𝐉𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 // 𝐒𝐏𝐘 𝐱 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘

Chapter 23

As it had become habitual of Kei, she faithfully trotted after Lana Swan, like a little duckling. It was an endearing sight to many. For Kei, it was a task she took with the utmost seriousness. Her mentor, as Lana had become, was a teen of many talents. Including the practice of guitar. Thus —following Lana home everyday.

Calluses had begun to form on the pads of her fingers, as they got used to holding down strings and strumming. Transitioning smoothly between each note was a struggle of yet, but Kei felt hopeful (a strange feeling if anything).

Of course, there were times where Kei helped Lana as well. Together, they began many projects, including the one as of now.

"This is amazing." Kei mustered every ounce of genuine amazement.

She was practicing too much cheer for her liking these days.

Lana smiled sheepishly. "Nothing much. I just enjoy experimenting. Chemistry has always been my favorite."

"You could probably sell these." She marveled over the various powders and paint-like substances. "It could be the new beauty thing."

Lana shrugged. "It honestly isn't that impressive. I've just been trying to develop something to help the skin, but some of them function as makeup products too."

"This one, the lotion, was pretty simple. Water, certain oils, beeswax, and a couple other things. It keeps the skin from growing dry. I have scented ones too, that are like coconut & strawberry milk flavored."

Kei sniffed the solutions, before slathering some on her hands. They did smell really nice.

"And the reddish powder, an alternative to rouge." Lana explained. "There are several color variants."

And so began the start of a new age in the cosmetics industry...

::

Kei found Eden Academy utterly boring. Nothing much happened, although she couldn't help but notice the strange tension between Anya and Damien, both so thoroughly misunderstanding one another (even though one was a mind reader) that even Kei found it ridiculous.

On the plus side, she and Charlie were now considered absolutely inseparable.

It made her wonder how they had lived without each other. They were practically soulmates (and no, not romantically. Srsly she's SIX.)

::

Kei entered Lana's apartment as usual to find a mess. The mess wasn't surprising in itself. She carefully tiptoed her way through the maze of mannequins, disorganized piles of fabric, scraps, books, and fluttering sheets of loose leaf paper. Kei noticed that many had what looked like fashion design drawn on them. That must be Astrid's work, she reasoned to herself. Lana had mentioned her roommate and fashion freak many times, fondness in her eyes.

The surprise here was the owner, herself; a disheveled contrast to her ordinarily immaculate appearance. Lana blearily opened an eye, blinking owlishly at Kei from the sofa. Her eyes were red and puffy, an olive limb peeking out from under a mountain of large sky colored comforters.

Kei didn't have many friends. Fate seemed to possess an unfortunate tendency to rip away every precious, tender thing Kei ever had. Like Archie.

So upon seeing someone she considered a friend, mentor, and sister-like kin in distress, Kei didn't hesitate. She crawled onto the sofa, burrowed through the mound of blankets, and wrapped her arms around Lana, however clumsily.

Lana hiccuped, her face crumbling. Her red-rimmed eyes were glazed and unfocused. Finally, she croaked out, acknowledging Kei's presence. "Fuck it. Fuck men. Fuck everything. I hate those arrogant, selfish bastards. I fucking hate them."