“You looked so sad today, and I just wanted to come and cheer you up.Trust me, you already know having makeup on is a lot of fun, and it will help you relax.You just have to throw yourself into the process.”
Larissa stepped back and allowed Hailey to enter.In the last few weeks, she had been around Hailey’s Beauty Parlor a lot.Rather than head home once she closed up the bakery, she went to see Hailey.She found watching makeup application, relaxing.Also, she just couldn’t help filling the shelves.Harlow still worked for Hailey, but with how heavily pregnant she was, and the fact she got tired, she went home early.
“Your dad said he was away for a few days on a trip and asked if I wanted to come around and see you.Of course, I said yes.”
“You didn’t have to,” she said, hating the thought of anyone doing something they didn’t want to do.
“But I wanted to, and besides, eating takeout with you is much better than eating takeout all alone.Not to make you feel sorry for me or anything, but I do spend a lot of time on my own.Just so you know.All alone.Little old me, all alone.”
She started to pout, and Larissa burst out laughing.
“You’re right, eating takeout with a friend is better than eating it alone.What do you want to order?”
“I’ve already got it ordered.Lots of pizza.I think that sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Larissa’s stomach chose that moment to grumble.“You’re right.It does sound good.”
“Great.Do you want to make the hot chocolates and I will get these bad boys set up?Just so you know, to cheer us both up, I went for luxury as well.”Hailey gave her a wink.
She couldn’t help but chuckle, then she made her way into the kitchen.She and Hailey loved hot chocolate.It was one of the few things they agreed on.She put the milk on to reach a quick boil, and then located the few remaining chocolate bombs she had.Once the cups were ready, she poured the hot milk over them and took the bottle of whipped cream into the main living room.
Hailey had already set up the room, putting down a large sheet for them to sit on.Brushes adorned the table, and she saw the large case that was open, showing off all the different makeup.
“Wow,” Larissa said.
“Yeah, there is a lot here, but I thought it would be a lot of fun to just learn what shades you are, and practice, that kind of thing.”
Larissa lowered herself down.It wasn’t difficult yet, but she already saw her body changing.Her stomach was thickening, which is why she was back into her dresses.Her jeans were just too tight and uncomfortable around the waist.She had no choice but to wear the dresses now.Her dad had recommended she get some new pants, if that was what she wanted to wear.New clothes were expensive, and although she was working once again, she knew a baby cost a fortune.She may as well just wear the clothes she already had, and stop being so stubborn.
The doorbell rang.“Ah, that’s the pizza.”
Larissa let her answer, taking a long sip of hot chocolate, which was exactly what she needed.Minutes later, Hailey came back into the room, and before they started on the makeup, they had a few slices of pizza.
Larissa didn’t realize how hungry she was until she started to eat.After three slices, she had to stop and give her body a chance to actually be full.
“So, let’s cleanse and wash the face,” Hailey said.
She had already set up a washing station, and Larissa couldn’t help but laugh as they washed each other’s faces.The plan was for Hailey to show her each stage, and Larissa to do the same for Hailey, building it up the same way.
Larissa was not accustomed to makeup, so each step was new to her.Hailey had done it once for her before, but she hadn’t been paying too much attention to the process.With their faces cleansed, toned, and moisturized, it came time for the foundation check.Hailey swiped three shades on her cheek and chin, finding one that was more neutral-leaning.
Once she blended in the foundation, it was Larissa’s turn to find Hailey’s shade.She did, after six swatches of different shades, three on each cheek.
“So, how are you holding up?”Hailey said, as Larissa used a brush and a beauty sponge to blend in the foundation.She might have used a little too much, but she kept blending because that was what Hailey had told her to do.
“I’m ...handling it.”
“You are?”
“I don’t know.To be honest, I feel like a terrible person.What woman wishes she wasn’t pregnant, or regrets the way she got pregnant?”
“Take everything out that happened.Big Dick and the bet, and everything else, and think about your baby.Not that it’s Big Dick’s baby, but the fact that it’s your baby, what do you feel then?”
“Terrified.”
Hailey laughed.“Of course you’re going to feel terrified.You’ve got another life inside you.Imagine everything is perfect.You love Big Dick and he loves you, what does it make you feel knowing you’re pregnant?”
Larissa stopped blending and looked toward her friend.“I’m happy.I’m really happy.”
