Prologue:
It was storming heavily by the time Hollis raced out of Whitney’s house, which just added to the already miserable day she was having. Hearing Whitney cry out her name made everything worse, and she struggled to block it out as she slid into her car and started the ignition. Rain drops pounded on her windshield like threatening pellets and she locked her doors just before her dark-haired lover appeared, trying to open the passenger side in frustration.
“DON’T DO THIS!” Whitney screamed desperately, ready to throw herself on top of Hollis’ Corolla. The other girl wasn’t listening, and started backing out of her driveway quickly.
“I’m sorry. I just- I need to leave.” Hollis shakily pushed her sopping wet blonde hair aside and sped away. She tried not to notice Whitney running beside her vehicle, but it was impossible with all the pleading and banging on the windowpane. Picking up speed, the girl she’d fallen so head over heels in love with was easily left behind.
A despairing voice called out after her.
“I NEED you, Hollis. Don’t you need me?”
That’s the problem, I can’t need you. Hollis thought to herself as she cursed out loud, pulling over to the side of the road after she’d driven far enough away from Whitney. Her fists collided with the steering wheel as she sobbed unapologetically. Thunderous lightening crashed in the dark sky, drowning out her screams of anguish.
********************
Chapter One:
| Hollis |
Sunlight crept in through the off white venetian blinds, directly hitting Hollis Bogard‘s now squinting clear grey eyes. Running a hand through her shoulder length blonde hair, she glanced at the sleeping ebony girl beside her and groaned softly. Panicked thoughts rushed forward.
Shit. I should’ve left hours ago. How many tablets did I take?
Hollis accessed the bedroom sleepily. This wasn’t her bed, and that was a problem. She’d been invited to a huge blow out party last night, and broke all the rules sleeping with the hostess. Girls were supposed to come home with her, not the other way around. To be fair, she usually wasn’t partial to ecstasy but it’d been a rough week at Ringo’s Pub where she worked full time as a bartender, so in her mind she deserved the trip.
Fuck, I need to get out of here.
Careful not to wake the stunning caramel colored woman, Hollis slipped out of the plush queen sized bed swiftly and quietly. Thankfully, her black timberland boots were easy to find. Right along with the rest of her clothing, just outside the conjoining bathroom. Keeping one eye on the stirring mass still tangled up in her black and red stripped comforter, Hollis finished dressing and exited the room silently.
She hadn’t even made it across the street to her car before she heard a familiar voice shout from above.
“Wait- don’t you want my number?” Half dressed Asia Primrose leaned out of her second story window and called into the chilly morning air. Her cunt still tingled with memories of last night as she watched the statuesque blonde unlock her blue 2016 Toyota Corolla and slip inside of it hastily. Hollis poked her head out of the window sympathetically.
She hated this part, but there was no way around it.
“I don’t think so, sweetheart. Thanks for last night, great party.” The sound of her engine revving almost drowned out Asia’s string of colorful cursing, and Hollis cracked a smile in spite of herself. She couldn’t help it. Giggling and laughing at the most inappropriate times had always been a nervous tick of hers. For as long as she could remember. Even when her parents were screaming at each other, she’d hide out in her room giggling like mad.
She wasn’t the first, and definitely wouldn’t be the last. Girls made for a nice distraction, but weren’t meant for much else in Hollis’ world. That’s the way it was, and she didn’t see why it had to change. Fucking without any strings attached was the ultimate life hack- all of the pleasure, none of the bullshit.
Hollis drove fifteen minutes through Auburn with only Britney Spears to keep her company. She loved early morning drives, and Miss Spears too if someone was twisting her arm for a confession. The vast amount of pine trees accompanied by a crisp breeze made her feel unusually lucky to reside in Maine. Of course, it’s easy to take things for granted when you’ve always had them. In Hollis’ case, it was living in her hometown. Drumming her long fingers to the beat of “Me Against The Music” on her steering wheel, she pulled into the spacious three bedroom house she shared with her older brother, Dalton. At 8:15 A.M, he was probably rushing around getting ready for work. With their opposite choice in occupations, Hollis usually had the place to herself during the day, leaving Dalton to his own devices in the evening.
It worked out much better that way.
“Do we still have donuts? I’m fucking starving!” Rubbing her growling stomach, Hollis bulldozed through the front door and made a bee line for the kitchen to check out breakfast options. An alert Dalton looked up from his bowl of honey nut Cheerios and scoffed with a full mouth.
“You know you’re the only one who eats that crap, Holl. Wherever you left ‘em, they’re still there.” At thirty years of age, Dalton Bogard was every bit the responsible adult their parents raised him to be. Not only a top car dealership salesman, he also made time to grow his own produce and sell it to members at the gym he frequented as a way to make extra income. In contrast to Hollis’ light eyes and blonde features, Dalton inherited their father’s striking brick reddish brown eyes and a full head of thick black hair. If it weren’t for his job, he’d probably have let it grow out since it came in so fast even after a fresh haircut. Hollis often referred to him as a young Jude Law, and the flattering compliment wasn’t too far off.
“Bingo!” Hollis fished a hand into her sacred box of chocolate covered donuts and came out with the last one. Dalton watched as she took a huge bite and shook his head before drinking the remaining almond milk from his cereal and rinsing the bowl in their black double basin drop-in kitchen sink.
He’d learned years ago not to meddle in his sister’s life, which included harping about whatever garbage that girl put into her body. The unfair aspect was knowing how hard he and others had to work everyday to achieve their ideal physiques, while apathetic Hollis remained slightly toned where it mattered and thin everywhere else with little to no effort whatsoever. Even with their differences in appearance, anyone from a mile away could tell they were related. Blessed with an even mixture of Dutch and Swedish ancestry, both siblings towered over most of their friends, with Hollis standing at 5’11 and Dalton being 6’2. They shared similar facial expressions, and even laughed alike.
“Weren’t you just leaving?” Hollis dusted the crumbs from her hands and slapped Dalton’s back playfully. Since walking through the door, she could just tell the wheels in her older brother’s head were turning. Wondering where she’d been. As close as they were, she preferred to keep what she did with her personal life from family. They wouldn’t get it. She was different from them, and not just because she liked women while her brother and parents were straighter than an arrow.
“Yep! Which also reminds me, you’re on your own for dinner tonight. I’m picking Nina up after work to catch a movie. You know me, I’ll just grab a salad on the way.” Dalton straightened his abstract Banana Republic tie and swiftly made his way out the door without waiting for Hollis’ response. The blonde watched him leave with little interest as she rubbed the back of her sore neck wearily. That molly was cut with something, and it was fucking Hollis up bad. For some reason, being in the comfort of her own home was making it worse. The adrenaline from waking with a jolt earlier was wearing off and now all she wanted to do was pass out.
Alone with her thoughts, Hollis finished washing the remaining dishes and bounded upstairs for a mid morning nap- letting out a silent yawn along the way.
What can I get myself into later?
Maybe something would come to her after she’d caught a few Z’s. With it being the tail end of the first weekend she’d had in almost a month, she was determined to make it memorable.
| Whitney | “We’re so proud of you, honey.” James York reached across the classic white patio table where his family all gathered for dinner, and squeezed his eldest daughter Theresa’s hand tightly; A sentiment the newly casted actress returned with a flutter of her doe-like sea green eyes and what was meant to be a humble smile, but Whitney York knew better. Her sister craved the attention like she craved a knife in her own trachea anytime they all got together.It wasn’t that she was jealous, she always knew they came from different worlds in personality. From day one, Theresa had gotten into beauty pageants and gymnastics with an enthusiasm that their parents couldn’t help but support. It was only natural she’d take ridiculously expensive acting classes and be in all the right places to meet all the in people littered throughout Hollywood California. Thanks to a diet of sparkling water, adderall, and a few
| Hollis |It wasn’t until three A.M the next morning when Hollis quietly snuck through the front door, being mindful of the creaking as she entered. Nina’s cream colored Volkswagen Beetle was parked in the driveway, letting her know Dalton wasn’t alone.Neither was she.“Take my hand,” she whispered to the strung out freckled girl behind her. Giggling softly, Mandy complied almost immediately and allowed Hollis to lead the way through the dark living room and up a set of carpeted stairs. They’d met quite accidentally at a local rock event playing at Chelsea’s Sports Bar not far from Hollis’ house. Mandy had mistaken Hollis for a friend of hers when she jumped on her back gleefully, catching the tall blonde woman off guard. Neither girl felt disappointed once the confusion had been cleared up and they were properly introduced. After a few hours of drinking and pill popping, Hollis didn’t feel comfort
| Hollis |The last several evenings at Ringo’s were really starting to wear on the Franchise staff’s nerves. With a multitude of Fall festivities right around the corner, not to mention the nearby strip mall advertising massive sales in almost all it’s stores, everybody and their mom began stopping in for a quick bite and a refreshing drink. When one wave of patrons left, another seemed to pack in. It was impossible to get caught up.Hollis as always kept everyone from killing each other, employees and customers alike. Although her primary responsibility was tending to the constantly packed bar, she’d duck in and out of the kitchen to run her grateful wait staff’s hot food whenever she had a spare moment.“Can you grab table fifteen’s mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings, Hollis? They’ve got a ceaser salad and personal pizza too.” Bubbly college student Morgana Dahl called over her shoulder as she watched the
| Whitney|“So what brings you to our little city, West Coast? We’re a ways out from your neck of the woods.”Whitney watched the mischievous blonde woman she’d collided with a handful of hours ago tighten the bun behind her head, and offered a half shrug as some sort of response. The conversation had been pretty light leading up to this point. After going over a basic run down of Auburn and it’s highlights, they’d skimmed through one of the art books and Hollis listened intently as Whitney explained how she usually didn’t follow guidelines, but wanted to improve her style a bit. As reserved as Hollis seemed to be, she hung off Whitney’s every word with unwavering fascination. It was for that reason especially that Whitney didn’t want to get into the specifics for why she’d driven blindly to Maine.“My family sucks. That’s the short story.&rdqu
| Whitney |“This is insanity! What are you doing out there, Whit? Come back home.” Theresa’s exasperated tone irritated her younger sister to no end. When she couldn’t ignore her family’s constant barrage of phone calls any longer, she finally gave in and answered mid ring just before hopping in the shower to begin job hunting. Auburn didn’t seem to have many prospects- but there was still one more day to go until she’d see Hollis again at Chelsea’s, and sticking around Kendra and her obscure group of drinking buddies wasn’t an option.“California was never my home.” Whitney replied without missing a beat, undoing the tie holding her long black braid together and separating the mess of wavy curls with her fingers as she spoke. “I wish you’d give me space, Theresa. Mom and dad too. I have my own money, and I’m doing alright for myself in Maine-““But WHY
| Whitney |Flip flop. Flip flop.Whitney’s heart wouldn’t stop thumping.Nervously twirling a few black curls around her forefinger, she crossed her ankles nervously and kept glancing at the front entrance of Aroma Joe’s. The quaint coffee shop should have made her feel cozy, with the enticingly warm smell of fresh brewed coffee wafting in the air and it’s cabin-esq decor, but all she’d been able to concentrate on was steadying her breathing. Thoughts of her past began trickling in from memory as she continued to wait for Hollis.Like most everything, California wasn’t all bad and had given Whitney a handful of semi serious girlfriends. Even with the exhilarating moments, it was always the same in the end. Girls with a taste for glitz and glamor, attractive studs with at least one EX girlfriend making Whitney’s life hell. The last relationship she’d had came to an abrupt halt five months ago. Crisz
| Hollis |Hollis never took anyone fishing with her, let alone to the special little spot she’d stumbled upon accidentally on her nineteenth birthday. As close as she was to Dalton, their interests couldn’t have been any more different, so she never bothered asking if he might want to come along. That afternoon, she’d slipped away from the apartment she and Dalton lived in at the time after he admitted to inviting their dysfunctional parents over for a intimate celebration, and started driving toward the lake. One wrong turn took her through a twenty minute maze that eventually lead to a scenic riverbank. A long, wide surface made of an almost polished stone made it comfortable for Hollis to enjoy sitting under it’s Juniper trees and fish for hours. Surprisingly enough, she’d never had an issue finding that spot again, but for the life of her wouldn’t know how to direct anybody else down there. Thinking about this while Whitney climbed int
| Hollis |She tried so hard to forget about the kiss, but couldn’t. It’d been playing in her mind on repeat relentlessly since it happened.Whitney’s pillowy soft lips felt like heaven against her own, and Hollis could still smell the floral body spray on the other girl’s freckled neck. It’d been a perfect opportunity to bone right there on the rocks overlooking the sparking river, but just as they were practically swallowing each other’s tongues, Whitney’s fishing rod began jerking lightly.At Ringo’s cleaning beer glasses, Hollis smiled like an idiot at the memory.********************“Oh shit! What do I do!?” Whitney giggled, fidgeting with her rod for a second.“Good going, you got one! Now bring her in, like this.” Hollis had been quick to help Whitney reel in her catch, basking in her friend’s glowing excitement. Before long, a wr