The Other Side - Chapter 36

"The Other Side - Chapter 35" 

"Okay..." Becky blushed a little, turning toward the receiver. "Yeah...I do too. I'll see you in a little bit. Okay..." Becky laughed aloud, leaning her head on the back of the couch. "How can you even say that? You're going to see me in less than two hours! You're crazy, that's what I think."

Becky lowered her voice a little as Delany came down and sat on the couch next to her, absentmindedly munching on a pint of triple-chunk chocolate ice cream.

"Okay...okay Gary! Yes. I promise. Okay! See you soon." Becky clicked the button on the phone and shook her head. "Jeez, you would think I wasn't going to see him again for a year or something!"

Delany shook her head. "I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

Becky raised one eyebrow as she got up from the couch and put the phone back on the charger. She went into the kitchen and grabbed a spoon before responding. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing dear, I just... well, you got hurt really bad not too long again - remember?"

Becky stiffened. "Yeah, Del. I really don't think I would forget that." Her voice was cold, but her sudden change in emotions didn't stop her from shoving her spoon into Delany's pint and taking out a bite. "But, don't worry, that's not going to happen to me again. Jacob Jones was a superstar whose only purpose was to use me, remember?"

Delany furrowed her brow and squirmed a little on her seat. After Becky left Africa, Jim had sat her down and told the whole story of Jacob Jones. While she still considered him a rascal she realized that much of the reason why they fell apart was a misunderstanding - and a lack of time to resolve it.

"Actually, I remember more the way that you looked at him and the way that you planned that whole day for him. Did you ever even look at those pictures I got developed?"

Becky took another huge scoop of ice cream and shoved it all in her mouth, willing to take on the brain freeze in order to avoid answering the question right away. The last thing she wanted to think about now was Jacob Jones, especially with the way Delany was talking. Becky would think Del would have been happy for her, finally moving on? But no, the instant that she tried to put Africa behind her, someone always had to drag her back...

"As a matter of fact, I haven't had the time." Becky said stonily and Delany just shook her head.

"You should, they are really fun. There aren't any of you and Jacob kissing or something like that, so I don't know what you're so worried about. I know Africa brings back bad memories for you, but you loved the place so much. Can't you remember the time before him at least? Or maybe lose your bitterness?"

Delany hesitated for a moment. She knew that Becky wasn't going to like what she was going to say next but she couldn't help it. She didn't like what was happening between Becky and Gary. Sure, Jake and her had been very quick, but it was also fresh. This thing between Gary was quick and...well... it smelled of rebound.

"You know, I heard Dr. Phil say that you know you're over a person when you don't have feelings anymore. It's when there is no more anger, or hurt, or frustration that you know you can truly move on..."

Becky shoved her spoon into Delany's pint and stood up from the couch. "What are you trying to say, Delany? What is your point here? Last that I knew, Jacob didn't want anything to do with me. So I'm not quite sure how I'm not supposed to move on, by your Dr. Phil quotation."

"Becks, that's not what I meant -" But before Delany could finish her sentence, Becky had disappeared into her back bedroom. Delany bit her lip in confusion and frustration. She didn't know how to talk to Becky - anything about her relationship that wasn't something positive got her so piping mad she wouldn't even listen to her. It wasn't like her to get so mad so fast, at least not with her own cousin. She had to know that Delany only had the best of intentions.

The cousin shook her head and continued eating. She figured she had better just lay off. It was just her and Becky in the apartment now and they needed to stick together.

----

Becky pouted in her room. She really didn't like how Delany was ragging on her. Just because Del is unhappy now that Jim is gone she's taking it all out on my happiness. Sure, Becky could realize how Delany was feeling a little left out maybe, but really, was it necessary to bring Jacob back into the picture?

She sighed and sat on her bed, drawing her knees up to her chin. She was trying to be sensitive to Delany but after she had reacted this morning when she came in and now... well, she just needed to mind her own business.

Becky thought back to the last night and shivered. That was intense, to say the least. To tell the truth, she could barely remember it. It was all just one, crazy blur.

But the best part is that instead of hopping on a plane and running away, this boy is staying right by my side.

Becky heard a fainting knocking on the front door of the apartment. She felt a smile explode on her face. She should have known that Gary wouldn't wait the couple of hours to see her. In an instant she was off the bed and running to answer the door.

"My love!" Gary put his arms around Becky and dipped her back into a long, deep kiss. Becky giggled when he finally allowed her to stand up straight again. Delany cleared her throat.

"Oh, I'm sorry Delany; I didn't know you were home." Gary said, not taking his eyes off Becky. Delany raised an eyebrow.

"It's a good thing I am, I don't want what would be happening if I wasn't." Delany was unable to hide her look of disgust as Gary waggled his eyebrows with sexual innuendo.

Becky ushered Gary in and closed the door after him. "Oh, don't worry about her. She's just upset because Jim left, you know."

Delany glared and went back to her room, muttering under her breath about how she loved it when her cousin talked about her like she wasn't even in the room. Neither of the love birds seemed to notice her departure.

"So, how are you?" Gary asked as he pulled her onto his lap on the couch, nuzzling his nose into her neck. She giggled again and then shrugged.

"Just about the same that I was less than 10 hours ago, silly!" She leaned in close to him, inhaling his fresh scent.

"Mmm, I don't know, the feeling is starting to wear off for me a little. I wouldn't mind a little refresher..." Gary started to travel his hands over her body. Becky quickly slapped them away.

"Gary! You just stop right -"

Gary pulled her even closer to him. "Oh, come on, your cousin is in her room you know, it wouldn't be a big deal to just - "

"Are you serious?! Get your hands off me!" Becky couldn't stop laughing, but her appall was real. It was certainly flattering to see him so enthralled in her but if he actually was trying to suggest -!

Gary held up his hands and laughed, his curly blonde hair bouncing. "Ok, ok! I was just kidding, you know."

Becky smiled, "Yeah, I know." She leaned in to give him a kiss, but the phone rang. She groaned, but got up from his lap. "I have to answer it; Delany refuses to since it might be Jim."

Becky grabbed it on the third ring and hit the button, walking the portable over to the couch as she said hello.

"Oh, hey Jim! Haha, I thought it might be you! How is New York? Did you find everything ok?"

Becky mouthed, "It's Jim" to Gary, who nodded. She then focused her attention on the telephone conversation.

"What? Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? For that long?! Jimmy, honey, I hate to say this but how do you get lost for that many hours. Did you not ask for directions?" She paused and then giggled. "Touché! I guess maybe you just need the woman's touch of figuring out whom to ask, eh?"

Becky leaned against the arm of the couch, listening intently. As much as she knew he missed Delany, it was obvious he was happy in New York. "Really, you already have stuff to do? Oh, baby, that's great! I'm so glad that you like it. And I'm glad that they weren't kidding about needing you either, you're going to get so much experience from that and your name will be in the credits for the blockbuster of the season!"

She turned away from Gary quickly and lowered her voice a little. "Of course not, Jim. You being on that particular set makes no difference to me whatsoever. I'm only excited for you. You are on your way to everything you have ever wanted."

Becky nodded and bit her lip as she listened to more of Jim's worries. "I know, it must be so hard. She's kind of cranky, but she's dealing. But you know, I'm barely keeping it together! No kidding, I miss you munches of bunches. Do you know how much ice cream you are going to owe me when you get back?" She smiled. "I'll do my best to get her to talk to you, but no promises, ok? Let me go see - just in case she hangs up before I get a chance to say good-bye let me say that I love you and I hope things keep going well... and that you memorize the route to your hotel."

Becky made a kissing noise into the phone as she walked it down the hall. Much to Becky’s surprise, it didn’t take a lot of persuasion before Delany agreed to take the phone and talk to her boyfriend. Becky was shaking her head as she came back into the living room and plopped down next to Gary.

"That boy is living his dream, let me tell you."

Gary nodded, not responding. They were silent for a moment before he spoke. "So, what is Jim to you?"

Becky looked over at Gary, puzzled. "What do you mean? Like... relation?" Becky took Gary's silence for a yes. "Well, technically, he's nothing. But I've known him for so long I love him to death. He's like a big brother to me."

"A big brother whom you make kissing noises to."

Becky smiled. "Oh yes, you have to love it. But don't worry; there has never been anything like that between him and I. I mean, I guess he used to have a crush on me and for a while I was jealous of Delany but that was so long ago, I barely even remember. Now we just hug and rely on each other for everything."

Gary was silent for a moment more before he responded, his voice cold. "Well, I don't like it."

Becky blinked. A cold chill ran down her back at the tone in his voice. Her brain clouded over for a moment with the inability to understand. "What? Don't like what?"

"What you just said. That you and Jim hug and say I love you and kiss - that's just not right for two people who aren't even related. I don't like it and I don't think you should do it."

Becky opened her mouth, unable to respond. Did he really just say that? Becky couldn't believe it - Gary was actually jealous of Jim. But not only that, he was telling her that she couldn't be herself around Jim? Shocked, she said the only think that she could think of. "O...k... but you know, you don't have to be worried about anything. Jim and Delany are definitely going to be together forever -"

"Well then maybe you should respect that? I can't imagine that Delany likes you all over her boyfriend. It makes you seem very needy you know. I doubt people like that about you."

Becky sat next to him, completely flabbergasted. What in the world was she supposed to say to all of this? Since when did Gary have the personality to say something like that? Desperately she tried to think of some way to change the subject when a great crash and a wail came from Delany's room. Becky jumped on the opportunity.

"Wow, that really didn't sound good. Listen, I'm really sorry Gary, I know you just got here but I really think I should take care of my cousin. She and I aren't getting along so well and I think she could use someone to really talk to..."

Gary stared at her for a moment, looking unwilling to go, but when another crash came from the room, he put his feelings aside. "Ok, I guess so." He got up and went to the door where she gave him a quick good-bye kiss. "I'll see you tonight." He said and then left.

Becky stared at the door as he closed it behind him, unable to capture all the emotions. What was going on? What was that huge jealousy bit that came out of nowhere? And even his last comment - tonight? When had they made plans for tonight?

She bit her lip, unable to distinguish her feelings. Eventually she just shook her head. There is just something wrong with every one today, she decided. It'll all be right again tomorrow.

"The Other Side - Chapter 37" 

Madame