A/N: Yeah. I'm putting up chapter two because I have nothing better to do.I plan to write chapter four sometime this week and (hopefully) have three and four posted by the end of next week.

Chapter 2

Saturnine was sitting at her kitchen table reading the newspaper when Libby arrived. They had an omelette brunch before going to buy dresses. They had two weeks before the opening of the exhibit, but they wanted to get the dress problem out of the way.

"How about this one?" Libby held up a bright neon pink prom dress and gave Saturnine a goofy smile.

"That's exactly what I was looking for!" said Saturnine in such a convincing tone that Libby thought for a moment she was serious. They both started to giggle at the ridiculous joke. Saturnine was relieved to be able to joke around. It took her mind away from the inevitable encounter with Riley. She wasn't nervous, but she had an indescribable feeling in the pit of her stomach that was reminiscent of apprehension.

Saturnine heard a triumphant laugh from the next rack over. "Did you find that fluorescent green dress you were looking for?" Saturnine joked. Her smile fell when Libby walked up with an elegant black dress. Saturnine was stunned. She couldn't possibly wear that. It was unthinkable. It wouldn't do anything for her. She voiced her concerns to Libby.

"Nonsense," Libby scoffed. "Get into the dressing room and try it on." She shoved Saturnine into the dressing room and tossed the dress in after her. She then shut the door and sat down on the waiting bench. Libby was looking at the price of a purse that was on a stand next to her when Saturnine appeared from the dressing room. "Perfect," she said upon seeing Saturnine.

Saturnine turned and looked at herself in the mirror on the outside of the door. The dress sloped down in the front showing off much of her chest, but not enough to look tasteless. The straps were rolled fabric continued from the front and the back scooped slightly. It flowed down to her ankles. She looked very much like a Greek goddess clad in black.

"You look gorgeous Satty." Libby was staring at Saturnine, trying to believe that this was her friend from adolescence. Saturnine, however, had different thoughts.

"It doesn't look right on me. On someone else it would look great, but I have nothing to show." Her small chest was hardly noticeable in the blouses she wore almost every day, but in this dress, though she did not see it, her bust was prominent. Libby was not fooled by Saturnine's insecurity.

"Satty, you look amazing in that dress. And you're going to get it. There's no reason why you shouldn't get it. It flatters every one of your curves and your breasts look great." Saturnine let out an all too audible scoff. Libby was not phased. "And you look like a princess. There's nothing stopping you."

"How about price?" Saturnine said looking down at the price tag. "350 dollars was a bit more than I planned to spend."

"I'll help you pay for it." Saturnine began to protest, but Libby kept talking. "You need that dress. You must have it and I will make sure you get it." She wouldn't allow for any argument. Within five minutes, Saturnine was out of the dress and at the cash register with Libby, paying for their dresses. Saturnine had her 350 dollars of elegance and Libby had a 200 hundred-dollar red knee high dress. Libby dropped Saturnine off at her apartment and drove off. Saturnine walked upstairs and entered her home. She hung her dress up in her bedroom and went to make dinner (a TV meal of lasagna). She poured a cup of puppy food in a bowl for Skip and sat down at her television with her meal and popped in My Best Friend's Wedding.

&&&&&&&&&

A week later Libby called Saturnine, inviting her to lunch. Saturnine declined saying she had a job interview.

"A job interview?" said Libby. "Why are you going to a job interview?"

"Because I need to pay the rent, and to pay the rent I need money, and to get money I need a job, and to get a job I have to go to a job interview." Saturnine didn't want to get angry with Libby, but it was hard not to. She also found it hard to not be bitter and resentful toward Libby. But Saturnine found it very easy to be envious of her. Libby came from a wealthy family and never had to worry about paying rent or buying food. Saturnine had to buy food for herself and her dog and pay for rent, heat, electricity, water, and her car.

Libby was oblivious to Saturnine's financial problems and was upset that she couldn't go to lunch with her. "How about dinner then?" Libby asked.

"Fine. Can you pick me up? I'm having car trouble again." They arranged a pick up time of seven o'clock and hung up.

&&&&&&&&&&

Libby pulled up to her best friend's apartment and called her cell phone to notify her that she had arrived. In a couple of minutes Saturnine appeared at the car door. She was wearing jeans, a button up blouse, and a pair of Skechers sneakers. She got into the car and buckled up just as Libby pulled away from the curb.

"How did the interview go?" Libby asked.

"Fine," Saturnine responded. "I think I may have gotten the job." The interview had gone well. Saturnine had walked in and greeted the interviewer with a friendly smile and firm handshake, just like everyone teaches in a life skills class. She and the interviewer got along very well and had a nice conversation after the interview was over. On top of all that, Saturnine was more than qualified for the job. It was only answering calls and recording orders. Saturnine, a college graduate, could easily handle that.

"What's the job?" Libby asked.

"It's a make up company. All I would have to do is answer calls and take orders from clients." Saturnine really just wanted to get to the restaurant and have dinner. She feels fine talking over a meal, but prefers silence in the car. But she knew that was impossible with Libby. They had taken a road trip after highschool to Oregon and Libby had talked through the entire drive. Except when she was sleeping, but even then she had talked a bit.

One thing that never ceased to amaze Saturnine was Libby's ability to read her like an open book. "You don't need to be nervous about seeing him." Saturnine turned and stared at Libby in astonishment. "He'll be glad to see you and you'll be glad to see him and you'll both start talking like you did in highschool."

"I'm not nervous," Saturnine stubbornly replied. She got a roll of the eyes as a response.

"I can see right through you. You've had that brooding look on your face since the day we went dress shopping. You have nothing to worry about." Fortunately for Saturnine, Libby was uncharacteristically quiet for the rest of the drive. When they arrived at the restaurant they were seated and immediately served. Libby and Saturnine ordered fettuccine alfredo to share and Libby pressed the topic of Riley upon Saturnine.

"I'm not nervous. I'm just apprehensive." Saturnine was failing miserably to hide the truth.

"It's the same thing. Besides, with the dress you're wearing he'll be the nervous one." Saturnine looked at Libby. There was a look in the latter's eyes that Satty knew all too well.

"You cannot seriously expect him to take one look at me and fall in love." A manic grin spread across Libby's face. "Libby! I can't believe you!"

"Well you haven't gotten any in years!" Saturnine turned a bright red.

"My sex life is none of your business," Saturnine whispered.

"I've made it my business. You know that sex can actually make you healthier. Minus the STDs of course. But it can help you emotionally." Libby had turned serious, but there was still a gleam in her eye.

"It'll only help if you love the person you're screwing!" Saturnine's voice had dropped to a harsh whisper.

Libby's response was casual. "You don't need to worry about that. You two will fall madly in love and then you will have a happy, healthy sex life."

The waiter brought their food right after Libby had finished speaking. Libby started to eat immediately, but Saturnine just groaned and buried her face in her napkin.