Part 10: Reality Bites

HANNAH

It was past noon, Hannah knew, because she heard Lindsay leave the apartment for her yoga class scheduled at 2pm, and it approximately takes her an hour to get to the studio. What she was wondering about was why someone was tickling her feet. She was thinking maybe it was an ant or something and so she wiggled her feet but to no avail. The tickling just wouldn't stop. Hannah thought maybe her roommate was playing a trick on her.

"Hmmm Lindsay." She muttered. "Geroffff." Hannah tucked her head under the blanket and kicked into the air.

The tickling continued. Aww c'mon… she thought. She slept way late and needed more snooze. Hannah got the book on her bedside table and aimlessly threw somewhere near her feet.

"Agh!" a voice reacted.

That does not sound like Lindsay… Hannah thought. Her head jerked up, willing herself awake. The voice sounds like…. "Damian?" she said out loud.

"Hannah!"

It is Damian!, she turned around in her bed and saw him rubbing the side of his head.

"What did you do that for lassie?", he asked.

Hannah laid back on her bed and laughed like crazy for a good ten seconds and sat up. "I should be asking you the same thing! What are you doing in my room? Where's Lindsay? And why were you even tickling me when you could have just nudged me awake?"

"I'm hungry." Damian said sheepishly.

Hannah threw Whaley at Damian. "You Irish git! You could have just ordered Mickey Dees!"

Damian caught Whaley. "Well I needed company. So wake up, and let's eat!" He threw Whaley back at Hannah. It bounced on her forehead. "I shall wait for ye outside. Hurryyyyyyy." And Damian closed the door behind him.

Hannah laughed louder this time. "You are crazy!" She laid back again on her bed, comprehending what just happened. Damian. In her room. Waking her up. Surreal, she thought.

DAMIAN

Damian left Hannah's room smiling like a little schoolboy. This morning, he was not in the best of moods because Jenna, his girlfriend, has been pretty busy lately, and barely had time to talk on Skype, or even on Twitter! Cameron left for Texas this morning so he was all-alone at the apartment. Now, he was at Hannah and Lindsay's and things were pretty much better today.

She looks lovely in the morning, Damian realized. He wondered why he did not see her like that back the Glee Project dormitory. But then again, they were in separate rooms. He puttered around their kitchen, grabbed a glass of cold orange juice then sat in front of the television to wait for Hannah.

Thirty minutes later, Hannah emerged from the hallway, combing her wet hair. "Let's go, O masterful one." She smells wonderful, like the cucumber lotion that he smelled before on her.

"Good. Lindsay didn't take the car since Bryce went with her."

Wait a minute." Hannah paused. "Bryce… yoga?"

"No, gym. Turns out there is a Gold's Gym right next to the yoga studio so Bryce offered to drive her so we could have the car." Damian gestured Hannah to the door, as he picked up a picnic basket.

Hannah's hand went to her waist and frowned comically as she saw the basket. "You had this planned, Damo."

Damian just smirked, impressed with himself. "What are ye talking about? Girl, get into the car!"

"Where are we going?" Hannah asked as she locked the front door.

"To the beach!", Damian hollered out loud.

"Oh my gooddd…" Hannah laughed. "Fine, let's go."

This is going to be a great day., Damian thought as they got inside the car and made their way down to Santa Monica beach.

HANNAH

The afternoon with Damian was just perfect. When they got to Santa Monica Beach, Damian produced a blanket, a basket of munchies and drinks, and a Frisbee. Neither of them had any experience playing with it, but it was fun learning from each other. A couple of guys taught them how to catch properly and how to throw the right way. In the end, Damian was trying to exhibit moves that made him look silly rather than professional.

"Hey Hannah! Throw it again, I'll show you a trick I picked up while playing with the masters." Damian called out boastingly.

"Really? Masters huh?" She laughed. "Let's see you catch this!" and she sent the disc flying.

Damian ran and tried to catch it between his legs, only unsuccessfully, and rolling in the sand instead, hysterically. "I did that on purpose!" he shouted. "I reckon I looked like a dog, ey!"

Hannah was almost crying with from all the laughter. "I give up! No use playing with an amateur like you!" She walked to Damian and gave him a hand. He grabbed the disc behind him and took her hand in order to get up.

"I'm thirsty like hell." He said as they walked to where their picnic basket was located. "I have water and orange fizz. What would it be, me lady?" he asked as he rummaged through the stuff he brought with them.

Hannah was all red from the running and walking so she plopped down on the blanket. "Agua please!"

Damian tossed a bottle of water to Hannah and got some chips out too. It was almost sunset and lots of people were walking by the beach. They sat in silence, taking in everything.

"So." Damian started.

"So." Hannah continued as she drank from her bottle.

"How was the date last night with whatshisname?" he asked.

Hannah knew that Damian would ask her about it. Be coy about it or just spill?, she debated. "Whatshisname is Nick." She said. "Samuel's high school friend is visiting from New York. He's in town till Sunday." She gulped down her drink and looked ahead. "He's nice. I like him."

"You should be careful, you know."

Hannah turned her head towards Damian. "I'll be the judge of that, Damo." She playfully punched his arm.

Damian looked at her, brows creased. "Hannah, I just don't want you to get hurt."

She fell silent. You hurt me a lot in the past Damian, and now you are saying you don't want me to get hurt? Too late buster. she thought.

"Look, I didn't want to sound intrusive…you know…" he said.

"I know, Damo." Hannah whispered.

The sun was setting now and it was amazing. "Damian.." Hannah said. "You made it clear that we will always be the best of friends. You, me and Cameron. We are friends for life."

"Yes, I said that. And.."

"Let me finish." Hannah held up her hand. Damian fell silent. "And I know how best friends always look out for each other. I appreciate it very much. But Damo, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. " She smiled at him.

"Okay.. just be careful that's all." His brow creased out of concern.

The words that came out of Hannah's mouth was something that came as a surprise to her too. "You made me stronger Damo." She said softly.

DAMIAN

"You made me stronger Damo." Hannah said softly.

Damian felt guilt stab his heart. "You know I never meant to feel you like that, Hannah. Don't put the blame all on me." He stretched his legs on the sand. "That's not fair."

Hannah flicked some sand towards his feet. "Idiot." She laughed. "I know that, Damo. What I'm trying to say is that I learned so much from what happened to us. I thank you for that – you taught me so much about love, all in a positive way. Don't take it negatively."

Damian turned his head away from Hannah and focused on the horizon. "You and I will always be there for each other Hannah. You will be that one special girl in my life, you know."

"I know, Damo."

They sat in silence, content in the company of each other. Damo's phone began to vibrate and he saw it was Jenna. For once, he decided to ignore the call. Let her feel what I feel when I'm trying to contact her and she does not answer. He will call her tonight, for sure, but just this once, ignoring won't hurt their relationship that much. Jenna would understand.

"How are things between you and Jenna?" Hannah asked. "It's alright if you do not want to answer that."

"Hmm." Damian mused. "Well, things have not been exactly smooth sailing recently. She's been very busy with school."

"Must be hard." Hannah offered.

"It is you know, and when it's a long distance relationship, you just have to you, endure it. I miss her terribly."

"Isn't this what you wanted? A long distance relationship?", she asked.

"Yea.", he shrugged. "We wanted to give it a try, you know? But I never realized it would take it's toll on us."

"Tough." She said. "But I'm sure you guys will work it out."

"I hope so. I'm just not that sure anymore."

Both of them fell silent. Damian could feel Hannah's breathing, in sync with his own. The sun has completely set, and Santa Monica beach is coming alive.

"Shall we go?" Hannah asked. "Let's try that hotdog stand near the parking and we can munch on them on the drive to your place."

"Okay by me." Damian agreed.

They stood up and gathered their things. "I had fun, Damo." Hannah said to him. Damian put his arm around Hannah. "That's good then." Damian said. "I love you." He continued softly.

"What?" Hannah asked.

"I said, I did, too." He clarified. What the fuck was that Damian? He asked himself. Damian bit his lip and wondered where the heck it came from. "Let's go, my tummy needs feeding."

HANNAH

Hannah can't get the phrase out of her head. They were almost at Damian and Cameron's place. Although they were joking around throughout the whole hour and a half drive from the beach to Damo's apartment, Hannah's mind was busy. I really remember him saying "I love you." And NOT "I did, too.". She had play backed in her head the whole conversation as they left Santa Monica beach but she was certain that Damian wasn't completely being honest with her.

"You are suddenly quiet." Damian said. "Earth to Hannah, earth to Hannah."

"Ha-ha." She stuck out her tongue at him.

Can't Touch This – Glee Project version suddenly played on the radio, and the two of them starting singing and dancing on their seats. "I told you homeboy!" Damian rapped.

"Skadoosh!" Hannah called out.

They were laughing and singing like lunatics as Hannah pulled up Damian's driveway. She parked her car near the curb as Damian got the picnic basket from the back seat. "Wanna come up and play kinnect?" he asked. "It's still early."

"Sure. Just let me change into my Toms, and I'll follow you." She was grabbing her shoes from under her seat.

"Okay, great."

DAMIAN

"Wanna come up and play kinnect?" Damian asked Hannah. "It's still early."

"Sure. Just let me change into my Toms, and I'll follow you."

"Okay, great." Damian cheered. The night was still young, and he didn't feel like coming home to an empty apartment. Besides, the afternoon was so great with Hannah that he didn't want it to end. He got into the elevator and pressed his floor. When he got out, he was humming U Can't Touch This, thinking of what they can cook for dinner. Pasta, he thought. As he rounded the corner to his apartment, what stood in front of his door stopped him on his tracks.

"Babe?"

HANNAH

She saw Damian get inside the elevator just as she entered the building's lobby. She took the free elevator on the right and pressed Damian's floor. She was humming U Can't Touch This, as she got out of the elevator on Damo's floor. Spending the day with Damian was fun, and she didn't want it to end so even if she was feeling a bit tired, she wanted to spend more time with him. Hannah was about to round the corner when she heard a voice.

"Babe?"

She stopped in her tracks. That was Damian's voice.

"Hi Babe!" another voice replied. A female voice. Hannah peeked cautiously. "Surprise!" No doubt about it. It was Jenna. Jenna was in Los Angeles, at Damian's front door, kissing him.

"Wow, you're here!" Damian said.

"You don't look too happy!" Jenna pointed out.

"No, I uh, I mean I am happy. " Damian stammered. He looked over his shoulder and Hannah moved back so that he could not see her. "When did you get in?"

"Just now. Oh babe, I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Babe."

"Aren't you letting me in?"

"Ah, yeah, sure, c'mon in!"

"Were you expecting someone?"

"Ehhr no. Come, let's go inside."

She heard them shuffle inside the apartment and the door close. Hannah leaned against the wall and breathed deeply. It was pointless to go in and disturb Damian and Jenna. She willed the elevator to open fast, and thankfully it did. She could feel tears welling up her eyes, and decided to just go home. Just as she was crossing the driveway to her car, she heard running steps behind him. It was Damian.

"Hey Hannah!"

She quickly wiped the tears that fell from her eyes and face her friend. "Hey! I was about to send you a message. My head doesn't feel good." She lied.

"Oh, okay. Can you make it home?"

"Yea."

"Well, you take care okay?" Damian said and hugged her.

"Yea." She replied. Hannah was waiting for Damian to tell her that Jenna was up there in his apartment but he did not say anythimg. "Well, good night Damo."

"Good night Hannah."

She got into the car and drove off. As she rounded the street, she stopped by a petrol station and cried. This is too much, Damian. She said. Too much. And for the nth time, Hannah drove home crying all over again.

DAMIAN

Why didn't I tell Hannah that Jenna's here?, he wondered at himself as Damian prepared some dinner for them. Jenna arrived unannounced at his apartment tonight and was now in the bathroom taking a quick shower.

"Babe?", Jenna called out.

"Yes babe?", he answered. He took a quick look down the hallway at Jenna's direction.

"Can I borrow this shirt you left hanging behind the door?" Her head was peaking by the bathroom door and she held out his used blue shirt that was left hanging inside the bathroom.

"Sure." He smiled.

A few minutes later, Jenna's arms were around him as he cooked some spaghetti.

"Hmmm… I missed you." Jenna said, as she kissed his nape and hugged him.

Damian kissed Jenna's forehead. "I do too. It's good to see you here."

"What's for dinner?"

"You'd be proud of me – I'm making American version of spaghetti." He grinned proudly.

Jenna tasted the sauce and gave him a thumbs up. "Getting there, babe!"

Damian finished cooking and in a few minutes, set up their table. As they dug in to their pasta, he looked at Jenna, still unbelieving that she was in Los Angeles, in front of him.

"What's wrong, Babe?" she asked. Damian realized he's been staring.

He grinned. Damian reached out and touched a finger to Jenna's cheek. "I just cant, you know, believe that you are here."

Jenna beamed. "I know things have been really busy, and when I learned that I had excess miles to use, I jumped at the chance to go visit you."

"What about school?"

"Well…" she grinned. "There's a four-day break so I flew yesterday evening."

"Wait, wait, when did you arrive?" Damian was confused. "Where's your luggage? Where are you staying?"

She laughed. "Arrived early afternoon and was booked at Hilton. Been calling you but you ain't answering."

Damian thought about that phone call from Jenna that he did not pick up. So she was already here when she called, he thought.

"I'm staying till tomorrow evening only." She said quietly. "Damian, I just want to fix things between us."

He took a sip of his soda and looked seriously at Jenna. "I didn't think we had to fix anything."

Jenna dropped her fork. "You know we do have something to fix." She said pointedly.

"Really? And what is that?" He leaned back and crossed his arms.

She raised her arms as if in surrender. "You know what? Let's just not argue tonight." She picked up her fork again and twirled her spaghetti. "I'm tired from the flight, I just want to be here with you and enjoy our little time together."

"Yes please."

"Pasta's good."

"I know."

They looked at each other, and laughed softly. Soon, they began updating each other about each other's lives.

Later on, when they were cuddling in front of the television, Damian's thoughts wandered about Jenna and Hannah. They were two different people, but both of them he loves. Can feelings change that drastically?, he asked himself. When they kissed, he was almost certain it does not - that feelings do not change drastically. Damian surrendered to his emotions and thoughts on Hannah flew like the wind. He needed this moment with Jenna to assure himself that they were a couple.

Helloey! Next chapter is confrontational – but between who? Can you guess? Would love to hear your thoughts, opionions and predictions. I could still change the plot you know, it actually depends on my mood hehe. I saw Episode 2 of Season 3 last night, and hmm… Is it just me or I found it a bit bo-ring? Like it lacked the oomph? I'm hoping Episode 3 is more explosive! Spread the love everyone!

Cheers from Sydney, Australia

Biscuit20