Post by K.I.S.S. on Jan 9, 2015 23:56:08 GMT -6
Bethany Kenyon walks into Jeszika Gautier’s house for a New Year’s Eve girls’ night in repeat of Christmas Eve. After having spent five days with Brody Montgomery, this would be the first time she’d seen her friends since Christmas and she was looking forward to this immensely. As she steps inside the doorway, her younger sister, Ashley Kenyon, comes to meet her while Jeszika, Nikki Peltier and Carrie Winter all remain on the couches in front of the television.
Ashley Kenyon: Wow… I’m amazed you can walk!
Bethany shrugs shyly.
Bethany Kenyon: We didn’t just go back to my place and screw like rabbits. As a matter of fact, not that it’s any of your business, we only did that once…
Ashley’s jaw drops.
Ashley Kenyon: You never went to your place?
Shaking her head, Bethany keeps walking over to the couch
Bethany Kenyon: No, he wants to keep that... special.
Ashley Kenyon: Wow...
Bethany Kenyon: Yeah, it was great...
Ashley Kenyon: So what did you do then?
Bethany Kenyon: Tourist stuff...
Ashley Kenyon: You're kidding!
Bethany Kenyon: I am not.
Ashley Kenyon: Shut... up!
Bethany Kenyon: Like I said, it was nice...
Ashley Kenyon: Billy would shit if i asked to do that!
Bethany Kenyon: You actually would?
Ashley Kenyon: Well, no, but that's besides the point!
Jeszika Gautier: Are you serious? You're telling us, that you only did tourist stuff... for five days... with Brody?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Until the last night, yeah…
Jeszika Gautier: Wow... I'm amazed... truly amazed.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: He... just seemed to need somebody to be there. Not necessarily for that but...
Jeszika Gautier: Company is good. Sometimes relationships aren't all about the sex. Me and Mel didn’t always sleep together. Sometimes we'd just sit and talk. Sure she'd tie me up but it wasn’t sexual. Just tie me up and let me snuggle into her while we watched a movie or something…
She smiles.
Jeszika Gautier: I'm glad things are good between the two of you. I'm glad to see you both happy.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I know... wasn't what I was expecting at all but it wasn't bad either.
Jeszika Gautier: What were you expecting?
Bethany Kenyon: I... dunno...
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: Wild, swinging from the chandeliers shit?
Carrie shakes her head.
Carrie Winter: She's not you, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah but this is Brody we're talking abou. Swinging from the chandeliers is amazing by the way, you should all try it...
She smiles.
Carrie Winter: Yeah but... you've had both of them, can you really see him asking her for that?
Jeszika Gautier: I would ask them both for it. but I see where you're coming from, Care.
Nikki Peltier: Guys... do we really need to go into...
Ashley cuts her off.
Ashley Kenyon: Damn right we do! She just spent five days in a hotel with Brody Montgomery... we NEED details!
Jeszika Gautier: So what kind of touristy stuff did you do?
Bethany Kenyon: Bourbon street, blues joints... all the stuff we usually wouldn't do cause we live here and found Prey and places like that instead of the traps.
Jeszika Gautier: Nice, when you gonna go see him again?
Bethany Kenyon: At the show when we tag team...
Ashley nods.
Ashley Kenyon: That oughtta be interesting. Brody and Aerynn in the same ring again...
Jeszika Gautier: Here's hoping they don't kill each other....
Bethany Kenyon: Me too since i'll be in the middle of it and legal!
Jeszika Gautier: If they do, two got two choices there, seperate them, or get the hell outta the way.
Bethany Kenyon: Not with Shonn Maguire there too.
Jeszika Gautier: If you need back up, just holla. I wouldn’t shirk away from taking them down.
Bethany Kenyon: You've got enough to worry about with Baron.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah I do, gonna be a tough fight that one, my first title defence.
Ashley Kenyon: I wonder why they didn't schedule us for a defense.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: Logistics, I'd bet.
Ashley frowns.
Ashley Kenyon: Logistics?
Nikki nods her agreement.
Nikki Peltier: After what happened to Craven at cataclysm, I'd imagine Oliver's a little hesitant to double book people like that again. Two big matches in one night is asking a little much, even for you, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah I think he learnt from that one.
Ashley Kenyon: So you're saying it's my fault?
Bethany, Nikki, Carrie and Jeszika all shake their heads.
Carrie Winter: No…
Jeszika Gautier: No, Sweetie, no…
Nikki Peltier: Wasn't saying that at all.
Ashley crosses her arms.
Ashley Kenyon: What were you saying then?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: That asking you to go out there and fly with Amy Zing after you already had to go tooth and nail with me against one of the tag teams here would be a bad idea because all of those teams, be it Bene Elohim, Cornbread Mafia, the Knights, Sang Rayal, Gealtachta...
Jeszika Gautier: Would be a tough ask of anyone to be double booked.
Ashley Kenyon: You don't think i could do it?
Bethany raises her hands to try and calm her sister.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash…
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: Naw, here I am.. I went out and won a second title and you're still doubting me!
Bethany's jaw drops.
Bethany Kenyon: I'm not…
Ashley cuts her off before she can finish her thought.
Ashley Kenyon: Yes, you are!
Bethany can't take it anymore.
Bethany Kenyon: GODDAMMIT, ASH?! I NEVER DOUBTED YOU!!! NOT WHEN MAMA DIED, NOT WHEN YOU WANTED TO BE FUCKED UP ALL THE TIME, NOT WHEN YOU WENT OFF PLANS AND NOT WHEN VINCE JONES CHEATED!!!!
Everyone else stands there thunderstruck from Bethany finally raising her voice.
Jeszika Gautier: Wow....
That's all Jeszika can say as she stares at Beth shocked
Nikki Peltier: Bethy…
Carrie Winter: Are you ok?
Jeszika Gautier: Look guys... everyone just breathe ok... clearly something’s up and we need to sort this out.
Ashley barely manages a nod.
Ashley Kenyon: Bethy, what happened?
Her sister’s voice is barely audible.
Bethany Kenyon: Nothing...
Carrie and Nikki look to each other and then back to Bethany.
Carrie Winter: Bethy…
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: Nothing… it’s… it’s fine…
Jeszika Gautier: You can tell us, Beth.
Bethany starts to answer but can’t find the words. Ashley walks over to her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: He’s worse than you thought… isn’t he?
Bethany nods sadly.
Jeszika Gautier: Brody?
Bethany nods.
Jeszika Gautier: I'm sure you can B, have faith.
Carrie nods her agreement.
Carrie Winter: Bethy, there's not a woman in this house right now that can say they would be better off without you in their lives... he's the exact same way!
Jeszika Gautier: Exactly.
Bethany smiles and brings them all into a group hug.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you guys!
Jeszika Gautier: And we love you too, B.
The morning after New Year’s dawns to find the five ladies still at Jeszika’s but with Billy Hawkes having joined them for a special trip with Ashley and Jeszika later on.
Bethany walks in the front door from having placed a call to Brody Montgomery to see how he’s doing only to see Carrie Winter walking to the bathroom again. This had been a regular thing the previous night as well. Bethany nods to her sister, Ashley, and stares down the hallway. Ashley stands up from the couch where she was sitting with her boyfriend, discussing their plans for later that day, and heads off in the same direction just as Nikki Peltier and Jeszika Gautier come in from the kitchen. Jeszika takes one look down the hallway and visibly shudders, a sinking feeling coming over her.
Jeszika Gautier: They wouldn’t…
She starts to go after them but something holds her back, the niggling question of does she really want the answer that waits down the hallway for her if she goes down there after them? Near panic, she glances between her remaining guests.
Jeszika Gautier: Would they?
Bethany shrugs, looking slightly ashamed and that’s all Jeszika needs to see.
Jeszika Gautier: B…
Bethany starts to answer and Jeszika rushes down the hallway, Bethany and Nikki right behind her.
Bethany Kenyon: Jezzy… Jezzy, wait!
Not paying attention, Jeszika moves in towards the bathroom and opens the door to find Carrie and Ashley standing over a mirror with lines of white powder cut out on it, Carrie showing visible signs of having just used some.
Ashley Kenyon: Oh...shit…
Jeszika Gautier: Please for the love of all that is holy tell me I'm not seeing what I think I'm seeing....
She tries to keep her voice calm but her rising anger and shock seep through
Ashley Kenyon: It’s not completely what you think it is…
Jeszika Gautier: Then pray tell me what it is before I throw you both out of my house!
Before anyone can answer, the voices of the other girls fly in from behind.
Bethany Kenyon: Damn…
Nikki Peltier: I’m making a call right now…
Carrie just nods her head in shame.
Carrie Winter: I’m sorry… I…
She slumps down to the floor, tears welling up in her guilt-ridden eyes.
Ashley Kenyon: I came down here to try and… hoping it wasn’t…
Jeszika Gautier: Explain. Now!
Carrie’s voice wavers.
Carrie Winter: She must have seen me last night…
Jeszika Gautier: You did this...
She points to the drugs.
Jeszika Gautier: You did this in MY house last night too?
Jeszika's hands clench to fists.
Jeszika Gautier: I trusted you Carrie... not to do anything like this in my house…
Ashley Kenyon: She didn’t do it in the house the first couple of times.
Jeszika Gautier: Then tell me what happened! Explain to me why there is cocaine lined up on my bathroom sink right now and the two of you are here.
Carrie Winter: Because I can’t stop!
Jeszika's eyes fall into Ashley. She narrows her eyes at her.
Jeszika Gautier: And you... i trusted you to have stopped using and yet here i find you with coke lined up in front of you..
Ashley nods back defiantly.
Ashley Kenyon: I haven’t had any and if you want me to prove it, go get me a piss quiz and I’ll do it right here in front of everybody!
Jeszika Gautier: Fine, go get one... if you fail I swear to god…
Nikki nods and disappears from behind them.
Ashley Kenyon: I won’t… because I didn’t come in here to do any with her.
Jeszika Gautier: Then pray tell why did you come up here?
Carrie looks up sadly.
Carrie Winter: To try and get me to flush it…
Jeszika Gautier: And how did you know she was up here doing this hmm? Did she tell you? Did she invite you to join her?
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: Then how?
Ashley nods behind Jeszika.
Ashley Kenyon: Bethy noticed last night and told me to check and make sure.
Jeszika turns to Bethany.
Jeszika Gautier: You knew... and you didn't tell me?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t know… I… suspected… didn’t wanna say anything unless i knew for sure.
Jeszika Gautier: And Ash, what did you plan to do once you caught her, huh?
Ashley Kenyon: Well I was about to ask her to get rid of the shit when you opened the door and jumped to so many conclusions, you’d think you needed a damn rope!
Jeszika Gautier: Can you blame me? You'd come to the same conclusion if you were me…
Before Ashley can answer, her sister starts in.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash, no!
Ashley nods knowingly.
Ashley Kenyon: Gee, thanks for the back-up there, Mom! This one WAS your operation!
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know...
Jeszika Gautier: So now what? I still have drugs sitting there...
Carrie looks up sadly.
Carrie Winter: Fl...fl…
She bites her lip and bursts into tears.
Carrie Winter: God help me, flush them before I change my mind!
Acting quickly, Ashley brushes the stuff into the toilet and flushes it away. As the toilet fills back up, Nikki comes walking in with the newly procured drug test. Ashley grabs it and quickly drops her pants in front of everybody. She does as needed and hands the test to Jeszika as she pulls her pants up.
Ashley Kenyon: Satisfied?
Jeszika looks at the test and nods, relieved.
Jeszika Gautier: Yes... I'm sorry Ash... and Carrie... thank you for getting rid of them…
Nikki Peltier: Why did you have to check on Carrie if Bethy was the one who noticed her sneaking around?
Ashley sighs heavily.
Ashley Kenyon: Because she didn’t think Carrie would listen to her…
Carrie nods, still sobbing.
Carrie Winter: And because she’s afraid…
Jeszika Gautier: Afraid?
Bethany Kenyon: That this... is my fault...
Jeszika Gautier: Why would it be?
Bethany goes quiet and Carrie starts crying harder.
Ashley Kenyon: The same way you think Melissa was your fault…
She nods to the next room.
Ashley Kenyon: The same way Billy’s hands were mine...
Jeszika Gautier: Oh... I see...
She drops her head and closes her eyes.
Jeszika Gautier: We need to fix this…
Nikki Peltier: Call's made, we all have appointments with Dr. Reva including Carrie. Don't worry, Care, we're paying for it.
Jeszika Gautier: Dr Reva is good... she'll help all of you
Carrie Winter: I'm sorry... I'm SORRY!!!!
Jeszika Gautier: It’s fine. Just get help Carrie and follow through with it. I know it will be hard but I did it, so can you.
Ashley leans down and helps Carrie stand up. Carrie looks into Jeszika's eyes and almost immediately looks away.
Carrie Winter: I wish I was dead!
Almost immediately, Nikki, Bethany, Ashley and Jeszika hug her tightly.
Jeszika Gautier: Well I don't and I'm gonna fight to fix you, Carrie. If you'll let me?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Make that an us…
Ashley Kenyon: Totally!
A week later…
Bethany Kenyon sits in her house, her laptop set on her coffee table with the webcam turned on and pointed at her. She sits back and looks up at the mantle by her fireplace with pictures of her loved ones on it. As she stares at it, the computer beeps to tell her the internet connection has started streaming for her.
Bethany Kenyon: I just watched someone very close to me contemplate taking herself out of the world because of a road she was pushed down by someone else I refuse to stop calling friend…
She turns away from the mantle, looking down to her feet instead.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve been called stupid and foolish for that by pretty much everyone else involved and you know, maybe I am, but…
Shaking her head, Bethany trails off into silence, searching for the words to express what she’s seen. She squeezes the cushions on the couch and grits her teeth.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve watched so many of my friends lately just be so…
She shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: Broken…
She looks back to the pictures and nods to them as she goes down the list.
Bethany Kenyon: Jezzy won the UWA World Championship on her first one on one chance and almost immediately had to go get herself help because she couldn’t take everything that had happened. Aerynn snapped on us and blamed us for things…
She pauses on this one and bites her bottom lip in shame and guilt.
Bethany Kenyon: They she made sure Carrie dove into things and wanted out of this cruel world and that Billy found himself unable to do menial tasks…
She bows her head not wanting to look at the pain sitting before her for all to see.
Bethany Kenyon: I never meant to make anybody feel alone or abandoned or like I didn’t care and yet, somehow, that’s exactly what keeps happening. Jezzy, Ash, Aerynn, Carrie, they’ve all said it in one way or another and I’ve tried to tell them all it’s not true but there comes a point where you have to ask…
She looks away from the pictures again and finally moves her gaze to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Could it be true?
She cocks her head, almost begging for someone to give her an answer.
Bethany Kenyon: Could they be right?
She looks down at her feet again and shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I’m not perfect. I’m not a saint and I’ve never claimed to be but what you’re doing Aerynn…
She looks back up into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s wrong.
Shaking her head, Bethany squeezes the cushions again.
Bethany Kenyon: All of it, you never had to become “the monster” and we damn sure never had a hand in making you that! You were the UWA World Champion and you didn’t take shit off of anyone, what more could we possibly have asked of you, Aerynn? What more did you want from us?
She stands up and pulls her shirt off to reveal the tattoo all the members of Arsenal as well as Carrie Winter and Aerynn share.
Bethany Kenyon: Did this never mean anything to you?
She lets her shirt fall back to cover herself back up.
Bethany Kenyon: Did none of it mean anything to you?
She looks up to see a group picture from the tattoo session and shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: If it was all bullshit, Aerynn, then why did you bother to fight him?
Her eyes move back to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Why didn’t you just give in and go join his family? This is what he wanted after all, was you pissing on what you said you stood for and becoming like him. He wanted us all to look at each other and say, now I am become death the destroyer of worlds and let chaos reign supreme! Why did you bother to tell him no if you were just gonna do it anyway?
Her eyes beg for answers that will seemingly never come.
Bethany Kenyon: Why didn’t you go with his family instead of making us think you were joining ours?
She swallows hard and looks down again.
Bethany Kenyon: We’ve all been through a crucible Aerynn, and we all came out showing who we really were underneath after it burned away everything else. Ash burns with a fire that’s only gaining intensity. Jezzy showed she was stronger than even she ever thought she was and you showed you felt way more than you wanted to admit, but I...
She pauses and takes a deep breath.
Bethany Kenyon: You can say whatever you want, you and Shonn both, but don’t you ever tell me I didn’t give a damn about you! Doubt thou that the star are fire; doubt thou that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt that I love!
She nods, flashing anger.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you all, it’s what I do and I don’t care what you do, Aerynn. You can’t make me stop! Brody and I are going to come to that ring on Monday and face off with you and Shonn. It won’t be the first time we’ve been in the same ring together and I’m sure it won’t be the last but I can promise you one thing, Aerynn. Laugh at me, make fun of me, hate me, beat on me, whatever, at the end of the day, I’ll still be your friend and I’ll still be the one with the standing offer to be there for you if you ever need it!
She leans forward and reaches to for the computer.
Bethany Kenyon: And I always will be… I am and always shall be…
The screen fades to black.
Bethany Kenyon: Your friend...
Ashley Kenyon: Wow… I’m amazed you can walk!
Bethany shrugs shyly.
Bethany Kenyon: We didn’t just go back to my place and screw like rabbits. As a matter of fact, not that it’s any of your business, we only did that once…
Ashley’s jaw drops.
Ashley Kenyon: You never went to your place?
Shaking her head, Bethany keeps walking over to the couch
Bethany Kenyon: No, he wants to keep that... special.
Ashley Kenyon: Wow...
Bethany Kenyon: Yeah, it was great...
Ashley Kenyon: So what did you do then?
Bethany Kenyon: Tourist stuff...
Ashley Kenyon: You're kidding!
Bethany Kenyon: I am not.
Ashley Kenyon: Shut... up!
Bethany Kenyon: Like I said, it was nice...
Ashley Kenyon: Billy would shit if i asked to do that!
Bethany Kenyon: You actually would?
Ashley Kenyon: Well, no, but that's besides the point!
Jeszika Gautier: Are you serious? You're telling us, that you only did tourist stuff... for five days... with Brody?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Until the last night, yeah…
Jeszika Gautier: Wow... I'm amazed... truly amazed.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: He... just seemed to need somebody to be there. Not necessarily for that but...
Jeszika Gautier: Company is good. Sometimes relationships aren't all about the sex. Me and Mel didn’t always sleep together. Sometimes we'd just sit and talk. Sure she'd tie me up but it wasn’t sexual. Just tie me up and let me snuggle into her while we watched a movie or something…
She smiles.
Jeszika Gautier: I'm glad things are good between the two of you. I'm glad to see you both happy.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I know... wasn't what I was expecting at all but it wasn't bad either.
Jeszika Gautier: What were you expecting?
Bethany Kenyon: I... dunno...
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: Wild, swinging from the chandeliers shit?
Carrie shakes her head.
Carrie Winter: She's not you, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah but this is Brody we're talking abou. Swinging from the chandeliers is amazing by the way, you should all try it...
She smiles.
Carrie Winter: Yeah but... you've had both of them, can you really see him asking her for that?
Jeszika Gautier: I would ask them both for it. but I see where you're coming from, Care.
Nikki Peltier: Guys... do we really need to go into...
Ashley cuts her off.
Ashley Kenyon: Damn right we do! She just spent five days in a hotel with Brody Montgomery... we NEED details!
Jeszika Gautier: So what kind of touristy stuff did you do?
Bethany Kenyon: Bourbon street, blues joints... all the stuff we usually wouldn't do cause we live here and found Prey and places like that instead of the traps.
Jeszika Gautier: Nice, when you gonna go see him again?
Bethany Kenyon: At the show when we tag team...
Ashley nods.
Ashley Kenyon: That oughtta be interesting. Brody and Aerynn in the same ring again...
Jeszika Gautier: Here's hoping they don't kill each other....
Bethany Kenyon: Me too since i'll be in the middle of it and legal!
Jeszika Gautier: If they do, two got two choices there, seperate them, or get the hell outta the way.
Bethany Kenyon: Not with Shonn Maguire there too.
Jeszika Gautier: If you need back up, just holla. I wouldn’t shirk away from taking them down.
Bethany Kenyon: You've got enough to worry about with Baron.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah I do, gonna be a tough fight that one, my first title defence.
Ashley Kenyon: I wonder why they didn't schedule us for a defense.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: Logistics, I'd bet.
Ashley frowns.
Ashley Kenyon: Logistics?
Nikki nods her agreement.
Nikki Peltier: After what happened to Craven at cataclysm, I'd imagine Oliver's a little hesitant to double book people like that again. Two big matches in one night is asking a little much, even for you, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah I think he learnt from that one.
Ashley Kenyon: So you're saying it's my fault?
Bethany, Nikki, Carrie and Jeszika all shake their heads.
Carrie Winter: No…
Jeszika Gautier: No, Sweetie, no…
Nikki Peltier: Wasn't saying that at all.
Ashley crosses her arms.
Ashley Kenyon: What were you saying then?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: That asking you to go out there and fly with Amy Zing after you already had to go tooth and nail with me against one of the tag teams here would be a bad idea because all of those teams, be it Bene Elohim, Cornbread Mafia, the Knights, Sang Rayal, Gealtachta...
Jeszika Gautier: Would be a tough ask of anyone to be double booked.
Ashley Kenyon: You don't think i could do it?
Bethany raises her hands to try and calm her sister.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash…
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: Naw, here I am.. I went out and won a second title and you're still doubting me!
Bethany's jaw drops.
Bethany Kenyon: I'm not…
Ashley cuts her off before she can finish her thought.
Ashley Kenyon: Yes, you are!
Bethany can't take it anymore.
Bethany Kenyon: GODDAMMIT, ASH?! I NEVER DOUBTED YOU!!! NOT WHEN MAMA DIED, NOT WHEN YOU WANTED TO BE FUCKED UP ALL THE TIME, NOT WHEN YOU WENT OFF PLANS AND NOT WHEN VINCE JONES CHEATED!!!!
Everyone else stands there thunderstruck from Bethany finally raising her voice.
Jeszika Gautier: Wow....
That's all Jeszika can say as she stares at Beth shocked
Nikki Peltier: Bethy…
Carrie Winter: Are you ok?
Jeszika Gautier: Look guys... everyone just breathe ok... clearly something’s up and we need to sort this out.
Ashley barely manages a nod.
Ashley Kenyon: Bethy, what happened?
Her sister’s voice is barely audible.
Bethany Kenyon: Nothing...
Carrie and Nikki look to each other and then back to Bethany.
Carrie Winter: Bethy…
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: Nothing… it’s… it’s fine…
Jeszika Gautier: You can tell us, Beth.
Bethany starts to answer but can’t find the words. Ashley walks over to her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: He’s worse than you thought… isn’t he?
Bethany nods sadly.
Jeszika Gautier: Brody?
Bethany nods.
Jeszika Gautier: I'm sure you can B, have faith.
Carrie nods her agreement.
Carrie Winter: Bethy, there's not a woman in this house right now that can say they would be better off without you in their lives... he's the exact same way!
Jeszika Gautier: Exactly.
Bethany smiles and brings them all into a group hug.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you guys!
Jeszika Gautier: And we love you too, B.
The morning after New Year’s dawns to find the five ladies still at Jeszika’s but with Billy Hawkes having joined them for a special trip with Ashley and Jeszika later on.
Bethany walks in the front door from having placed a call to Brody Montgomery to see how he’s doing only to see Carrie Winter walking to the bathroom again. This had been a regular thing the previous night as well. Bethany nods to her sister, Ashley, and stares down the hallway. Ashley stands up from the couch where she was sitting with her boyfriend, discussing their plans for later that day, and heads off in the same direction just as Nikki Peltier and Jeszika Gautier come in from the kitchen. Jeszika takes one look down the hallway and visibly shudders, a sinking feeling coming over her.
Jeszika Gautier: They wouldn’t…
She starts to go after them but something holds her back, the niggling question of does she really want the answer that waits down the hallway for her if she goes down there after them? Near panic, she glances between her remaining guests.
Jeszika Gautier: Would they?
Bethany shrugs, looking slightly ashamed and that’s all Jeszika needs to see.
Jeszika Gautier: B…
Bethany starts to answer and Jeszika rushes down the hallway, Bethany and Nikki right behind her.
Bethany Kenyon: Jezzy… Jezzy, wait!
Not paying attention, Jeszika moves in towards the bathroom and opens the door to find Carrie and Ashley standing over a mirror with lines of white powder cut out on it, Carrie showing visible signs of having just used some.
Ashley Kenyon: Oh...shit…
Jeszika Gautier: Please for the love of all that is holy tell me I'm not seeing what I think I'm seeing....
She tries to keep her voice calm but her rising anger and shock seep through
Ashley Kenyon: It’s not completely what you think it is…
Jeszika Gautier: Then pray tell me what it is before I throw you both out of my house!
Before anyone can answer, the voices of the other girls fly in from behind.
Bethany Kenyon: Damn…
Nikki Peltier: I’m making a call right now…
Carrie just nods her head in shame.
Carrie Winter: I’m sorry… I…
She slumps down to the floor, tears welling up in her guilt-ridden eyes.
Ashley Kenyon: I came down here to try and… hoping it wasn’t…
Jeszika Gautier: Explain. Now!
Carrie’s voice wavers.
Carrie Winter: She must have seen me last night…
Jeszika Gautier: You did this...
She points to the drugs.
Jeszika Gautier: You did this in MY house last night too?
Jeszika's hands clench to fists.
Jeszika Gautier: I trusted you Carrie... not to do anything like this in my house…
Ashley Kenyon: She didn’t do it in the house the first couple of times.
Jeszika Gautier: Then tell me what happened! Explain to me why there is cocaine lined up on my bathroom sink right now and the two of you are here.
Carrie Winter: Because I can’t stop!
Jeszika's eyes fall into Ashley. She narrows her eyes at her.
Jeszika Gautier: And you... i trusted you to have stopped using and yet here i find you with coke lined up in front of you..
Ashley nods back defiantly.
Ashley Kenyon: I haven’t had any and if you want me to prove it, go get me a piss quiz and I’ll do it right here in front of everybody!
Jeszika Gautier: Fine, go get one... if you fail I swear to god…
Nikki nods and disappears from behind them.
Ashley Kenyon: I won’t… because I didn’t come in here to do any with her.
Jeszika Gautier: Then pray tell why did you come up here?
Carrie looks up sadly.
Carrie Winter: To try and get me to flush it…
Jeszika Gautier: And how did you know she was up here doing this hmm? Did she tell you? Did she invite you to join her?
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: Then how?
Ashley nods behind Jeszika.
Ashley Kenyon: Bethy noticed last night and told me to check and make sure.
Jeszika turns to Bethany.
Jeszika Gautier: You knew... and you didn't tell me?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t know… I… suspected… didn’t wanna say anything unless i knew for sure.
Jeszika Gautier: And Ash, what did you plan to do once you caught her, huh?
Ashley Kenyon: Well I was about to ask her to get rid of the shit when you opened the door and jumped to so many conclusions, you’d think you needed a damn rope!
Jeszika Gautier: Can you blame me? You'd come to the same conclusion if you were me…
Before Ashley can answer, her sister starts in.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash, no!
Ashley nods knowingly.
Ashley Kenyon: Gee, thanks for the back-up there, Mom! This one WAS your operation!
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know...
Jeszika Gautier: So now what? I still have drugs sitting there...
Carrie looks up sadly.
Carrie Winter: Fl...fl…
She bites her lip and bursts into tears.
Carrie Winter: God help me, flush them before I change my mind!
Acting quickly, Ashley brushes the stuff into the toilet and flushes it away. As the toilet fills back up, Nikki comes walking in with the newly procured drug test. Ashley grabs it and quickly drops her pants in front of everybody. She does as needed and hands the test to Jeszika as she pulls her pants up.
Ashley Kenyon: Satisfied?
Jeszika looks at the test and nods, relieved.
Jeszika Gautier: Yes... I'm sorry Ash... and Carrie... thank you for getting rid of them…
Nikki Peltier: Why did you have to check on Carrie if Bethy was the one who noticed her sneaking around?
Ashley sighs heavily.
Ashley Kenyon: Because she didn’t think Carrie would listen to her…
Carrie nods, still sobbing.
Carrie Winter: And because she’s afraid…
Jeszika Gautier: Afraid?
Bethany Kenyon: That this... is my fault...
Jeszika Gautier: Why would it be?
Bethany goes quiet and Carrie starts crying harder.
Ashley Kenyon: The same way you think Melissa was your fault…
She nods to the next room.
Ashley Kenyon: The same way Billy’s hands were mine...
Jeszika Gautier: Oh... I see...
She drops her head and closes her eyes.
Jeszika Gautier: We need to fix this…
Nikki Peltier: Call's made, we all have appointments with Dr. Reva including Carrie. Don't worry, Care, we're paying for it.
Jeszika Gautier: Dr Reva is good... she'll help all of you
Carrie Winter: I'm sorry... I'm SORRY!!!!
Jeszika Gautier: It’s fine. Just get help Carrie and follow through with it. I know it will be hard but I did it, so can you.
Ashley leans down and helps Carrie stand up. Carrie looks into Jeszika's eyes and almost immediately looks away.
Carrie Winter: I wish I was dead!
Almost immediately, Nikki, Bethany, Ashley and Jeszika hug her tightly.
Jeszika Gautier: Well I don't and I'm gonna fight to fix you, Carrie. If you'll let me?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Make that an us…
Ashley Kenyon: Totally!
A week later…
Bethany Kenyon sits in her house, her laptop set on her coffee table with the webcam turned on and pointed at her. She sits back and looks up at the mantle by her fireplace with pictures of her loved ones on it. As she stares at it, the computer beeps to tell her the internet connection has started streaming for her.
Bethany Kenyon: I just watched someone very close to me contemplate taking herself out of the world because of a road she was pushed down by someone else I refuse to stop calling friend…
She turns away from the mantle, looking down to her feet instead.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve been called stupid and foolish for that by pretty much everyone else involved and you know, maybe I am, but…
Shaking her head, Bethany trails off into silence, searching for the words to express what she’s seen. She squeezes the cushions on the couch and grits her teeth.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve watched so many of my friends lately just be so…
She shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: Broken…
She looks back to the pictures and nods to them as she goes down the list.
Bethany Kenyon: Jezzy won the UWA World Championship on her first one on one chance and almost immediately had to go get herself help because she couldn’t take everything that had happened. Aerynn snapped on us and blamed us for things…
She pauses on this one and bites her bottom lip in shame and guilt.
Bethany Kenyon: They she made sure Carrie dove into things and wanted out of this cruel world and that Billy found himself unable to do menial tasks…
She bows her head not wanting to look at the pain sitting before her for all to see.
Bethany Kenyon: I never meant to make anybody feel alone or abandoned or like I didn’t care and yet, somehow, that’s exactly what keeps happening. Jezzy, Ash, Aerynn, Carrie, they’ve all said it in one way or another and I’ve tried to tell them all it’s not true but there comes a point where you have to ask…
She looks away from the pictures again and finally moves her gaze to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Could it be true?
She cocks her head, almost begging for someone to give her an answer.
Bethany Kenyon: Could they be right?
She looks down at her feet again and shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I’m not perfect. I’m not a saint and I’ve never claimed to be but what you’re doing Aerynn…
She looks back up into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s wrong.
Shaking her head, Bethany squeezes the cushions again.
Bethany Kenyon: All of it, you never had to become “the monster” and we damn sure never had a hand in making you that! You were the UWA World Champion and you didn’t take shit off of anyone, what more could we possibly have asked of you, Aerynn? What more did you want from us?
She stands up and pulls her shirt off to reveal the tattoo all the members of Arsenal as well as Carrie Winter and Aerynn share.
Bethany Kenyon: Did this never mean anything to you?
She lets her shirt fall back to cover herself back up.
Bethany Kenyon: Did none of it mean anything to you?
She looks up to see a group picture from the tattoo session and shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: If it was all bullshit, Aerynn, then why did you bother to fight him?
Her eyes move back to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Why didn’t you just give in and go join his family? This is what he wanted after all, was you pissing on what you said you stood for and becoming like him. He wanted us all to look at each other and say, now I am become death the destroyer of worlds and let chaos reign supreme! Why did you bother to tell him no if you were just gonna do it anyway?
Her eyes beg for answers that will seemingly never come.
Bethany Kenyon: Why didn’t you go with his family instead of making us think you were joining ours?
She swallows hard and looks down again.
Bethany Kenyon: We’ve all been through a crucible Aerynn, and we all came out showing who we really were underneath after it burned away everything else. Ash burns with a fire that’s only gaining intensity. Jezzy showed she was stronger than even she ever thought she was and you showed you felt way more than you wanted to admit, but I...
She pauses and takes a deep breath.
Bethany Kenyon: You can say whatever you want, you and Shonn both, but don’t you ever tell me I didn’t give a damn about you! Doubt thou that the star are fire; doubt thou that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt that I love!
She nods, flashing anger.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you all, it’s what I do and I don’t care what you do, Aerynn. You can’t make me stop! Brody and I are going to come to that ring on Monday and face off with you and Shonn. It won’t be the first time we’ve been in the same ring together and I’m sure it won’t be the last but I can promise you one thing, Aerynn. Laugh at me, make fun of me, hate me, beat on me, whatever, at the end of the day, I’ll still be your friend and I’ll still be the one with the standing offer to be there for you if you ever need it!
She leans forward and reaches to for the computer.
Bethany Kenyon: And I always will be… I am and always shall be…
The screen fades to black.
Bethany Kenyon: Your friend...
