Intensity

  Intensity

  By S. Briones Lim

  Intensity

  Copyright © 2015 by S. Briones Lim. All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: February 2015

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-041-9

  ISBN-10: 1-68058-041-8

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To my BFF/Cousin/Sister

  …Until we’re old ladies in wheelchairs on the beach!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 1

  Ruthie sighed, blowing a loose strand away from her face. It was only a quarter to three and she was completely bored out of her mind.

  “Longest workday ever!” she groaned to herself.

  Peering over the plant on her desk, she made sure the coast was clear before taking an e-Reader out of her purse and carefully placing it on her desk. Attempting to remain inconspicuous, she hid the edges underneath a pile of papers and binders and began reading the first chapter of her new novel. An avid reader, it wasn’t too long until she was fully entranced with the “college aged heroine” and the “misfit bad boy.” She was about ten chapters in when her phone buzzed with a fury.

  “Hello?” she answered with an annoyed sigh. Nothing irritated her more than being interrupted from a good book.

  “Wow! Glad to talk to you, too!” Her best friend, Celine, snapped back teasingly.

  “Some of us have to work, jerk,” Ruthie replied, smiling.

  “Does working involve reading your new book?”

  Ruthie smiled sheepishly and covered the e-reader with more paper, as if Celine could see it over the phone.

  Celine started laughing. “I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

  “Shut up,” Ruthie replied, giggling as well. “What’s up?”

  “Dinner tonight,” Celine demanded.

  “Um, okay…No—‘are you free tonight?’ No—‘Ruthie, come out to dinner with me, please?’” Ruthie leaned back on her chair, smiling. Messing with Celine was one of the better parts of her day.

  “Oh please, I think I know you well enough to predict what your idea of a busy night is. Does reading your book in a pair of sweatpants ring any bells?”

  “Hey, I’ll have you know that reading is a perfect excuse to skip out on social functions.”

  “I’m not just any social function. I’m your best friend, and as my best friend it is your duty to humor me. So bitch, humor me.”

  Ruthie rolled her eyes, but smiled. “Fine, I’ll bite.”

  “Yay!” Celine replied enthusiastically. “You won’t regret it. I promise!”

  “Can I ask what the occasion is for?”

  “Do I really need a special occasion to wine and dine my best friend?”

  Ruthie grinned and picked at her teeth, feeling a piece of her lunch lodged between her incisors. “Oh, you’re paying? Sweet! I’m definitely there then.”

  “Okay, whatever. Meet me at the Plaza after work, okay? Say six-thirty?”

  “Fine, see you then.”

  “Love you!”

  “Love you, too!”

  They both hung up and Ruthie sat back, wondering why the impromptu dinner. Not that Celine wanting to hang out was anything to worry about—they were best friends, after all. Yet there was something in her voice that seemed off. Celine was definitely up to something. Ruthie shrugged it off and decided she’d just have to wait until six-thirty to find out. Unfortunately that was still three hours away.

  With a groan, she unearthed her e-Reader and dove right back into chapter eleven. “Hello, new book boyfriend,” she murmured. “Keep me company until I clock out.”

  ***

  The rest of the day crawled by at a snail’s pace, and after an excruciating wait it was finally time to go. Ruthie threw on her cardigan and rushed out of the office, merely flicking her hand in the air to say goodbye to her coworkers. Pretending not to hear her overly attached coworker, Brenda, calling for her, Ruthie sped through the building. She still hadn’t forgiven her for nabbing the previous quarter’s promotion. What an ass kisser.

  Ruthie ran through the parking garage, quickly unlocking her luxury car. It was her baby—her newborn baby—a bright red convertible. It cost her an arm and a leg, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She sat in the front seat and undid the bun in her hair, allowing loose, soft curls to cascade over her shoulders. She smoothed out her cardigan and straightened her ruffled blouse, silently cursing Celine for insisting to meet right after work. The least she could have done was given her an hour to run home and change into jeans. Of course Celine wouldn’t think about things like that; she had the privilege of working from home as an author and tended to forget how the other half lived. Sighing, Ruthie put her car in reverse, praying that L.A. traffic would go her way for once.

  Well, traffic certainly did not favor her that day. After being stuck in gridlock for forty minutes she barely made it to Celine’s favorite restaurant in time. Ruthie even had to go so far as to use a valet, which she not only despised but always thought was severely overpriced. Running as fast as her stilettos would let her, she burst into the restaurant with so much fury she frightened the hostess and a few servers along the way. Panting, she looked over at the stunned hostess and managed to squeak, “Here…for…friend…” She was quickly interrupted by a chipper voice, which yelled loudly enough to be heard over the mariachi music blaring over the loud speakers.

  “OVER HERE!” Celine waved her arms like a lunatic, trying to get Ruthie’s attention. Ruthie looked over and felt her cheeks flush in response to her friend’s outburst. “OVER HE—”

  “I heard you!” Ruthie hissed. She walked slowly over to the table, wincing as she felt newly formed blisters on her feet.

  Celine sipped a lime green drink from a large goblet. She brushed back her long silken smooth hair and smiled. “Sit,” she instructed, pointing to the chair. She pushed an identical
goblet over to Ruthie’s direction. “Drink up! We have a lot of celebrating to do tonight.”

  “What are we celebrating?” Ruthie asked, taking the oversized drink in her hand. She took a sip out of the cup and instantly calmed, tasting the familiar tequila and margarita mix. Taking her mouth away from the straw she mumbled, “Just so you know, my car is in valet—”

  “Valet? What?” Celine said with over exaggerated shock.

  “And I’d rather make it home in one piece, so only one drink for me tonight,” Ruthie continued, ignoring her.

  Celine nodded. “Sounds good to me! You’ll be driving my ass home. I was smart enough to take a taxi over here.”

  “You never drink!” Ruthie reminded her.

  Celine’s eyebrows wagged up and down. “Well, tonight I am!”

  Ruthie looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. It never ceased to amaze her how much her shy, innocent Celine had changed over the years. She was definitely a far cry from the brace-faced girl she had grown up with.

  Ruthie reached over to grab a tortilla chip from the silver bowl in the center of the table. Stuffing one inside her mouth she asked, “So, what are we celebrating?”

  Celine beamed and held out her left hand. “Lookie, lookie!” A large round cut diamond sat atop a platinum band. A hint of sunlight reflected off the rock, casting a prism of light onto the wall next to them.

  Ruthie almost choked on her food. “What the heck?” she exclaimed, spitting pieces of tortilla chip in Celine’s direction. Celine grimaced and flicked a chunk from her striped, oversized sweater. Ruthie reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. “When did this happen?”

  “Today at lunchtime! Noah pulled me away from my computer and insisted we go out for a walk. He picked me up and had Rocky with him. Little did I know that Rocky had the ring attached to his collar! I didn’t even notice until he let him loose at the dog park!”

  Ruthie grabbed some water and chugged it down to clear her mouth. “Oh my God! That is so sweet!”

  Both women began squealing, attracting attention from neighboring tables. Ignoring the annoyed glances and stares, they both continued to giggle and yelp.

  “That has to be the cutest proposal story I’ve ever heard!” Ruthie said excitedly. “Did you tell your parents and sister?”

  Celine nodded excitedly. “Yeah! My parents already knew. Noah asked for their permission weeks ago. I’m surprised my Mom was able to keep it from me! We both know she’s not too good at keeping secrets. As for Melissa, I’ll tell her later.”

  As Ruthie stared at her best friend, she couldn’t help but become a bit nostalgic. A look of sadness may have washed over her face because Celine soon stopped smiling and frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” Celine asked pouting. Her bottom lip jutted forward. “I thought you’d be happy. Do you not like Noah?”

  Ruthie’s mouth dropped open. “Of course I do! You know I love him! I always knew you two would end up together.”

  “Then what’s wrong?” Celine asked curiously. “And don’t say ‘nothing,’ I know you well enough to tell if something’s bothering you.” Her eyebrows furrowed with concern, she watched as Ruthie sighed and reached for another chip. Celine grabbed her hand. “Please don’t speak with your mouth full.” She smiled sweetly.

  Rolling her eyes, Ruthie slumped forward. “I am happy for you, don’t think I’m not. It’s just…”

  “Just what?” Celine prodded, lifting one eyebrow.

  “It’s just that things are going to change now. You’ll be married! It’s never going to be you and me ever again. It’s going to be you, me and Noah.”

  Celine rolled her eyes and smiled. She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Ruthie! I’m not dying or anything. Nothing is going to change between us! Yeah, I’ll be married and yeah, I’ll have someone to check in with here and there…and yeah, I can’t splurge on shopping…” Celine’s voice began to trail off.

  “Are you sure you want to get married?” Ruthie teased.

  Celine stuck her tongue out. “Of course I do! I’m just saying that there may be some things that will change, but it’ll always be the same between you and me! For God’s sake, our friendship is as old as a high schooler!”

  “Ew!” Ruthie replied, scrunching her face.

  “I know, right?” Celine’s eyes bugged out as she nodded her head in agreement. Straightening her face, Celine leaned forward. “Nothing is going to change between us, I promise. We’ve made this pact before and we’ll make it again. As corny as it sounds, we’ll be best friends forever. Even as old ladies in their wheelchairs at the beach.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course! Now pick what you want to eat and order up! Tonight’s on me!” She held up her margarita, prompting Ruthie to toast it.

  “Cheers,” Ruthie said, clinking her friend’s goblet. After taking a sip, she sat back. “Who would have thought?” she mused.

  “What? That I’d get married? Thanks a lot.” Celine huffed, then laughed.

  Chapter 2

  A few weeks later the women found themselves buried with wedding planning. Ruthie drummed her fingers on a canary yellow notepad as Celine paced across the room, deep in thought. She’d already lapped the small space about ten times and Ruthie was slightly surprised she wasn’t digging herself into a trench.

  “That makes about two hundred people all together. Celine, that really isn’t that bad,” Ruthie said with feigned cheer.

  “I guess,” Celine muttered. She started biting her nails and continued on her pacing rampage.

  “I have a question,” Ruthie mused. “You know I love helping you with all this wedding planning stuff and everything. After all, I am the world’s best Maid of Honor.”

  “Yes, you are,” Celine replied seriously.

  “Forgive me for asking, but why isn’t Noah helping you out?”

  “Because he’d just end up stressing me out! You know how ‘Type A’ we both are. He’d want to take control of the whole thing and it’ll just get us nowhere.”

  “Point taken. Now what’s next?”

  “So many, many things!” Celine exclaimed. She threw her hands in the air and finally stopped moving. Spinning on her heel, she headed towards the couch and fell backwards onto the beige cushion, which swallowed up her petite body easily. “I swear I’m going to have a panic attack after all this.”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t let that happen,” Ruthie replied. She glanced at the notepad and internally winced. There really were many, many, many things to take care of. Changing the subject, Ruthie forced a smile. “You still willing to move in with me?”

  Celine lifted her head tiredly. “Only if you’re still willing to let me move in!”

  Ruthie giggled and scribbled some more notes. “Well, now that you mention it, maybe I should decline the offer. Ow! That hurt!”

  Celine placed the throw pillow back on her lap and sighed. “Thanks again for letting me use the guest room. Just seemed pointless to renew my lease when I’m going to be breaking it, anyway.”

  “Why don’t you just move in Noah? It’s not as if you won’t end up there, anyway!” Ruthie laughed.

  “I told you once and I’ll tell you again! I will not move in with Noah until we’re married.”

  Ruthie snorted. “Okay, Grandma.”

  “Call me what you want, but don’t forget, we’re the same age.” She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck as if to make a point. “We’re both old.”

  “Speak for yourself! I’m not old!”

  Celine snickered and glanced towards the front door. “I think I need some fresh air. Do you wanna join me?”

  Never looking up from the notepad, Ruthie shook her head. “Nah, I’ll stay in here and figure some of this stuff out.”

  “You sure?”

  No. Planning a wedding sucks anus.

  Ruthie plastered a fake grin on her face. “Yeah, go on, Bride! Relax. Let the Maid of Honor work her magic.”

  Celine thre
w her a thankful smile and grabbed her jacket. Ruthie waited until she was out the door before letting out an exasperated sigh.

  “Remind me to elope,” she muttered, staring at an old picture hung on the wall. She looked longingly at their younger versions and felt a nostalgic pinch in her heart. “Why couldn’t we just be kids again? Things were so much simpler back then. None of this linen covered, red velvet cake crap.”

  Just then a familiar tune on the radio caught her attention. Her head automatically snapped up to the first notes of “I Will Never Leave You.”

  “Shut up! Are they really playing Intensity?” She laughed.

  It had been years since she listened to the boy band’s album, but she easily recalled all the lyrics and began to sing along. She and Celine used to be obsessed with the quintet—specifically the lead singer, Cash Walker. They even had posters of the band plastered all over their bedroom walls. Embarrassingly enough, a few of the posters were thinned out and raw around the lip areas. Intensity defined their teenaged years. In fact, their biggest regret was having never met them, but given how they broke up years ago it was a dream that would never happen.

  “How about that old school hit?” The disc jockey interrupted towards the final bars of the song.

  “Old school?” Ruthie squeaked. Recalling what Celine had said earlier she added, “Would everyone just stop calling me old already? I’m only twenty-eight, for goodness’ sake.”

  “Well, Millennials, I have great news for you. Intensity is reuniting for their ten year anniversary!”

  “SHUT UP!” Ruthie abruptly stood, knocking over the desk chair. She ran over to the radio, gripping it tightly in her hands.

  “You heard me right! Intensity is reuniting!”

  “Oh my gosh!” Ruthie was brimming with excitement. “No way!”

  “Yes way!”

  Ruthie threw the radio a weird glance before sprinting out of her room. “Celine! Celine! Come in here! You are not going to believe this! Intensity is reuniting! AHHHHH!!!!”