Suds - Season 1, Episode 2

...a mini-soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama

[Last time on Suds, Shantel lurked in the darkness, spying on her ex, Darien, while he was having a private chat on the beach with God. Shantel imagined him falling desperately in love with her, and as she crawled out of the darkness, hoping to bring her dream into reality, a voice called from behind. It was Terrance, her new boyfriend. Looks like Shantel might be slipping.]

“Is there something you want to tell me?” a voice boomed from behind. Shantel whirled around to find Terrance glowering over her shoulder in Darien’s direction.

“Oh h-hey, Baby,” she stammered, nervously. Think, Telly, think, she panicked in silence as she glanced down at her sandy knees. Shantel tried to laugh, but it caught in her throat. Still, she managed to force out an explanation, “Oh my gosh, please tell me you didn’t see that. I’m such a klutz.” Shantel dusted the dry sand from her legs, shaking her head in embarrassment.

Terrance continued glaring at Darien, who glanced over at him and Shantel, gave a lukewarm wave and walked away. After muttering something unintelligible, Terrance refocused his attention on Shantel. He assessed the beauty and her irresistible smile, unsure of how to respond to what he thought he saw.

Shantel babbled on incoherently, hoping to disguise her fear of losing Terrance as embarrassment. “I’m such a nerd. I was walking over to say hi, you know me being the bigger person and all, and I tripped.” Her eyes bulged as she gestured frantically toward the white beach chair. “I tripped over the lounger.” Rubbing her palms together to grind away the sand, she chuckled, “What kind of an idiot trips over a bright white chair?”

The self-depreciating comment, aimed at Terrance’s bizarre need to protect Shantel lingered in the night air as he watched the darkness swallow Darien. Shantel folded her arms across her chest, biting her bottom lip. She barely whispered, “You must think, I’m pretty stupid, huh?” Tilting her head to the side, she commanded her eyes to water. They obeyed. She looked up at the starry sky, balancing the liquid that threatened to spill over her bottom lid.

Terrance melted, instantly. “Naw baby, I don’t think you’re stupid. Maybe a little on the clumsy side, but I think that’s cute.” He lifted her chin and kissed her tears. She pulled away, pouting.

“You playing shy now?” He teased. “If I recall correctly, there ain’t nothing shy about you.”

A girly giggle escaped her lips as she threw her arms around his neck, “All girls get a little shy from time to time.”

“Not my girl, not with me. Ain’t no need for all that.” He rubbed her back, staring into her chestnut brown eyes, earnestly, “I love you, girl.”

What? Shantel loosened her grip around his neck and stumbled. Terrance braced her limp body with his own. Her mind raced. Terrance never used the L word before. He can’t really be in love with me. We’ve barely even been together for two months. Shantel gulped back the burning desire to tell him the truth, but couldn't bare the thought of being alone. With tear-filled eyes she professed, “I love you too, baby.” The lie tightened in her chest. She exhaled, hoping he couldn't feel her body tremble.

A genuine smile inched across Terrance's face and reached into his eyes causing them to twinkle. He really does love me. Shantel beamed, revealing her deeply dimpled cheeks. I could grow to love him, she thought, and tippy-toed into his loving kiss. He poured all of his love into her, but when she closed her eyes, she could only see Darien.

[Stay tuned. It can only get more slippery tomorrow night.]