A Bitter Pill to Swallow

"I had so much fun, we should do this again sometime." Anna smiled. They had gone on a rollercoaster ride, rode bumper cars and done a lot of other exciting things. It had been really fun and she felt really good.

Joyce grinned in response, "Sure, we can."

They locked eyes for a brief second and she felt a warmth course through her. She quickly snapped out of it and hailed a cab then, waved goodbye to Joyce. As the cab driver drove her home, she couldn't help but think about what was so special about Joyce that made her feel so warm inside. Was it mutual? Could it be?

No, she was as straight as a needle. Joyce was just friendly, and it has been long since she had a real friend, that was all there was to it.

The cab dropped her in front of her house, and an instant feeling of depression hit her. The time read 10:00pm, and she had deliberately ignored her father's calls -- she was sure going to get a mouthful tonight. She entered into the house and they were waiting, seated on the couch like she knew they would.

"You're late." He said coldly.

"Got held up," She replied curtly.

"Called you..."

She didn't let him finish, "Phone didn't ring out."

"Anna, I'm not a fool. You ignored my calls," He pointed out in annoyance.

She sighed, "Dad, I just want to go to bed. It's late already."

"As long as you're under my roof, you have to answer to me. I don't care how old you are!" He snapped angrily.

"Then, let me move out, dad! I don't get it, what is the problem exactly? Because of you both and your religious sentiments, I haven't kissed a boy before; I don't have any friends except some fucking religious weirdos that don't mean anything to me; you almost didn't let me audition for the movie because you thought it was secular! What do you want that I haven't given to you? Just let me live my life, is that too much to ask?!" She yelled angrily. She could hear her mother's shocked gasp as she walked away.

She slammed her door and slid to the floor, as the adrenaline rush began to dissipate. Soon, she was sobbing gently.

Anna had never talked to her parents that way before, and it kind of hurt that she did. She had always pretended to be a good and naive girl who followed things by the book. She loved her parents, but they were extremely overbearing and she has tried to keep it in for years, swallowing and tolerating everything.

But now, she was done -- whether they liked it or not, she would move out from their house with or without their permission.

***

Natalie woke up to her alarm and began to get ready for the day. She threw on something casual -- a short sleeved top and jean pant, then accentuated it with some loafers. As she made up her face in front of the dresser, she thought about last night with Hector -- it had been nice up until he said he would love to see her again, outside work. That meant that he was obviously interested in her, ruining any potential of friendship that she sought with him. Should she give it a try? She wondered. He was a nice guy and was good at his job, even though he didn't have a face or build like Simon's...

Wait, why was she thinking about that asshole? She wondered how women could even stand him, the beautiful lady he had brought to the restaurant had no idea what she was in for...or maybe she did.

She sighed and applied a little lipgloss. Satisfied, she got up and proceeded to pack her dreads into a bun. Simon's voice suddenly drifted into her head, "Natalie Freeman, the nerdy girl who never let her hair down."

She smirked mischievously -- actually, she would love to see his expression when he saw her hair down. With that resignation, she let her hair fall on her shoulders.

"Ready, action!"

She and Simon had barely acted the scene, when Winston screamed, "Cut!"

"For god's sake!!!" He shouted furiously.

Natalie sighed frustratedly -- they were trying to act a bed scene and Winston wasn't satisfied with anything they did. They hadn't even gotten to the kissing part yet and deep down, she was glad.

"Again! And you both better get it right this time!" He shouted again.

Natalie glanced at Hector who gave her an encouraging smile.

"Stop looking at him, look at me." Simon whispered seriously.

"He's got a better face." She snapped.

He chuckled, "We both know that's not true..."

It got to the part where he had to hold her waist and look into her eyes. Natalie felt her heart beat rapidly as he wrapped his hands around her waist.

"You know, we got chemistry...always have." He whispered in her ears.

She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to pull away from him.

"We should test it out privately, away from prying eyes..." He trailed off as he gently pushed her onto the bed. Her heart beat rapidly as he leaned in to kiss her. Flashes of them in high school began going through her head, especially that one time when he kissed her. It had been her first kiss and the most exciting thing she had ever done.

And it was about to happen again...

Fuck!

Oh my god, Winston say something!

"Alright, cut!" Winston called out.

Natalie had never been more thankful to hear Winston's displeased voice. Simon smirked knowingly.

"That was okay, but could be better. I and the team would discuss if to shoot that scene again while we take a break." Winston continued and everyone dispersed.

Natalie walked briskly to the restroom, her heart still pounding in her chest. She stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection. No other person could see it except her -- how disheveled she was -- she was breathless and there was a bit of wetness in between her legs. She ran her hands through her hair in confusion -- get a grip, Natalie, it is just a movie for fuck's sake!

She began to panic. Could she do it?

At that moment, the door to the restroom opened and Joyce, the lady that came to Kylie's tattoo shop, entered.

"Hey," She greeted and walked to the bathroom sink to wash her hands.

"Hey," Natalie said breathily.

"Are you okay?" Joyce asked with concern.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." She answered.

Joyce didn't seem convinced but returned to focusing on her business.

Natalie finally got herself together and when Joyce was about to leave, she cleared her throat, stopping her.

"Are you sure you're good?" Joyce asked again.

Natalie nodded, "Yeah, I am. I just...what do you think about women that feel attracted to their abusers?"

Joyce raised a curious eyebrow.

She chuckled awkwardly, "It's something I am researching on for a friend of mine..."

Joyce hummed and paused to think.

"Um, Honestly, I think they should seek help. I mean, who feels attracted to their abuser? You're supposed to hate them not the other way around, except they've changed of course but still...I wouldn't advice it," She said and then lowered her voice as if to say a secret.

"Because people never truly change." She added.

All the while that she spoke, Natalie felt as though a knife was being pierced into her heart with each word that came out of her mouth. The truth hurt a fucking bunch.

She did need help.