AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Thirty Seven (2)

"This is too typical. Too strange." Jacqueline hurriedly combed through the hangers in the wardrobe, carefully creating space for Lola to crouch low to find shoes.
"You know these Barbie movies where the two friends start cheering Barbie on and acting as ultimate girl supports?"

"So what? Who made you the Barbie in this?" Lola grunted.

"I feel like a main character today. The one that always wears a wonderful gown to go to a ball or something like that in the middle of books." A towel was wrapped across her damp chest and her hair fell in wet ringlets, water dripping over the floor and poor Lola's sweater.

"You haven't found anything yet?" Zara was getting impatient. Reasonable.

"You didn't like any of the clothes I brought out earlier."

"Because they scream 'Sunday!' and not 'date night'."

"Maybe it's because I'm feeling reluctant now," Jacqueline's head whipped away from her wardrobe, sending a slash of water droplets to the floor. Lola jerked up immediately. "I don't like to fuss or prim or pamper and you two just forced this on me!"

"Now now..." the blonde slowly stood from her crouched position. "We don't need to get upset when tonight is supposed to be special."

"It's dinner! You two are the only ones reading meaning into it. Edrei and I have dinner all the time. The only difference here is that it's in a fancy restaurant."

"THAT, my good friend, is correct. The only difference is that it is in a fancy restaurant. Rarity, Jackie. Value, Jackie. And I want you to make it memorable. Something you can treasure as part of your memory. We are all sure that you might or might not stay here permanently so why not make this count?" Zara was inches away from fisting Jacqueline's forearms.

Slow understanding started to settle over Jacqueline and she looked down at her slippers. "Fine. You're... you're actually correct. I'll see what I can put together."

This time, Zara did fist her friend's forearms, but only to pull her aside. "It's hopeless. Your wardrobe is not corresponding with what I have in mind."

"I found these shoes. They're OK enough." Lola showed up a pair of six-inched black ankle-straps.

"I've worn those before. Is that alright?"

"Like we have a choice. I'm packing it in."

"Packing it in what, Lo?"

"I'm packing an overnight bag."

"Lola..."

"You expect to dress fancy and good and enjoy for two hours or less then come back home. What's the fun in that?"

"Of course that's what I'm planning on doing."

"Hey. Hey. Jack, you're getting weird again. There is nothing wrong in sleeping over."

"Zara, it's a hotel!"

"Remember you said you and Edrei eat together so it's no biggie? Well, sharing a room should be a slice of pie shouldn't it?"

"IT'S ONE ROOM!"

"Since you two are just friends, you won't begin to get squirmish thoughts. Chill, Jack. If you don't think awkward, awkward will not happen. Lola, pack on quickly. We do not have time and I'm scared of the weather for driving. Let's move." The brunette took a last look into the wardrobe then shook her head, checked her wristwatch and emitted a deep growl.
"Jacqueline you are lucky I like you. Come with me. Let's go."

"Go to where?"

"To my shop. Lo, can I get a makeup kit close by?"

"I have to go all the way home. And Jackie and I don't have the same skin tone."