[b]“Wipe that look off you face. I stopped feeling sorry for myself a long time ago. There’s no reason for you to feel sorry for me either. It’s just the hand I've been dealt, but trust me when I say I’m a very skilled player. I’ll make something of it, yet.”[/b]

Nicole thought that was an interesting way to look at it. She couldn't help turning up the corners of her lips a little in a smile. [i]I should keep that in mind if I'm ever in a crappy situation,[/i] she thought to herself. You get what you get in life, and you just have to make the most of it. She made a mental note to tell Emily about that later. Her friend had been going through some pretty tough things lately.

[b]“Let me buy you a drink or something. It’s the least I can do. Pick whatever you want.”[/b]

Nicole's eyes widened at the unexpected offer. "N-no!" she stammered, staring at Lucy in surprise. "I couldn't ask you to do that. I can pay for myself." [i]Although I really don't know if I can...[/i] "Don't worry about me. Really." A bartender came over just then and Nicole was relieved to find she could cover the expense of one mixed berry smoothie. She quickly paid for it before the other girl had a chance to try again. She looked back at Lucy and spotted how the girl was tracing the tattoo on her forearm. "That's beautiful," she murmured, indicating the watercolor tree.