jeans?” Elsie pipes up, confusion evident in her tone.
“Yeah, he did. I just never got a say in what they looked like.” I shrug and attempt to ignore all the eyes that are now on me. “Please don’t stare. Let’s go shopping.”
It takes them a moment. Then we turn into another clothing store. My thoughts are still on my father.
“Elsie, where is my makeup?” Paislee calls from Addison’s bedroom. I decided I wanted to get ready with them at Addison and Elsie’s campus dorm. They do have another two girls living here, but they’ve gone away somewhere for a little while. Who goes away when school is on? People who obviously don’t care about their future.
“I’ve got it out here,” Elsie yells. Gee, the whole building could hear us, I’m sure of it.
Paislee fusses in front of me, holding an eye shadow pallet with a rainbow of colors I’d never consider putting on myself. She hovers her brush over one and then shifts to another. It’s easier if I shut my eyes; that way I’m not stressing over what tones and colors she’s using. She jumps up and races off, my eyes spring open, and then she’s back with a case of I-don’t-know-what, and I’m a little afraid to ask. She clicks it open, revealing more makeup. I didn’t take her for the full-on makeup type. Elsie, on the other hand, I did.
“Wow, please don’t make me look like a clown. I still remember the terrible job you did to me when we were kids.” I laugh.
She opens a few more palettes and finally settles on one that’s full of neutral colors. “Girl, I’ve got you. You’re going to look stunning. These parties are fun, and I want you to have a good time. I’m not going to do yours like mine, unless you want me to?”
Her eyes have a smoky effect applied to them, with shimmering eyeliner along the top and bottom of her eyelids. Her bright-red lips open slightly as she picks up a brush and then tosses it back down and chooses another, finally happy with it.
Feeling adventurous, I say, “Can we go a little crazy tonight? I’ve never been done up like you are.”
Paislee grins. “Yes, let’s go crazy.”
“Yeah.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom. My eyes soak up every part of me—a new me. I like this girl staring back at me. She looks confident and happy. “Wow, I look…”
“You look stunning. That pink shirt was the right choice, and those jeans work wonders for your already amazing figure.” Paislee wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me tight against her. Emotions swell through me, causing a lump to form in my throat. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it? I can tone the makeup down if you want.”
My head shakes before she even finishes her sentence. “No. I’m just… thank you so much,” I breathe, turning to face her. “I feel so alive. A new me. Thank you for taking me in and making me feel welcome.” Tears fill my eyes.
“No, no, don’t cry. Let’s not mess up that beautiful face with tears.” Paislee turns and grabs a tissue from the bed. “Here, tilt your head and rest this just in the corners of your eyes to soak up the tears before they fall. I’ve had to do this plenty of times.”
Doing as she says, I remain silent, feeling a little stupid over my slight meltdown. “Sorry, Pais.”
“Girl, you have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, I should be the one who is sorry for not trying to contact you. We were best friends. I know friends grow apart, but you were like my sister. I shouldn’t have let you walk away and done nothing.” She pulls me into her tight embrace. It’s as though no time has passed between us.
We stand together for a short time. When everything feels settled, she releases me, and I’m feeling so much better. I brush my hands down my outfit and then bring them back up and meet Paislee’s smile. “Thanks for helping me get ready.”
“It’s only the beginning, Charity. We’ve got plenty more parties to attend and time together. The next few years are going to be epic for us.” She shrugs.
“I can’t afford it right now. Why don’t you live on campus?”
“Nah, I’m cheap.” She laughs. “Mom does so much for me, and I’d hate for her to be alone in her big house, although I’m sure