#lra: lyla vandermorgan

[simstationdance]

Later that evening, Lyla’s fellow classmate and awkward tagalong Jenny Curious stopped by to have a word.

Lyla: Jenny? What brings you all the way out here? Jenny: Well, I, uh... I was wondering if, maybe, you... uh... Lyla: Come on, girl, spit it out. Jenny: Would you want to uhhhh do... our homework... together? Just you and me?

Lyla: Homework? You’re really asking me to do homework, with you? That’s pretty lame. I’ve heard pickup lines way better than that. Jenny: Oh... uh, I’m sorry. I can leave- I mean, if you want me t- Lyla: What? I never said I wanted you to leave, Jen. Jenny: Wait, what-- Lyla: Look, if you’re gonna ask me on some sort of date, you might as well take me somewhere. Jenny: I-- I wasn- I mean- I guess- Okay sure, let’s go!

[simstationdance]

And then this just kinda...

...happened.

[simstationdance]

It had been a while since Hoot had last seen Lyla. Although he wasn’t sure what to think of her current look, he found her no less pretty.

She had a boyfriend, sure, but that wasn’t too important to either of them. After all, the most the two of them ever did was playful flirting and hanging out as friends. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Hoot: Long time no see, Lyla! How’ve you been? Lyla: I’ve been... alright. Could be better. You? Hoot: Just about the same. So, what brings you all the way out here? You don’t usually stop by the saloon after school. Lyla: I just wanted to have some fun this evening, you know. Speaking of which, wanna play darts? Hoot: Oh, well... I’d love to, but I, uh... can’t. I’ve got work to do. Lyla, a little annoyed: Yeah... you’ve always got ‘work to do’ these days. I get it.

As he walked off, Hoot couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, considering her tone.

[simstationdance]

For once, it seemed Lyla didn’t want to go anywhere, so they opted to just hang out in Jenny’s room. All the while, Lyla seemed troubled by something, but Jenny wasn’t one to pry... until their conversation took a very personal turn.

Lyla: So, are you... excited to grow up soon? Jenny: Hm... I haven’t really been thinking about it, but I guess I am kind of excited to go to college and see what it’s like. Why? Are you excited? Lyla: ...No, I’m not. My parents - and now, even my boyfriend - keep bringing up the fact that I’m “going to be an adult soon” and I’m sick of it! It’s like everyone’s expecting me to just... know what I’m doing with my life as soon as my birthday rolls around, and I hate it! Jenny, very confused: ...Okayyy. Not really sure what to say to that, to be honest. Lyla: Sorry. I shouldn’t drag you into my problems. I guess I’m just stressed. I should... probably... leave-- Jenny: Wait!

Feeling awkward all of a sudden, Lyla stood up and trudged towards the door. To her surprise, Jenny quickly stopped her, turning her around and grasping both of her hands. She reassured her that Lyla had nothing to apologize for, and that her feelings were perfectly reasonable to have.

...In a lot more words, and with a lot more stumbling, that is. Lyla couldn’t help but smile.

[simstationdance]

Jenny, trying her best: Hey Lyla, I just want you to know that... when you grow up, I think you’ll be alright. I know the future seems scary right now, but... uh... just try to look on the bright side, and... um... don’t be afraid to ask for my help if you need me, okay? Because, you know, uh... friends look out for each other, right? ...ᵂᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᶠʳᶦᵉⁿᵈˢ, ʳᶦᵍʰᵗˀ Lyla: Aww, Jenny... thank you. Jenny: ...ᴼʰ ʷᵒʷ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈˀ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏᶦⁿᵈᵃ ʷᶦⁿᵍᶦⁿᵍ ᶦᵗ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ⁻ Lyla: You know, I’m really glad I’ve got someone like you in my life. Jenny: Wait-- you are?

Lyla: Yeah! You may not always know what to say, but you’re always so... kind and thoughtful. I really admire that about you. Jenny, her brain visibly short-circuiting: ʜʜʜʜʜʜʜʜ-- Lyla: Jenny? Are you okay? Jenny: ...YES. I am so... incredibly... okay! And you know what else? I’m really glad I’ve got someone like you in my life too, Lyla. Because... um... you’re really pr- I mean, you’re really cool. And I think you’re cute-- I mean, cool. And I just. Um. You know. Really admire-- really appreciate-- really-- Lyla: ...You really like me, don’t you? Jenny: ...ᴹᵃʸᵇᵉ ᵃ ˡᶦᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵇᶦᵗ.

[simstationdance]

The next morning, Lyla has yet another identity crisis I mean, new look.

[simstationdance]

Buzz: So, babe, I was thinking... Lyla: Yeah? About what? Buzz: Would you wanna... take our relationship to ‘the next level’? Lyla: ‘The next level’? Like... going steady, or...? Buzz: Uh, yeah, I was thinking ‘going steady.’ Lyla: Oh, uhh... sure! That sounds great! Buzz: Somehow I knew you’d say yes.

Meanwhile, Lyla, not too long ago:

(can’t say i blame her tho. i mean, have you SEEN hoot howell??)

[simstationdance]

A few days after their little escapade out of town, which Jenny worried might’ve put Lyla off from hanging out with her, Lyla surprises her with an unannounced visit.

Also, she has a new look. Again.

[simstationdance]

Towards the end of their date, Lyla took the opportunity to take a picture at the nearest photobooth, this time with Buzz.

Lyla: Aw, look at us! We look so cute together! Buzz: Yeah... we do. Lyla: Kinda wish we were a little more in frame but... I’ll take it.

Buzz was surprisingly quiet as he watched Lyla marvel at their photos together, getting a bit lost in his own thoughts. He wasn’t sure how to explain this emotion he was feeling, he didn’t have the words. But he knew one thing for certain...

He really likes this girl.

Regardless of what the future has in store, he silently hoped moments like this could last forever.

[simstationdance]

Once school was out for the day and Buzz was free, Lyla invited him out on a date. A nice, fun, pressure-free date...

oh and her outfit changed AGAIN--

[simstationdance]

In recent years, Lyla’s performance at school was slipping below an A+ grade. An A- was acceptable... but not perfect. And that was the real issue. 

But as of today, now that Lyla’s been back on top of her homework, her report card finally had a straight line of A+’s for the first time in a long time.

Lyla: Mom! Look! All A’s! Jacqueline: That’s wonderful, darling! Keep it up! We don’t want to see you slipping again. Lyla, under her breath: ...Okay. A simple ‘congratulations’ would’ve been nice, but that also works.

[simstationdance]

It appears that Once Again, God is indecisive and unsatisfied with Lyla’s previous look, so she gets to have another one.

[simstationdance]

The next night, Lyla invites Buzz over to spend some time together. It was the perfect opportunity, as both of her parents were out for the evening and thus she wouldn’t have to hear any nonsense about ‘the future.’

Or, she hoped so, at least.

Buzz: So... uh, I wanted to talk about that conversation we had with your parents a few days ago... Lyla, hiding the pain: Yeah? What about it? Buzz: Like, say, a few years from now, if... we’re still together... would you want to...? Uh, you know, hypothetically speaking. Lyla: Um... well... honestly? I really can’t say for sure.

Lyla: Besides, we’re too young be thinking about that kind of thing.  Buzz: You’re right. It’s just... It’s been on my mind, is all. Lyla: Yeah? Well... it shouldn’t be. Buzz: ...Lyla, I didn’t mean-- Lyla: Shh, my favorite part’s coming up!

[simstationdance]

The girls headed to the dance floor, where they saw plenty of drunk people making fools of themselves. Thankfully, the music was just loud enough to drown out their laughter.

Lyla: Come on, Jenny, let’s show these guys what real dancing looks like. Jenny: Wait, dance? With you? Lyla: Yeah? Who else would you dance with? Not a lot of better options around here. Jenny: Um... okay!

TEARINGGG IT UPPPPP

[simstationdance]

As soon as she caught sight of a nearby photobooth, Lyla made a beeline for it, practically dragging Jenny along by the wrist.

Lyla: Let’s get a photo together! Jenny: I don’t know if I want to- I mean, I don’t think I’d look good in a picture... Lyla: Aw, come on, Jen. You’ll look fine. Now get in here!

Lyla: That wasn’t so bad, was it? Jenny: I’m never going into another photobooth again. Lyla: Jenny! You look fine! Come look at the photos with me!

Jenny was trying to hide her face in almost every single picture, save for the last one, wherein Lyla resorted to trying to tickle her.

[simstationdance]

Jenny had never gone anywhere outside of Strangetown before, whereas Lyla’s little escapades with Hoot have often led her to even stranger places. The city of Copperhead was large and a little scary, especially at night. But as long as they have each other, they probably won’t get mugged. Probably.