The Bet

Clarke hadn't spoken to Janet in a couple of weeks. She had only seen her at dress rehearsals and she knew better than to approach her at work. Just the thought of Janet made tears swell in her eyes.

Her phone vibrated with a text from Gil.

Gil : miss your face. Whatcha up to?

Clarke took a picture and sent it to him.

Her phone began to ring.

"Clarke," Gil said on the other end. "We are not about to do this. I'm coming over there so get up and get cleaned up. Be there in an hour." As soon as she hung up from Gil, Emory called called.

"Fuck you Emory." Clarke said. She ignored the call and threw across the bed.

She had freshened up and gotten dressed by the time Gil had arrived. He showed up with tea lattes.

"You look like shit. You need to be taking care of yourself. Our first show is in a week. You need to be at your best." Gil said. Clarke sipped her tea.

"I know." She let her head fall into her hands then looked up at Gil, tears in her eyes. "She won't even look at me Gil. My heart literally aches man. I don't know what to do." Clarke said and started to cry.

"Well what the fuck was up the bet Clarke? This shit is not a game."

Clarke looked up from her tea. "Emory and I were hanging out at my apartment one day and I️ made a joke. That's all it was." She explained. "I acting all cocky and said if I ever got the chance to meet J that I️ would make her mine. I had no fucking clue that I would be meeting her that day, nor did I think she'd ever give me a second glance." Clarke stood up in frustration.

"What about the text asking what she owed you for losing?" Gil asked. Clarke nodded.

"Yeah I got that stupid fucking text." She said unlocking her phone and going to her text messages to show them to Gil. "I never responded. I thought she was trying to be funny or maybe just jealous."

Gil shook his head.

"She played you babe. You realize that right? I knew I didn't like that bitch, gonna hold her hand out to me like I'm suppose to kiss it..." He said and rolled his eyes. "You need to fix this Clarke and you need to do now."

"How am suppose to fix if she won't even talk to me?" Clarke asked, throwing her hand up in frustration.

Gil's phone buzzed. "I don't know, but you better think of something fast." He said and showed Clarke the picture.

"Wissam husband is making his move."

Clarke slumped back down into her chair, tears still streaming from her cheeks. She had a look of defeat on her face. Gil took her hand trying to bring her comfort.

"Emory mess everything up Gil. Even if I explain, Janet probably won't believe me. She won't forgive me for this." She grabbed Gil's pack of cigarettes and sparked lit one.

"You shouldn't be smoking. You need to take care of your voice. Singing for 2 hours a night will take a toll on your throat and smoking ain't gonna help. And," He said taking the cigarette from her lips and finishing it. "You need to acknowledge your part in this Clarke." She snapped her head in his direction.

"You're saying some of this is my fault?" She looked hurt.

"Yup I sure am. You have known that Emory liked you for some time now. Have you ever told her the feeling wasn't mutual?"

"Well no but I have never lead her on either."
Clarke said trying to defend herself.

"She didn't need you to with the way her mind damn works seems to work. That bitch is a lil coo coo." He said, finally getting a tiny laugh out of Clarke. "You need to make it clear to her that you guys will never be more than friends."

Clarke took a deep breath. She knew Gil was right.

"I know man. It started with me just not wanting to hurt her feelings. But then she started doing crazy stuff, like letting herself into my apartment that night we all had dinner for the first time."

Gil was shocked. "Where was Janet?"

"In the car downstairs. I didn't tell her because it was kind of like a first date." She paused for a second feeling overwhelmed. "You believe me right Gil? You have to know that I mean it when I say I love her." She asked.

"Of course I believe you but babe, I'm not who you need to convince." He said, took her hand and kissed it. "You'll find a way. I know you will but I have to gotta because she's hurting to and she needs me."

Clarke nodded and walked him to the door. "Thanks for coming over Gil." She said leaning agains the open door.

"Of course Daddy," He smiled. "Please take care of yourself. I'm gonna come by and check on you later. I promise." He touched her face and headed to his car.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me right now?" Clarke said aloud as Emory pulled in to the parking space right next to him. Gil stopped and watched her get out of the car.

"Trifling ass." Gil said loud enough for Emory to hear. He got into the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"No!" Clarke yelled as Emory walked up the stairs. "You have some fucking nerve showing up here." She meet Emory at the top step.

"Clarke please!" Emory begged.

"Fuck you!" Clarke said and walked back inside. Emory followed her into the apartment and closed the door. Clarke turned and glared at her. "You ruined everything for me! Do you realize that? This was sneaky and fucking SELFISH EMORY!"

Emory covered her face and begin to cry.

Clarke was to angry to care and she continued speaking how she felt. "What have I ever done wrong for you to do me this way huh? I don't fucking understand Emory!"

"What don't you understand!" Emory yelled back. "I love you Clarke! How could not see
that I'm in love with you?" She said stepping closer to her. "I think I have from the moment we met. I've tried everything to get your attention,everything to get you to love me the way that I love you!" She glanced over at a poster of Janet on Clarke's wall. "I begged my Uncle to let us come to his studio just so you could meet her! I did that!

Emory continues to yell as Clarke brushed her hands away and walked up the stairs while she followed.

"I saw it you know? They way she looked at you that day. I expected you to lose your shit and "fan out" but you were you." Emory was quiet for a moment. "I never thought you wasn't good enough for her Clarke. I just didn't expect her to steal you right from under me." She was talking calmly now, but with no response. Clarke wouldn't even look at her.

"Clarke." Emory said standing closer to her. She tugged at her arm and tried to pull her close but Clarke brushed her away again. "Clarke I love you."

Clarke turned and faced her finally. "You love me? And what? You thought messing things up with her was going to make me go running to you?" Clarke got in her face. "There will never be anything between us." She said. "Now get the fuck out of my house and leave my damn key."