"Mom, do I look ok?" Reggie asked for about the thousandth time in ten minutes. Judy just chuckled good-naturedly and with more than a hint of amusement assured her fretting but eager daughter that she looked beautiful. In the twelve years, she'd known her baby girl she was never really concerned with the opinions of others. Sure she'd get her feelings hurt from time to time, but it wouldn't be long before she inevitably bounced back and carried on her merry way. Now, however, as she watched her little girl examine herself in the mirror relentlessly it was clear that Reggie was smitten, and as such, she wanted to look perfect when she met her newfound crush. "But mom..."
"Reggie, " her mom replied coming over and grasping Reggie's shoulders softly. "Just take a deep breath", Reggie did as told closing her eyes and breathing deeply. "Feel better?" Judy asked as she pulled Reggie in for a gentle hug.
"A little, thanks mom," Reggie replied nuzzling in her mother's safe chest.
"No problem honey, everything will be fine I promise," she gently assured with a soft kiss to Reggie's forehead. Just when Reggie was wishing she could stay in her mother's arms forever both girl's heard a knock at the door. Judy went to answer it Reggie trailing slowly behind her. Judy was greeted by the shining smile of the eighth-grader, who it would seem had captured her little girl's heart.
"Hi, I'm Conelly," the girl cheerily announced.
"Pleasure, I'm Judy, hope you like hamburgers."
"Yes ma'am," she responded with an even bigger smile.
"Hey Conelly," Reggie greeted brightly. "I hope you're ready for a fun night!" She exclaimed, fist-bumping her guest.
"Oh, you know it girl! You like Star Wars, right?"
"Uh hello are you joking, I love Star Wars!"
"Well that's good because I bought my favorite part," she said reaching inside her small backpack and holding up episode III "Revenge of the Sith" for Reggie to see.
"That's an awesome movie! My favorite has got to be empire though."
"Oh that's my second favorite maybe we can watch that too."
"Sounds perfect!" Reggie exclaimed grabbing Conelly's hand and leading her inside.
"Oh excuse me, just a minute, girls," Judy apologized as she stepped into the kitchen to take a call.
"So how's your film coming along?" Reggie asked genuinely curious.
"Oh, it's good, though some of my actors are still a little wooden."
"Well ya know I was the costar in the hit quintology, Space Vampires, only the greatest adventure to ever be filmed right in my backyard."
"Well you are more highly qualified than any of my other actors, but I warn you, Reggie Abbott," Conelly proclaimed with a deathly serious look. "If you do not deliver what you promised, it's my right to punish you within the fullest extent of my powers."
"Oh ya what's that?" Reggie bulked not intimidated in the least. Throughout this whole conversation, unbeknownst to the brave but extremely foolish girl, Conelly's fingers have stealthily been making their way to Reggie's sides.
"Oh, you think you can handle it huh?" Conelly softly whispered in Reggie's ear.
"Oh I know I can," Reggie stated confidently leveling her foe eye to eye. Suddenly Conelly quickly pinned Reggie between the couch and her own body tickling her mercilessly. "No fair, cut it out!" Reggie gasped laughing hysterically as the Latino beauty continued her onslaught against her giggling victim.
"Give up Reggie!"
"NEVER!" she vowed quickly seeing her opening and flipping Conelly on her back where she proceeded to get her sweet revenge on her squirming victim going for her feet this time as she had made the massive tactical mistake of only wearing sandals. Her laughter was like music to Reggie's ears. After about ten minutes or so, both girls conceded so neither truly admitted defeat, something each planned to rectify whenever the opportunity came around.
"Girls, dinner!" Judy called from the kitchen. Both girls raced to the kitchen, noticing that Judy had gotten into her scrubs. "Sorry, girls," she quickly apologized looking at both of them with a sad smile. "The hospital called me a minute ago and they need more help down there, will you two be ok by yourselves?"
"Oh, I'm sure we can manage Ms. Abbott," Conelly replied throwing a gentle smile to an already blushing Reggie.
"Awesome, now you can eat in the living room if you want, but clean up when you're done," Judy said, embracing Reggie in a tight hug and wishing her good luck. "Oh and Conelly since it's Friday night you're welcome to stay as long you want, but if I don't see you, it was very nice meeting you," she said smiling and giving her potential daughter in law a loving hug. "You girls enjoy your night," Judy called again heading for her car and driving to her job.
"Dinner for two madam", Reggie said in her best French accent carrying the burgers to the living room, with a smiling Conelly trailing behind.
