"I ... just try to be polite."
"Too much sometimes. Girl, you need to stand up for yourself a bit more."
"I know," Beli admitted, "But Karma's a very real thing. You get what you give."
"So that justifies guys being complete jerks to you?"
Well, there's another one you're not winning, Beli thought to herself, shaking her head as she merely dropped the topic. Luckily, there was something else to focus on as Kyanna spoke up once again.
"Well, look at that. Someone who knows how to reply properly about your height. Already off to a good start, huh?"
Beli's mouth opened, but then she paused. She was originally going to quip back about this not being a set up or date .... but then, she didn't want to risk coming off as rude. It would have been accurate in some sense, but even still. Instead, she allowed her smile to widen as she nodded in agreement, "Fine, fine. Fair enough. It definitely is reassuring to see and meet someone that breaks the stereotype of the usual men I meet. You won't hear me dispute that."
"Well ... I can't exactly control your thoughts, but I do appreciate the reassurance."
Now it was Kyanna's turn to smirk as an eyebrow rose. She briefly pulled Beli a few paces away, whispering into her ear, "You think he's hot, huh? It's okay. I don't blame you."
"I-I mean ... yes, but he's being honest. And definitely more a of a gentleman than most. Maybe it wouldn't be the worst for someone like him to dwell on your words? K-Kyanna, what are you trying to prove?"
"Nada," Kyanna replied, going back to her spot she'd been standing in. Beli clicked her tongue as she stood beside Kyanna, looking curiously over at her friend. "What's gotten into you today, anyway?"
"Nothing yet."
"Kyanna!" Beli exclaimed, her face somehow turning even darker than it already was.
The Latina busted out laughing, clearly having too much fun in being able to make Beli blush. "You're too easy! You set yourself up way too perfectly. But for real? I don't know. I just feel really good. I have been over the past few months, honestly. Like things are steadily falling into place and I'm on an adrenaline high or something from it. I'm sorry. I know that's a vague answer ... but it's something I can't pinpoint exactly, but I can definitely tell it's there. Whatever it is ... it's a really amazing feeling."
"It .. must be. You're not usually this ... bold in your jests."
" ... Am I really that stoic or something?"
"You can be, at any rate."
Kyanna shook her head at the thought, "I need to loosen up," she muttered, finally shifting her gaze back over to Xander as he voiced his thoughts on where to go. "Get out of my head! I was literally just thinking about Vinnie's, but ..." A slightly concerned look appeared on Kyanna's face. "Are you sure? Vinnie's isn't really known for being the cheapest place around, so I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to think that over."
Apparently, though, he seemed just as happy at the thought. In fact, he listed more reasons than either woman expected as to why he was fine heading over there. Kyanna flashed him a smile of approval. "It's a deal then!" She then looked back over to Beli, "And don't you even start with your weight nonsense. You're only fourteen pounds more than me. Count them,
fourteen. That's
not that much. Besides, you can work them off just like I intend to."
" ... One of these days, I'll be the one figuring out a way to embarrass you, you know?"
"I doubt that. You literally just said it not too long ago. You get what you give. Is that what you'd really want back?"
" .... Fair. Anyway ... if you're really sure, Xander, that'd be lovely. I'm game."
"Sweet! Same as me! I'll let Tiffany know I'll need her for a bit longer than I originally planned, but she won't mind at all. We'll meet you at Vinnie's in ... what? One? Two hours?"
After hearing the answer, both Beli and Kyanna walked out the door, keeping it open long enough for Xander to join them. Beli would pull a key out and lock the gym up. Other people had their own sets, so it wasn't like people would be locked out forever. After bidding one another farewell, everyone headed back to their respective homes.
Showering would be the first thing both women would do, with getting dressed being part two. Funnily enough, despite the two women being apart, they seemed to read one another. They were clearly contemplating their attire choices carefully.
"This must be quite the guy if you're putting in this much effort and all," Tiffany teased from outside of Kyanna's room.
"He actually is. I feel good about at least being near him, even if nothing permanent comes from it." A brief pause hung in the air before she took the chance to take a jab at Tiffany, "Are you jealous?"
"A very small bit. But I'm not in a huge rush to find anybody, either. I'm happy for you. You've had the misfortune of losing a loved one, so ... I feel you need it more than me. You or Beli, really."
"Yeah, definitely Beli if not me. She's got too many insecurities over petty things. The poor girl needs someone who'll accept her and help her realize she's perfect as she is."
It was ironic that one of the people who preached and was best with self-love topics also tended to be their own worst critic. Kyanna thought as much, anyway. In the end, she dismissed the matter and got dressed in what could easily be described as a checkerboard patterned outfit. Black and brown diamonds covered the top, while the bottom consisted of a black skirt with some lines going across, just underneath the hem. Admittedly, the skirt was a bit short. It didn't even touch her knees.
But Kyanna didn't care enough to get into something else. A lot of her outfits were just as bold and, frankly, she loved them. Opting to keep her hair down as opposed to styling it up, she nodded, looking very satisfied with her appearance, before finally opening the door up. "For your extra time," she insisted as she pressed some money into Tiffany's hands.
Tiffany merely clicked her tongue but accepted the money. She gave Kyanna a wave as she walked quickly but quietly out, at least making sure to avoid waking Phillip up from his nap. "Have fun!" she called out in an audible enough voice that Kyanna could hear.
Beli, meanwhile, was debating between her favorite purple outfit ... or one that was more Indian in appearance and style. Shouldn't she switch it up? Xander had literally met and seen her in the purple outfit already. Sure, she had clean and multiple versions of that outfit, but ... change was good every now and again. Wasn't it?
"Then again, sometimes simpler is better .... isn't it?"
But her purple outfit wasn't exactly
plain, and certainly not elementary. It was, however, something she was comfortable and familiar with. So ... even if it may indeed bite her in the rear, she got into a clean version of the purple outfit. "Hope he won't mind too much," she muttered, jumping slightly as a honk from outside resounded.
Somewhere in between showering and getting ready, she must have been too focused, because on Beli's phone was an unread text from Kyanna. She'd hinted she would get them both a taxi that would drive them to Vinnie's. "Crap!" Beli muttered, taking a few moments to swiftly straighten her hair out before hurrying out of her house, panting slightly as she got into the back with Kyanna.
"Took you long enough."
"I know, I'm sorry."
Kyanna shook her head as she rubbed Beli's arm reassuringly. "It'll be worth it. Besides, we're not late."
Within twenty minutes, the pair would arrive. Kyanna handed the fare money over before stepping out after Beli had already done so. They then looked around ... seeing about finding Xander and if he was waiting for them. Or, for that matter, if he'd already arrived.