“Hey, Mandy do you think—” Stephanie walked through the adjoining door from Mandy’s room into Shane’s, only to see both Mandy and Shane asleep on the pull-out couch. They were facing each other, their left hands intertwined, Mandy’s leg stretched out on top of Shane’s. Smiling slightly, Stephanie quietly turned and walked back out of the room.
When are they going to realize what’s right in front of them? she couldn’t help but wonder.
*
Mandy stretched her arms sleepily and let them flop down. They landed on something hard. And that something hard grunted. Startled, Mandy opened her eyes and looked around her. This room was the opposite of hers. Literally—everything was like a mirror image. Other than that, there were clothes strewn everywhere, and Polo Sport wafted through the air. Her sleep-deprived mind quickly deduced that she was in Shane’s room. The sleeping figure of Shane beside her confirmed that assumption.
But what am I doing in Shane’s room? she wondered. Almost as if a floodgate had been opened, memories of last night came tumbling in…
Last Night
After a quick drive home, Robbie went into his room while Shane and Mandy went into Shane’s. Mandy hadn’t said more than two words since they had left the party, and it worried Shane a bit. She walked in limping in her one heel, carrying the broken one, and he took her purse and coat, placing them on a chair near the door all the while never taking his eyes off of her. She had her arms wrapped around her and was simply staring ahead. Her calm demeanour didn’t give off much other than, ya know, calmness. She simply sat down in her dress, crossed her legs, and turned on the TV. A Discovery Channel show about piranhas came on; she stared blankly at the screen. Quietly, he walked over and sat down beside her. Both didn’t say anything for a few moments, before Shane decided to break the silence.
“So…piranhas eh?”
She gave him a sidelong glance, before her lips curled up in a little smirk. “They’re…something else,” she said, after a beat.
“Indeed they are. Wonders of the ocean.”
“…these fish dwell solely in freshwater…” the Discovery Guy corrected Shane through the TV. Mandy giggled.
“You were wrong,” she noted.
“I was.” He agreed, hanging his head in mock-shame. “I can no longer fulfill my childhood dream of being an expert on piranhas.”
Mandy giggled. Her mood had significantly changed since she first walked into his room. She was now back to the smiley girl he knew. Before he could say anything, she turned to him with a mischievous look on her face.
“I have an idea…” she half-whispered, conspiratorially. “Let’s have a sleep-over!” Her face held a look of such giddiness, he couldn’t help but make fun of her.
“Oh YAY! And can we stay up talking about cute boys and painting our toenails!?” he squealed. She gave him a playful shove.
“Nooo…we can just stay up late and watch movies and talk.” She shrugged, doubting her idea a bit now. Seeing her falter, he immediately felt bad.
“Hey…it sounds like a great idea. Get your PJs and whatever you need, then come back in here, `kay?” She grinned.
“`Kay. I’ll be right back!” She bounced into her room and closed the door behind her.
Once inside her room, she tiptoed to Stephanie’s room, only to find her awake and watching TV.
“Hey…” Stephanie greeted when she saw her. “How was the premiere and party?”
“Oh, it was good,” Mandy partially lied, then seeing it was almost two o’clock, asked, “Why are you still awake?” Stephanie shrugged.
“Can’t sleep. What happened to your shoe?” She motioned towards the broken heel Mandy carried in her hand.
“Uh, long story. Listen, I’m spending the night in Shane’s room, just so you know. Is that okay?” Stephanie raised her eyebrows. “It’s not like that, Steph! We’re having a sleepover.” Mandy giggled at Stephanie’s expression. “So, I’m just gonna grab my pyjamas and brush my teeth quickly…” she trailed off, as if waiting for permission.
“Sure, I don’t care. Have fun. Behave,” she added slyly. Mandy through her a ‘you know me better than that’ look and went to change and collect her stuff.
*
Shane looked up as Mandy’s door opened, and she came bouncing back into his room in her flannel pyjama bottoms and a ratty grey t-shirt two sizes too big. Her face was scrubbed free of all make-up and her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. That was something Shane admired about her. Any other girl he’d known would have slinked into his room in her teeniest babydoll, with a face full of evening makeup, hair perfectly curled and sculpted to perfection, and a spritz of vanilla perfume on each wrist. Mandy was different. And that’s what made him view her differently.
“Guess what!?” she said excitedly.
“Tell me.”
“I brought POPCORN!”
See what he meant?
*
Mandy yawned sleepily. It was well past four o’clock in the morning. Her and Shane had pulled out the couch, and were reclining on that for the time being. Various junk food was strewn out around them, a result of Mandy sending Shane out to one of those 24-hour convenience stores in the Lobby. However, all the candy and pop weren’t exactly doing the trick as Mandy felt herself losing steam and her eyes dropped ever so slightly. Shane, in grey track pants and a white t-shirt, tried to keep the ball rolling.
“Hey,” he whispered. She looked up at him. “Truth or dare?” A smile slowly grew on her face.
“Are you joking?” she giggled.
“Nope. Pick one.”
“Mmm…I’m too tired to do anything crazy, so truth.”
“Okay, lemme think…” He changed his voice so that it had a high-pitched pubescent sort of tone. “How far have you gone?”
Mandy laughed. “Nope, try again.”
“Aww… okay.” He unintentionally pouted his lips as he thought, and Mandy couldn’t help but smile at how cute he looked. “Okay, how old were you when you had your first kiss?”
She immediately blushed and chuckled. “You’re gonna laugh at me…I was 16. Wilmer was my first kiss.” Shane looked at her, mildly surprised.
“Was he really?”
“Well, yeah. I got pulled out of school when I was 14, and there weren’t many guy-meeting opportunities on the road. He was my first serious boyfriend, and he was my first real kiss,” she stated simply. Shane nodded.
“Hmm. Okay, your turn.”
“Yup. Truth or dare?”
He smiled impishly. “Dare.” Mandy groaned.
“Now I have to think up a dare!” she complained, jokingly.
“Ohhh, poo’ baby,” he teased. She crinkled her nose at him, mock-angrily.
“Okay, okay, shush, let me think.” She bit her lip unconsciously as her tired mind tried to think up something interesting for Shane to do. Noticing her nervous habit, he playfully tapped her bottom lip with his finger. She smiled tiredly at him and responded with a yawn in his face.
“Mmm,” he joked, “Crestfully Clean.” Mandy giggled.
“I’m sorry. I’m just so—” she yawned again. “—tired.”
“Alright, I’ll let you off the hook this time. But I owe you a dare!”
“How is that letting me off the hook?” she questioned. Shane thought about it for a second, and then shrugged.
“I dunno man, I think I’m delirious too.” Mandy just giggled and started taking the food off the bed.
Once the bed was clean and virtually free of crumbs, Mandy shimmied under the covers and adjusted her pillow. Shane, being ever the gentleman, got up and started going to his own room, half-wanting Mandy to tell him not to, half-realizing she probably wouldn’t.
Mandy bit her lip again, going back and forth on whether or not she should ask him to stay. Of course nothing would happen, they’d just be side by side, but it was the principle…“Hey, Shane,” she began, and then chickened out when he turned towards her.
“Yeah?”
“Goodnight,” she whispered smiling, despite the mental kicks she was giving herself. She saw a flash of something—what, disappointment?—cross his handsome features, but he quickly covered it up with a smile of his own.
“`Night babe.” He turned and went into his own room. Mandy sighed and flopped back down on the bed.
Chickenshit! she thought, frustrated.
*
Mandy wasn’t normally one to have nightmares, but she couldn’t get out of this one.
She was in a forest, clearly during the day. But, no matter which way she turned, trees blocked her view. Even in her subconscious, she knew she was lost. All of a sudden, she heard her name being called by a familiar voice, although she couldn’t place it. Turning once more, she found a clearing and crawled her way through it, feeling the bushes and brambles sharp against her skin, the wet dirt grimy under her palms. As soon as she was able to stand up, she did…only to find herself in the exact same area of the forest she was before, except now it was nighttime. Once again, she found it impossible to find another clearing, and the voice calling her name was coming closer. All of a sudden, a face erupted from the bushes, and Mandy jumped back.
Shane started, as he heard a bump from the TV room. Groggily, he sat up and listened for more noise. He heard Mandy tossing and turning in the other room. Worried, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went to investigate.
The face was clearly Shane’s, but there was something unfamiliar about him. When he spoke, Mandy realized what it was. Yeah, the face was Shane’s—but the voice was Wilmer’s.
Heyyy Mandy, it greeted. Whatcha up to?
Mandy opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. All of a sudden, Shane-Wilmer grasped her around the neck and began to choke her. Mandy gasped and struggled to get his hands off of her neck, but to her horror, found she was sinking into the ground. She was standing on quicksand! Abruptly, Shane’s demeanour changed. He was still choking her, mind you, but he had a worried look on his face.
Mandy? Are you okay? Hey, wake up. Mandy sweetie, wake up wake up wake—
Mandy sat up with a strong gasp, as if she truly was being choked and was just able to take a breath. She looked at Shane wide-eyed and without thinking she threw her arms around his neck. He instinctively hugged her back intensely, worried about what had shaken her up so much.
“Hey, hey…” he said softly. “It’s okay. It was just a dream. Right? Huh?” She nodded shakily. “Okay then? It’s okay…” he whispered soothingly. When he saw she was beginning to calm down and wasn’t so shaky, he guided her towards the bed and she sat.
“Wanna tell me about it?” he asked after a beat. She sighed and looked at him.
“I dunno…” she began, uneasily. He didn’t say anything, but just looked at her, urging her with his eyes to continue when and if she was ready. Seeing the caring in his eyes, she took a deep breath, and quickly came out with it.
His expression changed ever so slightly when she revealed it was his hands that attacked her, from an understanding look to one of slight distress. “Hey,” he began worriedly. “You don’t think…I mean, you know that I would never…”
“Oh Shane! Of course I know that. Hey, it was just a dream, remember?” He nodded uneasily. Mandy took his face in her hands. “Shane. Look at me, you crazy kid. I hold nothing against you. It was a friggin DREAM. It wasn’t real at all. PLUS, it was Wilmer’s voice, right?” With that, Shane brightened.
“Hey, Yeah!! Jerk!” he said gleefully. Mandy laughed out loud.
“Oh Shane, what would I do without you?” she asked in a rhetorical, affectionate way. Shane shrugged happily.
“Anyway, you should probably go back to sleep now. I’ll just be in the next room, if you need me.” He started to get up and go when Mandy stopped him.
“Um, Shane?” He turned. “Do you think maybe…maybe you could…um…” Shane gave her a quirky smile, and spared her having to spit it out.
“Yes, I will. Respectfully so, of course,” he added quickly, and Mandy nodded.
“Yes, yes, of course,” she said, mock-authoritatively. “I’m just—” she faltered. “I know it’s silly, but I don’t really want to…be alone.”
“Hey.” He got under the covers and looked at her. “You never have to explain yourself to me, okay? I understand.” Looking into his eyes, Mandy knew he really did.
“Okay,” she said, smiling softly. He smiled back in the same way, leaned over, and kissed her cheek—maybe lingering a bit longer than required.
“`Night Shane,” she mumbled, already beginning to fall asleep.
“Goodnight Mandy,” he replied, admiring how pretty she was when she slept.
Eyes still closed, Mandy reached over and grabbed his hand. He softly stroked the top of it with his thumb. Both fell asleep quicker than they hand in a long time.
Back to That Morning
Sitting up, Mandy looked at the time. It was almost noon.
I’m surprised Jon hasn’t called Mandy thought. Sensing the shift in the bed, Shane sluggishly awoke, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Blinking awake, surprise crossed his features as he saw Mandy, but quickly vanished as he remembered why she was there.
“Hey,” he said, his voice hoarse and scratchy.
“Ooh,” Mandy teased, her own voice a bit croaky. “Sexy voice…” He laughed.
“That makes two of us,” he teased back. She grinned at him. He took in her dishevelled ‘morning’ appearance, with her hair poking up in different directions, a crease on her face from her pillow, and her sleepy eyes. He grinned back at her and stroked her hair softly, smoothing it down. She unconsciously leaned into his hand. “I’m gonna go brush my teeth, okay?” She nodded sleepily, lying back down. Shane got up, stretched, and then started coughing. Mandy sat up worriedly.
“Hey. Are you okay?” she asked, concerned. He nodded.
“Yeah…I think so. My throat hurts a little bit though.” He grimaced as he swallowed. “Maybe more than a bit.” Mandy walked over to him and placed her palm on his forehead.
“You’re burning up!” she exclaimed. “Okay, that’s it, back into bed.”
“Yes, mommy,” he teased, before bursting into a coughing fit. After he calmed down, he looked up to see Mandy’s stern face looking down on him. “Okay, okay…” he crawled back under the covers, just as the phone rang.
“Hello?” Mandy answered. “Oh hey, Jon…Yeah, the premiere was great, a lot of people enjoyed it…Yeah, but we didn’t stay for long…I dunno, around one, one-thirty, maybe…Yup…Yup…I know…He is…Oh, actually he’s a little tired right now…” Mandy glanced over at Shane who looked like he was about to fall asleep again. “So when’s our flight tomorrow?…No, I think we’re probably ready to go…Okay, I’ll talk to you later then…I will…I know…Uh-huh…Okay, bye…Yup, bye.” She hung up and looked at Shane again who was now definitely back asleep. “Shane?” she whispered.
“Mmm?” he grunted, half-opening his eyes. He was about to say something else, when he started coughing again, a hoarse, bone-rattling cough.
“Oh!” Mandy cried, sympathetically. “Here, I’ll get you some juice, hang on.” Figuring Shane wouldn’t have any, she went back into her own room. The first thing she saw on the fridge was a note from Stephanie that said that she went to do some sightseeing with Q, and Robbie was checking out the resorts facilities, so Mandy should stay in for today. That was fine by Mandy. She grabbed the orange juice container out of the fridge and went to take it back to Shane.
*
They had moved back and forth between the two rooms throughout the coarse of the day, but ultimately ended up back in Shane’s. Mandy had taken it upon herself to buy some cough medicine for him, and he was pretty doped up at the time being. Mandy just flipped channels on the TV as he slept beside her. Feeling a shift in the bed, she looked over at him to see he was moving positions. She was lying back with her head on a pillow, a position that didn’t look too good for her neck. Shane, in his sleepy daze, shuffled closer to her and put his head on her stomach. She smiled down at him and started playing with his hair, running her fingers through it and attempting to braid it. It seemed to be having a calming effect on him, because he slept sounder than he had been all day.
*
It was night again, and Shane appeared to be feeling better. They were playing cards. Despite Shane’s request to play Strip Poker (a sure sign he was feeling better), they ended up playing War.
They flipped their cards in a concentrated silence. Something Shane hadn’t known about Mandy was that she tended to get quite competitive.
“War!” she shouted out suddenly, slamming her hand on the cards, when they both put down a Jack. Realizing it was their last card, and that her pile of cards was bigger than Shane’s, she started doing a little victory dance sitting down on the bed. Shane couldn’t stop laughing, even though each laugh turned into a heaving cough.
“Hey, hey,” Mandy giggled. “I’m stopping. I don’t wanna kill you!” She leaned in and took his shoulders. “It’s gonna be oh-kay,” she mock-reassured.
Maybe it was the cough medicine, maybe it was Shane’s state of sick delirium, maybe it was the way the moonlight shone through the window and illuminated her best features. Whatever it was, Shane found himself glancing down at her lips every so often as he moved closer and closer. The fact that Mandy wasn’t pulling away, the fact that maybe, just maybe, she was moving closer too, that helped.
It wasn’t a long kiss, or a very passionate one for that matter. It was a simple kiss, expressing not-so-simple feelings. When they pulled away, Shane looked at Mandy and Mandy looked at Shane. They were no awkward silences, no trying to fill in voids. Just small smiles and blushing cheeks. Sighing, Shane brushed a lock of hair out of her face.
“I think I kinda liked that,” he said to her, his voice husky from his sore throat.
“I think I kinda did too,” Mandy agreed, before leaning in again.
The Next Morning
Having fallen asleep in the same bed for the second night in a row, Shane was the first to awake. From his clear head and non-scratchy throat, he deduced that his sickness was a 24-Hour thing. Good stuff he thought, happily. Looking down beside him he saw Mandy, just waking up. More good stuff. He smiled and looked down at her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. She was about to say something when she sneezed.
“Bless you,” he said.
“Thank you,” she tried to say, but her voice came out in a scratchy gasp. Curiously, she cleared her throat and tried again. This time, he could understand what she was saying, but her voice wasn’t much better. He realized what had happened before she did. But it didn’t take her long. After a coughing fit, she glared at him.
“You gave me your cold!” she mouthed, accusingly. Shane looked at her apologetically. She shrugged, her mood changing. “It was worth it.”