Chapter 27
She slammed the phone down again. What the fuck?! Why did she keep trying to call her? She hung up on her last time, you think she'd get the hint. Illana should be used to the way Vanessa was, but she needed to talk to her about what she saw. She couldn't leave things the way they were. Normally she wouldn't care when her and Vanessa were fighting. This was different though. Looking at her watch, she had just enough time before she had to be to work. Quickly she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
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She walked in and looked around. She didn't see her anywhere, heading over to the counter she found someone who was working.
"Excuse me, is Vanessa Bickerstaff here?"
"Sure, just a minute." The woman smiled. She disappeared in back and emerged a few minutes later, Vanessa behind her.
"Can I help..."She stopped when she saw Illana.
"Vanessa, I need to talk to you."
Vanessa blinked and then turned, walking away.
"Vanessa!! Will you stop this! You can't hide forever, you're being unreasonable!" She rubbed at her head. She thanked the woman and stormed out the store. ************************************************************************
"So have you talked to Vanessa?" Kris asked, as she typed feverishly at her computer.
"No, she's being stubborn as usual. I went to see her this morning before I got here, and she wouldn't even talk to me. I mean, what does she want me to do? Beg? The hell I will." Illana exclaimed. She'd just about had it with Vanessa's immature attitude.
"Have you talked to Nick about it?"
"Yeah, last night."
"And?"
"He said not to worry about it, that we're not doing anything wrong and it's not her business." "He's right."
"I know Kris! Shit, I'd say the same thing to someone in the same situation."
Kris snapped her gum and grabbed the paper from out of the printer. "So, what's the problem then?"
"The problem is I can't not worry about it. I can't pretend that what we're doing is ok."
"Why not? Being friends is wrong?"
"No, but kissing your friend is wrong!"
"I kiss you." Kris smirked.
"You know what I mean! He's not my boyfriend."
"And he's not hers either. You don't have to explain yourself and you don't have to feel bad. It's her loss." Kris replied reasonably.
Illana groaned and put her head down on the desk with a thump. Kris rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you just call Nick when you get home, and see if he's talked to her."
Illana's head shot up. "Yeah...yeah I think I will." She bit her lip, deep in thought. "Maybe he tried to talk to her."
"You remember what happened the last time." Kris reminded her.
"Mmm, true. Still thought, I think I'll call and check anyway." She looked up to greet the client that'd arrived.
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"Nah, I haven't heard from or seen her since that night."
"Damn! I could kill her, I mean it."
"Come on Lana, don't stress over it."
"I'm trying not too. Damn, look Nick I'm gonna let you go."
"You're gonna try to call her again aren't you?"
"I have to do something, I can't stand the guilt."
"Guilt? Over what? It's not like we slept together and even then it still wouldn't matter. I do what I want."
There was silence for about five seconds before Illana spoke.
"I know."
"You're gonna do it anyway huh?"
She sighed.
"Alright. Let me know how it goes ok?" Nick requested.
"Yeah."
"So I'll talk to you soon."
"Alright."
"Take care babygirl. Night."
"Night Nick." She pressed the button, taking a breath she pressed it again and dialed. It rang once, twice, three times and then the answering machine picked up.
"Vanessa! Pick up, I know you're there! Stop this! You're being real immature you know, you won't even let me explain and I refuse to do so to a fuckin' machine. If you get the nerve and come down off your high horse for five damn minutes to talk to me, you know where you can reach me. I've had it, I'm not gonna chase after you like some damn dog. The choice is yours." And with that she hung up.
