= Eloise =

"Well Eloise it has been a true pleasure meeting you, if you aren't doing anything later this evening, perhaps you can join the three of us for a typical GNO (girls night out)." The girl named Clem offered sweetly.

Clem seemed pretty cool, and she really reminded me of an old friend back home, Kathy...but Kathy ended up moving away and we lost touch.

"Oh, thanks" I sounded a little off guard before I looked over to Juliette. "But uh, some other time maybe...its just that I kind of need to finish settling in and getting the lay of the land before I start going out and stuff."

"No I understand and I respect that, but take my number on the off chance you change your mind." She smiled before reaching for her phone.

"Uh..."

"We were actually just on our way to pick up the latest model." Jules sounded smoothly.

I smiled a little embarrassed. My aunt hadn't permitted me to have a phone and now I'm glad I didn't get one from over there.

"Well just call my house phone when you get your new phone...my numbers listed in the phone book." She said before bidding us farewell.

I couldn't tell if she was kidding and making a slight dig at not having a cellphone, because who in the hell uses phone books anymore?

The trio was gone now and it was once again just Juliette, the Dean, and myself.

I had truly wanted to take the girl up on her invitation because I felt that tonight after everything is said and done, I'd more than likely be in bed by nine o' clock just staring up at the ceiling until I fell asleep from boredom.

Don't get me wrong, I love my sister and I'm amped to be here...but she's never been the most exciting person to hangout with.

We spent another good thirty minute with the Dean before he too was telling us goodbye.

"Well now that that's taken care of...how about we do a little shopping?"

I smiled wide, I love to shop.

Now there wasn't exactly a mall here in Harmond, but in middle of town there was a bunch of shops, and our first stop was, a cellphone store.

I picked the phone that I wanted knowing fully well that I had worked and saved for the past two years and could easily afford any phone in the store plus have the first few payments handled before I had to stress about finding a job.

After I picked my cellphone Juliette insisted on putting me on her plan.

"Don't worry, Dorian doesn't pay for my phone." She said with understanding.

I don't really know why, but I just wasn't comfortable with the idea of her guy paying for or buying me things.

I mean for her it's not so bad, she's my sister and if she has the means to help me then I'd gladly accept as I'd help her if she were ever in a bind...but Dorian...I still don't know the guy.

After my phone was turned on I looked at it and smiled.

We went to lunch after that and all throughout lunch Juliette showed me how to use the phone and even gave me some numbers to put into my contacts list.

-Juliette
-Dorian
-Dr Byers
-Clementine

"Go ahead and give her a text." Juliette smiled.

"B-but I planned on spending the day with you."

She nodded, "and you are, we really only have one more thing to do today and then you are free to go and do whatever you want."

She sensed my hesitation.

"Look Eloise, you're here now, and I know we're going to have so much time together now so I really don't mind you going out tonight." She smiled softly.

"Really?" I asked for reassurance.

"Go, make friends, have fun...I'm sure Dorian wouldn't mind hanging out with me tonight."

I laughed before creating a text message and sending it to that girl.

[Eloise: Not sure if the offer's still on the table but if it is let me know. -Eloise]

Afterward I put the phone on the table as our food had arrived. I ate and talked with Juliette and soon our meal was done. Juliette paid but neither of us seemed to want to move.

"Alright, grab your phone and let's go before the place closes."

I didn't ask any questions only did as I was told, upon picking up my phone I noticed that I had two new text messages.

[Clementine: look who's a part of the 21st century!]

[Clementine: If you think you're up for it, come to my place around 8, and tell your sister you'll be staying at mine as well...also I'd better be saved as Clem in your phone.]

As I sat in Juliette's car I fixed Clementine's name to how she liked it and it actually seemed to fit her better and she text me her address.

Juliette drove for a while and then I noticed that we were entering a bigger city.

We drove about the city easily as Juliette knew exactly where she wanted to go.

"Is this part of Harmond?"

She shook her head, "Nope, just a small city right outside of Harmond called Saigon, but honestly everyone calls it No Man's Land."

I thought the "nickname" of the city was kinda weird but didn't comment on it. "So...Do you come here often?" I asked.

"I do, as a matter of fact, I work here and obviously do most of my shopping since they have bigger stores...they have their own University too so if you're up for football or basketball games the two schools go against each other every so often."

"Have you thought about moving here, I mean, seems like it'd be easier to live closer to where you work." I pointed out.

She nodded. "The thought crossed my mind once, but my life is back in town."

I get it, she's made a life for herself back at the little town, "so, tell me about Dorian." I said trying to change the subject.

She smiled "well what's there to tell really, as you know his name is Dorian Travers, he is very family oriented, he's smart, strong and I honestly don't know how I lucked out to have him as mine."

I smiled alongside her words.

"What?" She asked.

"And?"

"And what?" She wondered out loud.

"And what does he look like, what's he into, what doesn't he like, what are his flaws?"

"Oh..." she sounded. "Well he's about six feet tall so he's a good height, he is athletically built with broad shoulders and muscular arms, he has brown hair and brown eyes, um let's see, he likes running and played football in school and I suppose his only flaw is his jealousy, he can be a caveman in that sense."

"That doesn't sound too bad." I said, and it was the truth, I hadn't exactly expected her to point out some huge flaw but I could understand what she had said, and what guy would want another guy hitting on their girlfriend?

Then again what do I know, the only guy I ever dated was a boy I'd known since the beginning of high school, we were freshman and went bowling with a group of friends and he kissed me by the fountain drinks...it wasn't the best.

When Juliette finally slowed down I noticed for the first time that we were pulling into a car dealership.

"You can't buy me a car."

"It's a welcome home gift." She shrugged. "Plus it's also your Birthday/Christmas presents from the last two years I missed with you."

"I suppose there's no fighting you on this?"

"Nope," she smiled. "Plus you'll need to get around and I won't always be there as I work and spend most of my time at Dorian's."

I was beginning to see a pattern here.