Paine took an abnormally long time picking out clothes the next morning. What was the big deal? Rikku had already seen her in her own tiny skirt and even just a pair of tights. Why was it so important to dress well this morning? Because Paine felt the need to impress her new...what was Rikku? Her girlfriend? Or what? Just a friend with strange, lesbian benefits?

Paine glared at herself in the mirror.

"Stop that. Stop being so damn pessimistic. Things are going good for you, for once. Stop acting like it's all going to hell."

Paine peeled the tight black t-shirt she'd been trying on to the floor and continued bulldozing through her closet. What the hell was she going to wear?

"Paine, would you hurry up? You're turning into such a girl. Just throw something on!" Lulu called from downstairs.

"I am a girl!" Paine called back, peeved that everyone assumed she didn't want to be called one. "Just...gimme a sec!" she went on, finally reappearing from her closet with a white button-up shirt in hand. For a moment she gave herself a confused look in the mirror, then decided it really was getting too late to change again. Jeans would have to do.

Minutes later, she and her sister were pulling into the school parking lot. Looking slightly disheveled, Paine stepped out of the front seat and tried combing her fingers through her hair in an effort to look less hurried.

"Why are you so nervous?" Lulu was eyeing her up and down, one eyebrow slightly raised. "You two hung out all day yesterday. It's just English. Can't you relax?"

Paine shot her sister an irritated glance before slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I know! I know."

"Oh my god, you are so cute. I'm gonna tell Rikku all about this in Art."

"No you aren't!" Paine argued, but to Lulu's back. Her sister was already hurrying away. "LULU! Don't do it! Dammit!" She caught herself shaking her fist and quickly tucked her hands into her pockets, looking around at the parking lot to make sure no one witnessed what had taken place. Lulu was right. She really was way too nervous for her own good. Breathe in, breathe out.

For the second day in a row, Paine faced the endless barrage of students that rampaged up and down main hall. But this time, she saw everyone differently. The group of girls in the corner were probably giggling and teasing their friend about someone she might like. All the kids who were happy and smiling might have someone special in their lives. Suddenly, no one seemed "stupid" just for being happy and excited. After all, that's what Rikku was all the time. Happy, excited. Glad to be living. That's what Paine thought. There was nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Paine smiled to herself, then wondered if anyone saw her smiling over nothing. She didn't care, anyway.

The girl she saw the previous morning was there as well, and while she wasn't having the easiest time navigating the halls, she wasn't getting trampled this time, either. Today, Paine waved at her instead of passing by like she normally would have.

"Hey! I wondered if I would see you again!" The brunette grinned. "Look at what I got." She held up what seemed to be a new backpack. This one had clips on it, preventing anything from getting splayed out onto the floor.

Paine laughed. "You came prepared."

"Oh! Oh! We never introduced one another yesterday. I'm Yuna. Maybe we can hang out at lunch sometime." She held out her hand to shake.

"Paine," Paine nodded her head, shaking her hand lightly.

"Paine?!"

"Yes, I know. It's a strange name."

"No, I didn't mean...that's not why I was surprised. You're my cousin's new friend, aren't you? Her name is Rikku."

"No way?" Paine smiled to herself. "She was talking to you on the phone last night, then."

"Yup!" Yuna giggled. "That was me! I swear, I thought she was out on a date with a boy, because of the way she was talking. She gets this funny tone in her voice."

"Oh, really? Nope, it was just me." Paine tried not to smile, but it was proving difficult.

"Yeah, she gets this dreamy look in her eyes too. Hey, why don't all three of us have lunch together? We could walk across the street to Pizza Hut or something. It could be fun."

"Of course. It sounds like a plan."

"Wonderful! Well, meet you out front at lunch! Don't forget to tell Rikku!" Yuna laughed, making her way to class. Paine merely waved again, then headed to class.