Just Watch the Fireworks ((Dixie, Rae))

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley danced happily around the dorm room doing small twirls, and other crazy dance moves she made up through the years. She usually never danced. Well, she did when she was younger with her sister, but Ashley only busted a move here and there, especially when she was happy. Her wet blonde hair sprayed water droplets on the ground, some landing on top of her comforter that her clothes were laid out upon. It wasn’t bothering her though, or anyone else. All the other girls had already left the room, waking up early for the Hogsmeade weekend. Ashley had been dreading this day for almost weeks until recently. Everything was beginning to come into place. She and Bryce had finally worked things out. Smiling at the thought of the other boy, Ashley couldn’t help but grin at the thought. Everything had been a downward spiral lately. Ever since December, Ashley couldn’t act herself. She was depressed most of the time, making her studies and Quidditch top priority over everything else. Even her friends were beginning to grow concern about the once happy Ashley. She was the kind of person who just was happy even though she was hurting inside. Ashley couldn’t act like that this time. She was hurting to much inside that it was consuming every well being. It had been a long time since she could finally smile, meaning to be happy. Not one of those smiles that the lips turned up that was pretend, but a real one. That was all thanks to Bryce Alexander. Ever since they finally gotten over the whole Weetzie disaster kiss, everything had been so much better. Dixie and Raele were also adding to Ashley’s excitement. This would be their first time hanging out together without the guys. That meant they could gossip about them the whole time. Well….Rae didn’t have anyone exactly, but Ashley was hoping something would happen between her and Clay. She deserved after the whole incident with Dixie and Adam, but they were meant to be together.

Laughing at all the happiness surging through her veins, Ashley grabbed the towel from the rack dragging it through her wet blonde hair. Her hair was turning darker in the past few months. It didn’t hold any of its shiny, light luster anymore. It was more….dirty than it usual light blonde. Sighing, Ashley dragged her fingers through her thick curls, wincing at a knot she pulled out from the back of her head. That was one of the reasons why she hated long hair. Since her hair was curlier than others, it took long to comb through, and some times Ashley didn’t even comb her hair. It was just too much of a hassle, but not she could use magic to make it straight, and that’s exactly what Ashley did. She took her wand from beside table reciting a simple charm, her blonde hair landing flat down her back and perfectly straight. Smiling into the mirror, Ashley set her wand back down before spinning around toward the side of her bed. She had a pair of old light blue jeans and a long sleeved blue long sleeved brown shirt thrown in a heap on her bed. Picking the pants up, Ashley pulled them on over her legs, also tugging the shirt on over her shoulders. Pulling the end of the down over the top of her jeans, Ashley bit the side of her check at the outfit. It was something she usually would wear, but she didn’t know what to think of it. Shrugging, Ashley knew Dixie would have a say. After all, her friend was in the fashion industry. Smiling at the thought, Ashley reminded herself to raid her friend’s closet. With that as a final thought, Ashley grabbed her coat and her green hat tugging it down on top of her head. It clashed with the red jacket she was wearing, but it was so Ashley.

Humming along the sides of the streets, Ashley quickly jumped out of the way of an old lady carrying more bags than she could hold in her hands. Apologizing for almost knocking her over, Ashley continued down the long street staring at the houses. They were cute little cottages, just the kind that would fit a small family. Stopping as she noticed a for sale sign hovering above the ground, Ashley stared at the small cottage with the coble stone path leading to the front door. It was just perfect. Ashley would love to live in a house like that…blushing slightly at her thoughts, Ashley continued down the streets turning over her shoulder at one last look of the cottage. It wasn’t until she saw the number of Dixie’s house when she stared at the front door. Heading up the path, Ashley knocked on the door lightly still humming to herself lightly. Hearing a voice from inside, Ashley turned the knob noticing the door wasn’t locked. Pushing it lightly open, Ashley stepped inside hearing the sound of heels along the albumin floor. “You know your door was unlocked right, Dixie?” Ashley said with a lift of her eyebrow as she shrugged off her coat and hat. “Strangers could easily come into your house.” Chuckling slightly at the thought, Ashley hung her jacket on the rack along with her hat as she looked around the house. It was cozy. Something that reflected both Dixie and Adam. “You know your husband gave me homework!” She called heading into the kitchen noticing a box of hair die on the table. What was this? Raising an eyebrow, Ashley shrugged as she turned around noticing Dixie at the front of the door. “Chestnut brown…that’s a pretty color…what’s it for?”

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

"Thanks!" Dixie smiled brightly as Ross helped her open the front door to the cottage. She stepped inside, her heels clicking against the hard wood floor, "Just put that over here…" she told him as she headed into the kitchen and set the grocery bags on the island. He followed behind her and placed the bag he was holding over beside hers. Dixie had made a mad dash to a muggle store when she realised that today was the day Ashley came over. Rae and herself had made a plan to surprise Ashley with something she was way overdue for, but Dixie hadn't had any of the necessary items. She just hoped Ashley didn't hate her and Rae when they were finished. She should trust them; after all, they were a fashion designer and someone who had amazing taste in outfits. Dixie turned, her keys in her hand still, and looked at Ross. He really was a good next door neighbour, but every time she mentioned him to Adam – Adam didn't seem too thrilled to hear about it. She smiled now, though, and thanked him again.

"It was no problem really. I like to think yeh'd do the same for me, yeah?" His accent was thick but Dixie understood him, and so she laughed and nodded before showing him out and placing the keys in the holder beside the door. She hummed to herself and tucked her hair behind her ear, moving back into the kitchen to unpack the bags. She pulled out the box of hair dye, the three shoeboxes, and the array of jeans, skirts, and blouses. Ashley was bound to be shocked by the makeover, but Dixie would do it even if she had to tie her friend to a chair. She took the clothes into her bedroom, set them on the bed according to what matched and then made her way back into the kitchen to get rid of all the bags. She folded them and then levitated them into the closet down the hall. Everything had its own place in their cottage and it was so new to Dixie. When she had lived in the Manor everything was scattered, cluttered. Here, everything belonged. Even she did. It felt… amazing.

Dixie sighed happily to herself as she looked around the kitchen and the dining area before she shrugged off her jacket and placed it on the back of a chair, her deep purple blouse shining under the sunlight filtering in through the window. She wore a black pleated skirt that reached just beneath her knees, her black heels reached about two inches, and her blouse was of the finest silk. Dixie loved being a fashion designer, it meant she got to make her own clothes, and it meant she got to always look the best; even if she was just the assistant's assistant. Her fingers tapped on the tile counter top before she moved back into the bedroom to survey the clothing. It was then that the door opened and she heard Ashley's voice from the main hallway. Dixie closed the door quickly and hurried out, moving to the front door before Ashley could get into the kitchen and see the dye. Too late.

"Oh," Dixie plastered on a nervous smile, "Haha… um…" she searched her head for a lie and then sighed, obviously giving up before walking over to Ashley and taking the box from her, "It's for you." She looked down at Ashley's outfit and raised her brows, "Yeah. Looks like I'm just in time for this whole makeover thing. Now, before you object and proclaim me as a terrible friend… just… let me have my fun. If you don't like it, we can always change it back. Please? Please, please, please?" Dixie set the box aside and clasped her hands together in a begging effort. She pushed her bottom lip out in a pout, and opened her mouth to say something more when the door opened again and Rae stepped into the kitchen. Dixie smiled and hurried over to her best friend, looping her arm through Rae's, "She'll help, so it won't look terrible! Please…Ashley? You trust us, right?"

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley tilted her head to the side, her brown eyes staring blindly into Dixie’s face. Why was there a nervous smile on her face? Did Ashley do something wrong? Looking around the small kitchen, Ashley didn’t notice anything out of place. It was a nice kitchen with the blinds pulled open, little sunlight peeking into the room. Looking back over at Dixie, Ashley crossed her arms over her chest, staring at her friend. There most definitely something up Dixie Greene’s sleeves. “Dixie….?” Ashley questioned as her friend stumbled over her words. Staring at the box in her hands, Ashley turned it around reading the directions on the back. She had never died her hair before. Blonde was Ashley’s signature color. Though, she had thought about turning into a brunette. Since her eyes were a darker color, maybe darker hair would ascent them better? Oh, Ashley didn’t know. She wasn’t any kind of a fashion stylist. She just bought whatever was on the sale rack that fit. Though dressed weren’t exactly in her fashion wardrobe. Ashley would wear them sometimes, but she preferred skirts or pants more. Seeing the older girl sigh, walking over toward her taking the box from her hands, Ashley’s mouth hung open at her words. What? When did she ever agree to get a makeover transformation from Dixie Greene? It was quite ironic though that Ashley had been thinking about a makeover this morning before coming to Dixie’s. Very odd indeed, but Ashley loved the way she was. She was quirky and her wardrobe matched her personality. Sometimes not in the best way though. Like her hat for example. Everyone in her dorm room always commented on her ‘granny’ hat. Just because she bought it at thrift store didn’t mean it was old. Alright…it was old, but Ashley’s dead had gotten it for her. Anything that came from Ben Hill Ashley kept. She loved her father very much.

Listening to Dixie’s explanation, Ashley’s mouth was still gaped open. She shook her head watching as the girl clasped her hands together pouting just like it was a normal thing to do. Dixie was really good at this begging thing wasn’t she? Closing the bottom of her jaw, Ashley still kept her arms crossed over her chest. “I’m not a fashion disaster!” she proclaimed clearly her eyes narrowing down upon the girl. “I quite like the way I look. I don’t dress badly,” Ashley said looking down at her clothes. Her jeans fit her nicely and were a light colored blue than most dark jeans. Wasn’t that the in style? Hearing the door open, Ashley was pulled from her thoughts as Rae entered the kitchen as well. She was in on this too?! Watching as her friends looped arms with each other, Ashley uncrossed her own arms, resting her palms on the side of her hips. She glared at both of the girls, “You both were plotting this ever since we met, weren’t you?!” Ashley asked in a fake angry voice. Was Bryce in on this too? Did he like the way she looked? Well he did compliment her on the night of the ball when she turned her hair to darker color for the night. Reaching up to her own blonde locks, Ashley twisted her silky, soft hair between her fingers. “This was only your guy’s idea right? Bryce, Adam, or Clay isn’t in on this too?” That would be interesting. Getting a makeover from a guy. Ashley couldn’t even imagine what kind of clothing they would pick out. Adam would probably be the best since he was married to Dixie. Though, she could see Dixie creating her husband’s wardrobe. Bryce would probably put her into a Falmouth Quidditch jersey just to mock her about her favorite team losing year.

Glancing back down at her wardrobe, Ashley noticed the tears in her shirt and for the first time she looked up desperately at Rae and Dixie. “Oh my god….I am a fashion disaster….” She began pulling at her tattered shirt. Pulling it farther down over her jeans, Ashley sighed as the end of the shirt just bounced back up. It had been years since Ashley went shopping for clothes, and she trusted her friends…well with the clothes but not the hair dye. “Alright! I’ll get the makeover…but why can’t I keep my blonde hair? It’s my signature color…though I hate people calling me a dumb blonde…” she began sighing as she grabbed the box from Dixie’s hands. “Are you guys sure you know how to use muggle hair dye?” Ashley asked wondering if they ever had used it before? Ashley’s sister Elina had, but both of her friends grew up as purebloods. Ashley was the only one who was mixed but they didn’t care about that. “Cause if my hair turns blue or pink you should be very afraid,” Ashley began pointing out a finger to her fingers, letting out an evil laugh. “Very afraid.”

[Raelee Gray]

"Rae, these are…amazing!" Jonnie Hayes, her editor, held up the sketches that Rae had given him only moments before. He flipped through them, eyeing the detail, the use of colour, everything. Rae felt a surge of pride rush through her as she modestly crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head full of blonde curls, "No, they aren't, but thanks." She was far too modest for her own good, but she didn't think so, and she liked to think that her modesty made her drawings that much better. "No, they are, and you're welcome. I'd love to run them in the next issue…using this one…as the cover," Jonnie pulled out one of Rae's favourite sketches that she drew for weeks straight. It was of a tree with lightening behind it. She smiled and looked down at her feet, "You'll get a bonus of course." Rae looked up sharply and shook her head, "Oh, no, I couldn't accept it. These were just things I wanted to do in my mean time. I still haven't worked on those sketches you wanted," Jonnie waved his hand and tucked the portfolio beneath his left arm, "Don't worry about it. You'll get a bonus. Now, go home, Rae. You've done enough for today." He left the office then, and Rae stood behind her drawing desk watching him in complete shock. She blinked and then gathered her things before apparating out of the building back to her cottage.

She shed her coat off her bony shoulders and walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge to pull out a bottle of water. She downed it and then grabbed her purse again before leaving her cottage and making the short walk over to Dixie and Adam's. Her blonde hair blew back in the breeze, but it was warm enough that she didn't need a jacket over her brown blouse, cream vest, and black pants. She was fashionable, and warm at the same time. She reached the cottage that was a bit bigger than her own in about five minutes. It looked quaint, homey, everything that hers didn't. Rae sighed slightly, pushing her unhappiness aside, and walked up to the front door – easing it open, but not before looking to her left to see a redheaded man tending to his garden. She shrugged to herself and opened the door, stepping inside. Dixie's voice filled the small cottage and drifted to her ears, leading Rae toward the kitchen where Dixie and Ashley stood opposite each other.

Her mouth opened to say something, but before she could, Dixie rushed over to her and looped her arm through Rae's, talking about Ashley trusting them and Rae helping with the makeover. She smiled and shrugged slightly as Ashley seemed to ponder this. "Noooo….well….not since the moment," Dixie said, her face looking innocent as she shuffled her feet nervously. Rae laughed and shook her head at her friend. Dixie would do anything to achieve her means. No wonder she was a Slytherin. "Oh! No no no, the boys weren’t in on this." Dixie told her affirmatively as she stepped back to Ashley and picked up the box of dye again, hopping onto the countertop. Rae smirked, "Could you imagine Adam and Bryce picking out a colour? They'd probably choose red or something." She didn't mention Clay, because truth be told…Rae hadn't talked to him since the party…even though a part of her had wanted to. Rae walked over to Dixie and hopped up onto the counter beside her, taking the box from her to examine the colour. Did Dixie get the clothes, too? Rae decided not to ask right now.

"Aw, come now, Ash," Rae said in a sympathetic tone, "You're not a fashion disaster, you could just use some help." Dixie looked over at Rae with an incredulous look on her face before Rae nudged her. Dixie regained her composure and smiled at Ashley, "Right. What she said. So, we can do it?!" Rae laughed at Dixie's enthusiasm but looked over at Ashley when she asked about using muggle hair dye. She hadn't ever touched the stuff, but with a shrug, Rae hopped off the counter and shook the box, "It comes with directions doesn't it? Besides, if it doesn't work out – we can always right it with magic." Dixie nodded excitedly and hopped down, too, her heels clicking against the flooring before snatching at Ashley's hand and leading her to the bathroom, Rae following close behind and opening the box.

Rae leaned against the doorframe as Dixie started the bath water, testing it out by running her hand underneath it. Rae opened the directions and started to read from them aloud, "Mix the dye and the solution together until there is no longer any white. Then apply from roots to tip, using a comb to spread out the mixture evenly. Place plastic bag over dyed hair, tie tightly with a twisty tie, and set timer for 40 minutes. When the timer goes off, rinse out hair until the water runs clear, then wash hair with special shampoo and conditioner provided with kit." Rae glanced up at Dixie who was fidgeting with Ashley's blonde hair, "Sounds easy enough, right?" Dixie smiled brightly as Rae tossed her the bottle of solution and dye. "Alright, girly," Dixie told Ashley with a mischievous grin, before mixing the ingredients, "You're going to have one hell of a night tonight. Wait until Bryce gets a look at you…"

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley gasped lightly at Dixie’s response to wanting to give Ashley a makeover since they met each other. “I was dressed my best that day of Rae’s Christmas party!” Nodding, Ashley stared off past the girls, her eyes fixed on a wedding picture of Dixie and Adam. They both were staring intently at each other, Adam leaning Dixie down from him. It was adorable, but Ashley needed to her brain back on this makeover. Was she really going to trust her friends with her looks? No…Maybe….yes. Alright, Ashley trusted them, but only with the clothing aspect, not the hair dye. Though, she wondered what she would look like with blue or pink hair. Wasn’t that kind of style in? Ashley knew some girls that had different color streaks in their hair, Weetzie for example. Ashley had made a clear attempt on staying out of the girl’s way. She didn’t look so happy about the kiss, but Weetzie wanted to be with Bryce…didn’t she? Well at least that’s what Ashley thought? Her head was now swarming over the idea, sadness aching through her body. She didn’t have anything to worry about? So why was she? Being pulled from her trance, Ashley stared at the two girls who were still looped together through the elbows. Dixie reassured her that neither of the boys had anything to do with this. Well, that was a relief. “Good…I would die if they ever thought about wanting to change how I look. Well, I would first chase them down and change their styles first though.” Snickering at the thought of turning Adam into one of those tattooed, punk rocker type, Ashley kept the mental image her head. Dixie would have a heart attack. Though, she wouldn’t change anything about Bryce. He was perfect the way he is…though there was that ugly, red sports jacket he wore most of the time.

At Dixie’s next comment, Ashley frowned at the color choice. “I thought red was a good color? Have you ever heard the saying…a nice little red dress?” Laughing at her change of words from red to black, Ashley waited to see Dixie’s reactions. “Just don’t give me anything orange. I look horrible in the color…trust me. You might as well turn me into a pumpkin if you do put that color on me!” Raising an eyebrow at both of the girls Ashley hoped they literary wouldn’t change her into a pumpkin. They probably wouldn’t. Rae was the next to speak, which left Ashley frowning down at her clothes. She did need a little help with her clothing style. Sighing, Ashley finally gave in holding her arms in the air. “Alright....I trust you two completely…” Ashley said taking a deep breath between her sentences. She did have her complete full faith in Dixie and Rae. After all, they were probably the best. Though, Dixie’s mention on the directions left Ashley a little scared. What if her hair turned a different color than the box and magic couldn’t fix it? Feeling her eyes grew, Ashley was about to take the box from Dixie’s hands until she was drug into the bathroom where they started the faucet, hot water pouring out. This was really nice of her friends doing this. It has been a long time since Ashley really cared about her appearance. Something new was in store with her restored happiness. “Sounds easy, but I highly doubt it is. That’s why they have people professionally qualified to do just hair coloring…your aren’t going to also cut it are you?” Ashley asked her eyebrow rising at Dixie. Glancing over at Rae, Ashley hoped that she didn’t give any ideas to the girls. How was she put her hair up for Quidditch!?

Watching as Dixie began mixing the solution together wincing at the strong smell coming from the container. Blushing slightly at Dixie mentioning of Bryce, Ashley tried hard to push her worries away. What would he say? Would he like it? “Ha…I’m he will just be left speechless. Maybe you could give him a transformation next?” Ashley joked staring at her friend hoping she wouldn’t consider the idea. “You wouldn’t…would you?” Shaking the thought from her head, Ashley grabbed a towel that hung from one of the racks. It was a pink color, but didn’t look like something Adam would use. “This isn’t Adam’s towel is it…because I don’t want my neck to turn brown as well?” Laughing at the thought, Ashley sighed as she leaned over toward the toilet putting the top down so that it was closed. There was that fuzzy type of rugs covering the white glossy covering. “Take a seat Rae…I think this might take a while….we can talk about anything now…about how hot some guys are….girl kind of stuff since the guys aren’t here.” Smirking, Ashley looked up over at Dixie looked ready to put the solution in. “Who wants to start first? Anybody you find interestingly hot lately Rae?”

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

The bathroom they were sitting in was the guest bathroom, not hers and Adam's. It was decent sized with a blue colour scheme. Their own bathroom was green, but Dixie had wanted to make the guest one blue because it was a very pretty colour and could be either gender specific. She stood over the bathtub, running the water when Rae walked in, reading the instructions aloud. She smiled when Ashley said that sounded easy but they had professionals for this sort of thing, and then she said something so interesting that it made Dixie perk up, "Well, I hadn't thought of that," she mentioned in an even tone that was slowly growing more excited as she spoke each word. She squealed and clapped her hands, sending droplets of water everywhere, "Oh! We have to! We just have to! But we'll do that with magic. I've done it plenty of times before that way. I did my own that way. It looks fine, doesn't it? Oh, Ash, you've no idea how amazing you're going to look! You're going to look so much older and sophisticated, especially with the new wardrobe I've got you." Dixie smiled brightly and clapped her hands together again before catching the bottle and dye that Rae had thrown at her. She hurried over to the counter and started to mix the two until no white showed like the directions said.

Rae's rich laugh filled the air, "Yeah, that's our next step. We'll dye their hair different colours of the rainbow." Rae sat down on the toilet lid that Ashley had lowered for her, leaning back against the tank leisurely. Dixie looked over at Ashley, a smirk on her face; "Don't worry, Ash, that boy is hot as it is, he doesn't need a makeover," she giggled and looked over the solution, before adding, "Mmm, neither does Adam. Did you know he teased me about changing his hair? I almost locked him in the bedroom and took his wand away. Seriously, changing his hair." She scoffed here, to show her disapproval, "I love his hair…" Rae looked over at Ashley and waggled her eyebrows, as if to say 'we know what else she loves.' Dixie didn't catch it, and Rae was quite happy with that. Dixie turned and held up the mixed dye just as Rae was slouching even more against the tank of the toilet and Ashley was asking about a towel, "Nope. Guest towel. Ours are green. Now, hmm…that top is ratty, so it's okay to get all nasty. Put the towel around your neck," Dixie nudged Rae with her foot, making her get up and sit on the lip of the tub so Ashley could sit on the toilet lid, "and we begin!"

"You're having way too much fun with this, Dix," Rae told her with a smirk, and Dixie replied with a maniacal laugh before taking the bottle and squirting it into Ashley's blonde hair. The brown was a stark contrast to the lightness of her hair, and the stench was unbearable, but Dixie knew that it would be good in the end. She pulled a comb from the drawer beside her in the counter and started to spread out the dye evenly, moving Ashley's head this way and that as she worked. Ashley broke the silence and aimed a question at Rae. The question made even Dixie raise an eyebrow at her best friend, who shifted uncomfortably on the lip of the bathtub, stretching her long legs out in front of her. "Not really… I mean, I've been working a lot lately." The excuse was weak and Dixie saw right through it. Dixie knew Rae better than the girl thought she did, but that was because Dixie never really told Rae how well she knew her. Here, though, she let out a snort and said; "Come on, Raelee, there's got to be someone.." she chewed on her lip and then smirked at her friend, "What about Clay? What'd you think of him?"

Rae looked up almost too quickly and looked from Dixie, with a bottle of dye in her hand, to Ashley who looked like she was going through pure torture, "Sure… I mean, yeah, he's a good looking guy. I just… I don't know. I haven't talked to him since the party. He's more your friend than mine anyway, Dix. You did spend a whole summer with the guy. You probably know him better than I do at any rate." Rae tossed her blonde locks over her shoulder and looked down at her feet as she gripped the tub with both of her hands on either side of her. Dixie smiled and continued putting the dye into Ashley's hair, "He's a good guy, Rae. I think you'd like him if you got to know him." Rae smiled to herself and looked down at the floor more as Dixie turned a question to Ashley, "How about you, Ash? What's up with you and Bryce?"

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley felt her heart literary drop as her nightmare came true. They were going to cut her hair. Glancing up at her blonde locks, Ashley sighed as she noticed the length. It was beginning to fall to her mid-back. The last time she had gotten it cut was about a year ago when her mother began complaining about her daughter getting a trim. Ashley had always wanted to grow it out to about her waist, but how long it was taking her to even get it presentable was too much. Maybe a cut would be nice. He head would most definitely feel a lot lighter. “How am I supposed to wear my hair for Quidditch? If you want to make it as short as what I think, how on earth am I going to wear it up?” Ashley asked looking back and forth between her friends. Wow, she was most certainly complaining a lot. Taking a deep breath, Ashley held out both of her hands in front of her. She had to stop all this bickering. Dixie and Rae weren’t going to take no for an answer. They would probably tie her up in a chair if they had too. Anyway, Ashley was ready to embrace a new style. “Alright…I’ll stop fussing now. I promise. No more complaints.” Nodding Ashley laughed slightly to herself as she nervously looked over at the black mixture in the container on the table. Dixie was still stirring it lightly, making sure that there weren’t any white streaks left. What would happen if it wasn’t mixed probably? Well, if something terrible happened to her hair, like it changing to a different color, magic could be used to fix it. Anyway, Dixie was having way too much fun with the idea of actually doing it herself. Ashley was glad that she had such friends who cared this much. Watching as Dixie continued to stir in the container, Ashley smiled lightly to herself. “Dix?” Ashley said her brown eyes searching into the older girl’s face. “I think your having way to much fun over this!”

“You wouldn’t dare think of it, Rae?” Ashley commented on her friend’s mentioning of changing her hair to the colors of the rainbow. Leaning over to pick a small hand towel from the hanger, Ashley flung it at Rae laughing at it landing squarely on the girls face. “I don’t trust you with any kind of dye, Raelee Gray. Though, it would be amusing to see the guy’s reaction. I think they would go ballistic! Well I know Bryce would, not quite sure about Adam. I know for a fact that the students would taunt him about it.” Snorting at the thought, Ashley grinned over at both Dixie and Rae. It was odd knowing that she was the only one still in Hogwarts. Sometimes, she wished that she were older, but they accepted her just fine. Actually, they were her best friends. Raising eyebrow over at Dixie’s mentioning of Bryce being hot Ashley looked over at Rae. “So…you think my boyfriend is sexy huh Dix?” Ashley asked carelessly looking over her shoulder at the girl. “Because I most definitely think your husband is pretty fine too.” Grinning at her words, Ashley stared off into the distance thinking it over. Dixie knew she was only joking and that she was falling head over heels for Bryce. It was a good thing the boys weren’t in the room. Chuckling at the thought before Dixie explained a story of locking Adam in the bedroom. “You really didn’t lock him in there did you?” Ashley asked raising an eyebrow lightly. Looking over at Rae, Ashley nodded toward her secret saying, holding back her own laughter. When Dixie said she could use the towel, she pulled it over behind her neck protecting it from any kind of dropping dye.

Sitting down on the toilet, Ashley flinched lightly as the cool liquid was being combed with her hair. The smell filled her nostrils leaving her head light. “I think you should have bought 2 bottles with how much hair I have.” Nodding, Ashley let Dixie move her head in any direction as the girl combed her hair lightly with the dye. It felt so weird on top of her head. Almost like shampoo she could wash out. Listening as Rae was next to spoken Ashley nodded slowly hearing her explanation about her single life style. “I really do think you work too much, Rae.” Ashley commented staring into her friends face with serious brown eyes. Watching her friend with a watchful eye, Ashley could sense the uneasiness in her actions. Lighting up at the idea of Rae going out with Clay, Ashley grinned. “I was thinking the same thing, Dixie.” Ashley said looking over at Dixie until she was harshly turned away since her hair wasn’t finished yet. Sighing, Ashley glanced over at Rae with a small smile. “Then you should get to know him…maybe you should ask him out? Be the girl that takes charge for once!” Laughing Ashley nudged her friend lightly with her foot. “What do you have to lose?” When the topic was soon changed back on Bryce and her, Ashley smiled lightly, staring at the ground. “Considering that he kissed his best friend Weetzie, and that it took us 3 months to just get past that, were peachy.” A frown appeared on Ashley’s face at the memory. “How about you and Adam, Dixie? I’m sure its loads of fun being married and living under the same roof as him?”

[Raelee Gray]

"Oh stop complaining, you big baby, you won't need to pull it up. But if you must, it'll be long enough to pull back and out of your eyes, which is the important part," Dixie replied with a smirk as she continued to apply the dye all over Ashley's hair until it slowly turned a yucky brown colour. Rae watched this easily, knowing how much fun Dixie was having with this entire deal. Dixie hadn't done these things as a teenager. She hadn't gone to sleepovers, she hadn't done a friend's hair, she hadn’t even gossiped about boys. Dixie had grown up all too fast and Rae knew that she was relishing in this great moment because it meant she was finally normal. Or as normal as a witch could be. Rae pulled herself back to the present when Ashley said she wouldn't complain anymore with a nervous laugh, which caused Rae to laugh herself, "Don't worry, Ash, you're in good hands. I promise." Rae smiled friendlily at her and looked over at the flowing water, "We don't need this anytime soon, do we?" she asked without reason before leaning over and turning the tap off. Dixie merely shrugged and continued applying the dye, only smiling brightly when Ashley said she was having too much fun with it. Her eyes disagreed. It showed she was having more than too much fun.

Rae looked at Ashley again when she spoke about dyeing her hair colours of the rainbow, a wide grin spread across Rae's face; "Nah, don't worry. Just Bryce and Adam." She had to hold back laughter at the thought of Adam having green hair and Bryce having pink. It would be an amusing sight to see, but she knew Dixie and Ashley would kill her. To prove that she would, Ashley picked up a hand towel and tossed it at Rae, landing perfectly on her face. Rae chuckled and took it off her face and folded it, setting it on the lip of the tub beside her. She watched Dixie comb through Ashley's hair, squeezing the last of the contents out of the bottle into the blonde mass that once was. She set the bottle aside and started to spread everything evenly, turning her head away from the smell of the dye every now and then to take a giant breath of air. Rae knew the dye was a terrible smell, but it wasn't that bad. Something was up with Dixie Greene. "Mmm… yes," Dixie replied with a smirk and then when Ashley turned her head to look at her, Dixie frowned and turned her head back forward, "I know he is. And he's all mine, too." She laughed maniacally again, and continued to spread the dye.

Dixie let out a natural laugh when Ashley asked about really locking Adam into the room, "No, I didn't. If I did, I'd be in there with him. I'd miss him too much." She looked sad and turned her head to take another breath of air, causing Rae to raise an eyebrow at that. She was really starting to worry over her friend and decided the next time she did that, she would trade places with her and open the window. "Nope, one bottle worked well enough," Dixie replied, her tone cheery again as she finished spreading the dye everywhere. Rae looked at Ashley as she spoke now, telling her she worked too much, "Haha. I work too much? The girl doing your hair works 9 hour days, Ash. I only work 5 hour days." Of course, she didn't mention that her free time was spent sketching at home and doing things for work. She never did get out. Today was the one day in about two weeks that she had gone out and done anything with a group of friends. She just didn't like company a lot, and if she did – it was Dixie and Ashley and they were always gone. Ashley at school and Dixie at work.

When the topic of Clay came up, Rae felt a small smile flicker across her face and then she felt her heart speed up with nervousness when Ashley mentioned asking him out and taking charge. She shook her head, nearly vehemently, "No, no. I don't think so. He has his own life to worry about. There's no need to get a phone call from me, someone he hardly knows, asking him out to lunch or something." Rae bit her lip and shrugged, "Besides, I just said he was a good looking guy, that doesn’t mean I want to date him or anything." Dixie snorted and Rae looked up at her with an expectant glare, "What, Rae? You haven't dated anyone since Adam, and maybe it'd be good. I think it'd be a good idea. What if I call him up and invite him to lunch with Adam, me, and you? Would that work? We won't even call it a double date. We'll call it lunch." Dixie looked at Rae and Rae instantly knew that she had no choice in the matter. She had flinched, though, at how casually Dixie had mentioned her dating Adam. It was like that part of everything was so insignificant, and perhaps it was to Dixie – but it hadn't been to Rae.

Ashley spoke of her and Bryce then and Rae smiled sympathetically, reaching over to pat her knee as a friendly gesture, "It will all get easier, Ash, I promise." Her tone was soft, and then Dixie's voice chimed into the air, "Yeah, you two are like meant to be. I mean, look at me and Adam. We went through so much crap and now we're here." Rae looked up at Dixie just as a flicker of something crossed her face and she turned to breathe in again. "That's it," Rae said as she stood from the tub and moved over to where Dixie sat, "That's the 18th time you've done that, trade me places." Dixie looked at her with shock but surrendered the dye without question, taking Rae's place on the tub. Rae finished combing Ashley's hair, Dixie had gotten a good majority of it done, and then set the comb in the sink before taking the plastic bag off the counter and putting it over Ashley's hair, tying it tightly with a twisty tie. Ashley had asked Dixie about the married life, and Dixie was silent. This caused Rae to look up in shock, she expected a squeal or something to come from her friend, but instead, Dixie looked at the floor with tears in her eyes. Rae nudged Ashley and they both hurried over to Dixie's side as she started to cry, "There's something I've got to tell you…" she told them between sobs.

Rae looked at Ashley, worry and concern obviously written across her face, as she moved her hand to rub Dixie's back comfortingly, not pressing her for information, just waiting for her to finally tell them. "Adam and I are so happy, you know? Like...I've never been happier, ever." Dixie breathed in deeply and lifted her eyes to look at Rae and then at Ashley, "And I'm afraid that if I tell him this...things won't be happy anymore and I...I...I just...I don't know what to do!" She hid her face again and Rae could feel her trembling beneath her hand, "Dixie...?" Dixie shook her head back and forth and then she finally told them, "I...I think I'm pregnant." The words came out in a whisper, a hushed, painful whisper and then there was more crying from Dixie. Rae's jaw dropped and she looked over at Ashley. She knew that it could be worse, Dixie and Adam could be not married and they could still be in school, like Dixie's younger sister, but still Dixie was obviously distraught over this. Rae didn't know what to do or say...she just sat there, staring at Ashley, as if asking the younger girl what to do.

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley rolled her eyes at Dixie’s mentioning of her being a big baby. She was allowed to feel scared right? This was almost a life changing experience for Ashley. All her life she had been used to one look, sticking with it. The only time she had ever tried to change her appearance was straightening out her curly locks. Her family was going to flip when they saw her for the summer. To be honest, Ashley didn’t want to stay home for another summer. She wanted to do something different. Maybe buy an apartment? Oh, what freedom it would be to just live by her self. Smiling at the thought, Ashley cringed as Dixie kept on lubing her hair with the dye. It felt icy cold against her scalp, sending chills up her spine. Looking over at Rae as she turned the faucet of the water off, Ashley closed her eyes as she let her shoulders slump slightly. It did feel good to have someone else control her hair for a change. That’s why she loved getting shampoo scrubs when she went to the hair dresser, which was rarely. As Rae mentioned dying the boys hair, Ashley rolled her eyes at her friend. Rae wouldn’t even dare do such a thing. She would have both of her friends on her case. Though, it would be quite interesting to see Bryce with bright yellow or pink hair. Giggling at the image, Ashley heard a loud gasp of breath as she looked out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t notice Dixie stopping every few moments cringing from the smell. Ashley had gotten used to it already, since it was on her head. Looking over at Rae she noticed concern wash over her bright blue eyes. Was there something wrong? Keeping Silent, Ashley hummed lightly stopping as Rae spoke about working to much. Ashley raised her eyebrows slightly looking out of the corner of her eyes. “You both work too much….its amazing how you could take time just for me,” she said putting her hand on her heart in a joking manner. Grinning, Ashley laughed, keeping silent again as the topic soon changed.

“Oh, come one Rae!” Ashley spoke loudly resting the palms of her hands on her knees. Why wouldn’t she call up Clay? The worst that could happen was that he would either ignore her, or just deny the date. Anyway, Clay didn’t seem to be that type of a guy, but what was Ashley to know? She only met the guy once, yet she still called him a friend because he was close to one of her bests friends. As Dixie mentioned Rae dating Adam, Ashley looked down at the floor wondering how her friend could mention it so casually. Ashley would have been said in a voice that held so much venom. That’s exactly the kind of tone she used sometimes when talking about Weetzie, but Ashley wished she could have been friends with her. They would have probably gotten on well with each other. Feeling a hand upon her knee, Ashley snapped out of her thoughts, looking up into Rae’s gray eyes. “I guess it will…but I guess I’m just still jealous of maybe even afraid of Weetzie? I don’t know…I just want to get on past this.” Smiling at Dixie’s words, Ashley thought it over. Were they meant to be? Ashley felt like that, but she didn’t know about Bryce. As Rae traded places with Dixie, she kept silent waiting as Rae was beginning to pull her hair up into that plastic sack. It wasn’t long until she heard a soft cry coming from Dixie at Ashley mentioning about Adam. Quickly looking over at Rae, Ashley jumped up from the toilet seat, throwing the towel careless into the soaking wet bath tub. Resting a hand on the older girls shoulder, Ashley knelt down on her knees looking into Dixie’s face.

It took a while until the words floating across Ashley’s mind? Pregnant? Looking up over at Rae, she shared the same utter look of shock. There was silence in the room, Dixie’s crying only sound that could be heard. Rubbing the girl’s knee tenderly, Ashley smiled as she moved Dixie’s hair out of her face. Lifting her head, Ashley smiled sweetly again. “It’s alright, you know?” she spoke softly looking up over at Rae briefly before meeting Dixie’s eyes again. “This could be a wonderful thing, Dixie! You have someone who loves you very much to help, and two best friends who will do anything to make sure your alright.” Nodding, Ashley stood up from the ground smoothing out her shirt before grabbing onto both girls hands. Closing her eyes, Ashley reopened them all three girls in the corner alley of a muggle drug mart. Looking around, Ashley saw no one in sight as she stared at both of her friends. “There’s only one way to know for sure…come on!” Not caring about the stares she got with the plastic bag over her head, Ashley pushed open the small glass door, entering the mart. It smelled of strong cleaning products. “You guys get the test. I’ll be back.” Pushing the two in the direction, Ashley headed over toward the fountain drink noting the large 44 once glasses hanging in their containers. Taking a glass, Ashley filled it with ice then a drink product before heading to the container to pay for both the drink and pregnancy test.

Noticing her friends had already picked out a test, Ashley handed the drink over toward Dixie. “Drink up…it might take a while.” Smiling, Ashley handed the glass over toward Dixie before taking the test and reading the back. “Man…It would be hard to pee on one of these things….Plus disjusting.”

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie hadn't been thinking about what they would say. She just knew that it was eating her up inside, that she had to tell someone. She had thought she might be for awhile, but she had been too afraid to actually go and buy a test. Especially with the fact that Adam might find it. She didn't know how he would take it, and she knew it wasn't right of her to think that way, but she was afraid that he might not want the baby and that something terrible might happen. Thoughts like this sprouted into her mind, not because she thought that way of Adam, but because of how her life had been. She wasn't known for having the best of luck, and it would be just her luck if Adam was upset over this. Even as she listened to Ashley talk about how it would be alright and how she had someone who loved her and two best friends to help her through it, Dixie couldn't be so sure. She shook her head, crying still, and looked down at her hands in her lap. She felt Rae's comforting touch on her back and it soothed Dixie a little bit but not nearly enough for her to think rationally. It was when Ashley stood that Dixie looked up at her, but then before she could even ask what Ashley was doing, they had apparated out of her bathroom and into an alleyway.

She stumbled backward but Rae caught her, Dixie had momentarily stopped crying by the shock of being apparated away so quickly. She looked up at Ashley as she said that there was only one way to find out and then started to drag them into a drugstore. Dixie looked around, dazed, not quite sure if she was ready for this. Rae dragged her down an aisle to where the pregnancy tests were located and helped her pick one out, or rather, picked one out in general. Dixie was too shocked to really make that decision. Rae snatched up one of the tests and then pulled Dixie to the counter again where Ashley held a huge glass of soda and a smile on her face before shoving the drink in Dixie's direction. She took it with shaking hands and let her mouth drop open in a small 'o' shape when Ashley mentioned having a hard time peeing on one of the sticks. Rae nudged Dixie, who took a sip of the soda, though she didn't taste it going down. She could just feel her world ending, not quite sure what to do with everything now that it had come crashing down on her. Rae tugged on Dixie's hand and led her back to the restrooms where there were stalls, dragging Ashley along behind them. It was as if they all had forgotten about Ashley's hair being dyed.

Dixie hopped onto the counter and sipped at her soda, wondering how long it would take for her before she had to go to the bathroom. Rae was standing beside her, her hands gripping the counter, when she said; "Remember that night that we snuck out, Dixie?" Dixie's brown eyes looked at her best friend, "When we snuck out to hang out with those guys. We had to have been only 13 and they were like, 17." Dixie nodded as she continued to sip from her soda, "We walked to the park from my house and it was raining out, remember? And we decided like half way there that it wasn't worth it, but we didn't want to go back home so we took refuge in this little drug store." Rae smiled slightly, as if she were remembering it bit by bit, "And we go in, right? And the manager starts yelling at us for loitering because we hadn't bought anything…" Dixie perked up slightly, remembering the story as well, her eyes flickering over to Ashley as she finished the story, "So we bought something. We bought a pregnancy test and we went into the bathroom and hung out there for thirty minutes, because the manager was a guy and he didn't want to barge in on two young girls who thought that one of them might be pregnant." Rae laughed and Dixie smiled, "Tonight just reminded me of that," Rae told her in a soft tone before crossing her arms over her chest.

Dixie took another sip of her soda and then paused. She bit her lip and looked at Rae and then Ashley, tears welling in her eyes again. She could feel her bladder pushing, telling her she was ready to go to the bathroom, but Dixie was afraid to. She breathed in deeply and then reached out and took the box from Ashley. She opened it and pulled out the stick and then the little cup that came with it, reading over the directions before hopping off the counter and setting the soda aside. She looked at her best friends once more and then slipped into an open stall. It was really difficult to pee into that stupid cup, and curse words tumbled from her lips every now and then, causing Rae to laugh slightly and look at Ashley, "Guess you were right," finally, there was a flush and then Dixie came out from the stall to wash her hands and sit on the counter. Rae looked at Dixie and then at Ashley and then back at Dixie, "What'd you do with it?" she asked in shock. Dixie looked at her hands, "It's sitting on the back of the toilet. I didn't want to bring it out here. We have to wait." Rae reached over and patted her back gently before looking to Ashley and asking, "So, who is this Weetz girl?"

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley stared between Rae and Dixie as the older girl took the cold drink from her palms. Wiggling her number fingers, Ashley was about to say something when Rae tugged on her arm toward the bathroom. “Hold on! I’ll be in there in a minute!” Ashley called heading in the opposite direction as she noticed the two girls head into the small bathroom. Most local bathrooms were extremely fifthly and smelled potent. Sighing, Ashley headed down toward the food section grabbing a few bags of chips from the shelves and some already cooked hot dogs from the burner. Paying for the food, Ashley headed into the back of the store pushing the door open with the side of her shoulder. She wiggled her nose at the strong smell of pine cleaner before locking the door with Rae and Dixie were both reading through the directions on the cover of the box as Ashley set the napkins alongside the sink mirror. Noticing the girls eyes on her, Ashley set her drink down on the counter tilting her head in an angle. “What? Were going to be in here for a while. Those things take forever to give an answer.” Offering a small smile, Ashley jumped onto of the sink making sure not to turn the knob of the faucet on. Dixie did the same, but Rae was standing next to her best friend. Ashley sat silently, watching the two girls as they went through fond memories of their childhood about a time that seemed similar to this one. At Rae’s last comment, Ashley let out a small laugh, leaning her back against the white cemented walls. “That sounds like an eventful night,” she told them with a small smile swinging her legs back and forth. “But going out with guys that much older than you? You two must be rebels. I remember still thinking boys were disgusting and gross at thirteen.” Ashley thought her words over before grinning as she looked up at her friends. “Hey, they still are! Yet, I still find them oddly attractive,” she joked smirking but secretly hoping that the heavy burden that hung above them lightened a bit.

As Dixie headed into one of the wash stalls, Ashley leaned behind her grabbing a hot dog and handing it over to Rae. “Here, you need to eat, Rae….your so skinny. Please tell me your secret to staying so thin!?” Ashley asked a fake look of desperation glimmering in her brown eyes. Looking down at her own legs, Ashley tilted her head as she noticed the slight meaty look. Ashley knew she wasn’t fat, but she wasn’t exactly the skinniest person in the world. “Me on the other hand, well I just gain a pound for eating just one chocolate bar. Next time I go to Italy, I’m taking you. My Nana cooks so much food. She’ll try to fatten you up…you can come too Dix! Expand you fashion label globally.” Sticking her tongue out at Rae, Ashley leaned back behind her as she took her own hot dog. Taking a bite, Ashley listened as Dixie was having some troubles in the wash stall. Laughing, she shook her head swallowing the last bite of chewed up food in her mouth. “Are you having some difficulties in there, Dix?” Ashley joked returning the same smile Rae was flashing toward her. “Just aim….and go!” Laughing, Ashley took the last bite of her hot dog, rolling the paper up in her palms. Watching the door swing open, Ashley’s brown eyes followed Dixie as the girl headed toward the sink to wash her hands. Throwing the paper over the girl’s head into the trash can, Ashley sighed as she watched it miss. Rubbing the girl’s back slowly before jumping off the counter, Ashley picked the paper up almost tripping as Rae asked about Weetzie. Where did that come from?

Staring into Rae’s blue eyes, Ashley threw her trash into the bin before leaning up against the wall. There weren’t any windows in the bathroom, but a small fan was circling around above them. “She was Bryce’s best friend….” She began crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned leisurely against the wall. “Her cousin died a while back, before Bryce and I had met, and she changed completely…like I didn’t know her before Bryce, but when I saw her she was always so spunky, and full of life-” stopping Ashley smiled slightly as she diverted her gaze from her friends. “Weetzie didn’t like the fact that Bryce and I were hanging out, so she ignored us, hanging out with Chris Crawford....yes that Chris…the one with the smug grin, and ugly cowboy shirts.” Shaking her head at the memories, Ashley ran her fingers through her hair as she allowed herself to remember the pain she pushed behind. “Then Bryce kissed her, afraid that she would leave him. You just don’t kiss a girl without having a meaning! I was really scared…..terrified that Bryce only just used me to realize that he had feelings for Weetzie all along.” Feeling tears swell up into her eyes, Ashley fought them back as stared into the ugly green covering of the stall doors. “It was selfish of me to take Bryce away from her when she needed him the most….Well you can’t change that now can you?” she said bitterly offering a small smile before heading into the bathroom Dixie had set the test in. Picking it up, Ashley didn’t look at the covering as she made her way toward the girls. “Are you ready?”

[Raelee Gray]

Rae was almost as shocked as Dixie seemed about the whole pregnancy ordeal. She had all of these pressing questions in the back of her mind, like: didn't they use birth control? What makes her so sure she just might be pregnant? Why exactly hadn't she told Adam? They were all questions that only Dixie could answer, but Rae didn’t want to be the one to ask. She wanted to be the friend that Dixie could lean on for support, and with the help of Ashley she was able to be that friend. Only at the moment only Dixie and Rae were in the bathroom, Ashley had said she would catch up. The silence lingered and then Ashley burst into the bathroom with food. Rae laughed and Dixie shook her head at the younger girl. It was nice to have some form of comic relief under such a strained and nerve wracking situation. Rae and Dixie then rehashed one of their memories and they all laughed at Ashley's thoughts on the subject. Dixie's laughter was a little bit more hollow than Rae's, but that was to be expected. If Rae were the on possibly pregnant, things would be hard to laugh at for her, too.

As she thought about this, she had a hot dog shoved at her and she was forced to take it. She sent a glare, a playful one no less, in Ashley's direction, "I am not too thin. I'm perfectly healthy." Dixie laughed then as Rae took a bite of the hot dog, causing Rae's green eyes to flicker over to the brunette, "Darling, you're so thin you make me look fat and I'm average weight." Rae smiled and shrugged. It was true, Dixie did look larger standing next to Rae, but that was because Rae was really bony. It wasn't like she had an eating disorder – she couldn't possibly, she loved food far too much; but she had a fast metabolism and she was constantly on the go from place to place. Rae didn't know how she was able to stay so thin, but she was and she didn't question it. It was pretty much a gift. She was pulled back from her thoughts by Ashley saying something about Italy, and Dixie let out a light squeal at the idea of expanding her fashion label globally, "Let's get locally first. I'm still the assistant to the assistant, you know." Rae smirked. She knew that was pretty much a lie. If Dixie had been on the fashion committee for longer than only a year, they would allow her on in an instant. But she had little experience with the work force and that was the only reason Tarisa Glass of Glassic Designs didn't promote her to her own designer status.

Dixie then headed into take the test and the light heartedness they had all been feeling only moments before vanished as if sucked up by a vacuum and then there were sounds of Dixie having trouble with the test. Rae and Ashley held back laughter, and Rae knew that Dixie was getting frustrated with them, but she wasn't going to attack them for it. She came out, washed her hands, and Rae finished her hot dog just as Ashley did. As Ashley threw the wrapper of the hot dog over Dixie's head, Rae just crumbled hers up and held it, her arms crossed over her chest loosely. It was then she asked about Weetzie and Ashley seemed to stumble a bit. Rae knew it was a sore subject, she could tell just by the way Ashley had mentioned the girl before, but Rae knew it had to be talked about. There were no secrets amongst best friends. Dixie looked at Ashley intently as Rae watched the younger girl without any pressure. Finally, Ashley began talking. Rae and Dixie looked at each other when she mentioned Bryce kissing Weetzie, and they raised their eyebrows at each other. It wasn't like Adam had kissed Rae when he was dating Dixie, but it had the same feelings attached to it. Rae looked back at Ashley as she finished the tale and then she said, "Well, if that bi—witch ever shows up around here….we'll kick her right in the butt, right, Dix?" She looked over at Dixie expectantly who nodded affirmatively, "Right, Rae."

Then Rae felt the air sucked from the bathroom again as Ashley made her way into the stall Dixie had come from before. Dixie grasped for Rae's hand, and Rae tossed the wrapper from her hot dog in the trash bin before taking her best friend's hand and squeezing it tight. She could feel Dixie panicking and she pulled her friend closer to her as she wrapped a protective arm around her. "It's okay, Dixie, you've got us." Rae whispered as she held the trembling Dixie in her arms. Dixie nodded weakly and then looked at Ashley with fright in her eyes before nodding again, "I'm ready…" She then took the test from Ashley and peered down at it for about a minute before looking back up at Rae and Ashley, "I…I don't know what it means. What does it mean?! Where's the box?" Dixie reached past Rae and snatched it up with shaking fingers, searching over the directions, "Okay… one… one blue line but no red line means you aren't…wait, no… one red line but no blue line means you aren't pregnant. One blue line and one red line means you are…" Dixie chewed on her bottom lip and looked at the pregnancy test again. There, prominently peering up at the three women, was a dark blue line and a dark red line. Foretelling Dixie Greene's doom.

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley chuckled upon hearing Rae mention kicking Weetzie’s but when they saw her next. That would be quite an entertaining sight to see, but deep down, Ashley didn’t want her friends to do that. She knew they didn’t mean physically, but instead verbally, yet Ashley felt like they should all just forget about Weetzie. With the girl’s departure, Ashley could be able to move on with Bryce, so they could finally have a happy ending. Smiling at the thought of a fairy tale ending, Ashley was only hoping that life could really be like that. It wasn’t though. There were so many obstacles that came in the way, but in the end, she knew that things would work out. At least, she hoped they would, just like she wished the best froe Dixie as she took the plastic test off the lid of the toilet. Folding her fingers over the clear part, Ashley made sure she didn’t touch the end as she made her way over toward the girls. Dixie was clutching tightly onto Rae’s hand, as the blonde haired girl stared into Ashley’s covered hands. “Ready?” Ashley questioned noticing Dixie nod her head before taking her hands off the reading. Noticing the different striped lines, Ashley tilted her head to the side as she tried to ponder what they meant. Rae and Dixie both leapt toward the box on the counter, reading through the directions. They were making it more complicated then it had to be Handing the test over to Dixie, Ashley tore the box from Rae’s hands as she read through the list on the back. “One red stripe and blue stripe mean positive,” Ashe spoke softly looking up into Dixie’s face then over at Rae.

There was silence for a while, Ashley throwing the box away in the bin before also pitching the used test as well. “Dixie…this isn’t the end of the world I promise you,” Ashley spoke as she pulled her best friend into a hug, rubbing her back in circular, soothing motions. Grabbing Rae’s hand as well, Ashley also tugged her into the hug, both of the girls circling around Dixie. “Think about it. This kid will have two of his best friend’s mom watching over him…..does that make me an aunt? Because I would loved to be called Aunty Ash. It does ring a bell.” Smiling, Ashley chuckled as she broke away from the two girls leaning her hands behind her on the counter. “Alright…first you need to tell Adam before you can go to the doctor to get a check up.” Nodding, Ashley leaned forward as she grabbed her refreshment off front the table top of the mirror. “Do you think it would be a girl, or a boy? I could see Dixie having a little girl and dressing her up in such cute little baby clothing.” Grinning, Ashley could picture it in her mind. A bald baby staring blindly forward, wearing a cute little yellow dress with hearts sewn in patches along the fabric. There was also a little yellow band on her bald head, with a pink ribbon sticking from the top. “Rae…we have to throw her the best baby shower soon! There should be lots of food, presents, fireworks…and-” stopping Ashley blushed slightly as she was getting too far ahead of herself. Dixie was still in the shocked stage of being pregnant, not even thinking beyond this day. “I’m moving way to fast aren’t I?” Ashley asked with a sad smile as she looked into Dixie’s face. “You just need to tell Adam….how are you going to do it?”

Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror, Ashley noticed her hair was still wrapped in the plastic covering. Feeling a slight burning sensation tingling through her scalp, Ashley let out a small scream as she desperately reached up to the top of her head. She tried pulling the plastic off from over her scalp but it wouldn’t come off. “My hair!” she called out feeling guilty from taking the attention away from Dixie, but her head felt like it was on fire. “Get it off, Rae! Oh, what if my hair turns purple…or falls out!” Her brown eyes widen in fear as she soon glared over at Rae. “Dixie is off limits to chase her down, but you aren’t. Please take this off before I go bald!"

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

They were both telling her the same thing. This isn't the end of the world. They were there for her. But neither of them were saying the one thing that Dixie needed to hear. Neither of them were saying that Adam would be perfectly okay with this, because she knew that deep down they knew that he wouldn't be. That this wouldn't be perfectly okay. He wouldn't do something so drastic as to leaving her or anything, but this would probably most likely cause some form of problems between them. Whether it would be arguing or just shock and denial – Dixie wasn't sure yet, and she wasn't ready to find out. Her stomach churned as she closed her eyes and let Ashley and Rae hug her, support her, hold her up. She felt weak as if this whole entire thing wasn't happening to her – as if this entire thing was happening to someone else, someone that wasn't her. It wasn't that she didn't want children, Dixie did – she just didn't know how soon she had wanted them; and even that didn't matter because it all depended on how soon Adam wanted children. She would follow him wherever he went, and now this had popped up and it was so unexpected. Could they even support a child? Inside Dixie knew they could – what with the money she received from her mother and the money he received from his parents, they were well off…but could they? Would they?

She felt bile rise in her throat but before she could break away to go and vomit, Ashley was shrieking about her hair. Rae jumped away from her and stared, wide eyed, her green eyes showing amusement and shock at the same time. Dixie slid off the counter and pulled Ashley and Rae both to her, closed her eyes and envisioned her cottage – the cottage that was empty and wouldn't be later on down the road. They appeared with a pop in the middle of Dixie's living room and Dixie immediately led Ashley into the bathroom where she turned the water of the bath on and helped Ashley lean over the lip of it. Dye came from the younger girl's hair as Dixie raked her thin fingers through it, sending the excess brown into the drain. Rae stood behind them, silent, watching as Dixie worked with a meticulousness that she had never seen before. It was only at moments like these that Dixie did things perfectly, without issue, without second guessing herself. She was worried, her stomach in knots, her mind clouded, and all she wanted to do was to do these easy things without complaint. If she could make her life an easy string of mindless events, she would. Especially now. Dixie continued to wash out the dye, reaching for her wand and magicking the bottle of shampoo and the conditioner that came with the dye over Ashley's head and spurting it down into it.

After another ten minutes or so, she turned the water off and gave Ashley one of the towels to dry off her hair. When the girl had done that, Rae and Dixie stood in front of her, blocking the mirror, and staring at her with horror; "How…?" Dixie muttered as her brown eyes took in the sight before her. Ashley's hair, which should have turned out to be a beautiful chestnut brown, came out to be a deep purple. It wasn't bright, not neon, just a deep purple – almost like it was a very very dark violet. Rae let out a laugh and covered her face with her hands, "If we had left it in any longer do you think it might have turned pink?" Dixie whacked Rae in the arm and she looked apologetic before stepping aside so the persistent Ashley could see what had happened. Dixie wasn't really worried about it. They could fix it with magic, it wasn’t too big of a deal. Her mind was revolving around what Ashley had asked earlier. How was she going to tell Adam that he was to be a father? Should she do it in a grandiose way? A way that really sparkled? Or should it be simple, low key, in case a fight ensued and ruined the event? She had always imagined it would be the best night of her life – but now she wasn't so sure.

"Ash! Hey, it's fine! Just… here…!" Rae pulled out her wand and muttered something as she waved it over Ashley's head. Her hair instantly became the colour it was supposed to initially be, and then it shrank in length – reaching her chin and curling nicely. Rae smiled and stood next to Ashley, surveying the final product in the mirror, "See? Doesn't it look nice?" Her green eyes flickered to Dixie who nodded absently and then walked from the bathroom without warning, heading into her and Adam's bedroom and picking up the clothes she had designed for Ashley, "Meet me in the living room!" she called to the other two as she walked past the open door into the living room. She dumped the clothes onto the arm chair and then sank onto the couch, raking her fingers through her brown hair and closing her eyes – trying to regain her composure so she wouldn't completely ruin the evening.