“I’m not cut out for these things.”
“What things?”
“Nice dresses, heels, looking all pretty.”
“Looking all pretty?” I lift her chin with my finger. “You are beautiful, Skylar. You don’t need any of this to be beautiful. And I’m sure that Carter thinks exactly the same thing.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit at all.”
“Did you just say ‘bullshit’ Ms Hill?”
“I can say worse, you know.”
I pull her over to sit at her desk, moving the mirror in front of her; I stand behind her.
“You know what I see? I see a beautiful girl who is growing into an incredible woman. I see a girl with so many talents: who’s funny, intelligent, and strong.”
“Do you really think that?”
I nod. “And you know what else I see?”
She shakes her head.
“I see Carter losing his mind as soon as you walk down those stairs. I see me having to resuscitate your father after he’s had a heart attack.”
She laughs, watching my reflection in the mirror.
“Could you help me do my hair?” she asks, shy.
“I’d be honoured.”
I grab the hairbrush from the desk and brush her hair, before moving it to fall down her back. I look back at her. “How do you want it?”
“Like yours. Tied up.”
I try to keep my emotions at bay and get to work. I gather her hair into a messy bun at the nape of her neck and fix it there with hairgrips. It’s elegant, but a little scruffy. I leave a few rebellious locks dangling down to frame her face, then I look at her.
“Do you like it?”
She nods and turns around towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, honey,” I say, hugging her tightly back. “It’s just a bun.”
“No.” She lifts her eyes to mine. “Thank you for being here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Skylar lets go and stands up, smoothing down her dress. She looks at me. “Something’s missing.”
I watch curiously as she rummages around in her make-up bag, before turning back to me, lipstick in hand.
“What are you doing?”
She steps closer to me, and brushes the lipstick onto my lips. I let her do it, overwhelmed and a little nervous, then she steps aside to let me admire my reflection. My lips are red: full, bright, and seductive.
