Sprawled out on a beach towel with empty takeout containers surrounding them, Daine and Miri leaned back and continued observing those around them.
"That one over there, with the notebook, do you think she's drawing or writing?" Daine asked lazily.
"Hmm… She keeps looking up so drawing maybe? She seems more like an artist than a writer. I mean, look at all her rings!"
"Miri you can't just make assumptions like that!"
"I had an aunt who wore lots of rings and all she did was draw all day! Bam… precedent."
"Lords, don't ever become a lawyer Meers."
"Heh, nah. Environmental science is all I've ever wanted to do."
"How has that being going? You're taking summer classes now, right?"
"Yup! Trying to get my darn GE's out of the way. I'm taking calculus and it's definitely the worst thing I've ever- Oh my gosh look at that piece of man flesh. Darn."
Daine looked in the direction Miri was nodding. Lo and behold, it was Perin with a few of his other rat-faced friends. And he sees us. Ugh. He'd texted her a few more times after that near death experience but she's staunchly ignored them all. He's coming towards us. What did I do to deserve this?!
"Oh look he's coming here!" Miri whispered excitedly.
"No, not him Miri. I know him and he's a creep. Just, no."
Perin had came up in front of them by the time Daine finished. Throwing on a roguish smirk, he set his hands on his hips and looked down at her.
"Well, fancy seeing you here, dear. Someone's been ignoring my texts. Naughty, naughty Daine…"
"Leave before I call the cops. Again."
"Well at least introduce me to your friend. She looks like she'd like a good time." He pointedly looked at Miri's relatively low-cut top.
Miri yanked up her shirt and stood up, towering over Perin in fierceness if not height.
"I think my friend asked you to leave," she snarled. Wow she's got this. This'll be fun to watch.
"Ooh feisty! I like that," he replied, stretching out his arm towards her.
Miri grabbed his arm and had him pinned under her knee within seconds, his head pushed into the sand. Daine took a sip of her drink and leaned over him as well.
"If only you had listened my darling Perry-boo. I think I made it perfectly clear that we have nothing to do with each other. Or do you need a reminder?"
"Doesn't look like he understands, Dee. Plus I'd like some background too," Miri casually added.
"You see, Perin here was my old roommate's boyfriend for what, a couple of months? He thought it would be fun to give her a little something something at this one party to make her loosen up a bit. She was knocked out for nearly a day afterward and even the paramedics had trouble finding out what he gave her… We called the cops on him that day but he'd disappeared along with all my roomie's cash. The cops couldn't do much either because she had been willing to experiment… Our justice system could really benefit from some improvements. He went after me then and I called the cops on him then but looks like he didn't learn his lesson… Some people just don't understand that 'no' isn't a request."
"Wow he truly is a rat. What should we do now?"
Daine seriously thought about that for a moment. "Maybe I should call the cops again. He is stalking me… What do you think?"
"Call the cops? They'll be busy this weekend though, what with all the tourists' parking tickets and stuff."
Daine just shrugged and started packing up their things and stuffing their trash in a bag. Not like the cops can stop him. His very presence shows that it apparently didn't help last time so why would it work this time?
"Let's just go. His friends are already judging him for being taken down by a girl," she yawned. The sun was really making her drowsy. She finished her drink and then yanked his head out of the sand by his hair. "But if you ever talk to me or even look at either on of us again, I swear I will hurt you."
Getting up, she brushed off sand from herself and lent a hand to Miri. That was weak. But what else can I do…
Miri gave him a shove as she stood up and walked away, head held high. She's a tough one. Perin got up on all fours and spit out some sand, mumbling profanities.
"So wanna go shopping? You need something cute to wear tonight! I'm gonna make sure tonight's the best night ever!" Miri smirked, twirling around and walking backwards.
"Is there any way I can get out of this?" Daine groaned.
"Nope!" Miri smiled brightly, tossing their trash into the bin at the parking lot. "As the wise Regina George said, 'Get in loser. We're going shopping.'" Miri unlocked her shiny Prius and slid into the driver's seat. Ugh, I hate shopping.
Five hours later, the two had been to seven different boutiques and a handful of larger stores yet Miri hadn't yet found anything she was satisfied with.
"Ok, how about this one?" Miri pulled out a satin dress in the most horrendous shade of orange.
"You hate me," Daine deadpanned.
"Maybe this is your color! You'll never know if you don't try it." She shoved it into Daine's hands and pushed her back into the changing rooms. "Show it to me when you're done."
Daine groaned and slouched into the mirrored cubicle. She furiously stripped off her jeans and shirt for what seemed like the fiftieth time that day.
"Stupid Miri. Colorblind Miri. Dumb Miri," Daine mumbled, a scowl marring her features. Unable to zip the dress up, she flung the door open and strode out. Where. Is. She. Miri was nowhere to be seen. Daine walked past the seating area and into the main store. I am going to kill her.
"Daine?!" a voice choked out. Daine whirled around, only just remembering her entire back was uncovered. She pulled the sides of her dress together and faced the voice.
"Oh my," Miri's familiar voice said, masking a laugh. "That definitely isn't your color."
Daine turned to face her friend, scowling. "I told you so! I look like an Oompa Loom-" Miri wasn't alone. Standing next to her was a slightly more awake Evin. What's he doing here? Ugh, he's about to laugh isn't he.
"Just don't say anything," she grumbled up at him. What is he even doing here? "I'm going to go change. Miri, I hate you."
"It's not that bad!" Evin protested, a few giggles escaping. Imagine that. A person his age still capable of giggling. Incredible.
Daine sighed as she undressed yet again. Just as she was about to put her shirt back on, Miri's bubbly voice stopped her.
"I found it!" she exclaimed triumphantly, flinging a dark gray, satiny piece of cloth over the door and hitting Daine in the face. Daine yelped and yanked the cloth off. She spun it around until it was straight and scowled at it's clean cut. Darn it. This one's cute. I'll have to try it on. She pulled it over head and sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time. She paused before the small dressing room mirror, turning this way and that. The cut flattered her neat waist and accentuated the curves of her softer lower half. And it was one sale! Probably since gray isn't the most summery of colors. Oh well. I guess this one will do. No point in letting Miri see it now though… She deserves it for making me wait this long. Daine smirked.
Walking out she saw Evin and Miri talking at the stained couches set up outside. They were having what seemed to be a normal conversation but there was a bit more tension between them than usual. They aren't even making eye contact… Could they finally be getting together? Yes! I might still have a chance of winning that bet with Onua…
She walked up to them, declaring "This one's good. Are we done now?"
"Oh, but Daine I didn't even get to see it!" Miri pouted, immediately putting some distance between her and Evin.
"We've been at this for hours! I was fine with that first dress we tried on, the purple one! But no. You made me move on looking for 'The One' and now that I've found it you'll have to wait!" Daine moved towards the counter, rummaging through her bag for her wallet. She ignored Miri's further complaints.
"Hey you girls want anything? I think I'm going to grab a smoothie from the place next door," Evin broke in from behind them, smiling at all the childishness.
"Nah I'm fine," Daine called over her shoulder.
"I'll take anything you find with mango," Miri said. Daine moved to the side to let Evin through the cramped space and immediately turned to Miri.
"So? What's going on? Why's he here?
"I asked him if he wanted to come to the club with us since he seemed excited about it last night. He's coming by the way! He also asked if I wanted to grab something to eat and… is this a date? I don't get it? We were supposed to leave like a half hour ago but I lost track of time so he just came here."
"Hah of course! No wonder you guys seemed so awkward. It could be… Did he ask just you or me too? And do you want me to stay behind? I'll totally do that for you. Give you a chance to spend some one-on-one time with him!" She's not going to say yes but I might as well try!?
Miri just snorted. "Well, I hope you don't mind if I just see you later then?"
"Oh no, of course not! I have time to go home and catch a catnap now. Are you going to pick me up?" Daine slid her dress over to the bored looking cashier, flashing her a smile.
"Yup! Thank you so much!" Miri threw her arms around Daine's neck, nearly choking her. "You're the bestest. See you later then?" Miri pulled away and bounced back to the entrance where Evin was.
They're meant for each other. Finishing the transaction, Daine picked up her bag and walked out into the busy street. Darn it! I don't have my car!
AN: Not much going in the way of plot yet, but this is only a filler chapter. Things will hopefully pick up later! Also, sorry for any editing issues... I haven't reviewed this one much.