“So how’d the audition go?” Shane asked. They were driving back to Mandy’s place.
“Pretty good,” Mandy replied. “At least I hope so!” She chuckled nervously.
“Aww…” Shane took her hand. “I’m sure you did amazing. Have they said anything about getting back to you?”
“Yeah, they mentioned that they’d be getting in contact with Jon, so I guess that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah,” Shane agreed. “That’s totally a good thing. When I’m turned down from auditions, they’ll be like ‘You can leave now, thanks.’ Sometimes they don’t even say ‘thanks’…” he added, dryly.
“Aww, baby!” Mandy leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I would say thanks.”
“Oh, thank you.” Shane looked at her and grinned. “I appreciate that.”
Mandy shrugged happily. “I try. Oh, and guess what?”
“Chicken butt,” Shane responded, not missing a beat.
“Besides that.”
He chuckled. “What?”
“They want me to cut my hair.” She crinkled up her nose. “And I have to go back to blonde.”
Shane looked at her, distressed. “Noo… I like it brown. And how short are they making you cut it?”
“I know, so do I! And they want it to go to about here.” Mandy motioned towards her chin. “I don’t want to cut it, but I really want the part. And the fact that they’re making me cut it must mean they’re seriously considering me, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I still like this though.” Shane ran his fingers through her hair.
“Shane.” She grasped his hand. “Support, please!”
“Sorry baby.” He changed his mood. “Oh Mandy!” he practically squealed. “Any hair colour would look absolutely darling on you!”
She playfully punched him in the arm. “You’re great.”
“I try.” He leaned forward to kiss her, but she turned away. “Ohhh…so that’s how it’s gonna be. Okay, fine.” He turned back to face the road. Worried he was angry, Mandy stole a glance at him. His lips were doing that cute pouty thing, which meant he was thinking. Plotting, if you will.
“What—?” she started to ask warily, when he interrupted her.
“How’s about this,” he spoke up suddenly. She turned to him. “Let’s see who can go the longest without kissing the other.”
Mandy gaped at him. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope.”
“What’s the reward?”
“Umm…the person who loses has to do whatever the other person says for one whole day.” Mandy gave him a Look. “Within reason,” he added, hastily.
“Okay, it’s a deal. What say we…kiss on it?” she said, grinning slyly.
“Only if you kiss me,” Shane replied, shrewdly.
“Nope!” Mandy cried. “You can’t trick me! We’ll shake on it.”
“Fine.” He held out his hand and she shook it.
“You’re going down,” she informed him.
He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“You’re right, we will!” Mandy promised. After a beat, she reached over and pinched his arm, just for good measure.
*
Mandy took a bite out of her bagel, and readjusted the laptop before tucking her leg underneath her in a more comfortable position. She was about to continue typing a reply to her friend Alyssa when suddenly an IM popped up.
-Hey you
She recognized Shane’s screen name and smiled. Hey me she typed back.
S-Ha. lol, what’re you up to?
M-Not much…eating “dinner”…bagel and cream cheese, mmm…
S-You, my dear, need to eat more.
M-Meh. I’m never hungry…
S-Do I have to force feed you?
M-Yeah, can you please.
S-Hey! You watch your mouth, missy.
M-Shaaaaddaaaap
S-That’s it. I’m coming over there right now.
M-To kissss meee? *smooch*
S-You’re evil incarnate.
M-I try.
The phone ringing disrupted her end of the conversation.
M-brb, the phone rang…
S-yup
She picked it up and answered it. “Hello?”
“Mandy!” It was Jon. “Boy, do I have news for you.”
“Good news or bad news?” Mandy asked immediately. Her instant messenger beeped and she saw Shane had written la la la…. She chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing. So, good or bad?”
“Good! Good, good, good—You got the part!”
Mandy gasped. “I got the part!?”
“You. Got. The. Part.”
“YES!” She quickly typed to Shane: Call me in five minutes, I have GOOD NEWS!, before logging off. “That’s great! Well, when do I start? Where is it?”
“Well…”
*
Mandy wrung her hands nervously, clasping and unclasping them. Shane had called and she had told him to come over. That was five minutes ago. He should be here any minute now, she reassured herself. Sure enough, as soon as she thought that, there was a knock at the door. She got up and answered it.
“Hey,” Shane greeted, leaning in to kiss her. At the last minute, he stopped and pulled back. Mandy looked at him quizzically, her lips slightly pouted in preparation for his kiss. “A deal’s a deal,” he reminded. A look of understanding crossed her features, and she pouted even more, purposely this time.
“Oh, fine. Anyway, sit down, I have something to tell you.” She motioned towards the couch.
“Hey, I forgot—congratulations about getting the part!” Keeping in mind he couldn’t kiss her, he reached out and shook her hand. She smiled, amused at how far he was taking this.
“Thanks sweetie. Okay, now for my news.”
“What, there’s more news?”
“Yeah…and it’s not as good.”
Shane looked at her worriedly. “I’m listening…”
“Well—” She was interrupted by a catchy tune that only a cell phone could make.
Shane patted at his pockets before pulling out his small Nokia. “Hey,” he greeted, obviously knowing who it was on the other line. “What—now? But we already shot that scene…oh man…Okay, gimme ten minutes.” He pressed the ‘off’ button and turned to look at Mandy. “Baby, I’m sorry, but they need me down at the set. They’re re-shooting a scene that I’m in.”
Mandy was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she couldn’t help but ask: “Scene?”
Shane looked at her funny. “Yeah…for the TV show I’m on…Once and Again…”
“Ohhh! Oh Shane, I’m sorry, I’m such a dunce. I knew that…” She sighed, smacking her forehead.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it…so what’s on your mind?”
She looked startled. “Oh—oh, it’s not important, I’ll tell you later, okay?”
He looked at her warily. “Sure…Okay.” He shrugged. “It’s up to you.” He stood up, grabbed his coat and made his way to the door. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah sweetie, don’t worry about it. It’s not that big of a deal anyway.” She smiled at him reassuringly and, after some gentle persuasion, he left. Mandy closed the door behind him and then leaned against it heavily, sighing. “I’m going to Vancouver,” she informed her empty apartment. “Didja know?”
*
“WHAT?” Shane was in shock.
Evan Rachel Wood sighed heavily. She knew he wouldn’t take to it well. “They’ve decided to cancel it. It’s official.” She hated to see him in so much distress…especially considering she cared for him as if he actually were her brother. Okay, that was a lie. If he was her brother and she cared for him as much as she did, it would be illegal. See, Evan had a little crush. Understatement. Evan had a BIG crush. She was in love with Shane West. And, as far as she knew, he was single…so this was a good thing.
Shane flopped down on a set couch, his head in his hands. Evan, gathering up her courage, sat beside him and put her hand on his back, stroking up and down. He was a little uncomfortable with her blatant display of affection—they were close, but not that close—although he said nothing about it. Thankfully, Billy Campbell came and sat heavily down beside Shane.
“So you heard the bad news, huh.” It wasn’t so much a question as it was a statement. Everyone had heard the “bad news”.
“Yeah…it’s so fuckin’ ridiculous, I swear to God. Like, you go on the Internet, and you see a thousand ‘Keep Once and Again Alive’ petitions. People have sent emails, letters, death threats…What more do they want!?” Frustrated, Shane buried his face in his hands again.
Other cast members came and went, comforting and seeking comfort. They shot the scene they needed to, and then gave everyone permission to leave. The final episode would be on April 15th, less than a month away. They’d shoot the final episode in a week and a half. Shane couldn’t believe it. This show was his life! He couldn’t imagine not doing it anymore. The past three years seemed like a century, although they went by in a flash. He had established friendships, began to make himself known…And it was going to be all over. There was only one thought that kept invading his jumbled mind:
This. Sucks.
*
“What do you mean you can’t come with me?” Mandy was near tears. “But mum, I need you with me! I’m gonna be in Vancouver by myself?” Wiping her eyes, she sniffled and listened to her mom explain the circumstances. “Yes, but—No, I know grandma needs you, but—”So do I…. “Can daddy come?…But I’m going to be there for over a month!…Yes, I know I have Steph, but she’s not you guys…I dunno if Bonnie will be allowed…Shane?” Mandy practically dropped the phone at her mother’s suggestion. “What? You trust a boy?…True, he is different…Yeah, you would have let Wilmer come…No, I know. I know the rules: ‘No boys in your room—no matter what room, No kissing, No drinking, No cheating, No stealing, No coveting your neighbour’s goods—’” Mandy began, mocking her mother in a high-pitched voice. Mrs. Moore reprimanded her daughter for being disrespectful, and Mandy just laughed. She was in better spirits now at the mention of Shane’s name and the fact that he had permission to come with her. She talked to her mother for another couple minutes, before hanging up.
Feeling lighter than she had in awhile, Mandy picked up the phone and dialled Shane’s number.
*
Shane returned to his pad with a heavy heart, carelessly dropping his coat on the floor. He tossed his keys on the counter and they skidded across it and fell on the floor. Whatever he thought dismissively. The blinking light of his answering machine caught his eye, and he turned it on.
“Hey Shane, it’s Mandy!” He smiled slightly, although it was the last thing he felt like doing, as he opened the fridge and pulled out a Pepsi. “Um, listen, remember how I had news for you? Well, call me back, because I have to tell it to you, and have to ask you something! So…call me back!” The machine clicked, and then rewound. Taking a swig of his soda, he picked up his phone and dialled her number. After two rings, she picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hey baby,” he greeted in a low voice.
“Shane! Hi. You got my message?”
“Yup.” Took another sip.
“Okay, well, I kind of don’t want to tell you over the phone…”
“Please, can you just? I don’t feel like coming over.” I don’t feel like leaving my house ever again…
“Oh.” She seemed taken aback.
As if it’s sooo surprising that I don’t respond to her beck-and-call he thought bitterly, but immediately felt guilty about it. He was just mad because of his show; he had no right to take it out on her.
“Okay, so I’ll just tell you,” she continued. “Um, you know how I made the part in the movie? Well, it’s being filmed in Vancouver.”
“Far,” he commented, putting his almost full can of Pepsi back in the fridge. He wasn’t thirsty anymore.
“Well, not…really. It’s on the same coast as L.A. It’s just, ya know, in another country.” Something’s wrong she picked up. “What’s wrong?”
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Nothing. It’s no big deal.” Why he didn’t just tell her, he’ll never know. In fact, she’d probably be very supportive. But he didn’t want to talk about it. That was his problem. Something bad would happen and he’d keep it all in until it blew up in his face.
“Are you sure?”
She was just trying to be nice and helpful. But he couldn’t control his raging nerves. “Yes, Mandy,” he replied, testily. “I’m sure. Back the fuck off,” he added before he could stop himself, and immediately regretted it.
There was silence on the other end, then: “Okay.” She said it in such a tiny voice, he wished he could reach through the phone and hug her. He was about to apologize when she interrupted. “Anyway, I’ll let you go. I just wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to Vancouver with me, but it’s okay if, like, you can’t or whatever, so I’ll call you before I leave—I’m leaving in two days, by the way—and I’ll call you when I’m there, okay?” He started to realize that when she was nervous or upset, she rambled. Before he could think to say anything, she continued: “Okay so, um, `bye Shane.”
“Mandy—” *click* She had hung up on him. He stared at the phone for a few seconds, letting that sink in, until anger and frustration hit him. “Fuck!” He whipped his phone at the couch, where it bounced on the soft padding before tumbling to the floor, unharmed. He kicked the counter with his socked toe, and immediately regretted it when he felt the shooting pain in his foot. “Fuck!” he swore again, hobbling to the couch. Once there, he sat down and dropped his face in his hands for what seemed like the millionth time that day, trying to prevent his frustrated tears from falling. He had messed up big time, and he knew that. If there was only some way he could make it up to her… As if a light bulb had clicked on over his head, he got a flash of inspiration. He knew exactly what he would do—it involved a few phone calls though.
Picking the bruised phone off the floor, he dialled three numbers. Once the automated voice came on, Shane spoke: “Bonnie Sommerdale, of the Las Angeles area.”
Two Days Later
Bonnie looked around the airport nervously. Mandy was leaving in five minutes, and there was still no sign of Shane.
He had surprised her with his phone call a couple nights ago, explaining what had occurred between him and Mandy, and his need to make it better. All he needed from her was some information as to the where’s and when’s, and he was set. His plan was to surprise Mandy at the airport with a bouquet of flowers and an apology. Bonnie, knowing Mandy as well as she did, knew that her best friend would absolutely melt, so she happily provided Shane with the information he needed. But now, with Mandy getting ready to hand in her ticket, and Shane nowhere in site, Bonnie wasn’t so confident in her him.
*
“Come on, come on!” Shane sat impatiently, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. Besides being stopped at every single light, he was now waiting for an old lady to cross the street with her yappy poodle that sniffed every piece of garbage on the road, and then licked it for good measure. “There’s such a thing as abusing the privilege of being a pedestrian!” Shane called out his window. To his extreme surprise, the lady turned around and gave him the finger! “Oh, that’s it.” He honked his horn, and the stupid dog yelped and ran, the lady quickly following it.
“Hooligan!” she cried out after Shane.
“Nice meeting you too, ma’am!” he called back sarcastically, although he was certain she didn’t hear him. Grumbling, he looked at the dozen roses beside him. This better work…
*
Mandy could not for the life of her figure why Bonnie was prolonging her stay in the airport. She was going to miss her flight! Sighing, Mandy let her mind wander to Shane. Still angry, she had wrestled with the idea of calling him, and finally gave in. Just as her luck would have it, his answering machine came on. Reluctant to leave a message—she didn’t want him to think she was pushover…that he could talk to her that way and she’d still come running back to him. So, she hung up after a few seconds of breathing into the phone. Oh what she wouldn’t give for him to be here now…To apologize to me, naturally she thought quickly, covering up the betrayal of her own mind.
“Mandy.” Her mom was calling her. “You have to board the plane now, honey.” Mandy nodded, swallowed the lump in her throat and took her carry-on from her dad.
“Okay, bye mommy.” Mandy went to give her mom a hug, when she noticed her mom’s gaze wander over her head. Mandy turned and followed her mother’s gaze…to a breathless Shane jogging into the airport, his clothes dishevelled, looking back and forth frantically before his eyes finally rested on her. He gave her a soft smile and began to walk towards her.
“Miss Moore,” the ticket lady spoke up. “Your flight is leaving in two minutes.” Mandy, ignoring her, went up to Shane and met him halfway.
As much as an emotional, passionate reunion would make for a good read, the initial confrontation was anything but.
“Are those for me?” Mandy asked, motioning to his flowers.
“Oh, uh, no. I got them for the flight attendant. You know, they just get no respect these days,” Shane awkwardly joked. Mandy just gave him a distant smile, keeping her eyes on the roses. “Uh, yeah,” his voice got softer. “Yeah Mands, they are for you. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I was such—”
“One more minute, Miss Moore!”
“An ass?” Mandy finished for him—acting indifferent, feeling like crying.
“The biggest one. A jackass, if you will. Maybe an asshole, I don’t know. It’s up to you.” This time Mandy cracked a real smile.
“I have to go now, though…” She motioned towards the gate. “Thank you for coming to say bye to me.” She reached for the flowers, but he pulled his hand back to her surprise.
“Mandy, wait,” he pleaded. The look of surprise never left her face. “Listen, baby.” He dropped the flowers on the ground and held her arms. “If I could take back my attitude and that entire conversation, I would in a heartbeat. It was totally uncalled for, and my bad mood shouldn’t have been taken out on you. It was…I had a reason for my anger, but not a reason for expressing it in the way I did. You mean a lot to me, and if I ever lost you as a friend, or as my, my…” Was she his girlfriend? He looked at her questioningly.
“Girlfriend,” she confirmed for him softly, getting teary-eyed.
He grinned at her. “Girlfriend,” he continued, “then it would tear me apart. I—you mean a lot to me,” he repeated, giving her his infamous lopsided grin. Mandy felt weak in the knees. Slowly, he crouched down and picked up the—slightly smashed—bouquet of flowers and put them between him and her. “Forgive me?” he begged, giving her a pout. She grinned at him and nodded. “YES!” he cried, pumping his fist in the air.
Mrs. and Mr. Moore, Bonnie, and the ticket lady all looked up in surprise, just in time to see Shane wrap Mandy in a huge hug and kiss her firmly and passionately on the lips. After a beat, Mandy pulled away and, blushing due to the audience that had witnessed that, informed him softly of one thing:
“You lost."