She knows so many American celebrities that I’ve barely even heard of.
Gabby is just the definition of cool. She’s in college, she loves the trends, and she’s got her finger on the pulse of what’s going on around us. She’s also so beautiful that once, a man crashed his car after staring at her too long in moving traffic. He didn’t realize the guy in front of him had stopped. But her humor and heart are what really win everyone over. She’s all in with her love.
She’s everything a girl could want in a sister.
She rummages through each option, frowning at some, ooh-ing and aah-ing over others, until she finally picks out a black dress. She pulls it out and presents it like a grand reveal.
“This. This is the one.”
I look at it in her hand and gape at her.
“Do you not think that’s a little… much? For church?”
She makes a show of contemplating it, then shoves it directly at me.
“No. This is perfect. You’re going out after church. So it only makes sense that you wear something a little extra nice!”
I take it and hold it up, inspecting it. It feels a little much for an evening out. I know I’m crashing this guy’s dinner and all, but I’m not entirely sure it’s adateyet. I don’t even know if he’s my kind of handsome. Or if there’s really anything to this at all. Because I’m leaving in two weeks.
I really should be wearing that written on a sash tonight: “I’m leaving in two weeks!”
But there’s always something about a black dress that makes a girl feel confident.
I put it on, and it slips on like a glove. The fabric is perfect—not too heavy and not too light for today.
Whether I meet the man of my dreams tonight, or whether I’m just dining with a few people before I leave, I think this one reallyisperfect. Sometimes you just have to live a little. Who cares if I’m a bit overdressed, really?
“I guess it should work. I’ll move onto my makeup then.”
I move toward the vanity, a small desk in the corner with a mirror on it. I reach for my makeup in the drawer, where I always keep it. I don’t go heavy on makeup; I like to keep it more natural. But one thing Inevergo out without is lipstick. And earrings. If I ever had to choose just one item of makeup and one accessory, it would be those. Lipstick lights up the face like nothing else, and earrings compliment everything perfectly. That’s essentially my girl motto: never go out without lipstick or earrings.
“Now let’s talk about Nate.” Gabby lies down on my bed with her head in her hands and her feet kicking behind her.
When she does that, I know exactly where she’s heading—straight into la-la land. I’m a total romantic, but I don’t want to jump into that just yet. It’s not even a confirmed date.
“I don’t know Nate. I haven’t even seen him.” I start applying a little sparkly brown eyeshadow to the crease of my eyelid. It’s perfect for tonight.
“I know Nate. I’ll point him out to you tonight. I think he might be your type.” I see her through the mirror, pumping her eyebrows suggestively.
“I’ve only got a couple of weeks left here. It’s not like I’m about to fall head over heels in love all of a sudden,” I scoff. It’s just a night out with the pastor and his wife and this guy called Nate. A nice night out where I may or may not meet a handsome man, and that’ll be that.
“You never know,” she sings. “Aren’t you at least a little bit excited?”
“Yeah, of course. But unless this guy really blows my socks off, I’m not thinking it can be anything. I mean, I live inBelgium. A long-distance relationship isn’t really feasible for me right now. Love letters are romantic, but living a continent away and barely being able to communicate? International calls are so expensive. No thanks.” I wave that thought away. “But I am looking forward to just having a nice night out with a potentially—and hopefully—handsome man.”
I sound so unlike myself. I’m normally the romantic in the room. But all of those concerns are valid, so right now I’m leading with them. I haven’t even seen him!
“He is. I honestly think you’ll like him. Let’s see if you guys hit it off.”
I catch my mom in the mirror, leaning against the door. She’s got that look I’ve come to recognize. She knows something I don’t—and I have no idea what it means yet.
I reach for my earrings.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hi,filhinhas.” Herlittle daughters. We really are.
She walks toward the bed and sits down. “I was listening to everything you were saying just now. I’m with Gabby. Give the guy a chance. Maybe you’ll hit it off.”
