"You already have a lot on your plate."
"What is it that Crystal says?" Eloise tapped her chin with a thoughtful look on her face.
Ursula heaved a great breath out and answered. "If you don't have to do it alone, then don't."
"Mmm," Eloise murmured into her raccoon mug of tea. "That woman is wise."
"That she is. Okay, I could use your help. But I'm going to pay you."
"You pay me already by letting me live here and being my best friend. Now, if you decide to replace me with a different friend? I will charge by the hour. And my fee is exorbitant."
"That sounds like blackmail."
"No friendship is perfect," she smiled as she pulled a laugh out of her friend.
"Hey guys?"
At the sound of Bess's voice, they turned and waited until the teen walked through the hallway into the kitchen with Casper and Lady Macbeth on her heels. She was also holding a light blue silk dress in her hand.
"Oooh, pretty. What's it for?"
She set her backpack down on the island and picked up Lady Macbeth, who was holding out her arms and wiggling her black fingers for her.
"I was going to ask you. After my last class, I found this hanging in my locker with a note."
She fished it out of her back pocket and unfolded it for them to read.
"Looks like you're being invited to a dinner here at The Lost Souls," Ursula said and looked at Eloise, who shrugged, just as in the dark as she was.
A tinkling sound of bells, different than their doorbell, sounded, and they all paused, looking around the kitchen.
Eloise stood, scooping up one of Lady's kits, who was now a solid little raccoon and less of a baby. When she opened her bedroom door, she called out.
"Hey! I got one too."
Ursula and Bess joined her as she fingered the black satin cocktail dress lying on her bed, delicate spaghetti straps and a draping neckline.
"Bet you have one too," she said to Ursula, and moments later they were all gathered in the kitchen with their blue, black, and lavender satin gowns and invitations for a dinner party to be held here tonight in their friend's honor with directions to light candles in every room and a stern warning not to be late.
"I swear if this house makes dinner party food, dresses us, and then cleans up? I'm never moving."
Ursula smiled at her friend, and Bess nodded her agreement. "Yeah, I'm a little scared this house is ruining me for all future houses."
Hours later, with three women in satin gowns, candles flickering in every room, and music softly playing, they were joined by Kelsea in silver, Crystal in champagne, Jessica in dark pink, and Carol in the same blue as her dress at Jen's opening.
"Hey, blue team," Bess said to Carol, giving her a high-five. Carol had been reading over Bess's English papers for this summer class, giving her a journalistic critique. She wasn't sureif she wanted to go the journalism route, or any writing route, but she knew the skill would be helpful, and AP Journalism was not for the weak. Carol had been an immense help.
"So, we look like a coven taking on spring fashion week in Paris. What exactly is going on?" Eloise asked as they gathered around the living room, as the house prepared their dinner party.
"No idea," Ursula said.
Everyone else gave various shrugs and looks of uncertainty. "Hey, how's the pink sparkle business coming?" Ursula asked Crystal.
"I have a women's private practice of attorneys coming for a retreat. How lovely is that?"
"That's incredible. And kind of hilarious. I'm picturing suited power women throwing eggs of pink glitter with their safety goggles and war cries. Can we come watch?" Bess asked, but before Crystal could answer, the front door opened and in came Tilly in red and Jen in emerald green satin gowns. Tilly had pulled her long hair up into a bouncy ponytail, showing off her slender neck, and was wearing black sparkling flats, while Jen was showcasing her curvy figure with tall heels of green satin exactly matching her gown, leaving a few to wonder if she had them in her closet or if she had time to purchase them.
"Alright, we're here for Tilly's debutante," Jen announced with a hand on her ample hip.
