“Yeah, but that was before. It’s our thing now!”
“Your argument is compelling. Unfortunately, I can’t get out of this one. You’ll have to do the impossible and go on without me.”
“Fine.”
“You know I’d rather be with you, anyway.”
“That’s not saying much. You’d rather be anywhere else. Literally, anywhere.”
We both laughed because she was right on the money. “I considered what horrible sickness I could come down with to get me out of this, but none seemed believable enough.”
“You’d have to be hospitalized for Elijah to let you out of this.”
“You got me there. Well, go have enough fun for the both of us. Lord knows I won’t be having any. Have you left already?”
Jade nodded. “I’m almost there. Since they aren’t headliners tonight, they play earlier.”
“Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to make it. This thing starts at seven.”
“Why would they start it so late?”
“Hmph. Who knows. You could come and ask them. I’ll get you in.”
Jade laughed. “No thanks. I don’t enjoy rubbing elbows with the elite.” She paused. “I’m pulling in.”
“Me too. Call me if you need me. Promise?”
“Yeah, yeah. Love you, sis.”
“Love you.”
Jade ended our call at the exact moment I pulled up to the salon. Surprisingly, there was a space right in front of the building. I wasn’t one to knock a gift horse in the mouth, but that was a rarity in Charleston.
“Finally, you’re here,” Elijah’s mom said as I walked through the door.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Powell. Traffic was worse than I thought it’d be.”
“If you plan to be on time, you’ll always be late. Next time, try to arrive early. At least then, when you are late, you’ll be on time.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my unnecessary comments to myself. Amelia Powell was the picture of perfection. She had the perfect family, the perfect house, and the perfect appearance. Not a single hair on her head dared to be out of place. “Yes, ma’am.”
I often wondered how it felt to grow up the way Elijah had. A part of me couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He hadalways been held to that standard of flawlessness, an impossible feat. It was no wonder he had issues.
“Come sit.”
“Yes, ma’am.”I followed orders and sat. Elijah’s sister, Grace, was in the corner, scrolling on her phone with a smirk. Neither of them offered me a warm greeting.
Before I knew it, the stylist had twisted my hair into a beautiful chignon and turned my face into one meant for the cover of a magazine. She kept my make-up light, at my request, but the neutral colors she’d chosen complimented my skin and gave me a natural glow.
I touched the soft curls pinned at the nape of my neck, my amber eyes popping more than usual. I didn’t look like myself, but I felt beautiful.
A spark of anticipation ran through my veins. Maybe the event wouldn’t be so bad. I’d get to see Elijah all dressed up, and we’d eat fancy food, and dance the night away.
Mrs. Powell held out a garment bag and a shoe box. “Go change in the back. Grace is next.”
I grabbed the items and walked into a dressing room. There was a mirror along the wall that gave you three different angles and a pedestal to stand in front of it.I hung the bag and unzipped it, gasping when the lace peeked out. When I pulled out the dress, a small piece of white paper fell onto the floor.
I couldn’t let my friend wear
