Making Friends

Isabella took the card with a bright smile. Making new friends always felt good. And her duty as a Catholic would be made much easier if she had a relationship with the loving couple. After examining the card, Isabella asked, “What’s up with all the social media stuff? Back home, only the ‘cool kids’ used Twitter or Instagram. Mom runs the family Facebook, and what’s Snapchat?”

James and Jenny looked at each other, open disbelief upon their faces. Jenny was the first to find her voice, and she croaked out, “Did you live with the Amish?”

“N-no?”

“Oh. My. God. You are so innocent!” Incredulity moderating Jenny’s shocked town. She proceeded to explain social media to Isabella. For her part, Isabella took it in stride, calmly accepting the connectivity of social media.

“That doesn’t seem as scary as Father Ben preached about,” Isabella mused after Jenny’s lengthy explanation.

“No. Not at all. Just be careful of creeps and weirdo’s… Just like irl,” Jenny gently patted Isabella’s hand. She continued, “Not that you wouldn’t already know that. Bet the boys back home wouldn’t leave you alone.”

“Ha. I wish!” Isabella laughed. “I went to an all-girls school growing up.” The blonde looked around before whispering, “Once, I let a boy kiss me underneath the fairground.”

Both Jenny and James laughed uproariously. It was the kind of laugh that made Isabella slightly uncomfortable with its intensity, before Jenny set her mind at ease. “Oh, Isabella! You are such a rose. James and I couldn’t help but laugh, it’s rare someone has remained so pure so long today. It’s cute!”

Beaming from the adulation, Isabella whipped her phone out of her sweatshirt pocket and inputted Jenny’s phone number. Then she asked, “Jenny, can I send my number to James… I don’t want to presume anything on your boyfriend.”

“Go for it, Isabella! Just last night, I watched this stud work an Asian slut to the best orgasm of her life. A phone number’s nothing,” Jenny bragged, gently punching James on the shoulder. James pretended to be injured and Isabella blushed, wishing she had something to hide the blush that suddenly crept up her collar. Ducking her head, Isabella sent a quick hello with a smiley emoji to James.

One of the baseball players opened the cafeteria doors to exit, and the light wind carried a whisper to Isabella:

“Let’s bring that card up to your room, so you don’t lose it. You need to be able to contact the sinners to bring them into the light, after all.”

DC- 50

D100 + 5 = 55

Success

“Before I forget, I need to head back to my room… I forgot my ID and I want to preserve your card,” Isabella said morosely. She didn’t want to leave the engaging conversation, but she knew daylight was ticking by.

Before Isabella could stand, Jenny hurriedly asked, “Can the three of us get a selfie? For posterity?” The redhead looked earnest, and Isabella couldn’t help but agree, even though she felt nervous about the idea of being photographed with a sinner.

Jenny turned around in her chair and raised her phone, a pink Iphone with a black-gold case. She directed Isabella and James to get close, so they’d all be in the shot. James asked if he could put his arm around Isabella, who nodded her assent. The first picture was taken too early; Isabella had gotten close enough to smell the masculine smell of James’ cologne and her hitched breath gave her doe-eyes, Jenny stuck her tongue out in a fake raspberry, and the only one who smiled was James. The second photo was much better; everyone smiled and Isabella made the peace sign while James fixed the camera with an intense look of glee, and Jenny even seemed serious for half a heartbeat.

Breaking apart, Isabella stood up and created a small whip of wind that whispered:

“You know… the beach is always more fun with friends, so you could invite them to come with you.”

DC- 50

D100 + 5 = 55

Success

“I don’t know about y'all, but I’ve never seen the Ocean. Do either of you know a good spot?” Isabella queried, looking slightly embarrassed by her inexperience. Once again, James and Jenny looked momentarily stunned as they processed Isabella’s naivety.

“Hell to the yes can we show you around the beach!” Jenny squealed. Jenny looked at James with big begging eyes,“James, could you meet us at ‘the spot’?”

James rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, then answered, “For you babe? I’d bring the moon down. I’ll meet you there. I’ve got to process last night’s tape, then I’ll drive ya’ll there. Isabella, does an hour sound good to meet us at Student Parking Lot 5A?”

Isabella trying to contain her excitement half-squealed, “Yes! I can’t wait.”

“Hey, Isabella? Can I come with you to your dorm? James is awfully boring when he gets hooked into work,” Jenny leaned forward, allowing Isabella a deep view down her tank top.

After unconsciously swallowing, Isabella responded, “That would be awesome! But what about your swimsuit?”

“I’ll change in the car, James will be a dear and grab my yellow bikini. Right, Dear?” Jenny fixed James with a direct stare. To his credit, James just laughed it off, light reflecting off his lip-piercing before affirming her.

The girls walked out of the cafeteria side by side. As the door swung open, a whisper found its way to Isabella:

What was the game the two of them play? What do they mean? You have to know."

DC- 15

D100 +5 = 47

Critical Success

Isabella's Libido Increases by +1