*Christian*
I knew it was a risk turning up at the Institution but it was a risk I was willing to take. I didn't know, but maybe deep down I still really cared about her. Anyway, I wanted to see if she had arrived safe and sound. I didn't want to see her hurt.I was signed in at reception and escorted to her room. I was expecting to see white padded walls and strait jackets but it was nothing like that. Come to think of it, I could have expected it to be Leslie's own room, apart from the fact that a camera whirled in one corner and a surveillance guard stood outside but you know what I mean. Leslie spun around from looking outside a barred window and smiled softly at me. I was surprised. She didn't smirk at me or anything.
"Hello." I said uncomfortably. "How are you doing?"
Her bottom lip quivered and it looked like she was about to cry. I backed up cautiously. If there was one thing I couldn't really handle, it was tears.
"Oh, Chris." She said, throwing herself into my arms. "It's horrible."
And for once I felt sympathy for her. What did I know about the life in a asylum? I drew my arms closer around her comfortingly, noticing all too clearly how her curvy figure pressed against me.
*Leslie*
I could tell the tears were working. It may have been hell in here but I wouldn't cry, not unless I was manipulating something...or someone. Me, the manipulator, was now bringing Chris back. I had him in my arms, who knew how long before anything else. I wiggled seductively, making out I was wiping my face free of tears. Chris froze, but I know he was aroused. I leant in for a kiss and Chris backed away. I went to sit on the bed with a lost-girl smile on my face. Soon he would be mine. It would be a matter of time but by then I would have Jasmine's clenches off him and he'd come running back. Oh yeah, I could see the temptation of throwing me on the bed right there and then in his eyes. He was being overly loyal towards Jasmine but that wouldn't last long.
*Mark*
Jasmine opened the door and I looked down, slightly embarrassed.
"Hi, is Julie there?"
"Yeah, but I don't think she'd be pleased to see you. She didn't want to see me and I'm her own sister."
"Maybe I could try talking to her."
"You could try."
She leaned forward and hugged me and I stiffened. She giggled and broke some of the tension.
"It's a good luck hug. Remember, each time someone had to do something hard, a member of our group would hug that person? Well, looks like I'm the only one here."
I smiled warmly. I remembered. Jasmine gestured through the doorway.
"Come on in. You know where her room is, right?"
I nodded and made my way up the stairs.
*Ben*
I drove past the Institution and saw Christian's car parked there. I frowned before pulling over. What was he up to? I shut the car door just as Christian came up in rather a hurry.
"Woah!" I said loudly. Christian stopped and turned. "What's the rush?"
"Oh, I'm just eager to go and see Jasmine." Christian said. I could see a new light in his eyes and it disconcerted me. What had Chris been doing with Leslie?
"Are you all right?"
Chris gave a funny grin.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Couldn't be better."
He gave a flicker of his hand, a dismissal wave, and drove away in his car. I rested my hands on the leather steering wheel. I didn't know what Christian was up to but I was going to have a long talk with Jasmine once he had gone. I smiled schemingly as I started up the car. A long PRIVATE talk.
*Julie*
I looked up from staring at a picture I drew on the wall in surprise. Mark was standing there but I hadn't heard him enter or anything. I immediately turned my back on him.
"Go away." I said coldly.
"Listen, Julie..." Mark started.
"I said go away!"
He turned towards me but then turned away again, as if he was going to say something. I saw the words cut deep, causing him pain.
"How could you do that to me?" I suddenly asked. "I thought you loved me."
"I did."
"You did?"
"I do." Mark corrected himself. I whirled on him, my eyes flooding with tears.
"Well then why did you cheat on me as soon as my back was turned?! With my sister no less!" I said in a torrent of tears. Mark looked down to the ground and I stood there with my arms crossed, glaring at him.
"Look, it wasn't what you think. Leslie blew it all out of proportion..."
"I know a kiss when I see one."
"It was a goodbye kiss! Okay?! I was kissing her goodbye, to end all feelings between us! Because I love you, Julz..."
"Funny way of showing it."
I know I was being inconsiderate but I was so peeved off at the both of them that I couldn't help it. I wondered when it would all end.
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