"Aj, the initiation is a bad thing. Stephanie just told me some things that really make me worry if she'd make it through the initiation." Theresa spoke quietly into the phone, trying to avoid waking the sleeping woman in the next bed.
"What did she tell you?" He yawned back, resting his head against his pillow again. He had almost drifted back to sleep when Theresa answered him.
"She said she was raped when she was 19. Please Aj, I'm begging you. Ask Kevin to cancel the initiation…"
"Trease, he ain't gonna listen to me anyway. He's too turned on to the idea of it. I couldn't convince him to cancel it…" Aj sighed, a frown creasing in his brow.
"I'm just asking you to try. Damn it Aj is that too much to ask of you?" Theresa's voice came out irritated, slightly harsh.
"Alright Trease, I'll try. But I'm not guaranteeing anything." He muttered a response, then shifting in his bed. "How is she?"
"She's all right. I got her to change into her nightshirt and got her to sleep. She's sleeping rather peacefully at the moment." Theresa gazed over at Stephanie, watching her clutch the pillow to her tightly like a child would a teddy bear. "Hey, J… Thanks, I owe you."
"No, you don't. We'll call it even for everything." Aj mumbled softly, entranced by her light breathing.
"Thanks J, I… I love you." There was a moment of silence before Aj responded.
"I love you too. Goodnight."
**~~**~~**
Stephanie stared off into space as she combed out Howie's long soft hair. A hand closed over hers suddenly, causing her to jump.
"I think I'll leave it like this tonight. Thanks." Howie gazed up at her and released her hand with a small smile. She nodded but didn't meet his eyes, tugging a lock of hair from her face to tuck it behind her ear. He stood from the chair and Nick plopped down, still talking to Brian about beating one of his video games.
Stephanie tried to hurry, her stomach twisting in knots when she looked into the mirror to find Kevin staring at her from his seat on the couch. She felt as if she would hurl if she stayed in there for too much longer. Her head was swimming and the stench of the hair care products was making her nauseous. Nick was finished quickly and bounded out of the chair, glaring at her slightly as he passed. She simply turned away and leaned against the styling table, trying to ignore the strong odor of hair spray.
Kevin stared at her as she fixed the guys' hair, her hands were barely trembling and she refused to meet his eyes when she looked into the mirror. He had noticed her distant gaze and wondered what had frightened her so the previous week when they had almost gone too far. Aj had insisted that they cancel the initiation, complaining that it would be detrimental to Stephanie. He refused to cancel or even postpone the initiation, knowing everyone would see it as a sign of weakness on his part. And he was not weak, and no woman would ever make him weak.
"Kevin, I said it's your turn…" He gazed up to find Stephanie watching him intently, her eyes focused on his. He nodded and rested in the chair, trying to stare straight ahead rather than look at her. Damn her, she made him weak, he thought inwardly. He noticed her hands suddenly trembling unsteadily as she ran a comb through his jet-black hair.
'Damn him! He's so… so… ugh damn him!' She screamed inwardly as she spiked his hair. She hadn't noticed her hands were quivering until the comb she was holding slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
"Are you okay?" Kevin's deep voice was low and quiet, as if he didn't want the others to hear. She nodded and plucked the comb from the floor, suddenly growing dizzy after standing back up. She grabbed the table for support but collapsed back, landing against Kevin weakly. His arms closed around her for aid, one hand pressing against her sweat covered face. She tried to rise but couldn't manage without Kevin's help.
"I'm fine…" Stephanie stammered softly, her stomach turning another cartwheel. "Uh, I feel sick…"
Theresa had observed the scene and hurried over to help Stephanie to the ladies' room. They made it just in time for her to heave her early morning breakfast. Theresa helped her splash some water on her face and got her a cup of water, hoping to assistance her friend.
**~~**~~**
"Are you sure you'll be alright? We still have a bit of a ride to Cleveland tonight…" Theresa asked, watching the slightly pale brunette pack up her things.
"Yeah, I'll be alright, I think I just have a minor cold from my excursion outside the other night. I'll be fine." Stephanie muttered, slightly worried what was going to happen the three nights that they would be in Cleveland. That was the initiation city and she was absolutely petrified now. Maybe it would be nothing big, just some stupid little joke and it would be over. Or maybe not.
"Steph, you ready to head to the bus, Babe?" Theresa asked, flipping her bangs out of her face. Stephanie nodded to her and followed her out, lugging her suitcase slowly.
They wondered out to the bus, the guys having already boarded the bus. Theresa stepped on first, followed by Stephanie. She led the way to the bunks, sitting her bag down on the floor.
"Maybe we'll be lucky and the guys will be asleep…" Theresa began in a mumble until the curtain the entertainment room was pulled open.
"No suck luck Babe." Kevin smirked, eyeing Stephanie for an instant. "Are you sick?"
"Only a little cold, nothing big…" She responded, avoiding his eyes. She simply pulled a book from her bag and climbed up into her bunk, pulling the curtains closed.
"Hmm, was it something I said?" Kevin muttered, turning to return to the entertainment room.
"Oh it's more than that Kev…"
**~~**~~**
Stephanie quietly let herself absorb her historical romance novel, sinking into the lead female character's feelings as she read.
Graelam regarded her silently. He was a fool, he realized, to feel cold and sad at the sight of her pain. He said finally, "Have you bathed away the stench of the dungeons?"
She nodded blankly.
"Get into bed. I have gone many days without a woman."
Kassia did not argue with him, or attempt to plead with him. It would gain her naught, she knew. Slowly she removed her clothes, folding each item carefully. She slipped into bed, naked, and closed her eyes.
She felt his hands stroking over her cold flesh. She thought he would simply force her quickly and be done with it. But he did not. He was undemanding, finding her mouth and kissing her slowly, gently, while his hand cupped her breast, his thumb caressing her nipple. To her horror, she felt her body leap in response. He had taught her well, too well, and her body was not in her mind's control.
Stephanie paused her reading from Catherine Coulter's Fire Song, after hearing a slight argument outside her bunk. She peeked out to catch Theresa and Kevin almost ready for a fist-fight it seemed.
"I said, call off the initiation! Stephanie shouldn't be subjected to that…" Theresa almost shouted, her hands firmly planted on her jutting hips.
"Everyone goes through it, she'll survive. Just like you did. So shut the fuck up, go to bed." Kevin stated, finally noticing Stephanie observing the argument. "What do you want Babe? You scared of going through the initiation?"
She didn't know exactly how to answer that question. Of course she was a little scared, curious, and nervous. She just shook her head at him.
"Well, I guess it's up to you if you're gonna go through the initiation. Do you want to?"
"Well, I don't deserve special treatment. If everyone else has made it through it, I'm sure I'll be alright." She glanced to Theresa to reassure her of her decision.
"Good, welcome to Cleveland, Princess…" Kevin smirked, seeing the sign outside the bus.
**~~**~~**
"Well, here are the room keys. Lucky enough you two get separate rooms this time." Donna smiled at Theresa and Stephanie.
"But Donna…" Theresa started, then noticed Kevin shake his head at her. "Nevermind."
"Good, now go get some sleep, we still have a lot to do in the morning guys." Donna stated before heading into one of the elevators. Stephanie turned and looked to Theresa for advice.
"I'd tell ya to lock your door but that wouldn't help. They already have a key to it." Theresa didn't even look at her, just followed Aj to the elevator. "So did you find out when it is?"
"Kev won't tell me. He said he's just gonna come get us. It could be tonight or tomorrow night, it may even be the last night, but I doubt it." Aj replied, punching the button for their floor. Theresa noticed Stephanie headed towards the other elevator, followed by Nick and Kevin.
**~~**~~**
Stephanie chose to ignore the fact that Nick and Kevin were standing directly behind her, probably staring at her rear-end. She mentally went over her plans for the evening. A small ordered dinner, maybe a little television, another chapter of 'Fire Song' and then to sleep. She still felt a little uneasy about the initiation, her instincts told her to abandon the idea of trying to fit in and stick to her job. But her curiosity got the best of her, as usual. She wanted to know what Kevin was planning, but with what had happened the past few days, she knew it was a bad idea. Why didn't she just decline the offer and quit this damn job?
"What's your problem, Princess?" Nick whispered, grinning softly as his hand drifted down from her shoulder to lower back. She nearly jumped away, caught by Kevin, who grabbed her arm. He didn't grab tightly, but turned her to face him.
"Answer the question." He stared down at her, noting the fear underlined in her mocha eyes. "Please…"
"Nothing, I'm just tired. I need some sleep." She murmured a reply and hoped they would let her be. They chose not to.
"Oh, poor thing is tired…" Nick said in a mock sympathetic voice. She glared towards him until Kevin grabbed her chin and pulled her to face him.
"One bit of information before you doze off, locking the doors won't help. You agreed and it's too late to back out now…" Kevin stated bluntly, releasing her entirely and stepping out of the elevator. Nick snickered and followed, leaving her to lug her suitcase to her room.
Stephanie hurried to her room and dropped her things onto the bed. She sat down sullenly and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Why me?"
**~~**~~**
"Babe, I'd invite you to stay here but I'm not sure that that's the best idea." Aj sighed, staring into Theresa's eyes for her understanding. She nodded, but couldn't meet his eyes. Aj cupped her chin in his palm and brought his lips to hers. They stood there kissing until Brian walked by chuckling.
"Sorry J, no action with her tonight. You know the deal, no sleeping with anyone else while in the initiation city." He smirked, causing the two to pull apart. Aj said nothing and Theresa stood there for a moment longer before speaking.
"Good night Aj." She walked away swiftly to her room, ignoring Brian's laughter from behind her.
Next Chapter
Just Between Me & You