Later in the afternoon Lily and Parker spent time at the Roscoe Outlet. After numerous months of construction, the outlet had its grand opening party. Parker thought it was a great idea as she and Lily checked out the clothing stores. The lead vocalist of the No Man's Land declined, but instead chose the latter. Since they became friends, there were times she opted spending time with the boys. It wasn't as if her intentions were to ignore both Ray and Robbie. Her tight bond with Parker has made a significant impact on her personality.
"So do you mind checking out for some jeans? I mean the first day of school is just around the corner." The girl in the eyeshadow suggested.
"Maybe we should, or maybe kick back and eat at the food court," Lily said. They sat on the porch in the central courtyard. For roughly five hours, they have shopped nonstop.
"You know I always wondered how you have the hots for Ray. It's not that my intentions are not to envy you....in a way. Sometimes I wonder if it's because you could relate to him." Parker wondered.
"Well we have known each other since elementary school. That was way back before our 'whole misadventures of Travis where drama unfolds' fiasco kicked in. I wouldn't anything to hurt you Park." Lily wrapped her arm around the brown haired girl's neck. As means to offer support, she kissed Parker on the cheek.
"Wow, I didn't expect that from you," she remarked. Her face what appears to indicate a frown, causing Lily bewildered.
"No matter how many times I let out my ego, nothing is going to break away our friendship. Not even a broken laptop can change it. I just want to know that I'm the best friend you could ever have." Lily assured her girl friend.
"You really mean that? Well in that case rests assure I have your back, and you have mine." Without hesitation Parker lent out her hand. Initially Lily was reluctant from the moment her friend devised such a covenant. She and Parker eventually accepted.
"Hey ladies, how has life been treating you?" Behind the porch Ed and Ted popped from the bushes, startling Lily and Parker.
"Gee don't ever do such a thing like that," Parker reacted. "What do you two boys want?"
"Um, it's nothing much. We were just coming off of a shopping spree," Ed said carrying a supply pack of mechanical pencils, four by eleven inch lined papers, and three spiral notebooks.
"Are you sure you need some help there? Because we could lend a hand if you don't mind," Lily replied in a kind manner. She noticed the boys holding plastic bags containing school related materials.
"Come on we're boys. We are all about strength and enduring our bodies 24/7." Ted carried a chunk of bags over to his sidekick.
"I see, so how MANLY is it for both you stooges stocking up supplies for the new school year?" Parker placed aside her bags on the porch. She offered Ed and Ted handing over the extensive amount of school utensils. Meanwhile Lily lent a hand assisting her best friend. "Now that is more like it."
"Are you sure you really are going to load all of that? It wouldn't surprise me if your mom noticed all of this carried in the car," Lily said.
"Thank you our angels for satisfying our needs. We wish we could bestow you two a reward," Ed and Ted spoke in unison. The girls glanced briefly for one moment.
"What kind of reward in return?" Lily asked. "If this is some kind of nobel peace prize, we're all in for it."
Parker punched Lily in the arm. It was ironic to see the No Man's Land vocalist experience her routine whenever her friends said something obscure. "I know my name is not Lily, but we have other business to take care of."
"Well sorry for the inconvenience. After all we weren't going to reveal this prize immediately," Ted clarified. "It's best if we should return our belongings."
He and Ed retrieved their recently purchased items. On the other hand Lily and Parker watched fleeing like the rats they were. The short lived conversation diminished by the time the girls glimpsed above the horizon.
"Speaking of school, have you bumped into River Pearce? Ever since you broke up with him, he never showed his face again. It's like he couldn't withstand the pressure and ran." Parker wondered aloud. Since the dance neither she nor Megan crossed paths with Roscoe High's own.
"River and I never really had anything in common. It was a crush at first then all of a sudden I sold my soul to him. I already knew who the real prince charming was to be with Ray." Over a single year span, Lily has enveloped in these love triangles. The format consisted of the likes of Travis Strong and Ray Brennan. As the school year progressed, River replaced Travis in the process. The story would convert from its climax into the falling action with Lily's decision to find love with a childhood friend of hers.
"So it figures. I don't know if I should be proud or disappointed. After all I knew for sure both of you weren't a match made in heaven," Parker said.
"Can we just move on with life? No offense but thinking about River makes me want to regret all the crap I've done. It's just the fact I started getting publicity in school since I hooked up with him. I remember saying to myself I wouldn't sell out for fame and whatnot." Lily paused for a brief moment. Reminiscing the time where she and River began going out grew to become a nightmare. For the girl known for her sweet sincerity was on the verge of tarnishing not only her friends, but her reputation.
"I was just asking. In all honesty and as a friend we should be opened to one another," Parker said. Lily analyzed the statement her friend had commented. She took this procedure thorougly to some extent.
"Come to think of it maybe it was fate that brought Ray and I together. Knowing the unusual on goings, it's safe to assume I won't stumble into another 'physically attractive' looking boy," Lily concluded.
"Well we could all hope that we could turn back time. As far as that goes, it's wishful thinking." Parker sighed, grabbing her bags of the clothes she purchased. Meanwhile Lily reflected on her comments she supported. "Is everything alright there?"
Lily shook her head as she snapped out of daydreaming. "Yeah everything is fine. Shouldn't your mother be here by now?"
The brunette with the curly hair held her cell phone containing her mother's message. She texted in her response confirming they were on their way. "Now that is settled, we better head back to the parking lot."
"Right," Lily agreed. She bared arms with Parker, grabbing their belongings as they departed from the courtyard area.
