I Will Always
It was still raining. The day seemed gloomy and lazy. Lola had woken up and got out of bed. It was eleven o'clock. She took a quick shower. She changed into her bathrobe, and went to see if Andy was in his room. She went down the hall and looked inside, but it was empty and untouched. She went downstairs and found that Andy wasn't there either. She sighed and went to the kitchen and had some breakfast. The house was quiet until the sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the silence. Just then, she heard someone at the door. A servant let the man inside, it was Andy.
"What happened to you?" she asked when she saw the black eye
"I fell down the stairs," he lied
He walked past her, and plumped himself tiredly on the couch. Lola rolled her eyes.
"Stairs? That's a very odd injury from falling down the stairs," continued Lola, "you got into a fight, didn't you?"
Andy glared. He turned away and ignored her. Lola sniffed the air and caught a whiff of something.
"Have you been smoking and drinking?" she asked sternly
"What's it to you?" he snapped
"You promised me you weren't going to do that again," she said folding her arms
Andy was getting annoyed with her. He got up and got all up in her face.
"Most bitches would say, 'oh my god, honey! Are you ok, boo?'" he said in a high pitched, air-head voice
"Unfortunately for you, I'm not most bitches, you bastard!" she said not backing down
Andy grabbed her by her bathrobe, and brought her to him.
"What the fuck did you say?" he thrust her onto the couch. He straddled over her and held her down. She struggled, but she couldn't fight back. He got her lying on her back, along the length of the couch. He grabbed her wrists and put her arms up and held them against the armrest. He put his entire body over hers, pinning her down. She gritted her teeth as he brought his angry face up to her.
"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!"
She flinched at his words, and stood still. He felt the urge to take advantage of her helpless position, but he got off of her instead. There were servants in the house, and he didn't want them to call the cops on him. He went back out the door, and went away in the limo. Lola got up and glared after him.
"Fucking asshole," she muttered
She fixed her robe around her shoulders and tightened the rope. She was angry with him, but she also found herself shaking. She went back upstairs, and locked herself in the room. She wanted to be alone.
Elsewhere…
Bugs had a restless evening. After the incident at the cabaret, he drove off to the forest and hid among the trees in case they called the police on him. He spent the night in the car. When he awoke, it was around twelve. Bugs stretched and got out of the car. He found a stream and washed his face. He then heard a little breeze ruffle the leaves. Bugs turned around and saw Angel there.
"So, what are you going to do?" asked Angel
"I don't know. I'm making dis up as I go along," answered Bugs
He got into his car and turned on the ignition. Bugs looked at Angel; Angel saw that he had a determined and yet uncertain look on his face. Bugs stepped on the gas and drove out of the forest. Angel looked after Bugs as he left. He had a very bad feeling about what could happen…
Bugs was on the highway, heading towards Lola's mansion. On the highway, he saw Lola's limo heading in the opposite direction. Through the windows he could see that it was just Andy inside the limo. Bugs kept going.
Later on, he arrived to his destination. He drove his car into the same spot where he hid it before, just in case Andy came back; he didn't want him to know that he was there. Bugs walked up to the gate, Foghorn was at his post reading a magazine.
"You? I say, you again?" said Foghorn looking up from the article
"Yeah. I'd like to see Lola," said Bugs
"Do you, I say, do you have an appointment?"
"Yeah, she told me to come this afternoon,"
"Let me make sure, confirm that is," he said going to his intercom
Inside…
Lola had changed into her tank top and shorts when she heard a beep from her intercom.
"Yes?" she answered once she pressed the button
"Ma'm, that rabbit, Bugs that is. Is here to see ya,"
Lola then remembered her words to him the other night. She wasn't feeling all that great, but a friend right now could do her some good.
"Yes, let him in," she responded
Foghorn obeyed, and let the gate open.
"Go on, I say, go on in," said Foghorn
"Tanks," said Bugs as he went inside.
He walked up the driveway and to the front door. Bugs was let in by a servant. Lola was just climbing down the stairs when he walked in.
"Hi Bugs," she greeted
"What's up, Lo?" he greeted
"Oh…nothing much," she answered hesitantly
Bugs didn't believe her. He was about to ask her, but she then interjected.
"Did you eat something?" she asked
"Well…" he began, but his stomach did the rest of the talking
Lola smiled, "I'll take that as a 'no'"
He couldn't deny it; he hadn't eaten anything at all since he was in this world. Lola led him to the kitchen. She gave him something to eat, and Bugs ate it all. She chuckled a little as she saw him chow down on the food as if it were the last meal he was ever going to get a hold of.
"What an appetite," said Lola
"Yeah," said Bugs wiping off some crumbs from his mouth, "what are you doing today?"
"I was planning to do some training,"
"Training? All day?"
"Yeah…I have nothing else to do,"
"Not even go toda movies, or catch a game?"
"There are no games of any kind today. The only movies out there are…Disney,"
"Point taken," said Bugs
"You wanna help me out?"
"Sure,"
They got up from the stools and walked over to the gym. Lola closed the door behind them and turned on the lights. The gym looked nicer in the day, even though it was still pouring outside.
"Will you spot me?" said Lola walking over to the bench press
"Sure" he got behind her
Lola lay down on the bench. Bugs stood at the head of the bench, behind the bar.
"Ready?" he asked
"Yeah,"
"1…2…3," he lifted the bar for her, "you got it?"
"Yep," she said adjusting her grip
She brought the bar down to her chest, then pushed it back up. Bugs watched her with care and admiration. He studied her arms moving gracefully from start to finish, and how she inhaled and exhaled during each movement.
"So tell me," said Bugs, "why did you go into basketball?"
"I love basketball," she replied in a sort of confused tone
"Well obviously, but what I mean is, was dat your first choice?"
"Well…its was one of my top career choices…"
"What happened toda others?"
"Not much 'others' more as to one. I was going for performing arts,"
"What made you change your mind?"
"Not that I changed my mind, more like... kicked out,"
"Why?"
Lola sighed a little.
"I studied informally, a bit of acting, singing, the whole nine yards; trying to expand my horizons and all, particularly by my mother's 'encouragement'. But when I tried to get a job, it didn't go as planned. At every place I went to I got rejected. I wasn't what they were looking for. 'Oh, you can't say that' or 'oh, you can't wear that'. They didn't like my attitude. I was too…untraditional. I wasn't Disney enough for them,"
"You're not Disney at all," said Bugs
Lola laughed
"That's true," she continued, "I wasn't fit for the stage in their eyes…my career was over before it ever began…"
"So you turned to your other love,"
"That wasn't easy either,"
"Why?"
"First off, it was a real hassle for the board to let a toon like myself play with humans. And when I was accepted in the league, it's a whole other problem,"
"Like what?"
"As you know, cartoons are forbidden from any form of violence. For me it's especially hard because of the sport. I have to keep my temper under control in this contact sport. Or not my ass is cooked,"
"Dat's stupid,"
"I know…"
Lola held the bar up in a neutral position. Bugs took the bar and set it down on its resting place. Lola sat up and stretched her arms.
"What's next in your routine?" asked Bugs
"I need to fix my foul shots, so I'll just do that,"
"I'll rebound for ya,"
"Cool,"
Lola grabbed a ball from a rack and dribbled up to the foul line. Bugs got into position beside the basket. Lola took a shot and Bugs caught the rebound. He passed it to her and she shot again. It went around the rim and fell in. Bugs once again caught it and passed it. He gave her words of encouragement every time she made a clean shot, she smiled in response. Her shot was becoming flawless with Bugs' help.
An hour later….
"Making foul shots gets boring after a while," commented Lola after making one last shot
"Ok," said Bugs as he rebounded the ball, "I'll play ya."
Lola turned to him with a questioning look.
"You'll play me?" she echoed
"What? You think I can't keep up?"
"I don't know, after all those years…can you?"
"Watch me," he said stepping into the light
Lola smiled, she liked his gesture. Not to mention his figure. He looked stunning with that 'tough guy' posture but gentleman smile. The determined glint in his eye made him seem like a hero in a dream. Lola followed him to center court. From there, Lola threw the ball into the air and they both jumped for it. Bugs got the ball first; he dribbled past her, jumped, and managed to dunk the ball into the hoop before Lola could even react. He swung down from the hoop and looked at her, she seemed surprised. She walked past him, but not before gazing at him with her alluring eyes.
"I'm impressed," she said picking up the ball. She faced him, "ready?"
Bugs smiled. She then dribbled the ball towards her end of the court; she easily passed Bugs, jumped, and dunked the ball. Bugs went to get the ball. They went at it again. This time, Lola didn't let her guard down and was able to steal the ball. She went to her basket and shot again. After it went in, Bugs had possession of the ball. He approached her slowly, dribbling between the legs.
"Uh oh! Uh oh! Didn't know I could do dis!" taunted Bugs
Lola was determined, keeping her eyes fixed on the ball. When she saw her chance…
"Ah ha! Too slow!" laughed Lola as she stole it
She dashed to her basket and dunked another one.
"Loser's ball," she said passing him the ball
"Oh sure, rub it in," he smirked
Lola was amused with his attitude; making her laugh with his comments and actions. Back and forth the game went, with Lola laughing all the way. They played all afternoon and into the night. After quite a few rounds, they were both hot and sweaty and ready…to call it a night.
"Wow," said Lola stretching a bit, "I never had a training session like that in ages."
"Training? I thought you were having fun," said Bugs
"I was,"
"Good, you know all work and no play…"
"…makes Lola a dull girl,"
They laughed together.
"Heh, you're right," said Lola, "you know…in these past few moments, I've had more fun with you than I've had with Andy in…well, ever,"
"Wow…umm…" Bugs gulped, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure,"
"Do you…do you…" he looked at her. She looked back with a cute, yet naive curiosity. He stuttered a bit, "…wanna play some more?"
"Alright, one more round," she said jumping up to the challenge
Bugs cursed at himself under his breath for not being able to ask what he really wanted to know. They got on the court again. Bugs had possession of the ball. Lola was blocking him from making the shot. He broke away and tried to make a run for it, but Lola was able to get in front of him. Bugs had to come to a halting stop, he had both hands on the ball and he had to shoot from there. He tried, but Lola put her arms up and blocked his way. She grabbed the ball, but Bugs didn't let go. The struggle had brought them close together…a bit too close.
They were face to face, an inch apart. They weren't looking at the ball anymore, but rather into each other's eyes. They were star struck; they couldn't stop gazing at each other. Their bodies pressed against one another. No sounds, but their racing heartbeats. Then, as though by some unseen force, their lips were drawn to each other for a sweet gentle kiss. They both forgot about the ball and let it slip from their hands and drop to the floor. Their arms were still above their heads, with her hands in his. Bugs slowly brought down her arms by smoothly running his hands down to her shoulders. They released the kiss and looked at each other once more. His hands were massaging her allover her back; his palms caressed each and every curve he felt. He brought her closer to him. He kissed her once more. She locked her arms around his neck and took the kiss with much delight. The innocent kiss…was becoming less and less innocent.
They held each other closer, tighter. Going deeper…They released the kiss, both breathing heavily. Bugs began kissing her neck, down to her chest. She moaned sensually and unconsciously wrapped her leg around him. They gazed at each other once more. They kissed again much more deeply than before. Bugs dipped her until they both reached the floor. They never let go of each other. They were wrapped up in each other, vigorously tasting each other. The heated passion developed on center court was getting deeper and deeper. Oblivious to their surroundings, the two lovers were overcome by desire, with only pieces of fabric preventing them from doing what their bodies were urging to do.
They released the delicious kiss and were out of breath. They looked at one another once more.
"This feels so right…" she whispered with intensity
Bugs gazed down upon her and gave her a devious little smile. He kissed her lips then trailed down to her neck. Meanwhile his hands were moving down searching for a way to infiltrate her clothing. But then he felt her hands shift from his back to his chest. She looked at him; and he at her.
"But…" she continued hesitantly, "it isn't."
He looked at her questioningly, "what?"
Lola gently pushed him off of her. Bugs sat up on the floor, still confused. She sat up and brought her legs in close to her. Her conscious was able to get through and defeat her temptation.
"Us," she said, "this seems so right to me. But…I'm with Andy. I'm supposed to be with him."
"Lola, you don't have to be with him," he urged
"But that's where I belong,"
"No, you don't belong to anyone, especially Andy,"
"It would be wrong for me to leave him,"
"But you don't love him!"
Lola looked at him straight in the eye.
"How could you even say that?" she said taken aback
"You know it's true," he said not adverting his gaze
"What makes you think you're so sure?"
"Because I know you,"
"Then who do I love?"
"I think you know da answer to dat,"
Lola was silent, not knowing what to say.
"Don't deny it, I know you do," pressed Bugs
"I…can't…" she struggled to say
"But why?"
"Cause I'm…with him,"
"No, Lola," he said holding her shoulders and looking at her straight in the eye, "You can't love him; Because he doesn't love you!"
"That's not…no. No! That isn't true!"
"He doesn't give a damn about you. He disrespects you by going to whore houses, in your limo, behind your back!"
Lola grew wide eyed. She closed her eyes and looked away from Bugs.
"You knew?" he asked astounded
She didn't respond.
"He's done more dan dat, hasn't he?"
Her lower lip began to quiver.
"Lola! Why are you doing dis to yourself? Why do you torture yourself with his bullshit? Don't be stupid! You're a smart girl; you don't have to take dis!"
"I can't!" she yelled choked with emotion
"He doesn't own you!"
"But you do?" she shot back
"Dat's…not what I meant," he hesitated
"Then what?" she said
"You're not his property; not anyone's property. You're not bounded to him. Dere's no reason for you to stay…"
Lola looked down, a tear escaped her eye.
"Bugs…I'm pregnant,"
Bugs' heart stopped. Oh my God…
"I have to stay with him…" whispered Lola
"No…" he choked
"Bugs…"
"No! Don't do dis to yourself!" he said tightening his grip on her "you're making a huge mistake!"
"The worst mistake I can make is to deny the child a father. I can't do that…" she said looking at him straight in the eye
"No…you can't…You can't!" he yelled
He tightened his grip on her shoulders. She tried to get free from him, but she couldn't.
"LET GO OF ME!" she screamed and she slapped him across the face.
Bugs stared at her wide eyed, and let his arms drop. Lola crawled away and struggled to her feet. She was holding her guard, ready to defend herself in anyway she could.
"Get out!" she yelled
"Lola…please…" he pleaded
"Go!"
He struggled to his feet.
"Please…"
"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" she screamed
Bugs stopped in his tracks. Lola wasn't backing down. Tears were streaming down her eyes, her voice cracked with emotion.
"OUT!"
Bugs turned away from her and solemnly left the gym, into the pouring rain.
Lola dropped her arms, overwhelmed. She wiped the tears rolling from her cheek. She felt so overcome by sadness; deluged with anguish. She wasn't planning on any of it…not the encounter…nor the abrupt revealing of her secret. She did her best to try to gain her composure but something made her tense up in fear again…
"Hey there, doll,"
Lola felt a cold hand on her shoulder and an ominous presence behind her. She dared not to turn around and face him.
"Andy!" she said nervously
"You missed me?"
"I…I have something to tell you…"
"Does it have something to do with your little training session?"
Bugs was walking back to his car. His eyes never left the muddy ground. He walked down, confused, depressed…lost. He felt a cold wind beside him. He knew who it was.
"Dere's no point…" muttered Bugs
"What?" inquired Angel
"She doesn't need me. She has a mansion, she's famous, she's popular…"
"But is she happy?"
"If she's willing to make it work with that...Andy; Den who am I to stop her? I'm nothing…I don't exist remember?"
Angel stopped in his tracks. He looked on after Bugs, who moped away like an unloved stray dog. He was about to go give him words of comfort when the slamming of a door echoed through the pounding rain. Just then they heard the sound of screeching tires. Bugs looked up and saw the limo racing out of the driveway. Bugs' inner sense of danger was blaring. With as much as a thought, Bugs turned back on his heels and ran back to the gym. Bugs rushed through the doors and was…horrified
There, on center court, was his beloved. She lay on her side, paralyzed. He saw a dark form around her on the floor …oh no! Bugs rushed to her, he collapsed to the ground beside her. He picked her head up slowly under his arm; he could feel her head throbbing in pain. Her face was roughed up…and ghostly pale. He placed his other hand around her back to lift her up closer to him, but he felt her wince in pain. He looked at his glove…blood!
"Lola!" he begged
She gritted her teeth and struggled to open her eyes. She opened her mouth…but no sound came out.
"Lo…please…don't…" he said shaking his head
She lifted her hand and tiredly touched his cheek.
"I…" she whispered hoarsely
He held her hand against his cheek. Feeling the tears escape from his eyes…
"Lola…" his lips trembled
"I…I…love…" she struggled
But then her hand slipped from his grasp with a sigh…and fell limp on the ground…
She was gone…
His body was quaking with fear. The tears were streaming from his eyes…He felt cold and dizzy…afraid…heartbroken…
"NO!" he wailed
He held her close to his body. Clenching his teeth in anger and losing control.
"LOLA!"
He wept…he screamed. He cradled her in his arms…convulsing with grief.
"WHY! WHY! OH GOD WHY!..."
He held her tight. He rested his face on hers, passing his hand over her face, brushing her fur…
"Come back…" he whispered desperately, "Lola, don't leave me…I love you…I can't live without you…"
He knew it was useless. He rubbed his forehead against her hair, gasping for breath between sobs. He held her tightly once more. He opened his tear swollen eyes and saw the object that was her end…He reached for it and stared at it in his hand. He clutched it in his hand in grunted in anger.
"Damn you!" he cursed at the bloody knife in his hand
Just then he heard a muffled sound in the rain. The sound grew louder and louder until he could hear them…sirens. The sounds of tires screeching on muddy ground reached his ears. After a moment, the doors were burst open. From them emerged the bastard himself…followed by men in blue uniform. Bugs saw that devil and instinctively held Lola closer to him. He glared in homicidal rage, ready to defend in the blink of an eye.
"What have you done to her!" demanded Andy
"You're caught red handed! Get back you murderer!" commanded the officer
Shock had joined Bugs' rage. He knew the odds were against him. It was Andy's word against his…and the fact that he held the weapon and was covered in blood wasn't going to be in his favor. He glared at Andy, whom seemed to have a satisfied glint in his eye. The officer and other policemen as well were guarding the entrance to the outside. They all had their guns ready to fire. Bugs was trapped.
Bugs held Lola tightly one last time.
"I'm sorry my love…" he whispered
He then gently set her down on the ground. He rustled her hair once more and stared at her lifeless form. He gently kissed her lips and brushed her face.
"Up!" yelled the officer
Bugs glared at him. He looked back at Lola, and gently set her hands down on a respectful manner on her abdomen. He slowly rose to his feet, staggering slightly. His head was still down…but he looked up and met eyes with Andy. Bugs' blood boiled at the sight of the motherfucker…
"Now put your hands behind your head…" commanded the officer
Bugs didn't move. The officer clutched his gun in both hands.
"Don't even think about it…" he shouted
Bugs smirked.
"Thought," said Bugs nonchantly
Bugs threw his arms up and backed flipped, dodging the bullets fired at his chest. He somersaulted off the nearby bench and flipped over the basketball rack. He ran through the doors that led to the inner mansion. Bugs stopped in his tracks when he saw another line of officers there, blocking the exit doors. They proceeded an attack, but Bugs jumped to dodge them. He ran up the stairs, finding nowhere else to go. He ran down the hall through an open door. It was Lola's bedroom. He shut the door and locked it. He looked around, frantically to find a way to escape. Just then the police, along with Andy broke through the doors. The police continued to fire on Bugs. Bugs ran to the only place he could. As he jumped, a bullet pierced his arm; but Bugs ignored the sting. The other bullets had impacted the glass window, making it easier for Bugs to break through. He shielded his face as the shards of glass cut him. He plummeted to the ground from the two story window and landed on a crouched position. He was in extreme pain, yet he struggled to his feet and tried to run for it.
"How the fuck is my tax money going to you punk asses who couldn't hit water even if you fell out of a goddamned boat!" yelled Andy at the police officers
"Watch your fat-ass mouth, McRabbit!" shot back the lead officer. He turned around and faced his men, "What the hell are you waiting for! Go get him!"
Bugs was able to reach his car. He got inside and struggled with his keys. He jerked the ignition and stomped on the gas; he sped out of there, picking up mud with his tires. A few officers fired upon him, but they only succeeded in breaking the back window. Soon enough the police were after him in their squad cars. Bugs got on the highway and raced at top speeds. The police followed him. Bugs turned a corner, trying to give them the slip. He kept maneuvering through the streets, trying to lose them. For a while it seemed to work until…
"GEEZ!" he yelled
There was a police barricade waiting for him at an intersection. He pounded on the brakes. The rain made the road slippery and the car skidded out of control. His car flipped over and was stopped by a squad car. Bugs was shaken. He couldn't move. His vision was blurry and his neck was aching. His ears were ringing and could barely make out what the people were saying. He then heard a strong, familiar voice…
"Heaven's light!"
Bugs saw a white light before finally passing out.
Later…
"Bugs?" came the voice once more
Bugs slowly opened his eyes. It took a moment for him to finally get a clear vision. His body was worn out. He could barely move. He looked around and saw that he was in some back alley. He was sitting up against a brick wall,protected from the rain byan overhang of a window.
"You alright?" asked the voice once more
"A..Angel?" muttered Bugs
It was Angel who was right beside him. He looked concerned…
"What…happened?" asked Bugs
"I got you out of there. You ok? Can you get up?"
"How…long was… I out?"
"A few hours,"
"Eh?"
"About…eleven or so…"
Shit…
Bugs tried to move, but it was useless. He sat there…remembering. Reliving the pain…
Angel looked down. Not sure of how to comfort him with words. He noticed Bugs' injury. He placed his hand over the bullet wound in Bugs' arm. His hand glowed, and once he removed it, Bugs' arm was healed. Bugs then grew silent, as if listening for something. Angel had heard it too. It was coming from a television at the storefront window of the shop they were hiding next to. It was the news…
"It's a sad day for the world of sports, ladies and gentlemen. Last night, young newcomer Lola Bunny was murdered in cold blood in her own gymnasium…" said the female reporter
On the screen, there was a shot of medical workers carrying a body covered with a white sheet out of the gym.
"She was stabbed once in the back by what authorities describe as a 'cartoon male rabbit'. There is no known motive. Her gate watchman testifies that he has seen the culprit the day before and seemed to have been an old friend of Lola's. Not much else is known about this rabbit,"
The screen showed a police sketch of Bugs' face. They gave him a very rough, and heartless look.
"Lola's tragic death has destroyed fiancée, Andy McRabbit, who was the one who discovered her killer,"
"Lola! No!" sobbed Andy on the screen
"Andy was too emotional to give us a comment. It's a tragedy, when such a promising young woman has her whole life taken away at the hands of a crazed fan. Our prayers are with her family and loved ones, whom attend her untimely funeral later this afternoon."
The screen showed a funeral home. There were people dressed in black approaching the front door. Among them were Lola's parents, Larry and Gladys. Larry cradled Gladys, whom was hysterical.
"My baby! My baby!" she screamed
Larry looked sad, however he was trying ver hard to be strong for her.
The camera shot was inside now, there were other family members there, all grieving and depressed. The camera focused on Andy. He was crying in his seat. He then got up and rushed to the coffin, sobbing over the top. Lola's brother, Brendan, got up from his seat and comforted him.
"If any of you have any information," continued the reporter, "call the line shown on your screen."
Angel shook his head. He couldn't believe Andy was getting away with it; putting on an act and shedding crocodile tears.
"I can't understand how these people actually fell for his trickery…" said Angel
There was no response. Bugs had been quiet, deathly silent…Angel turned around and gasped.
"BUGS!"