Joy wakes up; in her bed in the apartment she shares with Melanie. She looks at the clock, which read that it was shortly after eight. Getting up, she feels a migraine coming on.
'Jeez, how much did I have to drink? I must have gotten plastered last night.' She fumbles in her nightstand for some aspirin, and takes it with a glass of water. Sitting up in her bed, she looks around.
Smiling, she gets up, and throws a bathrobe on, walking into the kitchen. Apparently, Melanie had left a note, saying, 'Breakfast is in the fridge. Have a good day, Mel.'
Joy smiles, and goes to the fridge.
She thinks about her and the fact that they were to see each other that night. What was she to say? What was she to do? She couldn't pinpoint her feelings, whether or not they were the friendship ones, or more than that. She knew she should wait. She didn't know if Victoria would feel the way she did. She was torn as to what to feel. They only knew each other not even a week, not even two days. And tonight, they would see each other. Last night, she noticed Victoria seemed troubled, Joy was always a good person when it came to picking up feelings and she knew that there was something she had felt but was trying to suppress. Joy didn't want to jump to conclusions, but she had inkling that Victoria had feelings towards her.
She lies there in bed eating the breakfast Melanie had left her, thinking over what had happened the night before. Victoria let her in, and she revealed her secret and as she had never told a soul, she broke down and she recalls Victoria holding her in her arms, comforting her. She remembers the feeling of her arms around her waist. It felt surreal, it felt comforting. She recalls not fidgeting, not complaining. She recalls not allowing her to let go, and whimpering, her lip quivering at the feeling of Victoria letting go of her. She recalls Victoria offering the couch in her living room, and she telling her that she should head back to the apartment she shared with Melanie. She wondered what might have been if she would have taken her up on that offer. She realized there might have been a bit of awkwardness between the two of them. She had to realize, Victoria must have had something she was suppressing. Joy knew this; she was known herself for bottling up her feelings. The feelings she felt from years of her mother's verbal criticisms. The feelings suppressed with her bad habits of drinking or smoking.
She was trying to not think about it. She wanted these thoughts that swirled in her head to simply go away. But, she knew it wasn't going away that easily. She had to sort her feelings out. Then, when the time was right, go and approach Victoria.
She could only hope Victoria felt the same exact way. Joy wondered if it was too soon for her to have feelings for her. It was much soon to push. She thinks a moment, and realizes that it was too early. The friendship had hardly any time to develop. They were just barely getting to know each other, getting to know each other's quirks and personalities. This was too big of a step and much too early to even explore.
They needed to get to know more about each other first. Joy walks out on the balcony, and lights a cigarette. Melanie had a strict no smoking in the apartment rule, she wasn't about to break that, so she stood on the balcony, and took a drag from her cigarette, inhaling then exhaling, sending a stream of smoke into the air. She was conflicted, confused by her feelings. Why was she feeling this way? Why did she always rush things? For a long time she wondered. Was there something wrong with her that men couldn't seem to stick around? Ever since she was with Owen's father, the man she tried to forget, actually more like boy, because he was seventeen when she told him that she was having his child. And he upped and left. Since then, she had never had a successful relationship, nothing stuck, and it always came unglued for her. Why couldn't she have happiness?
Joy takes another drag of her cigarette, sighing. These times she questioned who she was. She left England to get away from her mother and start anew. No one judged her; they simply accepted her for who she was.
She stands outside for a moment, moments after she dabs out the cigarette in the ashtray. Going back inside, she realizes she must get ready because Victoria was to come by today. Getting ready, she tames her long wavy hair, and lets it fall freely down. She then applies her makeup, and chooses her outfit for the day.
Joy was ready; she couldn't wait to see Victoria again. Melanie wouldn't be home until later on, the three of them were to go out somewhere. Mel wanted to catch up with her old college friend, and Joy figured this to be the perfect opportunity to get to know Victoria. She was curious about her and wanted to learn more. She found Victoria to be a fascinating person. The doorbell rings, and Joy runs to get it.
Victoria stands at the door, and Joy gives her a hug, which Victoria reciprocates.
'I'm glad to see you,sweetheart. Last night was interesting. I miss having deep conversations with people,' Victoria says, smiling. She had to admit, Joy was interesting to talk to.
Joy grins, knowing that she hit it off pretty well. 'Same here. I cannot remember the last time I spilled secrets with a friend and engaged in deep conversation.'
Victoria looks at her with a smile. She sits down on the couch, and Joy follows, and sits next to her.
'So…what else should I know about you, traits, habits, anything you want me to know?'
Victoria laughs. 'Well, I'm a bit neurotic and somewhat self-centered at times. I bite my lip when I'm nervous, my favorite color is red, and I don't like romantic comedies. You?'
Joy smiles sweetly, knowing they shared some common ground. 'I like celadon, romantic comedies are so unrealistic, and sometimes I can be a bit too pessimistic.'
Victoria smiles sweetly, noticing her smile. She had a beautiful smile, and that sparkle in her eye. Victoria determined one thing…Joy was beautiful. But she held that thought to herself and no one else. She wasn't ready to reveal her feelings. Not yet at least.