BANGER(GP) CHAPTER 8, a fandom fanfic

JENNIE

The next evening I was headed out to yoga when I found myself face to face with Lisa once again. She was coming up the stairs as I went down.

"If I said, 'we have to stop meeting like this,' would it sound as trite as it sounds in my head?" I offered.

She laughed. "Hard to say. Give it a try."

"Okay. Wow, we have to stop meeting like this!" I exclaimed.

We both waited a beat and then laughed again.

"Yep, trite," she said.

"Maybe we can work out some kind of schedule, share custody of the hallway or something." I shifted my weight from one leg to another. Great, now it looks like you have to pee.

"Where are you off to tonight? I seem to always catch you when you're leaving," she said as she propped herself up on the wall.

"Well, clearly I am headed somewhere very fancy." I gestured to my yoga pants and cami. I then showed her my water bottle and yoga mat.

She pretended to think very carefully, and then her eyes widened. "You're going to pottery class!"

"Yes, that's where I'm headed…ass."

She grinned that grin at me. I smiled back.

"So you never gave me the scoop on what you heard at brunch the other day. What's going on with our friends?" she asked, and I didn't at all feel a flutter in my belly at the mention of the word our. Not at all …

"Well, I can tell you that my girls were quite taken with your boys. Did you know they're all going to the symphony benefit next week?" I said, instantly horrified that I went there that quickly.

"I heard that. Jaehyun gets tickets every year. Perks of the job, I suppose. Sportscasters always go to the symphony, right?"

"I would assume, especially when one is trying to cultivate a certain man-about-town persona," I added with a wink.

"You caught that, huh?" she winked back, and we found ourselves smiling again. Friends? Definitely a stronger possibility.

"We'll have to compare notes afterward, see how the Fantastic Four are doing. Did you know they've been going out on double dates all week?" I said. Rosé had confided that they'd been going out constantly, but always as a foursome. Hmm…

"I did hear something about that. They all seem to be getting along well. That's good, right?"

"It's good, yes. I'm actually going out with them next week. You should come along," I tossed out casually. It's all for the truce, just the truce…

"Oh, wow. I'd love to, but I'm heading overseas. Leaving tomorrow, actually," she said.

If I didn't know better, I'd say she almost looked disappointed.

"Really? On a shoot?" I said, and realized my mistake. That knowing smirk came back with a vengeance.

"A shoot? Checking up on me?"

I felt my face go from pink to a lovely tomato red. "Jillian mentioned what you do for a living, yes. And I noticed the pictures in your apartment. When my pussy was chasing your Russian? Ring any bells?"

She seemed to shift her weight a little at my choice of words. Hmmm, weak spot?

"You noticed my pictures?" she asked.

"I did. You've got a great set of sconces." I smiled sweetly and looked directly at her crotch.

"Sconces?" she mumbled, clearing her throat.

"Occupational hazard. So where are you headed, anyway? Overseas, I mean." I dragged my eyes deliberately back up to her, and noticed her were nowhere near my face. Heh, heh, heh…

"What? Oh, um, Ireland. Shooting a bunch of coastal spots for Condé Nast, and then going into some of the smaller towns," she answered, bringing her gaze back to mine.

It was nice to see her a bit flustered. "Ireland, nice. Well, bring me back a sweater."

"Sweater, got it. Anything else?"

"A pot of gold? And a shamrock?"

"Great. I won't have to leave the airport gift shop," she muttered.

"And then when you come home, I'll do a little Irish dance for you!" I cried and started laughing at the lunacy of this conversation.

"Aw, Nightie Girl, did you just offer to dance for me?" she said in a low voice, stepping a little closer.

And just like that, the balance of power shifted.

"Lisa, Lisa, Lisa," I exhaled, shaking my head. Mainly to clear it from the effect of her being so near. "We've been over this. I have no desire to join the harem."

"What makes you think I'd ask you?"

"What makes you think you wouldn't? Besides, I think that would mess with the truce, don't you?" I laughed.

"Mmm, the truce," she said.

Just then I heard steps on the stairs below. "Lisa? Is that you?" a voice called up.

At that she leaned back, away from me. I looked down and realized we'd been inching toward each other on the landing throughout our exchange.

"Hey, Katie, up here!" she called down.

"A haremette? I'll watch my walls tonight," I said softly.

"Stop it. She had a hard day at work, and we're heading out to a movie. That's it." She smiled sheepishly at me, and I laughed. If we were going to be friends, I might as well meet the harem, by God.

A moment later we were joined by Katie, who I, of course, knew as Spanx. I muffled a laugh as I smiled at her.

"Katie, this is my neighbor, Jennie," Lisa said. "Jennie, this is Katie." I offered my hand, and she looked curiously between Lisa and me.

"Hi, Katie. Nice to meet you."

"You too, Jennie. You the one with the cat?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye. I looked at Lisa, and she shrugged.

"Guilty, although Luca would argue that, in fact, he is an actual person."

"Oh, I know. My dog used to watch TV and bark until I put on something she liked. What a pain in the ass she was." She smiled.

We all stood for a moment, and it was beginning to get a little awkward.

"Okay, kids, I'm off to yoga. Lisa, have a safe trip, and I'll fill you in on the gossip from the new couples when you get back."

"Sounds good. I'll be gone a while, but hopefully they won't get in too much trouble while I'm away." She chuckled as they started up the stairs.

"I'll keep my eyes on them. Nice to meet you, Katie," I said, headed down.

"You too, Jennie. 'Night!" she called back to me.

As I walked down the stairs, more slowly than necessary, I heard her say, "Pink Nightie Girl's pretty."

"Shut it, Katie," she fired back, and I swear she swatted her on the butt.

Her yelp a second later confirmed it.

I rolled my eyes as I pushed the door open and headed out to the street. When I got to the gym, I switched my class from yoga to kickboxing.

"I'll have a vodka martini, straight up with three olives, please." The bartender got to work as I looked around the crowded restaurant, taking a break from the Fantastic Four. After two weeks of hearing about all these fabulous double dates, I'd agreed to go out with them and turn them into a Fantastic Five. It was fun, and I was having a great time, but after being with two new couples all night I needed a break. People-watching at the bar was a great way to get some time off. To my left was an interesting couple: silver-haired gentleman with a woman younger than I was who had newly purchased tits. Good girl! You get yours. I mean, if I had to look at flabby, old-man buns I'd want bigger boobs too.

I never thought I'd enjoy being alone, but lately I was finding I did pretty well without a man in my life. I was alone, but I wasn't lonely. Orgasms aside, I did occasionally miss the companionship of a boyfriend, but I liked going places solo. I could travel alone, so why not? Nevertheless, the first time I took myself out to a movie I thought it was going to be weird—the likelihood of running into someone I knew while out and about in the jungles of Costa Rica was slim to none, but running into someone at the movies in the jungles of San Francisco? Odds were greater—but it was great! And a restaurant alone was also just fine. Turns out I'm a great date all by myself.

Still, dinner tonight with my friends had been quite entertaining. The way these two new couples circled each other was fun to watch. Jisoo and Rosé had both snagged themselves the men they'd cultivated in their heads as the perfect match. Just then I spotted Rosé in the crowd, her height and gorgeous red hair setting her apart even among hundreds. Hot restaurant, and even hotter bar, this place was packed with people and pretention.

I could see her chatting with someone, and off to the side I found Jisoo and Jaehyun. What was odd? Haein, not Jaehyun, seemed to be Rosé's conversation partner. Jaehyun appeared completely captivated by Jisoo, her hands moving through the air and punctuating statements with her toothpicked olive as she listened, fascinated. From where I stood, the distance afforded me perfect clarity. I couldn't help but smile. They'd found the boys they always thought they wanted, but now they each seemed fascinated by the other one…ah well, the grass was always cuter, right?

Rosé glanced over and spotted me at the bar, and shortly thereafter, she excused herself and headed my way.

"Having fun?" I asked as she perched on the stool next to me.

"I'm having a great time," she mused. She then told the bartender exactly how to make her cocktail.

"How's Jaehyun tonight?"

Her eyes lit up briefly, and then she seemed to catch herself.

"Jaehyun? Good, I guess. Jaehyun looks great, doesn't he?" she covered, gesturing over to where we'd left our group, and where Jisoo and Jaehyun were still deep in conversation. Jaehyun did indeed look good in jeans and a shirt that exactly matched her icy blue eyes—the eyes fixed delightedly on Ms. Jisoo.

How could they not see it?

"Jaehyun looks pretty good tonight too," I tossed out, refocusing on the brawny sportscaster. Charcoal sweater, chinos—he was every inch the man about town.

I giggled and placed a hand on her arm.

"Come on, pretty girl, let's get you back to your perfect man," I said, and we rejoined the group.

I departed a little before my friends did, tired but happy. Once again I'd spent an evening alone and lived to tell the tale. I wondered if other single women understood the delight that came from fifth-wheeling it. To not have to make small talk with some guy you'd been set up with, to not have to worry about some idiot with peppercorn-encrusted-filet breath trying to force her wiggly tongue down the back of your throat, and to not have to explain to that same idiot why you insist on taking a cab home when her super-fast Camaro is parked right over there.

I'd enjoyed—or should I say mostly enjoyed—an assortment of relationships since high school, but hadn't really been in love for a long time.

Not since senior year of college. And since that fell apart, I'd had just a series of casual flings, never really feeling fully invested in anyone. Hence my current hiatus from dating. Getting all the parts to line up seemed more and more difficult for me as I got older, and the process could be exhausting. Lower Jennie might be on board, but Brain and Heart always seemed to have reservations. Plus, now that my O was also absent, for who knew how long, I was finding my solitary lifestyle more and more appealing.

As I mused over these thoughts, headed home in a cab, my phone beeped. I had a text from a number I didn't recognize.

Have a good time tonight?

Who the hell is texting me?

Who the hell is texting me?

As I waited for the reply, I leaned down and slipped off my shoes. Fantastic heels, but damn, they hurt my feet. My phone beeped again, and I read.

Some people call me Wall banger.

I hated myself a little for the way my now-naked toes curled. Stupid toes.

Wallbanger, huh?

Wait a minute - how did you get my number?

I knew it was either Jisoo or Rosé. Damn girls. They were really pushing it lately.

I can't reveal my sources.

So, did you have a good time tonight?

Okay, I can play this game.

In fact I did. On my way home now.

How is the Emerald Isle? Lonely yet?

It's beautiful actually, just having breakfast.

And I am never lonely.

I believe that. Did you buy my sweater?

Working on it, want to get just the right one.

Yes, please give me a good one.

Not going to respond to that one…how's that pussy of yours?

Really not going to respond to that one.

Is there something you wanted?

This not responding thing is getting harder…

I know what you mean. It's hard not to touch that one.

Okay, officially ending this round.

The innuendos are too thick to see straight.

Oh, I don't know, it's better when it's thick…

Wow. I'm enjoying this truce more than I expected.

I have to admit it's good for me too.

Are you home yet?

Yep, just pulled up in front of our building.

Okay, I'll wait until you're inside.

Bet you can't wait to get inside.

You're a demon, you know that?

I have been told. Okay, inside. Just kicked your door, btw.

Thanks.

Just being a good neighbor.

Goodnight, Jennie.

Good morning, Lisa.

I laughed as I turned the key in my lock and went inside. I sank into my couch, still laughing. Luca quickly jumped into my lap, and I petted his silky fur as he purred his welcome home. My phone beeped once more.

Did you really kick my door?

Shut up. Go eat your breakfast.

I laughed again as I silenced my phone for the night and lay back onto the couch. Luca perched on my chest as I relaxed for a bit, thoughts of that damn wall banger in my head. It was shocking how clearly I could picture her: soft faded jeans, hiking boots a la Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles, off-white Irish cable knit turtleneck sweater, hair all in disarray. Standing on a rocky coast somewhere, ocean in the background. A little tan, slightly weathered, hands in pockets. And that grin…