I take three cautious steps backwards, hands up in an effort to stop what’s about to happen.“G, I’m not sure a makeover is what’s required here, and I love a glow-up more than anyone.”It’s probably one of my all-time favorite nineties tropes.She’s All That and Clueless have burrowed their way so deep into my heart that turning down this moment is hard, but I also want him to like me for me.That’s the whole point, right?
“Alright, plan B.”
“What’s plan B?”
Gabriella holds up a pointer finger before scurrying into our closet.The next minute or so is all zippers and “I know it’s here somewhere.”Finally, she emerges holding a black bikini.
“This is plan B.”
“This”—I hold up the bralette in front of my chest— “headband you call a swimsuit?”My comment gets no laughs, just the opposite, actually.The curved line of her mouth drops dramatically into a scowl while her eyes do the most work, rolling aggressively towards the back of her head.
“Tate, I know you love being demure and all, but for once can you just listen and put the suit on?”I look at the black fabric in my hand and then back to my friend, wondering how we got to this place in our relationship where she can make a “suggestion” and I feel obligated to obey.In a wordless answer, I stalk off towards the bathroom with the faint sound of, “Yes!”coming from behind me.
I peel off my pajama pants with pictures of cats eating Top Ramen and replace it with the high-waisted bottoms.The material is so soft and stretchy that when it finally meets its resting place on my hip it feels close to weightless.I quickly replace my shirt with the top and step out into the sunlight-filled room.I walk over to the full-length mirror in our closet, and I’m surprised to find the suit covers more than I thought.
“Holy cow!No, holy farm!You look so good.Levi is going to die when he sees you in this.”
Just the mention of his name sets off a subtle buzz in my chest.I turn away from my reflection to face her.“You think so?”
“I know so, but also, boys are really dumb...so if he doesn’t, it’s a lack of intelligence and not a reflection of how you look.Let me throw something on and we will get Operation Make Levi’s Eyes Fall Out of His Country Head underway.
I laugh, turning back to the mirror one last time.My eyes sweep over everywhere the suit falls and even more so where it doesn’t.My curves, dimples, dips, and indents.All the things that add up to me.I lightly trace the lightning bolt–like stretch mark that runs a finger length from the crease of my hip to the top of my thigh.It’s lightened to white over time, but still very much there.I pull my gaze back to my hair, brown tendrils running wild on either side.I have never been self-conscious of my body, and I won’t start today.I love this body of mine, and if someone doesn’t, then that’s not my problem.
Gabriella slides into the closet, arms held up in victory over her head.After a few moments, she comes out wearing a neon-green one-piece with an open back.The color is out of this world against her tan skin.
“G, you look amazing!I love you in that color.”
I watch as she does a little shimmy of appreciation.“We look amazing!”she amends, throwing her arm over my shoulder before guiding me out of the closet.
***
The backyard has filledin significantly since we first peered through the windows, most partygoers unfamiliar to me.“How did all these people get here?”
“No idea, but let’s get a drink and plot out our plan.”Gabriella releases my shoulder in a quick exchange for my hand before pulling me through the crowd.I turn sideways until we come to the outside bar landing where bottles upon bottles of different types of alcohol begin to accumulate.I watch as Gabriella makes a quick assessment, grabbing two red solo cups, filling the first one with tequila and finishing it with club soda on top.The other she only fills with soda.
My insides smile when she hands me the cup.“Thank you.”
“Have you seen you-know-who?”
“No.”I groan, taking another glance around at the half-clothed bodies filling the pool area.
Gabriella stands on her toes for a second before dropping down to her normal height.“I see Clay over by the fireplace.Let’s start there.”She reattaches herself to me and we’re off again.Clay is about the only one who hasn’t moved since we first peered down.He is comfortably draped over a chair, his long limbs spread out around him.He has a bottle balanced in his hand and I can see the reflection of us in his glasses as we approach.
“Ayeee, it’s my favorite ladies!”he says, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees.“I’m glad you guys came down.As usual, you both look amazing.”The compliment has me finding my toes, but not Gabriella.She does a full twirl.It makes me smile.
“Hey, Tate.”The greeting rings out from somewhere behind me, but I already know who it is.I turn, Gabriella turning with me, hand on hip.
“Hi,” I offer with a small smile.Our last interaction wasn’t necessarily bad.It was interesting.Her words whisk themselves back through my subconscious...“You know he feels the same way about you too.”I blink against the memory.
“Have you seen Levi?”she asks, cutting right to the chase.
“Who’s asking?”Gabriella challenges, but she doesn’t bite.Instead, she flicks her straight blonde hair back and over her shoulders.
“I am, that’s why I asked.”
I place my hand on Gabriella’s arm, stopping her before she goes full bulldog.“We haven’t seen him.We just got down here.”
Her face settles into a line while her eyes dart around somewhere behind me.“Huh.Alright.Well, if you do see him, will you tell him I’m looking for him?”
