Anything For You
It was Wednesday, half way through Flora's second week of school. Once school had ended, Layla took her to her first ballet lesson since she had moved.
"So, are you up for some coffee?" Layla swung her green gym bag over her shoulder and looked at Flora, who was still changing back into her normal clothes after ballet. Her particular ensemble today was a high-wasted pink mini skirt and a plain, white long sleeved cropped tee. She picked up her pink duffle bag and nodded.
"Sure, that sounds great. Where should we go?"
"How about Jack's?" Layla suggested.
"Jack's? Isn't that the milkshake counter in the middle of the shopping centre?"
"Okay, if you have to know one thing about me, it's that whenever I say coffee, I mean milkshakes."
"Okay, I'm not arguin'," Flora laughed.
The ballet studio was in a building that was situated possibly ten metres away from one of the many entrances to the mall. It was convenient to say the least. The square between the two buildings was spacious, and sometimes held farmers markets, but at other times it was where teens just went to smoke. As they left the studio, something clicked into Layla's mind.
"Hey Flora, I'm really sorry about the late notice but we're throwing a surprise birthday party for her next week, want to join the fun?" she asked.
"I'd love to! Do you think Stella would want me there though?"
"Duh! I'll text you the details later."
"Hey, hey!" a male voice yelled from the bike racks. "It's Layla and Florence!"
"Jason, just f**k off, okay?" Layla folded her arms, "And you know its Flora."
"Oh, yeah, yeah, I knew that," he staggered towards the two of them. The girls scrunched up their noses at the putrid stench of cigarette smoke and possibly alcohol. "So Florence-a. Have you thought anymore about the…" He didn't finish his sentence, but just made some vague gestures.
"If you mean about what you said to me the first time we met, then no. I've been trying to push it out of my mind."
"Oh so what, you're 'too good' for me?" he said firmly, staggering back a couple of steps.
"DAMN RIGHT SHE IS!" Layla exclaimed, pulling his arm and twisted it around his back.
"Ow ow ow ow , let go of me Layla!" he yelped. She pushed him to the ground and hastily grabbed Flora's arm.
"Let's get out of here."
They quickly made their way to the doors and sighed heavily as they walked into the bottom floor of the mall.
"Jeez, I'm really sorry about that Flo. Next time, we'll go out the back way and take the long way around. Anything to avoid that creep." Layla said apologetically and shuddered at the end.
"It's fine Layla. Thanks for standing up for me."
"No prob, Helia can't be around for you all the time." She smiled.
"I just wish I didn't have to rely on anyone to stand up for myself, why can I just yell back at someone? What's wrong with me?" Flora asked wearily.
"Well after extensive and expensive lab tests and votes I can declare that you are just too sweet." Layla cooed, poking Flora's nose. Flora brushed her off.
"But what if I don't want to be sweet? We can't I be daring, or fun for once in my life?"
"Oh come on Flora, you are fun! You were great to have around at the beach, and Helia has said nothing bad about his childhood, and he always referred to you as the best friend he could have ever asked for."
"He said that about me? When?"
"Well, whenever we spoke about our childhoods, Helia would always look a bit distant. We'd be all like 'what's on yo' mind, son?' and he'd be all like 'im just tinking man,' and we'd be all like, ''bout whut?' and he'd be all like 'my best mate 5eva, I dunno if I will eva c her again, but im glad we met cuz ma kidhud cud not hav been any betta.'," Layla explained. Flora tried to follow, but failed. "Those weren't his exact words,"
"… I gathered."
The two of them arrived at the milkshake counter and looked up and down the massive number of flavours.
"I'm gonna stick with my favourite triple c: the chocolate caramel crunch." Layla licked her lips as she pulled out her purse. Flora was still struggling with the list; she was always incredibly indecisive at the least important of times.
"Hmm… I'm going to try the… mint and vanilla swirl." Flora told the man behind the counter, pulling out her wallet.
"Thanks ladies, take a seat and we'll be with you in a minute,"
Layla sat down in the most extravagant manor possible, stretching out her arms and legs, looking a little bit like a starfish that had been propped up against a chair, and then eventually melted into it. Flora just sat down politely.
"Let me tell you, there is nothing like a milkshake after a long ballet class," Layla sighed happily, "Did you enjoy it?"
"Yeah it was great," Flora smiled, "Hard work though, I didn't realise that all the other girls on pointe would be so advanced…"
"Are you kidding? You were amazing! Stop second guessing yourself, geez…" Layla sighed, "So did you like the other girls?"
"Amaryl was acting really cold towards me, I mean, she didn't even say hello… Come to think of it, she didn't even look me in the face."
"Oh, yeah, that…" Layla laughed anxiously, "It's because you were hanging around with me… This goes back to Bloom, and now that girl won't associate with anyone in our group. There was this school camping trip… At night, she started yelling from inside the wood… we thought she was being attacked so we went to find her… It turned out to be a tree branch… And when we called for her she turned around, walked right into it and passed out. To this day she still thinks Bloom hit her around the head with a camping stove."
"… Right…" Flora said slowly, "But Mirta was lovely, I'd love to see more of her!"
"Yeah, that girl is so sweet, and her style says otherwise,"
"I like her style, I would probably be more into the emo/goth scene if I didn't love my hair so much." Flora laughed, "I love my hair by the way, I never want it to change."
"Girl, you have to love something about yourself. For me it's the general looks, personality, style, and sense of humour, knowledge… Well, to sum myself in seven words it would have to be 'the best person who has ever lived,' the two girls burst out laughing. "What about Lucy? Did you like her?"
"Lucy was nice, but she was really quiet, is she close with Mirta?"
"They've been best friends for a long time, and Lucy just left hanging around with the 'wrong' kind of people,"
"I see." Flora nodded, "I liked Roxy, she was really kind and bubbly,"
"Oh yeah, Rox, she's really close with Bloom"
"Does everyone in the world ever know Bloom?" Flora giggled slightly.
"Well pretty much. She's that person who does well in everything and still manages to have the time for everyone. There's a reason she's popular. She's even running for head girl next year."
"Wow, I could never do that… I hope she gets it!" Flora smiled, "But anyway, it's a nice class, and it would be even better if Amaryl didn't always have that 'judging you' face on. I mess up a lot and get embarrassed easily."
"But you didn't mess up at all,"
"My Jetés were really messed up in my pointe shoes. I spent a while trying to strengthen my ankles because they're a little weak, so I didn't go up on pointe until about... Two years ago? I practiced hard but I still have a lot of work to do. I don't think I could do it very confidently at a recital yet."
"Stop undermining yourself and just own it! You're a great dancer, so flaunt what yo mamma gave you. Enough said. Oh hey, our shakes!" Layla's face lit up when the waiter walked over with one green milkshake and one brown.
"One triple c…" He said as he placed the brown one in front of Layla, "And one mint vanilla swirl. Enjoy ladies,"
"Thanks dude, you rock my socks," Layla said, waving a spoon after him. He slowly nodded and then turned around quickly. She stuck her straw in, took a big slurp and then gave a loud groan of pleasure, "DAMN this is tasty. How's yours?"
"Delicious, thank you," Flora said happily, taking a delicate sip of her own.
"So. I've been wondering… Is it weird see Helia again after all this time?" Layla asked. Flora laughed and nodded slightly.
"I didn't actually realise it was him when I first got out of the car, I never imagined him with long hair… And he's so… Big…"
"'Big'?" Layla repeated, raising an eyebrow. Flora quickly shook her head.
"Not big as in 'big', but… He's crazy tall, and quite… muscly?" Flora said hesitantly.
"I get what you're saying dear," Layla laughed. "But how did you loose connection like that? I mean, from what I hear you're families were so close."
"It was before I had gotten an email address and way before either of us knew what Facebook was. We called every now and again, but because of the cost of it, it kind of died down…"
"Didn't you get a Facebook account later though?"
"I never got a Facebook account because I… Never really had anyone… That I felt I could… Add as a friend…" Flora said slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't the most popular person at my old school…" Flora sighed.
"Why the hell not? You're gorgeous, super sweet and you really aren't much of a gossip." Layla said, slightly dumbfounded.
"… Can I talk to you about something? I've been wanting to get it off my chest for… well, a few years now. I've never told my parents, and it's not the kind of thing I'd talk to Helia about. It's something that I'd need to tell a girl about… It's not anything particularly girl-like but-,"
"Flora, I get it, just spill already." Said Layla. Flora took a deep sigh before looking down at her hands that were resting in her lap.
"I've been called a whore, slut, slag, bitch, and everything else with that particular meaning." Flora said bluntly, fidgeting with her fingers. She didn't look up to see Layla's face, but she was wearing a look of disbelief.
"… You?" said Layla with a blank tone, "Why?"
"It wasn't long after I moved away, in fact, I was only eleven at the time…"
"Eleven? ELEVEN? What the hell kind of school did you go to?" Layla said with an enormous sound of shock in her voice.
"I was in Year 7, and I had already gained that stupid reputation with the rest of the school." She put her elbows on the table and held her head in her hands, "And I didn't even do anything!"
"Whoa whoa whoa, what actually happened?"
"I was walking home from the supermarket, and my only friend's boyfriend came up to me… Said some stuff and then kissed me. I tried to push him off me as hard as I could… But his girlfriend saw, hit me to the ground, told everyone else at school about it… And that was it for me. No one wanted to have anything to do with me."
"And what happened to the slime ball who kissed you?"
"He never told anyone it was him; he kept telling everyone that I had been coming on to him for ages. Please. I don't even know how to flirt with people."
"That ASSHOLE. Was that your first kiss?"
"Well… First and last. He doesn't even know how much the first kiss means to a girl, especially to me. It's when two souls connect, and I feel like I won't be able to put my trust in any guy ever again." She said sadly.
"Apart from Helia," said Layla.
"I mean romantically," Flora laughed nervously. Layla just gave her an 'I already knew that' look and then decided to move on.
"Wow… No wonder you're so shy. And you haven't told Helia about this?"
"Of course not!"
"Why not? He's your best friend."
"Well… I just don't really want him to know that without him I couldn't even get one long term friend, and I couldn't stand up for myself without him. I mean, here he is, building up his life and excelling academically like any dream-child would be, but then there was me. Unable to function properly without him. I could have owned it, I could have given into the lie and strutted about like I was 'getting it on' with everyone. Or I could have spoken to my parents about it, told the school, or I could have slapped that bastard around his stupid face. But no. I just went quietly around school, saying nothing all day. Took off all the sick days I could get away with and spent the rest of my free time practicing ballet."
"That can't have been healthy." Layla bit her lip.
"I really felt like some kind of freak of nature."
"But you're not." Layla took Flora's hand in hers to stop her from constantly fidgeting, "If anyone lays a finger on you, they'll be sorry. It's all very well having Helia, but you need girlfriends. And me and the girls will all happily step up to the post for you."
"That really means a lot to me." She smiled back.
"Pwoar, I'm not spoiling a 'moment', am I?" Tecna appeared, standing over the table, holding an array of large bags.
"Hey, Tec!" Layla greeted happily, "Take a seat,"
"Don't mind if I do," she pulled over a chair from the table next to them and settled down. "Did you just get back from ballet?"
"Yep, what are you doing in town so late?"
"Ugh, errands." She gestured to her shopping bags, "My mum wanted me to pick up: double sided sticky tape, scissors, wrapping paper, curtains, lemons, the clip that makes the dishwasher door shut and a bathroom mop." Tecna huffed, gesturing to all her bags.
"Wow, why couldn't she do it?" Layla raised an eyebrow.
"She 'forgot'."
"That's not an excuse."
"That's what I told her, but she told me not to argue."
"Mums. What are they like?" Layla chuckled.
"IRRITATING. She thinks she can control my life but turning the Internet off. And she's right, she can! I LIVE on the Internet." Tecna groaned.
"We don't have our Internet even working right now, and we won't have it for another three weeks," Flora said calmly.
"How do you live?" Tecna said in disbelief. She grabbed her purse and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Layla asked her.
"To get ALCOHOL." She said back.
"They don't sell alcohol here!"
"Then I'll just get a Bailey's milkshake. It's close enough."
~.~.~
"Well, I guess this is where we part our ways," Layla said dramatically to Flora and Tecna as the approached Flora's house. The two girls laughed.
"I had fun hanging out with you girls, and I haven't actually spoken to you very much Tecna, we should talk more," Flora smiled warmly. Tecna nodded.
"Totally. Next time I am with both you and a computer, I am getting you email, Facebook, Twitter… I just don't understand how you can function in this day and age without it." She laughed.
"And I am going to take you for a nice long walk in the company of nature, without all your gadgets, do we have a deal?"
"You bet." Tecna said, briskly shaking Flora's hand. Helia appeared underneath a streetlight and was continuing to walk towards them, without actually realising they were there due to his headphones.
"Well look what the cat dragged in." Flora laughed.
"HOLY SH-… I mean, hey, guys, what's up?" Helia jumped, noticing them just before bumping into them. His headphones fell out of his ears and her rolled them back up with his iPod before laughing at himself for what had just happened.
"What were you doing out so late?" Tecna asked him.
"I was with Brandon, he was trying to pick out a birthday present for Stella, but no luck so far. You know how picky that girl is." Helia shrugged. "What about you guys?"
"Flora and I just got back from dance, and the three of us had milkshakes afterwards and did a little window shopping." Layla explained, "Speaking of Stella's surprise birthday party, what are you guys on? I am, of course, sorting out the music and dancing with Musa."
"I'm sorting out the memory photo reel," Tecna laughed, "It's so typical, it's like you guys don't even know how take a photo on a camera. Well, I'll give you a hint, it's the BIG BUTTON in the most CONVINIENT place for your finger to press while holding the camera."
"Oh come on Tec, you would have complained if we'd put you on decorating duty."
"True, true,"
"-Which is what I am stuck with. How am I supposed to decorate the whole club on my own?" Helia moaned.
"Hey Helia, SUCK IT UP."
"I don't mind helping…" Flora squeaked, "I mean, I know I'm not really invited but I don't mind giving you guys a hand. Most likely I'll be free that day anyway."
"Since when were you not invited?" Layla asked. "I invited you a couple of hours ago."
"Oh yeah…"
"Well, we have been planning this since before she moved back here," Tecna pointed out, "But you're one of us now. If we're making talking about plans in front of you, you ask- no, you don't ask, you DEMAND to tag along."
"But what if Stella doesn't want me there?" Flora asked quietly. Layla and Tecna simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"Flora we've already been over this- I give up, come on Tec, Helia, you sort this one out. See you tomorrow!" Layla said as she took Layla's arm and continued down the road.
"So…"
"So…"
"It would be great if you could help out Flora, and I was actually going to invite you myself as soon as I got back from the mall with Brandon, but it hasn't really been the biggest thing on my mind recently…" Helia smiled.
"I'd be happy to help… But what's going on with you're mind?"
"I'm not sure, maybe it's the fact that my BF is back in my life!" Helia exclaimed, putting an arm firmly around her.
"AWW Helia," Flora giggled. "You're the best, you know that right?"
"I know all too well," Helia smiled arrogantly, before laughing, "You're the best too, Flo. We make a great team." Helia said, and then instantly wanted to take it back. "No, I meant in a non… You know…" Helia spluttered out anxiously. Even in the dim light of a streetlamp her skin looked radiant, and her eyes were sparkling slightly. Flora bit her lip; Helia had stopped talking and the two of them were just staring at each other. Flora had never really noticed how striking his aqua eyes were; they were so bright and she felt as though they were piercing her mind.
Would it be so wrong if anything ever happened between them?
No.
Yes.
Yes, she couldn't screw up the relationship between their to families. They had just stay friends.
"Oh, sorry. It's fine. See you tomorrow," Flora said quickly. They parted their ways and went to their separate houses. They both tried to use their keys, but they weren't working. Flora took a step back. "WHOA THERE. This isn't my house!" she laughed hysterically, and then Helia noticed the same thing.
"We're the biggest idiots on the planet." Helia said, slapping himself in the face.
Hey gurlfriends, or guyfriends, or transgendered friends...
This was kind of a suckish space filler chapter, sorry it took so long. As you may have noticed, it's about 2000 words longer than my regular chaps... Anyhoo, review?
