Stumble

“No, no! I was just leaving.” Anthony said hurrying past Kelly. From behind her, he mouthed ‘Tell her’ to Carrie who was wide eyed on the couch.

Anthony closed the door behind him leaving the two ladies alone in the dressing room.

Kelly stood there looking down and clutching her arms to herself.

Carrie looked at her, still shocked she had come to her dressing room, and half confused Kelly seemed so hurt that she’d caught she and Anthony in an embrace.

“We’re just friends.” Carrie muttered.

Kelly didn’t even look up. “Whatever. I was just coming to…I don’t even know what I was thinking.”

“I can’t believe you!” Carrie said the tone in her voice rising.

This caught Kelly’s attention. “Can’t believe what? That you were with that boy? I could care less, trust me.”

“I don’t trust you. You’re standing in my dressing room jealous of me and my friend after all this time! Unbelievable.”

“I’m not jealous. Just surprised that you’d be with him. He doesn’t seem your type.”

“Oh, excuse me. I haven’t been traveling the country with some pseudo rocker.”

Kelly’s eyes widened. “How do you know about him?”

“I read US Weekly. You’re more famous than you think, I wish you’d realize that. The most fun was probably seeing him wearing your clothes. Didn’t take you long, huh.”

“I needed a distraction. And don’t act all holier than thou. I read those trashy magazines too. I’m not the only one who needed to get my mind off of someone else while I was on tour.”

“He’s a friend!” Carrie shouted!

Kelly walked up to Carrie who was still sitting on the couch. “Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t sleep with him.”

Carrie’s blood was boiling but she was beaten.

“I don’t owe you anything.” She said looking away.

“You owe me the truth! You left me!” Kelly shouted back.

Carrie grabbed her hand and pulled her down to the couch.

“Listen to me, Clarkson. We both know it wouldn’t have worked. It can’t and it won’t. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you’ve got.”

“It’s not enough.” she said with tears forming in her eyes. “I just want you.”

“You have me.” Carrie said wiping the tears from her face.

“You do.” She took a deep breath and embraced a trembling Kelly. “Right now, you do.”