This takes place right after Slipping Away[SS :: dd/MM]
The first moments when she felt like she was awake she could not sense anything. No touch or smell, or hear anything. She knew she was 'awake' because she could think, or tried to. Thoughts vanished into a haze as soon as they were created, swallowed up by her lack of awareness.
For how long she felt thus she did not know. As time passed, or the thoughts she had been thinking moved on she tried to do things that she could normally do- such as move her head and arms, open her mouth.
She couldn't tell if anything was happening. Whether she had arms or legs, or a head at all. Beyond the small enclosure of her thoughts, and they too left quickly, she had nothing.
For a person; as this was what she considered herself to be; and a fiercely independent one, individual one, hot headed one, to be nothing was unbearable.
From within the recesses of her mind, conscious or not the cry of rage, of denial of her position exploded from her like an eruption of a volcano and the fog was banished and all her senses came flooding back with the power of a wave and she was plunged beneath them and for a time was weightless before succumbing to darkness.
+++===+++
The knife sliced through the onion cleanly and quickly.
With the flat of the blade Linna pushed the slices to the edge of the cutting board and then dumped them into a bubbling broth that released a rich aromas steam.
Humming softly to herself she checked the recipe that was resting against a a hot water pot when the heard the scream.
Linna jumped and the cutting knife fell from her hand and clattered on the kitchen floor.
"Damn," she muttered, "oh, Priss!" her eyes were wide.
Quickly she left the kitchen and reached her bedroom, entered it, and sat on the edge of her bed leaning over the person who lay in it.
"Priss, Priss!" Linna shook her friends shoulders, "Can you hear me?"
Where Priss had worn an exhausted relaxed look the last time Linna had checked on her, her face was now tense.
Biting her lip in apprehension Linna learned forward and with her fingers opened Priss' left eye a little. She had seen the man who had helped her find Priss do this and gleam some knowledge of her status- from experience no doubt.
+++===+++
Light.
White.
Brilliant.
It entered her mind, seared it.
She screamed.
+++===+++
Priss sat upright with such suddenness that if had not been for her preparatory scream that she would have collided with Linna. As it was Linna let out a cry of her own and slipped off the bed.
Lying on her back, breathing heavily, from the floor Linna looked up at her friend with a look of shock and concern.
Priss sat there unmoving. Her mouth was slightly open.
"Priss..." Linna ventured.
The sound of words, of something not her own yet familiar broke through the last barrier that surrounded her like a web. She turned herself to face the direction of the words and saw, on the floor, a person, a female who was looking up- at her, with widening eyes and a growing smile.
"Priss, you're awake!"
"Lin..," a powerful contraction went through her stomach, "throw up,"
Priss leaned over in the direction of Linna and vomited the contents of her stomach in heaves until she was left dry retching.
"Oh gross," the noise had been bad and the smell worse. Luckily her floor was not carpet but Linna would have to wash her pants.
+++===+++
Linna cleaned up as best she could. She changed her pants, the top sheet, wiped off Priss' face and lay her back on the bed with a bucket near by in case of repeat performances. She wet and mopped the floor down before placing her self on the side of the bed again.
"Apart from bad, how are you feeling?"
"Like shit."
"Do you think you're going to be sick again?"
"I don't know. It feels better. Mouth tastes bad,"
"I'll get you something to drink soon. You're pretty dehydrated. You just lie here,"
"I don't think I can go anywhere." Priss interjected.
Linna gave her a pat on the shoulder and returned to the kitchen.
Priss felt horrible. Weak. Not even a hangover was as deliberating as she felt now. She looked around, moving her head was about the only thing she could do properly and focused on photos close by the bed.
Of Linna winning various sports, of her family Priss supposed, and of a picture of a woman in a pink dress who obviously didn't look pleased about it.
That's me Priss thought. God I look terrible. God I hated that night!
She stared at the picture reliving the embarrassment and bitterness.
Why does Linna have THAT photo at her bedside?
Wanting to forget the pain she took in the rest of the room. It was 'homey'. Wardrobe. Bench. Handbag. Stuff that didn't exist in her own world. Well, she didn't even have an apartment. Her home was a trailer. It was isolated, in some yet to be reclaimed empty industrial area. It was hers. Had whatever stuff she owned in it. And her bike. Her bike...
"Linna!"
There was the pattering of quick feet and Linna came into the room, "What, what is it? Are you all right?"
Priss stared at the face of concern. "How did I get here?"
"Ah, oh. Well, Priss, myself and this guy- Roger- I think you know him brought you here. You were unconscious, well really bad actually. A bad dose or trip Roger said. We brought you here so I could make sure you would be all right."
A second question: "Where's my bike?"
"Your..?" Linna's face was blank for a few seconds and Priss prompted her. "I.. I guess its still where you left it last night. I totally forgot all about it. We had to get a cab to bring you here."
"Where I left it?"
"Don't you remember?"
"No. And what's this about a 'trip'?"
"You were," Linna looked down, "on drugs Priss. I didn't think, I never knew that you did that."
Priss' face was that of surprise. It changed to a scowl quickly. "I don't take drugs Linna! What the hell happened to me? And how long have I been here?"
"There's no need to shout Priss. I brought you here last night, early this morning. You've been asleep for over twelve hours."
Priss was floored.
"I'll be back in a minute with your drink and some food if you feel like it."
Linna left again.
Drugs? Does she think I'm a junkie?
Linna came back in carrying a tray to see Priss sprawled on the floor entangled in the sheets.
"What?"
"Get me up, I'm leaving."
"Priss you are in no condition to go anywhere."
"I'm leaving! I'm not going to have you baby-sit me and think I'm some kind of junkie."
Linna took a step back at the force of the accusation. She placed the tray on a surface and turned to Priss with a frown.
"Well you're always acting so goddamn tough- get yourself up and leave!"
"Go to hell!"
Linna was used to Priss' triads and knew that given time they would wear out and considering her friends condition that wouldn't take long. She just stood there and as hard as it was watched as Priss tried untangled herself and tried to stand and failed-twice.
Priss hammered the floor and cursed.
"That's not going to do any good"
"Shutup!"
"Let me help you back into bed." Linna moved closer with out stretched arms.
"NO!" Linna jolted back. She had been expecting the decline but not how Priss said it. How her voice had cracked.
Softly, "Priss?"
Linna kneeled down and put her hands on Priss' shoulders.
Priss lowered her head avoiding Linna's gaze.
Linna felt the trembling beneath her hands.
"Let go. I'm not a junkie."
Was Priss crying? Linna wondered. She couldn't see Priss' eyes.
"I believe you Priss. But you're not strong enough to go anywhere right now. You need rest."
Linna pulled Priss in close and held her tightly. She had just seen something of Priss that most likely few people ever had.
For minutes they stayed together.
Then Priss pushed back, "Help me back."
Linna smiled, whatever Priss had let loose before was gone now back into where she kept it locked away.
Priss looked at her frowning, "Well?"
"Sure thing." And she laid Priss back in the bed, "Do you want to me to tuck you in Prissy dear?"
The response was a throaty growl.
Linna handed over a mug filled of the steamy broth she had made. Priss took a sip.
"Pah! Hot." the singer exclaimed.
"Mum's Cure-All." Priss gave Linna a look, "Not really, its about all I could do with what I had on hand and wasn't too solid."
With that Linna took a piece of solid vegetable and popped it into her mouth.
"Well it doesn't taste like shit,"
"Thanks..."
"but don't eat too much of that infront of me or I might be sick again."
"Oh, okay."
Linna put her plate back down and just sat there watching Priss sip on the broth.
This unnerved Priss. Being stared at was uncomfortable enough but subjected to this close scrutiny sent a shiver down her spine.
"Um, Linna?"
"Yes?"
"Did you, ah, were you sitting like that while I was asleep?"
"For a good part of the morning until I was sure you were okay and sleeping."
Priss shivered again.
"That's creepy."
"Huh? Why? I was really worried about you. We brought you in and you were feverish and sweating. I had to change you and the sheets twice before because you soaked them through."
"Change me!?!"
Priss' eyes went wide. She looked down at the t-shirt she had on. It wasn't hers. She pinched at it.
"Hey careful. Your stuff is drying but you wont be needing it until you get better."
Priss caught the photo of her in the dress in the corner of her eye, "You undressed me? You saw me naked?"
"Oh come on!" Linna groaned. "What do you think I am, some kind of pervert?"
"You tell me Miss Yamazaki."
"Well I see you've got your humour back. And I think its about high time you thank me for all the trouble and saving your ass."
Apologising, for anything, wasn't something Priss liked to do. She frowned.
Linna crossed her arms and frowned back, "I'm waiting, Miss Asagiri."
Priss couldn't believe the situation. It was too corny for words, like a romance drama/soap Nene kept babbling about. At first the smile was small but it grew and out came laughter.
Linna's own obstentination cracked in return and she joined in too.
"OK OK Linna, thank you for taking care of me."
"Good."
They smiled at each other. The photo burned into Priss' mind again and quickly she broke the eye contact and went back to her mug.
"Let me know when you're finished and I'll wash up."
Priss just grunted.
+++===+++
The one thing Linna dreaded about having a convalescent Priss came half an hour after the meal.
"Linna! I need to go to the bathroom."
Priss' own dread submerged Linna's but there was little she could do about it. Her legs didn't function at all. This is what its like to be crippled she told herself.
Together dreading they arm in arm made it to the bathroom, Priss urging Linna on all the time.
Finally Priss was leaning over the toilet, "I can handle it from here."
"You sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. I'm a big girl now."
The door slid shut, "I'll be just outside," Linna said. Oh god that sounded sick. She put her hand to her forehead.
+++===+++
It was late evening.
Priss lay half sleeping, half listening to Linna's MP7 player. Sometimes her face was screwed up in what looked like pain.
"How can you listen to this stuff?"
"Oh please, just because you are a singer..."
"I've got plenty of good stuff you can listen to in my trailer. What are you doing anyway?"
Linna had some clothes hanging over her arm and was sorting through her wardrobe.
"Getting all I need so I won't disturb you in the morning."
Priss hit a blank, "Why?"
"Because Miss Nocturnal, I have a day job and tomorrow is Monday."
"No need to be snappy. Where are you sleeping?"
"On the lounge."
"Oh."
"Don't worry. You get your rest."
"So you'll be out all day tomorrow then?"
"Yes. I'm sorry Priss but I can't skip a day of work. Hopefully you'll be able to move around easier. But I will leave some water and food here."
A thought just came, "Or, or I could call Sylia and have her take care of you. Her place is much better than mine and Henderson would always be there..."
"No!"
"Priss?"
"No. No way. Its enough that I wear her suits and take her money. I'm not going to be infirm under her care."
Linna was taken aback at the outburst.
"I just..."
"I'm not angry at you Linna. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself." that sounded pathetic considering her position.
"I'll call regularly and will try to get off early." Linna had gathered everything she needed, "Good night Priss. I'm close by so call if you need anything."
She gave a smile and started to leave.
"Linna."
"Yes?"
"Thanks again. I don't know what happened to me last night, but thanks. If I didn't have a friend like you..."
Linna went over beside Priss and leaned towards her. She transferred her cargo to one arm and with the free other reached out and touched Priss' cheek lightly, an touch that was intimate,"That's what friends are for."
Priss broke the contact by closing her eyes. She could feel Linna's hand close to her hovering above her skin with indecision. Her own heart was beating fast and she held her breath.
It took a monumental effort of willpower for Linna to take her hand away. Her mind was in turmoil. The touch was just meant to be one of reassurance but it had become something much more.
Trying to control the surge of conflicting emotions running through her like electricity she backed away but didn't take her eyes off of Priss.
"Night Linna." Priss said tiredly.
"Good night, Priss."
And the light went off.
+++===+++
Linna was awake before the alarm went off. She lay on her couch watching the time advance. Usually she didn't need an alarm but this morning she had much to do. She'd done much preparation last night to take care of Priss for the day as she wasn't going to be around. She had to get it finalised and also get herself ready for work.
Work. She didn't feel like it at all. Looking after Priss after finding her unconscious in an alley had taken a lot out of her physically and emotionally. She'd never had to look after someone like that before. So much time she had just spent sitting beside Priss and hoping that her friend would be all right. She didn't want to disturb Priss this morning either and had hardly got any sleep, not just because she had to sleep on her couch but also had many things to do- now.
She sat up on the couch and turned off the alarm before it went off. For a moment she remained to collect her thoughts. At work, today would be a bad day she w as sure. If she could barely think straight from lack of sleep and worried about Priss then something was bound to go wrong.
Priss.
Linna looked down at her hand. The one that had touched Priss' cheek. She felt the palm of her own hand. What am I thinking? I need some rest too and everything will go back to normal. Got to get ready.
With that she stood and began her day.
+++===+++
Linna placed the plastic jars on the table by her bed. A mix of food, water. She paused to look at Priss sleeping. Differently from yesterday. There she had been worried. Priss was better now, resting and looked relaxed.
The singer lay on her side, head half buried in the pillow and breathing through an open mouth. Linna wondered if she snored. One hand was under the pillow the other by her side. Her hair was a mess.
Linna couldn't help but smile.
Softly, "I'll see you this afternoon,"
+++===+++
When Priss stirred from her slumber well rested but still nowhere near normal it was almost midday. Asleep for over twelve hours again. She stretched, yawned and felt a pressure in her bowels.
"Dammit. Linna!" she cried but there was no response.
"Shit, now what do I do?"
She spied a bucket.
Discounted it. With willpower; No, I can make it. I can stand. I wont let whatever the hell happened to me defeat me.
Priss stood on weak legs. Too weak so using the wall to support her she made her way to the bathroom and sank on the toilet to relieve the pressure.
There was a typical apartmental shower and as best she could she had one. Lying in bed for so long made her feel soiled. The same went for the clothes she was wearing. She left them on the floor, as she did in her trailer, and with a towel wrapped around her went back to the bedroom and found something else to wear.
Nothing that suited her. In the wardrobe were work clothes; uniform dress and shirt, even a ribbon. Stuff she could not handle. Then there was some casual stuff; shirts, jumpers, pants. She was a little bit bigger than Linna and so had to settle for the loser kind of clothing Linna liked to wear.
Out of privacy and a bit of squeamishness she didn't bother with the undergarments drawer.
Clean, clothed, relieved.
What now?
She checked the jars and about the same time noticed the emptiness of her stomach. The contents didn't look appealing but would have to do.
Sitting on the bed she satisfied her hunger with as much room temperature food as she could then lay back on Linna's bed.
Linna's bed.
The bed where Linna slept, and will sleep because I am better now. Thanks bed.
She got up and still using the walls as support explored the apartment.
It was of decent size and would account for a huge chunk of its owners wage. Linna was a country girl and used to having space. In the city space was an expensive luxury. The money she made from being a Knight Sabre helped no doubt.
The bedroom and bathroom she was already acquainted with. Then there was the kitchen. Priss raided the cupboards and refrigerator to no avail. Nothing appetising about at all. With a half pack of dry biscuits she went into the lounge.
On the floor were sheets. Where Linna had slept. A coffee table with an alarm clock and some magazines. A small TV.
Priss settled down on the couch and rifled through the magazines. They were all fashion/womens mags and try as she could none of the articles interested her at all. Pictures of expensive clothes that Sylia had in her shop. Clothes like the dress she had been forced to wear. With a huff she dumped the magazines back onto the table.
She was bored.
It wasn't like she had a lot of stuff at her own trailer. That was why she liked to ride a lot. But when she was there she had her music magazines and instruments and a place of creativity where she could write her music. Or she could just sit outside under the sun and do nothing.
Everything around her was alien. It didn't fit her. She didn't fit in with it.
With the remote she turned on the TV. Midday soaps. Talk shows. Nothing.
+++===+++
Linna rang to check up on Priss at 2pm. She figured Priss would be awake by then. She stayed on the phone waiting for Priss to pick up. Priss took a while because she had to shuffle her way back onto the bedroom where Linna had moved the phone.
"Yeah, Hello?" Priss said.
"Priss. Its Linna. How are you feeling?"
"Fine. I can walk sorta."
"Great."
"How's work?"
"Oh fine. Hopefully the Manager wont be around and bug me."
"You sound tired?"
"Yeah. Not much sleep."
"Well you shouldn't have that problem tonight. If I can get back to my place I'll be okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I don't want to impose on you."
"Oh."
There was a pause. Was there a trace of disappointment. Linna continued, "You weren't imposing at all. I should be home in four hours or so."
"Good. There's no food in you place. I'm starving."
"What!? Well, that's because I haven't had time to do any shopping because I've been too busy baby-sitting you all weekend!"
Priss laughed into the handset, "Bring some pizza and beer."
Linna growled down the line and ended the call. Priss wished she could have seen Linna's face. It was fun to watch her get embarrassed or angry. Her face would go red and shoulders tense up. She would either quiver or look at the ground.
Priss knew how to get a response either way. Linna was fairly predictable in that regard and Priss liked to tease her and get a response. She wasn't being mean to her friend. That was just how their relationship and communication worked. It was just the way Priss was.
The conversation having faded away Priss returned to the mind numbing afternoon programs. I wish I was dead...
+++===+++
Priss had found a financial news channel. For some reason the talk of Futures, stocks, IPOs and many other things she knew absolutely nothing about held her interest until Linna returned.
The apartment door creaked open and there was all kinds of shuffling noises.
"Hey Linna, is that you?"
"Who else lives here?" came the response owned by the familiar voice.
"Im in the lounge."
"Okay."
Plastic bags in one had, handbag in her teeth and a large flat box in the other Linna struggled into the lounge and spat out her handbag.
"You're not so crippled you can't help?" she asked caustically.
"Ooh, pizza!" Priss took the box and set it on the table, "Got anything to drink?"
"Hi dear, how was your day dear? Thank you dear..." Linna dropped the plastic grocery bags on Priss' foot.
"I'm going to get changed, don't eat it all."
Priss flipped open the lid of the box and let the aroma waft over her face. It was her one weakness.
"Good choice Linna!" she shouted out.
Linna returned changed in some house clothes and regarded Priss who had a mouth full of pizza and cheese stuck to her chin.
"I see you are better." she sat down on the couch by her friend and spied the channel that was on, "The stock market? I never knew you had shares."
Priss just shrugged and took another bite of her slice.
"You've got some on your chin, there" Linna wiped it away with the tip of her finger and scrapped it off on the edge of the pizza box. Priss, mouth full gave Linna an opened eye look. What happened there? her mind said.
Linna got herself a slice and began eating away. She reached down and pulled out two cans of beer from one of the plastic bags. Priss snatched one and cracked it open.
"This is light!" the singer said with a tone of indignation.
"I don't think you should have anything stronger." Linna retorted.
"Since when did you become my caretaker?"
"Hey, I got a new disc." Linna got a palm sized case out of another bagged and went over to her small all-in-one hi-fi system. As she was putting the disk in Priss commented: "I hope its not what I was listening too before."
"Don't be such a elitist. Its foreign music - and not pop or chart at all. I heard it while at the music store during my lunch break. It sounds so magical and soft Priss, pure. I'm sure you'll like it."
She pressed the PLAY button and returned to her couch, turned off the TV, as the slow plucking of guitar strings reached there ears.
Priss closed her eyes and stopped eating to listen to the music. The tempo came and she let the soul of the music wash into her.
Seeing the obvious concentration in Priss' face Linna leaned close and whispered into her ear, "You do like it don't you?"
Linna's warm breath racing down Priss' ear and the sudden closeness of the voice overriding the music for the time she spoke almost gave her a heart attack. Priss jerked away from the sensation and flashed her eyes open.
Priss' sudden movement caused the same reaction in Linna. From opposite ends of the couch they eyed each other warily.
"You startled me." Linna said.
"You almost made me heart stop!"
Linna's face twisted into a rather curious expression of excitement and confusion which Priss failed to read successfully at all.
"You have been doing some strange things recently."
Linna's expression fell, "Huh? Like what?"
"Like that. Blowing into my ear while I'm trying to concentrate, or just before with the cheese. What's going on in your mind?" she added with a final accusational tone.
Linna tried to sink into the cushion. What was Priss getting at?
"I would believe that my mind is in a more stable condition than yours." she snapped back.
"Really."
Linna pulled a face.
Priss felt the need to continue on, she hadn't got a raise out of Linna for some time now and had gathered plenty of material during her time in the apartment, "Then why," she grinned wickedly and leaned over making Linna shrink back further, "do you have that photo of ME in THAT dress on your BEDSIDE table?"
Linna opened her mouth but nothing coherent came out.
Priss continued quickly, "That night made me so mad. Dressed up like one of Sylia's tarts with all of you laughing and joking! Is this some kind of sick way for you to..."
"Because it's the only photo of you that I have." Linna cut in, not really listening to what Priss was saying which if she had, she would have kept her mouth shut.
Priss stopped talking instantly when the words registered in her mind. Her expression was one of complete amazement. Her mouth hung open in mid sentence.
Linna's mind raced through the last seconds, "Shit. That wasn't..."
Priss' train of thought split into two tracks. One was disturbing so she threw it out; but her subconscious picked it up and continued to run with it in the background; the other she continued with and the wicked grin returned seeing Linna's distress.
"Photo of me eh? My my, what IS going on in that pretty head of yours?" she nudged Linna in the shoulder.
"I like to have photos of my friends. That's what people do." in a small voice.
"Well I don't see any of Nene or Sylia or the others hmmm? Not even showing off their worse qualities like that one."
"I think you look rather nice."
"What? You have got to be kidding me."
Linna looked up to meet Priss' sour gaze, "You don't do yourself any credit Priss. Sylia really made you look pretty. Sure pink isn't your colour but,"
"But I can't believe your saying this. Do you want me to become one of Sylia's fashion victims?" Priss waved her hand at the pile of magazines on the coffee table.
"Why do you hide yourself behind such a tough shell Priss?"
That unexpectantly hit a nerve.
"Why? Because I grew up on the god damn streets where you had to be tough and if you were pretty then you were either a whore or someone's bitch!"
"I'm sorry Priss. That was a terrible thing to say,"
"No shit."
Linna frowned, "Don't get off on me like that. We know each other well enough to know what we mean when we say something."
Priss settled down but a silence remained between them. They resumed eating.
The barrier that had risen between them was almost visible. They both felt uncomfortable.
Finally Priss' subconscious came to a conclusion and let its results be known. Priss became even more uncomfortable. She broke the ice.
"This really is good music."
Linna accepted the flag of truce. "Hmm hmm. It just caught me. It's like a dream. I asked about it and they said its a Spanish guitar. Kinda makes me want to go there." she looked down, "Not that I've been anywhere before. I haven't been out of Japan at all, barely the prefecture I grew up in even. Tokyo has been my first big move and it was scary enough."
"You beat me. I've been in this city all my life. Before the quake and after."
"That must have been hard. I saw the news reports but I bet they did nothing,"
"I survived. Got angry. At the ADP, boomers, Genom." she shrugged, "Joined the Knight Sabres and get to blow shit up. Who could ask for more in life?"
"We're you lonely?"
"In the beginning. I guess I just got used to it. Being alone, it's not the same as being lonely. If I feel that way or bored I just get on my bike and ride. You?"
"Me? The typical Odd Girl Out. That's me alright. Living in a country town. Parents always trying to match me up with some local guy. God, I don't want that yet. I want a life."
"So you upped and left for this big city?"
"Right. Joined the Knight Sabres and and get to blow shit up."
They both laughed.
"Um, Linna?"
"Yes?"
The way Priss tensed up and struggled to begin the words, but releasing them like a flood when she did put Linna on edge. "Why do you have that photo, really?"
Linna searched for meaning in Priss' eyes. Was she asking because... or trying to have another crack at her after their soul swapping moment.
Linna felt her face heat up and knew she was blushing. Furiously.
The disk clicked finished.
Priss had her response but she wanted Linna to say it so there wasn't any misunderstanding. She didn't know she was gripping the cushion tightly and had her teeth clenched.
Some sort of decision had been reached in Linna's mind.
"What do you want me to say? That I'm a..."
"Say anything," Priss cut her off knowing the words that had been about to come out of her friends mouth.
"Priss, you're one of the first real friends I made here in Tokyo and that means a lot to me. You helped me become a Knight Sabre and for that I am truly grateful." Linna took a deep breath, "I have that photo of you because I... I think of you as more than a friend- and I want you to be more than just a friend. Living in the country, what my parents wanted me to be. I couldn't handle it, I had to escape and when I met you, you showed me how..."
"Linna you don't have to explain or justify yourself to me."
Priss felt like she had been struck by a bombshell. She carefully kept it hidden though. Her friend had just made a huge admission and opening of her life. To show the shock she felt would have made Linna crawl inside herself and put a unclosable gap between themselves.
"Do you want to leave?"
Now Priss let some shock come through, "No. What gave you that idea?"
"I shouldn't have..."
"Rubbish. Linna, I'm really flattered about... that you trust me enough to have told me this," to get smile or laugh, "but I'm not going to dress up again." she smiled and winked.
Linna gave a weak smile which faded.
Then she wrapped her arms about Priss and kissed her with closed eyes.
Priss' eyes flew wide open. She couldn't move. When Linna opened her eyes and started into Priss' shock she broke away, stood up and rushed from the lounge.
The door to her bedroom slammed shut.
"Fuck." A combination of what just happened: being kissed, Linna running away.
Priss tried to stand and run after her friend but her legs failed and she crashed over the table.
With a lot of swearing she crawled over to the wall and pulled herself up. Shuffling along the wall like before she came to the bedroom door and knocked on it.
"Go away!" a choked cry.
"Linna,"
"No. Go away."
"I want to come in,"
"You hate me."
"No I don't. I'm just,"
"You think I'm a dyke."
"surprised. I don't care what you are..." mistake
"So you do! I hate myself."
Frustrated, "God dammit Linna!"
"I've ruined it. Never see me again."
"Why are you acting like this is the end of your world?"
"It isn't?"
"I'm coming in, pull yourself together."
Priss opened the door and ducked back when a framed photo smacked into it. The one of her. That made Priss mad.
Summoning what strength she had she yanked the door open and hobbled and half fell onto the bed before another missile came her way.
"Jesus, what's wrong with you?"
A tear streaked face turned to her, "I saw your eyes. You hate me." she turned away.
Priss had nothing to fall back on on how to react to the situation. Something like this had not come up in her life before. If something hurt her she got angry, yelled and left. Or kicked the other person out. She didn't fall to pieces and cry. She was at a loss.
Pathetically in her mind, she put hands on Linna's shoulders. "I don't hate you."
Beneath her hands Linna trembled.
"Give me a break. I don't know what to say or do Linna. I'm trying but... but this is just too off-base."
"I shouldn't have kissed you. I'll leave Tokyo, go back to my parents."
The kiss.
"Don't talk nonsense you came here to get away from that. It'll be just like before, a prison for you."
Priss then did what was the bravest thing she had ever done in her life or so she would think. She turned Linna over with a surprising strength and lifted her half and leaned down the rest and placed her lips over Linna's.
Both pairs of eyes remained open. Linna's wet and redshot, Priss' becoming so and the stayed locked in the embrace.
Linna's mind exploded into stars. Priss could simply not believe what she was doing.
Finally the strength in Priss' arms gave out and she lowered Linna back to the bed.
Linna continued to stare up at her.
"Linna, you are my friend, always."
Linna nodded and sniffed with trembling lips.
She reached up and pulled an irresisting friend down and their heads lay next to each other. She gave Priss a small which was accepted and with arms about her closed her eyes.
Priss stayed in the embrace. Her heart was racing, her emotions confused. She knew that she had placated Linna for the time being. She was unsure how she felt about the affection and whether her acceptance would encourage it. What she did no for certain was that she was not going to get much sleep this night.
+++ 30 +++