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CONNECTING OBSESSIONS | 21

“Nah, though there’s an audition next Monday I might try for. Some sci-fi movie.”

“Sounds good.” Sci-fi had enjoyed a huge surge of popularity over recent years. “Go for it.”

Rachel changed into pants and a loose top and then returned to the main room where she slumped on to the sofa, tucking one leg under her, before turning on the TV. Not that she particularly wanted to watch; the set was often switched on for hours on end, ignored by both.

Vanessa eventually wandered in from the bathroom to plump herself down beside Rachel. Ness was a little older, at twenty-three, and a couple of inches shorter. She was blonde, too, the source of a constant running joke between the two of them. Did blondes really have more fun? Vanessa was certainly ahead on the number of boyfriends, indeed her ability to juggle up to three or four at a time impressed Rachel.

She herself had no one special at the moment. There was Dave, with whom she enjoyed a platonic relationship; no pressures on either side. But that was all. Platonic? She smiled to herself. Now that was something Vanessa could never understand.

Dave was in the movies. He’d managed to find a number of small parts in recent months. Nothing major as yet, but each part larger than the one before.

Ness rested her head on Rachel’s shoulder and then sighed before quietly asking, “Do you think we’ll ever get our big break? Or our small break, even?”

Rachel reached out to give her a brief hug. “‘Course, Ness.” She jumped up and gave a twirl, stretching her arms above her. “Look what they’d be missing.”

Vanessa laughed and then, once Rachel sat back down, commented, “I sometimes think it’s a complete waste of time.” Then she brightened. “Still, there’s always porn.” And she made lewd expressions, sticking her tongue out and waggling it.

“Oh, Vanessa. You wouldn’t really, would you?” Ness didn’t answer, so Rachel gave her a dig. “Promise. Promise me you’ll never consider porn movies.” Still no answer. Another dig. “Nessie!”

Vanessa looked at her and then grinned. “You always fall for it, Rae.”

“You pig,” Rachel shouted, jumping on Vanessa and threatening to hit her with a cushion, ignoring the laughing cries of “Sorry, sorry!”