Chapter Two
I take a deep breath and face the mirror, taking in the outfit I’ve been talked into. The girls have successfully convinced me to let them style me, and now I’m in a short pink dress that reveals way too much thigh, black pumps that add six inches to my 5’2″ frame, and hoop earrings nearly large enough to fit my fists through. “Are you guys really sure about this?” I huff, puffing air into my freshly cut bangs as I glance between Felicity and Mara.
“Absolutely! This is our last chance to make an impression, and we want to leave them with an unforgettable memory of us. The Three Muskateers looking hotter than ever and making all the guys drool one last time!” Felicity nudges me playfully with her hip, and I can’t help but laugh, even amidst my uncertainty. I can’t shake the doubt about whether I can actually pull this off.
“Okay, how about this: let’s pack some extra clothes just in case we want to change?” I suggest. ” We need to pack for Disneyland anyway, and with the bus leaving at midnight, I don’t think sitting for seven hours in a mini skirt and heels will make the ride any easier. Plus, I don’t know how long I can last with these earrings. They’re fucking heavy!”
“Deal!” They both chime in. I turn around and stick my tongue out at Felicity, who’s giving me a knowing side-eye. She already know I’ll be changing out of this ensemble five minutes after we arrive at the party.
As Mara and Felicity put the finishing touches on their outfits, the atmosphere in Felicity’s room is electric with excitement. We laughed and chatted while they tried to perfect their hair and makeup, the scent of hairspray mingling with the sweet notes of perfume.
Felicity twirls in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. With her skin fare and long, flowing brown hair cascading down her back, she had a captivating presence. Her curvy figure, complete with hips or days, accentuates her confidence as she strikes a pose. “Okay, who’s ready to rock this party?” she exclaimed, fluffing her hair with a playful grin.
Just then my phone buzzed with a group text notification. I glanced at the screen and saw Alexis’s name flash across it.
Alexis: Hey, girlys! Just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m setting up the party at my place. It’s going to be lit! Don’t be late!
Mara leaned over to read the message, her eyes widening. “Of course, Alexis is in charge of the party. She probably has a whole Pinterest board dedicated to it.”
I chuckle as I type a response. Me: Can’t wait! You know we’ll make an entrance!
Moments later, her reply pinged back. Alexis: Make sure you bring you A-game! I expect nothing less than fabulous from you three!
Felicity laughed, rolling her eyes. “She’s such a drama queen, but you have to admit, she knows how to throw a party.”
“True,” I agreed, glancing at myself in the mirror. “She might be a little over the top, but at least she keeps things interesting.”
Mara grabbed her phone and added her own message. Mara: Don’t worry, we’ll be there! Just putting on the final touches!
Alexis: Perfect! I’ll save you all a spot on the dance floor!
As we continued to get ready, the excitement in the room was palpable, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling in the air. “Are we ready for this?” I asked, glancing at my best friends as they applied their lipstick.
“Ready as we’ll ever be!” Felicity replied, flashing a confident wink. “Let’s go make some unforgettable memories!”
Mara took one last look in the full-length mirror, admiring her reflection from head to toe. With her half- Japanese heritage, her almond-shaped eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief, framed by long, dark lashes. Her medium-length black hair falls softly around her shoulders, contrasting beautifully with her fair skin. Standing at a petite 4’10”, she has a slender build that makes her look effortlessly graceful in any outfit. She always knows how to turn heads, no matter what she wears.
“Wait, just one last thing,” I said, reaching for my diamonds studs on Felicity’s dresser and swapping out the hoop earrings. With one final glance in the mirror, I felt a surge of confidence. Tonight was going to be amazing, and I was ready to embrace every moment.
“Alright, that’s the only change you’re making until we get to the party Elle,” Felicity sighed, shaking her head with a smile.
I leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek, playfully smacking her backside as we headed into the kitchen to say goodbye to her mom and stepdad.
“Okay, girls, make sure you stay safe and don’t drink and drive. If you do drink, just call an Uber. I’ll send you my login so you can save your money for the Disney trip,” Ms. Lori said, her warm smile reassuring us as we prepared to head out.
“Thanks, Mom!” We all reply in unison. We share a group hug with Ms. Lori, who kisses each of us goodbye. Felicity’s mom has always been the cool one among our parents. We grew up just down the street from each other, and ever since we met in kindergarten, we’ve been inseparable. After my dad passed away in first grade, Ms. Lori would babysit me for my mom, and back then, we always begged her and Felicity’s dad, Greg, to let Mara join us as well.
When my mom met her boyfriend, Fred, and he moved in with us, she returned the favor by letting Felicity stay over on school nights after Ms. Lori and Greg got divorced. Of course, Mara was always included too. Mara’s family is a different story. Both of her parents are still together, but they aren’t best parents to her, which is why she often finds herself at my or Felicity’s. They put on a façade of having a perfect family, but both my mom and Felicity’s mom sensed that something was off. So, whenever they could, they made sure Mara had a safe place to stay whenever she needed it. I loved our parents for that. They pretty much adopted Mara and they treat all of us like we were their own kids, no matter whose house we were at.
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