The Phone Call

The Phone Call
by LB

It was an ordinary, mid April, Monday night. Nearly eight o'clock and the sky was beginning to pinken with the setting sun. And like most ordinary Monday nights Kendall Hart found herself sitting at the dining room table. Hard at work putting some finishing touches on some take-home work while picking at a plate of leftover pasta. Even the ringing phone was par for the course on an ordinary Monday night. Someone was always calling her for something. It was the voice on the other end of the phone that was out of the ordinary for Kendall.

She looked up from the paper she was reading as soon as the phone rang. She reached across the table for the portable, depressing the talk button and raising the phone to her ear. "Hello," she answered casually.

"Kendall," the voice on the other end replied sounding defeated, "oh thank God. I-I didn't know who else I could call."

Kendall blinked in surprise over both the identity of the caller and the tone of her voice. "Bianca?" she questioned. She began to worry. Her sister had never been prone to dramatic fits, but here she was thanking God. And she sounded absolutely devastated. "Bianca what is it? What's happened? Is there something wrong with Mother? Are you OK?"

"Oh Kendall," Bianca responded her voice breaking, "everything's ruined. My life is over."

Kendall let out a breath of relief. Whatever was going on with Bianca, she knew it wasn't life threatening. Bianca would have told her first off if it was. "OK slow down little sister, and tell me what's the matter. Start from the beginning. What's going on?" she prodded, trying to pitch her voice to soothe the other girl.

Silence.

She tried again this time with a little humor. "Has Mom been tying you in knots again?"  

There was no response at first, and Kendall could hear Bianca try to take a calming breath on the other end. When she finally answered her voice sounded a bit more level "No it's not Mom's fault this time. We're fine. Well, as fine as her and I can be. This mess is all me." Bianca paused for a moment trying to order her thoughts.

Kendall, sensing her sister's reluctance jumped in, "OK so if it's not La Kane who's causing you so much stress than who is it huh? And do you want your big sister to come up there and beat them up?"

Bianca let out a little chuckle at the mental image that statement caused. "Oh who are you kidding Kendall," she responded trying to sound light hearted, "you're so tiny I could take you. Besides I really don't think beating anyone up is going to solve this problem. I don't think anything will."

Kendall became frustrated with Bianca's reluctance. She pushed, "OK kid, spill. The suspense is killing me already." She kept her voice light but the undercurrent of concern was there as well.

Reluctantly Bianca began her tale. "Remember that psycho cheerleader chick Shannon I told you about before?"

"The one who was giving you a hard time at school. Um yeah. I remember you mentioning something about her. Why, she still giving you a hard time?" Kendall responded.

Before Bianca could reply Kendal jumped back in, "Though I seemed to remember an email from you about how she got kicked from Miss Young Enchantment because of drugs. Something you had a little to do with if I remember correctly." She paused for a moment trying to remember what exactly Bianca had told about the other girl, "But I thought you said you were trying to mend things with her or something. What did she do?"

On the other end of the line Bianca sighed. "I thought so too. But apparently she was just setting me up for a fall. Some sort of revenge I guess," she paused for a moment considering her words. "She just pretended to be nice to me so that she and her two screwed up friends could set me up." She stopped again, this time drawing in a huge breath before speaking again. "Oh Kendall," her voice wavered, "somehow they got a hold of one of my journals and they put it up on the Internet. Along with some other not so great stuff about me and a friend."

Kendall winced, "Ouch." She knew how much Bianca's journals meant to her. It was the place where her little sister took refuge from the world, how she kept her head on straight. She also knew that those journals were filled with Bianca's private thoughts, and the somewhat shy girl valued her privacy a whole lot.

"Yeah..." Bianca responded quietly, her voice trailing off.

"Kendall," she began again, "the stuff in that journal was straight out of my head. You know personal thoughts. Stuff that I didn't want anyone else to know." She stopped again. This time to choked up to go on.

Heartbroken for her sister, Kendall really did have the urge to fly up to Pine Valley and find this Shannon girl. Tiny or not, she could inflict some serious damage on the other girl. 'Nobody messes with my little sister like that and gets away with it,'  she declaired to herself. 'I'm not Erika Kane's daughter for nothing.'  Busy plotting various ways to harm the other girl she almost missed Bianca's next words.

"It gets worse," Bianca admitted in a small voice.

"OK," Kendall responded slowly, "how much worse?"

"The stuff in that particular journal," began Bianca, "was about my feelings for someone." She paused and drew in a deep breath, "Um romantic feelings, for one of my friends. Feelings that she didn't know I had. And feelings that I would have never told her about because I know she would never return them. Only now she knows, along with the rest of the school, a-a-and she doesn't trust me now, she can hardly look at me. She... I... God I don't know what to do." She stopped again, this time unable to go on through her sobs.

Kendall could hear her sister crying on the other end of the phone. Damn, poor kid. She doesn't deserve this. She knew how much her sister had been going though lately. First, with her first real relationship. One that had not turned out all that well. Then the loss of her father. The person who Bianca was closest to. And then the whole fiasco of having to come out to their mother. Erika was pretty open minded when it came to most things. Just not, apparently, when it came to her own daughters. In the end they had settled their differences because no matter what they both loved each other. It was just that the fight had been long and especially hard on Bianca. And a lot of it took place in front of a whole lot of people when Bianca's private life had been exposed to the public. And now this on top of all the rest of it. Kendall was sure she would be crying too if she had been in Bianca's shoes.

Just hearing her sister crying had her choked up as well. She wanted to be there with her to comfort her and soothe her. "B please don't cry. It'll be OK. We'll fix it," she said trying to keep her own emotions out of her voice while she attempted to soothe the other girl. When the crying didn't stop on the other end she continued, "Oh baby sis, B I'm so sorry. I wish I could make it all go away for you. I wish I could make it all better."

Bianca drew in a deep breath and attempted to gain control over her emotions. " Oh God, " she said her voice husky from crying, " I'm sorry Kendall I didn't mean to lay all of this on you."

Kendall smiled in response to her sisters comments "Listen to me Bianca, " she replied in a firm voice, " don't ever be sorry for how you feel. And don't ever doubt that you can come to me when you need help, or if you need someone to talk to. It's written in the official big sister's handbook that big sisters shall always be available to rescue their siblings."

Bianca laughed in response to the little speech "Funny I never took you for a big sister handbook kind of girl," Bianca returned drolly.

"Hey hey," responded Kendall indignantly, "I may not be the best daughter, or sister for that matter, but I have to try. And I do love you guys a whole lot. Especially you Bianca," she paused for a moment. Then continued in a lighter tone,  "Besides you and I have to stick together. No one else out there really understands how strange it is having Erika Kane for a mother."

Bianca laughed again in agreement to Kendall's statement. "She certainly is one of a kind. And..." Bianca hesitated unsure of what to say, "I really do appreciate you listening to me, despite what I said before."

"I know you do Bianca, " Kendall replied, "and I meant what I said before. You can come to me anytime, with anything."

"Thanks," Bianca said in a hushed tone.

Both girls fell silent for a moment, overcome with the emotions of the moment. Kendall could hear her sister sniffling on the other end of the phone. She made a quick swipe at her face to brush away her own tears. 'If the people in Pine Valley could see me now', Kendall mused.

When she had first shown up in that town she had been full of anger and resentment towards her mother. And she had done and said things that made her a less than popular person back then.  Her behavior and attitude had done little to endear her to her mother, so their relationship was very difficult. But even with the anger she had built up about her mother and the jealousy she had for her sister Kendall felt an immediate connection with Bianca. Despite the fact that she wanted to hate her sister for the connection she had with their mother, she could not stop from loving the young girl even then. By the time Kendall left their relationship was growing.  

Over time she managed to set things right with her mother and she continued to keep in contact with Bianca. It started out with letters and emails traded back and forth. Then there were long distance phone calls every few months. And even the occasional visit. Kendall would take Bianca out for a day on the town whenever she had business in the Seattle area. Bianca would spend a few weeks with her sister in Florida during her summer break. Over time the discovered connection between them developed into a loving relationship. When Bianca had gone into rehab Kendall was one of the few people she continued to talk to. They shared secrets and fears with each other and Kendall helped her sister feel more secure about who she was. And even though Bianca never said it outright, Kendall was one of the first people she told that she was gay. Kendall took the news in stride and reassured her sister that she loved her no matter what.

Kendall saw in Bianca all the good traits of herself and her mother magnified by a thousand. Bianca was kind and caring, and very giving. She was smart and funny. And she loved fiercely. Anyone lucky enough to be loved by her would find her love never-ending and without conditions. Kendall was astounded to find anyone with a heart that pure, and grateful that she found it in her younger sister.

In Kendall, Bianca found a roll model. She saw her sister as an intelligent, smooth, and determined woman. She thought that Kendall possessed a drive for success that was unmatched. And that when she found something she wanted she went after it at full tilt until it was hers. Kendall was fiercely loyal. She would protect what was hers with her life, and that included Bianca. And beneath her smart mouth exterior was a big heart that gave her love fully to those that mattered to her.

Kendall shook herself to bring her mind back into the present. "Do you feel any better," she questioned.

"A little thanks, " Bianca replied in a small voice, "it helped to talk about it. But I still don't know what I am going to do about the whole thing. I mean it's bad enough that Shannon got a hold of one of my journals. I can't even began to think about how awful this thing with Laura is."

"Well, maybe I can help you come up with something to even things up a little with this Shannon chick. As for the problem with your fri..." Kendall stopped in amazement as Bianca's words registered completely. "Bianca did you say Laura? As in Laura English, Brooke's daughter?"

"Yeah, " Bianca confirmed in confusion.

"Woah little sister, " Kendall said with a laugh, " you've got some taste in women. Mom's going to freak big time when she finds out you've got the hots for Brooke's daughter."

"She already knows, " replied Bianca sounding defeated. "She and Brooke were here when Laura and I first saw the website. They know everything."

"Shi... uh shoot Bianca I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I was  being a jer..."

"No, it's OK," interrupted Bianca, "I get what you were saying. And you're right Mom's take on the whole thing was less than stellar. But what else is new. Besides I know as well as you do that she despises anything even remotely related to Brooke. She wasn't very keen on my friendship with Laura from the beginning. It's just that I can't really control who I have feelings for, and besides no one was even supposed to know about it anyway."

"Well how did all this happen in the first place?" Kendall asked. "How did Shannon get a hold of your journal."

"Well, Laura and I were hanging out after school," Bianca began, "and she felt sick. So I talked her into going to see Dr. Joe. We were kind of in a hurry and I must have forgotten my bag. 'Cause Mom came by the hospital looking for us, saying that two girls had brought our stuff by the house and mentioned where we were. And they told her that we left in a hurry to go to the hospital. I had my house keys in my bag. They must have used them to get into the house and go through my stuff until they found my journal."

"Bianca," Kendall questioned gently. She didn't want to upset her sister further. "How did Shannon know you kept a journal in the first place?"

Bianca cleared her throat nervously. "Well I...I kind of... told her that I did."

"You what!" cried Kendall incredulously. "You told her that? Why Bianca? Why would you give someone like that, who had a score to settle with you, personal information."

"It's not like I told her right off," Bianca stated defensively. "After the whole Miss Young Enchantment thing she got into big trouble with her parents."

"So," Kendall shot back, "she deserved it. She shouldn't have been so stupid. High on Ex at a production meeting with Mom for her Teens Against Addiction campaign. I mean come on."

"So," Bianca returned trying to control her temper. "a few days afterwards she came back to thank me for telling the truth. She said that what her parents said made her realize that I had probably saved her life. But she was upset because now she had to give up all her activities and old friends. And her parents were making her go through outpatient drug rehab. Only she was scared and she didn't think she would be able to make it through the program. She told me she came to me because she didn't know who else to trust. Her friends were still into partying, and she had no one else to go to."

"Well, boo hoo for her," Kendall interrupted spitefully.

"Kendall," Bianca warned.

"What?" she asked. "Come on Bianca the girl tries to trash you and you're still defending her. I think you should apply for sainthood little sister."

Bianca laughed, "I know I know. You're right. I don't know why I do stuff like that."

"You are," Kendall drawled, "just to nice for your own good B."

Bianca laughed again, "You know Leo says the same thing."

"Well," Kendall responded through her own laughter, "great minds do think alike."

"Alike, " Bianca quipped sarcastically, "Kendall sometimes I think you and Leo have the whole separated at birth thing going on. I mean I should be frightened that my best friend and my sister are so alike."

"Hey," Kendall defended, "we can not help it if you choose to surround yourself with the two smartest and best looking people in the world."

"Humph."

Kendall laughed again at her sister's reaction. "Well it's the truth and you know it. But anyway back to what you were saying before."

"Wha... " Bianca responded.

"About Shannon and the whole journal thing," Kendall reminded her.

"Oh yeah," Bianca's voice fell, "Shannon." She took a moment to refocus her thoughts, then began again. "Well like I said before, she came to me because she was scared and she told me she didn't have anyone else to go to. She said she thought I could help her because I had been through the whole rehab thing before. And then she asked if I would be her sponsor. I told her no right away. Rehab was different for me and I didn't really trust her all that much. But I felt bad for her, and I honestly believed she was coming to me for help. So I told her that when I was going through everything in rehab my counselors told me to keep a journal and it really helped. I even offered to give her one of the extra ones I carried in my bag. I told her how they told me to use it to write down everything I was feeling, not to hold anything back because no one els was going to see it. And she took it. I didn't know then that she was looking for a way to get back at me. God I would have never told her that if I did."

Kendall tried to console her sister, "Hey, it's OK I believe you. You thought you were helping someone out. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm just sorry the little twit was using you."

"Thanks, " Bianca responded quietly.

"Have you thought about what you are going to do? "

"I don't know," Bianca said hesitantly, "I guess I could press charges. I mean they stole my journal and they would have had to get into the house to that. That's braking and entering too."

"Bianca that's to sedate," Kendall cried. "You've got to get even with her! She pried into your life and shared your secrets with everyone else. You've got to hit her where it hurts!"

"Huh?"

"She's a popular girl at school right? Well then you just have to do something to ruin her popularity." Kendall paused to consider her options, "You could start a rumor about her, or maybe dig up some good dirt on her and share it with a hundred of your closest friends. But it would have to be something really good. A sex scandal or something like that. Those are usually good for..."

"Kendall," Bianca interrupted her sister, "I could never do something like that. And even if I could I wouldn't want to. It's not right."

"Oh Bianca please, " Kendall argued, "she's a world class creep. There is no right or wrong when it comes to her. Besides do you think she thought about what was right when she decided to post your journal on the Internet?"

"It doesn't matter Kendall," Bianca replied, "it's not right and I am not going to sink to her level. I'm just not that kind of person."

"All right Bianca," Kendall said sounding defeated, "it's your life, you decide. But if it was me I'd..."

Bianca interrupted her again, "It doesn't matter. Besides Shannon is really the least of my worries concerning this whole thing."

"Laura," Kendall asked softly.

Bianca sighed. "Yeah, I really don't know what to do. I mean I don't want to lose my friend over this whole thing. Everything would have been fine if she had never found out. I would have never told her and everything would have gone on normally. But now..." her voice trailed off.

"Now she knows," Kendall remarked, "and you can't take it back."

"Yeah."

"Let me ask you something Bianca," Kendall said, "how much do you really like her?"

Bianca was quiet for a moment before she answered the question. "I don't know. I mean she's a really great friend and I enjoy spending time with her. I think part of me is attracted to her because I miss Sara so much and I want what I had with Sara. And then part of me is attracted to her because of who she is. She's smart, and friendly, and funny, and beautiful too. Those are all qualities I find attractive. Don't get me wrong though, I was never foolish enough to believe she would care about me in the same way."

"Bianca," Kendall stated sharply, "the only thing I think is foolish is that you believe that there is anyone in this world who wouldn't want to love you."

"Kendall," Bianca protested, "it doesn't work that way."

"I know what you're saying," Kendall responded, "and I understand. I just don't want you to sell yourself short. You are a great person, beautiful inside and out."

"Thanks," Bianca said quietly.

"And as for Laura, well if she really is your friend and she is really worth all your caring, she'll get over it. If not than she's not worth your time and heartache, K?"

"My head knows you're right Kendall," Bianca argued, "it's just...well you weren't there. You didn't see her face when she found out. Mom and Brooke were fighting with each other and she just looked at me in shock. I felt so bad I kinda had to run outside and be sick in the bushes."

"Too much information little sister," Kendall teased, trying to get Bianca to laugh.

When she didn't Kendall tried a different approach. "Look B, Mom and Brooke are always going to fight. It's what they do, lord knows Mom could annoy a saint. And as far as Laura goes, she's your friend. I have a feeling that in the end she will want to be your friend regardless. It maybe awkward at first, but you have great taste in friends so it should turn out all right in the end."

"Yeah," returned Bianca quietly, "you're probably right."

"Hey," Kendall joked, "I am always right. And don't you forget it."

Bianca laughed. "Well, you're something that's for sure. But I don't kn..."

"Watch it B," Kendall interrupted. "I don't wanna have to come up there and kick your butt."

"Oh please," Bianca protested. "What are you, like five foot nothing and ninety pounds soaking wet. You may be older but I am definitely bigger."

"Oh I see how it is," Kendall stated. "Just remember Giagantor, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Besides I am a whole lot tougher than I look."

Both girls laughed at her statement. Finally Bianca calmed enough to speak. "Really Kendall, thanks for talking with me. I feel better now."

"I'm glad I could help. And don't forget anytime you need me just call, k?"

"OK I won't," Bianca answered. "It's getting late though. I should let you go. Thanks again."

"No prob," Kendall replied, "I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah," Bianca said. "Oh, by the way, you should probably call Mom soon. She's always saying you never call. And you know how Mom gets."

Kendall rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically "Unfortunately," she responded sarcastically. "Thanks for the heads up. I'll try and give her a call in the next few days."

"OK then," Bianca returned brightly, "I'll talk to you later. Love you."

Kendall smiled, "Love you too kid."

"Bye," they both said simultaneously.

Kendall chuckled, and then heard the click on the other end of the line. She smiled, reached for the talk button and hung up the phone. She stared at the phone for a minute, lost in thought. It had felt good to talk to her sister. She was glad Bianca felt like she could bring her problems to her. But the conversation that they had just had and the closeness they shared over the phone made her miss her sister a little. Shaking her head, she refocused her thoughts on the paperwork that was still sitting in front of her on the table. Placing the phone back down on the table, Kendall returned to her ordinary mid April Monday night.

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