I laugh as the girl in the bottom bunk across from us pulls out a yellow stuffed bunny, then places it in the center of her bed with care. She must be able to feel me looking at her because she turns to face me, a hint of a blush tinging her cheeks.
“My late mother gave it to me as a baby. It goes everywhere I do.”
Nodding in understanding, I give her a soft smile before extending my hand. “I’m Courtney.”
“Cora.” She smiles and shakes my hand before turning to Luna.
“I’m Luna. Where are you from?”
“Denver. You?”
“Portland. What about you, Courtney?” Luna asks.
“Oh, Seattle.”
“No shit? I didn’t realize we were so close. I knew I liked you.” Luna smirks.
I laugh at that as Cora giggles.
“Looks like we got a couple of PNW girlies in the house,” Cora says with a posed duck-lips pout and a peace sign.
Luna laughs and snaps in agreement, while I stand there utterly confused how they chose me to fit in with this group of women. I’m clearly the outlier. Maybe they picked me as a joke?
Once we’re unpacked, all the girls head into the glam room. I’m not sure if that’s actually the name of it, but that’s what I’m calling it. Each girl has a makeup station of her own with her name in neon above each mirror. They really spared no expense with every little detail.
Luna is on the other side of the table, and Cora is on my left, talking my ear off. She seems nice enough, though, and I’m sure all that energy will grow on me. You know who won’t? The bitch on my right that’s burned my arm with her curling iron three times already.
“Fuck!” I shout.
Savannah cuts me an irritated look before facing the mirror once more. “Give me some fucking space if you don’t want to get burned.”
“I’m literally keeping everything in my area, you’re the one waving that thing around like a goddamn sword,” I scoff.
Her sharp green eyes cut to me before narrowing. “Some of us need and deserve a little more space to get ready.”
Shaking my head, I focus on my lipstick once more.
“You don’t have to tell us twice. I think we all witnessed the twenty pounds of makeup going on your face. By all means, take your time,” I mutter.
“Oh shit.” Luna chuckles under her breath as another girl, who introduced herself as Bella earlier, fails to stifle her laugh.
Savannah’s irritation lands on her, and I think she’s attempting to intimidate Bella into submission. It absolutely doesn’t work, though. Her gorgeous brown curls are piled on top of her head, leaving nothing to mask her I-don’t-give-a-fuck glare.
“You got a problem, sweetheart?” Bella asks, her New Jersey accent thicker than before.
You can tell Savannah is attempting to think of something to say but can’t think of a good insult, or thinks better of it. Shedoesn’t seem the type to shy away from a fight, so my money is on the first.
“Yeah, that’s what I fucking thought. You better be careful who you fuck with in here. Cameras aren’t rolling yet, honey.”
Savannah lets out an irritated huff before slamming her curling iron down on the table, pushing to her feet and stomping off. Two girls, Kiera and Angel, follow after her like the queen bee she is. It’s amazing how quickly allyships form when you shove a bunch of women in a room together.
“Fuck the guys, I think I’d rather lock in with you. You’re feisty,” Luna teases.
Bella smirks, then pulls out the claw clip in her hair, running her fingers through the wild curls as she stands up. “It’s day one. Can’t let that blonde bitch think she runs this place.”
“We haven’t even really met the guys yet and I can already tell this show is gonna be messsssy,” another girl, Kenzie, says as she swipes on a gorgeous deep-brown lipstick just a few shades lighter than her skin.
When she stands up, her bright orange minidress clings to her every curve, and the diamond choker around her neck is glimmering even inside. She’s the definition of stunning. All of these women are, really. So, I ask yet again, what the fuck am I doing here?
