Chapter 14:

Rory sighed exasperately. She had never had this problem before. She normally didn't care, but this time, something was telling her to prepare herself for this and to arm herself as best as possible. "Kasey!" She yelled, hoping her roommate knew what to do.

"What's up, Chica?" Kasey poked her head in the room. Rory envied her, her hair was pulled up into a rather messy bun and she wore a grey tanktop and sweats, yet, she still managed to look like a fashion statement.

"I have no idea what to wear?" Rory moaned. "I'm starting to sound like some Bimbo, but Tristan said it was a surprise, so I don't know if I should dress casual or fancy. I've never had this problem before. With Jess and Dean, I never cared how I looked, but with Tristan it's different. Maybe it's because he used to be a playboy and looks matter to him."

"Or, maybe it's because you really like him and want to say hey, look at me, your hot sexy date!" Kasey grinned teasingly. "Okay, we just need to find something that could pass as fancy, but can still look casual. I'm thinking a dress."

"Okay." Rory nodded. "Which one?"

Kasey moved in to inspect her closet. "Hmmm." Then she moved to her own and rifled through her own dresses. "Perfect." She pulled out a silvery looking dress, that fell to her knees and had excess material at the top, that hung over the neckline, the straps were spagetti straps and it shimered with each movement.

"It's beautiful, but I don't think it'll pass for casual." Rory moved forward and ran the sleek material through her fingers.

"I know." Kasey said with a mischievious grin. "But, I talked to Andy and Max about tonight, so I just happen to know where you are going."

"What?!" Rory stared at her roommate in disbelief. "You have to tell me."

"No way, that would ruin the surprise." Kasey handed her the dress and the matching silver sandal heels. "Go put the dress on and meet me in the bathroom. I'm helping Mara get ready, might as well finish helping you too."

Rory shook her head at her roommate's departure. How could Kasey know and not her! That wasn't fair, she wasn't even going on a date tonight. Ugh, Tristan better have something planned worth all this or he would really have to work to get a second date.

Rory slipped the dress and shoes on and marveled at it. Kasey had been right, it was perfect. It hugged her in all the right places and flowed outwards gently at the hips, leaving some to the imagination. The strappy sandal heels made her legs seem longer and completed the outfit. Kasey was getting major points for this dress. She grinned and entering the bathroom, the same time as Mara did.

Mara was dressed way more casual, a denim miniskirt and a pink peasant blouse, she even wore delicate pink sandals to match the top. She looked rather nervous, but she sat on the two chairs that had been dragged inside. Rory sat next to her and Kasey came in hefting a bag full of hair and make-up supplies.

"Never, ever be best friends with a cheerleader. I never use this stuff and managed to buy it on a shopping trip with her." Kasey placed the bag down and turned back towards the girls. "Okay, Mara, I'm going to curl your hair, making it a bit more wavy than it already is, then I'm going to pull half of it off your face and pin it with this pink rhinestone clip I have, it'll be perfect." Then Kasey turned to Rory. "You need a more fancy, sophisticated look. I'm thinking elegant curls, two strands pinned back off your face with some kind of silver clip, whcih I just might have in this load of junk." She gestured to the bag.

"We trust you." Rory nodded. "Because for once, I'm at loss of what to do."

"That's why you have me." Kasey plugged in a curling iron and a set of rollers. "I'm putting the rollers in your hair Mara because it's so long and thick, it'll take forever with the iron." Kasey tossed her a brush. "Want to get out all the tangles for me, while I start on Rory's hair?" She grinned and picked up a comb to work with Rory's new bob.

Once the rollers and the iron dinged, signalling that they were hot enough. Kasey immediately set to work, rolling Mara's hair up neatly, before picking up the comb and the ron and approaching Rory. "So, are you guys nervous?" Kasey asked, twirling a stranding of Rory's hair around the iron and holding it there.

"Yes." Mara squeeked, her eyes widening. "I've never been on a date before."

"What!" Kasey and Rory said in unison.

"I was always too busy with my studies to even bother and I was kind of a loner in school, so it wasn't like I was asked a lot. I went with my best guyfriend to both proms and he was the school nerd." Mara sighed. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"Show up, eat food, be yourself during conversation. Let him do him do the rest. Andy's a good guy. He'll joke a lot and be a gentleman. All you have to worry about is whether or not he'll kiss you at the end of the night and I have it on good authority that he likes you, so it's a good possiblity." Kasey smiled.

"If you've had a good time and he asks you out again, then you decide if you want to do that again or not." Rory added. "At least your date isn't a concieted, cocky playboy. I'm still trying to remember why I decided to go out with him." Mara giggled.

"Because playboy or not, you like him." Kasey said firmly, already curling the back of her head. "And Mara, don't worry about it. Andy's is the perfect guy to go on a first date with. He's an entertainer and he'd never push you any farther than you want to go."

"You'll have a great time." Rory grinned, playing with her new curls.

"You both will." Kasey agreed. "You both are going out with good guys. Granted, Tristan can seem obnoxious, but deep down he has a good heart."

"How owuld you know?" Rory asked.

"Because he'd have to be if he's becoming Andy's new best friend." Kasey chuckled.

"So, you never told us what you plan to do tonight, all alone." Rory changed the subject. "Even Paris is going out."

"Spoil myself." Kasey grinned, finishing the last of Rory's curls, before searching her bag for two clips. "Read, give myself a manicure, facial and pedicure. Catch up on my tv shows and maybe call my brother, see what he's up to."

"Does your brother have a girlfriend?" Rory asked. "I mean, I haven't seen him around since our first day."

Kasey grinned. "Andy's best friend, Amy and Brian have been dating since Amy, Andy and I were sophmores. I hooked them up. He was a Senior then and she had just gottne over her childhood crush on Andy. Not even I could predict it would last this long, but they're both so in love. It's hard for them now because Amy's in Washington, but she calls a lot and Brian has football to keep him busy. She'll be coming up for Thanksgiving. We're all over the moon about it."

"Oh." Was all Rory managed to say.

"She called me yesterday." Kasey smiled. "I miss her. I miss Ashley too, but I'm still mad about how she broke up with Andy, that was harsh, but there's nothing I can do about it. My friend Chris is going here as well, but I haven't seen him either. Brian and Andy say he's been at practice and is dating a new girl which is good. He hasn't really dated since Stacey and me."

"Okay, Rory. You're done." Kasey smiled. She had done a wonderful job, her hair was perfect and her make-up light. Rory thought she looked incredible, not even her mom had done that nice of a job. "Tristan is be panting when you opne the door."

"Yeah, you look great Rory." Mara added in, applying her own light make-up. Kasey had been dead on with Mara's hair as well. It really brought out her face.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "This is it, Guys. Have fun." Kasey shooed them towards the door, grinning like an overexcited school girl. "You'll both have a blast."

Ooh, cliffhanger. Well you've got to review if you want more. I wasn't really sure what to do with this chapter because I wanted to delve a little bit into Mar's character, but that's easier said than done because she's supposed to be shy. Anyway, the next two chapters will contain date night and Kasey's going to get a blast from the past, lol. So review, so I can post your next chappies.