Seeing Sense (Kira)

[Lotus]

Rae Odell:Say It

Things had got too much with that Jared guy and his creepy little house place. Rae hadn't even made any excuses as to why she left, but she really didn't think she'd been missed from such a place. It was too busy. Too cramped. Too strange. Yes, she wanted the whole world to know what she wanted to say; she'd spent too long keeping it locked up. But a place like that? She didn't fit in at all.

She pushed open the door into the back alley and took a deep breath of fresh air. It was a good feeling; even if it was pretty dark outside. Dark. That means it was late and she was in a strange part of town. She walked swiftly over to the street light and checked her watch. '9:30' "Damn." It was far later than she thought. Grey would be wondering where the hell she was at this time, especially as tonight was just another one of those nights he'd try and get Fontanna back. She sighed, feeling the twist in her stomach of them getting back together. Her losing yet another person she cared for.

She started walking swiftly back in the direction she vaguely remembered and soon enough found herself back in the plaza. It was busy for this time of night but she remembered the order of designs she had to make a few months back for a huge party. She sighed and looked on at some of the people wearing her designs with a slightly pleased feeling spreading through her. She looked back down to her watch again and swore. She needed to hurry up.

Eventually, she made it to Grey's studio-apartment on the other side of town. She knocked on his door, slightly breathless. As soon as it opened she was met with his cold, brooding stare. She knew that look far too well. It was pretty much the only look he gave her any more, after Fontanna messing with him. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah, I'm late. So let me in?"

[Deleted]

Grey checked his watch. It was 6:35. He sighed. Anxiety welling up inside of him. Rae said she'd be here at eight. Then they would go to the party and then he would get Fontanna back because tonight was his night. He knew it. He just knew it that tonight she would want him back. She had to have him back, he hadn't been able to live without her. He couldn't concentrate. He couldn't work. He had no inspiration to paint or draw and that meant no more money. Rae had been good to him, helping him pay the rent. Staying up late to talk to him, coming to all these parties with him. But she wasn't Fontanna and that was who he needed.

Grey went and sat behind the easel. Filled with a sense of hope as tonight would be the night that he would get her back. He would start to paint again. Grey picked up his pencil and then stopped. What should he draw? What should he do? He sighed and let the pencil drop to the floor. He still didn't have inspiration, he needed Fontanna back.

Grey stood up and went over to the cupboard. He pulled out a half empty bottle and a glass, sitting back in front of the easel and beginning to drink. He stopped looking at the time but became aware of the fact that Rae was taking longer then she should be.

The knock on the door startled him. He stood and made his way to the door, opening to see Rae. He should've smiled but he didn't. He stepped aside. "well at least you're here now" He said, he was glad to see her. He would need her support and back up in getting Fontanna back.

He went and pulled another glass out of the cupboard. "do you want a drink?"

[Lotus]

Rae brushed past him and into the hallway, shaking her head. "No as a matter of fact I don't. One of us has to stay sober if you want to get Fontanna back tonight." The twinge in her stomach started again and she turned away from him. She headed to the stairs, "You still got some of my clothes here from last time right?" She saw him nod and wandered up the stairs to the spare room to change.

Tonight was going to be hard. She checked her watch and swore under her breath again. She needed to get a move on. She looked through her choices and went for the dress she didn't wear last time; black, tight and elegant all at one. There were gems along the waist band and it had a plunging neckline; just one of her designs that she happened to fall in love with. She checked herself in the mirror and pulled her hair up into a neat ponytail. She sighed and smoothed her hands down her dress. "Just get tonight over with Rae..."

She turned away from the mirror and back out of the room, heading downstairs. Grey was still drinking and besides him being her best friend she didn't understand why he had to do this to himself. She cleared her throat, "Shall we go then?"

[Deleted]

Grey anxiously watched Rae disappear upstairs. He didn't know what to do with himself for a moment. He wasn't too sure about what exactly was going on but he thought that she may be a bit on edge. Annoyed even. Had he done that? No. He couldn't have. He hadn't spoken to her much today, she'd been busy.

Reached out behind him and poured himself another glass. Drinking it slowly. He looked up and watched as Rae walked down the stairs. Her put the glass back on the counter. "You look pretty." He said, letting himself smile. He headed over to the door and opened it.

"You know what Rae? I feel like tonight is the night. I feel good and positive. It feels like I'm going to get her back this time. You know? Like this party will be the one when she sees me how she used to see me." He said, turning to her and smiling.

[Lotus]

Rae shook her head at his comment, trying not to think about how it made her feel. She loved it when he complimented her, but she knew it didn't really mean anything. They were best friends and he wanted Fontanna. She sighed and nodded her head, trying to put a smile on her face. It wasn't hard, especially when he was so giddy and excited over getting her back. As long as he was happy she could live with it.

She nodded her head. "I know, but you've said that a lot of nights. Don't set your aim too high 'cause I would like to sleep tonight." She chuckled softly and wandered down the steps into the street. "So where's this one at tonight? The big one in the heart of town or some little secluded one like normal?"

[Deleted]

Grey was a bit confused about what Rae said, he already wasn't thinking properly. What did she mean about sleeping? Hadn't she been sleeping? Wasn't that why she was at his most mornings? He shook his head but smiled at the same time. "This time feels different though Rae. Today felt like a day for promise, the cat lady on the corner of the square told me so! she said that today would be a day of good fortune!" He said, glancing to Rae and seeing her skepticism. "I swear to you she did!" He grinned.

Grey looked around him, he could hear music and laughter. "err... I think its the small one," He said, looking at all the fancily dressed people. "I don't think we're dressed right for that big party... looks like its a Games one or something?"

[Lotus]

Rae shook her head. "You will believe anything some crazy lady tells you. Don't you remember the last time you believe what she told you?" She turned to him and raised her eyebrow when he looked confused. "How could you forget? She told you you'd have a huge hit in your choice career and you were bouncing for weeks. Nothing happened and then your easel fell on your head..." She looked away from him, trying not to laugh. "Just don't believe everything that woman says. You said yourself she'd crazy before now."

She looked around at where they were, after following where Grey was wandering. The music from the large party had died down as they walked away from it and she nodded her head. "Yeah, we definitely aren't. Remember, I designed most of those clothes they're wearing. A small party sounds just about right." She smiled his way and nodded in the direction of the new sound of blaring music. "Get your game face on Grey."

[Deleted]

Grey suddenly remembered the incident Rae was talking about. At the time he had not found it funny at all. But maybe it was because of the alcohol, he just burst out laughing and giggling. "Y-yeah!" He spluttered out. "But this time is different! I can feel it!" He said, trying to maintain his positive mood.

He grinned and looked towards the house with all the lights on and the loud music. He turned to Rae quickly. "What's my game face again?" he grinned. "Is this it?" He asked, pursing his lips and raising his eyebrows. "or this?" He looked down his nose at her and winked. Then he burst out laughing again just as Rae did.

"Do you think she'll be there?" He asked her, a sudden wave of doubt washing over him as they neared the house.

[Lotus]

Rae couldn't help but laugh and she slapped Grey on the arm. "Seriously? You're meant to be a grown man, not some idiot kid. Now do what you normally do and look how you normally do okay?" She quickened her pace a little as they neared the door.

She felt sorry for his lack of confidence but scoffed. "If she'd anything like the party animal she used to be I very much doubt she'd going to be sitting at home on a Saturday night doing nothing." They reached the bouncers and they nodded, letting them through. "Now go get her Grey. You want me with you this time or do you want me to hang back?"

[Deleted]

Grey chuckled and smiled. He was grateful for Rae. For the fact that she had always been there, supporting him in everything. He needed her now in getting Fontanna back but he knew she couldn't be too close else he might not be able to get her back. "I'll do it... but stay close. Please?" He said. Nerves began to build up as he was enveloped in the loud music.

The first thing Grey did was head to the bar and pour himself and Rae a drink, his was large but he only gave Rae a small one. He knew she didn't want to drink too much. He then scanned the room, trying to see if he could spot Fontanna. He smiled. She was there. In the corner of the room. She was talking another girl, that was good. "I'm going in." He said to Rae, heading over to the other side of the room.

"oh hey Fontanna! I didn't realise you'd be here!" He said, trying to keep it cool despite the obvious lie.

[Lotus]

Rae took a sip from her drink and nodded her head as she watched him walk across the room with purpose. Sometimes he was so obvious it wasn't any wonder why Fontanna kept rejecting him, but that made Greyson who he was and she liked him for everything he was. She smiled softly and meandered her way through the crowd. She stopped a few metres from Grey, in hearing distance and started chatting to a group of people that were standing there.

Being who she was she didn't get shunted out of the conversation, so staying close by wasn't an option. She sighed and chuckled under her breath at his first line. Trust him to say something like that, he really was hooked on her. She started chatting properly with the group and started to enjoy herself a little bit whilst her drink was slowly draining and Grey tried to keep up his conversation.

[Deleted]

Grey smiled at Fontanna and she gave him a weak smile back. He took a gulp of his drink to try and give himself some courage. He needed to get this right, he had to get this right. He had to get back with her and it was going to happen. It had to.

"What do you want Grey?" She asked, maybe it was a little too coolly but Greyson was determined to make things right between them.

"Fontanna... I want you back baby? I mean, you're the best thing that ever happened to me! I can't paint without you around! I can't sleep! I love you! and don't you tell me that you don't love me too because I know that that's not true... My life was never as good as when it was with you! I want you back so much Fontanna... tell me what I did wrong and I sure as hell promise that I'll make it right again. I will!" He pleaded with her, his resolve to act cool just disappeared. Maybe this time she would she see how much she meant to him.

Fontanna crossed her arms as he spoke and raised her eyebrows. She looked down her nose at Grey. "Seriously Greyson?! I don't think you can change... because do you really want to know why I broke up with you?! Because of Rae! Because she was always around. Because you were always telling her your problems and not me! Because you cared so much about her!... you say she's just your friend but come on Grey!? There is no way you two can be that close and just be friends!"

Grey was completely taken aback. That was the last thing he had ever expected to be the reason as to why she had dumped him. Because of Rae. He shook his head but then stopped. He wanted Fontanna back so badly, his life was incomplete without her.

"I'll change, I promise Fontanna! I love you!... I'll... I'll see Rae less! I'll spend more time with you, telling you how special you are.. because Rae's nothing compared to you! You are beautiful and amazing! She's just Rae! Please? Let me prove it to you that I can change? Haven't you seen me try Fontanna? Can't you see just how much I love you? Please?" Grey begged her. Desperate.

Fontanna pursed her lips but then smiled. "I'm going to give you a chance, but as long as you spend more time with me... "

[Lotus]

Rae heard every word of what was said and she would be lying if she said what he said about her didn't hurt. It cut her deep down. How could he be so cruel to her when Fontanna had just blamed their whole relationship problems on her. Grey was getting rowdy, his voice carrying across the room.

She excused herself from the group she'd been with and they all told her to come to the next one. She nodded and walked over to Grey, tapping him on the shoulder. He turned to her and instead of a grinning face, his face was contorted with fury. What had she done? She shook her head a little and raised her eyebrow. "I thought you might want to know that your voice is carrying across the whole room and you wanted to keep this low key..." She trailed off after his face turned cold and Fontanna gave her a look that had the potential to kill her on the spot right there.

[Deleted]

Grey was happy, he finished up his drink and grinned at Fontanna. She wanted him back! He had been right! Today was the day that he had gotten her back! That was all that he wanted. He could change for her, he could spend more time with her. He didn't quite believe that Rae was to blame but that was what Fontanna had said and it kinda made sense. If he thought about it. "You really want me back?" He asked Fontanna.

Just then someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned round to see Rae there and was filled with anger on remembering on what Fontanna had said. It was her fault. Her fault that he had been so unhappy. That he had had no work.

"What do you want?! Huh Rae?! Do you want to come and ruin my second relationship with Fontanna?! Is that what you want?! I think maybe you should just leave us alone for a while! You know, until your jealousy subsides!" Grey spat out at her.

[Lotus]

Rae took a step back and one of the guys from the group she'd been standing, Patrick, came to stand by her side. But he didn't offer her any comfort. She opened her mouth to try and say something to Grey about how he was acting, but he took a menacing step forwards. "Leave. Me. Alone." He growled under his breath and Rae's cup fell from her hands.

What had gotten in to him? How was any of this her fault? She'd been his best friend before Fontanna came along. Why did she deserve this? She closed her mouth and took a step back, turning to the side. A hand wrapped round her wrist and she saw Patrick trying to get her to stay, but she didn't want to. For all she cared right now, Grey could get as drunk as anything and get lost on his way home.

She ripped her arm from Patrick's grip and manoeuvred her way through the crowd. The odd thing was they all seemed to part for her to get through, like they had overheard everything. Yes, people were whispering. They had heard everything.

Once outside, she ripped off her heals and ran the entire way home; tears starting to streak down her face. Was she really the cause of everything wrong in Grey's life?

[Deleted]

Grey stared at Rae as she left. He didn't know if he should go and say something to her or not. He was confused and his head was pounding from the alcohol. He saw that some guys were staring at him. Grey was about to say something when he felt an arm snake around his waist and someone's breath against his neck. "Leave her alone baby..." Fontanna whispered in his eye. Grey smiled and turned round, wrapping his own arms around her waist. Drawing her body into his.

"I wasn't even thinking about it.." He whispered. She smiled and kissed him on the lips. It was rough and harsh. But Grey had missed it so much. She broke back and held up a bottle to him. "Have another drink baby... to celebrate!" Grey smiled and drank deep.

Some time later when his head was still pounding from all of the alcohol, he found Fontanna taking him outside of the party. Grey thought they were going back to hers but apparently not. "Don't you be getting any ideas! We've only just started dating and I'm not that kind of girl baby!" She slurred to him, before kissing him roughly and heading home.

Grey was left alone to stumble his own way home. He just about managed to make it and unlock his front door before collapsing on the sofa. He found the practically empty bottle from earlier and finished it up. It helped him pass out.

[Lotus]

Rae had run through the city, not caring about the looks people were giving her. She didn't have time to stop before she slammed head first into her front door. She cursed and reached into her bag for her key. Fumbling around she finally managed to find it and unlocked her door; tears streaking down her face. She felt pounding feet behind her and she wondered if it was Grey coming to make things up to her.

"Hey... Are you going to be okay?" No, it wasn't his voice. She turned around and wiped her eyes to see Patrick. She smiled softly. He'd followed her out to make sure she was okay. At least someone was being kind to her this evening. She nodded her head stiffly and wiped her eyes again.

"I'll be fine Patrick. Go back and had a nice evening. Thanks for following though..." She reached out patted his arm just before he brought her into a hug. She squeaked from the shock of it, but her own arms snaked around him and she sighed. "Thank you..."

"Not a problem. But if there's a next time, please run slower." She chuckled softly and nodded her head.

"Sure thing." She stepped away from him and pushed open her front door. "I'll see you around or something?" She saw him nod her head and with making sure she was okay for the last time he turned to leave and make his way back to his friends. She smiled at his disappearing figure and then a new wave of tears rolled down her cheeks.

She walked inside and slammed her door. What had she done to deserve something like this? She sank down onto the floor, her back resting against the door and sobbed in her hands. It was going to be a long night.

[Deleted]

Grey managed to wake with his head spinning wildly. He clutched his forehead and groaned. His brain didn't seem to want to function properly and he just didn't know why. He was so confused. He looked down at himself to see he was still fully clothed and lying on the sofa. He slowly glanced around the room, there was an empty bottle on the floor and he could smell the alcohol on his breath. Grey groaned and fell back down onto the sofa.

What had happened last night? He couldn't remember anything. He stood up but then fell straight back down again, his head pounding so hard. "Take it slow Grey. Take it slow." Her muttered to himself. Standing up again at a slower pace. He fumbled his way to the bathroom and glanced in the mirror. He looked like hell. That was when he noticed the lipstick stains on his neck. What the hell had happened last night? Who had been kissing him? Grey tried to remember but his mind was a blank.

He washed his face with cold water and slowly made his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He tried to look around for some painkillers to dull this headache. suddenly there was shrill noise. Loud and intrusive.

What was that? Grey racked his clouded brain to try and remember but then he saw a light flashing on the telephone. Someone was calling him! Grey fumbled across the counter for the phone, knocking it out of the holder and sending it skidding across the work surface. "Crap!" He blundered as the call connected.

"Hello?" A voice came out of the other end of the phone. Grey snatched it up and held it to his ear.

"Hello.. this is Grey." He replied.

"Oh Hello baby!" A female voice responded. "I'm so glad you're up!... Look I was thinking that maybe you could take me out to dinner tonight? Somewhere fancy you know, I've got a gorgeous new dress that I'm just dying to wear! How about you take me to that bar down on Glamour Row? They're going to be showing all of the Games chat all evening! Won't it just be delightful?" The voice shrilled out.

It took Grey a moment to place it but suddenly he did and found himself grinning. Fontanna! She was calling him and wanting to go out! Last night must have been when they got back together. This was just perfect! S perfect. Grey was so excited and was about to say yes when he stopped. He hadn't been working for a couple of months. He didn't have the money to take her there did he? And he and Rae had always promised never to go anywhere that promoted the Games. But this was Fontanna. His Fontanna. And he had gotten her back. He could scrounge the money from somewhere surely? yes!

"I'd love to!" He replied, grinning like an idiot.

"Good darling. Pick me up at 8 sharp. Bye bye now!" She shrilled back, cutting the line.

Grey rested back against the counter with a grin. He had Fontanna back! Finally! He looked down at the phone in his hand. He needed to call Rae. Let her know that Fontanna wanted to go on a date again. Surely she would have known they had spoken about getting back together last night, well Grey assumed they had spoken about it. He couldn't remember a thing.

He dialled the number that he knew off by heart and waited for her to pick up.

[Lotus]

Rae had finally calmed down enough to fall asleep at some godly hour in the morning so she only awoke when she heard the sound of her phone ringing started. She groaned and lifted up her head, wondering why she was so uncomfortable. She looked around and realised where she was. She was still in the hallway, curled up by the door. No wonder she ached.

She stood up slowly, rubbing her eyes as she walked to the little coffee table with the telephone on it. She cleared her throat and answered it. "Hello, this is Rae Odell speaking."

She should have checked the caller ID number before answering because the voice that replied to her made her whole body tense as she was bombarded with memories of what had happened last night. She tried to breathe normally and found herself letting out the breathe she's apparently been holding. Her voice died in her throat as she tried to answer him. He was chatting away, she should just put the phone down. And that was exactly what she did. She sighed and ended the call, placing the phone back in the holder.

She stretched before walking upstairs to get showered and dressed. She didn't have to go into the office today; it was a Sunday so it was closed, but she needed to do something to occupy her mind. She sighed and decided she'd just work in her studio the whole day.

[Deleted]

Grey was smiling as Rae connected the call. "Hi Rae! You'll never guess what! Fontanna just asked me out on a date for tonight! isn't that just great! I mean we're actually back together again and I'm so happy! I'm sorry about having to cancel on us hanging out tonight, but you understand don't you? And I promise you that now I've got Fontanna back I can start painting again and then I promise I'll give you back all the money you've lent me, you're such a gre-"

Grey had been chirping away without even realising that Rae hadn't said anything back to him. But then the phone cut out. What had happened? Was there a power cut? No, there was never any power cuts. Rae had definitely helped him pay his phone bill so it couldn't have been that. Had she cut him off by accident? hat must have been it. It was the only logical reason. Grey dialled her back but the phone just kept ringing and then went to voicemail. That was odd.

Grey decided to leave a message just in case. "Hey Rae... I don't quite know what happened there with the call or anything. But are you alright? I'm going to head over to you now to make sure anyway, so I'll see you in a bit! Bye!"

Grey was confused but he still had a grin on his face. Today would be a good day. He would go over and chat to Rae. Then go and set up his easel in the square to maybe do some portraits or landscapes or something. Then he would come back home and take Fontanna out on a date. It would be great.

He packed up his art stuff and headed over to Rae's house with a skip in his step.

[Lotus]

Rae stepped out of the shower and wandered into her room. She grabbed a pair of grey slacks and a floral top as she wandered into her walk-in-wardrobe. After changing she dried her hair upside down, trying not to think about Grey. He'd hurt her and that was it. After everything she'd done for him and he repays her with cruelty. She should've learnt from her mistakes with Tristan.

She sighed and tied her hair up in a messy bun before walking to her studio. She saw the light flashing on the phone upstairs and pressed the button to hear her messages. Her steps faltered and she deleted the message straight away. Why wouldn't he just leave her alone? Did he just want to make her suffer more?

She sighed as she pushed her studio door closed. She sat down at her desk and closed her eyes, trying to think. She had a new order in this week and she really needed to get cracking on it.

[Deleted]

Grey walked through the streets of the Capitol with a grin on his face. For once he wasn't silently judging the people with their stupid clothing and crazy fads. He wasn't thinking about how cruel they were or how much money he could make off of them by flattering their ridiculously bright dogs. Today was a good day because he had Fontanna back.

Grey knocked on Rae's door quickly. He wanted to see her and make sure that she was alright after the phone had cut out. He hoped she was. He needed to talk to her about his great news and maybe she would sit for him so he could paint her. He'd like to do that. He tapped his foot, waiting for her to open the door. She sure was taking a long time.

[Lotus]

Rae had pulled out all her designs and was flicking through them trying to get inspiration for this new order. She had a few but nothing was striking her as great at the moment. Her parents thought her profession was useless and pointless, but it was far harder than they gave her credit for. She was making a name for herself so wasn't that good enough.

She never usually had trouble with coming up with ideas, but this order was set by a very memorable name to her. It was Tristan's order. Of course he didn't know she'd be set the task, but it just made everything so much more difficult for her. She didn't know where to start.

She heard knocking at the door and she groaned. "Go away..." Not that it did any good; they couldn't hear her. She didn't want to walk all the way downstairs to open the door to someone she probably didn't want to speak to. And if it was Grey then it would be even more of a wasted effort. So she stayed sitting down at her desk as she stared at her drawings and sketches.

[Deleted]

Grey waited a few minutes but Rae didn't come to the door. He knocked again, louder this time. He was a little bit worried. She hadn't spoken on the phone. She wasn't answering her door. What if something had happened to her? What if she was hurt? Grey was really worried. What if she hadn't made it home last night? Grey couldn't remember a thing and so he didn't know if Rae had been in a fit state when he left or not.

He was worried and she still hadn't answered the door. Grey was a little panicky now. He prayed that she was alright and well. She had to be. He reached out a hand and fumbled about in the window box to his left. He found the spare key and pulled it out, he smiled slightly but then remembered why he was having to use it and that smile stopped.

Grey unlocked the door and made his way into her house. He knew it well. "Rae?!" He called out. "Rae! Are you home?" He called again. He checked downstairs but it was empty. He made his way up and paused outside the door to her studio. If she was anywhere that was where she would be. He pushed open the door. "Rae?"

[Lotus]

She heard calling from downstairs and she groaned inwardly, hitting her head on her desk in frustration. Grey. Could he not get the message that she wanted to be left alone? She'd hung up on him and she hadn't answered the door. Was that not enough for him to get the picture? Clearly not.

She tried to busy herself with her designs to try and forget that he was wandering around her home. She hoped he'd give up and just leave, but then her studio door was pushed open and his voice was closer than before. She gripped her pencil tightly and looked straight ahead, not bothering to look at him. "I'm busy if you can't see Grey. So leave and go do whatever with Fontanna." Her grip on her pencil tightened. "Don't let me get in the way or anything." She said it with venom in her voice and she hoped to god he'd get the picture.