I Kissed A Girl

[Astrid Samson]

Hey Astrid, I was wondering if you had some time to talk.

Who is this? How did you get this number?

I got it from Tap.

Well that wasn’t his information to give away. I guess I’m going to have a talk with him the next time I see him.
But you still … who is this?

Oh my apologies… it’s Cat… Catriona MacKenzie.

WHO?!?!

The one who asked for help when you visited the ICWA training session last week.

Oh… yeah now I remember. Things have been a pretty blurry for me lately.
I’ve been in the hospital and attacked two shows in a row. So forgive me.

It’s quite alright. I cannae imagine what you’ve been through over the past couple of weeks.
I went through a hellish match myself though I cannae compare what happened to me with yours.
I actually was told today I cannae go to training til at least Wednesday. It’s why I wanted to see if you had time to talk.
About what happened…

To be honest, I only answered the text because I didn’t recognize the number it was coming from.
I’ve been staying off that toxic hole known as Twitter and off the grid for a reason.

If you don’t want to right now, I fully understand. I just needed to get a few things off my chest.
Things have been bothering me for a few days.

Cat I just… I don’t know. I just want to stay home.

I can come to Dana Point.

And how do you know I live in Dana Point??
Don’t answer that… I know who told you.
Why can’t the men that I know keep things to themselves?

It’s fine… really. I just thought that we could talk about it is all.
I could sense that you aren’t in a good place right now when I asked for the help.

You’re right… I’m not in a good place right now.
It’s one of the reasons why I just want to be left alone.

Everyone needs to eat… what if I bought you dinner?

I’ve already eaten. Besides, I’ve not been too hungry lately.

How about a drink? Come on… you can’t turn down free alcohol.

Did Joshua tell you that too?

Uh… no. But I do know a few people of Nordic descent and they can drink my Scottish ass under the table and can’t say no to a few covered rounds.

Fine… since I can sense you’re not going to relent.
Meet me at The Bungalow in Huntington Beach.
I don’t feel like driving all the way to Venice Beach tonight.

That’s fine. I can easily Uber to The Bungalow.

OK… meet me there before 9. If you don’t come, I’m leaving.

Oh I’ll be there.

=======================================================

The sun had long set in the sky but off in the distance a faint hue of pinky orange could be see as the scene opens up at The Bungalow in Huntington Beach, California. Even though it was a weekday (Monday to be exact), there were still no shortage of patrons who were enjoying the beach side bar, especially the outdoor patio which is where we find IPW Lady Icon Astrid Sedin sitting on one of the couches, a glass of white wine in her hand. After taking a sip, she glances down at her Apple Watch, noticing that it is getting very close to 9 and thus, making her slightly agitated.

Astrid: I should’ve known.

Quickly finishing off the wine, Astrid sets the glass down on the small round table and gathers her things. Standing up, she turns around just in time to make eye contact with the person she was supposed to be meet, ICWA Rising Icon, Catriona MacKenzie. Catriona manages to crack a smile as she approaches Astrid.

Catriona: Sorry I’m late. My Uber… well I don’t think they really knew where they were going. It should be a requirement that they have GPS in their cars.

Astrid: Well you’re here just in time. I was just getting ready to leave because I didn’t think you had the balls to show up.

Catriona: Oh trust me… I’ve got balls. When I say I’m going to do something or be somewhere at a certain time, I do it. I’ve run into the problems of traffic and inadequate drivers quite a number of times though.

Astrid: You’re here now and you did say something about buying me a drink. So you go do that and I’ll get us a place where we can sit and talk. Or we can just sit right here.

Catriona: Right where you are is fine.

Astrid: Fine… get me a glass of white wine and a double Patron silver in a rocks glass… no salt, no lime.

Catriona nods her head and heads off to the bar as Astrid sighs deeply, placing her plump bottom back where it had been moments prior. Looking out towards the beach, Astrid can faintly hear the sound of the waves crashing into the shore. It was pretty clear that Astrid did not really want to be there, but she at least wanted to hear this chick out.

She briefly gets lost in a trance watching the waves, only snapping out of it when Catriona sets the drinks down on the large square table in front of her after gingerly carrying them from the bar.

Catriona: I wasn’t sure what you had, but the bartender remembered you and got you the same thing you already had.

Catriona goes to hand the glass to Astrid, but the short blonde woman reaches for the tequila and downs it in one big gulp. Catriona looks on shocked, still holding the glass of wine.

Catriona: Astrid, don’t you have to drive home?

Astrid: I don’t plan on leaving for a while. I can always get an Uber or Lyft anyway.

Astrid takes the glass, sipping at it as the fermented liquid lingers on her lips.

Astrid: So what is it that you had to get of your chest?

Catriona takes a deep breath, taking a sip of her own drink before turning to face Astrid.

Catriona: I wanted to apologize for my actions last Friday. It was totally uncalled for and I don’t know what I was thinking. In fact, I don’t even think I was thinking… not fully at least. I could tell that asking you for help… was hard on you and then I didn’t make matters any better. So first off I want to apologize for not living up to your standards and looking like a green newbie when you were only trying to help.

Catriona tries to look into Astrid’s eyes, but Astrid just keeps her gaze fixated out onto the waves as it last traces of sunlight fade away.

Catriona: I’m also sorry I kissed you. You were so frustrated and I didn’t know how to get you to just stop ranting and raving. It was the only thing that came to my head in the heat of the moment. I deeply apologize.

Astrid: You know that I have been through a hell of a lot over the past few months, so why you go and do something like that? A slap I think would’ve been more appropriate.

Catriona: I deduced that would’ve not been wise. I know all about your vicious streak and didn’t want to fall victim to the same fate.

Astrid: You were right… I would’ve made you rue the day you were born had you done that.

Catriona: Which is exactly why I went an entirely different route. I hope I didn’t offend you by my actions.

Astrid: No… no you didn’t.

Without even batting an eyelash, Astrid raises the glass to her lips again; downing what was left of the pale yellow liquid.

Astrid: I just have so many conflicting emotions running through my body all the time: hate, love, anger, sadness… it’s like I’m Riley in Inside Out.

Catriona has a slight look of confusion on her face as she sips at her drink.

Astrid: It’s a Disney movie.

Catriona: Ah… don’t think I’ve seen that one.

Astrid: But nonetheless, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I was the one who was in the wrong.

Catriona: So you take my apology?

Astrid nods her head as a slight smile makes it upon the lips of Catriona.

Astrid: Good. Because I had this whole speech planned in case you didn’t. I was going to go on and on about how you…

Before Catriona could blink, Astrid presses her lips against those of Catriona… just like Catriona had done to Astrid 9 days prior. Except this time, neither one of the ladies pull themselves away from the other. Instead, Catriona starts kiss Astrid back, her right hand gently holding the back of Astrid’s head. After a few moments, they pull apart and both Astrid and Catriona look at each other.

Astrid: I’m um… I’m sorry for that.

Catriona: Don’t be because you have nothing to be sorry about.

Astrid: I just did the same thing to you that I yelled at you for. So I have to apologize.

Catriona reaches forward and puts her hand on Astrid’s knee.

Catriona: Astrid… it’s fine. I didn’t mind kissing you and I sure as hell didn’t mind you kissing me. It’s 2019 and if you want to kiss a girl… then kiss a girl.

Astrid: But I’m… I’m married and I feel like I’m cheating on my husband. I know we’re estranged right now and I know he’s done more… but I still feel horrible, like I’m betraying him. I miss him so much.

Astrid lowers her head; a single tear slowly starts to trickle down the full part of her left cheek. Catriona’s hand remains on Astrid’s knee as she looks on, trying to give Astrid a comforting look.

Catriona: I know you do. I figured that was one of the reasons why you acted the way you did. It’s OK… we can just forget that both the kisses happened and just go about our merry ways.

Catriona sighs, with drawing her hand.

Catriona: I should also be thanking you. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve still had to deal with three hyenas instead of two.

Astrid: Don’t you call my niece a hyena!

Astrid’s head snaps around and Catriona could see the rage that had suddenly filled her gaze. Catriona knew she hit a sensitive spot and so she threw her hands up in surrender.

Catriona: My apologies… I did not mean to call Jazmin a hyena. It’s just the nickname that I have them because they reminded me a lot like the three hyenas from The Lion King. But I knew why you did it. You did it to protect your niece from getting involved in something that she probably would end up regretting.

Astrid: I also hoped that it would show Josh something, what that was I don’t know. I’ve tried getting through to him but it doesn’t seem to be working. No matter what I do, it feels like he’s just getting further and further away.

Astrid sighs deeply, inhaling heavily before exhaling sharply.

Astrid: I’m thinking I should head home. This… was a mistake.

Catriona puts her hand under Astrid’s chin and lifts it up so that their gazes met each other.

Catriona: No it wasn’t. You needed this about as much as I did.

A smile made its way across Catriona’s lips before she leans in and kisses Astrid once again, this one a little deeper than previous.

Catriona: You’ve helped me twice now so I am in your debt. If you need me for anything, do NOT hesitate to text or call. You have my number now so it should be easy for you to reach me. As long as I’m not in the middle of training, or an appointment, I will hop in an Uber and come.

Astrid forces a smile upon her face, one Catriona could tell was fake yet her trying to be genuine.

Catriona: Why don’t I go and get us something else to drink. And since you’re two drinks ahead of me, I think I’ll need to get myself a shot or two.

Astrid: The bartender here knows me. Just tell them I want my usual ending and they’ll know what I mean. I do have to drive back to Dana Point.

Catriona nods her head, smiling as she gets up from the couch and heads back over towards the bar, the scene fading out to black.