Look who's new in town now. /Cassie & Layne/

[Cassie Locklere]

Propped up against a barstool, checking her emails, was Cassie. Why here and not home? Well, to be quite frank, she had no place to go. But figuring that a bouquet of flowers and an anonymous note telling her to be here would be enough for Layne to show up. A light smirk played about her features as she recalled her mischievous scheme to trick her cousin into coming. Now she'd be completely surprised, and who could turn down the adorable cousin sitting in front of them? Not Layne.

Cassie tucked a shorter lock of blonde bangs behind her ear, the rest of which was hanging loosely in a ponytail. She wore a thick black and white polka dotted headband as well. Yanking down on the ivory cashmere sweater that had ridden up a bit, exposing her naturally tanned stomach a bit, she slumped forward. How do you spell malevolent again? Screw it. And with that, she closed the laptop without bothering to shut it down beforehand. Who cares? There were more fun things she could be doing right now than waiting for her cousin to appear in the doorway. But on the other-hand, she had to be polite; after all, she /was/ about to ask her for a place to live.

[Layne Hudson]

Layne strolled into the Galleria, a smug, yet excited expression on her face. This was hard to notice through the thick UV protective sunglasses she wore. Heck, when /didn't/ she wear them? Along with the sunglasses, she wore a light yellow sweaterdress, that clung flatteringly to her frame. She didn't consider this fancy, but other's might. Her grey-blue eyes shot about the room, skipping over any female's. After scanning the entire group of people without spotting one that looked like an appropriate prospect, she turned slightly, about to leave. Out of the corner of her eye, a familiar silhouette was caught. I should have known, she thought, A small smile curling up the ends of her previously pouted lips. She waltzed about the room, drawing up only steps behind the sitting girl. "Babeee!" she exclaimed, hugging her cousin from around the shoulders. Wow, did she look different. Having not seen her in so long definitely wiped away at her memory of the girl, let alone her appearance. Backing away from the embrace, she pulled up a stool and sat beside her, setting the roses she'd been carrying on the counter top. "Secret admirer, much?"

[Cassie Locklere]

Feeling two rather cold hands grasp her shoulders, Cassie's body stiffened. She almost let out a scream, but luckily the person removed their hands before she could. Turning her head immediately, she was surprised to see Layne. Her voice was familiar, but that was the only thing that was the same about the girl. "Doll!" she said rather loudly, a toothy smile danced on her face. Just before she could allow the girl to sit, she had already pulled up a chair and joined her. "Nopee. Just little ole mee." she giggled profusely at her own words. "Hey, would you look at that? You're more dressed up than me. That's gotta be a first." Her smile was bright and her tone light and airy. It was so good to see her great friend again. "So I bet you're wondering why I'm here, no?" Who knows, maybe Layne knew she was coming all along. What a damper that would put on things.

[Layne Hudson]

Layne smiled, relieved that her distant cousin had remembered her. She nodded lightly as Cassie spoke. "Mhmm. Well, I wouldn't have dressed up if I'd have known you were the one leading me on," she stated, smoothing out a crease on the side of her dress. "Is it not wonderful here?" Layne looked about the room, then out the huge glass fronted windows which looked out on all of the Galleria's shops. Coach, Dooney, Mark Lauren, Gucci, So many designers all in one spot. "Indeed. I'm guessing you're not in just for a visit...?" she trailed off, her tone airy and smooth. It was questioning, but still open. Oh how good it was to be back with someone from her other life. Layne's eyes glistened, adjusting to the sun. For some reason, she felt absolutely gorgeous today. No reason in particular, considering how she looked fantastic more times than not, but today she looked different. It wasn't something that came in a jar and was insanely expensive. It was Layne herself.

[Cassie Locklere]

So she was onto Cassie's little scheme. She'd figured that. I mean, Layne had always been the kind of person to read people extraordinarily well. With a mischevious smile, Cassie's eyes danced about the room, still having yet to see everything. "As a matter of fact; you're right." she grabbed her cousin's hand, patting it on the table after doing so. "I actually came because..." she trailed off, having not thought over the words she was about to say. "Well, you've got your own place now, and I, being the loser that I am, have not a place to go. Here's where you come in." Her eyes darted back to Layne for a quick moment, taking in their hue. Cassie tucked her head a bit, nibbling on the inside of her lip. "Is there any way that I can, you know, room with you for a few months? Just like, until I get on my feet and can make it on my own? I've got money." she teased, grabbing her barrel Dooney & Bourke and jingling it softly, as if to emphasize the silent shaking of money inside. A playful giggle escaped her lips -- which were parted in a smile. The hard part was over now.

[Layne Hudson]

Layne immediately sensed what her cousin wanted. "Not a problem." she responded before Cassie could barely finish her sentence. A rather large grin spread itself across her face. Finally, the chance to do something nice for someone. "Where're all your bags?" she asked, tapping her fingers rhythmically on the countertop. She assumed they were in the car, but she decided to ask anyway. "You do have a car, right Cass?" she asked, thinking aloud. Her blue-grey eyes sparkled from the sunlight pouring in through the glassfront of the shop. Laughing a bit, she arose to her feet. "Let's go shopping, babe." she stated, grabbing Cassie's hand and leading her out of the cute little shop they'd been in. It was about time this dynamic duo was put back into action.