‘Yes, you. I remembered that you said you were grounded so I figured you’d be somewhere in the hotel this evening and probably looking for another escape from whatever you were doing.’
I broke into a grin. ‘You were spot on.’
‘Great!’ She smiled back. ‘Will you help?’
‘Sure.’ I pulled out the chair from the dressing table and sat down.
‘I just need someone to make sure I don’t look terrible. You won’t believe how nasty the Internet can be when you get it wrong.’ She pointed at the huge pile of clothes on the bed. ‘These are my favourite options.’
‘Right, so just a small task then.’
‘Let’s start with this pink dress,’ she suggested, snatching it up and scurrying into her bathroom. I relaxed back into the chair and smiled to myself. It was easy to forget that you were with the most famous pop star in the world when you were hanging out with Skylar Chase. The way she talked and acted – it was just like being with a friend.
A very glamorous, insanely cool friend.
‘OK, here’s the first one.’ She emerged from the bathroom and did a twirl. ‘What do you think?’
I burst out laughing. ‘It’s a big fat no from the judges.’
‘Why? I quite liked this one!’
‘You won’t when you see how it looks in this lighting.’
She went to admire herself in the full-length mirror and gasped. ‘It’s completely see-through!’
‘It would certainly make the headlines,’ I pointed out and we both erupted into giggles.
‘On to the next one!’
After going through half of the pile, we finally decided on a beautiful red mini dress with sparkling silver shoes.
‘You look amazing.’ I nodded. My eyes widened as she opened a trunk filled to the brim with handbags, carefully selecting a silver clutch to finish the look. ‘Where’s your dinner then?’
‘It’s here in the hotel,’ she said, putting on some diamond earrings while I moved to sit on the floor and dig through her treasure trove of handbags.
‘You want to come?’ she said suddenly.
I dropped the bag I had been fiddling with. ‘What?’
‘It’s a dinner with some friends of mine, very casual.’
‘Yeah, it seems very casual.’ I laughed, nodding at the diamond bracelet she was putting on.
‘I mean it. You should come.’
‘I . . . I can’t. I don’t know anyone and I have nothing to wear and –’
‘I think we could find you something.’ She pointed at the bed of clothes. ‘I get sent stuff in all kinds of sizes. We could find something small enough to fit.’
‘You don’t want me tagging along.’
‘I’ve asked you, haven’t I?’
I was stunned into silence. I couldn’t believe that Skylar Chase was asking me to dinner with herfriends.
‘Come on!’ She grinned. ‘Don’t make me beg. Plus, it’s not technically breaking your mom’s rules as you won’t be leaving the hotel. So?’
I continued to stare at her, completely baffled at what was happening. ‘If you’re sure . . .’
