My smoothification began with a trip to Peaches Beauty Salon. Sounds a little suspect, I know, and I haven’t had the best luck with salons of any kind, but it’s the only game in town, and I was desperate. I needed a new outfit, you see. I wanted to look, well…edgy. And in reality, I’m about as edgy as a bowl of jello.
So I told the stylist at the salon about my desire for supreme edginess, and after she recovered from a severe bout of laughter, she looked me up and down, took measurements, and said “hmm†about a hundred times.
“You’re gonna have to wear heels,†she said finally.
“Heels? Are you sure that’s necessary?â€
“Do you want to look cool or not?â€
“Yes. I want to look cool. But I also want to be comfortable.â€
“Hmm, yeah, not possible.â€
I sighed, and pondered, and stared at myself in the mirror some more while the stylist looked at her watch.
“Oh, all right,†I finally blurted. “Do your worst! I mean best!â€
Ten minutes later, I was dressed in leopard print, an insanely short skirt, and insanely tall boots. Oh, and sunglasses. For a party at night. Did I mention the leopard print?
I gave the lady a bunch of money for that mess and trudged up the hill past Bellow’s Swamp, grumbling all the way.
And then I saw The House.
It rose out of the foliage like some kind of mothership, all white and glowy and pristine. I could tell right away it was probably an awesome place to have parties. And I’m not even a party person. But come on…a hot tub…and a SWIMMING POOL? I hadn’t been in a swimming pool since the Ambassador’s house in Riverblossom Hills. I LOVE to swim! Oh, how I wanted to fling off this ridiculous costume and dive into its cool loveliness!
And yet…I remained calm. Placid. Like the surface of said pool.
I found Gavin inside chatting with my neighbor, Colette. They were talking about music, of course, but instead of jumping in and making an annoyance of myself, I stood off to the side and surveyed the room. It was just as sleek on the inside as it was on the outside. A little dark, though. (I kept forgetting I had sunglasses on.)
Eventually I caught Gavin’s eye, and he wandered over to say hello.
“Glad you could make it,†he said with a genuine smile. “You look…well…different. I mean…huh.â€
“Thanks,†I said, glossing over his non-compliment. “This is an amazing house.†I was relieved that I was wearing sunglasses so he couldn’t see my googly eyes. (Maybe that awful stylist lady really does know a thing or two about being cool.)
“Yeah, I’m lucky I get to live here. I’d never be able to afford it by myself, but with seven other people, it’s perfectly do-able.â€
I can think of something else that’s perfectly do-able…did I just write that? Fran! Down, girl. You’ve never even had a first kiss, let alone a full woohoo. How would you know what’s “do-able�?
Once again thrilled that my sunglasses were covering up my eyes and all of the dangerous thoughts that were swirling behind them, I gave him my most mysterious of smiles and tried to be as un-puppy-dog-like as possible.
Just then one of his housemates hollered at him from across the room, and he signalled that he would be right over.
“Well, help yourself to refreshments…hot beverage machine…whatever,†he said, still grinning at me. “I’ll catch ya later.â€
His look lingered hopefully for a moment, and then he was off across the room. I watched him for a second, then played the little game of “look anywhere BUT at him†and focused on the other party guests. But inside, I was elated. I mean, it could have just been my imagination, but I could have sworn he looked at me like maybe, just maybe, he was perhaps a teensy tiny bit interested…in me. Me!
I think it’s gotta be the boots.
Yes, thank you, stylist lady. You were right. Heels are cool. But I’m only wearing them on very special and rare occasions, because Yooowww! My toes were all scrunched up, and I felt like my legs had been wrapped in duct tape. Not a pleasant feeling.
(continued on Page 4)
Oh. My. Gosh.
I laughed all the way through. You are a gem, my dear! I love reading what you write! Fran is adorable, and her evil house and hunky “friend for now” are so totally awesome. This was a great way to end my day… I’m off to bed chuckling, luv! xx
Er, Jen, I think my washing machine and Fran’s might be related. I swear mine’s possessed, what with walking halfway across the garage, and odd little beeps all the time! And, my anti-spam word was nectar! Um, yeah, I went about five hours without coffee this afternoon since me and two mates went fishing at Cobden Beach, and the catch-up caffeine is making me a bit weird, sorry about that! Great update, though I don’t know how anybody could have possibly walked in those boots!
I am with WM, I laughed the whole way through and had to abandon my cup of tea for fear of it coming out of my nose! I am so in love with awkward little Fran, she is beyond awesome and I am excited to know what she gets up to next time.
My spam word this time was “Waffles”…. yum!!!
Yay a hug that’s definitely a step up! Perfect story before bed. Now I’m sure I’ll dream about what is to happen next tonight.
I been thinking she needs to get a pet. Sadly we only have fish, but maybe that’s what she needs to keep a fish friend to talk to. Sry very random thought lol.
One should always be careful when complaining about things at home. You just never know what electrical appliances and doodads might be listening … waiting for you to say something that will cause them to run amuck! O_o But it is very nice that Fran found someone to talk to … someone that didn’t freak her out. It’s always nice to have gal pals. Plus … I’m curious about this “Murt” guy. Perhaps if things don’t work out with Gavin, she could meet “Murt”. ;O)
Oh dear. That whole situation with Gavin at the Green Bar Place … very not awesome. Poor Fran. :O(
Aside from the sunglasses, Fran looks totally cool. :O) Hehe. She’s got more guts than I have, that’s for sure! That house IS really cool! And I’m so proud of Fran for being so nonchalant and unassuming. And it’s about time that he noticed her a little bit! The boots really do look painful (even though they’re still cool).
Yay for hugs!! And … she wears her sunglasses at night so she can, so she can … well, you get the idea. ;O) *snicker* Darn burglar. what the heck does Fran have that interests the burglar.
I wonder what caused Gavin’s sudden turn around. Maybe he’s more comfortable being at home and not working when interacting with chicks. ;O)
Great update as usual.
How cool is Fran? Too cool!! Love the possessed house, the nectar/sugar high, the googly eye convo, the cool leopards and pinching boots – loved it all!! You had me wanting to slap Gavin for a mo’ but he redeemed himself in the end. Definitely looking forward to the next chapter Jen!
Yay Fran! I love her new look, even if its just cool for a party. It looks fab on her. And I adore the boots. so edgy! *cheers*
I adore Fran so much it hurts! I may have said this before but I love your writing and the awesome sense of humor in each and every chapter. I laughed from start to finish. Keep up the great work!
Oh dear I laughed so hard, Fran and her crazy insane house…maybe she is haunted and she doesn’t even know yet, some spooky ex-islander or who knows.
She looked really cool in her new outfit, you were really brave to let the stylist choose- i am usually too much of a chicken to do so, but she got lucky…she really looked very nice and party like, though the shades made me laugh. I suppose it can be a so-called rockchick outfit, i mean thouse rock people always wear shades and as Gaving is guy who does music…It is all very fitting.
Fran am looking forward t oyour next update!
Personally I’d have told Gavin the Godlike Guitarist to go shove his head up his jacksy if I’d been Fran – but she seems to like him, go figure. There’s no accounting for taste!!! Love the dark shades on a dark night and the uncool coolness of Fran. She really is a complete square and just brimming over with oodles of personality because of it. You write her up as if you geuinely like her, Jen ;)
I love reading about her, she makes me smile and want to read more :)
I felt really sorry for Fran when she left the Green bar. But her coolness was hilarious, and I lolled at the do-able debate she had in her head :D
MOST excellent, as always. I read one page, did something else for awhile, read another, etc., to extend the time I was able to enjoy this update. Your updates always make me want to play, but alas, my game never looks as good, or feels as right, as you make it sound :).
oh i am so happy you have returned fran!! thank you x a million!!
“OMG” was exactly how I thought to begin my comments as well, but the idea was already taken! Actually, I could copy-paste what WebbyMom wrote: I laughed to tears, and you have a new reader: my boyfriend, who was wondering why I was laughing like a silly in front of my computer. *lol* Everything was so funny, from the house being alive to her new friend around a glass of nectar, her stylist make-over (I got that one too!), and her party at Gavin. *wipe away tear of laughter* You’re great, Jen, I’m so happy to know your blog! It’s a real bubble of fun. :)
If Fran has a fan-club, I’m member of it!
Since I’m a complete slacker and didn’t get to read these fast enough to make the allowable comment window, I’ll put all my comments here. ;)
==Comments for “The Little Blue Hut”==
Poor Fran, burning her first meal in her brand new home RIGHT ON THE BEACH! Even if the food isn’t the best, the scenery is. :D (Love her table “centerpiece” too. *giggle*)
HA! *gigglesnorts* Yes, Fran, at least you’re in good company with having issues with the treadmill. *snickers*
I agree, living on a tropical island, you shouldn’t sit inside and watch TV all day. *nods*
Good luck with your garden!
Ooo, poor girl. *comforts Fran* Falling into water is bad enough; falling into a swamp? Blech! Good gracious, this girl is cursed, isn’t she. *blinks* Burns her waffles, can’t catch a “real” fish to save her life, and even burned her marshmellows? *shakes her head*
==Comments for “Two Steps Forward”==
YIKES! I didn’t know the stuff could explode either, but I’m not surprised Fran figured out how to do it. *snickers*
She’s lucky she’s got an uncle who can help her with some tips on this stuff. *chuckles*
Woot! Congrats on a successful fishing expedition AND cooking food that’s still edible! *cheers*
I’m glad she’s trying to not be a hermit! (And beautiful scenery she gets to jog in!)
Ooo, cute guy! And gotta love musically inclined men. *swoons* It’s too bad the mom’s didn’t take their kids home so you could enjoy the music and the waterfall a little better. But gratz on the fish!
*snickers at Fran* Interesting choice of name suggestions. *giggles* “the edges of the peanut butter jar of my soul”?!? *blinks* WOOT! You scored his number! You go girl! *cheers*
Twallan’s Whoohooer mod?? I never even heard of this! Is it on the main site with the main story progression thing? That’s AWESOME!!
==Comments for “How to Be Cool”==
*peers at Fran* I’m so sorry to hear your house has turned against you. *can’t believe she just “said” something like that*
It may be a lot of money, but it’s probably money well spent to have a professional come fix everything at once for you. *comforts Fran* And maybe you’re right, your house is turning against you.
You complained about spending money on a handyman to fix up her house, but she’ll spend twice that on liquor and call it good? *tickles Fran*
Oh, poor Fran. :( Ouch. *sighs* Well that kinda sucked.
*blink* Nothing like sending mixed messages, Gavin. *winces at Fran* I hope you can pull off smooth, honey. I really do.
Fran, you do look good in the outfit. Now learn to WORK IT, GIRL!
That’s some nice boarding house Gavin found himself living in there.
It might be the boots. They are pretty Hot Babe kinda boots. But it may also be that you look very kewl in your new threads and fit them well. Very cool that he not only sought you out again but also asked you to dance. *cheers*
*snickers* Poor Fran. Even when being the epitome of cool, is still the essence of Fran. Glad your neighbor saw the burglar. *giggles*
Don’t stress so much about the fine line of gameplay and story-telling because you definitely seem to have it right. :D