|
Post by booney on Jun 3, 2008 14:34:13 GMT -5
Boone received Shannon's phone call and agreed with Bryan that he'd bring $50,000 just so he would leave Shannon alone. Most people would call Boone's actions crazy, but naturally, he didn't see it that way. Ever since he met Shannon, he had the urge to protect her from every thing. During school, he was always there for her when she needed something. Hell, he even got suspended for her! If people would trace back everything Boone did for Shannon, they would think he was probably in love with her. Boone, in love with Shannon? In his opinion that was crazy talk and there was no way that he loved Shannon. No matter how much he kept telling himself that, it still felt like his heart was ripped out every time she would have a new boyfriend.
This time was different. This was the first time he had to actually go to her and hand over money to guy to leave her alone. Boone planned on bringing Shannon home with him this time. He would try to put some kind of sense into her, because obviously she lacked a bit.
Boone couldn't get to Sydney fast enough. The plan ride took a lifetime. Not to mention, Boone was sitting beside a snoring old man. He groaned as they landed and the old man let out a snort as he woke up. Welcome to Sydney Australia came the voice over the announcement system. The rest of the attendant's words were drowned out as Boone's thoughts flew to how he was going to get to Shannon in the quickest way possible. Of course he would have to get directions, but that didn't matter.
Rushing off the plane, Boone had a little trouble finding his luggage. After what seemed like hours, he finally found his suitcase and headed over to the car rentals to get directions to the address he was given on the phone. Not wasting any time, he took the keys and gave the cashier lady the money.
He threw his suitcase in the backseat and headed off in the direction that the woman told him to go. Boone reached a house that he guessed was the correct one. Walking up to the door, he swallowed. "Shannon," he called out stopping in front of the screen door. "Are you there?"
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 3, 2008 15:40:41 GMT -5
Shannon was still a little hungover from her adventures of the previous night, and Brian was not helping. Last night, he'd told her he didn't give a damn if she went out with someone else for a while. But today he was pissed about it. He just wouldn't let it go. He'd been yelling at her on and off all day. And now he was dragging her out to some stupid party with his friends, saying she owed it to him. Whatever.
Her head was still pounding as she got dressed and put on her makeup. She realized, as she stared at her reflection, that she had a bruise on her temple, but she couldn't remember where it came from. Maybe she had banged her head getting out of the car last night? She was going to have to cover it up, but the makeup she had wasn't quite going to do it. She'd have to make Brian stop somewhere on the way to the party.
She stared at her face for a long time, trying to make sense of it. Of her life. "What the hell am I doing in Australia, anyway?" she asked aloud. She was partying and drinking and running around with has-been rock stars and idiots like Brian, and for what? What the hell was she getting out of it? She felt disconnected from the world; unimportant. Forgotten.
Shannon dabbed a bit of color on her cheeks, frowning in distaste at the dark circles under her eyes. She hated to admit it, but at times like this, when she felt lonely and dissatisfied, her thoughts turned to Boone. She'd called him just the other night, hoping he would come and rescue her as always. She told herself it was just the money she wanted. But was it?
The truth was, Boone worshipped her like no one else ever had. He also pissed her off more than anyone ever had. She always had the feeling that he wanted her to be different than she was, and he was disappointed in what she was. It was harder with him, because he saw what he thought she could be. Sabrina saw her as being worse than she was, and she was used to that. The negativity, the lack of faith.... she could handle those. She could live down to it. But Boone wanted her to be better and the pressure he put on her, just with a single look, was more than she could handle sometimes.
She sighed to herself and continued with her preparations. She didn't want to think about Boone now... she had to focus on Brian and his stupid party. But as she was putting onj her jewelry, she heard a voice in the living room. A voice that definitely was not Brian's. She quickly got up and went in to see who it was.
As she entered the living room and saw him standing there, she froze. Somehow, Boone had found her. Somehow, he was standing in her living room, looking every bit like the white knight, come to rescue her.
For some reason, it irked her. She should have been glad to see him. She needed the money, after all. But did he have to be so damn predictable? "Boone, what are you doing here?" she demanded.
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 3, 2008 16:04:13 GMT -5
Boone waited patiently on Shannon. Something in the back of his mind was telling him he shouldn't be here. He just jumped on a plane and flew half way around the world without a second thought. He didn't think about what he was leaving behind. Boone had just called his mother and said he was going away for a few days, not bothering to tell her where. If he would have told his mother, Sabrina, where he was going, she would have had his head for sure. Sabrina didn't like Shannon, and as of late, Boone has been standing up for her as much as he can. He didn't really understand why his mother would hate Shannon, but that was her problem and what he did for Shannon didn't really concern his mother.
As soon as Shannon entered the room, Boone felt his breath catch. Lucky for him, she didn't hear him, nor did she know what she could do to him. He couldn't help but stare at her.
Boone, what are you doing here?
"What do you mean what am I doing here," questioned Boone. "I get a phone call from you and you are telling about that so called boyfriend of yours. Then, he's wanting money. I jumped on a freaking plane and flew half way across the world so that I could give him the money. Now, you're asking me what I'm doing here? Really Shannon. I thought you smarter than that."
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 6, 2008 13:06:36 GMT -5
Shannon could only stare at him. Her heart was skipping strangely in her chest, and she couldn't understand why. Was it just the idea of being rescued that made her feel so elated? Or was it something else? She hadn't seen him in months. Just the sight of his face, so familiar, so comforting... it brought back so many memories. She could still remember how, not so long ago, she had run into his arms when he showed up for her father's funeral.
Every time she saw him after months of being away, she wondered if she could still have the same power over him. Whether a simple touch would make him pause and blush and pull shyly away. It was wrong for her to think about that, just as it was wrong for him to feel it. He fought it with everything he had, and she used it to her advantage. It was cruel, she know that. But it worked. It never failed. Even now, she knew he still felt the same--why else would he have hopped on a plane to travel all the way to Australia to find her? And she was planning to use him again, just to get some money. Maybe she was wrong; maybe all along, he'd been Cinderella and she'd been the wicked stepsister.
"Boone," she said quietly, feeling genuninely guilty for a change, "you shouldn't have come. Look, I'm fine, OK? Brian and I were just getting ready to go to a party. But if you come by tomorrow, Brian won't be home, and we can talk for a while. It's just... now is not the best time."
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 7, 2008 19:53:06 GMT -5
Boone continued to stare at Shannon. He found it hard for himself to tear his eyes away from her. She appeared as if she was fine, as usual. Why did he really do everything he did for her? Was he what other people said he was? Was he really crazy for jumping on a plane and flying halfway across the world just to get Shannon? He did what he always did and talked himself out of those thoughts. Of course he wasn't crazy. He just had to do what he felt right, which was his one of his greatest flaws.
"What do you mean I shouldn't have come," he said. "The way you sounded on the phone is the reason why I jumped on the earliest flight here I could get. Now you're telling me I shouldn't have come? I don't care if you think you're fine. I didn't come here for you to tell me that and then me just leave." Boone sighed. "And I also don't care that you and your boyfriend are fixing to go to a party. I came just like you asked. When is it ever a good time for you Shannon? Why is it when I come to help you out, you push me to the side like I'm not really anything?"
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 15, 2008 0:25:42 GMT -5
Shannon glanced over her shoulder; Brian was still in the shower. The water was still running, and she could hear him singing in a low, off-key voice. That was good. Brian took notoriously long showers for a man, and if he was still singing, he wouldn't be getting out anytime soon. She couldn't have him come out now... she didn't know what he'd do if he saw Boone. She'd told him all about her step-brother, of course. She'd told him things she probably shouldn't have; about Boone's feelings for her and the way she could manipulate him. If they came face to face, she didn't know what he'd do, but she couldn't help imagining bloodshed.
How typical of Boone to just show up without calling first! His timing, as always, was impeccably bad. She took a few steps closer to him, reaching up with one hand and placing it on his chest.
"Boone. I'm not pushing you to the side," she said softly. "I'm glad you're here." She realized, as she spoke the words, that she actually meant them. "It's just... it's complicated, OK?"
Tears filled her eyes as she looked at him. A girl could so easily get lost in the depths of those blue eyes, and on a few occasions, she had fallen victim to them herself. She felt a sudden, absurd need to have him hold her and protect her, and make everything as simple as it had been when they were kids. "I don't know what I'm doing here," she admitted.
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 17, 2008 21:26:40 GMT -5
Boone heard the shower down the hall, but he didn't care. All he came for was Shannon's safety not to worry about Brian. He kept his blue eyes on her feeling like if he tore his eyes from her he would lose her forever. Boone didn't care if he had to fight Brian to keep him from hurting her again. It was something he was used to doing. One of his friends from grade school kept telling him the only reason he did it was because he was in love with her, but Boone kept on disagreeing and said that it was only because she was his step-sister.
Once her hand touched his chest he felt his body tense up but he started to relax a little as he spoke. "Complicated? That's what you always say Shannon," replied Boone with a sigh. "Why do you always say it's complicated? Why can't you just say why you really don't want me here? You know that you called and said that he was hurting you and you also know what I would do. I can't leave you here and let him keep hurting you." He ran a hand through the top of his hair with a slight shake of his head.
"Shh shh, Shannon," he said comfortingly. "Don't cry." Boone pulled her a little closer to him. He couldn't help it. It was just something in him that he couldn't resist comforting her all the time. "I'm not sure what you're doing here either. Why don't you just go ahead and leave? I mean he's not in here, you could just slip out and you wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. Come on Shannon."
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 18, 2008 22:12:38 GMT -5
Shannon held him close, feeling his arms around her. There was something so familiar and comfortable about it. When Boone held her she felt warm and safe... and loved. She never felt that with anyone else, and the realization was disturbing. Every other guy was always just trying to get into her pants. None of them, not one man had ever loved her like this. She wasn't even sure any of them had ever even said the words "I love you" even as a lie. She couldn't even recall her husband using the words.
Why was it that Boone was the only person who made her feel like she truly mattered in this world? He was her best friend and her worst enemy wrapped up in one, and she both loved and hated him at the same time. Worst of all, she needed him. Not just for the money or the occasional ego stroke. Without him, she was adrift, just floating alone on the sea of life. He was her rock... the only person who really anchored her. And yet, he was judgmental and bossy, too. He never failed to let her know when she disappointed him... and she disappointed him often.
Part of her just wanted to go with him, just forget about Australia and Brian and the money. Just go home with Boone and let him fuss over her. That was the part of her that wanted to go back to being a child, with the big brother to protect her. But her reality was much more complicated than that. The warm and fuzzy feeling she was having as Boone held her was a warning sign. Their relationship would never be that simple again, because she knew how he really felt. And there was a dark, terrible part of herself that was beginning to share that feeling, even though she knew it was sick and wrong and twisted.
So there was only one thing to do. She abruptly pushed him away and swiped at the tears still stinging her eyes. "Boone, just get out, do you hear me?" she yelled. "I don't need you, this was all a mistake. Just go the hell home and forget I ever called you. Go! Get out!"
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 19, 2008 6:32:39 GMT -5
While Boone held Shannon close to him, he felt like he could fight all the monsters underneath her bed, just like he did when they were younger. He always acted like a superhero when it came to her and her problems, because he would solve them before anything worse happened. Now, however, he didn't really want to be her superhero, unless maybe if he was Clark Kent and she was Lois Lane. That's how their life seemed to be, however she didn't care for him as he did her according to her actions. Boone really wanted to be Shannon's knight in shining armor, rushing in on his white horse to save her.
He honestly didn't want to let her go, he wanted to protect her from the world. However, his mood changed as soon as she pushed him away. Boone became confused and somewhat angry.
I don't need you, this was all a mistake. Just go the hell home and forget I ever called you
"So, it's a mistake," he repeated questioningly. At her words, there was a pain in his chest. "Fine! I'll do things your way, but you and I both know that you'll be calling me again for something," he yelled back. "You always do! Maybe I shouldn't always bail you out whenever you see fit!" Boone was starting to say things before he could think of what he was really saying.
Go! Get out!
Boone didn't want to leave Shannon there. Obviously she didn't want him there and she made it clear. He threw his hands up in the air and turned angrily around and started to step towards the door.
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 22, 2008 0:22:29 GMT -5
Shannon was in tears now. Why was it that sending him away felt like she was ripping out a piece of her soul? But he had to go, before she did something she would regret. Either she would just use him, like she always did, or she'd do something worse... something she couldn't take back. She was suddenly tired of all of it, the lies and the pretense and the emotional blackmail. He deserved better than this. He deserved to be happy. She was only ever going to drag him down. It was better for him that he just leave, now.
"Just go, OK? Please," she pleaded tearfully. She let out a loud sob at the angry expression on his face.
But just then, Brian, having heard the noise from the bathroom, came storming in, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped tightly around his waist. "Shannon, what the bleeding hell is going on out here?" he demanded. He looked first at her, then at Boone's retreating form. "Who the hell are you? You bothering my girl?"
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 22, 2008 8:26:17 GMT -5
Getting angry was something Boone didn't really like to do, but the only person that could make him really angry was Shannon. She was the only one that could really toy with his emotions. It was like he was a marionette and Shannon was the one pulling his strings. It was a little frightening how she could do all that with just a few words.
Once he was heading for the door, he felt his anger melting as he heard Shannon crying. Now, he had the feeling to rush back to her and tell her that he was sorry and he didn't mean to get angry, however Boone knew he couldn't. He had to fight the feeling. She obviously didn't want him here and he didn't really want to be somewhere he wasn't wanted.
His anger fired up again as he heard Brian come into the living room. Boone turned around fast with his anger apparent on his face. "Boone," he said shortly. "Your girl," he repeated with a scoff. "What the hell makes you think that you can call her your girl? Unless you mean of course the girl you can just hit and get away with it."
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 22, 2008 22:17:08 GMT -5
Brian put his arm around Shannon's waist, as if laying claim to a prized possession, as he glared at Boone. Shannon squirmed slightly at the tight grip he had on her. She felt almost like he was squeezing the life out of her. "So, he's the one, eh?" Brian said, looking at her meaningfully. "Your brother? The one you told me about?"
Shannon pulled away from his grasp. She didn't like the greedy gleam in Brian's eyes. It was like she could see dollar signs in them, just like in the cartoons. "Brian, just get the hell off of me," she snapped. She was no longer in the mood to play his little game. She didn't want him to be part of this. In that moment, she made up her mind. She was through with Brian. What the hell was she getting out of this relationship, anyway? He didn't love her, he didn't respect her, and he didn't even have any money to balance it all out. Hell, he wasn't even good in bed.
Maybe it was time to go home. To leave with Boone and go back to where she belonged. Given her newly realized feelings for Boone, maybe it was a dangerous idea. Or maybe if she saw him every day, it would just go back to the way things had always been. Of course, there was still Sabrina to deal with... but if she was careful, she could probably find a way to avoid her most of the time. At least, until she found somewhere else she wanted to be.
Looking up at Boone, she brushed her hair off of her face, revealing the bruise on her temple. Her voice was calm as she spoke to him. "Boone, it's OK. We have to go to this party, but please, come back tomorrow and we'll have a longer visit, OK? I'm sorry I yelled at you. I really am glad you're here... It's just that the timing was bad. Will you come over and talk tomorrow? Please?"
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jun 23, 2008 8:22:10 GMT -5
Boone clenched his fists tightly by his side as Brian put his arm around Shannon's waist. He wanted to punch Brian right now, but Shannon was right there, and he couldn't risk the chance of her getting hit, not again. A glare was returned to Brian as he talked to her.
He wanted to step in between the two and pick Shannon up and put her over his shoulder and carry her out the door, but he wasn't going to have her hate him anymore than she did. The look Brian was giving her as she pulled away from his grasp was what seemed more than a glare. Boone didn't understand why Shannon always ended up with the abusive ones. It was like she was a magnet to them, or they were like a magnet to her. He would never understand her, but he would always be the one to step in.
Once Boone saw the bruise on her temple, he clenched his fists even tighter together. Why did she keep taking things like this?
Boone, it's OK. We have to go to this party, but please, come back tomorrow and we'll have a longer visit, OK?
He didn't really like this. He wanted her to go today, now, but it seemed like she wasn't wanting to go anywhere. What could he do to get her to go home?
I'm sorry I yelled at you. I really am glad you're here... It's just that the timing was bad. Will you come over and talk tomorrow? Please?
Boone felt his fists unclench at this. Maybe she wasn't just saying that she was glad he was here and that she was sorry. She never really said that she was sorry for anything. He let his angry expression lighten up a little. "I guess," replied Boone with a sigh. "I'll be here in the morning around nine-thirty or ten." He turned to Brian with anger returning. "And if I hear that you hit her, or if there is another bruise on her body, I swear that you will pay," he said with venom. His words even scared himself a little, but he wasn't going to show that.
|
|
|
Post by shannon on Jun 27, 2008 23:45:48 GMT -5
Brian just laughed. "Oh, really?" he said between laughs. "I'll pay? Somehow, buddy, I get the feeling you're the one who's gonna pay. Ain't that right, baby?" he said, looking over at Shannon.
Shannon felt disgusted. Seeing him like this now, laughing at poor Boone, she just felt sick to her stomach. Had he always been such a low-class boor? Had he always been so rude and obnoxious and... unattractive? Looking at him now, she couldn't understand what the hell she'd ever seen in Brian. "Just shut up, Brian," she said angrily. He thought he was "in" on this with her, that he was part of her scam. He wasn't. This was nothing to do with him. It was about Boone, and maybe it always had been.
God, she'd pulled this scam on Boone so many times already. Three, maybe four times. She told herself it was about the money, and getting what she was due from Sabrina. But maybe it wasn't that at all. In fact, she knew that wasn't what it was about at all. She had mostly left the guys she was with not long after Boone's visit. And yeah, the money was great to have. But maybe it had always been about having Boone rescue her.
Was she really that pathetic? Was she really so sick that she wanted to twist and manipulate Boone to do whatever she wanted? Was she allowing--no, enabling--Boone to be her personal protector?
"No, you shut up," Brian was saying. "What the hell's wrong with you, babe? You tryin' to make me beat you up right in front of him so he'll have to save you?"
"God, Brian, just shut up," Shannon cried. "Just... go, OK? Go get dressed. Boone's leaving, and he'll come back tomorrow, and I'll talk to him, then."
Brian looked back and forth between her and Boone, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Fine. But don't tell me to shut up anymore." He walked off and disappeared into the bedroom.
Shannon turned back to Boone, placing her hand on his arm. "Look... I gotta go to this party, OK? I swear, I'll leave him tomorrow... Just please, go now, Boone."
|
|
|
Post by booney on Jul 7, 2008 13:11:38 GMT -5
Boone sighed. Shannon was not going to be coming with him, at least not this time. She didn't see what she saw in Brian. He didn't see what she saw in any of her last boyfriends. Everytime, Boone would come and get her after giving her money. He still didn't understand why she couldn't just stop and think about who she was dating.
When Brian was talking to her, Boone thought that he was going to just jump and hit him if he laid a hand on Shannon while he was there. However, that was not the case. He didn't hit her, at least not yet he didn't. Boone swore that if he came back and she was bruised, he would attack Brian. Shannon didn't deserve to be with Brian, although what did he think? That he deserved her? That was crazy.
"OK, OK," Boone said. "I'll go, but I'll be back tomorrow morning to get you." He gave a glare to Brian and moved from Shannon towards the door to leave without another word.
|
|