Kirsten Scott vs. Kelsai Adamson

[TheOne]

{1-2 SAMUEL: Chapter Two}

I would be lying if I said I wasn't reeling from the fact that my own parents pulled me into their dispute and their divorce.  I would be lying if I said I didn't know how to really cope with the idea that those who brought me into this world, at least on one side, wanted me to be a pawn in the game, while the other seemed to need my validation to her testimony.

Nobody should ever be put in the position I was put in.

But the fact is, I was.  I was put in a position of one of my parents versus another, and when I looked at it from a reasonable perspective, I had to do what was RIGHT for me and RIGHT for the parent who had been, like me, manipulated into the situation.  But it still doesn't feel good.  It doesn't feel good when you feel like you are put between a rock and a hard place, a situation that you don't see a real "winning" outcome from, without you getting hurt in some form or fashion.

But it's life... And it's been my life throughout...

From being the "good little girl," when strangers would come home, to staying silent when the "Original One" ran The Compound with an iron fist, to even when I was "The One" running the place under my jurisdiction, I always had to look at things from the perspective of what would hurt me and the fewest.  Rarely did I have a black and white, right versus wrong, scenario.  It was always muddled with emotion, muddled with politics, and muddled with the reality that decisions would have consequences.  And each one I faced knowing just that.  I knew that there would be consequences, and pretty much each time, including this one, I could see the consequences before they ever happened.  I know my father will seek some form of retaliation.  I know he will want to make sure I pay for "turning" on him, in his eyes.

But like the rest, I will be ready...

But life still isn't always that simple where you're always ready.  You can't predict outcomes in every scenario.  Hell, you can't predict scenarios to happen on a day to day basis.  Life just isn't that predictable.  Sure, you can make assumptions about how a day may go based on the previous or based on plans, but life always has a curveball waiting in the wings.  And I don't like them.  I don't like the unknown.  I like knowing what is coming my way, and I like having time to prepare for it.  Things that surprise me, things that catch me off guard, anything of the sorts, all are things that send my anxiety sky high and make me want to explode...

I just hope this isn't another one of those days...

With the stress of the courtroom now behind me, I knew I needed some form of relaxation.  The one person who could sense the same was Emma, who had been waiting in the car the entire time I was in the courtroom, there to provide support and someone for me to talk to after the fact.  After leaving the courtroom I wasted no time leaving the building and getting into the driver's seat alongside The Oracle.  I immediately took a deep breath, and leaned my head back onto the headrest, closing my eyes, and it was at this moment I could feel a gentle touch on my forearm.

Emma Taylor: It's over now... You can breathe...

After taking another deep breath, I had to give her the reality check of the situation I had playing out in my head.

Kirsten Scott: Oh I think it's far from over.  The look my father gave me was of vengeance.  He wants a chance to get even because I just, effectively, took most of his "fun money" and made it all my mom's.  His vindictive ass won't let that stand, if he has any say...

Emma Taylor: But right now, he has no say.  Only the courts do.  It's like my parents... They have no say in their matter, with me as the star witness to the situation.  The fact is, they can't do anything, or have anyone do anything to me or their world will become even worse.  Right now, your dad is going to be under similar rules.  He can't do much because the judge can easily make his life worse.  He may be mad, but he can't do anything.  He's powerless.

Kirsten Scott: And that's where I fear he's the most dangerous.  He's a feral animal backed into a corner with nothing to stop him from coming out guns-a-blazing.  There's nothing stopping him from just saying fuck it and throwing caution to the wind.  Your parents could somehow pull enough legal maneuvers to get far less than what my dad is going to have to give up to my mom.

Emma Taylor: But is that right now?  Is that this moment?  Is that something you need to worry about today, or is that something you can put away until it's relevant?  How do you think I handle things?  I worry about it when it's time.  Not before.  Not after.  Just in the moment.  I can't control what happens right now.  Just like you can't control what your dad does or doesn't do.  So all we can do is mentally prepare and move on with our lives...

Kirsten starts the car up kind of jerking her hand away from The Oracle and more the steering wheel.  Her mindset hears everything Emma has to say and understands that everything she says has logic to it.  Her frustration is that she doesn't understand how someone so young can sense something so great.  It's never been a frustration before, but in this instance involving her personal family, it definitely hits a note she Kirsten isn't wanting to hear.

In turn, Emma senses this and slowly retracts her hand.  She focuses on the road ahead, while seeing Kirsten, out of the corner of her eye, breathing deeper and deeper, trying to calm herself.  Emma decides to try and continue to distract her idol, and heroine, as much as possible with a simple request.

Emma Taylor: You mind if we stop by Sonic for a drink?  I'm thirsty as hell having sit in here for so long...

Kirsten agrees, thinking nothing of it, and makes a detour toward the local Sonic Drive-In.  She pulls through the drive-thru and orders a drink for the two of them, and also a snack for herself, with Emma saying she isn't hungry.  After ordering they complete their drive-thru order, and slowly make their way behind other vehicles toward the exit.

Emma Taylor: I appreciate it...

Kirsten Scott: Eh... I was hungry myself... I needed something before dinner...

Emma Taylor: Should we have called Hailey, and seen if she wanted anything?

Kirsten Scott: Her and Ethan are more grown up than we are.  They can fend for themselves, and wouldn't have expected anything...

Emma Taylor: Eh... I guess that's true...

The two make their way through traffic, through the backroads of their community, as Kirsten plows through her snack, and ultimately into the complex in which they live.  Kirsten finds a parking spot nearest to their duplex and parks, and both emerge with their drinks in hand.

As per their normal routine of going to the store, getting dinner, or any other errand, they make their way up the staircase of their duplex, to enter through the top entrance.  Kirsten unlocks the door, not making any excess noise, and they slowly open the door.  The two walk in on a top floor filled with nothing but silence.  No televisions, no music, no nothing.  The infamous "sound of silence" echoes through their duplex.  The two look at one another confused, and look around some of the initial corridors, to the kitchen and laundry room, seeing nothing.

Emma looks confused, and Kirsten looks concerned.  Between the group, there is only one vehicle, and she and Emma had it.  Kirsten motions to Emma to "shh" with her index finger and follow her.  As they begin to walk down the hallway, noises begin to arise from one of the rooms of the duplex.  Kirsten instructs Emma, with a head movement, to flank her from behind because she's going to go in, and wants backup.  Emma, having learned some self-defense from her idol and protectorate, prepares for the worst.

Kirsten quickly thrusts the door open and is ready to fight, when she and Emma both see something they are not prepared for.  Ethan and Hailey are engaged in intercourse on Ethan's bed, and completely startled by the two, having not heard them enter the home.

Kirsten Scott: ... THE FUCK?!

Emma stands there with a look of disgust on her face, and no words to be had.

Kirsten Scott: YOU TWO WRAP THIS SHIT UP...

Kirsten slams the door behind her and grabs Emma and takes her out to the back porch.  Emma stands speechless, and Kirsten tries to do her best to offer some kind of reason to the situation.

Kirsten Scott: ... Emma... You're... You're not alone... I...

Emma interrupts in a very non-Emma manner.

Emma Taylor: WHAT THE FUCK WERE THEY DOING?!

Kirsten doesn't mince words.

Kirsten Scott: I think we both know WHAT they were doing... But WHY... I don't have a fucking clue...

Several minutes pass with Emma and Kirsten both on the back porch, the backdoor finally slowly begins to open and Hailey emerges, wasting no time trying to get a word in edge wise.

Hailey Brooks: ... Listen I can explain...

She's immediately cut off by Kirsten.

Kirsten Scott: Oh you damn right you're going to explain... What in the HELL is going on?  And no I'm not talking about in there, I know what was going on in there, I'm talking about... Well... Just what the hell is going on?

Hailey Brooks: Listen... Kirsten... Please... Chill for a second so I can speak?

Kirsten Scott: Chill?  CHILL?!  I just watched you getting drilled by her older brother and I'm supposed to chill?!

Emma Taylor: Kirsten... Let her speak please...

Hailey Brooks: Listen... Ethan and I have had a lot of time together, and things just, well, kind of started happening.  Emma, you always go with Kirsten when she leaves, and Kirsten you're truly the one who wants to do everything to care for all of us, so you insist on doing EVERYTHING.  So we've had time to get to know one another, and it's just kind of evolved into something more...

Kirsten Scott: More?  Like how much more?

Hailey Brooks: To be honest, we care about each other.  It's not just what you saw in there.  He listens to me when I talk, he makes me laugh.  He's genuinely someone who is caring and protective.  He's wanted us to say something before now, but I was afraid of what you'd say or Emma would think...

Kirsten looks over at Emma.

Kirsten Scott: What do you think?

Emma's empathic nature takes over as, through her sense of mind, body, and soul, she feels the aura surrounding what Hailey is saying.  She senses a lot of truth and honesty regarding it.

Emma Taylor: I can tell you she's for real...

Kirsten Scott: But what do you THINK about it all?

Emma Taylor: I don't know.  My brother's never had another person in his life like this, but me.  I was always his focal point.  I worry I'll lose him.  He's been my rock, no offense Kirsten, but he has...

Kirsten Scott: I understand what you're saying... He is family...

Emma Taylor: But we are ALL family now... And, it's weird to think of him having someone else to care for, and maybe it's just because of everything I went through, but it's just...

She's cut off as Hailey kneels down to be at eye level with Emma, who's been sitting in a chair this whole time.

Hailey Brooks: Emma... I'm not taking him from you.  Hell he and I aren't going anywhere.  It's just, he and I have feelings for one another, and it's grown...

She stands back up and steps up to Kirsten.

Hailey Brooks: And I sure as shit am not leaving your side for anyone.  But I have emotions, and I've acted on them.  It won't impede what we do, or our business.  It's just something new that I can have as part of my life, along with OUR life as a family.

Kirsten steps up to her as well.

Kirsten Scott: If you get Emma's blessing, you have mine... BUT... You two keep your private stuff to yourself.  Not somewhere where we have to hear it, or barge in on it.  You respect the rest of us in this place, and we will respect you two having your private time as well...

Hailey nods and then looks back at Emma.

Hailey Brooks: Emma?  May I ask your blessing to officially date your brother?

Emma sighs.

Emma Taylor: I guess... As long as you give me the big sister I sometimes need...

Kirsten's head whips around.

Emma Taylor: ... Hey... You're my best friend... She's your best friend... She can be a big sister to me, right?

Kirsten shrugs.

Kirsten Scott: I suppose...

Emma Taylor: Then yes, you have my approval... But please, like she asked, don't make it a production for the house to have to listen to?  I realize you two are grown adults, but he's still my brother, and, well, what I saw is right now burned in my brain in a very unpretty way...

Hailey sort of smirks and blushes.

Hailey Brooks: Listen... I'm sorry... We should have told you sooner before all of this.  And I know he'll want to reiterate everything I've said so I'll go tell him you're not going to throw him off the balcony, and let him come talk to you both, too...

Hailey retreats inside to let Ethan know it is, in fact, safe for him to go out and speak with the two girls who were shocked into finding out the situation that has been created within their home, without them knowing.  He comes out, very nervously, but is quickly embraced by Emma who helps to ease his tension.  He explains his side of the story, corroborating much of what Hailey said, but also explaining his desire to finally step into a real life kind of role.  He explains how the three of them travel, and he just sits at home and is lonely, and he has grown to enjoy Hailey's company when she is home.  His side creates more empathy from Kirsten than she would like to admit, but once all is said and done, Emma and Ethan hug again, and Kirsten pats him on the shoulder as a sign of approval.

Before going inside, she does whisper one thing to Ethan...

Kirsten Scott: You upset Hailey, your balls will become our duplex's door knocker...

She then gives him the cheesiest grin she can, and nods at him, before walking inside, and giving him a bit of fear in the pit of his stomach, which was her intent, all along.