“I know,” Grace sighed, catching the slight twitch of her roommate’s lips. She was dressed for Justin’s party tonight; it wasn’t pretty.

Mindy frowned. “I didn’t say anything,” she said, standing up from the sofa to have a better look, “Is that new?”

It was Grace’s turn to frown now. “No, I wore it when I was a bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding.” She tugged at the sides, hoping to stretch the material, “It’s a little snug.

“Hasn’t Linda been married for three years?”

Mindy studied the hideous dress. Lavender wasn’t really Grace’s color, but at least it didn’t make her look incredibly pale. That was pretty much the only good thing she could find about it. Everything about the style of the dress from the clingy fabric and spaghetti straps said that this was a dress for women who wanted to show off their bodies. It looked awkward on Grace’s plump figure. As if that wasn’t bad enough, every curve, most of them unflattering, was accented because the dress was a size too small.

“It looks like something Linda would pick out,” Mindy laughed, hoping to lighten the mood.

Grace’s lips curved into a small smile, “Yeah.”

Ever the persistent friend, Mindy tried again to cheer Grace up. “You just have to dance with P. Diddy tonight. I hear he gives out diamonds; get some for me. A girl can never have too many.”

Still tugging at the fabric, Grace absently responded, “He’s not going to be there.” Her voice had a far away tone; her mind was working on a way to get out of going. 

“You’re going,” Mindy stated firmly. After six months of living together, she knew exactly how Grace’s mind worked, “We’ll just get you a new dress.”

Grace stopped fidgeting with her dress and shook her head. “Can’t. I don’t have any money. I told you about what happened yesterday with that saleslady.”

“I know,” she replied, with a nod, “but I thought you said you still had some money. I’m sure we can find you something chea-“ She stopped at Grace’s blush. “What?”

Like a guilty child, Grace couldn’t look her in the eye, “I went to look for a dress this morning, but then I saw something. I just had to get it; I couldn’t show up without a present.”

Throwing her hands up, Mindy let out a low groan. “You spent your money on him.”

“I had to get Justin something. It’s his birthday.”

“Oh yeah,” she retorted sarcastically, “the poor guy doesn’t have enough stuff. What did you get?”

Grace bit her lower lip nervously, “I can’t tell you. It’s…well, it’s private.”

It took all of Mindy’s strength not to roll her eyes. “I don’t know what you see in him. He’s just some pretty boy with a semi-decent voice.”

Mindy loved expressing her apathy towards Justin; she always found time to tell Grace just how crazy she was for loving a second rate pop star with big teeth.

“I could set you up with a very nice guy if you’d just forget about Justin.”

“Justin is a very nice guy,” Grace huffed, they’d had this argument far too many times in her opinion, “You don’t know him.”

With a shrug, Mindy stubbornly answered, “I know his type. I’ve dated quite a few Justin Timberlake’s, and trust me, no matter how hot they are, they’re not worth it.”

Hoping to change the subject, and put a blush on Mindy’s cheeks, Grace laughingly pointed out, “So you think he’s hot?”

The blush was quick, “He’s okay. ”

“Uh huh,” Grace mocked, “you know you think he’s sexy. Come on, admit it. It’ll be good for you.”

“Shut up,” Mindy snapped, but the smile on her face took the impact out of her words, “So, what are we supposed to do about your dress, Cinderella? You know, I have some money; I wouldn’t mind-“

“No.”

Mindy’s shoulder’s slumped. Her voice took on the semi-whining tone she used when talking to her father on the phone. “Oh, come on. I have all this money and nothing to spend it on. Pretty please, let me buy you something. I promise you can pay me back. How about that?”

Despite her strong principles on borrowing money, Grace was actually considering accepting Mindy’s offer. It wasn’t like Mindy was suffering in the money department; in fact, her situation was just the opposite. Mindy was the daughter of an obscenely wealthy television producer, who, hoping to teach his daughter the value of a dollar, had kicked Mindy out of the mansion and forced her to get a job. When two months later, Mindy was a full fledged working girl, he’d rewarded his daughter with an apartment; he paid the rent, utilities and anything else she needed.

Grace didn’t understand how Mindy was supposed to learn how to be on her own if her father still paid for everything, but since she was renting the extra bedroom, which was as big as her mother’s house, for an unbelievably low price, she wasn’t going to complain. And she wasn’t going to mooch off Mindy anymore than she had to. Not even for Justin. “No, I can’t spend your money. This dress will just have to do,” she saw Mindy prepare to argue, so she repeated her refusal

“Fine,” Mindy sighed, “you’re too stubborn for your own good. Must be that Irish blood.”

“Scottish,” Grace corrected, running a hand through her hair. She was wearing it down to cover up the zipper in the back that didn’t quite zip all the way. It had been so long since she hadn’t put her hair in an unflattering bun that she’d forgotten just how long it was. “What time is Jared picking you up?”

“Jared and I broke up last week. Scott’s picking me up tonight at 8.”

Mindy had so many boyfriends; by the time Grace learned their name, Mindy had already broken up with him and dating another guy. They were always gorgeous men, the kind you expect to see on the WB, but that was expected. Handsome men loved girls like Mindy, whom, as far as looks went, was the stereotypical California girl. Blonde, tan and skinny.

The two of them made quite a pair when they went out on the town.

“I should probably get going. I don’t want to be late,” Grace said, grabbing her favorite brown sweater.

Mindy’s eyes were practically bulging out of her head. “Gracie, please tell me you’re not going to wear that. It doesn’t match at all.”

“I don’t want to,” Grace stated solemnly, “but the dress is sleeveless.” Mindy gave her a confused look, so she reluctantly explained, “Flabby arms. Stretch marks.”

Grace hated the pity she saw in Mindy’s eyes. “Oh, okay. I understand. Well, I’ll see you later, and don’t be a wallflower. Have fun tonight.”