The hot shower felt wonderful, and she let the water steam up the room while she decompressed. It was a relief to be done worrying about unpleasant logistical issues. Hanging out with Celeste would be cool. OK, maybe cool wasn't the right word. Unique, unusual, interesting, and challenging. All of Julie's favorites. Plus, it was impossible not to wonder what Flat Finn was all about.
When she got back to her bedroom, she threw on her usual bedtime outfit, a pair of lightweight pajama bottoms and a tank, and turned on the television. She found a good celebrity gossip show and left it on in the background while she sat in bed with her computer. A number of her friends had emailed her with stories about their first days at college, rumors about her ex-boyfriend, and early complaints about the miseries of campus dining. She wrote her friends back and then read a message from Finn.
Julie-OMG, I love pink! And unicorns! And rainbows! Really. So awesome! I've always wanted one of those super cute posters of a kitten dangling from a tree limb that says "Hang in there!" Maybe you can find one? My room is gonna be, like, totally the best ever! Julie, you're a peach! JSouth Africa is definitely fantastic. Rehabilitating elephants this week. Did you know elephant rehab is very similar to human rehab? Well, it is. Except that we don't have hideous artwork hanging on the walls. But we do allow cell phones. Elephants get wicked pissed when they can't call their loved ones or order out for pizza. Canoeing tomorrow and then sleeping in the bush under the stars.Good luck with the family. Here's a free tip: Matt is a geek.Tell my girl that I'll send pictures very soon. I'm not the tech nerd that my brother is, but I'll do my best.-Finn
For some reason, Julie found it reassuring that Finn was as quirky as the rest of the family.
Finn-KNEW you'd like the new decor! Will search faithfully for coveted kitten poster.Thanks for the help with the monsters. Worked like a charm. No other tips needed just yet. Your family is very nice. Took Flat Finn grocery shopping, and although I suspect he considered stealing a can of artichoke hearts, he restrained himself. He did, however, eat a handful of trail mix from the bulk bins, but everyone does that.Yes, Matt is a bit geeky. He's rather proud of that, huh? I should get another free tip since that one was a no-brainer. And will there be a fee for others? I'm on a student budget. I could probably do with a Celeste tip. I'm rather unclear on the Flat Finn situation.And I can't resist asking: What's up with your "Finn is God" Facebook name?-Julie
Finn must still be online because he replied right away.
Julie-No worries. House tips will come free of charge."Finn Is God" is my attempt to start a new religion. I'm working on a merchandise line now, because all good religions come with fashionable accessories. And I wanna be rich.-Finn
Finn-I'll take a "Finn Is God" tote bag and a visor.-Julie
Chapter 9
Matthew Watkins "Sometimes it is useful to know how large your zero is." - Author Unknown.
Finn Is God In order for this status update to make any sense, I need you to assume I'm covered in some sort of spray-based cheese product.
Julie Seagle thinks that Twitter is like Facebook's slutty cousin. It does everything dumb and whore-ish you're too responsible to do
"What's in this one?" Celeste asked.
"I have no idea. Open it up." Julie handed Celeste the scissors and let her cut the tape off the cardboard box. Her room had quickly turned into a disaster area now that the rest of her things had arrived. She had her puffy comforter on the bed and one box of clothes put away.
Celeste opened the box flaps and peered in. "It appears that a beauty parlor has exploded in this box."
"Ooooh, nice!" Julie clapped her hands and turned up the music. "Now, if we can just find the box with the shirt I want to wear tonight, I'll be set."
Dana had texted her earlier and demanded that Julie meet her at a dorm party that night. Jamie had promised he would come, too, and Dana was evidently unable to pick out an appropriate outfit without Julie's divine fashion sense.
"Celeste, will you pull out the black bag in there for me? Pick out a nail polish color." Julie walked across the bed and hopped to the floor, narrowly missing crashing into Flat Finn, and grabbed more hangers from the closet.
"You have too many colors in here to choose from," Celeste said, as she pulled out nail polish bottles and set them in a row on the rug.
Julie held up a pale blue silky top. "I'm wearing this tonight, so pick something that will look nice with it." She wondered briefly if it would be rude not to invite Matt to come with her, but the thought of showing up at her first - or any - Whitney party with him was not at the top of her list.
Celeste stared at the row of little bottles. "I'm not equipped to make this decision, Julie. I don't want to choose the wrong one. Let me ask Flat Finn."
"No, I want you to pick it out. There is no wrong one, silly." Julie took the deep purple and the bright red and held them up. "Seductive, vampire bad girl versus traditional, hot, all-around sexy gal. There are no losers in this color game. Unless you just buy some stupid color like metallic green. Never do that. So, let the nail polish speak to you. You try one."
Celeste nodded seriously and then examined a light pink bottle. "Whimsical, gentle, and tasteful. A classic?"
"Brilliant! Now give me your toes." Julie sat down in front of Celeste and began applying the polish.
Celeste sat quietly, occasionally peeking at Flat Finn, who stood monitoring the pedicure. "It was her idea, not mine!" she quipped. "He is a bit unsettled by this. I've never had my nails painted."