Hope and Sue: Girl Talk

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Sue and Hope head to the stylist for hte promised appointment and some girl talk.

The sound of comforting chatter, the hot air from the dryers, the magazines that you could only ever seem to find at the hairdressers, the sound of scissors snipping and clippers clipping. Nope there wasn't anything like a trip to the hairstylist to just sit back, soak up the atmosphere and just relax. Just the thing to help calm down pre-date jitters, and possibly get a awesome new look out of the deal, Sue reasoned as she looked over at Hope as the other girl sat under the dryer, her hair all wrapped in tinfoil.

"So did you end up picking a new hairstyle then?" she asked curiously as she peered at the magazine in Hope's hands.

The blonde had needed to visit her stylist to her her hair touched up anyway, and when she had come across Hope pacing back and forth in the common room muttering to herself it didn't take a genius to realize the brunette needed something to distract her, the end result one quick trip into the city. It wasn't that Sue had wanted to go driving, not at all.

"It's not that different, but I really like this one." Hope pointed out a pic of a model with heavy thick hair falling in loose waves. "Looks like cutting long layers first and then some kind of curls..."

Sue pursed her lips and looked down at the picture, "It's looks cute," she agreed hesitantly. "Are you sure there is no way to convince you to change your style a little? I mean you could totally rock a bowl cut or a mohawk."

"I would look ridiculous in a mohawk." Hope eyed her friend a little incredulously. "And a bowl cut would do nothing for my face. Only make it seem rounder. But I could always put in a few subtle highlights?"

Sue gave a sigh and threw her hands up in exasperation as she slumped back in her chair, "That was a joke Hope, no-one looks good with a mohawk. It's like one of the unofficial rules of fashion, or if it isn't it should be."

Sue gave her friend a level look, "How did you not get that? Did you really think I'd try to convince you to get a Mohawk?"

Hope let a small smile cross her face. "I had you there for a moment, didn't I? Of course I figured your suggestion was not that serious. The highlights though... I liked them a lot I had them the last time. Hmmm..." She eyed the picture, trying to picture the look with highlights.

Sue arched an eyebrow at the brunette, "See with you I can never be sure," the blonde replied as a smirk spread across her face, "like are you being serious now, or just trying to save face. You my dear Miss Abbott aren't the easiest person to read." Leaning back in her chair Sue steeped her fingers and tried to imagine the hard to picture Hope with colour in her hair. "Highlights huh? what colour are you thinking of, Red, green, pink?"

"They come in green or pink nowadays too? I think that might be a little too much for the first time. However..." Hope's eye had been caught by one of the kits that made it possible to make colored streaks in your hair that would easily wash out. "For the highlights I will probably go with a reddish shade. But might give one of those a try sometimes?" She pointed out the kits.

"Green, pink, orange, purple, yellow, you pick a colour and they can probably dye your hair that colour if you want. I mean you must have seen pictures online of people with weird hair colours. Isn't science today awesome?" Sue asked with a grin as she peered at the stack of boxes and pursed her lips in thought.
"Washout colour huh?" Which would only last one day. "So Hope was there any particular reason you wanted to come visit the stylist today? Not that I mind coming into the city but it was a little out of the blue you asking me about it."

A bright blush covered Hope's face and she stared at her hands as she muttered almost too low to hear: "Ihaveadate."

Sue dropped the magazine she'd been reading, it almost sounded like Hope said that she'd had a date...The blonde stared at the red-faced other girl, yup definitely a date. "That's awesome Hope!" the teenager said excitedly, "It is awesome right?" Hope seemed embarrassed by the whole thing, but then she was pretty shy so that was probably to be expected.

"It is." Hope hastily reassured her, the red on her face becoming even brighter if possible before falling back in her low muttering. "Iamjustalittle..."

"A little?" Sue asked expectantly, "nervous? Excited? scared? You've been on a date before Hope, you know what to expect."

"Which, looking back, feel more like a play Simon and I were participating in then a real date people talk about." Hope explained. "And all very innocent. So I am wondering a little..."

"You wanna know what a real date is like?" Sue asked a little confused.

Hope quickly glanced around before continuing. "No... more like..." She paused for a moment, trying to put into words what she was feeling. "Just kinda nervous about dating outside the pattern set by my parents. If that makes more sense..."

"Ah," suddenly everything started to make much more sense to Sue, "Everyone feels nervous before a date...well almost everyone. Especially if it was someone who you barely know or is out of your norm. How do you think I felt before my first date with Maddie?" the blonde asked with a small smile. "I was terrified, I mean the butterflies in my stomach seriously would not settle down. But it was awesome when we actually got there, it's the waiting that gets you. As long as you like him it'll work out. I mean it's only a date, it's not like you need to worry about marrying him or a long-term relationship."

"That is a good idea." Hope smiled at her friend. "For mother... dating was always like vetting a man to be possible future husband. Seeing it as a hopefully fun night out seems like a better plan."

"That's waaaaaay too much pressure" Sue complained, "No, what were you 14, year old can handle that. Besides he better make it a fun night, otherwise he gets to answer to me," The diminutive blonde jumped to her feet holding her arms up infront of her in a boxers pose and making a few imaginary jabs into the air. "He wouldn't like that," she noted giving Andre a brilliant smile before settling back in her chair and leaning forward "So who is it? Come on you have to dish it now."

"His name is Dennis. He is in my Public Speaking class in the local high school." The blush rose again and Hope shrugged a little. "We worked on an assignment together and he asked me one time if I'd like to go out for an evening. Do something fun."

"Is he cute? Or more along the smoking hot type of guy?" Sue asked with a mischievous grin. "That's...romantic? It's kinda like a movie, 'your eyes met over the textbook and all the world stopped'" Th blonde grinned at her friend, so was that it Or was it less storybook? Cause that would make me sad."

"I think more cute then smoking hot." She replied after a second of contemplation. "He has a bit of a mischievous look in his eyes I like a lot." The blush flared up again.

"Why Miss Hope, I hardly believe what I'm hearing," Sue said with a laugh, "I didn't think you had it in you. So where is your hot debating man taking you?"

"He mentioned going for Italian, maybe catch a movie if there was something good at the cinema. Nothing really complicated."

"Sometimes the most simple dates can be the most fun," Sue agreed nodding sagely. "Dinner and a movie, the romantic staple, simple but effective. Whatever you do though don't let him convince you to go watch a horror movie or action movie. Fun in their place but not really a great date experience."

"A friend at my previous school did mention once a horror movie was great if you wanted to hide your head on their shoulder, but I do not think that is quite the impression I am going for in a first date..." Hope kidded.

"No, never a horror movie," Sue agreed violently, "At least not on the first date, save that for the second or third at least," she told Hope with a grin. "But...yeah horror movies are just bad. No matter what Tandy tells you."

"I have never been a fan of them. Dennis mentioned maybe going to see the next Hobbit, but that one is maybe a little bit too long..."

Sue shrugged, "If it's something you'd enjoy then why not? I mean there's probably something fun which is shorter out right now but that movie has a dragon." Sue grinned at hope, "Who doesn't wanna see a movie with giant flying fire-breathing scientifically impossible lizards it it?"

Hope shrugged a little, the blush slowly coloring her face again. "We both enjoy fantasy, though my tastes are a little more... romantic? And the trailers do look nice."

"Trailers always look nice, Sue pointed out with a grin, "It's why they make them. Not sure how Romantic the hobbit would be, but at least it'll give you something to talk about after the movie. No chance of awkward silences."

"There is definitely that."

---XXX---

"He is staring at me." Hope muttered uncomfortable as they were waiting for their hot chocolates with whipped cream. "And that guy over there as well."

"And?" Sue asked puzzled, "We're at the mall, that's what guys do here. They stare at girls, sometimes they even work up the nerve to come talk to you," she told hope with all the gravitas of a sage revealing the mysteries of life.

"I know... I know... They have looked before..." Hope twirled a look of her now curly hair around her fingers. "Just not so openly." She muttered softly.

"Well you do have an awesome new haircut," Sue noted, "so how can they help but look. Although I still say you shoulda gone with the pink highlights." the blonde teased.

"It's not that different. Just curls and highlight. Besides, that one over there seems to be staring at you." Hope nodded in the direction, happy to divert attention for a bit.

"Well even a small difference can help, you know the confidence boost and all, people can tell when you're feeling good," Sue pointed out as she risked a glance at the boys Hope had indicated, "well of course he is, it's a sign of good taste. Don't you know I'm just amazing, darling," the blonde said with a grin and flick of her haid before she winked at Hope.

"Amazing eh?" Hope risked another casual glance. "Amazing enough to get us another one of those hot chocolates?" She held up her empty cup.

Sue looked over at Hope suspiciously, "Well played Miss Abbott, well played," she complimented as she pushed herself to her feet, "That certainly deserves another drink." The teenager glanced at the counter hopefully, "Do you think they have cookies?" she tossed over her shoulder as she made her way to order the new drinks, "I could really go for a cookie right about now."

"I think they have... Hey, perhaps they have brownies with vanilla ice cream?" Hope called after her with a fairly low voice.

Sue just smiled and shook her head as she waved a hand at Hope in confirmation as she took her place in the line, "I don't know where she puts it all," Sue muttered to herself with a grin.

Hope waved back and pulled out her phone to see if she had any messages. She looked up as she suddenly felt someone standing besides and encountered the face of one of the boys whom she had seen watching her and Sue just a few minutes ago. "Uh... hi." A faint blush colored Hope's cheeks.

"Hey Babe," Brandon said giving Hope a self satisfied smirk, "I was thinking you could help me, I'm having a problem with my phone." he told the brunette passing the offending electronic to her.

Babe? He seriously called her babe? She glanced at the phone quickly before looking back up at the boy, feeling kinda annoyed. She raised an eyebrow at him as she replied: "What seems to be the issue? Aside from not knowing how to ask for help normally?"

"Your number isn't in it," Brandon told her without missing a beat, "Wanna help me with that?" He gave the girls his most honest and charming smile, classic line he congratulated himself, flawless delivery.

Hope blinked and her other eyebrow joined it's twin higher up her forehead. "A word to the wise... a lady generally likes to know who she is dealing with first before she gives out such private information."

Brandon looked at Hope with a puzzled expression, "Oh do excuse me, where are my manners," he said managing to hold back the sarcasm from his voice, was this chick for real? Still he was committed, if he backed out now he'd never hear the end of it from his friends. The teenager gave an overly elaborate bow, "Brandon Davidson, a pleasure to make your acquaintance milady."

"Thank you." Hope pasted a sincere seeming smile on her face. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, Brandon. My name is Hope." And now what? She really didn't like the vibe that came of him. "So if I gave my phone number..." An idea suddenly occurred to her and her smile turned mischievous

"Then I would possess a treasure most dear indeed," Brandon told her with friendly smile, he couldn't believe what he was saying, but this chick seemed to be eating it up.

Hope giggled charmingly, trying to show some warmth in her eyes and pulled out her own cell, quickly checking a number. Then, deftly tapping the screen, she entered the number. "I just received a new phone and I haven't quite memorized my new number yet..." She explained apologetically.

"No worries," Brandon assured her as he reached for his phone, "it happen to everyone now and then. Don't worry, I won't be loosing this phone any time soon."

Hope hesitated for a moment and deciding to throw caution in the wind, picked up her own phone. "And what happens to be your number?" She tapped her own phone expectantly.

"Uhh, why don't I just call you later?" Brandon said hesitantly as he pocketed his phone. "See ya," the teenager gave Hope a small wave as he headed back to the tble where his friends were sitting.

She stared after him and buried her head in her hands. "That was.... not a success..."

A cup of hot chocolate appeared waving tauntingly infront of Hope's face, "What didn't go that well? a voice asked, "I mean he came and talked to you, you gave him your number, that's kinda how these things go ya know," Sue told hope as she settled back into her chair.

"He wanted my phone number, but he was a little... creepy?" Hope peeked up through her fingers. "So I gave him Logan's number. Only... I think I weirded him out."

"Creepy?" Sue inquired glancing over Hope's shoulder at the group of teenagers, "What did he do?" The blonde's gaze drifted over to Hope, "You gave him Logan's phone number? Hope, that's inspired." Sue said a grin appearing on her face.

"He didn't really do anything... He just... he just had this vibe." Hope shrugged a little. "I do not think he is going to call though. I acted totally weird."

"So he weirded you out and you managed to weird him out," Sue mused glancing at Brandon, "Shame, that would have been hillarious, can you imagine Logan's face?"

"Not to mention the talking to he would have gotten." Hope sniggered at the idea. "Too bad it's never going to happen now... Hope my date with Dennis is not gonna end the same way."

"Yeah...too bad," Sue replied slowing as she stared at Brandon's back before turning her attention to Hope, "I'm sure it won't" she told her friend comfortingly, "He sounds like a nicer guy and you didn't get any bad vibes of him, so that's a better start already isn't it?"

"True. We do get along quite well when we are just spending time together. So why would it be different when we go out?" Hope gave a nod, trying to tuck her doubts away for the moment.

"Hmm," Sue hedged, "like I said it's a good start. But hanging out as friends is different from actually going on a date. In a great way if you pick the right person," she hurriedly assured her friend, "That's the trick, just finding the right person."

"It was different with Simon... you are right about that..." Hope's voice trailed of as her eyes caught the group of boys as they noisily grabbed for their drinks. "Too bad though Brandon will not end up talking to Mr. Logan..."

"Yeah," Sue shrugged and stood up, "Still no use worrying about it," she told Hope as she started for the door with a final speculative look at the boys, "Come on, lets go see if we can find you and outfit to match your awesome new hair."

"Not too different." Hope protested as she grabbed her purse and stood up as well. "He should still be able to recognize me as well... me you know."

Sue grinned and shook her head at her friend, "I doubt a new outfit if gonna stop him recognizing you, if anything you might have to pick his jaw up off the ground after we get done with you."

"That definitely would not hurt. As long as I am still recognizable as Hope Abbott." She retorted carefully. "Where would did you have in mind to start?"

"Hope Abbott? I thought you're name was Hannah Abbess," the blonde exclaimed in mock horror, "I've been talking to the wrong person all this time!," she grinned at Hope, "Well with the dress of course, everything else builds around that. In fact I think there's a sale on somewhere, let me just check," Sue reached into her bag for her phone before she frowned for real and started to search her bag hurriedly, "I think I forgot my phone inside," she told Hope with a weak grin, "why don;t you go ahead? I'll catch you up?"

"Are you sure you do not want me to come along?"  Hope paused in her step and looked over her shoulder at her friend.

"To get my phone?" Sue asked with a smile, "Go on, I'll catch up before you know it, just have to find it," she told her friend waving her off towards the dress shop. Sue turned back into the shop banishing the forcefield around her phone and dropping it back into her bag, She didn't want to trick Hope, but wanted it to be a surprise for the other girl the thought as she headed for the boys table. The idea of Brandon calling 'Hope' was just too awesome to let slip away. After all she just had to convince this Brandon that her friend had been overwhelmed by his 'awesomeness', how hard could that be.