Pizza Planet - Lunchtime

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

Marie and Lana had made handwavy plans to meet at the pizza place for lunch for a belated birthday celebration.

Marie had gone out this morning to pick up a birthday card and was sipping a glass of water, waiting for Lana to arrive.



[ooc: Marie is here for Lana, but open for all your pizza needs!]

Comments

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana walked to the pizza place after work and looked around for Marie. She smiled when she saw her sitting at a table and went over to join her. "Hey," she said cheerfully. "How's it going?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"I have no idea," Marie admitted. "How are you?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Really well," Lana said with a smile, but she looked a little concerned. "You don't look like you're doing as well though. Everything okay?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"I'm just confused over all this stuff with Jamie," Marie said with a sigh. "But I don't want to bore you with it. Especially not since we're supposed to be celebrating."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Please, bore away," Lana said earnestly. "I don't mind, really. And it will make me feel useful." She smiled at Marie.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

Marie gave her a small smile. "If you're sure," she said, as the waitress came over to take their order. After they ordered and she left, Marie took a deep breath.

"Okay, so back at the beginning of the semester I thought I had a crush on Jamie. Then I heard he liked someone else. And I ended up going out with Conner. And that was a disaster. Then I went on a date with Charlie, which was nice, but I realized I still liked Jamie," Marie began. She paused to take another drink before continuing.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana nodded. "So far, so good. SO what did you do?" she asked encouragingly.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Well, I talked to Willow," Marie said. "And she told me that Jamie liked me too. Then I saw him at the water balloon fight and ended up telling him I liked him and we made a date for this past Friday."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana smiled. "And how did it go?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Really bad," Marie said. "He was late and dressed sloppy. He forgot to make reservations. And then he was just mean," she said. She paused and sighed. "He told me a bunch of stuff that really hurt my feelings."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana looked shocked. "You're kidding. Want me to taser him for you? Pippi gave me one for my birthday." She was really only half kidding.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Well, last night he found me in the common room," Marie said. "He wanted to apologize. Told me it wasn't really him. It was one of his duplicates that was apparently evil. But it was part of him and I can't help but think that that means some part of him really thinks those mean things."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Wow..." Lana was quiet for a moment. "That's a really tough one. Yeah... if part of him said that, then part of him means it. On the other hand... we all have ugly parts of ourselves that we try to keep hidden..."

She shook her head. "What are you going to do?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"I don't know yet," Marie shrugged. "Thanks for listening though. Now, tell me about your birthday. You said it was great."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Anytime," Lana said sincerely. "Really. And the taser offer stands."

She smiled, thinking about her birthday weekend. "Shep met me at the causeway that Friday afternoon and we caught a plane to San Diego. It was wonderful. It was so great to get to spend like 4 and a half days with him."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"I bet," Marie said. "I don't know how you do it."

Just then the waitress brought their food and drink refills.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"How I do what?" Lana asked curiously.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Have a boyfriend who is so far away," Marie said.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

She got very quiet. "Yeah... it's... hard. We've decided we're not actually dating though. He really wants me to go on with my life. He's so far away - we can't even email all the time. And he might not even be back for another year or two."

She sighed, then managed a smile. "So, we decided we'll be friends - very good friends. And whenever he can make it back we'll get together. And if neither of us is seeing anyone else..." She blushed a little. "Well, let's just say we'll enjoy the time we have."

"It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Oh," Marie blushed a little too. "I don't think I'm cut out for dating."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Really? Why would you say that?" Lana asked. "You're pretty, you're nice... I'd imagine guys would be thrilled to date you!"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, guys with boyfriends and guys with evil duplicates," Marie said ruefully. "I did have one good date, but I told him I only wanted to be friends."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Yeah... I had the boy I forgot after we... you know, and the brief thing for a professor - which thankfully never went beyond a few kisses - and Shep who's now..." millions of lightyears away with his life always in danger "really far away..." She shook her head. "Though I did meet a really nice guy yesterday."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Oh?" Marie asked. "Cally said there were some cute new guys."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana blushed a little. "His name is Jim and we really sort of hit it off. Though... who can really say after only half an hour, right?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

Marie smiled. "You never know," she said, even though she had no idea what she was talking about.

"Just make sure he doesn't have a boyfriend."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana rolled her eyes. "I know! What is it about this place? Even guys who seemed to start off perfectly straight..."

She shook her head. "It's so hard to tell."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

Marie nodded emphatically. "I went fifteen years without dating, you'd think it wouldn't be a big deal now."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana bit her lip. "I've had a boyfriend since like 7th grade. He was in 10th, captain of the football team. We were together for three years and then he joined the marines. I kind of date off and on for the next year and then I came here and..."

She made a face. "Shep was the first one I made love with - other than the time I forgot - and... it's hard. We spent the night together a lot even before that - just snuggling and sleeping. I really miss not waking up in someone's arms. I miss the closeness so much. Curled up together on the couch or laughing together or..." She gave Marie a rueful smile.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"It sounds nice," Marie said. "I want someone like that in my life. Someone that I know is there for me."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"It is nice. Really nice," Lana said a little wistfully. "And you'll have it. I'm sure of it. You just have to wait for the right guy."

"Or in my case," she grinned, trying to lighten her own mood, "Hope that Shep's not literally the only guy in the world for me."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"You're far too nice not to find someone else," Marie said.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana blushed. "Aw... Thanks. Though Shep left at the end of February and I haven't had any luck yet."

"But," she said thoughtfully. "To be truthful? I don't think I was really ready to let him go - to move on - till I saw him this last time."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"My momma always told me that I'd find the right boy when the time was right," Marie shared.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana nodded. "I'm sure she's right. I think my aunt always kind of hoped that I'd grow up and marry this son of a billionaire she knew. Funny, when I wanted to come here he agreed to be my guardian so I could. The son, not the father."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Huh, that's different," Marie said.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana nodded. "No kidding. I don't think he's too happy that he's not my guardian anymore. Or that I haven't been home since Christmas."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"How come he's not your guardian anymore?" Marie asked.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I'm 18 now," Lana said simply. "It's... kind of neat and kind of scary all at the same time. I feel sort of all on my own. My aunt really hasn't been in the picture since she re-married almost two years ago and now... Well, I'm sure I could always go to Lex if I need anything, but..."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Oh. I guess that means you're a senior, huh?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Junior, actually. Through some freak of the time continuum, I ended up repeating my sophomore year last year somehow."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Well, it's kind of selfish, but I'm glad," Marie said. "That means you'll be here for two more years."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Really?" Lana replied. "That's so nice of you to say." She looked pleased and surprised.

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

Marie smiled. "I like hanging out with you."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana smiled. "I like spending time with you as well. We should totally hang out more often."

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Yes, we should," Marie agreed. "But now I should pay the bill and head back to the dorms. I heard that Anakin's leaving and I want to say goodbye."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana checked her watch. "Oh my gosh! Yes. I wanted to check and see if my roommate has arrived and then go say goodbye to Tim. We'll catch up later?"

[untouchableskin.livejournal.com]

"Definitely," Marie said, getting money out of her wallet and leaving it on the table. "Want to walk back to the dorms together?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Excellent idea," Lana said with a smile, holding the door for her. "After you."