Oct. Side Character Q&A

(For the Q&A's I decided to let M interview the other character's. It ended up turning into a scenario more than anything, but it was fun to see how M will interact with these characters.)

Word Count: 3,154

“Research, research.” M hums, shoving a notepad into their bag along with several pens. They’re aware they can use simple black ink…but it wouldn’t hurt to have variety, some color coding, right?

The first stop of the day is MC’s parents. To their surprise they weren’t too hard to get hold of, especially once M mentioned they would pay for the interview.

M: “Hi, thanks for taking the time out of your day to sit and answer a few questions for me.”

Viviane: “Please, it’s our pleasure.” She nudges Elliot in the side.

Elliot: “Yeah, sure is. Anyway, about the payment?”

M smiles, the slightest crinkle between their brows. Of course. “You’ll receive your payment once the interview is over.” 

M: Now for the questions, what made you want another child after Jade?

Viviane looks at Elliot who widens his eyes and nods. “We didn’t plan to, we were drunk –“ Viviane smacks a hand against Elliot’s lips forcing a smile at M. “I believe what my husband means to say, is that a night of passion brought them to us. Simple, as that.”

M: “A night of passion.” M scoffs, their voice thick with sarcasm. They realize too late that the words were said out loud. “Oh, I..I mean..ahem..how were Jade and MC as children?”

Viv: “Jade was very playful, she wanted to learn about anything and everything. She took on a lot of extracurricular activities at a young age. Gymnastics –“
Elliot: “Golf, oh remember she took up painting.”

Viv: “Oh, she did, didn’t she? She really shouldn’t have stopped. Can you imagine how good she would be now?”

M: “And MC?”

Viv & Elliot: “Hm?”

M: “How was MC as a child?”

Viv: “Oh, they were…well like all kids. They were always there to support Jade. They went to all of Jade’s events.”

Elliot squirms in his seat, not looking at the two as his eyes glanced around the room.

M: “Yes but how were they as a kid. What were they like? What did they like to do? What extracurricular did they get to do?”

Viviane looks at Elliot expecting him to say something, instead he shrugs. “Like any other kid. They were…there and-“He murmurs, a lost cause if Viviane ever saw one.

M: “You mean to tell me that you don’t know what extracurricular activities your other child was involved in? Or what they like to do? How they acted? I take it if I want answers to these questions, I should just ask Emma?”

Viviane’s eye twitches at the name, her lips pulled into a tight line. “Yes, you should.”

M: “Fine then. Can you tell me about your relationship with Jade?”

Viv: “We get along well. She is very considerate when it comes to us. She's always checking in, making sure we're doing well. Even took us on a cruise recently."

Elliot: “She’s a planner that one. Always planned stuff out, she wanted a nice apartment in Chicago when she was a teenager, and she’s got it. She really goes after what she wants.”

M: “Do you mean the apartment that was shared by Chris and MC?”

Viv: “I don’t think that-“

M: “What’s your relationship like with MC?”

Elliot opens his mouth to speak, but Viviane shoots him a look.

M: “I’m waiting. Ah! I mean…what I mean to say is that such good parent’s as yourself must have something to say about your other child.” Nice save.

Viviane: “Well they’re going through something now; I think their rebellious phase is hitting them a bit late in life. We love them just the same. Of course.” Elliot nods along, making a misshapen heart with both of his hands.

M: “Of course. And how’s married life?”

Elliot: Sighs heavily, “It’s hell-“

Viv: Smacks Elliot’s shoulder, “A hell of a life. Truly. It’s great, I recommend it.”

M shoots Peri a small smile, hand outstretched for a handshake. Peri cocks a brow, crossing their arms. “Yeah, I won’t be doing” Peri points to M’s hand, “that.”

“Sorry,” M mutters, arranging their notepad and pens on the faded yellow table and motioning for Peri to sit. They decide to order food, in hopes of making it less awkward. “So, we should-“

“Get this over with.” Peri finishes.

M: “Tell me about your relationship with Cam. How you met, that sort.”

Peri began deconstructing the salad on their plate. They push the tomatoes to the side, then place the cucumbers in a pile, finally they move the lettuce to the opposite corner of the plate.

“After rush week the frat’s throw a party,” They grab the dressing, tearing a corner off with their teeth. “Cam was there because he was rushing. He was hoping to find out if he got a bit, he was too impatient to actually wait for bid night. Anyway, I was there because I mean, it was a party.”

M nods, jotting notes on their paper. Peri couldn’t help but stare, noticing Cam’s name circled with arrows pointing in different directions. Some points to names they knew, like G, Chris, and MC. They roll their eyes at MC’s name, of course.

M: “How was your relationship?”

Peri takes a sip of their iced tea, swirling the ice in their cup before answering. “It was good. It’s what you imagine a college relationship to be like, you know?”

M tries to ignore Peri's pointed look, hastily adding condiments to their burger. When they realize Peri won't stop, they quickly shake their head. “Can’t say that I do.”

“What do you mean, you didn’t date in college?”

“I haven’t dated period,” M mumbles around a mouth full of food, holding a napkin up to hide the sight from Peri.

Their eyes widen at M, “Maybe that’s better. Don’t have to go through all the shit.”

“I thought you said your relationship with Cam was good?”

“It was for the most part. In college you’re figuring yourself out, ya know? Everyone is looking for somewhere to belong. I think Cam was most of all. Everything feel more intense, more urgent. For some of us, it’s the first real chance at freedom.”

M: “What do you mean by ‘for the most part’?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice that when you’re eating so fast. Slow down. I won’t steal your food.” Peri teases, pushing M’s drink toward them.

“Sorry…I forgot to eat today.” M can’t help but flush, feeling as if they were being chided by their parents.

“I mean; it was good. He was sweet, and oh god, so passionate. I've never seen someone get so invested in the damn aperture of a camera before. But I don’t know, about six months in maybe a little longer, it’s fuzzy. I just…” they say, voice low. To a passerby, it would look as if they were just spaced out, but M could see they were deep in thought. The slightest pull at their lips and brows as they reminisce. “We started fighting, a lot.”

M: “What about? If you don’t mind sharing, that is.”

They debate it, their jaw tensing, thinking of the past fights, all those disagreements and arguments that began to overshadow their bond. Then, in a flash, M notices a look in Peri’s eyes as they look back to the notepad on the table. It was gone before they could decipher it.

“You know, you should feel important to your partner. You want to be a priority. Sometimes I felt like I had to draw a line so that Cam would understand my needs, too.” They take a large bite of salad, chewing harder now.

Their fork lands against the table, loud in the small restaurant, pulling the attention of the other patrons. “I mean, it’s not normal to be so close with someone else when you’re in a relationship.”

M tries to interrupt, and ask who they’re talking about, but Peri continues.

“I swear, it was like every time I turned around, there they were. Texting or showing up.” Their voice takes on a harsher tone. Gone are the soft-spoken words from before.

Quickly, Peri raises their hand, “Not that I don’t think they could be friends or anything…. but, how much time do you really need to spend with another person? Especially one you’re not dating.”

M: “Did you tell Cam that?”

Peri throws their head back, shooting M a look as if to say, ‘Are you stupid?’.

 “I just told him he needed to prioritize me more. I mean, if he’s busy spending all this time with someone else, where does that leave me? Cam needed to know there was a cost.” They quickly backtrack once they notice the way M looks at them. “I was... setting boundaries, that’s all.”

M: “Did you mention this to MC?”

“I thought about it, but what’s the point? They had their own drama going on. Honestly, it was exhausting being around them. Plus, I think I was probably a bright light in Cam’s life away from all that.”

M knew there was more there, they could hear it in the way Peri was phrasing things and the heat behind their eyes. That anger was hard to miss.

M: “What was the relationship between MC, G, and you like?”

“They were Cam’s friends, not mine. We got along. I don’t think G liked me, but I think that was because I was friends with Chris.”

M: “Where you surprised when he broke up with you?“

“Excuse you,” Peri raises their voice, straightening their shoulders as they lean against the table closer to M. “I broke up with him. Not the other way around. And you know what, it’s his loss. I told him that he needed to figure out what he wanted, and he did. If he wanted ‘Red’- dumb ass nickname by the way- then fine, he could have them.”

Peri’s disdain was evident as they emphasized the nickname, twisting it with a hint of mockery. “Well,” they chuckle dryly. “Guess he couldn’t. Chris got there first.”

Chris points to the chair across from their desk, looking at the watch on their wrist. “I don’t have much time.”

“Thanks for meeting me.” M sits in the leather-back chair, legs crossed at the ankle. Just the look of Chris makes M want to call them an ass. Maybe it was because of how they track M’s movement, looking them over as if they’re better. The vibe they give off made one feel like they were dog shit on the bottom of their shoe.

M: “Why did you decide to take the dog from MC? And how did the adoption happen?”

“Seriously, you want to waste my time asking about a dog? Listen, I don’t have time for this-“

“Oh? I hate to hear that,” M smiles, an angelic smile, no malice to be found…unless you know M. “I guess I’ll talk to my manager about hiring a new law firm then. I would hate to think you all are being overworked.”

“Wait, wait!” Chris yelled, walking toward the door to block M from leaving. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else. I didn’t know you were “

“A client?”

“Go ahead, ask your questions.” Chris motions for M to sit back down.

They do so, glancing back at the door, all while mentally high-fiving themselves for the quick thinking.

M: “Why did you decide to take the dog?”

Chris sighs before sitting down in their chair, their eyes looking over the desk planner resting along their desk. “Why shouldn’t I? I was the one who adopted it. It was as much mine as it was theirs. Besides, I have a place for a dog. They don’t.”

M couldn’t help but ponder how many times others had asked them that question, it felt far too rehearsed. “How did the adoption happen?”

“I can hardly remember myself.” A lie, no doubt.

M: “How did your interest in MC develop? What attracted you to them at first?”

“Are all the questions about my former fiancé?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” M grins.

Chris sighs, their hand combing through their blonde hair. “It’s hard to pinpoint one thing. It happened over time. I mean, I’ve known them since they were this big.” Chris lowers their hand, M imagines that it would be the height of MC when they were four years old, give or take.

“We didn’t have many interactions while growing up, but that all changed when we entered university. They were there, I was there. Our families weren’t. I was another person to them; last name didn’t matter at all.”

“You mean all the prestige the name of your family carries?”

Chris nods, running their fingers along their tie. “It bugged me sometimes, but it also drew me in. They treated me like an individual. It was...refreshing.”

M: “Were you drawn to them because they were friends with Cam? Were you envious of that?”

Chris laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “You’re a funny one. I have so much money I can buy what I want, do you realize that? I’m invited to parties with celebrities. People write about me in papers. What would I have to be envious of?”

M: “Fair, but you can’t buy affection.”

“Next question.”

M: “If MC didn’t find out about the affair, did you intend on marrying them?”

Chris stands, walking over to a table that holds several alcoholic drinks and glasses. “Do you want one?”

 “I don’t like to drink on the job.”

“That’s commendable,” Chris says as they pour themselves a drink and quickly throws it back.

The alcohol burns their throat on the way down, causing them to groan. “Yeah.” They whisper, fingers trailing along the side of their glass. They shake their head and pour themselves another.

Fucking selfish. M can’t help the anger behind their words. “Why the fuck would you do that to them?”

Chris turns quickly, his drink sloshing in its glass. “What did you just say to me?”

“You were screwing their sister; still are I imagine. And you were going to marry them. That’s twisted. You must realize that.”

“I agreed to answer your questions, not to be judged by some shut-in who writes porn in their downtime.”

M smacks their hand against the armchair, mouth agape as their other hand curls into a fist.

M: “Alright, Clarke. How would you feel if MC had an affair with Cam?”

Chris slams the glass down, the force of it causing the ice in the glass to clink. “I’d kick his ass. Cam knows not to put his hands where they don’t belong. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll remember that.”

“Unless my notes are wrong," M says, waving the notepad in the air, "they don’t belong to you either.”

Chris stomps towards M, their hand reaching for the notepad and tossing it into the trash bin. “Last I checked, I didn’t ask for your opinion on the matter. They were my fiancé. Mine. Not Cam’s. Which is something you people need a refresher on.”

“You people?” M knocks over the trash bin with their foot, picking up their notepad.

“Yes, you people. I’m sick and tired of people saying they aren’t,” they smack a hand against the backrest of the chair, knuckles turning white from their grip.“Weren’t mine.”

“Who else?”

“What?”

“Who else says that MC isn’t yours?”

Chris wants to say the name, it’s evident in the way their mouth twitches. They want to spit it out with force, but they don’t. Biting their tongue, fighting that anger that tightens in their gut. Their eyes fall onto the picture on their desk. A picture of Chris and Jade, smiling.

“Interview’s over.”

------------------------------------------------------------

Jade smooths out the lines of her skirt, ensuring she portrays the perfect image. She ensured the interview would be held at her apartment. The one shared with Chris, with touches of her thrown about. From the pictures framed on the wall to the throw blanket with their face resting on the couch.

She squares her shoulders, completely in her element. In a place where she’s the boss, where she controls who comes and goes. And for some reason, she decided M's allowed.

Jade had offered drinks and snacks, and even offered to turn on the fireplace for comfort. M knew this was done to show off, as she lay a plate of caviar down and paired it with expensive wine. They wanted nothing to do with it, and if they were being honest. Nothing to do with her. The sooner this interview was over, the better.

M: “Why did you choose to date Chris after what happened with your sibling?”

“That's a ridiculous question to start with, isn't it? I mean, it's obvious why.” She motions to her surroundings, nodding her head, causing her hair to cascade around her shoulders. “Look at us. We love each other. Chris and I have a special connection, I think they know that deep down.”

“You mean to say that Chris and MC didn’t have a deep connection? Even after being together for years.” It doesn’t take a genius to fill in the blanks.

She shrugs, raising a manicured finger to rub along her reddened lips. “Make of it what you will. I’m just saying, if that were the case, would Chris have been in my bed the night before their anniversary?”

M can’t help the look of disgust that falls on their face. Is she so self-absorbed that she doesn’t realize how that sounds?

M: “So, you had this big bright idea that sleeping with your soon-to-be in-law was a good idea? Was it worth what you lost?”

Jade levels M a look, her pristine shaped brow arching at them. “As a writer, at least that’s what you’re supposed to be. As a writer, you should understand that relationships can be complex. All is fair in-“

M quickly holds their hand up, stopping Jade from finishing. “Don’t you dare say love and war? I might vomit on your marble floor.” They clamp their lips together, trying to smooth out their face. “S-sorry I had some bad leftovers. Kind of…queasy.” Smooth, Mar.

M: “I feel a migraine coming on.” They mumble, massaging their forehead. “Oh, not your fault. At all.” Their words are laced with sarcasm. “Last question. Do you have any regret?”

The vein in her forehead tells M that they might have crossed the line. They’ll work on that, their loose lips…eventually. Jade glares, her dark eyes shooting daggers at M. But she doesn’t yell, instead she plasters on a smile, far too wide, too fake.

“For falling in love?”

M wants to ask if she chooses to spin it that way around other people or if she is just trying to be the picture-perfect partner in front of them. She made them think of a snake about to shed its skin, trying to reinvent themself. Or one hiding in plain sight in a lovely flower patch, until you decide to step towards it, and it decides to take a bite out of you. And that was the last thing M wanted.