In Liz's room...

[bookworm10812]

Once London and she had climbed the stairs to her room, she swung the door wide open. The Spaniard entered and threw herself upon her bed. She took a look around her surroundings and smiled. "I redecorated," She informed London. Indeed the girl had, having changed sheets, wall color (what had once been a medium blue was now a soft teal) and had even added a few lights around the perimeter of the room to light it up at night. However, her picture collages were still intact. They consisted of pictures of her and London, Matt and a few other friends around Hogwarts, as well as various trips with her parents. A few new framed images were now up though, mainly a few favorites that Victor had taken. He was a good photographer.

"D'you see Phoebe?" She questioned, propping herself up and motion for London to sit down. "I think Matt's been holding out on us." Lisette didn't mind if he had a girlfriend - if that's what she was. In fact, she was quite glad of the fact. What she had a problem with was the fact that Matt hadn't mentioned her at all. And then he went and invited her along.

"She seems nice," Lisette continued, grabbing pillow and hugging it, " 'Course, we can't know that for sure just yet. And she's American. I didn't know Matt preffered them so." She smirked, thinking that perhaps she should have guessed so, considering their friendship. " I dunno about you, but I've heard zip on this girl. D'you think maybe Matt doesn't trust us? I mean, we tell each other EVERYTHING. There are NO secrets between us. I'll admit, if she's his girlfriend, I'll be happy, but pissed at the same time."

[London Kale]

London looked over Lisette’s room. She had changed it. She felt around the room, taking everything in. She stopped at some familiar pictures and smiled. Her favorite had been one of Lisette, Matt, and herself standing sitting by the lake. The London in the picture looked ecstatic and playfully pushed on Matt and Lisette. “I love it, Liz.”

“Pheobe,” She mused before figuring out who she was talking about “Oh! That girl that was with Matt? Yeah, I was about to introduce myself, oh well.” London hadn’t really minded that Matt didn’t tell her stuff, everyone had a right to keep secrets. And she was living proof of that. If she had told Lisette and Matt the truth she probably wouldn’t have friends anymore.

London nodded. “I didn’t even talk to her and she seemed something special.” She smiled as Lisette dished out all she knew. Lisette couldn’t help it. “Hmm? American, huh? Maybe that’s why he wouldn’t go out with me..” she laughed. “I think Matt has the right to keep something to himself. We all have secrets, Liz. I guess I would be a little annoyed, but if Matt thinks it’s best I won’t be mad at him.”

[bookworm10812]

Lisette beamed when her friend told her she loved it. She liked hearing that, especially from London. The two were constantly being creative and changing their rooms, or their binders or other accessories so much. It felt nice to know what the other thought of each change.

The smile on Lisette's face faded as she heard London's words. She had expected London to agree with her. For a moment she thought to jokingly ask 'who are you and what have you done with my friend' but realized this wasn't something to argue about. She had been away from her friends all summer long and this wasn't the time.

She pursed her lips, got off the bed and opened the top drawer from her dresser. She found the black bag tucked in the corner and got it out, placing it before her on the mirror. "I have your scarf." She said, opening the bag and taking out a red, orange and gold scarf she had bought. "Here's some matching bracelets as well." She folded them into the scarf and passed it over to London.

She turned from her friend and went back to looking for Matt's watch. She had a few key chains and woven bracelets. She figured she could cut back on a few bracelets for others and give one to Angelle and Ben. Maybe Phoebe as well. She looked at the black bag. After all, she had bought so many.

[London Kale]

London smiled slightly as Lisette pulled a scarf out for her. "Wow Liz! It's beautiful!" She had forgotten to thanl her friend for the house colors. Well, orange wasn't a house color, but it sure blended in well. She threw her arms around Lisette in a crushing hug, glad that some one had cared enough. She had missed this environment. Everyone being nice and considerate, it almost made her cry.

As Lisette turned away from her London looked out the window only to hear a small pop; and saw the last thing she had been expecting. Was that...? It couldn't be! She could only see the back of his head, but she knew fairly well who it was. Along with Lan Dawkins, another Gryffindor, stood Mac McCullum. She turned back to Liz, blushing slightly. "You didn't..." Bit she had.

London looked back to Mac and Lan to see the door open. She didn't know whether she should be furious or ecstatic. As the door closed a frown came upon her face. the first word that came to her head was 'uh-oh'. Mac was downstairs where her brothers were. London suddenly freaked out. Her brothers were going to tear him apart. She knew she shouldn't have mentioned that she had liked him. Suddenly it was if her brothers were the least of her problems. "Liz! I look normal!" She looked at her torn jeans and Chudley Cannons shirt. She didn't look as amazing as she had hoped to look when Mac was around. Oh no. "Liz," she whined "I'm acting like a girl!"

[bookworm10812]

At the crushing hug, Lisette laughed and squeezed back. She hadn't been expecting such a reaction. "You're welcome!" She told her with a grin. She wasn't feeling so guilty and angry anymore. Lisette was glad that she could have London around to manipulate her feelings in a such a way.

She quickly returned to the black bag and asked "D'you think I should give something to Phoebe?" She bit her lip. "I mean, I know I don't know her, but it would make Matt happy, you know?" She paused, waiting for a second to hear London's reply. When she heard nothing, she frowned. "Lon?" She turned her head and saw her standing by the window.

"What's up Lon?" She questioned, furrowing her brows. She stood still, waiting a moment for the sound of conversation downstairs, but heard nothing. She made her way to the door and opened it up, hearing a voice she couldn't quite recognize say "Lan Dawkins. I'm one of Mac's mates and he invited me."

Her blood ran cold. No! London wasn't supposed to find out like this! She quickly shut the door and turned back to look at London. "London, I can explain." She said in an even tone, trying to mask any fear she was feeling. Would London get super-ridiculously mad for this?

However, London's reaction surprised her. Although she was frowning, an odd look entered her eyes. Was it...fear? At London's exclamation, Lisette frowned. "Normal?" She echoed, not sure what that meant.

At London's whine, Lisette giggled. "Oh London," She said with a giggle before clasping her hands and looking up to the ceiling. "Thank you," She mouthed to an invisible force. "I thought this day would never come!" She took London by the hand and forced her to sit down.

"Ok London. First thing's first. Outfit." She quickly ran over to her closet and opened it up. "Ok, jeans and a nice blouse or a dress? Then again, that's too extreme. You could go with a long skirt. I'd suggest a short skirt to show of your legs, but I'm sure your brothers wouldn't approve." She frowned and looked back at London. "So which is it?" She questioned.

[London Kale]

London looked at Lisette as she shut her door. She had been expecting anger? Usually, London would be. “Liz…I’m trying to decide between being angry or being extremely happy. But I think I might replace it with panic.” She told her friend truthfully. She didn’t know why Mac being there scared her. Maybe it was because of her brother’s, or the fact that she hadn’t dared to take the necklace he gave her off. But maybe this is what it felt like to really be nervous.

As Lisette started naming off things she could wear London’s nose crinkled. Dresses? Skirts? Both very foreign to her. She shook her head. “I think I’ll stay like this. Just…” She pulled the rubber band out and her hair fell perfectly as if it was styled. “How does my hair do that?” She wondered out loud, looking around for a mirror. Usually she had been to stubborn to look in a mirror, but nervousy was taking over, and her blush was getting deeper.

London turned to Lisette. “I think I might spend the rest of my life with him...” she thought out loud. She, of course, meant this. Any guy who could make her, London Kale the boy’s girl, giggle like a fangirl she would want to be with them. “Well, before you go spouting off that I don’t even know him…I have something to tell you. We went on a second date, got some ice cream, and went to my place to watch Dracula. While we weren’t particularly paying attention to the movie he..um..” she trailed off, blushing even more. Even thinking about him made her blush. “He..ummm…”

[bookworm10812]

Lisette cocked her head. Of course, she'd been expecting an angry London. She had been expecting fire too, but apparently, none of that would be happening. Although she was glad of this fact, it also confused her to an extreme. This wasn't London. London Kale didn't care over appearances. London Kale didn't give a damn about who showed up. So what on Earth was up with her? Lisette's brows furrowed as she tried to figure this out, and it all led back to McCullum.

What was it about him that made London flip out like this? Lisette already knew how her friend felt about the guy, and from what she had heard, Mac felt the same about London. But really, this extreme? Lisette rolled her eyes at the thought.

When she turned back to London for her thoughts on the outfits, she sighed as London made a face. She smiled though when her hair fell down perfectly. With a small smile still on her features, she walked over to her and ran a hand through it. "I love your hair." She said, her voice hinting at the envy she felt. Her hair was great, but it couldn't look like London's did as easily.

At London's outburst, the Spaniard raised a brow. "Lon-" She was cut off by London and twisted her mouth in an un-ladylike fashion. She listened to her, her eyes growing wide after 'went to my place'. They what? Lisette's jaw dropped as soon as she gasped.

"You didn't!" She accused, thinking of what the two teenagers could have done. Of course! Mac was older, more mature. But honestly? How could he have taken advantage of London like that?! "London how could you?"

[London Kale]

London almost smiled as she felt Lisette’s hand travel through her hair. She could hear the envy in her friend’s voice, and felt a bit guilty. She didn’t usually care about her hair or anything, and she rarely fixed it or took care of it to an extreme. “I love it, too. But sometimes I wish my hair would be normal. I sure as hell don’t take good enough care of it sometimes.” Through quidditch practices and sometimes being so in a rush that she forgot to wash it, or even take a shower at time.

London was a little lost in though until Lisette spoke up. How could she...what? She had to think for a moment before her eyes widened and a smile made its way onto her face. She pulled the scarf up in front of her mouth and started silently laughing. “What? NO! Not yet!” She winced at the last part. Not yet. Lisette wouldn’t take that very well. “No, no, no, no, no. It isn’t anything like that! Well, something about one sixteenth of that might have brought it on…”

London didn’t know why she was having such a hard time telling Lisette this. “Well. I called him Kellie and he sort of..pinned me down. But then he told me to say his name properly and I um…Oh, this is humiliating.” London looked down but looked back up again “Lisette! He..madmegig…” she muttered and sighed, deciding to try that again.

“He….Made me giggle. I didn’t even think it was possible. I didn’t even know my (Well, his by ownership. I guess) giggle even existed.”

[bookworm10812]

Lisette shrugged at London's statement about her hair. Some people were just blessed. Lisette had been blessed with dance skills. She smiled as she thought of it. It wasn't something to envy, she realized. Oh well. "You sure don't." She told her friend, wagging a finger. Lisette had often told London about care, especially from reading Teen Witch, but she knew her friend hardly ever listened to beauty tips.

Lisette couldn't understand why London had a smile on her face when Lisette had a horrified look on her own face. When she started laughing, Lisette became confused. "London?!" She questioned. Had her friend gone mad? "What the bloody hell are you laughing at?" But then it came out. She raised a brow. "Yet?" Her hands went ot her hips, her head tilted slightly to the side. She stood, waiting for an explanation.

She shook her head as London continued. She wanted to scold her friend, but she knew London wouldn't appreciate it. The hell with it- she began thinking violently, but was cut off (once more). She listened, following intently, but wondered why it was taking London so long to get it out. "What?" She questioned, "Spit it out."

Giggle. Really, a giggle? She sighed in relief but at the same time, started laughing. This was it? London couldn't get that out? She stopped, realizing it might hurt London's feelings. "Ok OK! Sorry." She placed a hand over her mouth, to prevent any more laughter. "So this is it?" She questioned. "He made you giggle and that's why you're going to give yourself up to him?"

She couldn't understand, but then again, London knew what was best for her. Lisette didn't always trust her judgment, but she knew London knew what she was doing. "Is he really that amazing Lon?' She questioned, falling back onto the bed. London was so lucky!

[London Kale]

London stopped laughing but couldn’t contain her grin. She knew this was coming, and she wished that she had thought about what she had said. “I meant, that maybe, when we get really serious. I might…Well, we might…” London know that she was already depending upon their relationship too much. They had just started and she was already too serious.

“What? I didn’t say I was going to give myself up to him! It’s not like I’m one of those girls who just throws herself at a guy and snogs the hell out of him just because he tells her she looks beautiful or something.” She wrinkled her nose. A frown crept onto her face. “I don’t think you realize how weird that is, Liz. In all the years you have known me, and have been my best friend, have you ever once heard me giggle?”

London felt a small smile grace her face as her friend fell back onto her bed. “He’s even more so amazing than you could ever imagine, Liz. Any guy who can make me act like a make-up wearing, skirt loving, and squeal when I’m happy girl and get my first giggle must be overly amazing.” She laughed.

[bookworm10812]

Lisette shut her eyes as she heard London's sentence. She bit her tongue in order not to scold. Then again, what did it matter much? This was the 70s. Times were changing. It wasn't so old-fashioned. But still! The very thought of her friend - And at such a young age as well!

However, Lisette had to nod at London's next statement. That was true, she wasn't that type of girl, and Lisette was proud of her for it. IF London and Mac decided to...well, you know, then she knew they'd be safe. She at least hoped Mac would be kind enough to wait. London wasn't ready....Was she?

She giggled and turned over on her stomach to listen. When London had finished, she squealed into her pillow. It made her laugh, and left her ticklish. But she had a point. London just wasn't a girly-girl. She left that up to others. Yet, if Mac made her want to change, then he had to be pretty damn amazing. She sighed and smiled at London. "Lucky you," She told her, grabbing the plush pillow she had squealed into and whacking London on the head. "London's a girl-girl!" She teased.

[London Kale]

London's mouth fell open when Lisette hit her with a pillow. But what got her riled up was her comment. "I am not a girly-girl!" She grabbed the pillow from her friend and hit her back. "How could you even say that?" London joked, but she wasn't a girly-girl, and she wasn't going to let anyone tell her otherwise.

London looked towards the door. "I need to go down there, Liz." First, she said it. Then...She gave one look to Lisette and flew out the door, panic rising in her throat.

[bookworm10812]

Lisette laughed, tickled by how London got riled up by her comment. She felt the pillow being grabbed out of her hands and before she could comprehend what was going on, felt something soft thump her about the head. It took a moment for her to realize London had hit her back. She laughed once more and reached for the pillow, but London had seemed to place it down. Lisette looked up to see this sudden change in her face and found London's head turned into the direction of the door.

She paused, about to ask her friend what was wrong when she realized just what she was going to do. Before she could begin to assure London that everything would be alright and that she didn't have to worry - London fled. Lisette let out an exasperated cry, but stumbled over her feet behind London. She silently cursed, but picked herself up and followed after the Gryffindor. Lisette cursed both London and herself, but mainly herself. She was sure she could have stopped London, but now London was heading downstairs without a wardrobe change or even the tiniest hint of makeup.