[color=pink][indent][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZfxyFOZ.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/oo9I8gD.png[/img]
[sub]a [@metanoia] & [@neoaj] collaboration
featuring [color=b39cdc]Joey[/color] | [color=9F1F19]Jade[/color][/sub]
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The laptop sat on the desk, silent save for the low hum of the cooling fan. The screen was mostly white, save for the black words at the document being stared at by the room’s lone occupant. That was one of the perks of being a star athlete. There was no sharing with anyone if you didn’t want to, and Jade Scott preferred her privacy. 

She certainly preferred it this past week. It was impossible to ignore the energy that had been sucked out of the sorority in the last week or so with Lottie’s abrupt departure from the room across from her. She didn’t even say goodbye to anyone. By Monday evening she was gone, off to who knows where? Probably shacking up with that gravy-blooded skate licker. Good riddance, then. Joey deserved better anyway.

Of course, Jade didn’t know what state Joey was in either. They hadn’t really spoken since the incident happened. Jade didn’t want to push the attack on anything, especially since there was a slight possibility that she might be to blame for that fractured relationship. Instead, the Golden Girl focused on her studies. Since the university head honcho still hadn’t rescinded their bogus probation ruling, she figured she might as well actually try for some As while she was here. It’s why she was pouring over her notes from Kinesiology 303 with a bit more concentration than usual.

That is until there was a loud knocking on her door.

[color=9f1f19][i]Did I remember to lock that before I came in here…[/i][/color]

The answer to that question was no, as Joey freaking Hart herself confirmed that no, it was not locked. She burst into the room with a verve that had been missing from the building the entire week. [color=b39cdc][b]“Jade!!”[/b][/color] The pixie plunked herself on Jade’s relatively luxurious queen-sized bed. At least it was by general university standards. Certainly by the tiny twin that Jade slept on as a freshman. [color=be9cdc][b]“We should go out clubbing tonight!”[/b][/color]

Jade turned and raised a Spockian eyebrow. [color=9f1f19][i]Where did Joey find all this energy all of a sudden?[/i][/color] She glanced over at the clock that rested by her bed. [color=9f1f19][i]Well, I guess it is a Friday. Makes sense that she would be finally letting herself indulge a bit. It’s nice to see her so active again. But clubbing…[/i][/color]

As one of Meadow University’s elite athletes and a budding star on the verge of the USWNT, Miss Scott had to be careful when she went out and indulged. There had been a few careers derailed by some select photographs of starlets in various states of inebriation. It’s why Jade was more than happy to let herself go at the bash. No paparazzi. Or at least she thought until that video was shared to the masses. Still though, she liked those chances to let loose. Plus, this entire week sucked. Studying isn’t for this earlier in the term!

She leaned forward and folded her hands, resting her head on top of them. [color=9f1f19]“Clubbing, you say? Well, I think I could be convinced to go out tonight. I mean, I do have practice tomorrow at one, but hell, that will give us more than enough time to do some things, right? Although… I think I’ll probably need to fuel up here before we go out…”[/color]

A hyperactive Joey cheered from where she laid on Jade’s bed, widely smiling at the girl. [color=b39cdc]“Perfect!”[/color] Her voice cracked slightly, oozing positivity. Like the distraction prone pixie she was, Joey hopped off Jade’s bed and made an immediate beeline for her closet. [color=b39cdc]“We should see what you have to wear,”[/color] she said, opening the small closet to see Jade’s selection of apparel. She quickly paused and turned around, glancing at Jade [color=b39cdc]“I mean, we have to look [i][b]hot[/b][/i], don’t we?”[/color] She winked at her, giggling.

As much as Jade recoiled at the thought of someone going through all her stuff, it was nice to see Joey acting more like herself again. Maybe that meant she was turning the corner on the whole Lottie situation. Granted, Jade would have expected it to take a little more than a few days if that was the case. It was hard to tell with Joey where her head was at sometimes.

Maybe that’s what made her so exciting. The inability to anticipate what was going to happen next.

Jade let the neon girl do her thing, but gave her a fair warning. [color=9f1f19]“I haven’t been out shopping in a little bit so I don’t know just how on trend I’ll be, but you know looking hot won’t be a problem for a couple girls like us!”[/color]

Joey smiled, giving Jade a quick glance up and down. [color=b39cdc]“Oh you know it, girl!”[/color] She grinned, humming thoughtfully. [color=b39cdc]“You know what? Yes, I think this could work.”[/color] 

She walked forward, grabbing Jade by the wrist. Despite Joey’s smaller frame, she was able to successfully grab a doubtless, temporarily noisy Jade as she tugged at the taller girl’s arm  with her across the hall to her room. Immediately after, Joey rushed to her own closet. It was the same size as Jade's but outstandingly different in the variety of what joey had to choose from. She was always experimenting with styles and colors. Different leggings with tops that might reveal too much.

As she frantically tore the closet apart, a pile of clothes gathering on a section of the floor a few feet behind her, Joey was muttering to herself. On a dime, she stopped and turned around, seeing Jade just looking at her. [color=b39cdc]“Do you think you’re more glossy or casual sexy? Or maybe full on Dirty Christina Aguilera?”[/color] She mused. Joey’s mind was usually all over the place, but even though it might appear she had gone crazy, fashion was extremely near and dear to her heart and, well, if they truly were going to go clubbing tonight, it was important to Joey that they do it right. It was 2019, after all. Nobody needed to apologize for being a little extra. [color=b39cdc]“Or perhaps short skirts and low cut blouses?”[/color]

Jade did indeed object to the rough treatment she received as she was yanked out of her chair, and out of her room. But as she ventured into the formerly-shared room of Joey Hart, she couldn’t help but be impressed by the sheer volume of options that were at her disposal for the evening ahead. It made sense, given Joey seemed to live and breathe fashion whereas Jade was more than happy to rock a track suit if the situation wasn’t any classier than homecoming. Joey’s options seemed limitless, whereas Jade would have been stuck with the same two choices: the black dress, or the kinda grey but still black dress.

Joey seemed to have some ideas anyway, and while Jade fondly remembered the music video in question, she doubted that she had the ability to truly embody Miss Aguilera’s all-out, fuck-you mentality when it came to the outfit in that video. [color=9f1f19]“Probably more casual sexy. I don’t know if I can give everything away up front,”[/color] she finally answered. [color=9f1f19]“But, if I’m being honest, it’s not like I really had to try to be sexy to attract people. Most people just figure I’m a famous athlete and all and they just try to come right up to me. Which, I mean, given almost all of the people who do that are males, it’s just funny.”[/color]

[color=b39cdc]“Funny how?”[/color] Joey asked, curious. [color=b39cdc]“I mean, did you have any boyfriends at all?”[/color]

Jade shook her head. [color=9f1f19]“Nope. Never had a boyfriend,”[/color] she confirmed. [color=9f1f19]“I was always super focused on soccer when I was a kid, so I wasn’t really dating. Even then, my dad would have scared most high-school boys off pretty quick. Then here… I don’t know. Not a lot of guys I’d be interested in. Besides, I learned pretty quickly the company I prefer.”[/color]

It was a little bit of a reckoning for herself, but it was true. Jade just didn’t see it happening. There were so many strong women in her life she could look up to, and they seemed very happy in the company of other women. It made sense. Besides, guys couldn’t do what Joey was doing right now. [color=9f1f19]“What about that top?”[/color] she asked as she pointed to the red spaghetti-strapped garment still hanging in the closet.

An audible “a-ha” noise left Joey’s lips, redirecting her attention on the closet and the top that Jade suggested. She quickly grabbed the hanger and ran over to Jade, pressing it against the girl’s body to see how it looked. [color=b39cdc]“Yes that’s perfect!”[/color] Joey nodded, approving of Jade’s choice in tops. [color=b39cdc]“Low cut enough but not too much. It’ll compliment your natural caramel tone!”[/color] 

Already the Pixie’s mind began churning ideas for a skirt. She didn’t know if Jade was the type of gal to wear skirts at clubs, but with her legs, it would be a crime to not showcase them. [color=b39cdc]“And for the bottoms...”[/color]  She handed Jade the red top to hold as she sprinted back to her closet, sliding over a third of the hangers over until she grabbed a clipped hanger with a black, leather [url=https://i.imgur.com/mYqTIno.jpg]skirt[/url]. 

As she stopped in front of Jade, she smiled, leaning down on her knees and placing it firmly at Jade’s waist, somewhat smirking as the bottom of the leather skirt ended about an inch past her mid-thigh.. [color=b39cdc]“This is too hot not to wear. And with how great your hair will be after I’m done with it, you’re going to be a stunner, Jade!”[/color]

Jade looked at the skirt that her sorority sister selected and one, was stunned that Joey would have something like this in her arsenal, and two, thought it was a brilliant choice. There was no doubt that the skirt was made to show off her best feature, which was her legs. Years of training had made them finely sculpted pieces of art, although she never bothered to put them on display quite like this before. But it would work, right? Joey was a trendsetter, the style guru. She had to know this was the right choice. 

She took the chosen clothes in hand but did a double take when Joey mentioned the next step. [color=9f1f19]“Hair? What do you want to do to my hair?”[/color]

Joey stared up at Jade for a few seconds, smiling. [color=b39cdc]“Oh, nothing big!”[/color] She promised, standing up. Jade was a few inches taller than her. She ran her hands through Jade’s silky hair. [color=b39cdc]“Just going to give it a proper wash, spray it, dry it, and style it.”[/color] She immediately saw how wary Jade was and again tried to assure her. [color=b39cdc]“Relax, Jadey! Remember, this is my specialty.”[/color] She lifted herself up to her tippy toes to give Jade a quick kiss on the cheek. [color=b39cdc]“Leave it to me and I’ll make damn sure we’re smokin’ hot from head to heel!”[/color]

It was hard not to trust Joey in this instance. Again, she was well tuned into the modern looks, something Jade didn’t bother with at all. Plus… it was hard not to think it was cute the way she was fawning over her. Just the lift of the toes to run her fingers through Jade’s hair. The little peck on the cheek. That confidence that she only saw fall for that brief moment in time by the lake. It was endearing to be sure. [color=9f1f19][i]What was Lottie thinking?[/i][/color]

Jade flashed that megawatt smile of hers and nodded. [color=9f1f19]“OK. I trust you 100 percent, JoJo. Let’s get ready for the club!”[/color]

Whenever she heard anyone call her JoJo, it obviously opened up a fresh wound. Lottie always called Joey her amazing JoJo as though she was an enigmatic act about to wow and astonish a crowd. And, of course, she knew it because Joey herself was always so lively and full of contagious energy. But what clicked in her mind was a moment of sadness, a moment of loneliness that was too fresh for her own liking, but she shut that out. She hurt when called that name but Jade wouldn’t see it. Even if she had to bury it as deep as the Grand Canyon, she would and put on a smile.  

At least, once she found something else--or some[i]one[/i] else-- to focus on, she knew it wouldn’t be difficult. [color=b39cdc]“Yeah. There’s a lot of work to do for the both of us!”[/color] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/color]