New Chapter! Notes at the end as usual!

Chapter 34: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

"Tiramisu for the lady and cannoli for the gentleman." Stated the waitress. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

Ronnie smiled at the waitress while Shane commented that there wasn't. She took her leave of the couple as they sat with their desserts.

"Where are you putting that?" Shane joked, pointing at Ronnie's dessert.

She slapped her left thigh. "Hollow. I'm gonna store this there for tonight."

Shane laughed. "I'm just impressed. You're a tiny little thing and I think you put away more than I did."

Ronnie looked at her boyfriend innocently. "Are you saying I'm fat?"

Shane blanched. "No! Not at all!" Ronnie batted her eyes at him.

"I didn't think so." Ronnie grinned at him. "It's not nice to call a girl fat."

"I would never do that." Shane smirked. "Not even behind her back."

Ronnie smiled, taking her fork and taking a bit of the treat. "I know that." She took a bite and slightly moaned as she savored the dessert. "Oh my gawd."

"Good?"

Ronnie finished her bite. "This is the best tiramisu in the area. There's only one better and my grandmother doesn't make it very often anymore."

Shane looked at her sadly. "Sorry to hear that."

Ronnie shrugged. "She's still makes it, but for special occasions." She took another fork full and savored the taste. "It's one of those little treats that I enjoy so much."

"Family tradition?" Shane asked.

"Sort of. I'm half Italian and grew up eating quality food. I learned a lot from Grandma; how to cook Italian, some traditions. Hell, even some of best sentences."

"You speak Italian?" Shane asked surprised.

Ronnie cleared her throat. "Parlo fluentemente italiano tu ragazzo semplice, ma bellissimo."

Shane smiled. "I don't know everything you just said, but it sounded sexy."

Ronnie blushed. "Sei un tipo interessante. Come sei divertente, sei molto simpatical."

"Wow." Shane sat back in his chair. "Is that all you know?"

Ronnie shook her head. "I know more, but I'll spare you for now." She played with her dessert a little more, looking up at him. "Thank you."

Shane looked at her, covering his mouth as he chewed. "Uh, you're welcome?"

"You don't even know what I'm thanking you for." She smiled at him. "I'm thanking you for being a great boyfriend, even if I've been a bit of a brat recently."

"A brat?" Shane wiped his mouth with his napkin, placing it back on his lap. "Veronica, what are you talking about?"

She sighed. "I've been a brat, plain and simple." She poked her dessert. "For trying to pressure you into sex and being a bit underhanded in our relationship." She looked at Shane. "I guess I know what it's like when a boy pressures a girl, even if its the first time for them." She sighed again. "I guess that I've been through a lot in the last few months and I guess I'm just acting out."

Shane cocked his head to the side. "I'm kinda lost here Ronnie. Would you mind clarifying what you're talking about?"

Ronnie blushed. "You really don't know, do you?"

Shane placed his fork down. "I mean, yes, but not to the degree you're talking about. I know you've been through a lot and I've been with you through most of it." He took a drink of his water. "Have I noticed that you've been wanting to take things further? Yes. Have I held back on your advances? Yes." He focused his attention on her. "And let me know that your advances have been the hardest thing I've had to fight off."

Ronnie dropped her fork. "What?"

Shane nodded. "You have to understand; you're a lot of things to me. When we I first met you, I wasn't exactly at my best." Ronnie snorted at this. "Well, I'm a little bit more charming now."

"That's debatable." Shane shook his head.

"When I started this year, I was going down the same path that I was on. I was just gonna squeak by and pass by fear and intimidation. It had worked for me in the last two years."

Ronnie watched Shane as he spoke. She had vague memories of how he was before. She was amazed that here she was, sitting in a restaurant and listening to her boyfriend; baring his soul to her. She admitted to herself, she was intriged.

"Then, like anyone that will admit it; you and your brother had to play your hands. Gabe was the start of it, that one day after basketball tryouts. He had to stop and talk to me. He had me actually admit that I didn't dislike him; just the people he hung out with in the past. We started actually hanging out; in wrestling practice and outside that." Shane sighed. "He's my best friend."

He took a bite of dessert, going over his thoughts. Ronnie copied him.

"As I hung out with him, I got to know some amazing people." He counted them off on his fingers. "Alyson is a really cool person; speaks her mind and not caring what others think. Emily Cameron; the only person I've ever met that is SO passionate about whatever she cares about. It helps that she's smart and has a razor sharp tongue to speak her thoughts. Nikki? She's different, not in a bad way; just different. Edgar's the same, but I can relate to him."

Shane took a deep drink from his glass. "Which brings me to you" Ronnie looked at him surprised. "My best friend's little sister. I wanted to not get involved with you. I swore to myself that I wouldn't try, but each time you'd show up."

"Sure, you're short." Shane smiled at her. Ronnie jokingly glared at him.

"I'm 5'6"."

"Yeah, like I said." Shane smirked at her. "But my grandpa told me once; dynamite comes in small packages. I met this fantastic young woman that challenged me mentally. She made me question everything. She helped change me; to be a better person."

Ronnie felt the tears form in her eyes. "Then, the worst thing happened." He looked her in the eyes; taking her hand in his. "She got hurt."

"I swore to your brother that when, not if but when; you got better, I wasn't skipping a good thing. I threw all caution to the wind and said I need to tell you what you meant to me." Shane rubbed her hand. "Sorry that it took me so long."

Ronnie let the tears fall. She didn't care; she found a young man that wanted her as she was.

"That was the hardest conversation to have; not with your parents, but your brother. I had to tell my fucking best friend that I was in love with his little sister." He took another drink. "You know what that son of a bitch had the nerve to tell me?"

Ronnie shook her head in the negative. "Your funeral." Ronnie snickered at first, turning into a full laugh. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

"That dick." Ronnie gasped in between laughs.

Shane nodded, smiling. "That's what I said to him. That bastard is charming to the end, but he turned to me and said; just make her happy. No threats of violence or revenge, nothing of the sort. I didn't even get that from your folks."

"Really?" Ronnie looked surprised.

"Yep. Your mom did all the talking with your dad right there. She said, just make her happy."

Ronnie sat in stunned silence. She turned to Shane, gathering her thoughts. "That was the night we went to the bookstore. The night you came over and had dinner with us."

Shane nodded. "Alyson and Gabe had just left and I was alone for a couple of minutes with your folks. I asked if they had any objections with me dating you. They looked at each other, smiled and just told me to make you happy. I think deep down, they know I wouldn't intentionally hurt you. I think they were okay with you being happy."

Ronnie thought for a moment. "What about you? Are you happy with me?"

"Blissfully happy." Shane replied, finishing off his dessert.

Ronnie blushed at his comment. She played with her dessert again. She had so many thoughts that she wanted to ask him.

"Choose one and go with it."

Ronnie looked at Shane curiously. He merely smiled at her.

"What about your other friends? You know, the guys you used to hang out with?"

"I didn't feel bad about leaving them behind." Shane started. "Ogre, Clancy; whatever you want to call him..." He gathered his thoughts. "He didn't really say much and I didn't really consider him a friend. Teammates would be the best way to describe him; maybe a shadow or bodyguard at best. He's not really all that bright; lacking in the communication department." Shane thanked the waitress as she refilled his glass. "I don't really know much about him. I know his mom split a few years back. His dad isn't really around. He just tosses money to him and tells him to fend for himself. He's trouble; plain and simple."

"J.J.? I'm worried about him. I'm trying to lead him away from the rest of the guys that can mess him up. I think he's just happy about being in the group, not caring what they do to him. Maybe he sees it as paying his dues, I don't know. I'm trying though."

"Edgar is different, like I said earlier. I can relate to him though. He tends to stick with Gabe and me, but can joke with all of us. I'm guessing he's playing the fence; so he doesn't aggravate either side, but I know he'd rather be around us; even told us that."

"What about Jimmy Brooks?" Ronnie asked.

"Fuck him." Shane growled. "He's a snake, an asshole. Fuck him."

"Whoa." Ronnie whispered. "You don't..."

"Sorry." Shane grimaced. "He's a sore spot, but you need to know why." Ronnie motioned for him to continue. "You remember that first date that we had?"

Ronnie nodded. "The dinner and movie. That walk in the park."

Shane nodded. "Great night until I left you at your door. I couldn't stay at home that night, as my parents were 'reconnecting'. So, I did what most of the popular and sporto kids did; crash at Jimmy's. There's always a party there most weekends, especially when his parents are out of town. This night was no different. I get there and just shoot the shit with Jimmy for a few before he was called away. Spent the night with Tricia in a spare bedroom."

"Really?" Ronnie asked.

Shane nodded. "Not one of my proudest moments. I knew we weren't a couple at that point, but it just felt different; it felt wrong. I just wasn't into her anymore. I know it sounds wrong, disgusting even, but I just couldn't do that anymore."

"Can I ask you why?" Ronnie gulped. "Why this time?"

Shane looked longingly at her. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Me?" Ronnie asked dumbfoundedly.

Shane nodded. "Yeah. Something happened that night, that led us to here. Something that I don't think I've ever felt for any other 're amazing, don't deny it. I know you may not see it, but a lot of know you are. I became one that night."

"Shane..."

"It gets better, I assure you." Shane put his hand up. "So, I couldn't sleep that night; not really well. I think I finally dozed off for a few hours. Then in the morning, I heard someone in the kitchen. I figured it was Jimmy; I'm glad it wasn't."

Ronnie gave him a questioning look, as he continued. "It was Rosalyn."

"No kidding?"

Shane nodded. "I got up, tossed on my clothes from the night before and headed out there. She apologized for waking me; told her I was already up. She made me breakfast. She's a helluva good cook too." Ronnie nodded in agreement with him.

"So as she's cooking; she's telling me I look like shit. I told her I felt like shit. Got into a discussion about the night before and our date. Rose really brightened up when we talked about you. She said that you and her were good friends and all. She told me that she felt bad for you; living in your brother's shadow." Ronnie began to protest,but Shane stopped her. "She didn't go into details and I didn't ask for any. We just talked about all these good qualities about you."

"She's been a great friend. I feel bad that we don't talk as much as we used to. She's in the gifted program and English Lit is the only class we have together." Ronnie sighed. "She's so busy with her classes. I do miss her."

"Maybe try to make time for her; I think she'd appreciate it." Shane agreed. "So the more we talked, the more I couldn't fight this feeling that we should try to get to know each other. If nothing came of it, I would have a great person in my life."

"I'm kinda glad we're in this moment too." Ronnie said, eyes brimming with tears.

Shane smiled. "Me too Ronnie, me too." He sighed. "So, Jimmy comes down and starts into Rose, bugging me and all that. Of course, she got upset and tried to explain what happened. Jimmy wasn't hearing it, so I jumped to her defense. Jimmy gets shitty with me; complaining that I should be with Tricia and to forget both you and your brother. He called both of you names; that I won't repeat ever, and trash talked ya both."

Ronnie stared at him. "What did he say... that asshole."

"I don't know if it was me being tired or just tired of not being true to myself and the people that I call friends. I just couldn't take it and did the only thing my brain could do to react." Shane smiled. "I slugged him."

"You didn't!" Ronnie whispered. "Shane, we're not worth that."

"Yeah, you both are." Shane shrugged. "I would've done it again too. I was furious, so I told him where to go with his high and mighty image of himself. Also told him that I'd rather be an outcast and have true friends than some of the people he surrounded himself with. Of course, our fight gathers a small audience. I didn't care, but I think a person or two agreed with me."

"So what happened next?" Ronnie asked.

"Jimmy told me to get the fuck out and never return. I agreed. I went into the room I was staying in, grabbed my gear and headed towards the door. I'm just about to walk out and Edgar stops me. He asked me for a lift and told him to gear up. He had his bag already, so the two of us walked out the door."

"Good for Eddie." Ronnie smiled. Shane nodded.

"I'm letting him in my car, when Tricia comes out; wearing a t-shirt and not much else. She tries to persuade me to stay and fix things with Jimmy. I'm not sure if she came out on her own or Jimmy sent her and didn't really care. I told her to go to hell, that I was done with her and whatever we had, then walked away."

"The drive home was pretty quiet. Eddie and I talked a bit. He said he felt the same way about everything. He said he didn't fit it. I asked him if was leaving the team; which he said he wouldn't. He just wanted to see what the big deal with the parties were all about; he wasn't all that impressed. Since then, he and I kinda came outcasts in a way, but we don't really care."

"Eddie told me the other day that he's pretty happy doing what he's been doing with all of us." Ronnie smiled. "He's finding his way."

"We all are." Shane nodded, feeling his phone vibrate. He reached into his pocket and looked at the caller ID. Ronnie noticed that Shane looked surprised. "Sorry. Yeah dad?" Shane nodded once and turned to his girlfriend.

"She's right here, I'm looking at her." Ronnie looked surprised. Shane covered the receiver end of the phone. "Didn't you bring your phone with you?"

Ronnie nodded. "I left it in your car. I wanted to enjoy our date."

Shane nodded. "Yeah, it's in the car." Shane nodded a few times over the phone. He turned to her, wide eyed. "What happened?! When?!" He nodded a couple of more times. "Are you there now? No? Okay. I'll pay and take her there. If you find out anything else, please call me." He hung up the phone, jamming back into his pocket. He waived the waitress over.

"Is there anything else I can get you two?"

"Sorry for my rudeness, but would you be so kind to bring the lady a to go box and the check? We're in a bit of a rush." The waitress nodded and left quickly.

"Shane, what's going on?" Ronnie asked.

"I'll tell you outside, just please be patient." Shane turned to the waitress; who handed him the bill. He quickly took his wallet out, pulled a few bills out and handed it to the waitress. "Keep it and sorry for this. It's a family emergency."

"I hope everything will be okay." The waitress said. "Thank you."

Shane nodded, standing up and going around to Ronnie. He took her coat for her and helped her get the coat on. He picked up her leftover dessert in the box and grabbed her hand. The two quickly left the restaurant. Shane dug out his keys at they quickly headed to the parking lot.

Ronnie felt like she was getting dragged about. She wasn't happy about this. As they neared Shane's car, she shook her hand out of his. "Stop, stop, stop!" She stood still as Shane took a few steps and he turned towards her. She looked at Shane's face; he was worried. "What happened?"

"Ronnie, can we get to the car? I'll tell you everything."

Ronnie stomped her foot on the pavement. "No! You tell me everything right fucking now! What is going on?! Why did you rush us out of there? We were having a great night!"

Shane sighed and closed the distance between them. He placed his hands on her shoulders. She could see tears forming in Shane's eyes.

"Honey..." Shane tried to find the words. "Honey, there was an incident at the park in front of Alyson's home. Juliette Hogart got out of that school she was at. She attacked several people tonight. All of them are in the hospital." He sighed deeply. "Alyson and Gabe are two of them."

"What?" Ronnie stared at him.

Shane nodded. "She...She came and beat both of them pretty violently. Alyson is awake and stable..."

"Gabe?"

Shane shook his head. His voice was filled with emotion. "He's...he's in really bad shape. I don't know much more than that. Your parents have been trying to reach you, but of course the phone is in my car. So, your mom called my dad and he called me."

"No...no." Ronnie started to cry. "Not Gabriel, anyone but him."

Shane pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead. "It's ok honey. We'll go see him right now."

Ronnie cried for a moment or two into Shane's chest. The cries quickly quieted and turned to a feral growl. "That bitch! I don't care whom she thinks she is, I'll beat her ass!" She broke from her boyfriend and angrily stormed to the car. Shane followed after her, opening her door for her. She got in the car, slamming the door shut. Shane walked quickly to the driver's side and got in. He started the car, revving the engine and putting it in gear.

Ronnie picked up her phone. She noticed three missed calls and a voicemail. She clicked on the voicemail link and put it on speaker.

"Ronnie? It's dad. Look, I know you're on a date but your brother is in the hospital. He's in really bad shape. I hate to do this, but get to Memorial Hospital as soon as possible. Bring Shane as well, I'm sure he'll want to be here. I'll fill you in when you get here. Love you."

Ronnie felt a hand in hers. Shane focused on the road in front of him, his face a mix of emotions. She squeezed his hand back. They travelled in silence as the car headed to the hospital.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. I wanted to share Shane's story on the change in him and what caused it. I wouldn't be too surprised if you've been following this fiction long enough. Plus, as much as I enjoy writing for Alyson and Gabe; I think I enjoy writing Ronnie and Shane just a little bit more. Writing for them is always a joy.

If you want to know what Ronnie said to Shane in Italian...

First sentence is: I speak fluent Italian you simple, but beautiful boyfriend.

Second sentence is: You're interesting. You're very funny and nice.

In the end, things progress from here. We'll get a chapter with the parents.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. More to come. Thanks for everything!