In Secrets Revealed (closed for SweetAsSuga)

[Luna_Wolf72]

LeAndra "Andi" LaChance.

Journal Entry 12/21/200_​

Love takes one all unaware.

No one ever chooses to fall in love or even out of love, it just happens. Like the tides. Like fate. Like day break after a long, cold night. It catches you when you least expect it and tosses you will nilly and then giggles at you when you look around confused by all the turmoil your life has become.

I don't want to be in love with my best friend.

I don't want to be that girl in school that everyone is always talking about. The queer girl. The lesbian. Carpet muncher. Dyke.

I wish it would just go away.

Journal Entry 5/26/200_​

I can't believe High School is almost over. Is it sad that I am so happy I could burst? To never have to see those people ever again in life? Well except for her...of course I will see her.

But the rest of them? With their crude words and ignorance? God, if I never have to look at them again in life, it will be too soon.

But what am I gonna do now?

It's obvious I can never tell her. And it's obvious that love doesn't go away just because you want it to. So what do I do now?

Journal Entry 8/1/200_​

Well, I got accepted. The talent scout that came to the hotel where I worked last summer? Kept her word. I have an interview to meet with an agent for the modeling school there.

It means leaving home for at least two years. Going to a big city. Fuck. I am so scared. I want to go. I do. But...what if she forgets all about me while I am gone? What if we are no longer friends? What if I can no longer ...

hell, why borrow trouble? We are besties. She would never leave me hanging. And I gotta see what the world is like for someone like me. I just have to do it...but I don't wanna leave her behind.

***Five years later***​

"Well, Miss LaChance, I look forward to working with you for our upcoming calender. You will be sure and leave your information with the receptionist on the way out, yes?"

LeAndra nodded and rose from her chair. She hadn't thought she would get this particular job. She had been told far too often that she didnt look ethnic enough...or conversely, that she looked entirely TOO ethnic.

Maybe her luck was about to change for the better?

'I can't wait to get home and call her! She has got to hear about this!'

 

[SweetAsSuga]

Kiera Dunn



They had met in middle school. Kiera the new girl, who had moved to nine new states in the past eleven months, stayed mostly to herself that first day of seventh grade. She had been grateful that the teacher in homeroom didn't expect the students to sit in alphabetical order - much like her last teachers had done - and she was able to slink away to the very back corner of the room, which allowed her to distance herself from her fellow students. The stares and whispers as her peers tried to figure out who she was always made Kiera nervous. People tended to take her shyness for arrogance and thus vicious rumors would always abound about her. Which only made her retreat further into her shell.

But then Andi entered the room. Bright and cheerful Andi who immediately plunked down in the seat next to Kiera's and proceeded to chatter away until the bell rang. She had been Kiera's lifeline, her guide through the dangerous halls of middle school. With her father in the military, Kiera hadn't expected to stay in the school for long, but, finally, the family had settled down and Kiera had a friend that traveled with her through the rest of middle school and on into high school.

The two were inseparable after their first meeting. Wherever Andi went Kiera was sure to tag along and vice versa. Never did the two spend more than a day apart. When they both got jobs in high school they made sure to work in the same hotel. Kiera, an only child, felt that she had found the sister she was always meant to have.

Then it came time for the two to part ways. Kiera went off to a state college with her boyfriend of three years, Max. Meanwhile, Andi was out to conquer the world of modeling. But still the two remained in contact.

Kiera was always grateful to have Andi only a phone call away, especially once things began to get rocky for her and Max. She relied on her friend's advice and wisdom when it came to her relationship. What Kiera never realized, though, was that her friend was in love with her.



"Yes, sir, Mr. Johnson, I will have those copies sent up immediately." Kiera hung up the phone and sighed. Her job at the governor's office was supposed to be fun and challenging. She was supposed to be rubbing shoulders with politicians and helping to make a difference. Instead, she was stuck in a tiny cubicle answering phones and making copies for some no name undersecretary. This was not what she had been hoping for. But, at least she would be going home for the weekend. A smile spread across her face as she remembered that Andi would be in town as well. She could not wait to see her best friend, it had been far too long.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Home again, though it had never really felt like home. It was the place where she laid her head between photo shoots and catalogue requests. It was simple, small and oddly formal, almost like a hotel suite but without the elegance found in the better classes of hotels.

Andi gave a small headshake and unlocked the front door, stepping inside with a furitive sideways glance that would have made her look inherently guilty if anyone had been around to notice it. As usual, no one was. Living on the top floor of a small apartment building, one with a broken elevator and five floors, had made sense at the time of her initial move in. Two years into it? It no longer made sense but Andi was a creature of habit. Moving was utterly out of the question.

Walking into the living room, Andi passed by the telephone stand that held her old cordless phone and answering machine. She found that she prefered an actual machine to the voice mail system and had gigglingly admited to Ki-Ki last year that she wouldn't even attempt to set up the computerized voice mail. Kiera, of course, had laughed at her and told her she was being ridiculous.

Privately, Andi agreed.

Footsteps led her through the kitchenette and into her bedroom. There, she hung up her jacket, pulled out her flight bag and packed her clothes for a weekend spent visiting her friend. It had been almost six months since their last girl time and even though part of Andi dreaded these visits, most of her was excited. She missed Ki-Ki whenever they parted. Missed her with a fierceness that was sometimes~ scary.

Finally, the bag was packed. LeAndra returned to the living room and her telephone, smiling slightly. Now, all she had to do was call Ki-Ki and let her know when she would be coming to town.

<RING>....<RING>

A robotic voice~
"You have now reached the Voice Mail Box of...Kiera Dunn...Please leave your name and number and a brief message at the tone."

<BEEP>

"Hey Kiera. It's Andi. I am catching my flight in an hour or so. Should be there by 7 PM. Will call again after I touch down. I can't wait to catch up!!"

<Click>

LeAndra hung up and moved to finish getting ready for her flight. Not that the plane ride was long but the idea of planes still gave her the willies and a nerve pill and a few shots were definitely the keys to her survival.

Journal Entry September 200_ *seventh grade*​

I met a really cool girl today! Her name is Kiera Dunn and she is really quiet. I think her family has moved around a lot. Mom says that I should always be nice to new people because I was once new, myself.

It would be nice to have a friend that doesn't think I am weird cuz I read alot or because I am tall and skinny. And she never once said anything about my hair or the fact that I am brown skinned with these stupid colored ringlets.

I hope she's in school tomorrow!

 

[SweetAsSuga]

Walking into her apartment, Kiera was overcome by an odd sensation. She couldn't pinpoint what the problem was, but something was amiss. Glancing around she noticed a few items out of place on her kitchen counter and on the living room bookshelves.

"Max?" She called out, setting her briefcase on the counter. "Max are you home?"

Upon graduating college, Max and Kiera had moved into a small, one bedroom apartment in the city, which allowed them to each walk to their jobs - Kiera at the state Capitol building and Max at a law firm just a few blocks away. Things hadn't always been good in their relationship. All through college Kiera had dealt with his drunken stupors and his cheating. But, through it all, they had remained a couple. Everyone expected them to get married one day, even Kiera expected it, though she didn't know if she truly loved him enough for that commitment.

"Come on, Max, where are you?" Starting to get worried, Kiera poked her head into the bedroom and the bathroom. Nobody was home. Noticing the blinking light on the answering machine, Kiera pressed the play button.

"Hey Kiera. It's Andi. I am catching my flight in an hour or so. Should be there by 7 PM. Will call again after I touch down. I can't wait to catch up!!" The sound of her best friend's voice instantly made Kiera smile. She could not wait to jump in the car and head back to her parents' home for the weekend. But, she had to wait for Max, wherever the hell he was.

The answering machine moved on to the next message.

Hey, babe, Max's voice filled the apartment, so I've been feeling really tied down lately and I think I need some room to think and breath for a bit. The guys and I are heading to Las Vegas for the weekend. Don't go turning lesbian over the weekend. Laters.

Fuming, Kiera replayed his message. What the hell did he mean he needed space? They had nothing but space anymore, especially since he had been working so many late hours on a new case. And what did he mean turn lesbian? Max had always assumed that since Andi, a lesbian, was Kiera's best friend and the two were so close that, obviously, there was more going on between them than friendship. Kiera always yelled at him when he inferred something so ridiculous. It's the subject he used whenever he wanted to start an argument. Well Kiera was sick of it. Let him have his boy's weekend in Vegas, Kiera was more than happy to let him go off and leave her be. After all, she did not need him tagging along with her and Andi, making his insulting comments about lesbians and calling Andi a dyke the whole weekend.




Deciding that she needed some Best Friend time ASAP, Kiera called Andi's parents on her drive home and told them she'd pick Andi up from the airport. Reaching the terminal where Andi would be departing, Kiera held up a sign that read "Miss LaChance," which she'd scribbled in the car and donned a chauffer's cap she'd found in the airport gift shop. Standing with the rest of the people awaiting their loved ones, Kiera searched the crowd exiting the terminal. Somewhere in their midst was Andi and she could not wait to throw her arms around her friend and hold her close. Nothing could mend a broken heart like one of Andi's hugs.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

The flight hadn't been as bad as Andi had prepared for. In fact, it had been downright boring. She had even taken a nap. So, when the plane taxied onto the runway, Andi had grabbed her flight bag and was one of the first people to disembark.

She walked through the crowded airport, looking around for her mom or dad, but as was usual, they were no where to be found. Finally, a few hundred feet away, she noticed a sign with her name on it. It wasn't until she had gotten just a little closer that she saw it was being held by Kiera in a chauffer's cap. She could feel love welling up, suffusing her very center with warmth and adoration. As usual, Andi stuffed it down and grinned.

"Ki-Ki!!"

The first few minutes were spent hugging her friend tightly. Finally, after a fierce inner battle, Andi released Kiera and took a step back. Eyes roamed her friend's face and form, making sure that the other woman was still in one piece and healthy. Except for the sadness hidden in the back of Kiera's eyes, Andi could see that her friend was just fine.

"Why are you here instead of my mum? And where is your...significant other?"

LeAndra only asked after Max to be polite. She hated him and was more than a little jealous of the man who was allowed to sleep beside Kiera every night and treated her so abominably. Of course, she would never admit it to Ki but Max knew it. She had told him in no uncertain terms the last time he had got caught up allowing his dick to lead him around. He had soon gotten his own back. After all, he had figured out that Andi loved Ki-Ki. He used every opportunity after that, to fondle, to kiss or hug his woman in front of her~ smirking all the while, the bastard.

"Not that I mind you coming instead of my mom. Since I had EVERY intention of calling you soon as I slung my stuff down."

Andi hefted her flight bag with her right hand and tucked her left hand through the slight crook in Kiera's arm. Tugging lightly, she got the two of them moving toward the exit, chattering all the while. She knew there was something bugging her friend, but this was NOT the time nor place to discuss it.

Soon enough, they were out in the parking lot.

"Where'd you park Ki-Ki?"

 

[SweetAsSuga]

Kiera returned Andi's hug eagerly. This was exactly what the doctor had ordered. Suddenly, all the crap that had been going on in Kiera's life didn't seem to matter and everything seemed bright and cheery.

"C'mon," she said grabbing Andi's bag from her, "I'm parked right outside. I'm so glad that you're here, Andi, life just isn't the same without you to talk to every day. How are you doing? How's the modeling going?"

The two made their way to Kiera's car and she slung Andi's bag into the trunk. Making their way through the traffic, the two talked the entire way back to their hometown. As she pulled the car up alongside the curb by Andi's house, Kiera glanced at her friend.

"Okay, so I can drop you off now and you can say hi to your folks...or we can grab some beers and head down to the river. Your call."

The river had always been their spot. Nearly every day after school the two of them could be found down there working on homework or simply talking. It was a place that held so many good memories that it was impossible for either of them to remain in a foul mood when they were there.

Watching Andi, Kiera realized just how much she had missed her friend. It wasn't just having her there to talk to, it was having someone who truly knew her. Someone who knew her inside and out and never questioned or wanted to change the person that Kiera was. Andi understood her and was always there when she needed a shoulder to lean on. It was truly amazing how one person could be such a part of your life that nothing seems right when they aren't there.

Overcome with emotion, Kiera leaned over and hugged Andi tightly.

"I'm so glad you're here," she said, "I've missed you so much."

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

It never failed to amaze Andi, the way she and Kiera fit together. No one else had the ability to set Andi at ease with a smile or a hug, only her friend. Listening to the cascade of words as they drove along busy side streets helped Andi to focus, helped her unwind. THIS was the moment that she relished, that jolt of connection that announced~"You are home and safe."

She never knew if Ki-Ki felt the same way, but she felt it was a very safe assumption that her best friend also felt that instantaneous Home thing, whenever they met up again. As different as they were~in temperment, in sexuality, in their outlook, THAT was the same. Friendship equalled home.

It always had.

"You know damned well I would much prefer to hit the river with you. Just give me a few minutes to drop off my stuff and tell mom where I am headed to, okay?"

And then, Kiera had leaned in close and surrounded Andi~with her scent, her warmth, her sweetness. It took every bit of control Andi possessed to not act on the heat that flashed through her belly.

"I always miss you when I am not here. You know that Ki. Five minutes?"

With that, Andi disengaged herself and collected her bag from the back of the car. Slipping from the car's confines took but a moment and soon enough her legs were carrying her toward her childhood home.

"LeAndra!!! You're here!!"

Her mother's warm alto caused Andi to hurry along the hallway, until she entered the kitchen.

"Mom! I am gonna drop my stuff off and head out for a while with Kiera. You don't mind, do you?"

More laughter, the kind that spoke more plainly than any word given to anyone.

"I knew I was gonna lose you your first evening back. Here~ I packed you some dinner. Take the key off the rack by the door...and I will see you in the morning."

Andi grabbbed the small wicker hamper her mother presented to her and turned away to grab the key from it's spot near the kitchen entrance. Finally, she blew a kiss to her mother and scurried back outside~ to Kiera and the car.

"Okay!! Let's go. Mom packed us some country ham sandwiches and potato salad...plus who knows what all else. Guess she figured I'd be starving before you finally released me from your evil clutches."

Andi laughed at Kiera's shocked expression before placing the wicker basket on the car's back seat.

"And since I provided dinner, you gotta buy the beers. Only fair!!"

Laughter then and every thing felt JUST fine. Kiera would talk to her, eventually. Would explain why her eyes held such a bad mixture of anger and sadness. Maybe not right off the bat, but she would spill it, because she trusted her friend.

Andi giggled and reached out, trailing one slim finger over Kiera's cheek.

"Don't try to wiggle your way outta the good stuff either. You KNOW my mom can cook her butt off! Definitely worth a decent beer!!"

Kiera laughingly agreed and put the car in drive.

 

[SweetAsSuga]

Knocking back a beer, Kiera surveyed the river in front of her. The current moved over rocks sluggishly, the gentle gurgle of the water calming to Kiera's overburdened mind. She glanced at Andi, the empty picnic basket separating them.

"I think Max is breaking up with me," she said, disturbing the comfortable silence the two had fallen into. "He called me before I left to say he needed some space. Truth is, I don't think I even care. We haven't really been close lately. Mostly we see each other long enough to say hi and have a quick fuck."

It felt good to get the words off her chest, and Kiera felt a million pounds lighter.

"And my job sucks. I mean, I thought I would be changing the world by now, you know? I had so many good intentions, but instead I'm stuck filing papers and getting coffee. I want to quit, but I don't know what else I'd do."

Kiera lay back on the grass, running a weary hand through her hair as she stared up at the clear blue sky.

"So that's my sad story. What about you, Andi? How's the modeling coming?" Turning her head to look up at her friend, Kiera smiled, feeling the weight of the world lifting off her shoulders.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

They had pulled up to the river almost two hours prior. In that time they had giggled, eaten and sipped. There had been gossip and clowning around. LeAndra could tell that Kiera needed a break from her thoughts which meant that she did not press for conversation. Instead she allowed her friend to set the tone.

However, once the sun began it's western descent, the mood changed. Kiera had grown introspective. Since plenty of Killian's had been consumed by both young ladies, it took a moment for LeAndra to focus on Kiera's words.

"I think Max is breaking up with me. He called me before I left to say he needed some space. Truth is, I don't think I even care. We haven't really been close lately. Mostly we see each other long enough to say hi and have a quick fuck."

Andi gazed at her friend, wide eyed. Max and Kiera had been together forever. The idea of them splitting up was...odd. Before she could put her thoughts into words, Kiera continued.

"And my job sucks. I mean, I thought I would be changing the world by now, you know? I had so many good intentions, but instead I'm stuck filing papers and getting coffee. I want to quit, but I don't know what else I'd do."

Andi nodded her understanding. She had known for quite a while that Ki was tired of her job. Long before, when she had first gotten the assistant's position at the Governor's office, Ki had been fired up, excited, filled with an unending stream of hopes, gossip, dreams.

That had changed within a year. Hearing Kiera talk about leaving filled Andi with a sense of pride. Not that she felt Ki should quit her job. At least not until she knew what she needed to feel like she was doing her part for her community, her country.

"So that's my sad story. What about you, Andi? How's the modeling coming?"

LeAndra grinned.

"Uh-uh, girly pie. No getting to my news until we've discussed your plans...."

Taking a sip of her beer, LeAndra leaned back and allowed her eyes to focus on the water that rushed by.

"I am sorry about you and Max. Really sorry. I never thought he was worthy of you, not since the first time he allowed his dick to do his thinking for him. That doesn't change the fact that I know you love him...otherwise why the hell would you allow him to be with you when you could do sooo much better?"

Andi took another sip of her beer and trained her gaze upon Kiera's face. She tried to think of the right thing to say but came up with nothing so she just rambled, words spilling out with no forethought.

"Honestly Ki, I know you deserve more than a Hi and some sex occasionally. Anyone with half a brain would gladly give you that without all the drama of a relationship. Why the hell are you waiting for him to end it? You should do it and be done."

Silence filled the space between them. Andi shook her head and gave her friend a mock glare.

"Also, I knew you were unhappy with your job. I don't advocate quitting, at least not now, but perhaps you should think about what you want to do and take steps to make that possible. You are amazingly bright, talented, a hard worker~not to mention utterly gorgeous." Andi's mouth quirked into a half grin before she continued. "So, I am sure you could find something that suits you much better and allows you to do something that leaves you fulfilled."

Andi finished the last of her drink and placed it in the bag with the other empties.

"Okay. Andi is done lecturing, I promise."

LeAndra took a moment to open another beer before resuming the conversation. A long swallow, a hearty burp~one long and loud enough to startle laughter from both women. The intensity, faded.

"I got asked to do a calendar. Pretty good rate of pay. Though if I were just a wee bit taller~3 inches would do it~, I could probably be working the runway instead of catalogs and the like. Doesn't matter. For the most part, I am happy with the whole set up and have banked enough cash that when I decide to stop hawking my ass, I can go back to school. Don't ask me what I want to go back to school for...cuz I don't know..."

Andi reached over to run her fingers over Kiera's cheek bone.

"All in all, the modeling is working out for me...it's a pretty decent living. But I tell you true, I can't wait to quit so I can eat whatever I want without worrying about weight gain. I wanna be Tyra fucking Banks. Sexy as hell and thick. Oh yeah."

The sun edged it's way closer to the horizon line, fading the crisp blue to mottled pink, mauve, purple.

"Do you know that this, this right here, is the most fun I have had in damned near six months?"

Leaning closer, LeAndra allowed herself to kiss the cheek her fingers had just grazed.

"Now come on and drink up, woman. No more gloom or sad things. We are gonna get tore up from the floor up and then go to a bar and continue the festivities. After all, changing your entire life around~whether you do it today or next year, requires a good drunk to cement the happy feelings."