[ She watches Alexa as she watches the rows in front of them, surprised to find herself feeling almost... anxious. Wanting to have done well for once. Sure, she's always performed well in school, classes and extra curricular activities and whatnot, but it's never really mattered that much. Oh, she has many friends who've had to receive every mark, every graded paper, with trembling hands and watery gazes but for her? For her, it's just been a game. Do it well, get another nail polish. Another cup of coffee. Another pretty dress. And if things go badly, get them anyway. As consolations.

It's a good selection, she says. Something heavy inside her chest melts away and she inhales, realising only now that she'd been holding her breath. ]

I did! [ She reaches for a thin, black choker, small rhinestones glinting amidst the intricate lace pattern. ] I went with elegant, too, but figured... well. [ She grins. Sips her coffee again and points to a pair of ear studs, shaped like interlocking female/female signs. ] A bit of fun never hurts anyone, does it? I refuse to be in charge of a boring, conservative display. Even if...

[ She cuts herself off quickly, her mouth almost snapping shut. It's not that she can't talk about it, exactly, but... well, looking at Alexa, at how satisfied she seems, like she's almost relaxed... no, she doesn't really need to bring them up. The discussions she's had, been having, with her boss, her boss's boss, too - about some of her pickings. ]