PART 1 - "Shaved Ice"
Molly & Serena were taking a walk in the park. It was a very gorgeous spring day. The sun was out and there was a mild breeze in the air. The girls have been best friends since preschool. They just finished doing some shopping at the mall.
"I really love to go shopping, Molly", beams Serena, "whether I buy things or not".
"You said it", agrees Molly, " it's the most time I've ever seen you this energetic, except for the time you chased down the ice cream man for 3 blocks. I've never seen you run this fast in my life".
"I gotta have my ice cream", blushes Serena, "you know how much I love it!"
"But you did get your ice cream", says Molly, "a triple cone, no doubt!"
"Gotta have Chocolate Chip, gotta have Strawberry, gotta have Rocky Road", Serena beams.
"You're something else, Serena", laughs Molly, as she sees a vendor selling shaved ice. "Hey Serena, would you like a shaved ice? My treat."
"Yaay, shaved ice", cheers Serena, "want Strawberry, want Strawberry".
"Ok, Serena, one extra-large Strawberry shaved ice, coming up", replies Molly as she walks to the shaved ice vendor.
Serena happily hums as she waits for her treat. She is grateful for having a friend like Molly. Since preschool, they go to walks together, shopping trips together, even concerts together. Molly returns with 2 shaved ices; 1 strawberry for Serena, and 1 watermelon/grape for Molly.
"I'm really looking foward to tonight's concert", Molly tells Serena as she hands the shaved ice to her.
"Yay, strawberry", beams Serena, digging into her frozen treat, "yes, I'm exciting too. A great triple bill; Speed, trf, and Judy & Mary. It's gonna rock!"
"When I won the tickets along with the CD's last week on the radio", exclaimed Molly, "I'd never thought they'd be in the 3rd row!"
"And considering the fact that the show sold out in minutes", adds Serena, "we were really lucky!"
"We got our outfits for tonight, plus I'm bringing my camera also", grins Molly.
"Great", replies Serena as she finishes her shaved ice, "let's get a strawberry bun before we get ready".
"But you just had shaved ice, Serena", objects Molly, "and now you want a strawberry bun, also?"
"I'll treat you to a strawberry bun, Molly", exclaims Serena, "you did buy me the shaved ice".
"Yes, I did", says Molly, "ok, I'll accept the offer".
"Yaaaay, strawberry buns", cheers Serena. And hand in hand the 2 girls head off to the bakery for strawberry buns, then go home to prepare for the night's concert.
PART 2 - "The Warning"
After finishing an early dinner, Serena prepares herself for the the night's big concert that she will attend with Molly. The phone rings and Serena answers.
It's Darien, Serena's boyfriend, on the other line.
"Oh, hi, Darien", beams Serena, "so nice of you to call me".
"Hi, Serena", answers Darien, "hey listen, I know about the concert you & Molly are attending tonight".
"Yes, Darien", she smiles, "Molly and I are going to the sold-out show!"
"That's the reason why I'm calling you, Serena", he cautions, "it's about Molly".
At that point, Serena is totally confused. "What are you talking about?", she asks.
"I know you & her have been longtime friends", he says, "and I have no problem with the fact that you meet her before you even met me long ago"
"Darien, what is going on?", wonders Serena.
"Have you noticed her behavior lately?", he asks, "something unusual?"
"Well, just today when we held hands, she squeezed in tightly as if I was her date", notes Serena, " plus she has been pretty much on the 'touchy-feely' side with me, that's unlike Molly. Plus, when I walked her home, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and rubbed the back of my neck rather suggestively. But I didn't think anything of it".
"Well, please be careful", pleads Darien, "I believe she is just abusing her affections, or maybe the Negaverse is playing a role in this".
"Oh, Darien, you worry too much", she giggles, "you remind me a lot like Luna. I'll be fine. I'm sure Molly won't do anything crazy".
"Just be careful, ok?", he pleads, "watch out for the Negaverse".
"Oh, whatever you say", chides Serena, "I'll pick you up a T-shirt or 2, maybe an autograph. I doubt if the Negaverse will be bothering us".
"You may never know", says Darien with great concern, "I just don't want you and Molly to get hurt. Have a good time, Serena, but be careful!"
"I will, I will. Well gotta get ready, see ya", grins Serena as she hangs up the phone. "Better bring my transformation crystal wand just in case". She takes the wand and puts it in her purse. "Now to get ready".