Work Text:
Vee sitting in her cozy but slightly cluttered room. Vee sits on the edge of the bed, scrolling through old messages between her and Shelly. The door opens,Shelly walks in, distracted, holding her phone.
Vee: "Hey… you’re back." Vee says softly
Shelly:"Yeah, sorry,Tisha needed help with something. It took longer than I thought." She says mumbling
Vee:"You said that…three hours ago."
Shelly:"Okay? And I’m here now, aren’t I?" Shelly says little frustrated. Putting her bag down.
Vee:"Yeah…now." Vee says slightly down.
There a pause. Vee looks at her, Shelly is already back on her phone.
Vee:"I made dinner." Vee says.
Shelly:"Oh, uh, I already ate. Tisha and I grabbed something while we were out."
That saying made Vee snap back.
Vee:"Of course you did."
Shelly:"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Shelly snaps back.
Vee:"Nothing. Just…seems like you do everything with her lately."
Vee says frustrated and feeling little replaced. Shelly now defensive.
Shelly:"She needed me, Vee. It’s not a crime to help a friend."
Vee:"And I don’t need you?"
Shelly finally looks up,annoyed with her
Shelly:"That’s not fair."
Vee:"Oh,really? When’s the last time we actually spent time together without you checking your phone or rushing off to Tisha?" Vee says.
Shelly:"You’re exaggerating."
Vee:"Am I? I asked you to watch that movie with me last week. You said “later.”
I asked if we could go out yesterday.
You said “later.”
I asked if we could just talk today…And you still said “later.”" vee says her voice box cracking a little.
Shelly:"I’ve just been busy!" Shelly yells out and defensive.
Vee:"Busy with her." Vee snaps back.
Shelly:"Why are you making this a competition?" Shelly says frustrated.
Vee:I’m not trying to! I just. I just want to feel like I matter too."
Shelly:"You do matter."
Vee:"Then why do I feel like I’m always second?"
Shelly rubs her face, annoyed more than apologetic.
Shelly:"You’re overthinking this."
Vee:"And you’re not thinking about it at all.
I don’t need all your time, Shelly. I just needed some. But it’s like...I have to wait in line behind Tisha just to talk to my own girlfriend!" Vee says,tone more upset.
Shelly:"It’s not like that."
Vee:"Then what is it like?"
Shelly opens her mouth then closes it. No answer.
Vee:"Yeah. That’s what I thought."
Vee walks past her, heading for the door.
Shelly:"Where are you going?"
Vee:"Somewhere I don’t feel like a “later.”"
Vee exits. The door shuts quietly. not a slam, which somehow hurts more. Shelly stands there alone, phone still in her hand.