Why only now, Marky?

Mark

It really felt like this house belonged to Missy. Everywhere I turned, there was at least one Goddess Athena in the room. Vivi and Princess were in the dining room, eating salads in their takeaway boxes. "Hey, Marky, have you eaten?"

I smiled at them and waved a refusal. "I'm fine, thanks. Where's Missy?"

"Oh, I'm not sure, I just got here," Vivi said. She looked at Princess, who shrugged as well.

"I think she's asleep, that's what Jenny said when we arrived," Princess explained. She moved to stand up. "I can look for her..."

"It's fine, finish your dinner," I said and detoured to the kitchen.

Jenny was taking things out of a plastic bag and putting them into the refrigerator. "Hey Jen," I greeted her.

"Hey Marky," she greeted me back, walking over for an air kiss, holding a watermelon in her hands. I immediately grabbed it from her.

"Where do you want this?" I asked her.

"Oh, thanks for offering!" She grinned, and ran back to the ref. "Could you just hold that a sec, I need to make room." She pushed things around and took a couple things out. "Okay, can you just squeeze it in that spot over there?" I did as she asked and she beamed a thank you at me. "Any news from Steve?"

I shook my head. We both turned instantly somber at the same time. "Have you seen Missy?"

"She's in the bedroom, Tiffany has been trying to get her to sleep," Jenny said. She looked into her plastic bag and continued putting her groceries away.

I made my way to Steve's bedroom. I opened the door and by the glow of the night light, I found Missy asleep in Tiffany's arms, both of them lying on the bed. Tiff looked at me and put a finger to her lips. She slowly got out of bed and tucked Missy under the blanket. As she was bent over Missy, I marvelled at how long her legs were and why have I never noticed before? Then she straightened up, walked towards me, pushed me out the room and quietly closed the door.

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me. "I need some air, please come with me," she whispered.

"Okay," I whispered back, my heart in my throat.

We walked out the house and to the side garden, hidden from the outside world by brick walls ten feet high and towering trees. A bench was under one tree, while a swing faced it. I sat on the bench. Tiffany sat on the swing.

"How's Missy doing?"

"She's still freaking out," Tiffany sighed. "You know that she didn't sleep at all last night? And she's still trying to call Steve but the bastard won't pick up."

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"I know where all my band mates are, how are you?" she returned. I could see the concern on her face.

"We'll find him," I said. This was the only option acceptable to me, honestly.

Tiffany looked away. She started to rock the swing a little, back and forth. "Is it bad to say I feel relieved?" she asked. "She gave Missy such a hard time for such a long time."

"What happened to Chastity is nobody's fault," I said. I've been saying this a lot.

"You need to tell Steve that," Tiffany said, softly. She buried her face in her hands. "I feel horrible for saying that, sorry."

"No offense taken, Tiff," I said. "It's been a tough day." I decided to change the subject. "Is it true that you're doing a solo album?"

"Wow, where did you hear that?" she raised an eyebrow at me.

"I have a crush on you, so I find out everything I can," I teased her.

"Oh my goodness, stop it!" She laughed. Then, she sighed and said, "It's true that I was offered one, but I'm thinking of maybe moving to another country."

"Where?" I was alarmed. "Back home?"

"What do you care?" she snickered, though her eyes suddenly became guarded. I guess I was too alarmed for comfort.

"I have a crush on you, I said," I tried to make her laugh again, since it worked the first time.

"Why only now, Marky?" Tiffany pouted at me.