As her dark hair dripped down her back, the strands strayed like fresh cut grass, the goodness and nutrition being revitalised from the lands rains. Sitting in the sofa where she grabbed the magazine she hadn’t finished reading last night, that was quickly hauled down where Hayley stood, hair dryer and comb in her hands.

"And what do you think you’re doing?" She asked, standing there tapping her foot.

Ever since yesterday, Louise knew Hayley was trying to hide what she was really feeling; that inside her lands weren’t as calm and placid as the reflection showed, but then again, she could often radiate a perfect reflection.

"I’m reading a magazine…" Louise said slowly, her eyebrows raising slightly, speculating what the fuss was about.

"Well you can’t!" Hayley cried. "How can you sit there and read when you have a date!"

"It’s not a date!" Louise made apparent.

"Well whatever it is, it’s a date in my mind and with dates you need preparation and with preparation you need me to make you look totally fab – not that you don’t any other time but you can this time if I’m making sense…" Hayley rambled.

"Woah! Slow down will you. If you wanna do my hair you only had to ask…" Louise replied, confusion buzzing through her mind like some clogged traffic jam.

"Right," Hayley beamed, taking Louise’s hand and leading her to her room. "Let’s get started."

Plonking her on the stool, Louise stared at her reflection: hers not so false. Her hair strung down her face while her skin was clear yet shiny. Her eyes were blue, very blue but didn’t really stand out due her skin absorbing all the light.

"Hay, look, I was just going to put jeans and a top on. No big deal. Remember I’m just going out with friends," Louise informed, not liking the attention she was receiving.

"Hey, we’re talking potential boyfriend here. I think this means a time for me to help," she grinned, combing Louise’s hair though. "Now, if I straighten this and then leave it, that’ll look perfect," Hayley said to herself while Louise just looked bored.

"You don’t have to go to this trouble y’know…" Louise told. "I know you’re avoiding that subject. Him."

"Him? Who’s him?" Hayley shouted over the hair dryer that seemed to magically be switched on.

"You know what I mean!" Louise exclaimed back over the sudden noise.

"Look, can we just leave that subject," Hayley revealed, the noise quietening as its speed was decreased. "Its… its sensitive ok," she sighed, placing the hair dryer on the dressing table before combing the locks back through.

"Hay. Hay!" Louise repeated so she looked at her. "I… I… don’t know what exactly happened between you and Ben, or how it went but when I let him in last night, he seemed pretty genuine in making things right." Louise said earnestly, twisting to face her. "He… he cares a lot about you and that’s coming from me, someone who can’t stand him that much for what he did. But at least we know why he’s been acting all weird." She smiled.

Hayley didn’t. Her smile had faded with a groan taking its place. Ben was part of her. And being with him for so long made that part ache to be back. She couldn’t give him up so easily but with the hurt inside, she was scared it would happen again. She hated infidelity.

"Come on Hay. Cheer up. There’s plenty more fish in the sea, as they say…"

"But… but what if I’ve found my fish… my Ben…" she asked.

"Then… then its up to you what you wanna do." Louise smiled warmly. "Can you forgive him?"

Taking the comb and running it back through Louise’s locks, Hayley pondered the question which she’d been thinking about ever since she’d found his dirty, lying, cheating secret. He did stop… was what she constantly told herself…

After completing Louise’s hair, Hayley smiled at her finished work, Louise’s reflection also beaming that happy glow. She’d yearned for straight hair and now she was receiving her wishes.

"Right!" Hayley smiled. "Now that’s done, lets move to clothes."

"Haaaay," Louise whined. "I can do that myself."

"But Lou, I have the perfect outfit." Hayley pleaded, piling on the puppy dog eyes.

"Well you wear it then," Louise chuckled, walking back through to the lounge and into her room where she saw the outfit rest.

A denim mini skirt lie on the bed with a red, low cut top presented next to it gracefully while standing on the floor were a pair of black, stiletto knee length boots.

"That?" Louise asked, shocked.

"Yeah what’s wrong with that? I thought you could wear that and then I can wear the dark denim skirt with the frayed effect along the bottom. It’ll look great."

"But that?" Louise questioned again. "Me? In a skirt?"

"Yeah – you got great legs and Chris loves legs!" Hayley grinned, pushing her forward a little.

"I am not gonna wear something revealing like that for Christian to notice me. For anyone to notice me!" Louise exclaimed, picking up the skirt and holding it against her legs. "I’m… I’m going to look stupid! And ugly!"

"Louise Parker, you shut your mouth right now!" Hayley told. "You are cool, friendly, bubbly and great! You’re going to look great and Christian, everyone will love you, you understand that. You have got this valentines card cos someone thinks exactly the same as what I do and soon millions will know that!" She praised.

"Hay… Hay… shut up!" Louise laughed. "Now leave little ol’ me to get changed. I can do that by myself right?"

"You better bloody be able to!" Hayley chuckled. "I’ll get ready too then." She agreed before closing the door, leaving Louise to change in the outfit she thought she would regret.

Opening the door, Louise walked out, looking down at herself constantly. Seeing Hayley’s back face her as she was pulling on her denim jacket, Louise waited nervously until the reaction she needed was presented in front of her.

"Oooh you look great!" Hayley smiled. "I am such a cool dress person aren’t I?" She laughed.

Glancing down at herself, Louise suppressed a grin inwardly as never really venturing into a skirt before, she started to think if this would change. She liked the way she looked tonight and although the nerves tried persuading her at the beginning, she knew she’d made the right decision.

"Thanks Hay," Louise smiled as she grabbed her long black coat and tugged it on. "Thanks for everything."

"Ah, anytime. Lets just snare your man, your Christian," she winked, before Louise slapped her arm forbiddingly.

Linking arms, as they grew closer to the cinema, their shivering bones quaked in their skins as the breeze that tried unearthing the warmth within, desperately tried to win the war.

"And I wore a denim jacket because?" Hayley asked herself.

"And I wore this skirt because…" Louise echoed, her legs wavering due to the small wind blowing harshly.

"Ah… well you see we can test your skirt to see if it works…" Hayley winked. "Cos look who’s up ahead…"

"Its just Mark…" Louise informed as they grew closer to the tall figure, his hands casually placed in his pocket.

"Hey… hey…" Mark repeated twice, the grin exceeding the goal a little further then expected.

"What d’ya think of Lou, Mark?" Hayley asked forwardly. "Doesn’t she look great?"

"Yeah… yeah… great…" Mark beamed as his eyes scanned her body before returning to Louise’s blushed face.

"Well… Hayley kinda made me wear it…" Louise spoke before Hayley nudged her, Christian walking in their direction, Paul by his side.

"Ahh ladies, you’re here." Paul smirked. "And Lou, looking very good indeed. And Hay, wow you look cool!"

"Thanks Paul," Hayley smiled before thoughts of Ben consolidated in her mind. Ben used to like her in skirts…

"Shall we go in then? Cos Lou, looks a little cold," Mark informed, asking for the others approval.

"Yeah... Yeah…" Paul agreed before turning to walk in, Hayley quickly catching up with him.

Mark looked warmly towards Louise before leaving her with Christian, him trotting on up the stairs yet not before stealing another glimpse.

"Lou, you… you look nice." Christian smiled.

"Er… thanks," Louise replied bashfully before walking up the stairs, following the others lead with Christian.

"I think this is such a cool idea coming to the cinema on Valentines Day," Christian preached.

"I suppose your right…" Louise concluded.

It had to be better then sitting at home with a bar of dairy milk like many, many years before hand!

"You don’t sound so happy…" Christian pondered, a little concerned.

"Nah. I mean I suppose its better then sitting at home on your own but to me, Valentines Day isn’t the best day of the year. Just another way to make money." Louise told as they queued behind Mark, Paul and Hayley.

"You really think that?" Christian wondered. "Maybe, someone should inject you with a little romance," he smiled slightly.

"And… what do you mean by that?" Louise asked, smirking slightly as Mark, Paul and Hayley turned their heads slightly, before they spun back round, Mark the last.

"Oh nothing. I’m just a true romantic at heart," he grinned. "And I suppose Valentines Day gets me in the mood that’s all… maybe you need to get into spirit."

"Oh the spirit." Louise recoiled, contemplating whether it really was Christian who sent the card. He was a true romantic after all…