One Step Closer (Venn)

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Months. How had it managed to be months? Months since Adrian had stepped foot inside the auditorium. Months since she'd had the strength to dance on the stage that often scared her. There had been a time when the one place anyone would look for her, anyone that really knew her, in the auditorium. She was always trying out new dances, new songs that she'd choreographed in her free time. Over the past few months though, Adrian hadn't had a chance to really do any dancing because she was always too afraid to go out on her own. The shadows lurking everywhere scared her because she was always waiting for them to solidify and come after her again.

Not only that, but Adri hadn't had the strength emotionally to dance. Dancing was her way of expressing herself when she didn't want to cry and when she just needed to get all of her frustration out. As of late, all she'd been doing was locking herself up in her room and trying to take comfort from the solitude. Lani rarely came and visited her, not that she had a problem because he was so busy with Caroline. It hurt that she still hadn't met the younger girl. But that was what happened when a couple drifted. Things that were promised drift away too.

Setting up her ipod in the same docking station she always used, she put on their song. The song that had began to play just as they shared their first kiss. Adri had made an earlier dance to it before, but she'd been tweaking it a lot lately. Eventually it became a whole new dance. But it was better in her eyes. Worthy of actually being performed on the stage. And it helped her forget about the dance she'd made when she was happy and infatuated. Now she was merely heartbroken and empty.

The song began and Adrian slowly stepped to the center of the stage, setting herself up for the first beat as the dance began.

[Venn Hensley]

Venn was concerned of Adrian. He hadn't spoken to her in weeks, he could tell that she was emotionally unstable. Venn always had this little crush on Adrian, but ever since they spent their years at Hammel, the crush has evaluated itself into love. He loved her in a close way, but also in a romantic way. He's seen Adrian through her worst, just because he thought she's only seen him in a friend way. They were always there for each other, through thick and thin, and he praised that. She was the closest friend he ever had in Hammel, she was his best friend. Venn's father bought another stock at Google, and they got another stack of money in the bank.

Venn missed Miami. The weather was so cold in Pilot Ridge, and he was not so good in school. He didn't have as much freedom as he did in Miami, that's why he cherished the summer. But whenever he was back home in Miami, he'd be dying to see Adrian, or he'd at least beg her into video-chatting with him. But every time he saw her, he sort of got excited in a way he thought was creepy. Adrian would think it was adorable, but Venn was that type of boy to be insecure and self conscience.

But anyway, he was in school, and he was searching all over for Adrian, she didn't seem to be in the spots she usually were in but, he checked in a rare spot that she hasn't been in for months. Adrian had this lovely passion for dancing, and Venn was very fascinated about it.

Wallah !

She was there, dancing, he silently sat down in one of chairs, and watched her danced. As she finished, he gave her an applause.

"Wonderful!"

[Adrianna Carstyn]

The sound of applause should have been expected. Someone always found her when she was dancing. Someone that knew her well enough to know that when she was in a dark place, the stage was where she sorted it out. At times it was Lani who found her, before it had been Craven. And then there was Venn. Venn Hensley, one of the guys that had stuck around alongside Craven and Robbie through her hard times at Hammel. She’d met him a little later than she had met Craven, but they’d instantly bonded over their love of warm places and sunny beaches. Venn was her other half…

She just hadn’t noticed it.

Adrianna’s heart raced frantically at the sound of clapping, but when she saw just who it was, she relaxed and offered him a smile. Her stage fright was still very prominent, but Venn had seen her dance often and more often than not she would give him a private viewing of all the dances she’d come up with. It was a comfort sort of thing. His presence always soothed her and she trusted him enough to know he’d never judge her on the one thing she was most insecure about. Turning off the ipod, she stretched her muscles out and put her hands on her hips, “Spying again Venny? You always did know how to find me.”

She walked over to the side of the stage and sat down, her legs dangling over the edge as she raised an eyebrow. “Good to have you back, I missed you while you were gone…” She said with a slight frown. If only he knew how much she’d missed her best friend. It seemed like all hell broke loose as soon as he left her, and she hadn’t been able to communicate much with him once everything happened. It was sort of impossible for her to talk to him while keeping up the happy exterior that was incredibly fake. He always saw right through her, and now here he was standing right in front of her. What would he see?

Adri rubbed her arms out of nervousness and looked down.

[Venn Hensley]

The metal boy got up and sat next to her on the stage. He was quite tall, so he had to look down at her a tad bit. He felt bad for the girl, she was practically lonely whilst he was out on vacation. When he was on vacation, he tried his best to talk to Adrian. He always had to make sure that his best friend was doing okay and that she wasn't going through any stress. He felt like they were connected in some way, it was too hard to explain, but they were connected. He didn't know, but he did know that the average person wouldn't just 'click' through one conversation.

That's what happened between him and Adrian.

Many people thought they were going to be together at first, but they were proved wrong. They maintained their friendship, and remained extremely close. It was often thought of that they stayed friends because if they were more than friends it would ruin their current relationship. But the feeling Venn had for her was unbearable. He'd always see her as that type of friend, but he needed her. He was emotionally frustrated when it came to Adrianna, but she had a boyfriend, and Venn had morals, so he had to respect their relationship.

Anyway, as he sat down next to her, he put his arm over her shoulders. "I'm here now ... Next time we have vacation, I'm bringing you. Unless 'err .. You're going somewhere with Lani?"

He snuggled closer towards her, like he always did, just to indulge into their soon to be conversation. He loved listening to her.

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Once he sat next to her, she scooted closer to him out of habit. She liked feeling his close proximity and his presence had a soothing affect on her. The first half of summer vacation, Adrian had had no problem communicating with Venn. It was the second part, the part after she’d gotten kidnapped that she had the most difficulty talk to him. It wasn’t just because she was afraid that she’d slip up and tell him what had happened, it was because she hadn’t had much access to her computer and her phone was shut off a good portion of the time as well. Having gone so long without talking to him, she wasn’t about to waste any time seeing him now.

The funny thing to Adrian about her relationship with Venn was that everyone mistook them often for a couple. They were always around each other, always laughing and always flirting. She had to admit as an outsider she probably would have mistaken them for a couple too, but this was Venn. The Venn that she knew could have any girl in the world, but never seemed to give any a second look. (Goes to show how oblivious she really is.) And honestly, if she had to admit it, if he had given any of them a second look, she’d be jealous as hell. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him dating other girls, it was just a possessive thing. She was extremely possessive over him, but she never could figure out why.

She liked to blame it often on the fact that girls couldn’t handle their boyfriends having girl friends. And if any girl had tried to keep her away from Venn, there would be hell to pay. Curling up in his side, arms automatically wrapping around his waist, she hugged him tight and rested her head on his shoulder. “How about we spend half the summer in Florida and the other half in Cali? My mom is just dying to see you, she misses you, too. Her excuse for why you have to visit,” She cleared her throat to imitate Amelia’s careless, easygoing tone, “’If Venn doesn’t come see me now, he may never get to see me again’ insert shrug here. I swear she’s shameless sometimes.” At his question, she couldn’t help but frown and sigh. “And I doubt I’ll be going back to Boston any time soon. Too cold, and well, Lani probably wouldn’t want me there anymore,” because I could run into his psycho mob boss she added in her mind.

Adri couldn’t decide on whether she wanted to get into the whole mess with Lani or not. Venn being the protective type would probably react in a bad way and she just couldn’t handle a fight between her boyfriend and her best friend. “So how was vacation? Meet any hot babes there?” She winked at him and plastered on a smile to hide the jealous edge to her words.

[Venn Hensley]

No matter how many times they held each other, Venn couldn't help blushing. He chuckled, and tried to hide back the soft tears of laughter. "Oh god. She really said that? I miss her, well, sounds like a plan." He had no idea that she was kidnapped, and if he had a clue, he would have totally taken action, he probably would've gotten himself killed. In order for her safety, Venn wasn't a hot head, but he was really protective over his loved ones, especially Adrian. He also had a jealous rage over her for some reason, he understood that she was with Lani, but he couldn't bear to see the two together, they looked like a good couple, and Venn had no say in their relationship. He just had to do what a best friend did, and support her.

He had no problem with them, hopefully he'd find the right one. He wasn't too sure if Adrian had feelings for him either, he was just sure that she definitely saw him in a close-brother way, people would name his situation as "friendzoned" but it's much more than that. He didn't care if he was 'friendzoned' or not, he just cared if he would spend the rest of his life with her, friend or spouse. He was a bit naive, he always used to have these fantasies on when they'd get married, or when they have their first kid.

Venn wasn't exactly a womanizer, but he could be, and Adrianna knew that. "Vacation was nice, except for my annoying little brother, he has a massive crush on you, by the way. And I met a few girls," giving off a weak chuckle. "But I didn't look at them that way .. My mind was set on you the whole time. How are things with you and Lani?" The thought of her and Lani emotionally knocked him, but he had to get used to it.

[Adrianna Carstyn]

It would be a lie to say that Adrian didn’t get butterflies whenever her and Venn snuggled with each other. To anyone, it would be harmless, a simple ‘brother/sister’ type deal. She’d had to explain it to Lani before and even he couldn’t find anything wrong with the closeness of their friendship. Venn had been in her life a lot longer than Lani and honestly if Lani had had a problem with her and Venn, she’d have kicked him to the curb. It was for the best that Venn stayed in her life. Smiling, she shook her head at her own mother’s crazy words, “Oh yes she did. She misses her Venny too ya know.” Amelia had taken to calling him that nickname as well over the years and it made Adrian laugh every time she called him that.

Adri could imagine the tension between Venn and Lani. It was a guy thing, dominance and all. It didn’t really bother her, but it was one reason she never really forced them in a room together. As much as she cared for both boys, and wanted them to get along, she knew it was an unlikely pairing. Especially with both of them being as possessive as they were.

The truth was, Adrianna had developed feelings for Venn before. It was a couple years ago, before she’d started liking Craven, but at that point she’d been far too young to really know what to do in a relationship. The feelings faded to the background, but they hadn’t disappeared. They were always there, but Adrian never faced them. She’d tried so hard to forget about her feelings for Venn because the last time she had liked her best friend, things had gone awfully wrong. She’d lost Craven due to her own feelings, she couldn’t lose Venn that way too. And Lani had come at just the right time for her to continue pushing back those feelings for Venn.

But now that her and Lani were on the verge of a possible breakup, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.

The mentioning of a few girls that he’d met had a rather strong effect on her. Jealousy was just something you couldn’t ignore. But she tried. She shoved that jealousy away for a moment and nodded slightly, unsure of what to say. As he continued, she relaxed and smirked, “I better be the only girl that ever fills your mind.” She giggled and rolled her eyes, but cut off at his question. It was inevitable, but that didn’t mean she wanted to answer it. “L-Lani and I are fine, I guess…” She trailed off, hoping he’d just leave it at that. But she knew he never would.

[Venn Hensley]

He used to hate it when Adrian and her mother called him Venny, but it was nice to know that her mother considered him apart of the family. It gave him a sort of a warm feeling that he hasn't felt in a while. But when she responded to his question, he frowned and silently shook his head, he could see right through Adrianna, that's one of the main reasons why they were so close. "You're lying, tell me what's wrong." He rubbed her back, reassuringly, and held her gently, but tight.

All thoughts were aside now, he already disapproved of Lani, not personally, but jealously. He wanted Adrianna, but he just couldn't find the courage to tell her anything, maybe later would be the right time, but it wouldn't be the right thing to do. It would leave her emotionally unstable, and that was a cruel thing to do. He just couldn't tell her like that, but his jealousy and dominance would take over him, he would do something crazy like that. He'd tell her that he fell in love with her, just to throw her off, but just for her to make sure that he'd always be there to catch her whenever she falls.

But he hated not knowing if she ever had feelings for him or not. And the thought of her having feelings for him would get him angry; knowing that he's had a possible chance, but it was blown to smithereens. "I'm here for you."

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Of course, just her luck, he’d caught her in the lie. It always happened like that, never once would he let her get away with not telling him what was wrong. Sometimes she wished he would, but she liked that she could tell him anything and he would never be truly angry with her. He was always so understanding, even if it was something horrible. He’d always been there when she got hurt and when she just needed a friend to hang out with. It was one thing that she absolutely loved about him.

But she frowned anyway and fidgeted. She didn’t know what to tell him. She didn’t know if she could tell him that her and Lani had drifted apart so much in such a short amount of time. But this was Venn. And she knew she could tell him anything. Except that she was kidnapped. It would reveal a secret that wasn’t hers to tell and she couldn’t risk Venn turning Lani in. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, thinking of a way to start. There wasn’t a good way, none at all, so she’d just have to start with the beginning when she first felt them start to fall apart.

The reassurance she gained from his words had her smiling and cuddling up closer to him, before she began. “Okay, well over the summer we sorta had this huge fight. It got totally blown out of proportion because that Rhett guy I told you about, the one that helped Talen cheat on me, well he decided to fill my head with this crap about Lani doing the same thing. I made the mistake of telling Lani and he freaked out on me and that was like the first tear in our relationship. Then a couple weeks after we had another problem, I found out he was lying to me about something kinda big, but like I didn’t get mad or anything. I dunno, we’ve just been drifting apart lately and honestly I’m waiting for us to break up. It’s only a matter of time,” She whispered and looked down.

[Venn Hensley]

"Well .. You did the right thing, Adri. You had to tell him, that's what a relationship's all about, right? Trust. That's what our relationship's about, you gotta' tell me everything, and I'll do the same with you!" He gave her a fake chuckle, trying not to acknowledge the fact that he's slightly frustrated that they've had a fight without him knowing. Maybe she knew that he was protective, and he would've done something about it - like taking a flight from Miami, and fighting him himself.

Fighting wasn't always the answer for Venn, but he loved the feeling of beating up a guy, and having them scared of him for the rest of their days. Intimidation was a good thing on Venn's side, he was just so brutish, but incredibly handsome, he was able to scare anyone. He was even surprised Adrian wasn't scared of him, but she was a girl, and she was practically the only one who saw the sweet side of him, the sweet, yet, sensitive side. He hated showing his sensitive side, but it came natural when it went down to Adrian.

A part of him wanted to tell Adrian to be with him, but that was just cruel. He needed to think about how Lani would feel, Lani was a person, too. He had feelings, and he didn't need another guy stealing his girl. But Lani practically stole Adrian from him, not that Adrian was some item that was able to be stolen. But he often loved the thought of him and Adrian being a couple. He hoped it would happen soon.

He was tired of watching his prize get taken away.

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Adrianna smiled faintly at his own nickname for her. Very few people called her Adri. It was usually just her mother and Venn, on occasion Craven had too, but not as often as her Venny did. But his words caused her to fell those butterflies again. The word relationship felt so romantic to her and thinking of Venn that way always had her cheeks burning and a small smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. But she was taken. Even if her and Lani were having a falling out, she couldn’t just go off with another guy. If she did that, she was no better than Talen herself.

Trying to think of a way to answer, she took his hand on the arm that was not wrapped around her and started fiddling around with it. For some reason, she’d always liked messing with other people’s hands. His were very boyish hands, rough and a little callused. She ran her index finger down each of his fingers and across the lines etched in his palm. As she looked down, she spoke, “If I did the right thing, we wouldn’t have fought. I mean, he took it as if I didn’t trust him. You of all people can understand why I have problems trusting men. Heck, he should know, too. But it’s like he didn’t even take into consideration that I’ve had quite a few guys screw me over when I trusted them.” Looking back up at him, she met his eyes, “I even had trouble trusting you in the first place, but we got through it. You understood. I just don’t know why he would think I don’t trust him…”

Adrianna sighed and continued messing with his hand, her soft, well-manicured fingers wrapping around his. She felt slightly bad for talking poorly about Lani, even if she wasn’t really speaking badly of him. It felt wrong, but this was her best friend and if anyone could help cheer her up and get her out of the slump she was in, it was Venn. Telling a best friend wasn’t really gossiping…right?

[Venn Hensley]

"I'd still hurt that guy if I had the chance. Why would he cheat on you ..? You're beautiful, you're perfect, you're gorgeous, you're everything I want .." His voice trailed off, but he had no right to say the last part, it just wasn't right. She was unstable right now, and he felt awkward revealing his emotions towards her accidentally. he just needed to understand that he was supposed to hold things back. But it was from the habit of telling her everything, now he supposed Adrianna was going to hate him, and that she was going to run away crying. He couldn't allow that.

The brute looked away shamefully, but it was quite hard, because lately, he's been finding it hard to take his eyes off of her, ever since the last vacation, he'd developed more feelings, he knew it wasn't right, but he couldn't control it. She had a boyfriend, and he didn't want to ruin their relationship, he understood that staying away from her would be the best thing to do, but if he did that, he would end up being emotionally frustrated. Adrianna being his best friend, she'd notice in a heartbeat, she would question him, and due to their close relationship, he'd tell her everything.

Even if it were to ruin their friendship, he had to show his sign of honesty. Honesty and loyalty kept these two close, they've been loyal as friends, and they've always been a hundred percent honest. "I'm sorry."

[Adrianna Carstyn]

His words trailed off, and her jaw dropped. So he’d felt it too? No. She couldn’t do this. She just couldn’t. Not yet. Adrianna felt the guilt of her feelings for Venn weigh her down and she sighed quietly. Her fingers tightened around his and she looked up at him, “Venny…I-I can’t. Not now. I mean, I really care about you, I do. You know that. But I can’t do that to Lani. Despite our problems I care about him too. It wouldn’t be fair to him if I just dropped him like that and went for you.” That didn’t sound right. She was going about this all wrong, but she just didn’t know how to make it better. She couldn’t lose Venn the way she’d lost Craven. With Craven, she’d let her feelings get in the way, but he hadn’t returned those feelings.

But could she honestly say she didn’t return Venn’s?

Tilting his chin up, she made him look at her, “Give me time. Okay? Let me figure this thing out with Lani and then we can figure things out between us. Can you do that for me? I just can’t choose between you two, it would tear me apart to lose either of you.” Adrian felt so completely guilty for how she felt. How was she supposed to choose though? Lani had helped her after the Craven debacle. He’d given her a distraction and she’d instantly felt something for him. They were opposites, but they worked well together.

Venn…well Venn was her rock. He was the stability that kept her standing even when she was so sure she’d never be able to stand again. There was just something so consistent about him that made her fearful to further their relationship because there was always a possibility it wouldn’t work. Her and Venn shared so many things in common. They’d always just clicked and she honestly did like him. Fear kept her from expressing those feelings more often than not. Fear also kept her from being the one to pull away from Lani.

She just didn’t know how to conquer that fear yet. If she was given some time, maybe she’d figure it out.

[Venn Hensley]

Her response was understandable, he made a huge mistake into telling her his feelings like that, at this time, at least.

"I'm sorry -- I didn't mean it, well I-I did mean it, it was just by accident, I don't want you going through so much stress, not at all." He understood if she needed time away from him, because he was such a nuisance, and a selfish person for saying that. She was a good girl, she wouldn't hurt Lani in a horrible way like that, she wasn't a hypocrite.

Both Venn, and Adrianna were good kids, they didn't like hurting people's feelings, and they were perfectly fond of that. They liked being alone together though, they just enjoyed each other's company. Her company meant a lot towards Venn, and he hoped she appreciated that, but now Venn came clean, and he felt less guilty .. Did she feel the same way?

[Adrianna Carstyn]

“Nononono! Don’t apologize! Venny, it’s okay, really. I mean I really am glad that you told me,” She bit down on her lip and sighed, how was she supposed to say that she liked him when she was so afraid of hurting him? What if Lani decided he wanted to try and work things out? She couldn’t be forced to choose between them. On the off chance that Lani still did want to be with her, she just couldn’t keep Venn waiting for her. It wasn’t fair to either of them. But she did like him. A lot. Maybe more than she even knew.

She shook her head at him, “And it’s not really stress. I-I dunno, it’s just I don’t want to be like a…for lack of a better term, bitch. Ya know? I can’t just dump one guy and already have another lined up. It just seems wrong.” She leaned against his arm, wrapping her own around his as she clasped his hand tight. It was nice having him there. It was nice feeling that warmth that always seemed to surround Venn. It was a comforting thing, one that she’d grown accustomed to and always associated with him. He was always warm whereas she was always cold, still not used to the cold of Vermont.

Adri was glad that he’d told her. Honestly, she was. If she’d gone unknowing for much longer, if her and Lani had broken up and she still didn’t know, she’d feel more alone than ever. She’d have felt undesirable and unwanted. But someone did want her. He’d admitted that he wanted her, well someone like her at least. If all things were lost between her and Lani, and if Lani was going to be okay with it, she’d definitely allow herself to give into her feelings for Venn. That was the problem though, she was afraid of Lani getting mad at her for moving on so quickly.