Choices We Make

Chapter Two: Spa Day

Kinnersley Resorts and Spa's new building glistened as Downtown Lexington dominated the horizon. The rumors, the stories, the fact that this place was booked for months to come didn't fail to cross Meaghan Harrison's mind as she followed her friend, Nicole Kidman, wishing she had half the confidence her friend had.
"Nicole!"
"Nicole!"
"So the first girl of horse racing is one of the first to trying out Kinnersley?"
"What do you think of the limited information they've released to the public?"
"What are you most looking forward to?"
"How does it feel to get into the most exclusive spa in the midwest?"
On and on the questions came as they made their way inside the new complex, Meaghan eternally grateful for the sunglasses she wore to protect herself from the flashing of the cameras. Once the door shut, the silence was almost deafening compared to the roar of the paparazzi.
"Remind me why I came with you to that zoo?" Alex turned to face Nicole who was sliding her sunglasses in her bag.
"Three words." Nicole smiled as she holds up fingers with each following word. "Free. Spa. Day." "Three very important words." Alex smiled. "Thanks for getting us in."
"Miss Kidman. I'm so glad you and your friends could join us." A woman walked into the atrium, her heels echoing on the floor. "I'm Jocelyn Stranack, Director of Public Relations here at Kinnersley and we are so honored to have the first girl of horse racing here to try out our new facility."
She took a second to shake each girls' hands. I have several magazines that are looking forward to getting quotes from you after you are done today. While you are here, I'll be popping in and out to make sure that your visit is the best it can be. If you find anything that does not meet your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to let me know."
"Thank you, Ms. Stranack." Nicole smiled. "We're looking forward to a fun day."
"We thought we would let you try the Illumious treatment. Even though you ladies are young and have beautiful skin, this is the first of its kind skincare treatment that we believe might slow the aging process on your skin. Follow me."
Following the click-clack of her heels, Meaghan let Nicole take the lead and she took in the soft sands and blues of the complex. Stereotypical spa music played softly through the speakers providing a contrast to Stranack's heels.
"Dr. Ronnie Broadhead created the treatment here in Lexington and has graciously allowed us here at Kinnersley to try it. You three are amongst the first to try this revolutionary treatment."
"What is it?" Meaghan asked.
"It is a special lightwave treatment. Some people describe it like getting into a tanning bed, But these aren't UV lights which eliminates the negative side effects." Ms. Stranack led them into a large room where a set of four tanning bed like tubes stood amongst a series of machines.
"Dr. Broadhead, this is Nicole Kidman with her friends Meaghan Harrison and Alex Sanderson. They are here to try the Illumious. Miss Kidman has some pull with certain publications and a good review would be great for Kinnersley."
"You know, Miss Kidman, they say nothing good comes from gambling. But I was able to match my grant for this project and complete my research thanks to your father's farm. That last triple crown winner, what a run."
"Yes, Remembrance was a great horse." Nicole smiled.
"I'm glad you three are here. Let's get you settled into the machine and we'll begin the treatment. It should take about five minutes. As a precaution, please put on these goggles. While we don't use UV lights in the machine, the other lights might be dangerous to your eyes."
Meaghan took the goggles and slid them on the room suddenly gaining a yellow tint. Next to her, Nicole and Alex were doing the same.
As they finished, Dr. Broadhead led them each into a separate pod. Meaghan tensed as he strapped her down.
"Relax, it's part of the procedure." Dr. Broadhead tightened the strap before shutting her inside the machine. Never in her life had she felt claustrophobic but if she had, she imagined that it would feel similar to this. After a few minutes, she heard the other two pods shut and then began to hear a faint buzzing as the machine seemed to warm up a few degrees.
Lights began to dance across her face. Different colors making fun and different designs as they crisscrossed all around her. It was like the light show she'd gone to when Nicole's family treated them to a trip to Disney a couple of years ago. Lights everywhere in no seeming pattern and before she knew it, the lights were gone and the buzzing was slowly fading. With a hiss, the cabinet opened and Meaghan closed her eyes against the sudden bright lights of the room.
She felt the restraint being unbuckled around her. And she slowly stepped out and removed her goggles. "That was interesting, the light show-"
"It was like that one in Disney." Alex interrupted her earning herself a look.
"How do you feel?" Dr. Broadhead had a clipboard.
Meaghan took stock and realized she felt more relaxed than she had in a long time. She felt... lighter might be the best word for it.
After taking notes on a few things, Dr. Broadhead opened the for to let Ms. Stranack back into the room. "They're ready for their next appointment."

~~~

Meaghan slipped into the hot tub between Nicole and Alex with a sigh. Manicures, pedicures, face masks, a delicious lunch and after this, they were going to get a hair cut and their makeup is done. She could get used to days like this. Leaning up against the spa pillow, Meaghan closed her eyes and let the jets take any tension that they Illumious hadn't already taken away. "This is nice." Alexis settled down into the tub. "Nicole, you're going to have a hard time talking about just one thing that you liked about this place." "Don't I know it." Nicole let out a sigh. "Luckily, I have a few days to figure it out." "So we might make it out of here for the game." Alex looked at the clock on the far wall. Didn't Dallas say something about wanting to go if we could make it." "Is Sean going with him?" Meaghan asked. "Do you want him to come with us?" Nicole teased. Alex leaning over to join her. "We're not like that. Just friends. That's all." Meaghan sunk a little lower in the hot tub. "Sure you are." The two rang out in unison. Meaghan shook her head. "We're just really good friends, that's all." "For now." Nicole laughed. "But if we finish in time, I'll text the boys and get them to meet us there." #The setting sun was already allowing a chill to creep into the air as Meaghan, Alex, and Nicole waited outside of Commonwealth Stadium waiting on Dallas and Sean to show up. Students were already streaming into the stadium a sea of royal blue. "Where are they?" Alex kept looking up and down the parking lot bouncing up and down on her toes as she impatiently waited. "I want to get in for pregame." A slight squeal causes Meaghan to spin around to see Dallas McLaughlin with his arms around Nicole's waist. He was leaned over, whispering something sweet judging by the grin on her face. Behind him was Sean Kettle, who was looking distinctly out of place in the middle of the football crowd. "It's not that bad." She walked over, teasingly shoving him. He shook his head. "No, it isn't. How was your spa day?" "Really nice, there was this new treatment involving a crazy light show. I imagined that you would be asking the Doctor who created it thirty million questions." "You got to try the Illumious?" Sean's eyes went wide. "I read about it in a couple of journals. The idea behind it is fascinating. I got to attend a lecture of Dr. Broadhead's once. He's on the board for Future Bound too." "Not even five minutes already you two are talking nerd." Alex teased. "Come on, let's go." The group made their way inside the stadium and found their seats near one of the 30-yard lines. The next few hours were spent cheering on the Wildcats to victory. The dipping temperatures did nothing to dampen the full stadium's school spirit. It was a narrow victory, but a victory nonetheless, and Meaghan fought to keep up with their friends as they pushed along with the exiting crowd. "Are you still coming over tomorrow to work on math?" Sean finally caught up with her. Meaghan let out a groan. "It's been such a good day. Why did you have to remind me about that?" "Because you have a midterm in a week." Sean gave her a knowing smirk. "And you probably haven't started studying." "That's not the point." "It is the point." He teased her back as they stepped out of the stadium. "Come around noon, we'll study down in the lab and you can tell me more about the Illumious." Meaghan yawned. "Yeah, sounds good. It'll be nice to sleep in." "Yeah, not a fan of an early start tomorrow myself." Sean walked alongside her. "Where did y'all park?" "Over here." She pointed towards Nicole's car. 

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Author's Note: As I mentioned, I decided to post chapter two quickly as the first one is so short. I hope you guys enjoy this one! 

Also, send me suggestions of some good stories. I love finding new things to read!