Only Time Will Tell | by BrandyRae Chapter 4

Her phone up to one ear, checking her voicemail as she unlocked the front door with her free hand, Terra realized that late February in Orlando was a lot warmer than New York.  Maybe it was time to start unpacking her spring clothes because the thin sweater she was wearing seemed a little warm.

Finally making her way inside, she prayed that no one was home. The house had been a little strange over the past two weeks and really she just wanted some peace and quiet. Just when Terra thought Amanda and her sister might start to get along, something would always set them back.

Yesterday had been no exception as Samantha came home with a surprising new piercing – in her tongue. Amanda, of course, threw a fit. Samantha, of course, went off on a “your not my mother and you can’t tell me what to do” tangent. It had been very entertaining to say the least.

After listening to two voicemails from her assistant and one from Chris, Terra tossed her phone into her purse and headed straight for her bedroom to change out of her confining business attire. She’d kill to have a job where she could wear jeans everyday. Unfortunately she chose the wrong profession for that.

Taking in a deep sigh, Terra collapsed onto her bed. Amanda and JC were leaving for their romantic getaway the next morning and Terra had voluntarily – or not so voluntarily – offered to stay home with Sam. Normally it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but lately Terra had been feeling a little irritated with the whole ordeal. It was time for her to get her own place, whether Amanda wanted her to or not.

Four people in one house were too many, and that’s how it seemed to be most of the time. JC was over almost every night since Sam had moved in. Before Sam came, the couple would switch off, but now it just seemed like he’d practically moved in.

Terra didn’t mind it too much, except for the fact that she had hardly any privacy. Between Amanda, Sam and JC, Terra hardly had any time to herself except for when she locked herself away in her bedroom.

And since it was Amanda’s house after all, Terra had no right to make a fuss. She was living there rent free, which she realized was awfully nice of her cousin.

But god forbid she actually bring home a date. In fact, maybe that was her whole problem. Her sexual tension was wound up pretty tight considering she hadn’t been out with a man since she’d moved to Orlando two months ago.

Well, except for Chris, but he didn’t count. Those weren’t considered dates. They were just hanging out. As friends. Because that’s all they were. Friends.

As she kicked off her shoes, she couldn’t help but hear the echo of voices coming from downstairs. Apparently, someone was home.

After changing into her more casual clothing, she wandered downstairs. Not surprisingly, she found both girls in the kitchen.

“Hey Terr, long day?” Amanda asked as she unpacked some groceries into the cupboard. It looked like they had bought a whole case of soup. Terra had to smirk, because undoubtedly it was for Samantha’s swollen tongue. Amanda tried to be so tough, but deep down she was just a big softy. She would never make Samantha take it out.

“You could say that,” Terra answered, taking stance beside Samantha, leaning against the counter. “How’s your tongue?” she asked the younger girl.

“Big,” Samantha answered with a bit of a lisp, opening her mouth for Terra to see.

“Is that why you guys bought a shit load of soup?” Terra asked.

“Yesth,” Sam answered, still trying to learn how to speak with a foreign object in her mouth. Her words were just a little slurred. “Are you sthill takin’ me to Universthal on Saturday?”

“Yeah, sure.” Terra agreed.

“Thanks again Terra. I really appreciate it.” Amanda said.

“I know you do.”

A minute or two later Sam announced she was going up to her bedroom and left the two cousins alone in the kitchen.

“You two seem to be getting along rather well today,” Terra commented once Samantha was safely out of ear shot.

“Yeah, I guess,” Amanda agreed. “It would take a lot to ruin my mood today since JC and I are leaving tomorrow. Well, maybe if she came home with a tattoo or something. That might screw up my good mood.”

“You never know, it could happen.”

“Don’t say that... please?” Amanda sighed with exasperation.

“Sorry,” Terra smirked.

“Anyway, what’s been up with you lately?” Amanda asked, finally finishing with the groceries and taking a few steps towards her cousin. “You seem kinda… not very happy.”

“Yeah, I know. Honestly Manda, I’m getting kinda lonely out here.”

“Lonely? But you have me. I mean, you’re never by yourself hardly ever.”

It was obvious Amanda didn’t understand. How could she? She’d never had a dry spell. Well, technically she had, but she had never known what she was missing.

“That’s not what I mean, silly. In regards to the male species, I’m feeling kinda lonely.” She explained.

“Well, what about Chris?”

Terra should’ve expected his name to come up. “Manda, for the twenty-billionth time, Chris and I are just friends. I don’t even look at him that way.”

“That’s too bad because I think he really likes you,” Amanda rebutted, turning her back to open the refrigerator. “You want something to drink while I’m in here?”

“No thanks,” Terra answered.

Amanda pulled out a bottled water and returned to her position against the counter.

“Yes, he really likes me AS A FRIEND. That’s it.” She hoped that was it, anyway. The last person she wanted to hurt was Chris. Getting involved with him would ruin their friendship for sure.

“He’s a really great guy. It’s too bad, you know, that you’re just friends.”

“Stop trying to set me up, Amanda. You know how I am. Chris is the last person I would want to get involved with.”

Amanda knew her cousin meant business when she actually pronounced the first syllable in her name, but she still couldn’t help but think it was just a shame that Terra wouldn’t give Chris a chance. “Okay, fine. I won’t bring it up again,” Amanda finally gave in.

“Thank you,” Terra replied. “So, what’s the deal with you anyway? What time are you leaving in the morning and are you going to give me the information on where you’re going in case of an emergency or something?”

Amanda smirked, that goofy grin spreading across her lips with just the thought of their trip. She knew it was there, she could feel it. She didn’t need to look to know.

“God, I hate you for being so insanely happy,” Terra teased her.

“Sorry,” Amanda grinned, trying to return back to reality. “We’re not leaving until after Sam leaves for school. She’s got her house key so you don’t have to worry about being here when she gets home.”

“Okay, and you’ll be where?” Terra asked again.

“I’m not sure. He didn’t tell me where we were going.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll just have to ask him then,” Terra decided. “Is he coming over tonight?”

“Nope, he’s staying at home tonight and picking me up in the morning.”

“Are you kidding me?” Terra asked, feigning shock. “You guys are actually going to spend a night apart?”

“Ha, ha. Very funny. Yes, we are.”

“You know, Manda,” Terra remarked, reaching across the counter and placing her hand over Amanda’s. “Are you gonna be okay when he leaves next week? You guys spend like every day together. What are you going to do when he goes back on tour?”

“Terr, I’ll be fine,” Amanda insisted, pulling her hand away. Honestly, she didn’t want to think about that at the moment. She hated the fact that he was going to be on the road for three months, but there was nothing she could do about it and she’d just have to deal with it. She was sure she’d fly out to visit him as much as she could. Although, with Sam there now, that would be a lot more difficult than she had originally planned. It would work out though, she just knew it would. Some way or another. It had to.

“You sure?” Terra asked inquiringly.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m strong. I can handle it.”

“Okay.” It was obvious that Terra didn’t believe her.

“I’ll be fine,” Amanda repeated.

“I’m sure you will.”

“I will,” Amanda stressed. But inside she could only hope.

Amanda realized that night as she laid in bed, alone, that Terra was right. It was going to be awfully difficult for her once JC left on tour. Not having him there for one night was rough. How was she going to handle three whole months?

She tossed and turned all night. A part of her was too anxious for the morning when he’d be picking her up and the other part of her was thinking over Terra’s words. Why had her cousin brought that up? She had done such a good job of pushing it out of her mind until then.

When morning finally did hit, Amanda was up bright and early. With her bags all packed, she dropped Samantha off at school and then returned home, where she found JC’s SUV already parked in the driveway. He was early and for some reason that made her happier than beyond belief.

In fact, she was so thrilled, she found herself nearly jogging to get inside the house.

But once inside, she realized Terra and JC were in the middle of a heated debate in the kitchen. She slowed her pace down so she could listen to their discussion.

“You’re gonna hurt her, I know you are,” she heard Terra say.

“Terra, I would never do anything to hurt Amanda. Why would you say that?” he asked.

“Because, you’re leaving next week and she’s not gonna be able to handle it. I just know she’s not. She is so attached to you JC. I can see the depression coming on already.”

“I think you’re overreacting. Besides she can visit me as much as she wants. Hell, she could stay with me the whole tour if she wanted.”

“She can’t do that JC. She has a sister to take care of,” Terra reminded.

“Well, that wasn’t part of the master plan, Terra.” He rebutted.

“I know, I know.” Amanda’s cousin remarked, her voice calming down just a hair. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“I’m not gonna be touring like this for the rest of my life. It won’t always be like this, Amanda knows that” JC explained.

Amanda took the opportunity to make herself known after that comment, coughing fairly loud before making her entrance into the kitchen.

Both just looked at her like they’d been busted sneaking into the cookie jar.

“I appreciate your concern Terra, but JC’s right. I’ll be fine,” Amanda assured her cousin.

“See?” JC added.

“Now can we just drop the whole subject?” Amanda asked.

“That’s fine, whatever.” Terra agreed, stepping up to give her cousin a hug before she left for work. “You two be careful and don’t get yourself into any trouble. I’ll see you on Monday.”

”Thanks, mom,” Amanda replied with sarcasm.

A few seconds later the front door slammed and Terra was out of the house. Amanda stepped towards JC and wrapped her arms instinctively around his waist. “She’s just overprotective when it comes to me, that’s all.” Amanda explained. She felt a little bad for Terra’s interrogation towards him.

“I know,” JC replied. “I’m glad that you have people in your life that care about you as much as Terra does.”

“And like you do,” Amanda added, reaching up to brush her lips against his.

“And like I do,” he agreed, returning the loving gesture. “Are you ready?”

“Did you not notice my suitcases in the entryway?”

“Actually, I already put them in the car,” he grinned.

“Good. Let’s go.”

It was just after four when Terra filled her briefcase with the necessary files she needed to work on her case over the weekend and called it a day. Normally she would have stayed until at least five, but she didn’t really want to leave Samantha alone for too long. She may have been Amanda’s sister, but when it all came down to it, they’d only known the girl for two weeks. Who knew what she was capable of in that big house all by herself.

Despite her doubt, Terra arrived home to find Samantha planted in front of the TV watching some afternoon talk show and snacking on potato chips. Typical teenage behavior. She was thankful, because that she could handle.

The evening went pretty smoothly. Since Terra was not as a spectacular of a cook as her cousin, she ordered every teenager’s favorite food for dinner – pizza. Fortunately, the swelling in Sam's mouth had went down enough so she could actually eat real food. The poor thing had lived off of soup and yogurt for two days.

They had just finished eating when Chris called.

Sam had answered the phone, but immediately given it to Terra. The two had been right smack in the middle of watching the movie America’s Sweethearts. Your typical chick flick. Samantha may have pretended to not like those sort of things, but everyday she seemed to become more and more normal. She just looked different with her piercings and her black fingernails. Her dyed hair, now that was something Terra was set on fixing. It was beginning to grow out and her roots were quite a bit lighter than the dye job. She just knew Amanda would be ecstatic if she came home and Samantha had normal looking hair.

“What’s up?” Terra asked as she took the receiver from Sam, pausing the movie just as the threatening Doberman Pincher was licking Billy Crystal’s crotch.

The girls had been in mid-laughter when the phone rang.

“Not much, what are you girls doing there all by yourself?” he asked.

“Watching Billy Crystal get his balls licked,” Terra chuckled.

“Really?”

“Yeah… by a dog. In a movie.” Terra clarified.

“Sure it’s a movie. Are you corrupting young Samantha?” he asked with his usual sarcasm. “Do I need to come over there and protect her?”

“If anyone was going to corrupt Sam, it wouldn’t be me. It would be you,” Terra remarked.

“I am an outstanding role model for kids of all ages. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he defended.

“Puh-lease…” That had to be the farthest thing from the truth.

“Anyway,” he said with exaggeration. “Did you girls want some company or not? I could bring ice cream…”

“ONLY if you bring ice cream,” Terra answered.

“Okay, I’ll see you in twenty.”

“Bye,” Terra told and hung up the phone.

“He’s starting to grow on me,” Samantha revealed. “At first I thought he was total dork, but he is kinda funny.”

“Just don’t tell him that,” Terra told her.

“Okay, I won’t.”

“Hey, Sam?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t be afraid to tell me no if you want to, but you’re hair is starting grow out and your roots are showing. If you want I could take you to the salon this weekend?”

Samantha paused, pulling her feet up underneath her on the couch. “I think I’ll just keep it how it is if you don’t mind,” she finally answered.

“Okay, no problem. It’s your hair.” And with that, the subject was dropped.

Almost an hour later, after eating two different kinds of ice cream and finishing up the movie, Samantha went upstairs to her room leaving Chris and Terra alone in the living room.

Chris was being his normal joking self, making wisecracks left and right, when suddenly Terra started to wonder, what if he did have a thing for her? He did call her a lot. She called him too, but she knew her feelings were strictly platonic. What if she was leading him on? What if he thought she wanted a relationship with him?

Maybe it was time to find out the truth. “Chris,” she said, “when was the last time you went out on a date?”

“Who me?” He asked with surprise. “Actually, I had one right before I came over.”

“Shut up,” Terra told him, tossing a pillow across the room in his direction. “You did not.”

”Okay, maybe I didn’t. Why do you want to know?”

“Just curious, I guess.”

“Has Justin been talking to you?” he asked curiously, his brow furrowed into the center of his forehead as he peered at her from the opposite sofa. As if Justin could tell her all of Chris’ deep dark secrets. Well… she figured, he probably could.

“No,” Terra chuckled. “I wish.”

“I know you want him. They all do. If he wasn’t already taken I would so hook you up,” Chris teased.

“He’s a little young for me anyway,” Terra remarked.

“Oh please, like he would argue! Look at you, girl! You are hot! He’d take you in a heartbeat if it weren’t for Britney.”

Well, Terra decided, Chris was definitely good for her ego. She couldn’t help but laugh at his comment. “You think so?”

“I know so. Shit, if I were a guy, I would SO do you.”

Now that brought on a big laugh. “Chris, you ARE a guy!” she reminded him.

“Well, yeah. But you know what I mean.”

“You’re too much, you know that?” she giggled. “It’s too bad I like you so much, or I just might let you.”

Immediately from the strange look on Chris’ face Terra realized she’d said too much. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Chris didn’t know her THAT well.

“Yeah,” he remarked, puzzled, “I’m not even gonna ask what that meant.”

“Well, you know. Since we’re such good friends and all. I’d hate to ruin that.”

“Okay… whatever you say.”

Suddenly Terra was feeling extremely uncomfortable. “I think I’m gonna get something to drink. You thirsty?” she asked, hoping to end the topic of conversation.

“Sure. You guys got any beer in this house?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ll bring you one,” she told him and hopped out of the room as fast as she could without looking too obvious. She had a feeling when she came back things were going to be just a little weird between them.

It was only a minute or two later when she found out her feeling was right.