Chapter 34

Crossing the street from the residence, Amanda's pace slowed. Her breathing was fitful as she tried to calm the tears that were slowly seeping from her eyes. It seemed that she was incapable of suppressing her emotions but she knew that already really.

The grey clouds mingling above reflected her murky thoughts. With her arms folded tightly across her chest she walked quickly through the streets to the nearest tube station. It was unfortunate that the residence was so far from the city centre. She was going to have to travel across town to return home. It would take her over an hour at least.

She sighed to herself. She didn't care anymore. She would go home and go to bed and forget about everything.

Hunching her shoulders she wandered the streets swiftly. The last thing she wanted was to be spotted by another journalist. But the chances were few. They wouldn't be expecting her out here.

Walking round a corner she narrowly avoided colliding with someone in a sharp suit and skirt. She mumbled an apology before rushing on, chastising herself for not being more aware of her surroundings.

Her walking slowed when she heard her name being called out from behind her.

"Amanda! Hey, wait!"

The voice clearly came from a woman but she couldn't put a name to it. She looked back anxiously. A tall slim woman with frizzy black hair and skin the colour of chocolate jogged towards her. The name suddenly began to slot into place.

"Meg? Is that you?" she asked hopefully.

"Whew! I would have missed you if we didn't almost collide with each other," she laughed softly.

Amanda smiled as she took in the sight of one of her old friends from university. They had lived in the same dormitory and mutually shared a passion for diving. Meg had always been far better than her at it though.

"I had no idea you were in San Francisco! How long have you been here?"

Meg was slowly catching her breath.

"About three months now. Had to move here to get some work. It's rough pickings at the moment being a journalist," she said wryly.

Amanda felt a slight chill as she realised that she shouldn't be speaking to her but a part deep within her rebelled against it. It's not my problem, she thought to herself.

"Who are you working for now?" she asked curiously.

"The Apollo magazine." She said. "Yeah I know it's not the most exciting magazine out there, but it pays my bills. Well… just about." She smiled. "Hey, have you been crying?" Her smile dropped instantly.

Amanda wiped at her eyes.

"I'm fine," she assured.

Meg's eyes narrowed.

"Girl… you never were a good liar," she said, amused.

Amanda giggled to herself. She suddenly found the recent events clawing there way back into her mind and she felt the tears starting again.

"I'm sorry Meg, I better go. This isn't a good time right now," she said sniffling.

"Oh honey!"

Suddenly she was enveloped in a very squishy hug. Amanda laughed a little hysterically as Meg held her close.

"Don't be sad!" she said in her ear, still holding her close. "Nooooo."

Amanda giggled.

"I don't mean to be! I've just… I've just not had a good day," she explained.

Meg drew back and considered her sympathetically.

"Let me drive you home, you need a friend right now I can tell," she said adamantly.

Amanda thought about trying to dissuade her but the stern look she was receiving stopped her from attempting it. Meg had always been a caring person and her kindness knew no bounds, including her fondness for hugging. But it was nice. Amanda was in need of hugs at the moment.

Amanda considered the dismal amount of food in the refrigerator. There was some old guacamole and a few stiff tortilla wraps. Along with her emergency jar of peanut butter it wasn't much. She would offer some coffee but Meg hated the stuff. She was averse to all caffeinated foods. She preferred to be as natural as possible. Amanda had to agree with her. Seeing Meg high on caffeine wouldn't be the best idea. She was excitable enough as it is.

Amanda began to brew some herbal tea. Meg stepped out of the bathroom and landed herself on the sofa.

"You up for some pizza?" she asked.

Amanda knew she should be avoiding greasy foods because of her exercise regime but consciously decided to ignore it. She wasn't in the mood.

"Pizza sounds good. You want the four cheese?"

Meg turned her head upside down over the sofa to smile at her.

"You know me too well," she grinned.

After the pizza arrived they ravenously devoured a large pizza each. Amanda had gone for a vegetable feast with jalapenos for added fire. The food was deliciously bad for her diet but she didn't care.

She got down to the last two slices before admitting defeat. Her belly gurgled happily. Meg had finished hers and was already devouring a box of cheesy fries. For one slim woman, she could eat a lot!

Finished with the box, Meg put it to the side and stretched out on the sofa happily. Amanda smiled and curled up with one of her cushions. She could doze off right now…

"So…. Amanda," Meg said.

Meg turned around to look at her, leaning on her elbows.

"What's going on? Last I heard you were hooking up with that Vulcan ambassador. Would I be right in saying that he is part of your problems?" she asked studiously.

Amanda picked at one of the tassels dangling from the cushion.

"Maybe," she said noncommittally.

"Pfft," Meg said amusedly. "Girl from what I can see before me, you guys are having intimacy issues."

Amanda straightened in her seat.

"How can you know that?" she exclaimed.

"Just look at your posture Amanda. You are clearly in need of some physical affection!" she explained.

Feeling self-conscious, Amanda sat properly and threw the pillow on the floor. She forced her hands to relax on her knees.

"I'm perfectly fine," she said haughtily.

Meg made an 'L' sign with her fingers.

"Liar!" she giggled.

Amanda crossed her arms grumpily.

"Even if you were right I can't talk about it."

Meg scooched a little closer.

"I won't tell anyone Amanda you know that. We've shared so much with each other over the years. It doesn't have to stop now," she said reassuringly.

"It's not that easy anymore Meg." Amanda sighed.

Meg looked at her thoughtfully.

"You tried talking to him about it?" she asked.

Amanda rubbed the muscles on her forehead lightly.

"I wasn't feeling rational enough to do that," she said quietly.

Meg took a sip from her tea.

"Maybe you guys just need a bit of a break? There must be a lot of pressure on both of you right now," she suggested.

Amanda smiled weakly to herself. They didn't need a break from each other they needed a break from the stupid rules they had to live by. It was so difficult to strive for something that wasn't even guaranteed to happen. For all she knew she could get to Vulcan and then be sent packing within ten minutes. It all felt rather hopeless.

Meg noticed her dip in mood.

"Hey! You're not giving up are you?" she said, concerned.

Amanda shrugged.

"I'm not doing anything Meg," she said sadly. "I'll see him again in three days and we'll see where we go from there." She smiled weakly at her.

Meg shuffled closer to her on the sofa.

"Fights are always tough between couples, especially if it's the first time. You need to go and do some fun things and forget about it all for a while. Come back to it with a clear head. I'm sure he'll do the same," she said reassuringly.

Amanda considered it.

"Maybe."

"You have the next three days off right? Have a lie-in, pamper yourself a bit, go shopping and get yourself some new things. We can meet up at this cute little restaurant I know in the evening and have some fun!" she said excitedly.

"Ok," Amanda agreed.

Maybe she did need a break from being told to be different. Perhaps it was time to enjoy herself a little more.

"Then when the three days are up you'll be feeling great and if he is any good kind of man he will have missed you."

Meg sat back on the sofa looking satisfied. She had always enjoyed solving other people's problems. Amanda smiled at her.

"So where is this cute little restaurant?" she asked.

Meg grinned.

"My surprise," she said tapping her nose. "I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow evening and you must be wearing a dress," she said adamantly.

"It's a date then," Amanda agreed.