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"I'm serious, Sammy." I raised my voice, annoyed at her flippant attitude.
"Okay, okay. What's wrong with the outfit you have on now?" She looked me up and down.
"I look like I'm going to prom." The dress was a sparkly blue number I thought was cool when I was fifteen.
"I thought hairdressers had more style." She got up and started pulling the rest of my clothes from my closet.
"Ha, you and I both know I have no style." I tossed a pair of black slacks at her.
"I wouldn't say no style." Sammy examined a retro t-shirt I got from the thrift store. "Just the style of a nineties grunge thing. Don't worry. We will get you looking sexy."
Sammy made two piles. One she claimed was an absolute no, and the other was for me to try on. The try-on pile was obscenely big and would take hours to put on.
After rummaging through the snacks and drinks in the mini-fridge that my brother had gifted me for Christmas, Sammy perched on my bed, awaiting my performance. I rolled my eyes. I should have realized this would take way longer than expected. Had I not crushed on Jake for years, I wouldn't have taken this so seriously. It was also my first date. I had been asked out by a handful of guys, but no one compared to Jake, Matty, and Rex. If it wasn't them, I didn't want it.
Outfit after outfit I tried on. Even Sammy agreed none of them had the 'look.' It wasn't like I could go out and buy a new outfit. I was saving every penny for cosmetology school. With all the medical bills my mom left behind, I couldn't borrow money from my dad.
"I give up," I said, throwing the last dress in my closet to the ground. I flopped back onto the bed and threw my arm over my eyes. "I knew this was a bad idea. I look like a preteen."
"No, you don't." Sammy patted my back. "You look beautiful."
She could say that as a friend, but I knew better. I was scared to look at myself in the mirror. My hair was in a million different directions, my makeup was smeared, and my outfit was from my freshman year of high school. I wasn't cute, I wasn't sexy, I was a mess. I was a dork.
"Mal, you're beautiful, and Jake is lucky to get a chance to go out with you." She was trying to make me feel better, but she was failing.
Sammy grabbed my arms and set me on the bed. She rummaged through the clothes one last time. Determination spread across her face. I tried to tell her it was useless, but she ignored me.
Sammy pulled a black skirt off the bed and tossed it to me. "Try this on," she said, already starting to disrobe. She took off her black lacy shirt and, standing in just her bra, held it out for me to take. Her petite frame meant the top was two sizes too small for me – my bust pushing against the fabric's limits. My cheeks flush as I realized how much cleavage I was about to expose.
So much of me wanted to hate the outfit. It was tight and revealing. I turned in the mirror multiple times, looking for an excuse to not wear it. I couldn't find any. It was perfect. I looked my age instead of like a kid playing dress up.Hey, at least I would look hot for my date.
"Perfect, now let's fix that hair and makeup." Sammy tossed on my retro tee and then pulled out her makeup bag from her purse. "You do realize when you get your cosmetology license, I get free haircuts for life."
I laughed as Sammy started to apply makeup to my face. I closed my eyes and let her work her magic. She was always so good at this kind of thing. In under ten minutes, she had transformed me from a dorky-looking girl to a bombshell. My cheeks were rosy, my eyes were smoky, and my lips were plump and glossy. I couldn't believe it was me in the mirror.
Sammy then reached for my hair, pulling my hair into an updo that was both elegant and sexy. It was perfect for the night ahead.
I thanked Sammy for her help and watched her leave with a smile. I was ready for my date with Jake. I was wearing something that made me feel confident and sexy. A friend like her came around once in a lifetime, and I was grateful.
As I walked out of the house, I saw Jake standing by his blue truck. He was leaning against the door, looking as handsome as ever in a leather jacket and jeans.
"Hey." I walked over to him, rubbing my sweaty palms against my skirt. Maybe there was still time to turn around and run.
"Wow, you look amazing," he said, his eyes raking over my body.
"Um..thanks," I stuttered, trying to suck in air.
Jake opened the truck door for me and helped me step up into it. I was grateful for the low heels instead of the stilettos Sammy had insisted I wear. Jake got into the driver's seat and started the engine. The truck roared to life, and he pulled out of the driveway. We drove in silence for a while. I kept clearing my throat to speak, but my mouth was so dry I couldn't get words out. He must have thought I was a walrus.
"So, where are we going?" I croaked out.
"It's a surprise," Jake smirked, keeping his eyes on the road.
I rolled my eyes. "You know I hate surprises." I bit my lip. I shouldn't have said that. It made me sound like I didn't want to go. Ugh, this dating thing was hard, and I was failing.
"Well, you'll just have to trust me." He glanced over at me, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
I couldn't help but smile. Jake had always been good at making me feel comfortable. Even as a kid, he was the only one to make me laugh when I was upset.
