Part 3: Friend In Need
By Firefly
"Well? What do you think?"
Lily looked up from her bowl of pastel orange ice cream and shrugged, "It's ok, I guess."
Serrah smirked, "Liar. I saw that surprised look on your face when you took that first bite."
Lily flushed slightly and took another spoonful, rolling the ice cream around in her mouth before swallowing, "Ok. I won't lie..." She leaned in and spoke in a whisper, "It's actually really good."
Serrah clapped her hands, "See, venturing outside that little box of yours can yield some enjoyable results! Just like Professor Barnes said, try something new and you might be surprised."
"That's different. I'm not going to become passionate for Carrot and Daffodil ice cream..."
Serrah pointed her spoon at Lily, "No, but you could. And that's the point. Look at the time I introduced you to that pistachio frappe from Buckstar's cafe! It's literally your favorite drink. I keep telling you, you need to get out more. Test the waters. Try something new."
Lily nodded and smiled, taking another bite. Serrah had a talent for being able to both scold her and encourage her at the same time. Even if she was giving Lily an earful, she still left her smiling afterward. It was a credit to her character and personality.
"Just think, take a few little forays like this and you could save your education, your job...all of it. Just by branching out a little and making some changes! Next, you'll be going to the salon with me and getting those nails done!"
Lily snorted, "Fat chance of that!"
Serrah pouted, "Ah well. Worth a try. Some day we'll make a proper girl out of you."
"We have very different definitions of what equates to a proper girl. I hardly think nails count."
Serrah made a show of holding up her hand and admiring the cute pastel nail art on perfectly shaped nails, "True, but it's oh-so-fun. And makes you feel good. A bit of pampering goes a long way."
"I mean, I can't disagree on the pampering part. You took me to that...uh...what was it called, a head spa? I'd go back for that scalp massage aaaaany day. That was luxurious." Lily offered, taking another big bite of her ice cream and cursing, "Shit. Why is this as good as it is? Not ok!"
Stifling a giggle, Serrah would finish off the last of her ice cream and climb to her feet, "New favorite flavor perhaps? The ponies would approve of that choice."
Lily tossed her plastic spoon at Serrah, "Oh shut it."
The pair of them devolved into a series of giggles as they cleaned up their table and headed out. Despite the talk from her professor earlier, Lily was feeling good about things. She still had a lot to think about, and a load of homework to attend to tonight, but Serrah had helped put things in perspective and make her not feel quite as bad about the situation at hand. The two of them headed back to school in time to make it to their next classes which for Serrah was her economics and cosmetology courses and for Lily, it was Math, English, and Chemistry. Three other classes she was significantly behind in.
She suffered through her classes as best she could and when her day was finally done she made her way back to her dorm. Serrah usually wasn't back until late as she was part of several school clubs which gave Lily plenty of time to unwind and relax. A nice shower, a bit of light reading, and of course, homework. The problem with being in AP courses was the course load. With her frameless glasses slipping down her nose she sat at her desk, the last remnants of sunlight filtering in through the pastel pink curtains drawn over the open window.
Lily bobbed her head gently as music pumped through a pair of over-the-ear headphones and filled her ears with the tones of Taylor Fleetfoot, a rather popular pop singer. She often listened to music while she was working on something, it helped her concentrate, but also made her rather unaware as Serrah slid into the dorm several hours later. She looked like she'd been put through the wringer, dressed in a sleeveless muscle-shirt, tight-fitting shorts, and with her hair falling about her, slicked back and glistening with sweat. She looked like she'd just run a marathon as she kicked her shoes off and walked over, rubbing a sweaty cheek against the unsuspecting Lily's cheek and giggling.
Lily let out a squeal and tugged off her headphones, "Serrah!! Gross!" She said with a huff, wiping at her cheek as her friend giggled and stood up, taking a long sip from a water bottle kept at her waist in a curious little holster that had a green LED light on one side which turned yellow when the bottle was taken off.
"Been busy have we?" Serrah asked after taking a long sip and looking at the veritable workload on Lily's virtual workspace laid out in the desk's face which served as an entire screen as well as a desk surface.
"A little. Though less than you apparently, stinky."
Serrah sniffed herself, "Do not! I sprayed on perfume before I came back!"
Lily huffed, "So then you smell like a sweat-soaked pile of flowers." She giggled.
"Ruuude! Maybe one of these days you'll get out and actually work up a sweat. It'd be good for ya!" Serrah said this as she walked towards the bathroom, peeling off her shorts and shirt and dropping there unceremoniously on the floor in a breadcrumb trail towards the bathroom.
"What bloody club were you at so late that you're that bloody sweaty anyway?"
Serrah peeks out of the bathroom and grins, "Wouldn't YOU like to know. Maybe if you join a club or two you'll bump into me." She winks and then disappears into the bathroom, not bothering to close the door. They'd both seen each other naked at this point so it was hardly an awkward thing anymore. Plus, they often chatted with the door left open.
