tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32739972907977909682024-02-08T04:27:44.860+00:00Divas, Vixens, Thugettes, Juliets - The Story[On Hiatus] Young-Adult Fantasy Fanfic - never cross a bitch with superpowers.Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05465897842634317408noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273997290797790968.post-68407297286649260182014-01-01T23:37:00.001+00:002014-01-04T22:00:19.472+00:00Chapter 3: Diva , Tae<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWehIkTvwSXVLzs76LxmBj6SL0FS8INE2P-B5xhtS0R6q3LP_rzSXVgodP44rYQxg7fA-x782sudpwAorKN4cXiIRF4Vbpf3GpKYx1YPEG0tbcUocfspwGLVvZgzVRfvACDZjg_VZrYcQa/s1600/Banner_Divas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWehIkTvwSXVLzs76LxmBj6SL0FS8INE2P-B5xhtS0R6q3LP_rzSXVgodP44rYQxg7fA-x782sudpwAorKN4cXiIRF4Vbpf3GpKYx1YPEG0tbcUocfspwGLVvZgzVRfvACDZjg_VZrYcQa/s1600/Banner_Divas.JPG" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">03 ]
Diva , Tae</span></span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last time Tae had been to visit her parents,
they had just got a dog to replace her. Apparently, wealthy people owning
poodles was officially ‘out of fashion’. Their new West Highland White Terrier
looked mightily comfortable sleeping in her bed. Yes. I said in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The worst part about it was that Tae had begged
them for a pink poodle for years. Now, of course, she shared her current
lodgings with the Kiss Kiss Bandits and our docile Bombay cat Sierra, whose vacant
copper eyes bore into her with every movement she made, watching and judging.
What a kick in the face – to want a dog for so long, end up with a cat, and discover
that the place she’d just left now has a dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Queenie,
the new princess of the household, haughtily trotted out of her special kennel to
meet her with its little nose in the air. To be honest, why they let it sleep
in Tae’s bed if it had a kennel, I have no idea. The small canine sniffed her
with suspicion, and then proceeded to ignore her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mutt.”
Tae muttered, fiddling with the ends of her hair uneasily. In her family,
reunions were never pleasant. For <i>her</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly,
her mother flung open the front door wearing a dress too fancy for indoors and
shrieked, “<i>Chaaaaawntaaaae!</i>” for the
whole road to hear, rushing across too-perfect-to-be-real grass in pink fluffy
slippers. Tae no longer tried to escape the bone-crushing hug, instead she
stood stiffly and accepted it. As infuriating as her mother was, she had that
special, comforting smell of home-baked cookies, the type that were warm and
gooey in texture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sweetheart.”
came her father’s calm voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
stood on the doorstep with a hand outstretched, motioning impatiently for them
to come inside. His hug was lumbering and awkward; Tae was used to this. She
once told me her parents were too up their own asses to behave like proper
parents. At the time, I’d just exchanged a quiet look with Carmela and said
nothing. Coming from generally loving families, we always felt awkward when
other people dissed their parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We
obviously have a lot to talk about,” her father continued, leading her into the
enormous sitting room. “Come on then, don’t be so glum. Sit down.” he urged,
sitting down himself and pulling her mother to sit beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyone
who saw the state of Tae’s house would think she was completely insane to leave
at all. A large, cream coloured manor with a mint green roof and a front yard
the size of a football pitch. Even Queenie’s kennel was one of those
custom-made things that was an exact replica of the house. I didn’t know people
still bought those.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Look,
I’m not here to kiss and cuddle, sorry to burst your bubble.” Tae told them,
struggling to keep her irritation under control, which was always ten times
harder in the face of her prudish parents. “Why did you cut off my allowance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her
mother and father looked shocked, as if they couldn’t remember doing such a
thing. Just their reaction made her ears steam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What
sort of question is that?” her father said coldly. “We spoke about this before.
We forbade you from flat-sharing and you did it anyway. When you decide to come
back home, we’ll give you back your allowance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
couldn’t stop fidgeting; her hand moved from her hips, to being folded, and
back to her hips. “I really don’t see what the problem is. Why aren’t I allowed
to have a bit of independence? I’m not an idiot. I can take care of myself. I
don’t misbehave. I’ve always worked hard. Why can’t you just accept this one
thing I want?” Her parents did their whole sighing and rolling their eyes
routine, which made Tae clench her fists and raise her voice, “I didn’t say I
want to get married in Vegas! I just want to learn how to take care of myself,
you act like that’s so wrong. <i>And</i> I’m
with friends!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ve
never met these <i>friends</i>.” her mother
sniffed, leaning back into a recliner. Queenie appeared out of nowhere and
leapt onto her lap, insisting to be petted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Regardless,
these friends of yours will only be distractions from your work. We’re your
parents, we know what you’re like – don’t tut at me. Your performance at school
is slipping, exactly what I thought would happen. I was so disappointed when I
heard that you failed your theatre exam Chawntae.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a
moment Tae was to stunned to speak, she just stood there looking down on them
until it clicked, and her Pisstivity Scale leapt from four to ten.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How
dare you go through my mail! You have <i>no
right</i> to do that – and I told you to redirect it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Isn’t
it a good thing we didn’t?” her mother said lightly, nuzzling her nose to
Queenie’s. Watching that made her feel nauseous. “Silly girl. You seem to love
going out into the world and embarrassing yourself. You obviously need private
tutoring.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She
doesn’t need private tutoring, she just needs to be able to focus!” her father
said loudly. “When would it ever be a good idea to let your dumb friends
mislead you? Now? At university? You should be glad that we care so much about
you. Other parents would chuck you out of their house and tell you to get on
with life, but we want you to succeed. Why would you <i>want </i>to worry about paying rent when we can take care of that so
you can focus on your studies?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dad,
paying rent wouldn’t be a problem if I had my allowance!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well,
these are my conditions. You bring your stuff home, you’ll get it back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly
her mother sat up, “Yes, and that’s another thing, why did you hit that <i>girl?</i> Like our reputation isn’t at stake
already. I know that girl too, her mother’s a little snob. I have no doubt you
had a good reason, but I thought we’d taught you better restraint. Thinks she’s
the Queen of Torino, that awful woman. I can’t stand stuck-up women like that.”
Tae’s mouth was open with disbelief at the hypocrisy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You
two never have anything good to say about me every time I come over. Yes, I
failed Theatre last year. You haven’t said anything about the fact that I
passed every other one. I worked just as hard on those! But it’s like, every
time I come back I remember why I left!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Watch
your tone. And for the last time, sit down. We’ll talk this out.” her father
said coolly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She bit
her tongue but she was shaking with anger to the point where she couldn’t
speak; she’d either start yelling or her voice would crack. Tae smiled feebly, knowing
it was totally the last time she was giving her parents second chances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We
will <i>not</i> talk it out. I’m going now.
If something happens to me, you’ll remember this day. You’re never see me
inside this house again, and if you do it’s because I’m mad or dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She had a talent for acting, singing, dancing, you just
name it, she will outshine you at <i>anything</i>.
She strives for perfection. She’ll train until she can match and then surpass
the skill of her opponent. She can’t help it. Her name is Tae, and she’s a
diva.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was in college, I classified ‘Divas’ as
follows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A female rooting for fame and-or attention. A
controlling , talented and overly dramatic female. And of course, because
Kaidyn, Tally and I were firm Beyoncé fans – the “female version of a hustler”.
Okay, I’ll be honest – I only added Divas in because of that song. We only
started using it because of this <i>awful</i>
girl called Melissa... but that’s another story. It simply started with Tally
rolling her eyes saying, “She’s such a diva,” but she actually meant, “I hate
her, she’s a bitch.” Kaidyn wanted to change the ‘Diva’ classification to Stuck
Up Bitches, Bossips (Bitchy Gossips), Eff-Bee’s (Fake Bitches) – you know,
something like that, but she was outvoted by me and Tally. Because, you know, we
didn’t really need a codeword for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to call a bitch a bitch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we first met Tae, Tally was saying, “Oh, she’s
such a diva,” all over again, and it was true. Tae was so determined to get her
way that she’d say and do horrible things. But then she got powers, like us.
Her started to drive her a bit crazy, and my power allowed me to find her, so
she she ended up in our care. Kaidyn was saying NO in a thousand different ways
and languages, but Carmela, Tally and I all overruled her and decided to bring
her into the group because Tae needed the support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her attitude vastly improved – partly because
Kaidyn made it clear that if she didn’t work on her faults, Kaidyn would
personally throw her ass to Timbuktu. Ironically, Tae was much better at
gratitude than Kaidyn anyway. We didn’t regret holding out a hand to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When she woke up, Shaire’s big round eyes were
peering at her in the dark. Digital clock read 07:51 am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>What</i>.” Tae
groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you... did you... ?” the girl whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae sighed, rubbing her eyes, and eventually
shaking her head. “I’m sorry. They’re not giving it to me unless I go back. I’d
rather die than do <i>that</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shaire was taken aback. “That’s a bit dramatic,
Tae.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae gave her a long, cool look. “Yeah, maybe.” She
said, rolling over and going back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I’ve
done a tour of the flat – let’s do a quick tour of the apartment block where we
live!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So,
the KKB live on the third floor. Upstairs lived Mishon, Shaire’s school friend,
with the Dad who was never around, and their next-door neighbours were the two German
dudes. I lived directly below the KKB apartment, and next to me was sweet Mrs
Baker. And next door to the Bandits was the cheeky Nicolle, who was a Juliet
nonetheless, and her uncle Nicholas, who was more like her big brother and a
very interesting guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well,
you remember Seven, right? Mr <i>‘Don’t Hurt
Me, I’m A Virgin’</i> Seven? Well, him and Nicholas are really good friends. So
that made us wary of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But
then, Nicolle is Shaire’s best friend and Nicholas has been nothing but a
darling to both of them. He knows exactly who the Bandits are and everything,
minus the powers of course. So that made us all quite like him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Except
Tae.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now it
gets more confusing. Nicholas seems to quite like Tae. I mean <i>like</i> like Tae. I’d go as far as to say
he flirts with Tae. She <i>hates</i> it. Her
best alarm clock was the subconscious urge to get up early enough to avoid him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
this is where we join her story today – with Tae oversleeping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did
you see him?” Shaire darted around the kitchen stealing nibbles for a mismatched
breakfast and giggling as she did; Kaidyn’s poptarts, Carmela’s toast, and
Tae’s waffles. She’d had long given up brushing her hair in the bathroom mirror
after Tae had burst out of her room trying to hog it, snapping ‘<i>I need to use it </i>now.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela
slouched into the kitchen to make up lunches in plastic containers, casting a
frown through the bathroom doorway at Tae’s frantic brushing. To Vixen Kai and
Juliette Shai, she mumbled tiredly, “What’s up with her? She running late?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I
think she’s trying not to run into Nicholas on her way out.” Shaire said
conversationally. By now, she sat in the chair opposite Kaidyn, swinging one
dainty leg, the other tucked underneath her. “Mellie, your boyfriend’s left a
dozen messages on the –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The
next one of you who refers to Din as my boyfriend will be a dead girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shaire
had on that familiar hurt expression that said; ‘Why is everyone in a bad
mood?’ “So... um, did you see him, Kaidyn?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mr Christin
Black?” Kaidyn reproachfully nudged her poptart with a finger. “<i>Christin</i>. Who the fuck names their child
Christin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m
quite sure his name is <i>not</i> Christin.”
Carmela murmured. “<i>Christian</i>, maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why
do you look like that?” Shaire scolded Kaidyn, who was trying to ignore her. “It’s
Chris Black! I have his CD!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s
iTunes on Carmela’s laptop. What you buying CD’s for?” Tae said, finally making
an appearance. As usual, everything shone. If it wasn’t glitter hair spray, it
was diamante-studded accessories or clothes covered in sequins. Diva Tae knew
how to do it big.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
glare stole the ‘cute’ from Shaire’s face. “<i>I
wanted the poster inside.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well
you’d better keep that in your room because I don’t want to see his face more
than I need to.” Kaidyn snapped. Shaire folded her arms and went silent,
sulking a little. It’s hard living in the Bandit apartment, I kid you not.
Didn’t I say it can get like a warzone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where’s
Sierra?” Carmela said with a frown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn
let out a disinterested sigh and bit into her poptart. Tae glanced at her a few
times, wondering if something was bugging her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes,
I met him Shaire. I told him he was uuuugly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
and Carmela chuckled quietly to themselves. Shaire looked at Kaidyn
suspiciously as she decided whether to believe her. “Liar,” Shaire taunted, flicking
crumbs at Kaidyn and Carmela who sat lifelessly at the kitchen table. When
Kaidyn’s face didn’t change, Shaire began to look horrified. “Kai, why do you
always –? Oh my God, you didn’t say that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn
groaned loudly and lay her head on the table, throwing her arms over her ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where’s
that damn cat?” Carmela muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
stood in the kitchen doorway, finally ready to go. She tossed a flippant remark
Kaidyn’s way, “If you refuse to get a steady job then you need to stop fucking
up your opportunities, Kai.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Immediately
Kaidyn was on her feet and fuming. “Hey! Who said I fucked them up? He was
really into me. I don’t think I could’ve fucked it up if I tried. Don’t you
berate me.” As she spoke, Kaidyn made a series of small gestures with her right
hand and her phone, resting on the table, began dialling. “Plus, I’m appearing
in his music video which will be filmed next week, soo, um, maybe you should
shut your big mouth, little girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Maybe
you should shut <i>your</i> mouth because my
parents aren’t giving me back my allowance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn’s
jerk made Tae’s forgotten plate of waffles <i>CLANGGG</i>
against Carmela’s glass of orange juice. Shaire’s eyes dropped to the table.
Carmela stared at Tae, not realising her mouth hung open. They all stared at
her in the silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela
pressed a hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry – <i>what?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn
burst out laughing, a disbelieving look on her face. “Oh shit. We are
screeeewed now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are
you serious?” Carmela said, ignoring Kaidyn, “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
and Shaire’s eyes met for the briefest of moments. “They just aren’t. They
won’t. So... so...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sooo,
Riches-to-Rags bitch, <i>how</i> are we
gonna pay the rent?” Kaidyn said, raising her eyebrow in a way that was too
sharp to be friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I
need to get a job.” Shaire said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“NO.”
Kaidyn, Carmela and Tae said loudly. I would’ve joined in too; Shaire was
sixteen and so carefree. We’d all had jobs before, and we knew it had the power
to suck out your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ll
figure it out.” Kaidyn said firmly, “But Tae –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dammit.
I <i>really</i> have to go. Later everyone.”
she panicked, heaving her big bag over her shoulder and bundling herself out
the door. To her dismay, the delay in getting out of there meant that when she
got out of the apartment block, Nicholas was standing there waving goodbye to his
niece Nicolle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hi
Tae!” the girl called, wearing a eye-catching red coat that looked thick enough
to shut out that sometimes-bitter spring breeze. “Is Shai coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She’s
still eating. I guess she’ll catch you up. Have a good day at school.” she said
calmly, walking past Nicholas without looking at him. A smirk raised on
Nicolle’s lips, and she waved over her shoulder as she walked away, not
glancing back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What,
no hi or nothing? That’s cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yup.”
she said under her breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This
whole situation is really bizarre to me. Me and Kaidyn’s theory is that
Nicholas ditched his girlfriend Melissa – evil incarnate, remember? – because
he had his eyes on Tae, who had her eye on somebody else, who had a girlfriend.
If it proves true, then the whole affair is a sad, never ending cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn’s
older sister was sitting in a ruby red car parked across the road. Tae bit back
a smile when she spotted Aidryn. The sisters never got on but always had
unresolved issues, usually to do with money. If Aidryn called in advance,
Kaidyn would make sure she wasn’t there, so Aidryn would turn up and all hours
to catch her little sister out. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night
and hear them screaming at each other outside, like the vixens they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You
know what’s funny?” Nicholas laughed, and it sounded to Tae as if he was
following her, “How you’re so high and mighty with me. You know what I think? I
think that <i>you</i> think you’re so all
slick when you frontin’ and acting like you have a problem with me. Be honest.
Stop attention seeking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why
don’t you stop giving me attention?!” Tae exclaimed. “Damn, I feel sorry for Nicolle,
having a delusional uncle and all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
just laughed. Man, I tell you. Nothing hurts this guy. “Aww, stop fooling
about. C’mon, I’ll drive you to Upstate Arts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
was stunned at his nerve. Giving her a ride? She knew his first name was
Nicholas and that was about it. I bet she was wishing to death that they
weren’t neighbours. “Nope. Sorry boo. I already got a ride.” She tried to hide
her glee as she rushed across the road, only remembering to look both ways when
she was halfway across. Opening the passenger side, she bundled herself in as
Aidryn inhaled and threw herself against the driver’s door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What–
?! Girl you scared the <i>shit,</i> out of
me, the holy living <i>shit</i>. Oh man.”
she said, her hand on her heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please
please please drive me to school I’ll give you anything.” Tae pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gave
her a curious smile. “I thought I warned you about asking people for favours in
return for ‘anything’. That’s setting yourself up to be screwed over.” With a
sigh, she started up the car. “Fine. But you owe me, Bandit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I
don’t think you can get any more upper class than Upstate Arts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s a
performing arts school where the classes are decided not by age, but by skill.
Tae once explained to me at length how precisely that worked, but to be
completely honest with you, I’ve forgotten most of it. I do know, however, that
it includes doing a <i>lot</i> of exams,
every year, all year round.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
school unfolded like a pop-up book as Aidryn drove closer, then all of a sudden
she was pulling up outside. The three grades of the school – Novices at
beginner level, Juniors at advanced level, and the highly respected Seniors at
intermediate level – all mingled together in the courtyard, appreciating their
brief freedom off-timetable before the gruelling work started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae’s
squinted eyes moved rapidly to find Patricio. Er, brief note – us Bandits know
more about Patricio Parker than we do about our own grandparents. Tae goes on
about him <i>all, the, time</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
eventually spotted him with some of his level-headed senior friends, talking to
a small gaggle of Novice girls. She could tell they were Novices by their
inability to go three seconds without giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aidryn
leaned her arm against the window. “Mmm-<i>hmm!</i>
I see! So you’re battling bitches now?” She peered at them. “Hang on. Which guy
is it you keep going on about? Which one is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The
one with the curly hair and the hat and glasses. He has a small beard. he one
that looks different to the rest, basically. Yeah, he’s Italian. But his
surname is Parker because his Dad –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“- was
Spiderman.” Aidryn rolled her eyes. “My God. You do go nuts about this guy,
don’t you? Fucking hell.” Tae watched him for a while, growing uneasy. “What’s
that face for? You’re a Bandit, Tae. You guys got that whole... ‘Boyhunter’ thing
going on, right?” Actually, that’s Kaidyn. Primarily Kaidyn. “You want it, go
get it!” she added, “Preferably now, so you can, you know, get out of my car.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
sighed, but opened the passenger door. “Gee, thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?
You think this car runs on air? Get the fuck out, chick!” Aidryn laughed. “Don’t
forget, you owe me. And stay away from those boys, they probably have gonorrhoea.
As for the girls, if you need to pull some hair and knock some heads, mind your
nails.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please
don’t become a motivational speaker.” Tae told her, a smile still on her face
as she jogged across the courtyard, lugging her heavy bag full of dance gear.
When she caught up with Patricio, he’d shaken off the girls and his friends,
and was heading up the steps to the school. she hastily jogged over until she
was behind him, then began to walk swiftly past him as if her intention was to
be the first to class. She feigned surprise when she saw him. “Hey, you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh,
hello.” he smiled at her. His eyes twinkled in a way that made a bubble of
happiness rise in her stomach. “Early start?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nine
o’clock sharp. Dance. I have Sofia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sofia’s
a good teacher. ”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
held the non-automatic door open for her, but instead of walking through, she
stopped so that he would have to wait. He gave her a look of confusion. “Before
you rush off, I wanted to ask. Would you be my mentor?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Patricio
didn’t show one flicker of surprise in the sudden change of subject, or by her
directness. He just bit his lip thoughtfully. “A girl like you probably doesn’t
even need a mentor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Huh,
exactly what I was thinking! But I had a feeling that Tae’s plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">went
deeper than just mentoring. “Well obviously, yes.” she said, making him laugh,
“But I want to be even better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
smiled softly. “Why me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why
not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I
think I’ve already been assigned a Novice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
groaned. “No <i>fucking</i> kidding.” He
started to laugh again, so hard that his eyes creased and his eyebrows drew
inwards. “No but, c’mon. What if you get stuck with some lazy bitch? If you mentor
me, you’re guaranteed an A. Guaranteed! Really!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At
that moment other students were passing them, taking advantage of Patricio
holding open the door, so before the next gaggle of them came he said with a
grin, “We’ll see, Tae.” and left. She took the grin as a good sign, at least.
She put her hands on her hips, feeling strangely breathless. If I know Tae, I
knew she was thinking up some way to find out who he’d been assigned and swap
with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
noticed that same group of Novices about to pass her, giving her firm stares. “What
the hell are you looking at?” she shot at them. They gave her dirty looks and
one had the audacity to start to answer back, but before that girl could finish
speaking, Tae tensed her shoulders and sent her Pulse through the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every
student standing within five footsteps of Tae was hit by it; the whole group of
Novice girls and a few innocent bystanders. They all gave out a screech, a
scream, a yell, a gasp – every single one of them cowered or jerked or
convulsed in some way. Why does nobody listen to me? None of my Bandits seem to
get the importance of not using their powers in public. We’re not the freaking
Justice League.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Say
what?” Tae demanded, bearing down on that girl like a bull. “Say that again!”
That girl, still shaken by the Pulse, said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a
rare mid-grade student, which was a student between grades, she gathered up all
her pride and rose herself to her full height, flickering her eyelashes, and
drawling in the sort of distasteful voice that would have made her mother
proud; “Jealousy is such an <i>ugly</i>
emotion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Naturally,
if you put more than one diva in a room, immediately they will try to outshine
each other, and sometimes argue until they rip each other’s throats out. So we
must take a brief moment to salute Rachel Yoto-Brown, the Director of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Upstate</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Arts</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>
for media, theatre, literature, music and art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ten
seconds silence...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aaaand
we proceed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry
I’m laaaate!” Tae said brightly as she burst into the studio exaggeratedly
breathless. Heads turned, some eyes rolled, some mouths grinned. Her best
friend Stephany-May silently raised her hand for a hi-five. Their instructor
Sofia watched Tae, tongue between teeth, and said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How
are you <i>late?</i> I saw you in the
courtyard, you were here early!” Stephany whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
raised a finger to her lips and grinned. “Had a little chat with Rachel.
Encouraged her to abuse her power as a headmistress to get me the mentor I want
buuut... she wouldn’t do it. It’s a shame ‘cause I spent all that time showing
her what a promising student I am. Sent her a Christmas present and everything.
It really is no use if she can’t help me in these sorts of situations.” By now
Sofia was talking again and her attention was no longer on Tae. “Oh, and I made
sure that my results will be sent by email only. My parents are going through
my mail. It’s so <i>sad</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stephany-May
grimaced. “They did what? That’s a bit...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sad. Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well,
besides that, did you see the behind-the-scenes for Little Miss Star? I sent it
to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your
cousin Kamaria was in it, right? She’s too good to be true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Heck.
Yes. I. Know!” Stephany-May whispered excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Only
when Sofia stopped speaking and cleared her throat did the girls fall silent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thank
you. So, for the next four weeks, there are no compulsory classes. Your solo
assessment is coming up, so you need all the time to practice. Keep checking the
assessment criteria as you work on your piece, because if you don’t meet the
terms then you’ll be marked down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
flipped open her register. “Right. As you know from last year, Seniors mentor a
Novice at this time of year, so they’re not available to mentor you as well. In
a few months you will mentor Novice students, and before we finish for the
summer you will be mentored by Seniors. I hope you’re taking this in, I won’t
keep repeating it. So, for this assignment you’ll be assigned another Junior
student as a partner. It is required that both of you dance. If one person gets
more performance time than the other, you’ll be marked down, so be fair. Here
are the pairs, listen for your names, please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stephany-May
started to zone out, closely watching one of her classmates lazily lying on the
studio floor, his chest steadily rising and falling. The stud in his ear
glinted. He wore the same white tank top and black long shorts he did like,
every single day – I’m not kidding, it’s like he has a wardrobe filled with a
dozen of the same thing. His dark hair was shaved close to his head and he a
look that wasn’t quite angry, more challenging. I say it’s the eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carnyll
had been Stephany-May’s arch-nemesis since they started at that school. He was
always better than her without trying, he seemed to have just one more skill up
his sleeve. He’d entered the school through a scholarship, apparently the
second scholarship ever given by the school, so assuming that’s not bullshit,
it’s kind of a big deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But what
drove Stephany-May wild was that he often didn’t show the full extent of his
talents, which usually resulted in her getting a better mark than him. He was always
nice to her about it, saying ‘well done’ and all that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“…Tae
and Charity… aaand Stephany-May and Carnyll.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “WWWHHH-<i>AT?</i>”
Stephany-May and Tae bellowed together and scrambled to their feet, making
their fellow students laugh. Carnyll was already holding his laughter in. “Let
me see that paper!” Stephany-May demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh
for the love of...” Sofia said wary but handed it over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ummm,
Sofe?” Tae said pointedly, “That is <i>not </i>a
good idea. This term won’t end well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t
be ridiculous!” <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sofia</st1:place></st1:city>
laughed dismissively, her ponytail swinging as she took the form back and
slipped it back inside the folder under her arm. “It has to, or you’ll fail. When
you go out into the world, sometimes you’ll be forced to work with people you
can’t stand. What will you do? Throw a strop? Or be mature and put your
differences aside?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If
that was the case, I wouldn’t let myself be in the situation in the first
place.” Tae pointed out, “because I’d be mature enough to know what will cause
the lead trouble. There’s no reason to go out of my way to work with someone I
don’t get on with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s
okay. You can’t blame her for feeling like she can’t compete with me. She’s
right.” Stephany-May turned to see Carnyll grinning. A few of the girls in
their class were already laughing, some of the boys were joining in the tease.
One of them called, “Don’t take that, Stephy. Kick his ass into orbit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
sound she made couldn’t be called anything but a growl. “Ohhhh you just <i>went there</i> Carnyll. Oh yes you did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s
not like you could do shit about it.” he teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“C’mon
then. Here. Now.” Stephany-May declared, taking off her jacket. Already, their
classmates were getting excited and forming a circle. Sofia sat on the table
against the wall and ate a banana, not caring much. The dancers started to get
excited and all stood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Come
on then! Freestyle! What? Not man enough to take on a chick?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
groaned inwardly. She hated it when Stephany-May got riled up. Even Sofia was shaking
her head, although she wore a smile. “Stephy. <i>Stephy</i>. Chill out.” Tae said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s
not that.” Carnyll said, leaning in to give her defiant face a good look. “You’re
so cute. I’d feel bad at making you lose.” He began to walk away, then he
stopped and said, “You’re also kind of clumsy, you might get kicked in the face
by accident. I almost kicked you last time I practised my solo and you didn’t
even realise I’d started dancing. You should probably stay out of the ring.”
Then he gave them a sweet grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stephany-May
shouted, “I’m not clumsy! Where are you going?! Come back here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae’s
dance class started shouting and laughing and calling and somebody at some
point yelled out “Don’t take that, Stephy!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
ignored the ‘Ohhh’s and ‘Oooh’s from some of the girls tugged at her best
friend’s sleeve. “Stephy, he’s playing with you. Ignore him, he’s dumb.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’M
NOT DONE WITH YOU! How dare you! I won’t let you <i>not</i> let me battle you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tae
just shook her head. They were <i>both</i>
dumb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CHAPTER 4 (Juliet, Shaire) - Coming Soon</b></span><br />
<br />Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05465897842634317408noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273997290797790968.post-85364900333713069052013-12-22T23:17:00.000+00:002013-12-22T23:17:26.775+00:00Hiatus Explanation.I have not forgotten about this. I never do.<br />
<br />
When I post, I post the rewritten version of the original, but I usually do directly before I post as I can rarely seem to make time for it. Whenever I open the document, I do a bit of rewriting, but the moment I get to the reordering part (as the story DVTJ is a retelling, it's rarely sequential) I always get so confused that I end up either getting a headache or my eyes hurting from staring at the screen for so long, and so I have to stop.<br />
<br />
This story hasn't been forgotten and I won't be giving up. The full story might take a while to get here, but stories have a habit of doing that.<br />
<br />
Thanks for stickin' around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Star xx</i>Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05465897842634317408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273997290797790968.post-44229430093974987232013-03-26T20:27:00.000+00:002014-01-04T22:02:15.662+00:00Chapter 2: Thugette , Carmela<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">02 ] Thugette , Carmela</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome to the Kiss Kiss Bandits apartment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step beyond the front door onto our Ikea mat – that
feels so nice, you’ll want to roll on it – and you’ll see the three-seater and
widescreen TV staring at each other in the petite living area to the left. The
TV was courtesy of our lovely Diva Tae, the doll. Oh, and over there in the
corner is the desk where little Shaire does her school homework. The apartment
is barely big enough for it. See the glossy black statuette on the window sill?
Yeah, that’s our cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We got an open plan kitchen to the right. It’s
surprisingly big, actually; we could get a table in there, shove four chairs
around it and still have space to walk around it without having to shuffle
sideways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just beyond the kitchen is the only bathroom. Do
not, <i>ever</i>, underestimate the savagery
that can arise in a girl who has to share a bathroom with three other girls. Shit,
with <i>anyone</i>. It is <i>war</i>. And war is not the fucking
playground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Opposite the front door is the door master bedroom
– I don’t know who in hell designed this apartment – which is the bedroom of
the vibrant Kaidyn and Tae. We call it the Red Room. Standing ineffectually between
the Red Room door and Shaire’s desk is the creaky Blue Room door, bedroom of
the relatively quieter Carmela and Shaire. Despite that the Red Room is bigger,
Kaidyn and Tae fight over the space like Amazonians. I knew they were used to
having their own space of a certain size, but it took a stern word from me to
get them to ‘make do’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to realise that it is not, nor has it
ever been a ‘smooth ride’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to understand how much we had to work
and strive and sweat and bleed to get this place. Look at it. So small, so neat
and cosy, so homely; smelling of Tae’s fancy Nag Champa incense and Kaidyn’s
perfume; Sierra’s black fur all over our favourite blanket that we drape over
like legs when we watch a movie together; Shaire’s scraps of paper containing
lyrics and poetry and homework covering every flat surface; Carmela not leaving
a trace of her existence apart from a hi-tech laptop that Tae gave her, which
always remained open on her latest music project. Literally everything they – <i>we</i>... have worked for, is contained
within those four walls, the value dispersed between shampoos and big value
packets of pasta and rice in the cupboards, our clothes, the furniture, the
little pieces of decoration that we had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me, Tally and Kaidyn had managed okay when we were
there. The New Bandits – as I didn’t discover for a long time – were seriously struggling.
Besides Kaidyn’s job and the extra Carmela earned doing ‘confidential’ jobs
with Redeye, most of the finances were being covered by Tae until her hideously
wealthy parents cut off her allowance. Shaire was still at school and earnestly
looking for work, joining the ranks of thousands of frustrated graduates. And
each month when the rent was due... the fear of losing this sweet little place,
and everything in it, hung over them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So that’s why I wasted five, six hundred words on
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What is this?” Carmela whispered as she hovered her
hands over Kaidyn’s. The kitchen was immersed in the eerie eleven o’clock gloom,
and the pair sat at the table. Vixen’s pale, trembling hands were spread flat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I think I know what it is.” Carmela said, with
some uncertainty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you sure? Because only a minute ago you were
asking <i>‘what is this’</i> and looking
clueless.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela ignored the remark. “It’s... well, it feels
like a...” Kaidyn fixed dark, burning eyes on her. “Physically, your hands feel
cold, yes. With my powers, though, it feels like nothing, ‘cuz cold isn’t
energy, is it. Cold is just a lack of heat. And no heat is going in at all. Your
hands aren’t getting back to room temperature.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, I know that,” Kaidyn rolled her eyes, even
as she shivered and winced with pain. What a soldier. “How does that help us? I
mean, me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My powers can’t pull the cold out, so I’ll try and
put some heat in. Hold on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela boiled water in the kettle and pulled heat
energy out of it gradually, letting it seep into her hands and wrists like
tissue absorbing water. Her hands began to shake with the intensity of it, even
though she couldn’t actually feel the heat. Even so, she knew that the
temperature of the energy in her hands could blacken bread in a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeling as if she was carrying a miniature sun that
she was afraid to drop, she carefully glided over to Kaidyn and let the energy
slowly shift from her hands to Kaidyn’s, trying hard not to let it burst out
like when she was attacking. The relief soon eased Kaidyn’s expression. A
moment later she screeched with agony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ow! Ow! Too hot! Did you let the kettle boil all
the way? Fuck, that hurts! I asked you to cure me, not reverse it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela jerked, deeply offended. Inwardly wrestling
her natural aversion to talking, she finally spat out, “Excuse me for trying to
help. You should be more worried about the person who did this to you. Or maybe
you used your teleki-bullshit powers so much that you made yourself
supernaturally <i>ill</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn didn’t hear the last part; I can probably
guess that her mind was on Chris Black, thinking about how absurd it would be
if he had powers. She didn’t remember any tattoos on him, but then again, he
could’ve had one hiding on his buttocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“To be honest, I’m not quite sure how this all happened,
but I will find out.” Kaidyn promised, standing and stretching, exercising the
joints of her fingers and knuckles. It was clear on her face how much this
ordeal had made her relish the use of her hands. “And now if you don’t mind,
I’m goin’ bed. I got a job in the morning. Thank you and goodnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A deathly quiet curse left Carmela’s mouth. “I don’t
know why I do anything for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn stopped. “What your problem? I said thank
you, what do you want me to do, get on my feet and fuckin’ grovel? I said thank
you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, most glorious majesty Queen Carmela the
Third!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When you walked in here, you were in so much pain
you had <i>tears</i> in your eyes.” Carmela
was shaking with rage as she stood and stormed to the Blue Room. “You forget
that I’m not normally inclined to help dumb girls like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’ll pause for a second while I explain something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thugette walked the uneasy path of giving her
devotion both to girl gang Kiss Kiss Bandits and secret crew Redeye. She’d been
in Redeye for a long time and it had suited her fine until her boyfriend Kel, one
of the Redeye leaders, broke up with her. That was when she began to fall
apart. Then her family went from cereal-box-happy to dysfunctional, and <i>then</i> she got a tattoo... and screwed up
almost everything she touched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinking about how close to ruin she was then still
scares me. I don’t know what would have happened to Carmela if I hadn’t found
her and insisted that she stayed with us. Tae and Kaidyn helped her reign in
her powers, thank God. Although the Kiss Kiss Bandits didn’t have any answers,
it gave her was the feeling that we were all in the same boat, lost together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s worth remembering that when the three original
Bandits got together it was out of friendship. When the four new Bandits formed,
it was only about the powers, so it’s not terribly surprising that there were
personality clashes. But Carmela was so hopelessly lost in every other area of
her life that she was trying her best to make it work. I guess my warning about
being around Kaidyn didn’t sufficiently prepare her for the reality of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The morning after Carmela had ‘fixed’ Kaidyn, she
didn’t leave her room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After Tae had danced out the door for her posh
performing arts school and Shaire had skipped out to meet her friends on the
way to school, the KKB apartment was still. In silence, Kaidyn waited by the
door wearing her mahogany, faux-wool, double-breasted trench coat, idly
scratching her temple with the tip of a long, cherry nail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinking everybody was gone, Carmela shuffled out
of the Blue Room, bleary-eyed. She bodily recoiled at the sight of Vixen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thank you.” Kaidyn said suddenly. It must have
been surreal to hear her voice saying those words and sounding wholeheartedly
genuine. At the sound, Sierra glanced around and observed from the window sill,
flicking her black tail. “And I won’t say it again,” Kaidyn added. “You’re
lucky I even said it once, and if I’ve said it, that means I meant it. You know
it’s dumb to act like I’m not grateful. Yes, I was in pain, you helped me, and
I won’t forget it. But do <i>not</i> expect
me to grovel or go out of my way to do you favours. I don’t roll like that. I
don’t roll, full stop, for anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She slotted a beret on her head and mock-tipped it
at Carmela. “Au revoir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like I said, Carmela earned money through Redeye,
and the likelihood of getting work was kind of touch-and-go. Sometimes she
visited her family, but usually she stayed in the KKB apartment. She’d been
about to make an early dinner for four – Mac and Cheese – but Shaire must’ve
used that last block of cheese for her sandwich. After a moment’s thought, she
reached for the silver pan. Pasta it was, sorry girls. Then she’d turned around
and – there he was, appearing at the kitchen doorway like a ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I lived in the apartment directly below the Bandits
and happened to be home at the time when Carmela’s scream rang out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The <i>hell</i>
are you doing here, Din?!” she demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kai, who loved using her telekinesis a.k.a. ‘floaty
powers’ to move and rearrange shit, frequently scared the crap out of the girls
– but this was something else. For a split second, fainting, hyperventilating,
or having a cardiac arrest were all on the cards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He chuckled, easing onto the kitchen stool in the
most athletic way a human male can do so – and Din was the type of human male
who certainly liked to show off. A first look at him, and the thing that stood
out most had to be those eyebrows. I have never known somebody who could change
the entire look of his face merely by positioning his eyebrows a certain way:
raising them, knotting them, wriggling them, arching and burrowing them, making
his eyes look ten times darker. It was the reason why nine out of ten girls
couldn’t stop looking at him. Shave the eyebrows, and Din was decidedly
average, although I suppose the hard-earned muscles had to count for something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The door was open.” Din raised an eyebrow. Yes, he
honestly did. “What? Don’t be blaming me if you can’t shut a door properly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stupid Kaidyn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve been calling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And I haven’t been answering. Don’t you think
that’s try'na tell you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">something?” she muttered, wiping her hands on her
wifebeater. She liked to wear the authentic men’s style and loved the fit of it
– even though she detested the name and went out of her way to call it anything
else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din traced his bottom lip with his tongue. “Have I
ever told you I love it when you get mad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was joking, but still, it disgusted her. The
other three Bandits would have giggled if they had been there, but Carmela
found nothing funny about the one who’d manipulated her relationship with Kel,
being both the reason why Kel asked her out and the reason why Kel dumped her.
In Kel’s eyes, Din was King. Din’s word was law. Whenever Din laughed, it
infuriated her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Chill. I’m fuckin’ wi’ chu.” I can count of one
hand the amount of boys I know wiht the ability to speak full words<i> and</i> sentences. “You can’t keep avoiding
me, Mel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can and will. It’s not open for discussion.” she
said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela’s phone rang out for attention, buzzing sharply
on the countertop. “Hello? Oh!” It was me. “No, I’m fine. I’m sure. Thanks for
calling. Bye.” She ignored the alert that displayed the number of missed calls
from Din.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din and his brother Kel were the joint leaders of
Redeye, and they sure had their eyes on Carmela. She could be an incredibly
aggressive girl. I think I’ve got it figured out. Her logic and fearlessness
appealed to Din as a leader, while her sudden silences and disinterested expression
appealed to him as a dude. It wasn’t like she was unattractive. She simply
preferred that people thought she was so they wouldn’t look at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din casually cast a glance around the kitchen, slouching
on his stool, conscious of the same muscular physique that Carmela owned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve found you a partner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BANG – as Carmela slammed down the metal sieve in
her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Aw, don’t be like that. You’ll like her, for real.”
He stood. “C’mon, the boys are outsi –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t want a partner. You never <i>listen</i> to me. This is why I don’t
respect you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an instant, he was by her side with a hand
gripping her arm tightly. At first, she felt nothing but a rush of air, heard
nothing but the stool he’d been sitting on clattering to the ground in his
haste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I, lounging on my bed in the apartment below,
frowned at my ceiling and wondered if a fight was going down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is the one in charge here? Who?” he demanded.
“<i>I</i> do not listen to <i>you</i>, you listen to <i>me</i>. I don’t need you to respect me, I just need you to what I say!
Will it kill you? Huh? Will it fucking kill ya to have a partner?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then he gave a long, deflated sigh and tried to put
his arms around her. She shoved him away violently. “Look. This is for your own
protection, Mel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was harder for him to say ‘sorry’ than it was
for Kaidyn to say ‘thank you’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She gazed at the water the pasta had boiled in. As
much as she wanted him to burn, she knew what I would say. Shoving past him,
she grabbed her phone, keys, mini-wallet and black hoodie that displayed the
words <i>Hood Rich</i> on the back, and held
open the door for her chief without a word. His eyebrows pulled into a calculating
sort of frown, and a moment later, he’d swept out of the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The streets were bright with white skies overhead
when they got out of the apartment block. She spotted Din’s extravagant drop
top car immediately, with the other fools of Redeye – Jae, Rain and Seven –
waiting inside and fussing like nannies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Aaaayyyy – YOOOO!” hollered Seven from the
backseat, holding up his fist so that she could knock it, and then Jae’s and
Rain’s in turn. “What’s uuuup, sexy ladaaay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hello to you too, Seven.” was her wry response. Jae,
the sincerest of the whole group, smiled at her. Rain acted like she didn’t
exist and Seven was another story completely. With mischievous eyes and a
wicked grin that never failed to mesmerise, you could be sure that if there was
a ‘fine piece of ass’ about, he was getting it. Carmela to extra care not to
encourage him. As she squeezed into the back, Din turned around in the driver’s
seat to arch his eyebrow and pout his mouth at her, making his expression inquisitive
and expectant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why you looking at me like you expect me to sit
next to you? Is Rain invisible or what?” She gestured to Rain in the passenger seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Damn, calm down, babe,” Seven said, trying to pat
Carmela’s head. She gave him a Chinese burn for the liberty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nah, leave it.” Din said dismissively, turning
back around. “One of these days, she’ll –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If you don’t stop patronising me, one of these
days I’ma fuck you up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A deathly silence took hold, but not for the reason
you think; Seven and Jae were shaking with suppressed laughter, and even Rain,
who didn’t like her, looked amused. I guess they all thought Din had it coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let it go, and start the fuckin’ car, Din.” Rain
sighed, rubbing his brow with a hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I guess we’re going to meet my ‘partner<i>’</i>, then.” she murmured to Jae.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yea. She a sweet chick.” he nodded, as the engine
finally rumbled. Carmela did a double take. <i>Chick?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yea, as sweet as candy laced with poison.” Seven
said cheerfully. “And you know me, I’m not picky about girls but this one’s as
mean as a mothe – ow, ow! Ay! Don’t hurt me, I’m a virgin! You rapists. Wait ‘til
I hunt you in your beds, bitches.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rain laughed scornfully. “He talks so much shit.”
Jae snorted. Carmela gave Seven a black look and turned her head to watch the
neat Torino streets go by. She noticed Din kept glancing at her in the
rear-view mirror and it was making her on edge; her Dad had died in a car
accident, and following that she was heavily critical of whoever drove the car
she was in. To her relief, Rain scowled at him, “Din, stop looking at her and
drive the fucking car!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Right, who’s hungry?” Jae complained suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Meee. Get me a blonde bitch, pleeease!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Seven, I’m not sitting here and listening to you
–”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ay, ay, I’m jokin’! But serious, can we stop at
McDonalds?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re not stopping anywhere!” Din fumed, and they
stayed quiet until they reached the courts. Carmela threw herself out of the vehicle
the moment it was still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The outdoor asphalt basketball courts were a
popular spot for kids to hang and stood right beside the most popular concrete
park in Torino. The actual hoop was rusting and looked ready to drop, but as
long as you had a ball it was all good. School hadn’t yet let out so the place
was pretty empty. Carmela breathed a sigh. Her best childhood memories took
place on these courts, this hard ground. Ma's house was only ten minutes away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Din. What’s up, man.” nodded the final two Redeye
members Kel and Emmanuel, in their shirts and long shorts. I don’t expect you
to remember all of the members of Redeye so don’t bother. Just accept that they
exist and may occasionally appear in my tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kel and Carmela’s eyes met and there was an awkward
smile between them. She exhaled, closing her eyes briefly as she turned away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the boys mumbled in a huddle, Carmela’s eyes
fixed on a figure zipping across the court with a swift fury – the only girl
playing. She was small in stature. Her hands moved fast and she practically
danced around the opposing team, showing huge skill as she dribbled the ball,
not allowing a single person to steal it from her. Carmela mentally tagged her
as the ‘Ninja Girl’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When she dunked it in the net, there was at once a
loud cheer and groan clashing in the air from the small group of players, but
she didn’t seem to care. She was wiping her forehead with a black bandana on
her way over to Redeye, who stopped talking and watched her. Seven was biting
back a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The girl joined them silently. Something about her
kind of unnerved Carmela, and she couldn’t explain what it was. Not to me,
anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Boys,” Din gestured to her. “This is Chante.
Chante, these are my boys; Jae, Seven, Rain, Kel, and Emmanuel. Oh... and
Carmela. Your partner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The girls watched each other in silence. Chante
said nothing. Did nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The way you moved out there...” Carmela said suddenly,
and all eyes were on her. She thought about the way the girl seemed to know
where the ball and the players would be even before they did. “... was... pretty
cool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chante looked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now Carmela knew what she reminded her of. She
looked like somebody who’d been scarred for life. Maybe she’d seen things she
wasn’t supposed to see, or maybe she believed there was nothing left to life or
die or. The scariest part about it was that Chante reminded her too much of
herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m sorry – I’ve forgotten something. We need to backtrack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the day that Kaidyn met Chris Black for first
time, Redeye went to negotiate with the relatively new but notorious gang
Ebony, who thought they could make themselves immortal if they became drug
lords.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gangs in Torino weren't as frequent or as deadly as
the neighbouring town, but I suppose that only meant that it was easy to rise
to the top due to lack of competition. That said, I suppose that's why such a
fuss was made about the Kiss Kiss Bandits, being the only named and recognised
female legion in the neighbourhood. I don’t know if that’s inspiring or
pitiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Okay boys.” Din said, giving Carmela a look that
indicated he expected her to behave like one. “Emmanuel’s at church with his Granny,
Rain… I dun’ even know where that boy is, and Seven’s gone AWOL, he’s probably picked
up some girl so don’t count on him coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din’s car pulled up to a well-kept family house
with Kel, Jae and Carmela peering at it. The outer walls<b> </b>were painted prettily; the front garden was freshly mowed; and a
trio of boys lounged on the lawn in deck chairs smoking, chatting and doing jack
all. She mentally tagged them as the ‘Cap Guy’, the ‘Shades Guy’, and the ‘Peanut-Head
Guy’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So it’s just us. Be respectful when you’re
talkin’, no mouthin’ off. Keep your head down and say nothing. Unless you’re C,
in which case do what you normally do.” he said with a quiet chuckle. She
didn’t honour him with her glare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, she wore a baggy hoodie that hid a body honed
by years of pain, with what I call ‘messy bottoms’ which is the raggedy-looking
shit you wear on your legs when you can’t be bothered to put on proper clothes.
She walked in black running shoes, her older brother’s Nike cap slotted
sideways over a head of short caramel hair. She pulled the visor to the front. As
long as no-one looked too hard at her face, they would never guess she was
female.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela had only ever seen the shadows of this
town, but you can learn a hell of a lot standing in the shadows – like how, as
far as a lot of crews were concerned, the streets was no place for chicks
unless they were prostitutes or plain stupid. They didn’t care for drug
addicts, thrill seekers or anybody else who would get in the way of getting paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“D! Hey, man.” The Cap Guy got up assertively the
moment he saw them, knocking fists with each of them. Quick introductions were
made; Cap Guy was actually the headman for Ebony, Ron. Shades and Peanut Head –
Drury and Mario respectively – were other members of this little group. Din tried
to keep the attention fixed on him as he spoke, but Ron held a fist out to Carmela
even so. She kept her head down and made no move. Ron shrugged it off and dropped
his hands, but stole curious glances at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peanut-Head inquired about something, dropping his
voice low. She couldn’t hear the words, but his expression and body language insinuated
something criminal. Kel sighed and shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We don't do that anymore. Tell ya the truth, the
money weren’t worth the hassle.” <i>Weren’t
- !</i> Ugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din added, “If you think you brave enough to take
over the Torino drug trade, go ‘head. We won’t stop you. But when the big bad
motherfuckers stand up, we won’t help you either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The ‘Big Bad Motherfuckers’? Who, you mean CT?”
Ron frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, I mean like Jengo Goujen. He don’t play.” Kel
looked around the garden disinterestedly. “That’s who we work for now,
obviously, tha’s why we’re here. Nothing to do with drugs though. Do what you
like, but leave us out of it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was nearing ten o’clock. The temperature of the
night air was plummeting and so was Carmela’s patience. One illuminated window
of the neighbouring house went black. Her little brother would be sitting up
waiting for her because she promised she’d visit him before his bedtime, but
Din’s detours took way longer than he’d said.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you got it, or not?” she said abruptly,
keeping her voice low, feeling the chill of the night air stinging her cheeks.
“I'm hungry, I’m tired, I’m cold, and I don’t have time for this."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All six boys stared at her. Din looked slightly
pissed. “Take it easy, C. We’ll get there when we get there. No rush.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She narrowed her eyes accusingly at him. “You
promised we’d be done by seven.” she whispered. Jae looked anxiously between
them. She couldn’t stand the thought of her little brother crying himself to
sleep over her absence. She’d be no better than her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peanut-Head Mario jerked his head in a weird and
trying-to-be-cool upward nod. “Bro, what your name is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She gave him a cool look. “Where are you from?
Didn't anyone teach you speak properly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The guy called Drury smiled with amusement. Mario stared,
then threw his head back and laughed, folding his arms smugly. “I think this
little shit is asking to have all his teeth taken out! I ain’t no dentist, bro,
but I think I can help you out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was an immediate outcry from both groups, the
loudest coming from Kel. “What did you say? You'd better say that again. For your
sake, I hope I misheard you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh Jesus. A bunch of delicate children.” Mario
pouted teasingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don't come into our territory bringing that
garbage, bitch. You’d better shut your mouth.” Kel’s threat barely sounded above
Din and Ron’s respective orders for silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mario, for fuck’s sake, Mario!” Ron barked. “Go
inside and cool off! Now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Now look what you done.” Din shot at Carmela. He
grabbed Kel’s forearms with Jae at the same time Drury and Ron grabbed Mario,
the shouts increasing in volume.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her eyes darted to Kel and her stomach lurched with
fear. She held her left hand away from her body and pulled in electricity from
the nearest streetlight. It flickered. Energy jumped to her fist and pulsed
dimly, making her hand look like it had a light bulb inside of it, illuminating
her blood. The argument was raged on a few feet away, with Ron still holding
Mario, and Din and Jae struggling with Kel, all unaware. She was deciding
whether she should fire at Mario or Kel when a hand grabbed her wrist and the
crook of an elbow locked around her neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A sound of frantic, furious indignation was trapped
in her throat. Flailing her free arm, she let the electrical energy discharge,
anyhow, anywhere – her wrist and neck were immediately free. The next moment,
her eyes were level with the grass and she was panting. To her left, Shades Guy
Drury – who wasn’t wearing shades any more – was on his knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without warning, quiet fell. She stared at Drury,
he stared at her, Din stared at them, Kel glared at him, Mario glared at <i>him</i> and Ron glared at <i>him</i>. Jae looked confusedly at everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Carme... lo! What are you <i>doing?</i>” Din barked, then asked Jae curiously, “<i>How’d they end up on the floor?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You should know better than to do that in public.”
Drury whispered. “You'd better not try it again.” To her utter surprise, he
smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I d-don’t know what you mean.” she murmured back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, I know. I just saw you prove it.” He sounded pleased.
Carmela’s heart must have been racing. I’d explicitly told her not to give away
her powers to anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“C? C, get over here.” Din ordered. Jae had his
hand on Kel’s shoulder, who was breathing fiercely. Reluctantly, she obeyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I thought girl thugs were a myth.” Drury said
amusedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not a girl.” she said quickly, her voice as
deep as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He picked up his sunglasses, grinning as he pointed
at her chest. “Some curves you got there, <i>bro</i>.”
She immediately realised her mistake in pulling the hem of her hoodie down as
she stood up. Swallowing, she walked furiously back to the others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He tried to
match her stride, “So... you’re with Din.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, I’m with <i>Redeye</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not a huge difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She desperately wanted to know how he knew about
the powers. This world she’d accidentally stumbled into was suddenly no longer
exclusive to a bunch of temperamental girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, just be careful,” he warned in a playful
tone, “Fellas around here…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She wasn’t sure how she felt about the teasing, but
it felt light-hearted compared to Din’s patronising tone. “I am in as much
danger of being mugged or raped as you are.” she said calmly. “I know damn well
how to be careful, thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He grinned again and walked ahead of her, his arm
tucked behind his back and a palm outspread. Carmela slowed to a halt. Dancing
in the palm of his hand was a small, emerald flame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So I got Mario starting fights, and you, what the
hell are you doing?” Ron scolded Drury, letting Mario go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry,” he said earnestly, jerking a thumb
behind him, “When I found out she was a chick, I couldn’t control myself.” Redeye
went still. A pause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s a she?” Mario cackled, talking to Din as if
he owned her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who the fuck are you calling an it?” Kel shouted
at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What does she do? Get the coffee?” Mario
sniggered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why don’t you ask her? She’s standing right in
front of you.” Drury pointed out, looking directly at her. He seemed to be
trying to make a point about being respectful. She took off her cap and shook
her hair loose. “She might not talk back though,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I talk.” she said blankly. “I fight too.” Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Alright, alright. That’s enough.” Ron looked at
Din, “You came for the package, right? You wanna come in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No.” Carmela spoke for him, pleased at Din glare.
“Bring it to us in the car. Get it out here in under five minutes, or we’re
gone, and when Jengo Goujon asks us why our hands our empty, your names are
gonna be the first thing out of my mouth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Phew! Better not fuck with her,” Drury raised his
eyebrows, looking flirtatious where Din would’ve looked comical. “I’ll bring it
out, Ron.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carmela strode purposefully back to the car,
gesturing for the others to follow. She snatched Din’s car keys from his hand
the moment it was out of his pocket and got in the driver’s seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do you think you’re doing?” he bellowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks to you, I’m beyond late for a family
engagement. You drive too slow. Get in the back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’d better give –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Din, dammit!” Jae said loudly. “I’ve had enough of
arguments today, man, get in the car so we can go home!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Din threw himself in the back, bursting with rage.
Kel kept giving Carmela apprehensive looks. When Drury finally brought out the
package, he barely had time to grin at her again before she slammed on the
accelerator.</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Read <a href="http://kisskissbandits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/hiatus-explanation.html" target="_blank">Hiatus Explanation 22/12/13</a>, OR</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://kisskissbandits.blogspot.com/2014/01/chapter-three-diva-tae.html">Read CHAPTER 3 (Diva , Tae)</a></b></span></div>
Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05465897842634317408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273997290797790968.post-21203542011809368712013-03-18T19:55:00.000+00:002013-03-27T07:23:26.295+00:00Chapter 1: Vixen , Kaidyn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnHLo8S4OWXGxQUrbc34hPjrHzsR_R5ImOiq2Qt7KLZ-77eN1mkaIbY1jf77OEBbWcMKHYXA-Q3Sqd3X8LxGqPUX1sshQ7wlTYVMJaUHrMIVpUPi55Y0l5goY9MUF9BlpFgTQqBim13Ua/s1600/Banner_Vixens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnHLo8S4OWXGxQUrbc34hPjrHzsR_R5ImOiq2Qt7KLZ-77eN1mkaIbY1jf77OEBbWcMKHYXA-Q3Sqd3X8LxGqPUX1sshQ7wlTYVMJaUHrMIVpUPi55Y0l5goY9MUF9BlpFgTQqBim13Ua/s320/Banner_Vixens.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">01 ]
Vixen , Kaidyn</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is what a vixen is. A female fox; a
scandalous, seductive, succubus-like female; a dominant, clever and overtly
sexual female. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her name is Kaidyn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The definition of a vixen is the definition of
Kaidyn, and vixens that are not Kaidyn should not be called vixens unless they
have four legs and like to make a fucking racket in the alley outside when I'm
trying to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They call her <i>Lipstick
Assassin</i>. Actually, they don’t. I named her that. I named her that because
I was naïve, bored, and kind of sad, but I admired her, and she was flattered
with the title. What a strange relationship we had. I had always felt tame next
to her outrageous charm, her outrageous flirting, her outrageous drinking, her
irresistible allure when it came to guys. As it happened, she worshipped my
eclectic tenancies, my sporadic sensibilities, my meek intellect – for the
majority of my college life, we were inseparable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then Tally, <i>Playgirl
Savage</i>, joined Kaidyn and myself, the <i>Kiss
Kiss Bandit</i>. My adoration encompassed both of them, so I let them share my
name as well. So the three of us became the KKB, like those adorable, dumb little
girl gangs you make up at school. It was meant to be a joke. Of course, it didn’t
stay that way for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No. Before long, we didn’t have much college
friends left, because Kaidyn fully embraced and flaunted our new identity,
becoming the face of the Kiss Kiss Bandits and projecting her traits onto all
of us. So while various boys and men were flirting or taking the piss, other
girls began to think we were either too much of a threat, too pretentious, or
too damn weird. That’s how the drama began – it never really ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So... where shall I start telling my story?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shall I start when misfits Kaidyn, Tally and I got
our tattoos, and realised that <i>with
tattoos, comes great responsibility</i>? Perhaps when suddenly, everywhere we
turned, other ‘special people’ appeared, bringing chaos with them? Or maybe
when my life was in peril, forcing me to step down from my own group and become
the quiet mastermind behind the KKB, while Kaidyn and three new girls were at
the forefront?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, it makes sense to start with the one girl who
was there from the start and is determined to see it through to the end;
Kaidyn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me paint you a picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She was by the bar, surrounded by Saturday night drinkers
and dancers and keeping them at a distance with a cold and fiercely beautiful
scowl. In the glass she held, vodka shimmered and vibrated to the bass of hip
hop music; Jay Z, Kanye, tracks that were starting to get just a little bit
stale. Kaidyn liked to wear tight clothes, but then so would I if it made <i>me</i> look like Aphrodite. Her choice of
the day was a black bodycon dress, with scarlet lips, cherry nails, and a
metal-studded leather choker she had borrow-stolen from me, my ‘cat collar’, to
which I used to point at and say “I am my <i>own</i>
fuckin’ master.” just to illustrate the irony. A gold ring sat snug on her
index finger, Kaidyn’s way of saying more of less the same thing. A tangle of
black hair twisted down to her ribs. She didn’t run a hand through it. Most
days, she didn’t run a brush though it. Super mega platform chocka-block heels were
strapped to her feet to show that she could walk independently like a big girl,
because all big girls walk on stilts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, the telekinesis. But you wouldn’t be
able to see that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She must have been pissed. Instead of telling her
myself that I couldn't come, I had instead sent her an ineffectual text message.
It did not impress her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The VIP door she’d been watching the whole time
finally opened, and a young man dressed in dull, monochrome colours swept
through the doorway. It was so smooth and casual, the way he made his entrance,
that nobody even noticed a celebrity was in their presence, even though his
face being on a dozen billboards including the one opposite my flat. His outfit
was casual, a simple shirt and jeans, which I know Kaidyn would have found
hopelessly boring. Fourteen personnel made up the bodyguards. I mean entourage.
I suppose the situation would determine their purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unfortunately, I know what Kaidyn is like, and
unfortunately for Chris Black, no amount of entourage will stop a tornado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She got up sharply, but then hesitated and didn’t
leave the bar, which I wouldn’t have expected of her. Her hawk eyes watched him
making his careful way over. Wealth dripped from him, despite the lacklustre clothes
- it was the watch, the shoes, the very thin chain, and the ring that gave it
away. He looked like a rich bitch. The type of bitch who owns a dog that wears
a collar worth more than your car. The type of bitch who owns a car that
probably turns into a boat. Who the fuck knows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, he glanced at her, and stared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Kaidyn flirts, she always flirts verbally. She’s
chatty. She likes to play word games that challenge and tease. When it comes to
raising eyebrows, simpers and flicking the hair, Kaidyn is not the one. So she
simply stared back, being too far away to speak and be heard. I don’t think she
intended to flirt anyway; this wasn’t personal, it was technically business.
Why else would Kaidyn be there? Lipstick Assassin – sorry, I should say ‘Vixen’
now - knows how to party. Sitting in a lurid, neon downtown club that played music
from a time when Diddy was Puff Daddy was not her idea of a party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He tilted his head and frowned, trying to recognise
her, failing. Clueless. Kaidyn sank back into her stool with her back to him,
looking mildly disgusted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doesn’t look like much of a celebrity,” she
murmured, her lips against the rim of her glass, like she was speaking to it
instead of herself. Sure, she could see the wealth, but hell, what an awkward
man. There was no flourish, no pride. Not even the sly, half-embarrassed,
half-smug expression of a star hiding and partying and drinking and fucking
around doing stupid shit among simpletons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She saw him approaching out of the corner of her
eye, coloured lights flickering on his figure, but there was no ‘hey’, no tap
on the shoulder, no hand on the hip, nothing. When she could take it no more,
she rounded on him, her red claws on her hips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you intend to speak to me? If you’re going to
stand there looking like a lost dog, please go. You’re making me look bad.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The pause indicated an air of surprise. I don’t
think he expected an unprovoked verbal attack from someone who looked like a
supermodel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Somehow you got the impression that I wanted to
speak to you at all.” he said unconvincingly. A stud glinted in his ear. She
felt irked when he then ignored her to order a drink. The thin chain around his
neck dangled as he leant forward. The cheek. Who <i>wouldn’t</i> wanna speak to Vixen? And that wasn’t even counting that
that was why she turned up in the first place. I could’ve guessed her thoughts
just then; ‘<i>All these fucking men know
how to do is drink alcohol and change their minds.</i>’ A quick glance around
her, and she was pretty sure she could see his entourage hovering around,
trying to look disinterested. She smell of alcohol and blaring of this annoying
music was grating on her nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well in that case, you have no reason to be within
an arms length of me.” Setting her glass on the countertop, she got up and
swung her purse over her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wait!” The shout turned the heads of a gaggle of
girls dancing close by, chanting lyrics under the spell of alcohol. “I <i>do</i> know you. I’ve met you before...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She snorted. “I know you too. I think I saw you on
the front of a newspaper last week for something scandalous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His next pretentious words would have made me scream
at him, had I been there. “Do you know who I am?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. I’m still deciding whether or not I actually
care. Do <i>you</i> know who <i>I</i> am?” Her face twisted into a sneer.
“Wow. Let me say - I'm unimpressed. My best friend grew up with <i>thee</i> Nathanael Flores so I don't give a
fuck how famous <i>you</i> are.” Despite his
pretentiousness, if I’d been there, I would have been shrieking, ‘<i>Oh God, you’re insulting Chris Black! The
Chris Black! What the fuck is wrong with you, woman?’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her eyes flicked up and down, distain in her eyes
and smirk. “Oh dear. You still can't remember who I am. That <i>is</i> poor. Doesn't my pay come out of your
pocket?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The words clearly made some sort of impact on his
mental register, because his face changed. He groaned to himself, dragging a
hand down over a smooth chin. “I am... <i>so</i>
sorry. I remember now. I said I’d meet you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uhhhhh... yeah. Funny how you forgot, and yet
you’re still here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A sigh. “Yeah... coincidence, I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn almost swore again. Was that the best he
could come up with? Coincidence? “Poor baby. You're still struggling to
remember my name, aren't you?” She laughed, patting his forehead in the most
patronising way she could. “Poor you. I pity people like you, who have nothing
better to do than mess up people’s lives and waste my time. I guess fame really
got to your head, Mister Black. Is this how celebrities treat <i>‘normal people’?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it was the choker, maybe it was the ring, or
the red lipstick or the belittling way in which she spoke to him, but by that
time she had finished speaking I’d be shocked if he didn’t ‘remember’ – if he
ever forgot – exactly who she was, reputation and all. I’m surprised it took
him so long. Even without knowing that Kaidyn led the new KKB, how could
anybody forget the shock of dark hair and raging eyes, the scowl, the
sometimes-smirk, the way she walked, making it clear that she deemed herself
superior to everybody else? Chris Black, however gorgeous and-or wealthy, must
be an idiot. With amnesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Kaidyn</i>.”
he said finally, <i>hooray</i> - but her
interest was already gone, her face turned towards the distant exit, shrouded
in smoke. His icy fingers seized her arm to stop her leaving and her head
snapped around. She scrutinised his hand on her arm, well prepared to stare
until he let go. He didn’t. “Wait. Kaidyn –”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, she did something that made me furious,
something she really should not have done. With a jerk of her chin, his hand
flew off her arm and knocked over his own drink on the bar. He stared at his
own hand in shock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The window of opportunity has closed,"
she announced, "- and don't touch me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> * <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was the first chance meeting I can remember. Seemingly
innocent, yes? Let’s fast forward to a cold spring morning and a pair of Vixens
wrapped up in long trench coats against the cold, large shades and chic little
hats covering the whole face except for pale cheeks and red lips. They walked
with haste, striding down the cement path that lined the river of Torino city.
Their gloves, scarves and boots were matched to perfection. Even though they
seemed to struggle against the cold with every step, the flair and magnificence
in their walk was obvious. As usual, Kaidyn looked displeased with my recurring
absences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Isn’t she coming?” she demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nope.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“...she’s not coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, Kaidyn. You should’ve guessed that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ruthlessly cold expression that appeared on
Kaidyn’s face stopped Tally from saying anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The pair arrived at Riverside Studios, and nudging
the revolving door with their fingertips – taking care of long red nails – they
emerged in the reception area, professionally designed and decorated. Marble
tiles made the floor gleam and towering plants stood against every wall and
corner. Riverside Studios was home to an array of professional spaces, from luxury
modelling studios for photo shoots, to a dozen or so recording studios fully
equipped with the latest audio technology. The entire ground floor housed large
rooms primarily used for music video shootings. The receptionist glanced at
them from behind her computer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s find my agent and get out of here,” Kaidyn
sighed, whipping off her gloves, shades, scarf and hat, shoving all into her tote
bag. “I’m sure he can get you some work. He always finds me a job when I’m
stone broke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well good, because it won’t be long before I’m living
off bread and butter, Kai.” Tally said grimly, checking her reflection in the
glass of the nearest picture frame and fixing the strands of extremely curly
hair that had shaken free. Kaidyn tutted to get her attention and made for the
door leading to the offices, when the receptionist leapt from her chair to halt
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry ladies, this facility is not open to the
public.” Her smile was sickeningly sweet. “Have you got your ID’s with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn gave the woman’s outstretched hand a blank
stare, seeing nothing but nails that weren’t manicured. “You clearly don’t
remember who I am.” Kaidyn said with a clipped tone, and the lady’s smile
faltered. “I was here two weeks ago - I was personally picked out for Chris
Black’s music video two weeks ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You were?” Tally muttered, then gave the doubtful receptionist
a radiant smile, sending out mental waves so subtle that the air barely rippled.
Even Kaidyn couldn’t stop herself sighing peacefully. I only remember being
under the influence of Tally’s powers once before, and it was as sweet as a
dream. On this occasion, though, I didn’t think it was necessary for her to use
them for something so trivial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry, there’s been a misunderstanding.” Tally’s
eyelashes fluttered up and down as she spouted her ‘<i>nicey-nicey please-and-thank-you shit’</i>, as Kaidyn always said when
Tally used her powers. “We weren’t issued cards because we’ve only been called here
at short notice. I’m sure we’ll get them today. Can we go ahead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lady shook her head as if waking from a trance.
“O-of course.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seeing as it’s been Kaidyn Kaidyn Kaidyn - let me
tell you a bit about Tally. Like I said, Tally was one of the original Kiss
Kiss Bandits. I met her through Kaidyn; they’d been best friends for as long as
either of them could remember, and both worked as freelance models. Considering
the qualifications they got out of college, I deemed it a poor career choice,
although I wasn’t doing much better. Tally attracted Vixen stigma to her
because she determined to win the attention of man much older than her. He was
attractive, yes, but also about a decade or so ahead of Tally; I think Ice-T
was on the radio when he was growing up. If radios had been invented. Okay, I’m
kidding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally and Kaidyn are often together, so it’s easy
to get them confused if you don’t know them. As a general rule, the loud one is
Tally, the glowering one is Kaidyn. The physical flirt is Tally, the verbal
flirt is Kaidyn. Tally uses her eyes a lot, Kaidyn uses the f-word a lot. The
one running around after men is Tally. The one with men running around after <i>her</i>, is Kaidyn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally suddenly broke the silence. “Did you really?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hm? Oh, the Chris Black thing? Yeah, my agent was
involved in helping me get the job. Chris Black wasn’t even there.” The
synchronised click of their heels rung down the endless corridor with every
step. Tally readjusted her hat as Kaidyn spoke. “I ran into him later at the
All Things Urban shoot. We talked a bit and he asked to see me again, so I
thought why not. If I get more work through the star, more pay for me. But when
I turned up to this shitty little club, the bastard just left me hanging.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So, hold on. So you were only thinking about
getting work?” Tally gave her a funny look. “You’re weird, Kaidyn. You got to
speak to Chris Black, of all people, and your only concern was getting paid?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not at college any more, Tally. I don’t have
time for these little Boys-And-Girls games any more.” I bet she wouldn’t be
saying that if her little toyboy from CT was still around. “Yes, they’re still
fun, but I would rather have money and be able to eat and buy clothes -”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Than have a rich-as-fuck boyfriend who can buy you
food and clothes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, than have an amnesiac boyfriend who can’t
remember dates for shit. Not only did he forget about me but he was there
anyway, so of course I saw him. How awkward is that. How embarrassing – for
him. I bet he sees so many girls that he can’t keep up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Probably fucking ‘em left and right.” Tally said
casually, before her eyes widened and a giggle spluttered from her mouth.
“Oops. Wasn’t meant to say that out loud!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The faint sound of heavy bass music hovered in the
air, getting louder as they walked. “I can’t believe she didn’t fucking come.”
was Kaidyn’s cold remark. A lock of wavy black hair swung by her ear. “She
can’t cut us out of her life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She meant me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She can do what she likes. We’ve all got our own
problems, and honestly, she’s got the worst of it. Give her a break.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The music grew to a thundering volume as they
finally passed the studio emitting it. Kaidyn and Tally peeked in as they went
by, did double takes and rushed back to the doorway to stare. It was like
looking through a magic portal. The room was impossibly huge, and it was
dressed up like a garage, with a row glistening cars sat stationary in the
middle. People mulled around the vehicles, dancing, shouting, the camera crew
whizzing around them on machines, the make-up crew dancing behind the camera
men and making obscene gestures. The man who Kaidyn recognised as the director from
a previous audition was looking at someone and pointing somewhere else while
yelling. The live, raw atmosphere hooked Kaidyn immediately. She was tempted to
walk right in and just vibe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I wonder what this is for?” Tally said in a hushed
voice, peering around. “Oh God. Kaidyn! You’ll never guess!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Squinting to where she was pointing, she almost
groaned when she saw none other than Chris Black, sat on a red sports car that
– like I said – must either turn into a boat or cook marshmallows or something.
This was obviously his music video; he was in the middle of a verse, miming it
with hand gestures to the nearest camera, and radiating a completely different
persona to when Kaidyn had seen him last. His cool was effortless. Tally’s eyes
were as wide as dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s the bitch I played like a straight dummy…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally’s expression was sceptical. “For real? You
played <i>Chris Black</i> like a dummy? He’s
the star of the damn show, Kai, stop messing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her response made Kaidyn kiss her teeth. “Ain’t no
fucking star of any fucking show and I absolutely <i>one hundred percent</i> played him like a bitch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally sighed, almost with longing. “If you say he’s
a bastard, he’s a bastard. But that doesn’t look like the face of a bastard to
me, Kaidyn...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, fuck outta here. If any guy smiles at you,
they’re an angel in your eyes.” Kaidyn took off her coat and threw it at a
startled Tally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kaidyn - what - are - you - <i>doing</i>, you crazy girl!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m gonna be in his video for ‘Heartstopper’ soon,
might as well see how he runs things. As for you – if you head that way, go up
the first flight of stairs you come to and take the first right, you’ll find my
agent in there doing nothing. Ask his lazy, no good, wonderful ass for a job.
DO NOT flirt with him, Tally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally’s small mouth twisted into a half-smile,
giving her Latina-influenced features a sassy flair; her cheek creased, her
eyebrows arched slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fine. Later.” She lazily waved and threw over her
shoulder an old KKB catchphrase we used when we were still a joke college girl
gang, “Kiss and kill, chica!” The fact that she still used it made it even more
embarrassing than it would be out of context.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn wandered into the studio and stood just
behind the dancing make-up crew with a cheesy grin on her face. The set looked
spectacular and, honestly, so did Chris Black. When the near-deafening music
got to the chorus, she suddenly realised that she knew the song – it was ‘Little
Miss Star’. It wasn’t Chris Black’s song, he just featured in it. It was
actually a song by my old childhood friend-turned-superstar, Nathanael Flores.
All of my friends knew exactly what it meant when they heard it. But nobody
ever talks about it to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Little Miss Star’ was one of those songs that everybody
got up and danced to when it hit the club and radio stations, even if they
didn’t like it. The beat was on the fast side, and every eight counts there was
a <i>SNAP!</i> that made it impossible for choreographers
to leave it alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The music cut. Silence fell. Kaidyn could hear the
Director give the simple instruction, “<i>Go
with the flow</i>.” The camera crew readjusted their positions; the music ran
again from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chris Black began to mime his bit, about to throw
his arm around the nearest female when he caught her eye. He stared at Kaidyn
just as he did before, though his lips never ceased with the lyrics, making him
look like a zombie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She bit back a giggle when she saw the director
make a motion of frustration and gesture at the star’s lack of attention. Then
he glanced around, saw Kaidyn, and did a double take, then leapt off his stool
and rushed over to her. She expected to hear, ‘<i>What are you doing here? Are you the press?’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What are you doing over there?” he shouted in her
ear, “Get on the set!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She began to protest, “No, no – I’m in the
‘Heartstopper’ video, not this one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn’t seem to have heard her, as he continued
to bellow over the music, “Did I stutter? Am I speaking Slovakian? Get on the
set! Go with the flow! Improv! Hurry up!” He practically pushed her forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the KKB know full well, when Kaidyn wants
attention, she will turn every slightest movement into a spectacle. When she
made a show of crawling over a glittering black car, it took only a few seconds
for eyes to snap onto her figure and mouths to start falling open. The youth
dancers on the set cheered her progress as she danced her way over to Chris,
trying not to block any of the camera shots focussed on him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I bet she wished she was getting paid for that
little stunt. Kaidyn considered it easy money to throw your hair around and
look pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well well well! Look who it is! Mister Black.” she
said as loudly as she could into his ear, and gently bit his earlobe in the
hope that he would fuck up and forget his lyrics. He didn’t, but a playful grin
was on his face now, looking straight at her. So she climbed up on the car and
put herself on his lap, but he got right
through to the chorus without a single mistake. Damn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the chorus, he cupped his hands over her ear, “Guess
what. You’re in the wrong video!” he shouted into her ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t fucking care! Love this song!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He laughed and placed his hands on her hips when
she started to slip off his lap – she in fact felt herself sliding at that
exact moment and quickly locked her fingers around his neck, pleased at having
saved herself the embarrassment of falling on her derrière. An instant later,
the shock of his cold skin hit her, like plunging her hands into ice-cold water
after a hot shower. He was <i>freezing</i>;
she was shivering in seconds. She didn’t want him to think she was shivering
because she found him attractive, so with a half-hearted grin, she hopped off
his lap and mingled with the crowd for the rest of the song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her body was gripped by sudden jitters, mainly
because she wasn’t used to flirting in a physical way, but also because his
skin and made her hands very, <i>very</i>
cold. She rubbed them, breathed on them, slid them into her jeans pocket to
warm them up on her thighs and wondered why the hell he wasn’t wearing more
clothes with a body temperature of minus one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the song ended, cheers and applause went up
from everybody on set. “Great work, everybody!” the director called. He pointed
at Kaidyn. “You! New girl! Why were you so late?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I wasn’t contracted for this video.” Kaidyn said dryly.
The man fixed her with eyes about the size of his glasses lens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you the press?” he barked abruptly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No no no no no,” was the voice of her agent, hastily
appearing out of nowhere to handle it as he always did – easily one of the most
stunning men in the room, with his bleach blonde hair and stark white skin
making him appear an icy angel in a sharp suit. Close behind him was Tally,
flushed with delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“KAIIII-DYYYYN!” she sang. “That was as hot as SHIIII-IIIIT!
Go Bandit! Go Bandit!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can you shut up, Tally?” Kaidyn bellowed, dodging
the dancers as they jostled off set, chatting, grabbing towels and bottled
water. Chris Black waited for them to move away before he approached, regarding
her with a calm that unnerved her a little bit. She was still rubbing her hands
warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We meet again. Right?” He tried his cheekiest
smile. Kaidyn deemed it average at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do we?” she said, feigning surprise. “I think this
is the first time. Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He laugh was awkward. “Okay, I deserved that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No really. I have <i>no idea</i> who you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He looked slightly embarrassed as he rubbed the
back of his head. The face of his watch flashed in the light at the movement. “I
love how you keep pretending not to have a clue who I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I fooled you the first time.” The corner of her
lips turned upwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ignore her. <i>I</i>
know who you are.” Tally said loudly, appearing at her side with a wink. “And
I, sir, am single.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Kaidyn muttered, tossing her
hair, leaning on one hip and folding her arms, somehow doing it all at once
with little effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Call me Tally.” She held out a hand, and he shook
it with good humour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A painfully thin woman with a clipboard and a pen
behind her ear called with some urgency, “Chris, we need to get -”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tell me later.” he said briskly, repeating himself
calmly when she persisted but not sparing her another glance. Kaidyn liked the
way he handled it; it was exactly how she would have done it. She wiped the smile
off her face when his eyes met hers again. Her chilled hands slipped back into
her pockets. “And er, what did you say your name was?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She couldn’t believe he had the nerve to try and
play her game. “Stop fucking with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His eyebrows raised. “Wow. What a mouth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn was unexpectedly uncomfortable at his
reference to her gutter language. The fact that she even cared what he thought
made her even more agitated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Yeah, well.
The first school I ever went to was a girl’s school. It set me up for life.”
She stretched her arms up, and then out at Tally, who dumped her coat and bag
on them. “Anyway. Seeing as I’m not getting paid for this, I’m going. Not
everyone can make a fortune dancing in garages to average music.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally spluttered at the implication but covered her
mouth, silently directed an apologetic look towards Chris, and made to follow
Kaidyn out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hey, hold up.” He was on their heels. “If you stick
around, I can set up something for you – don’t worry, you’ll get paid. You
don’t have to just up and leave like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Tally’s snapped her head to Kaidyn and made wide, meaningful eyes at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kaidyn’s pout dripped with scorn. “Don’t look so
sad, Mister Black. I’m sure you can sing soft enough to make other girls throw
their underwear at you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kaidyn!” Tally pouted. “Don’t talk like a snob!
Singing is a <i>very special</i> talent!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know who you throw <i>your </i>underwear at, because every Tom, Dick and Harry have been
perfecting <i>that</i> talent since Luther
Vandross. Ain’t no fuckin’ <i>talent</i>. If
he’s special I’m a damn prodigy. Shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally sniggered. “What, you make guys lose their
Calvin Kleins with your angel-voice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah - I also make girls lose their hair
extensions with my angel-claws so shut ya fuckin’ face.” Kaidyn shifted on her
feet and rubbing her mouth with her icy hand when she saw Chris Black watching her
with a smile. Since he’d mentioned the profanity thing, she’d suddenly become
aware of how many f’s and b’s left her mouth on a sentence-by-sentence basis,
and she did not like it one bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s go, let’s go!” she snapped, turning on her
heel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yo,” he tried once more, reaching for her arm like
before. She managed to get out of his reach before he touched her, and glared at
him, very conscious of her hands still refusing to get warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He looked a little put out. “Alright, I get it, you
don’t like being touched. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go for a drink
sometime or – I mean, I promise I’ll remember... Kaidyn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She gave him her suspicious eye, but her mind fell
back to her ice-cold hands. She’d been rubbing them non-stop and their refusal
to get warm meant that she couldn’t stop thinking about them. In fact, it was
slightly painful. The rest of her body was fine. From the moment her hands
touched his neck...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No.” she said shortly.</span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://kisskissbandits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/chapter-2-thugette-carmela.html" rel="nofollow">Read CHAPTER 2 (Thugette , Carmela)</a></b></span></div>
Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05465897842634317408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273997290797790968.post-77256040545318223102013-03-18T18:05:00.000+00:002013-03-18T19:58:43.615+00:00Introduction<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibwHYdWzCxO0EPPUluI_BVJzsLHa5Gt4PdxGFM0-qdxLbyx_wwp3pO2v48WOg7rwYizZ-893Fy2Fi6vFHlMCzpAoumw2TxIZ8_0aEnRCMV68oXK5PUQccAkCENRW7Skje8JMhmVx0ywys/s1600/lip_silhoured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibwHYdWzCxO0EPPUluI_BVJzsLHa5Gt4PdxGFM0-qdxLbyx_wwp3pO2v48WOg7rwYizZ-893Fy2Fi6vFHlMCzpAoumw2TxIZ8_0aEnRCMV68oXK5PUQccAkCENRW7Skje8JMhmVx0ywys/s1600/lip_silhoured.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>00] Introduction</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ahem.” Kaidyn stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s only one set of bitches in this town and
they proudly carry the title ‘Bandit’ – whether they be divas, vixens, ‘<i>thugettes</i>’,” She made quote marks with
fingers, “Or...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“... <i>‘juliets’.</i>”
I said finally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Juliets.” Kaidyn said approvingly, looking down at
our young but nubile – yes, I said <i>nubile</i>
- bodies sprawled across the grassy front courtyard of our college. The wind
was persistent in playing with our skirts and we’d given up trying to shield
our legs from the world. We squinted up at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What made Kiss Kiss Bandits something of a legend
was their notorious reputation of playing men like dummies. Virgin or vixen,
all they need are kisses soft enough to make a man’s knees weak, and then it’s
all over. OVERR!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tally burst out laughing, cheering and clapping her
hands as Kaidyn bowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked from Kaidyn to her Vixen partner in crime,
Tally, their musical laughter echoing like a siren’s song, turning every head
within a mile radius. They were actually proud of this silly thing I’d created.
Humbly, silently, I lowered my eyes to my lap. It would be funny if she wasn’t
actually serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But it’s true – that’s how we are seen now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think, if I am not wrong, that was the precise
day it began. We got our tattoos on that very same day, and within a month,
Kaidyn was making books fly across the room and Tally was making her crushes
and enemies plead to be near her at the bat of an eyelid, against their will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s no end to it to the gossip, from the home-wrecking
to the supernatural. I have truly heard it all, all of the stupid talk that
ignorant, uneducated, unethical, stupid, bullshit women – for want of much,
much better words – proclaim in public places to keep the Kiss Kiss Bandit
morale low.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s okay. The Bandits can handle it. The Bandits
can keep their emotions ‘on lock’, as Kaidyn is particularly fond of saying. We
are, apparently, the ‘Bitches At Work’, a dumb way of euphemising that we ‘run
things’, which basically just means that some people think we are cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I didn’t understand it. Surely Kaidyn and Tally
would have preferred to be popular and actually have friends than copy my
misfit status and shun the world via scorn. It was beyond me how fast our
little group became lunchtime talk at college, and then neighbourhood talk
after we left. We seemed to have the Twilight effect on people; we were either
loved or hated. Some adored us and were eager to be a part of what they thought
was a lavish, promiscuous, bachelorette lifestyle. I would have been okay if
everybody else thought we were childish and not worth the attention, but instead
those ones were insanely jealous, spiteful and hateful. It escalated. I think
Tally’s ability had a big part in making people feel awed or apprehensive about
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish this was a normal story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If it was, I could just lose myself in telling you
the adventures of my Kiss Kiss Bandits, all of the things that Kaidyn, Tally
and I got up to at college, including an incredibly amusing and fiery flirting-scorning
game we played with CT, this infamous guys-only clique who were often viewed as
our male counterparts. I could tell you about what happened after I stepped
down and Tally also decided to leave, leaving the four current members of the
Kiss Kiss Bandits:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vixen Kaidyn, who was trying to put her promiscuous
past behind her – while her shopping addiction had her chasing better paid jobs
as determinedly as men chased her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then we had Diva Tae, who slyly caused chaos to get
the attention of the guy she was trying to steal from his stuck-up girlfriend,
all while striving to outsmart her somewhat conceited parents with conniving
tricks and deceit, so she could get up to no good with the KKB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Thugette, Carmela, who sought protection and financial
stability from another secret gang, but was also struggling to keep her family
together as her mother became an alcoholic, her older brother a gangster, and
her younger brother the class outcast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Juliet Shaire, whose fascination with a crush led
to a complicated and dangerous involvement with a mischievous group of boys –
that’s right, CT – who had a reputation for stealing, womanising, heartbreaking
and generally being assholes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But our new-found ‘special powers’ was something
else to deal with, and then of course, some lunatic tried to kill me with their
abilities, so goodbye ‘Normal Story’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I didn’t think this story was worth telling, I
wouldn’t bother to waste your time. But I can’t let this story die, and I
cannot let our legend go. After all we have been through and all that we have
discovered, I can’t let myself forget any of this. After all, I started this. I
am the cause of a series of irrelevant and mundane lives becoming tangled up in
each other, in the most ungodly mess that has ever been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am about to tell you everything. I will tell you
the whole thing, because I want to, because I can, and because it is important.
I will tell you about my all-female legion, the Kiss Kiss Bandits, why it’s a
dead-dumb move to mess with them, how the four ‘diva’, ‘vixen’, ‘thugette’ and
‘juliet’ classifications I naively made up at college became the worshipping sub-groups of the KKB, and the full tale of
our tug-of-war with wealth, influence, rivalry and power. Now, you can
listen...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...or you can go about your shit as usual, in
ignorance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So… are you ready?</span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://kisskissbandits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/chapter-1.html" rel="nofollow">Read CHAPTER 1 (Vixen , Kaidyn)</a></b></span></div>
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