Chapter Text
...
This is one of the worst ideas Lara has had. And that is saying a lot; Lara has a lot of bad ideas. But this is the worst one yet. Megan doesn't know what goes on in her mind; the craziest and most deluded things seem to come around. Maybe that's why they get along so well.
Megan supposes it comes from a good place. Doesn't make it a good idea though. There's like a million things that can go wrong with her idea. Megan doesn't even know why she's entertaining it.
It might have something to do with it being with Dani. Or maybe Megan wants to see how absurd she can get. And the fact that she can't get out of this. Trust her, she's tried.
Anyway, back to what she was saying, Megan can't believe what comes out of Lara's mouth as they sit on her couch. Well, not yet anyway. She's a good story teller; let her start from the beginning.
"We should do something for Dani." Lara says abruptly as she puts her phone face down on her couch. She had been furiously typing before her outburst; she finally decided to let what was eating at her into the air.
Ok, Megan can agree with that. That's not ridiculous at all to say.
"You're right. It's depressing to see her mope around. It's making me depressed." Megan pouts. Thinking about a sad Dani immediately makes a frown come on to her face.
"I know right. We need to help." Lara says, voice full of determination
Ok, so not the best story teller apparently. Left out an important detail. Maybe Megan should've lead with this, but Dani is dealing with a recent breakup. And it's safe to say she hasn't been taking it well. Megan doesn't blame her; she had been dating that guy (she prefers not to say his name right now while its still fresh, well not that fresh) for three years.
Megan isn't gonna say she had bad vibes about it him (she did) but she can't say it was ground breaking news to find out that he broke up with Dani after she told him about her up coming promotion.
You see, Dani had dancing in her blood; anyone could see it. Which is why Megan is holding a grudge against this guy; he should've seen this coming. Dani's talent and determination were gonna lead her to where she is no matter what.
Dani got a huge gig to be a choreographer for a big company and its gonna require her to travel. Apparently, shortly after Dani broke that news to him, Issac (oops accidentally name dropped; Megan had to hold back a gag), said he wouldn't be able to handle a long distance relationship.
Which Megan calls complete bullshit. They wouldn't even be considered long distance. Dani's new promotion would only require her to be away from home maybe 3 months out of the year. And that's scattered throughout the year. Megan thinks the guy couldn't handle that Dani was now (always was really) successful than him.
Yeah, Megan is gonna go with that theory. Men have fragile egos anyway; that's plausible. So Megan decides that he's lyinh. It's not good for her or Dani's santiy, but she will chalk it up to that over the flimsy excuse he gave. Megan finds it weird. For her, she's starstruck about all Dani's accolades and is proud to be even considered as her friend (she doesn't even know how and why Dani continues to stick around her. She's so lame in her own eyes and Dani is... well Dani.)
Megan personally would let someone like Dani step on her and thank her. So yeah, she's looking at this guy a little sideways. He's ungrateful in her eyes. He's lucky that he even got to call Dani his girlfriend.
Ok, for how much she's talking shit on the guy, he couldn't have been all bad. Megan will admit Dani seemed happy with him. He seemed to treat her well and pay attention, so it makes sense that Dani is still sad about it.
No he wasn't that bad. If he was, Megan would've seen this coming and not let happen. She had met him obviously; he was decent. Not perfect (which Dani deserved) but no one could be.
But she really has the urge to go and beat him up. The only reason she didn't is because Dani asked her not to. He shouldn't get to make her feel like that. It isn't fair. She doesn't deserve, she could never.
She deserves to always be her happy and bright self. She always deserves to look the happiest. And Megan wants to see it. As time passed slowly, Dani didn't seem as down. But she hasn't been the same. She's getting there.
But it has been a month; Dani hasn't been the same. Megan hasn't seen her dimple in weeks; its a travesty! She's considered calling the world's end. She's tried everything; being her usual goofy and sometimes questionable self. She's taken her out, alone and with Lara, she's made her game with her, she's even face painted her face to look ridiculous just to make her laugh. So yeah, she's open to listening to Lara.
Megan remembers when she came to her first. Her knock on her front door even sounded different. And she was right. She wishes she could forget Dani's tear stained face as she stood in her doorway. She cried like she was holding it in before she got to Megan. Megan didn't sleep much that night, not that she could.
So she has no choice but to nod along when she agrees with Lara. She really does, she wants Dani to feel better.
"What do you think we should do? We've tried pretty much everything. My brain is dry." Megan grumbles in frustration as she pushes her glasses up on her nose.
"I don't know, we'll come up with something." Lara huffs. Seems like her brain is dry too.
"I hope so, and it's gotta be quick. I don't like seeing her like this." Megan frowns
"Yeah me either." Lara nods along
"I just wish she could see that yeah, he was a good guy, I guess anyway. But there's like hundreds of other people that want her too. I don't know; she just seems so down." Megan groans
"Other people that want her to you say." Megan should've realized that that was the moment Lara was about to spew bullshit out of her mouth. But then again, she was too pissed off on behalf of Dani to know that.
"Yeah, anyone would cry tears of joy if they got her attention. There's so many people out there that wouldn't take her for granted, I know it." Megan says firmly
"I've got an idea." Lara says like a lightbulb goes off in her head
Megan has to admit that she sat up in her seat in anticipation. She thinks she'd do just about anything to help Dani to get back to her normal self.
"Oh thank goodness, what do you got?" Megan turns towards Megan
"We should make her a person who wants her; like you said, anyone would be happy to have her attention." Lara says
"Huh? I don't think Dani is ready to get into another relationship just yet. She's still really down about it." Megan tilts her head in confusion
"No, I just meant someone who can get her spirits up. You know, make her feel like the only girl in the world." Lara says
"And how do you suggest we do that? We've already tried." Megan asks
"She needs someone she doesnt know. She doesn't take us seriously when we say it; she thinks we're just being good friends." Lara explains
"Who are we gonna get to do that? And doesn't that sound a little wrong? Like lying?" Megan shifts, feeling a little uncomfortable at the idea that's still not clear to her
"We're gonna do it. And it's not lying; you mean it." Lara says. Megan is gonna ignore as she registers that Lara makes the statement singular at the end and makes her the subject.
"How are we gonna do it without her knowing it's us?" Megan is starting to lose hope in Lara's supposed plan.
"That my precious friend Megan, is gonna be up to our handy dandy friend social media." Lara stands up, as if she just did a mic drop
"Wait, wait. You want us to catfish Dani?" Megan says, she almost shouts it wit how ridiculous it sounds
"Shh, Dani is still here." Lara says frantically as she shushs Megan
Oh, she forgot about that. Naturally, Dani didnt want to do some of her sulking alone, so she's been spending the night with either Megan or Lara. It's Lara's night tonight.
"Sorry, but did you just hear yourself? We would basically be catfishing her!" Megan hisses out as low of a whisper as she can
"It's not catfishing, sorta kinda. Ok, maybe a little. I was just thinking about commenting on her photos or something. We just need a way for her to hear how we think of her." Hmm, curse Lara for sounding so reasonable. Megan can admit she's a little bit more on board than she was before. She still takes pause though.
"I don't know. That still sounds a little questionable." Megan says as she scratches her head
"Trust me I know. But it's my last resort." Lara admits
"So you know this is weird?" Megan asks
"Yeah, weird is what we do best. Plus, we can always stop if we think it goes too far; if we think it's gonna hurt her instead of help her." Lara assures
"Ok, yeah ok. That doesn't sound half bad." Megan mumbles hesitantly
"What doesn't sound half bad?" Dani's voice emerges from seemingly nowhere as she walks into the living room
"Oh, Dani! Uh nothing." Megan practically jumps out of her skin
"Very convincing Megan." Lara mumbles under her breath
"We were just saying dessert right now doesnt sound half bad." Lara basically saves her ass with the little white lie.
"Yeah, it doesn't. Let's go." Dani agrees. Well, that's progress; Dani hasn't wanted to go anyway besides work and the occasional breakfast for two weeks.
"Yeah, just let us get ready." Lara says before she pulls Megan by her sleeve to her bedroom
"Jeez." Megan mumbles as she feels Lara accidentally pinch her
"Ok, we're gonna take Dani out and then we'll talk about this later. It's gonna work, trust me." Lara says as she rummage to her closet
"I'm trusting you on this." Megan says reluctantly
...
So, they didn't really have a plan to bring Dani out, given that they were just trying to cover for themselves. So yeah, Megan was sweating buckets.
Megan has been paranoid the whole time the had been walking. She wonders if Dani heard any more of their increasingly stupid plan. She swears Lara is trying to telepathically communicate with her with Dani in between them.
Not now Lara! Megan is currently wondering of they should just abandon their halfway formulated plan. She's strongly considering it.
No time for that right now though; they had to focus on actually taking Dani somewhere like they said.
"So what are we in the mood for guys?" Lara asks as their arms are all intertwined as they walked down the sidewalk
"Um, I don't know. What do you want Dani?" Megan asks
"Guys you don't have to make it all about me." Dani chuckles
"We know, but whatever. We know you like sweets so you pick." Megan guesses they're not subtle in their tactics to cheer Dani up. She hopes whatever Lara has plan with this absurd proposition is better.
"Ok, let's go to the bakery. I want cake." Dani says as she basically drags them the direction she wants.
Normally Megan would complain, but she'll hold her tongue this time. Dani seems to be back in her own skin, even if its only for a little while. It's the least they can do; say yes that is.
Dani has looked like she's been out of her own skin these past few weeks, so yeah. Megan is gonna go along with what Dani wants to do.
"Eat to your heart's content. Me and Lara will pay." Megan smiles
"Megan will pay, since she's so chivalrous. Don't you just love Megan being chivalrous?" Lara teases. Megan can sense the meaning behind her words; it feels like shes trying to get something out of Dani. Something she's gonna use for her terrible plan.
"Yeah, so lucky to have her." Dani goes along with what she thinks is poking fun at Megan. Megan's cheeks flushed even though she knows Dani is just messing with her because Lara is.
"Ha ha. I'm about to take back what I said." Megan sasses
"No you're not." Lara says
"Yeah, she's not." Dani chuckles
"Well, I'm gonna prove you guys wrong." Megan says as she pokes her tongue out at them
Ok, turns out she does not. She even ends up paying for Lara. Whatever, they can run her pockets dry. Her willingness to roll over for her friends is what got her into the mess she's about to get in with Lara.
It's worth it. It's worth it when Dani reveals the first real smile Megan swears she seen in the past two weeks as they sit down. Dani can't wait she shrugs off her jacket and places it on the back of her chair, looking eager and jittery at the prospect of dessert.
Megan beats Dani to pulling out her chair. She doesn't know why she always reaches for it when she's with Megan. Megan makes it a habit to do it for her. It's just something she does for her.
"Thanks, I can do it myself you know." Dani chuckles as she sits down
"Yeah I know. And I can do it for you." Megan shrugs
"You can pull out my chair for me if Dani doesn't appreciate it." Lara jests as she stands up
"No, you got it." Megan laughs
"Rude." Lara scoffs
"So, Dani. Are you excited? Seeing the world and all." Megan asks as she turns towards Dani
"I wouldn't say seeing the world. But yeah, I can't wait to travel." Dani says with a smile. It doesn't reach her eyes though. Megan can tell something else came to her mind when she said that, and now she regrets even asking.
"Make sure you send lots of pictures." Lara chuckles
"I will. I'm happy. Happy that I get to have a fresh start. I...needed it." Dani holds back her thoughts. Her smile is deflating and Megan feels her mood deflate right along with it.
"Well, we're happy you're getting it." Megan says as she reaches for her hand
"Yes, this is the first celebration. Many more to come." Lara nods
"First?" Dani chuckles
"Yes, this deserved mutliple." Lara says
"Yeah, so get whatever you want. On me." Megan says
"How can I say no?" Dani shrugs
Lara eventually heads to the bathroom, leaving the two of them sitting side by side. Megan notices Dani get stiffer than even before. Like she thinks Megan is gonna notice something is wrong with one less person to look at.
Like she knows Megan pays extra attention to her (she does). She looks like she thinks if she breathes wrong, she'll start crying. She looks like she's walking on eggshells. She thinks Megan is gonna start coddling her if she so much as sees Dani furrow her eyebrows.
Well she's wrong. Ok, she's right. But Megan noticed something was up even before Lara headed to the restroom. She guesses she's just making it more obvious now that it's just the two of them.
"You're hovering." Dani mumbles before taking a sip of her coffee she got with her dessert. Megan choose not to point out that she can hear the tremor in Dani's voice. For her or Dani, she doesn't know. She just know it hurts both of them.
"I'm not, I'm just... sitting close." Megan refutes. Ok, pretty poorly she's gonna add. She is pretty close for no reason, well in Dani's face she supposes. She can't help it. She's just worried.
"Your eyebrows are furrowed. You do that when you're hovering. And that's basicallythe same thing." Dani chuckles as she points out.
"There, unfurrowed." Megan says as she runs her fingers over her eyebrows
"You're so weird." Dani says with a laugh. At least that makes her laugh. It makes Megan's heart ache a little less. She hopes it has the same affect on Dani.
"Ok, maybe I am hovering. I just- I noticed you were off and I wanna fix it." Megan admits as she grips at her own fingers, twirling her bracelet in an anxious manner. She doesn't know why, but seeing Dani like this makes her so antsy. Always has.
"It's not that easy. And it's not your job to." Dani says with a sigh. She sounded tired; it makes Megan think it wasn't the best idea to take her out tonight. Maybe they pushed too hard. Maybe Dani wasn't ready yet.
"I know it's not easy, but I'm gonna try. And I just want to, that's all. I didn't mean to make it sound like a chore. I just care aboutnyou." Megan assures as she offers her hand to Dani. She knows Dani doesn't want to hear her apoligize; she'd probably say something about how it wasnt their fault. So, that's what Megan chooese to say instead.
"Thanks. I'll figure it out, eventually." Dani sighs. Megan wants to believe her; she does. She just, selfishly, doesn't want it to take eventually; it hurts too much for her to see. She knows it hurts more for Dani; she scolds herself for her selfish in her own head.
"I'll be here." Megan smiles. She has to smile, just so Dani can see it. Maybe she'll smile back at her.
She does; it looks like the realest one in a while. Megan feels tears well up at the corner of her eyes at the sight. Ok, maybe she's being a lottle dramatic, but she does feel a little emotional about it. So yeah, she has to say something.
"You look pretty." Megan says softly as she looks at Dani with admiration
"I do not; I've been on the verge of tears for 5 minutes." Dani chuckles, turning her head away. Megan thinks she blushed; she's gonna imagine she did.
"Still, you look pretty." Megan shrugs
"You're just saying that to cheer me up." Dani says with a small smile.
"Maybe. But I mean it. Why won't you let me mean?" Megan furrows her eyebrows. She doesn't mean for her voice to crack and sound desperate. It just happens.
"I-I dont know." Dani seems taken aback by the statement. Megan wonders why.
She needs to know Megan means it without any doubt in her mind. She has to. Megan feels her heart clench at the thought.
She doesn't like seeing her sad. It feels wrong. So yeah, naturally she wants to fix it. And she feels a little helpless that she hasnt.
Megan really hopes whatever Lara has in mind works. Hopefully she doesnt end up regretting it.
...
Ok, so she's regretting it really bad already. She can fully say this is the most ridiculous thing she's participated in. She was willing to participate in ridiculous activities fo Dani's happiness, but now she was seriously considering sitting down an coming up with a plan of her own.
She's participated in many ridiculous things matter a fact; being herself being one of them. But she can confidently say this is the most absurd thing Lara has done (she's not willing to attach herself to this, so this is solely Lara's thing for right now).
And she doesn't say this lightly. It's not like Lara had all the time in the world to do this either; Dani has been over for a couple of days. So yeah, color her shocked when Lara opens her computer to a whole PowerPoint document to her supposed mastermind plan.
Lara sure is taking this time of Dani working and she and Megan being off wisely (well, Megan wouldn't exactly call this wise right now; but whatever)
"Lara this is insane. When did you even have the time to do this?" Megan is stunned truly. Lara has some how composed a slideshow with like 20 slides and she only came up with this 3 days ago.
Megan really doesn't wanna find out what shes thinking now. But she knows she's going to anyway.
"This, my dear Megan, is called being a good friend." Lara pats her shoulder.
"I mean yeah if you were looking to get friend of the millennium award." Megan jokes with a snort
"I am, in fact. I have good competition, so I'm gonna go all out." Lara says
"I'm gonna assume you're referring to me." Megan says, voice all prideful
"Yes, so. This is what I managed to come up with to one up you." Lara jokes
"Please explain this to me before I call to admit you into an insane asylum." Megan sighs with a rub of her temples
"Ok, so boom. Since our options ran dry, this is our last resort." Lara says as she clicks start on her presentation
"Did you put transistions in this? Why did you format it like a history project?" Megan has to stifle a laugh. It really looks like Lara spent a lot of time on this.
"Yes, I did. Now hush, it's important that you pay attention. You're like the main part in this." Lara says
"Wait, what do you mean I'm the main part? This is your idea; I'm just here for moral support." Megan shakes her head. Ok that's a lie, but she wasn't gonna tell Lara that yet.
"Oh babe please. You're the driving the bus; I just bought it." Lara chuckles. She's doing that smug, rich laugh she does when she's clued in on something Megan has no idea about (which is often).
"What does that even mean? Why are always speaking in metaphors and analogies?" Megan squints her eyes in confusion. If it's not already clear, she's getting a headache from all of this. She needs to go to sleep.
"You will find out in due time my dear. Now, back to business." Lara snaps her fingers
What has Megan gotten herself into?
And that question is being answered right now? And right now, Megan really wishes she never found out the answer.
"So, now that I've had more time to think about this, I think my plan is more concrete." Lara says
"Yeah, I can see that." Megan snorts out
"Hey, I put very hard work into this. Take it seriously. This is for Dani." Lara scolds
"Yeah, I am. I know. I wanna help her too. Nothing I want more right now." Megan admits
"Great, that's the energy I need. So please no more interrupting; we'll be here much longer than we need to." Lara says
"Ok, game face on. So what's the plan?" Megan asks
"So first, we need to actually make the fake account. That's the easy part." Lara says
"Ok, so we just use a random character picture and some lame quote and we'll be all set." Megan shrugs
"Uh, no. No wonder this isn't your plan. It can't be generic; Dani won't pay attention to any of that. It needs to be of substance. You know like an actual person." Lara scoffs
"I see someone put a lot of thought into this." Megan sighs
"And I can see someone didn't; which is why I made a PowerPoint. So listen up and pay attention. We'll actually make it later. Right now, it's important that you actually get what you're gonna be doing." Lara says
"I don't get why you keep saying me like I'm doing this by myself. You're doing this with me right?" Megan asks with a lift of her eyebrows
"Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Lara says with a smirk
"Wait, what? What does that mean? Lara!" Megan says with a shove of Lara's shoulder
"Relax and listen. You'll find out." Lara says
Megan will say again; what has she gotten herself into?
...
"Lara, is this really necessary?" Megan's groan and complaint is a little muffled by the fact that her hand is covering her face.
She already knows the answer to that question; Lara practically taped her eyes open so she could pay attention to the PowerPoint last night.
Just because Lara explained it doesn't make this less embarrassing. Just because Lara made sure she understood (that means going over her PowerPoint for like 30 mintues) doesn't make Megan more willing to do this.
"Yes Megan; thought you were paying attention last night. Now stop moving." Lara huffs
"Do I really have to have my hands over my face; it feels like such a fuckboy move." Megan groans
"Yes, she'll never know it's you. And girls like things like that." Lara shrugs off
"How do you even know Dani likes stuff like that? She doesn't seem like it." Megan mumbles under her breath
"Well what does she like? Since you're all knowing." Lara challenges
"I dont know." Megan mumbles. She does; it would've be a shame if she didnt. She and Dani have been friends for a while now, four years to be exact.
She just doesn't wanna tell Lara. She knows she's gonna make fun of her for it.
"Exactly, so just trust me. I know what I'm doing. Now stop moving or I'll never get a good profile picture." Lara says as she angles her phone
"Alright, fine. Just get this over with." Megan murmers, putting her hand back over herself face.
"Perfect. You're so lucky you're hands are like huge; looks like a guy." Lara says
"My hands aren't big!" Megan denies
"Yeah ok. Look, see." Lara turns the phone towards Megan
Ok it does look like a guy. But that doesn't mean her hands are big. It's just the lighting and the angle. It barely misses the black nail polish that are on Megan's short nails. The ring shimmers around her finger too.
"Yeah I was right. So what should be your handle?" Lara says, clicking next into the sign in progress
"I don't know." Megan shrugs. She doesn't think she's any good at things like that. She's not sure she's gonna be any help in that department.
"Oh what a great help." Lara says sarcastically
"Uh what about, um... something with Snoopy. I like Snoopy." Megan nods her head with a smile, proud of her creativity. Apparently Lara does not appreciate her efforts.
"Yeah no. That's so obviously you. Let'stry somethingless... dorky." Lara shakes her head
"Well thanks for taking my suggestion into deep consideration." Megan says with a pout and a cross of her arms.
"You're welcome. Let's not do anything corny like the guys do though." Lara says
"I thought you said Dani likes things like that." Megan teases
"Shut up, you know I didn't mean like that." Lara shoves her playfully
"Oh wait, what about Mario?" Megan head sprouts another idea
"Ok, I can work with that name. Where'd you come up with that from?" Lara asks as she starts typing
"You know like Mario Bros. I like Mario." Megan shrugs
"Don't even know why I asked. There were go, MarioKnows. Sounds like something a guy would do." Lara presses enter
"I thought we weren't doing that?" Megan asks
"Yeah well it was already corny, so might as well let some of your personality shine through." Lara jokes
"Ha ha. Very funny. So we're done right?" Megan asks. She knows they're not, she just doesn't wanna do anymore of this today.
"Oh no. We're just getting started." Lara smirks
"I hope you know I am deeply regretting this." Megan deadpanned
"Great, that means it's working. Now come on. Much work to do." Lara says as she pulls her hand towards her bed.
"How much more work?" Megan huffs
"Why, got somewhere to be?" Lara asks
"Yeah, Dani wants me to come over when she gets off." Megan nods. She can't wait to get out of here and head over.
"Yeah, you'll do great." Lara chuckles, like she knows something Megan doesn't
"Do what great? What does that mean?" Megan asks with a shake of her head
"Don't worry. Anyway, the next step in making this a believable account." Lara says
"Can't we just use pictures from Pinterest or something?" Megan suggests
"No Meg, believable and human like. Come on, how many times do I have to say it?" Lara says
"You're realy going all out for this huh?" Megan says
"Yes, and you're gonna help me. So, we do this and then we get Dani to post. It has to be new; commenting on a old one would look weird." Lara says
"Ok whatever you say." Megan shrugs
"So, should we make you older? Hmm, I don't know." Lara deliberates. She's not really asking Megam; more like thinking out loud.
"Um, does it really matter? Its not like we're gonna be like actually talking to her." Megan says. She doesn't see why her age of 19 isn't enough for whatever it is that Lara has in mind.
"Ok, I'll make you 20; your birthday is coming up anyway." Lara nods, completely ignoring Megan
"You're weirding me out; you're speaking like a mastermind of same evil plan." Megan scrunches her face up
"The plan is for good trust me." Lara assures with a wink
Yeah, Megan has a feeling this is gonna go well. But whatever, this is for Dani. It can't be all bad.
...
So stage 3 of the plan (yes Lara numbers them) starts today. They just have to get Dani to post so they can really get the ball rolling. Lara says this is the most important part of the plan. (Megan still finds it ridiculous about the way Lara is talking about all of this, but she has to be a good friend)
So, naturally. They take Dani out, again. Megan feels sort of bad; it's like they're doing this for ulterior motives. Well they kinda are. But Megan really likes hanging out with Dani, and they do all the time. She tries not to let the pit of guilt grow.
Lara seems to be doing just fine. Actually, she seems to happy. Like she knows this is going to work. Megan wonders what she has going on in her head (for the trillionth time.)
But Dani looks happy, really happy. She looks the most happy in the past few weeks. Megan is happy she contributed to that (even if she has another reason to; it's all linking back to Dani anyway.) She shouldn't feel that bad. Yeah, shes just gonna ignore the pit of guilt.
Dani's beauty is enough to distract her. Its as if the sun only rose to shine on her.
They chose the beach. Dani is about to go on her first trip for work soon, so Lara uses that as a guise. Megan isn't really focused on Lara's underlying plan though.
She's only focused on the childlike smile Dani has had on her face basically the whole time they had been out here. Her hair sticking to her face, the ocean water sticking it down. The water rolls off of her like she's in a perfume ad.
Her hands pat the sand as they make a sand castle. Megan remembers the whole day. How relaxed Dani looked laying on the towel. How playfully she was when the three of them splash water on each other.
Megan finally sees Dani's dimple in what felt like forever. If you can't tell, that's Megan's favorite part about Dani. (Close first competing with her freckles.) The way it stands out with her stark, bright smile. She has to resist the urge to poke into it every time she sees it.
Megan thinks she hasn't seen anything more beautiful. Actually she knows. She's already forgotten about Lara's plan, because wasn't this the goal?
All she wanted to see was Dani happy. And she thinks this is it. But Lara has other plans. Dani only fuels her fire unfortunately.
"Thanks guys." Dani says softly. Her eyes close as the suns light dims with the day passing by. She has a little tan now; it makes the freckles on her face stand out. Her puffed up cheeks look sunkissed.
"Of course." Lara sighs out as she leans her closer towards Dani
"No need to thank us. We were gonna miss you, one last hooray, so why not?" Megan smiles, her eyes closing as she too lays her head near Dani's shoulder
"She's not moving Meg, but yeah. Before you go, since we'regonna be working these next couple of days." Lara nods
"You guys are too humble for your own good. Best friends a girl could ask for." Dani chuckles
"I am a little ahead of Megan though right." Lara jokes
"Shut up." Megan snorts
"Picture, pictures. I haven't taken any in a while." Dani taps both of them with enthusiasm
Megan is suddenly reminded of Lara's side plan. Lara wouldnt let her forget, not with sly smirk she gives Megan as Dani reaches for her phone.
Megan thinks they pose for at least 50 pictures. Dani does love a good photo. Megan doesn't mind; not if it means capturing how happy Dani looks right now.
...
Ok, well she does mind a little now. Because here Lara is, looking the most ridiculous she has in a while. She doesn't know how many times she's said that, but she means it every time.
She's hovering over Megan and her phone like she's emailing her boss or something. In reality, they're been under the comment section of Dani's recently posted pictures of their beach day for like 10 minutes.
"Can we move this along; I'm burning my battery." Megan grumbles. She doesn't know why they couldn't do this on Lara's phone. This is her crazy plan after all.
"Patience Megan. We have to put something that gets her attention." Lara says
"This isn't gonna work." Megan sighs, crossing her arms
"Have some faith." Lara huffs
Lara sure has been taking her time. She doesn't have to worry about Dani being here, since she just left to go start packing. She's not out of state yet, little steps. But she's gonna be out of town for 4 days. She's a heavy packer.
Megan misses her already and she hasn't even left. Just knowing she's leaving soon is enough to make her feel off.
Lara seems to take advantage of it. She makes Megan pull out her phone as soon as they wave Dani off. So yeah, they've been working on this (as if it is a school project) since Dani left.
"Look, if you wanna get done with this sooner, you could have some input." Lara nudges Megan's shoulder.
"I feel like you're just gonna shoot my ideas down." Megan rolls her eyes
"So you do have ideas?" Lara smirks smugly
Of course she does, did Lara not see Dani? She has about 10 different compliments lined up in her head. She's just been quiet because Lara is gonna say its too poetic for a fake 20 year old guy though.
But she's running out of patience. So she might as well tell her. Maybe she can rework or whatever.
"Spill." Lara pokes at her
"Ok, ok jeez." Megan hisses as she rubs at her arm where Lara poked her
"Well?" Lara lifts her eyebrows
"I don't know. She looks really pretty in the sunlight doesn't she? Put something like the sun on rises just to kiss you or something." Megan says like its obvious. She's not even in the room with Lara anymore; she's too busy reminiscing about the way Dani looked with a flower in her hair, sand sticking to her skin.
She doesn't even notice that Lara is stunned speechless. She's back to gazing at the pictures. She's too busy observing how true she feels her statement is.
She blinks when Lara picks up the phone the phone and rapidly starts typing. Why is she typing like a mad man?
"Wait, wait. No that doesn't sound good. Like it's too intimate for someone who does know her, or who isnt supposed to. I guess I just can't pretend." Megan chuckles awkwardly. She doesn't know why a wave of embarrassment washes over her. She means it; it just felt like it meant more when she said it out loud.
"Oh too late. Already pressed send." Lara smirks
"What?! No, God Lara delete it!" Megan says as she frantically reaches for her phone
"Why, that was so good. It's definitely gonna work." Lara says. Lara's smile says more than being impressed. She looks smug.
"I should've never agreed to this." Megan says with a groan.
Hopefully this doesn't work.
...
Megan isn't on her phone much the next day (partially becasue of her, partially because of her schedule), so she doesn't know immediately if it had worked or not. She's more occupied with other things at the moment. Very important things.
Said things that are probably the reason her back is hurting right now, but whatever. It's worth it. She can't take being a little battered and bruised. She'd rather do that right now anyway. It gives her something to distract her from what she did last night. Which she does not want to talk about.
So instead yeah. She will focus on the additional labor she's doing on top of the job she just got home from.
Here she is, in Dani's apartment, trying to work through the mess that is her room. It looks like a dumpster fire honestly. Clothes are everywhere, hair products tossed across the room. Her shoes are piled like a mountain.
So yeah it's a bit of a mess. Slight understatement, but if Megan even thinks of the word mess, Dani is going to explode.
She was supposed to be helping Dani pack (she's a little depressed she even has to say that word). She's happy for her, really. But she's a little bit concerned about her resolve to spend 4 days away from Dani. She's seen that picture before and it was not pretty. So yeah, she's a bit unmotivated to help Dani coordinate her outfits with the activities she will be doing. She's moving extra slow so it seems like she has more time with Dani.
Doesn't really work; Dani scolds her every time she catches her moving at a snails pace. And by scolds, she means tossing a pair of socks at her and then getting mad when she loses them in the pile of clothes next to her.
They would've made more progress if Lara was here. She said she was busy with work. Megan thinks she was just busy with Manon; interesting thing she has going on with the girl.
Whatever, more Dani time for her.
"Megan, let's go. I still have to pack for two more days!" Dani shouts with urgency as she stands over Megan, who lays on her bed.
"We still have that much more to go?" Megan groans
"Yes, so let's go." Dani says
"I feel like you're packing for more than 4 days. Are you planning to sneak away, fake your death, assume a fake identity? Are you running away from us?" Megan rambles with sad eyes in a panic. It's a joke, not serious. Mostly...
"Oh my gosh, you're so dramatic! I'm just making sure I'm prepared." Dani lets out a laugh at Megan's absurdity.
"Just making sure I was ready to properly mourn you if you were. So, just two more days right? You know, I'd be an excellent runaway partner." Megan says as she pushes herself off of Dani's bed, that is also littered with clothes.
"Yes you idiot. Plus, I wouldn't leave you behind if I did run away." Dani reassures as she nudges Megan's shoulder.
"Good to know. So, back to the packing." Megan sits up, hands clapping together.
"Ok, ok. So, casual formal or casual informal?" Dani asks as she holds up the two options
"I didnt know you could be casual in a workout outfit for dance." Megan says as she tilts her head.
"Yeah well I have to be now. They're important people." Dani huffs.
"Ok, I get it. Tell me what you really wanted me over here for. I can help, you know I can. Always do." Megan reassures with a smile. She was able to see right through Dani after the sigh of stress she lets out.
She's stressed, she's nervous. She needs someone to reassure her and help her practice. They're done this before. Megan likes to think that she's the first person Dani calls when she needs help.
"I was trying to distract myself from that, by the way." Dani rolls her eyes affectionately at the dopey smile Megan has on her face.
"Yeah, I could tell. But you can't distract me. So, what's up?" Megan asks as she crosses her hands over her lap.
"Ok, well I just wanna practice my introduction before I actually do it. I didn't like doing it in the mirror." Dani chuckles awkwardly
"Ok, so I'll be the big, mean, intimidating students." Megan says as she morphs her face into the character Dani needs her to be.
"You're not intimidating in the slightest with those eyes." Dani says with a snicker.
"Don't insult the audience Dani; not a good move." Megan warns playfully
"Ok, ok. I'm a little delayed on getting into character; gimme a second." Dani says as she shuts her eyes
"Ready when you are." Megan says patiently
"Most people aren't that nice by the way." Dani mumbles as she blinks her eye open for a second.
"I'm not most people." Megan says with a smirk
"You're annoying." Dani says softly
"Ok, you already walked in the room like you owned it right?" Megan teases
"Megan." Dani shoots her a glare that falls apart with a laugh
"It's a serious question. Ok, ok. Start." Megan gestures
"Mmh, alright." Dani says before taking a deep breath
Megan doesn't know why Dani was stressing. She gets through her whole introductory speech thingy without a stutter. Megan knows she wouldn't be able to that. So, yeah, definitely a success in her book.
She maintains eye contact with Megan, demeanor like Megan's actually a student she will be talking to. Her voice was clear and anyone who wouldn't listen to it would be dumb not to.
She's going to do great at this dance conference workshop event thingy (Megan doesn't really know what to call really. No matter how many times Dani explains it to her, which only like twice, she can remember everything else except that.) She has no doubt in her mind that everyone will be talking about Dani by the end of it.
"Bravo, bravo. I had no doubt. I knew-" Megan claps proudly before she's cut off.
Next thing she knows Dani tackles her on her bed to wrap her into a hug. She lets out a puff of air when her back hits the bed, not expecting Dani to attack her with affection so suddenly.
Which she is not complaining about. Dani's hugs are the best. They're all warm and comforting. Megan can feel all the words unsaid in that embrace.
"I don't think you'd hug students you just meet, but you do you." Megan jokes as her hand comes up to rub Dani's back.
"Don't ruin the moment." Dani mumbles against her neck after a snort at Megan's joke.
"That is my specialty." Megan responds
"Thank you." Dani says softly
"Of course. I'd always-"
"I know; you'd always for that for me. Which is why I'm saying it. I-I can't tell you how much I love you for being what you are to me. Through all of this." Dani mumbles, face still in Megan's neck, her breath warm against her skin.
Megan blinks at the words. She doesn't know how to respond. It hits her in the chest, warming her whole body. She thinks she's disassociating with everything that isn't Dani right now.
Suddenly she can feel how tightly Dani's hands grip around her shoulders, like she's the only thing keeping her afloat, loke she's considering bringing Megan as her emotional support item on her trip. She can almost feel how tightly Dani closes her eyes to let herself feel the hug.
"I love you, that's why." Megan says sincerely as she rubs Dani's skin.
"Yeah I could tell." Dani chuckles, gripping into Megan once more.
"Being humble would be great." Megan jests
"Whatever." Dani lets out with a sigh.
She guesses they're gonna have to finish this packing business later. Dani never fails to fall asleep on her shoulder.
...
She wasn't thinking about it, she really wasn't. She's glad she was distracted enough to put it in the back of her mind for a bit. She wasn't questioning Lara's sanity and digging into her palms anxiously for a period of time. She hadn't had any time to check, not until after Dani left (which was agony).
She had let it sit until the last moment, until she couldn't anymore.
So it doesn't work. Megan is glad. Well, she thought she would be. No, no, she is she means. Yeah she is. Yeah it would've been nice for Dani to recognize her heartfelt words. But she's relieved.
They give Dani two days to do something and nothing happens. Megan doesnt know why Lara thought it would. Dani doesnt have time to look through and find a miniscule comment. She's pretty popular on Instagram; her job only helps that. She probably gets tons of comments like that. Megan doesn't see why this one would magically stand out.
Now Lara can see this ridiculous plan will not work. She doesn't know what Lara was going for actually; that part was kind of vague. Maybe a like, a comment, a follow; Megan doesn't know. Megan just knows the more she thinks about it, the more it sounds like it won't work.
But, Lara seems determined, like really determined. Megan opens her room door to see Lara, not defeated and moving onto another tactic, but more smug than she had been before.
"What is going on?" Megan knows that look on Lara's face. She's planning something. She shouldn't gave even asked. She should've just forfeited her room and left.
"Dani has granted us opportunity for our next move. She posted. So get to work conjuring up more poetic shit." Lara says, pointing at Megan's phone
"Lara, it didnt work. Let's just figure out something else." Megan sighs. She knows it's gonna take longer than that for Lara to snap into her senses.
"Babe, we don't give up after one try. That's lame. Come on, she comes home tomorrow. We can stop if it doesn't work after that." Lara shrugs. She's completely unfazed huh? Not great for Megan.
"Uugh fine. And it wasn't poetic, it just came to mind." Megan shrugs. She gives up so easily because she doesn't really have the energy to argue with Lara. Even if she had the energy, she probably would've lost.
"Yeah, if you say so. Come on, chop chop." Lara says
Megan doesn't have to take long to come up with something. It's natural as she sees Dani's smile beam with the skylights. The colors of her outfit ( she's wearing the one she let Megan picked out) Dani has mutliple pictures of herself posing on the balcony of her hotel. (She always does that; claims she can't pick with all the good angles she has.) She looks beautiful. Well Megan can do better than that...
Fine, she'll do this once and then she'll be happy to put this fake account behind them. Just this one more time, she thinks to herself as her fingers to the keyboard swiftly.
She lets Lara proof read and teases her for a good ten minutes before, after she already proof read it her first for 5 minutes. She just wants to make she said the right words. She definitely won't be missing that part; the stress, but mostly Lara's teasing.
She presses send, less scared than last time (she thinks Dani won't notice this one either; it makes her less nervous) and closes her phone. Not expecting anything of it, she lets out a sigh before getting into her night routine.
Nothing bad is gonna happen, right?
...