Oh Jenny! [Tag Jen] on Cascade Hall

Lizzie Lavine

February 03, 2008 1:28 AM

Oh Jenny! [Tag Jen] by Lizzie Lavine

Lizzie was by no means a forward thinker. In fact, most of the time she tried the best she could to live in the moment. So it was with great trepidation that she started the process of planning ahead for the ball. Lizzie had owled the dress designer who'd made her dress for the Christmas Ball in Baton Rouge the previous year and requested another original for the upcoming ball. She'd even lined up the shoes she would wear for the event- classic black high heels with a slightly open toe. Lizzie had even picked out the perfect up-do from the book of hair styling charms her cousin Helena had sent her. She really had gotten so much done in the way of planning that it almost made her sick. Seriously, when did she ever do things like that?

Deciding she had done enough planning ahead for one day, Lizzie made her way down the stairs to the Pecari Commons and then proceeded to the Cascade Hall where students were filtering in for lunch. It was the weekend, after all, and mealtimes were much less regimented than during the week. Lizzie sat down and served herself some fresh fruit, fully aware of the necessity of keeping her figure in line. Not that she really had to worry about that anyway-her daily workout and whatnot kept her quite toned-but eating healthily couldn't hurt any. Lizzie was half-way through her bowl of assorted fruits when she saw Jen entering the Hall. She waved, hoping to grab her best friend's attention. There was much planning to be had, and Lizzie had many things on her mind to discuss with Jen.

"Hey Jen," she smiled, suddenly light hearted, "How have you been? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"

0 Lizzie Lavine Oh Jenny! [Tag Jen] 0 Lizzie Lavine 1 5

Jennifer

February 03, 2008 7:52 PM

Because the tag was <i>obviously</i> needed by Jennifer

For one of the few girls who actually had a date to the dance in the upper years (as far as she knew, she was the only one of her roommates who did, and she only knew of two or three others in her year), Jennifer had not spent a great amount of time worrying about it. Perhaps that would have struck most people as surprising; she had never been one to leave things off until the last minute, but somehow this didn’t really count. Even though there were only a few weeks left, it wasn’t that high on her list of priorities.

That wasn’t to say she was completely unprepared, though. Naturally she had a dress, accessories, shoes and the like (including four-inch heels that Jennifer still occasionally couldn’t believe she could walk in), mostly care of her mother and Christine’s connections in the fashion industry. And, of course, she had her date. Apart from those already completed things, she couldn’t think of anything else that she should be concerned about. In any case, she already had enough of those. Like her boyfriend’s upcoming trip to Brazil.

She’d just gotten another owl from her father filled with a couple more things she felt she should probably mention to Jake, and so she’d gone off to Cascade to look for him. Unfortunately, he appeared to be elsewhere, but another whom Jennifer desperately needed to talk to was present, so at least one thing was theoretically going to be taken care of in this little excursion.

“Oh, please, Liz,” she replied equally lightly as she sat down by her best friend. “It’s been, what, twenty hours since we sat next to each other in class? Not even a day, so definitely not an age. Still, I suppose I can overlook your lack of spatial recognition this time, darling Elizabeth.” She spooned some fruit of her own onto a plate, as well as grabbing a sandwich. “It’s not entirely unexpected from you.

“I’ve been pretty good, though. Busy with everything, and I can’t wait for summer. Should be interesting, what with Jake coming down to Brazil.” Unfortunately, Lizzie wasn’t one of the people Jennifer had been able to hide things from, and so there was no stopping the slight tinge of her cheeks with regards to just how interesting things might get. Still, she didn’t let that stop her from continuing immediately. Maybe the Pecari would be mysteriously distracted and not notice. “How about you? Everyone getting ready for Brett’s wedding?”

0 Jennifer Because the tag was <i>obviously</i> needed 0 Jennifer 0 5

Lizzie

February 04, 2008 12:07 AM

Clearly! by Lizzie

Lizzie rolled her eyes as Jen seated herself and started in on her usual scrutiny of Lizzie's language. She was used to this by now; it seemed as though Jen was continuously finding something to correct about her diction. But knowing the Noire family and their perfectly frightening matron Christine, Lizzie was never too surprised when it came to that sort of thing. English finishing school and a lot of wealthy Brits hanging out tended to do that to a person.

"It's only an expression, cherie," Lizzie sighed, reaching for the pitcher of juice and filling her glass, "Besides, it has been ages since we really had a good talk, you and I. Oh, on that subject, Brett and Melanie want to make sure you're coming to New Orleans first thing after school's let out. Final fittings and luncheons and all that, you know- try not to gag too much."

Looking innocently from under her black swoop bangs, Lizzie took her turn at scrutinizing Jen. What was that she'd said about Brazil? There were times when Lizzie could be completely clueless about certain things, but when it came to matters involving those of the opposite gender, Lizzie had more than acute senses. Certainly Jennifer didn't think that she could say something as vague as that and then assume Lizzie wouldn't notice. She was from a big, old Southern family, after all. Secrets and scandals were constants in all Louisiana social circles, the Lavine family's circle included. Lizzie knew all too well about secrets and their potentially disastrous outings.

"Now Jennifer," Lizzie didn't skip a beat, continuing on sotto voce, "Brazil? You and Jake? What do you honestly plan on doing on such an adventure? You're not going to...?"

She left the question hanging open, assuming Jen would be equally as adept at picking up Lizzie's subtlety implied meanings.

0 Lizzie Clearly! 0 Lizzie 0 5

Jennifer

February 04, 2008 11:06 PM

Since there's just an army of Jennies here by Jennifer

Contrary to her normal passive stance, Jennifer wasn’t off-put by her friend’s insistence upon the correctness of her own statement. In fact, it only made the Crotalus more intent to prove her point. Maybe Oscar Wilde had always been right about girls and mothers. “It’s an expression, yes, but it’s wrong. That’s all that’s important. You are so very fortunate that word choice wasn’t important on the CATS.”

She was actually taken by surprise when the immediate trip to New Orleans was mentioned. Truth be told, she’d actually managed to forget about it, though she could blame that on lack of mention in the recent past. Still, her forgetfulness was hidden well, in her humble opinion. Lizzie already had enough to harass her about in this particular conversation; it was hardly necessary to give her something more. “Of course I’m coming,” came the smooth reply. “Some of us don’t take it for granted that we’re in the wedding party, and so, you know, are nice and polite, and don’t gag at the idea of having to attend basic functions. Besides, I like spending time with Melanie. She’s seemed very nice so far. You may need to just give her a chance.”

While she couldn’t swear to it, Jennifer was fairly certain that Lizzie was having or was going to have some major difficulties adjusting to another feminine influence around constantly. Merlin knew that there had been enough problems with that in the Zucchero house over the previous summer. Still, she also knew what she was talking about because of those very complications, and since she had the knowledge, it was her duty to share.

There did come a point, however, where sharing was not necessary, and she was pretty certain that it had been reached with her best friend’s implications, and if Jennifer had been thinking clearly, she might have put forth that idea (however unlikely it would have been that Lizzie actually listened). Unfortunately, as it were, just having the idea half-spoken was enough to shake her resolve entirely.

“Yes,” she said without thinking, followed a second later by a more emphatic “No,” which was in turn preceded a very uncertain “Maybe?” It definitely didn’t help that she was blushing furiously. And now to try and change the subject. “So, are you looking forward to the ball?”

0 Jennifer Since there's just an army of Jennies here 0 Jennifer 0 5

Lizzie

February 06, 2008 9:47 PM

Maybe not Jennies, but Jennas certainly. by Lizzie

The wedding in New Orleans shouldn't have been such a big pain for Lizzie, but the fact that her older brother was finding someone else to live with was daunting. For sixteen years Lizzie had been the only girl, everyone's little princess. And though that changed whenever her cousins were around, Lizzie always had counted on being the most important thing in her brothers' lives. The idea of one of them finding someone else to take her place as the most important figure was not well received. Though she would never admit it to anyone, Lizzie was really just afraid of being replaced.

"Yes, a perfectly lovely girl to be sure," Lizzie replied with a dismissive scoff, "I'm just so thrilled about having another European society type around."

That subject being closed, Lizzie jumped on Jen's answer. She couldn't believe it! Jennifer certainly had made up her mind about the issue as demonstrated by her gut reaction "yes", but Lizzie wondered if she was so serious. This was Jennifer they were talking about, after all. When Lizzie had met Jen in the library years ago, the other girl had been a shy and artistic sort of girl. Certainly Jen was no longer that people-watching sort of wallflower, but was she really ready for something like that? Lizzie herself hardly knew if she would be able to go through with something like that, much less whether or not her best friend could do it.

"Yes?" Lizzie conveniently forgot about her friend's attempt at changing the subject of conversation, "Really! I'm surprised at you, Jennifer! Not that I don't think it's wonderful, but wouldn't your father flip?"

Ambassador Zucchero really wasn't a particularly strict father, as far as Lizzie had seen, but something told her that no matter how lenient Jen's dad was about other things, this he would not tolerate. Jen's stepmother was another story; perhaps she would be much more understanding and accepting. Of course, there was also the chance that the Zuccheros would never find out about the whole thing (if it were to even happen, that is), in which case, Lizzie's whole line of thinking would be out the window.

0 Lizzie Maybe not Jennies, but Jennas certainly. 0 Lizzie 0 5

Jennifer

February 08, 2008 3:24 PM

But you didn't summon a Jenna by Jennifer

Jennifer felt she had been correct with her interpretation of the situation. While she had seen Lizzie this annoyed on previous occasions, there was generally a very good reason that was strongly connected to her aunt Rose. As far as she knew, Melanie hadn’t done anything at all to Lizzie beyond being there, so the animosity was completely undeserved in her opinion. Not that she had much room to talk.

The comment about the kind of person Brett’s fiancée was amused her a little, if only because her best friend seemed to have forgotten the “You know, if you’re feeling opposed to European society types, you need to find more appropriate friends,” she remarked civilly with a put-on English accent, without the slightest touch of sarcasm (she was quite proud of herself). “After all, that is what Mummy-Dearest has been working on trying to turn me into.” Wishing for a cup of tea, which would complete the image perfectly, she instead took a sip of water. Not quite the same, but it was close enough. "You get used to having new family members after a while, don't worry."

Unfortunately, Lizzie had done just what Jennifer had suspected, and precisely what had not been hoped for, by refusing to drop the subject. Blushing furiously, she glanced around quickly to make sure nobody had overheard (it didn’t look like there was anyone around who would be paying attention, but she couldn’t be positive). “Keep your voice down!” she hissed quietly. “I don’t want everyone else to know! Merlin, I don’t want you knowing.” She took another sip of water so she wouldn’t do something silly and violent before continuing. “My father would definitely not know about anything that happened between Jake and me, of a highly-scandalous nature or not. I have no clue what’s going to happen. It all…depends.” Mostly on about how Jake felt about the idea, but that was definitely not something that was going to be said in present company, as her companion had the nasty habit of telling Jake things that he really didn’t need to know about.

0 Jennifer But you didn't summon a Jenna 0 Jennifer 0 5

Lizzie

February 13, 2008 11:22 PM

Well, you've got me there by Lizzie

Lizzie rolled her eyes at Jen's accented reply. Maybe her mummy was trying her best to convert her, but as far as Lizzie was concerned, Jen wasn't anywhere near being as stereotypically European as Melanie was. The concept was quite nebulous in her mind, but as Jen was Lizzie's best friend and Melanie was the new girl in her family, she considered the latter to be far more grievously guilty than the former. In any case, Lizzie forwent pursuing the subject further. The current topic was far more interesting.

"Oh, don't you worry," she lowered her voice, positively rolling with giggles, "I'm not going to tell anyone your big scandalous secret."

The situation all of a sudden was extremely hilarious to Lizzie, and another fit of giggles rendered her unable to continue her conversation any further. She just was so amused by Jen's embarrassment that she was unable to contain it. Lizzie felt the glass of juice she had attempted to sip shake in her grasp, and was forced to set it down on the table before it spilled everywhere. In all honesty, the idea wasn't terribly funny, the fact of the matter was that Lizzie couldn't help but find strange amusement in Jen's squirming. The sensation was oddly oxymoronic- the more she giggled, the more Lizzie felt both she and Jen were growing up, and something about that scared Lizzie. Scared her so much that there was nothing more she could do but laugh. So she continued her gales of laughter uninterrupted by better judgment.

0 Lizzie Well, you've got me there 0 Lizzie 0 5

Jennifer

February 17, 2008 10:41 PM

Logic wins out once more by Jennifer

The situation might have been hilarious for Lizzie, but Jennifer found it to be anything but. Honestly, could her friend be any more difficult? Here she was trying to have a serious conversation that she really didn’t want to have started in the first place, and the other girl wouldn’t stop laughing. Real maturity was being shown by the person next to her.

Jennifer had managed to keep control of her temper for the most part so far that year. No fights with Jake or unreasonable outbursts or anything else like that. She could actually remember a time when she didn’t have to actively work to do it and regretted the loss a little, but for the most part just accepted the fact that she had it now and would just have to work a little. Right now, though, the laughter was driving her crazy enough to let all her usual tactics completely fade away.

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you,” she replied with a tinge of bitterness in her voice. After all, she had no idea what was so hilarious, so it could be a range of insulting things. “After all, you don’t have the best track record of keeping big scandalous secrets, now do you?” A low blow, maybe, but totally deserved in a case like this. “Do you want me to leave so you can have fun laughing at me in private, because I’m more than willing to do that.”

0 Jennifer Logic wins out once more 0 Jennifer 0 5

Lizzie

March 10, 2008 12:41 AM

Ah well. by Lizzie

"Jenny, Jen-" Lizzie managed to get out between gasps, "I'm sorry, really, really. I'm sorry, I just can't-"

Lizzie ignored Jen's jibe about keeping secrets, and tried to control her laughter. It was ridiculous and absolutely childish, but the laughter was so difficult to get control over. After a moment, she calmed herself down enough to speak coherent sentences.

"Jen, I'm sorry," she looked apologetically into her best friend's eyes, "Don't be sore, please. I'm just- I've got too much going on right now. I'm not laughing at you, I swear. Honest."

Finally regaining control of herself, Lizzie rubbed at her cheeks reddened from the strange outburst. What was wrong with her? Everything was moving far too quickly and becoming far too serious. Lizzie, who had prided herself on not caring too much about whatever was going on around her, was finding the social pressure too much to fight against anymore. Besides, Jen was the wallflower friend. She wasn't allowed to go farther than Lizzie had.

"I'm sorry, don't leave, don't get angry," she put a hand to her forehead, her tone dropped and suddenly somber, "I just can't believe we're having this conversation. But I support whatever you want to do. Just, you know, be careful, I guess."

0 Lizzie Ah well. 0 Lizzie 0 5