Here's the next installment / Enjoy!

CH 2

Minako, Rei and Makoto were busy exercising, their credit cards that is. Once they got Serenity's message they replied that they'd meet her there. They had been leaving the school's student government committee meeting and headed towards the shops for new outfits. After finally finding the perfect outfit that said 'I'm drunk, but I'm still better than you', they headed towards Mako's apartment. Her parents passed away a few years ago, and Mako was living on her own, well, with a fully staffed apartment that had been looking after her since the accident. Whenever the girls wanted to have cocktails without parental interruptions they usually went to her place. It was almost 7 and they still had to get ready. Fortunately Mako's apartment was only a ten minute cab ride away from Avior; it was their go to spot after discovering it last year. They were all seventeen but Rei's father, the senator, had invested in this up and coming bar to win favor with younger political comrades, whom he would seduce into his control after a few drinks there. The manager knew Senator Hino's schedule and would confirm with Rei whether or not it was safe for them to go. They did have a few backup places but Avior was their favorite and since the manager, Steve, got to know the girls, he had no problem serving drinks to them even though they were under age.

Makoto led them to her apartment, though it was mostly Minako who needed the herding. She would spot a potential date on the streets and immediately talk to them, she was fearless in that aspect and had yet to be rejected by anyone she approached. All of her friends knew the aura that resonated from Minako, it was no surprise to them that even older guys would flock to her, she could pass for being older than 18. Makoto wasn't envious of her, well maybe a little. She had stuttered over her own words a few times when approached by what she called 'hunksters', but fortunately one of her friends would always help her out of those awkward situations. It wasn't a recurring problem, but there was always that one chance in a million that she would become speechless. Sure she would laugh about it later and sometimes it was adorable to the guys, but she wanted to be able to drop insecurities as easily as Minako.

Currently, they were all getting dressed. Minako had chosen a black dress. It was skin tight and strapless. Minako only wore black when she meant business. In this case, she was obviously formulating a plan to get Serenity a new man, and she would end up getting them all involved. Her shenanigans had never gotten them into too much trouble, but they had come close. Makoto had chosen a one strap emerald green tunic with leggings and Rei had gone with an obvious choice, a strapless red dress.

It was almost 8 o'clock, they would need to leave soon.

Ami was making her way towards Serenity's room.

She could hear a faint voice coming from the room,

~A Falling star fell from your heart & landed in my arms

I screamed aloud as it tore through them and now its left me blind…

Serenity had left her door open and Ami had walked in on her singing.

"Hey! I'm in my jammies you know"

Ami laughed. Serenity could pretend to be so tough, but in the end, she was always as docile as a kitten.

"Sorry. I just wanted to get here so I could rush you. I know I know, being fashionably late is your thing, but if we're sharing a cab then you're going to be on time. Have you decided what you're wearing?"

She sat down on the bed and let herself relax. They had less than an hour 'til eight. Serenity studied Ami's face. Something was off. Her friendly disposition seemed too forced.

"What's wrong Ames?"

"What do you mean?"

Serenity knew she had to ask gently. Blurting out the wrong thing would make Ami close up, and she hated when her friends bottled up their feelings.

"You seem, well I guess, exonerated?'

"Exonerated…? Do you mean exasperated?"

"Yeah!"

Ami smirked. Minako was rubbing off on Serenity. One thing Ami found captivating about Sere was her laugh. She laughed like sunshine.

Sere gained her composure.

"So nothing to worry about?"

"Not at the moment. I got a letter from my dad but I guess that usually results in my forlorn attitude."

Her friends knew about her Dad. Ami had meet Serenity when they were twelve. Unlike Sere, Ami was a a born and bred New Yorker. Ami became fast friends with Sere in middle school and they had become like sisters. They were both being raised by their mothers and often found themselves wishing for fathers when they were younger.

"Well I'm just going to do my make-up then. Are you doing yours too? My outfit is my closet and shoes are ready to go. I'm wearing wedges because if I'm tipsy later I want to be able to walk."

"Yeah, I left some stuff here last time right?"

"Ami what are you wearing?"

"My mother bought me this turquoise sequin blouse. I brought that and a black skirt. Black sequin flats, obviously, you know how fast I get tired in heels. What's your outfit?"

"Black skirt, pink long-sleeve crop top. I guess I'm wearing stockings with the wedges because I get cold. And then I'll complain and you will tell me to wear sweatpants. You guys are evil by the way. "

The last time the girls had gone out was for Rei's birthday. Sere was wearing the tiniest pink dress and she had been complaining how cold she was. She had meet a college guy and was hoping he would giver her his jacket if she said she was cold but Mako had beat him to a response. She had practically yelled to wear her bunny sweat pants next time they went out and the guy seemed to be reevaluating her age. He was twenty and did not want jail bait so her night had ended after that.

"That was Mako! And I'm almost done so you'd better hurry or I'm leaving without you and you won't be able to get in!"

"Ammmmi!"

Ami knew how to get her to hustle. They had to leave in about fifteen minutes, but knowing Sere they'd end up at least five minutes late. And that was only because she was there to hound her or she'd get there half an hour late.