure," I replied absently. Ocean waves of tumultuous thought crashed and cascaded through my mind. I did not know what to do. The situation--Jem and Rio--had gotten completely out of hand. At the moment, I see only two solutions. One, I could reveal the truth that I am Jem and I am Jerrica. If his reaction turns out to be positive, life could be so much easier! But I'm afraid he would focus more on the deception and lies of the past.
There is another solution. Jem could break it off with Rio, and actually define their relationship as one of colleagues and friends. Then, hopefully, he will actually stop feeling so guilty and start being my boyfriend again--"mine" as in Jerrica's! I am sick of being jealous of myself!
Why didn't I do a test run with Synergy first? Then I might know what to do. Rio will have to find out about Jem and Synergy eventually if we end up married. I wonder what Daddy would say about all of this...
"Jem, are you all right? You seem a little distracted."
"Oh, Rio. I... I'm fine. You know, we have a lot to talk about--but over dinner."
"Okay," he replied, smiling. I love his smile.
I'm still not sure what to say, but I'm going to do something.
Tonight.