Two-Way Monologues

Kendra led Anya to the bathroom as soon as the Bandits finished their set.

“Oh my God, they were so amazing!” Anya gushed. She wet a paper towel and wiped her face with it. “Gross, I’m sweating.”

“Well duh, you were just dancing around like you were on speed for the last fourty-five minutes.” Kendra laughed. She wiped off some of her smeared eyeliner. “So, what’s that girl’s name? The one from your job.”

“Ginny! I love Ginny!” Any said excitedly. “I’m so glad she and Rene came. Oh my God, and Jennie, and Quinn, and Ben, and Max, oh and Ashley, and Katie, and-“

“I get the point.” Kendra put a hand on Anya’s shoulder to calm her down. “It was like a fucking college reunion out there. Alright, but this Ginny girl. What’s here deal?”

“Oooh! You think she’s cute?” Anya arched an eye-brow. “Oooh la la.”

“Oh shut up.” Kendra blushed. Three girls came into the bathroom and started checking themselves out in the mirror.

“Oh my God, the bass player is so hot.” One of the girls said. She toyed with her thick black bangs.

“No way, the drummer. Would love to run my hands through his hair while he-“ The girl wiggled her eye-brows and the girls all burst into laughter. “I hear there’s an after party so I might just get my chance.”

Anya’s eyes widened and she shot Kendra a look. Kendra had to stifle her laughter. The girls looked like they had to use fake ID cards to get into the 18+ club.

“Come on Anya, let’s get out of here.” Kendra grabbed her arm and exited the bathroom quickly. “Can you believe them?”

Anya flipped her hair and put on her valley girl voice. “Like, it’s past my bedtime, but like, like I totally want to hook up with the drummer ‘cuz like, um, like statutory rape is cool!”

“You’re terrible.” Kendra was laughing so hard that she had to clutch her stomach. Her laughter stopped when she saw the look on Anya’s face. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Bryan’s here.”

“What!” Kendra scanned the dark club, trying to find him. “What the fuck is he doing here?”

*

Adrian collapsed onto the nearest couch. “Fucking hell, that was our best show.”

“We nailed it.” Carter agreed, falling down on top of him.

“We killed it.” Lucas piled on top of him. Adrian groaned underneath them, trying to push them off.

“We’re gonna get signed.” Tom added to the pile.

“You’re gonna crush me to death.” Adrian’s voice was muffled.

“Always a baby.” Lucas laughed as each of the boys got off and took their own seats.

“Where the fuck is Rick?” Tom asked about their manager. “I want to meet this guy from the record company and then I want to go home with my woman.”

“What?” Carter took offense. “You’re not going to Kendra and Anya’s place? They’re throwing us a party! Mad people from school are here.”

“Hot girls.” Lucas added. “Oh, I guess you don’t care about that part. But I’m excited.”

“I’ll go for a little bit. But I’ve got a woman and I’ve got plans, if you know what I mean…” Tom laughed.

“My back is fucking killing me. I want a drink, that’s what I want. A serious drink not a fucking beer.” Adrian stretched out.

“I’m sure Anya will hook you up with a massage.” Carter laughed.

“Fuck you.” Adrian gave Carter a half-hearted shove. He was too exhausted to do anything more.

“Come on, we saw you two getting cozy on the couch.” Lucas reminded him.

“She’s drunk.” Adrian shrugged. “Nothing happened and nothing will happen.” The guys stared at him, clearly not believing a word he said. “Oh, fuck you guys, I’m going to find Rick.”
*

Adrian made his way into the club. He’d been there a million times but it would never be the same again, now that he had viewed it from the stage. It had been a complete rush to look out at the crowd and see that every single person in there was loving their music. Especially being able to see so many of his friends there. Of course, Anya and Kendra were up front, dancing and singing along to all of their songs. Adrian smiled thinking about her. Anya. He took her behavior from before the show as a good sign. Now what it was a sign of- that was a completely different issue. Adrian spotted Anya in the crowd. He started to weave his way through the crowd to get to her; people kept stopping him to tell him how awesome the band did. Adrian thanked them politely but was on a bit of a mission.

“Anya!” He called her name over the loud music that the DJ was playing. She turned her head towards him and immediately he knew something was wrong. That’s when Adrian noticed Kendra standing next to her, both girls were starring at Bryan, who was in turn starring at Adrian.

“Adrian. Good to see you man.” Bryan stuck out his hand towards Adrian but the other man only stared. Catching the hint, Bryan shifted awkwardly and put his hand in his pocket. “I was just introducing Anya and Kendra to my girlfriend. Melanie, this is Adrian, he’s also a friend from college.”

“Friend?” Adrian said the word scornfully. Maybe they had been friends at one time but….

“Girlfriend? Oh don’t be silly Bry.” Melanie, a tall, thin, white-blonde woman, whose clothes looked like they cost more than Adrian’s rent, grabbed a hold of Bryan’s arm and stuck out her left hand. “I’m his fiancé.”

Anya’s eyes widened at the sight of the large rock on the other girls hand. Kendra looped her arm through Anya’s, providing her with support.

“I have to say,” Melanie continued, oblivious to the tension. Bryan was looking away and suddenly seemed to be breaking out in a sweat. “Anya, Bryan told me that you two were such close friends during college, I can’t believe I’m just now meeting you.”

“Melanie, I don’t think-“

“We’re getting married this summer. You all have to be there. I absolutely insist on it.” Melanie smile brightly at them and Adrian wondered how someone could possibly be so clueless. The pained look on Anya’s face should have been enough to make the girl stop talking. “Bryan’s told me what wonderful friends you all were to him, especially you Anya.”

“I-I-I.” Anya gaped, unable to find any words. She was pulling at her skirt, twisting the fabric in her hands and Adrian knew she was trying hard not to cry.

“I’m sorry to pull her away, but Anya, I need your help.” Adrian said quickly. “Melanie, it was nice meeting you. Bryan, always a pleasure.” Adrian took Anya’s hand and started to tug her away; Kendra, who was still holding onto Anya, followed suit. When they safely backstage Adrian stopped. “Baby are you okay?”

“I don’t feel so good.” Anya said weakly.

“Let me take you home, okay?” Kendra stroked her friend’s back gently.

“The after-party.” Anya reminded her. She scrubbed at her eye with her hand. She really didn’t feel good. Everything was spinning and she thought she might throw up. “I really don’t feel so good.”

“It’s okay Baby, hang on.” Adrian led her to a near-by seat.

“We can tell everyone the party is off.” Kendra offered. “They’ll understand.”

“No, we can’t do that.” Anya moaned; feeling even worse.

“I’ll take you back to my place, okay? You can stay there tonight.” Adrian offered, stroking his hand through her hair.

“But you gotta go to the party.” Anya shook her head and then realized that was a bad idea.

“I don’t feel like partying anyway.” Adrian insisted. “It’s okay, let me take you to my place.”

“Yeah, hun, that’s a good idea.” Kendra agreed. She knew if anyone was going to make Anya feel any better it was going to be Adrian.

“Okay.” Anya laid her head back against the wall. “I’m sorry….so sorry.”

“It’s okay baby, don’t be sorry. I’ll be right back with your coat, okay?” Adrian dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“Thanks Adrian.” Anya smiled up at him sadly.