The problem with an afternoon nap was that it messed up what terrible routine Nora already had. Supremely alert now for dinner, she found another container of her father's prepped meals and saw that it was more hearty than the salads. Still lots of vegetables, but the brown rice was satisfying. As she ate on the kitchen counter she flicked through the feed on her phone.
She followed a few friends, a few tech blogs and a science paper. There were a couple of make-up tutorial girls she liked too. One mainly did incredibly elaborate face painting to make herself look like an actual painting or Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean or something. A couple of them had moved on to becoming 'fitness' models though, which was a little annoying but she couldn't fault them for earning more money. Every so often she scrolled past a girl with proportions so perfect even she had to stop and stare. She knew there were a lot of specific angles being used and clever poses to hide imperfections, if not downright photoshops, but she still couldn't help but compare herself to these pouting models. She wondered. If she could keep up this exercise regiment, did she have a chance of looking like this blonde twenty something with her long legs and flat stomach, posing like a slutty mermaid on the bow of a yacht, somehow balancing a flute of champagne in her fingers? She snorted at the ridiculousness of that particular photo and flicked it away.
There was a sigh, not sad or angry or feeling sorry for herself. Just whatever. And she kept eating. The broccoli was really tasty. It crunched pleasantly as she chewed. She had no idea how her father accomplished the feat of seemingly completely healthy food that was delicious to boot. There was a ping. Nora saw an icon indicating a new message from Dashe and smiled before she even read it.
Dashe: I'm back bitch!
The smirk stayed on Nora's face as she tapped a reply.
Nora: Weren't you meant to swear less after going to that thing?
Dashe: Some fuckin idiot cut me off on the highway and already fucked that up so oh wells. At least I managed to make it back to civilization before picking up my phone again.
Nora: I wouldn't call where you live 'civilization', but I missed how aspirational you are.
Dashe: I miss your SASSpiration and your ASSpiration darling
None of that made sense but she laughed anyway. She had missed chatting to Dashe. She missed her best friend. Dashe had moved to the other side of the country just over two years ago for her dream job, but she would still send messages to Nora daily, almost incessantly if Nora replied enough.
But Dashe was also very mindful and the sort of person who would do something like go to a week long silent meditation retreat to recenter herself. It involved a group of people travelling to some cabins up in the mountains once a year to do nothing but sit and not think in complete silence. No talking to anyone for the whole week. No internet either, and obviously no phones. Completely switch off and disconnect from the world. Reset her brain, she would say. Nora wasn't completely convinced it wasn't just a cover for some weird secret sex thing. Dashe had assured her the sex only happened after she 'reached out' to some of the other mute attendees a couple of days later to really 'recenter' themselves, as in crawl back into the center of Dashe's bed.
Dashe: So what'd I miss?
Nora thought about it and was coming up short. She had basically been buried in work the whole time Dashe was away and there really wasn't much gossip to be had. As she gnawed on some carrot she tapped her reply.
Nora: Not a lot. Work's been swamped but manageable.
She didn't want to sound like a complete bore, so quickly added to her message.
Nora: I got a personal trainer though. Been workin out ;)
Dashe: ooooo work it girrrl lol
Nora rolled her eyes and put her phone down to eat. Another ping and she saw a photo had been sent. She opened it to see a picture of Dashe doing her best E-girl winky face while holding an opened box of makeup under her chin.
Dashe: It arrived!
It was an expensive kit, mainly a lot of different shades of smoky eyeshadows along with various other eye related makeup. Nora always admired how well her friend could accentuate her natural beauty with a bit of exquisitely applied mascara and eyeliner. Maybe it was those big amber green eyes that the chestnut haired girl had that were rather engaging on their own anyway.
Though Nora had a tendency to compare her own appearance to her slimmer, and Nora thought objectively more attractive friend, she never felt lesser when they went out together. Dashe's confidence almost rubbed off on her, and her friend would always compliment the reason a particular dress looked incredible on Nora, and how obvious that should be to Nora or anybody else in the club that laid eyes on her.
She was so genuine Nora could believe it, that that guy buying them drinks wasn't only interested in getting in Dashe's tight pants but that his friend really did think Nora was hot and, in every case, his friend turned out to be thrilled he got her number. Boy did Nora miss those rare night outs that Dashe convinced her to go on occasionally, if she didn't feel too bloated or otherwise icky at the time. At least after Dashe moved away she no longer had to bail on her friend on plans at the last minute. Dashe always made that flakiness seem like it was no big deal to her, more concerned about Nora's well being instead. It appeared Dashe hadn't changed in that regard.
Dashe: A PT is great!
Dashe: So...
Dashe: is he hot?
She hadn't changed at all. Nora smiled and wondered how long she should string her friend along for.
Nora: I think he's more your type
Dashe: Oh? Breathing. Nice.
Nora: lol
Nora: I meant tall
Nora: And older
Dashe: oh my
Dashe: pic plz
Nora snorted, always amused by Dashe's impetus. She thought about revealing the joke then by sending a photo of her dad but decided it would be more fun to keep messing with her.
Nora: Nope
Dashe: C'mon!
Dashe: ok describe him to me then
Dashe: paint me a picture
Dashe: no I want a sculpture
