A/N: Thanks for all of your sympathy guys! Everything's fine and dandy at home now, so I've been writing A LOT. Anyway, yeah, I agree… Maggie and Spot were jerks in the last chapter. I hope that they make amends in the next chapter. Wait, what am I saying? I wrote this chapter, so I should know what happens. Haha. Enjoy, everyone! And keep reviewing!
Elizabeth Patel opened her eyes on the bright Sunday morning, staring at the bed a few feet away from her, expecting to see her dear friend, Audrey. However, when she noticed someone else instead, she let out her most horrified scream, waking the rest of her flat-mates. Jumping out of her bed and grabbing the first heavy item she could find- her bible on her nightstand- she began beating the intruder ruthlessly. The rest of the girls gathered around the bed and tried to untangle the invader from the mass of blankets and sheets. From underneath the covers, they could hear that the man was just as scared as they were, from the hollering that he let out. Just then, Audrey emerged from the bathroom, yelling "What on earth is going on here!" over the commotion. Breaking through her friends, she grabbed the bible from Elizabeth. "What are you guys doing?" (A/N: Funny story… this actually happened to me and my college roommate last year. I thought she was in bed and went to go wake her up for class, but it was really her boyfriend that I hadn't met yet.)
"There's a man in your bed!" Elizabeth cried, with panic in her voice.
"Elizabeth! I assure that there is no man in my bed. It's just Spot," Audrey explained, calming her roommate and insulting the pilot simultaneously.
"And what exactly is Mr. Conlon doing in your bed, Audrey?" Grace questioned with a condescending tone.
"As a matter of fact, he was sick with alcohol poisoning last night, and I felt that it was my duty as a nurse to take care of him. Seeing as I didn't know which building he lived in, I took him home with me, and let him have my bed, while I slept on the couch in the living area. Does that measure up to your expectations, Miss Conrad?" Audrey answered, smugly.
Peering out from underneath the covers, a very frightened Spot Conlon, looked up at the spectators around him. "Audrey, can we talk privately for a moment?" he quietly asked, from underneith her comforter, trying not to make more of a scene than there already was. The girls went their ways, some heading for the washroom, others making their beds, but keeping secretive ears open for the couple's discussion. Audrey sat on the bed next to him as he sat up, looking down to make sure he was clothed. "We didn't…?"
"No," she replied, shaking her head."You don't have to worry about that. You basically passed out the second your head hit the pillow."
"Good. Well, not good as in I wouldn't want to, it's just, well you know what I mean."
"In my four weeks of knowing you, I have never seen you so flustered, Spot. What's going on?"
With a groan, Spot attempted to manage his thoughts. His pounding headache was not helping him though. He put his head in his hands, trying to blank out the strong light that irritated his eyes so profoundly. Audrey put a hand on his back, for support and comfort. She had that effect on him. One moment he could be screaming bloody murder, and just with her touch, he would be in a state of sheer tranquility. He couldn't understand her at all.
"Audrey, I'm… I'm so sorry about last night. I was drunk, and a total ass and I think you would have been better off staying home than going out with me. I'm really sorry that I ruined your night."
"Spot, you didn't ruin my night."
"Yes, I did. I got your hopes all high, and then let you down."
"Relax. It's fine. I really didn't mind taking you home early."
"Yeah, but you should."
"Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't feel, Spot" she retorted.
"Well don't interrupt me when I'm apologizing, woman."
"Don't call me woman!"
Seeing thata shouting match was not going to get him anywhere near where he wanted to be,he tried another tactic. "Audrey, I can't stand it when we argue. We got off on the wrong foot. Can we just pretend that this all never happened, and start over?"
"Alright, let's start over," she said with a smile. "Hi, I'm Audrey Fiona Connolly. I'm 20 years-old, and originally from Queens. I'm a certified field nurse for the army and navy, and in my spare time I like teasing cocky pilots about freckles and birthmarks on their bodies."
"That was pretty good, kid." he replied with a smirk."Hello, Audrey Fiona Connolly. My name is Brian Andrew Conlon, but you can call me Spot. I'm 21 years-old, from Brooklyn- which is far more superior to Queens, or any of the boroughs as far as I'm concerned. I'm training to be a big bad war hero, and I have to say that I am in love with this feather-soft bed right now, and I don't think that I ever want to leave it," he said with a grin, putting his hand out for her to shake. Laughing, she took his hand, and shook to the beginning of a very good friendship.
As Maggie finished pinning her blonde curls back, she reflected on the past evening. She hadn't meant for Racetrack to get upset. She just wanted to have a good time, even if it meant sharing a few dances with other gentlemen in the club. Looking over at her best friend, Helen, through the mirror, she couldn't help but be jealous. Helen was a year older than her, and far more mature than she could ever imagine being. Helen had the balance of youth and responsibility that Maggie was still searching for.
"Helen, how was your date with Jack last night?" she started the friendly conversation.
"Fine, I guess. It wasn't really a date. He has a girl back home he said, so I guess I was just a friend to dance with, for him. How was yours with Race? Did you work things out by the end of the night?"
"No, not really," she replied in disappointment.
"What exactly happened with you two anyway? I thought you were crazy about him. Did he do something to upset you, last night?"
"No, he didn't do anything."
"Than why did you dance with those other guys."
"Well, they asked if they could cut in. So I just let them. It's not my fault if they liked me."
"Yeah, but Maggie, you could have turned them down."
"But I didn't want to hurt their feelings. Besides I wanted to have fun, too."
"Maggie. Are you even listening to yourself? By doing that you hurt Race. I mean, maybe it didn't shatter his heart, but it did put a bit of a damper on the evening for him."
"I know, Helen. I know. But what can I do about it now? Saying sorry seems so petty. I don't know how to make it up to him."
"Why don't you bake him something?"
"Truthfully, would you trust me by a stove?"
"Point taken. Why don't you treat him to breakfast this morning? That way you can talk things over, too."
"That's a great idea! Helen, do you want to come with us?"
"Margaret Louise Anderson. No. I am not going with you to feed you ideas on how to apologize. Do it yourself, or find someone else. I'm not going with you."
"Fine, be mean to me, Helen. I understand." Maggie jokingly pouted, leaving the washroom to put her comb away, and find an ally to go with her to breakfast. Running into Elizabeth, she plastered a smile on her face, and began to persuade her friend to some coffee and pancakes at the diner down the street.
Making their way into the Cheyenne Diner, Maggie, Elizabeth, Racetrack and Crutchy found the diner deserted of customers, and sat down at a booth in the corner. The couples ordered coffee and orange juice to start off, and looked at the menus for what the wanted to eat. Maggie kept glancing nervously over the top of hers, across the table at Racetrack. They had spoken very few words on their way to the diner. She knew that he was still fuming from last night, but had no idea how to calm him.
Elizabeth noticed the tension between the two, and suggested that Crutchy go to the counter with her to help her pick out a muffin. Crutchy, not completely aware of the situation, agreed anyway and followed the tall brunette to the front of the restaurant. Racetrack didn't look up from his menu as the couple left them alone. He kept his focus away from his girlfriend by looking over the variety of breakfast foods, while Maggie nervously fiddled with her hands in her lap. After a few moments of awkward silence, she finally gathered the courage to speak up.
"Race?"
"Yeah, doll," he answered, still avoiding her eyes.
"About last night, I'm real sorry."
"Don't be. I can understand. You're a pretty girl. Guys love pretty girls."
"Race, just listen." And with that he raised his stare to match hers. "I'm young, and I'm not very mature, or smart for that matter. I know that. I'm told all the time by the other girls. I just didn't know what to do in the situation. And now I know that I should have staid with you. Race, honestly. I do want to be with you. I.."
"You're wrong, you know." She stopped in her ramblings and looked him in the eyes, with tears running down her cheeks. He reached for the napkin holder and handed her one to dry her eyes with. "You're very smart. You're judgment needs tweaking, but you are a very bright girl. Why else would I want to be with you?"
"Race, you don't mean that. You can't possibly want to be with me after the way I treated you."
"Oh yes, I most certainly do want to be with you. But I want to be only with you. I don't want any other Tom's or Harry's hanging around with us. Is that a deal?"
"But, Race, what am I supposed to do if they start something with me. I mean, it's not like I just asked them to dance."
"You tell them that they'll have to take it up with your boyfriend if they want to be seeing you. That's what you say if one of those bastards starts ogling with you. No hesitations. Just be straight forward with them. That's the only way they'll understand that 'no' means no. And if I catch one of them being disrespectful to you, they're dead." As Racetrack kept promising his threats, Maggie's smile kept growing wider and wider, until she couldn't take it anymore and planted a kiss full on his lips. After a few seconds, Racetrack broke the kiss with a smile, saying, "That's right doll. And after I'm done pulverizing the lousy bum, we'll do just that," and planting another kiss on her forehead.
Elizabeth and Crutchy walked back to the table, seeing couple's stress had subsided. Smiling, Elizabeth sat next to Maggie once more, and gave her a hug, to let her know how proud she was of her friend, for facing her problem. After looking at the menu for a few minutes more, the group was ready to order. The waitress took out her pen and pad, and looked expectantly at the couples.
"Yes, I would like a bagel with fruit spread and cream cheese, please," Elizabeth stated.
"Wait, if you wanted a bagel, than why did we go to the counter before?" Crutchy asked, completely stumped.
Elizabeth giggled at his perplexity, and simply caressed his hands across the table. She replied, "Sweetie, I just wanted some alone time with you. That's all," giving a not-so-discreet wink at Maggie.