Chapter 20: IX. The Deep End-2

My mother's green eyes narrowed. She didn't want to say anything, but she was holding back. "Just be careful," she said intensely, holding onto my upper arms. "And broaden your horizons. Don't just make one friend." What was her problem? She hadn't been this judgemental in New York! I didn't ask, though. I didn't want to start another fight. I didn't want to risk her changing her mind about letting me go to the party. "Well I might make another tonight. We are going to Zoey Eckhart's party." However, I couldn't see Zoey and I becoming chummy anytime soon. "Eckart?" Mom repeated. It was another name that I could tell she recognised. Maybe it was their parents Mom had an issue with. Maybe they had all gone to school together and not got along. Mom shook it off. "Remember your curfew. Past ten-thirty and you're grounded, you hear?" "I got it," I replied, before disappearing up the stairs. I went into our small bathroom and gasped. Cece had already covered every available space with beauty products. The shower curtain was pushed back and the rail was being used to hang up several very revealing outfits. Cece didn't seem fazed. She had already wiped her face clean with a wipe and was reapplying her makeup. She looked like an expert as she blended her eyeshadow perfectly. I stood next to her in the mirror and felt thoroughly plain. Even with a half-applied face, Cece was stunning. Everything about Cece was perfection. Nobody ought to be that good looking. Her brother suffered from the same affliction. Me, on the other hand, I was normal. Pale skin, breakouts, pigmentation, acne scarring, shadows … and that was just my face. "I can't believe your cheekbones aren't contoured," Cece commented. "Do you know how hard I have to work to give myself cheekbones," she said as she used a brush to chisel out her cheekbones. Me, good cheekbones? I turned my face on an angle and saw that I did have naturally defined cheekbones. I'd never really admired them before. "Pick something to wear," Cece instructed as she started to apply blush to her cheeks. "I brought over enough options for us both to choose something bomb." I tentatively started to flip through the dresses that were hanging up on the shower rail. The dresses were all short and would be especially flattering on someone with a figure like Cece's. The dresses all had some sort of cut out, usually on the midriff where one's abs would look amazing. I did not have abs. I wasn't even sure if I had them under the little layer of belly fat I had. "Cece, I'm not sure these will suit me," I murmured, my voice lacking confidence. "Or fit me." "You're a six, right?" Cece checked. I think we were both different size sixes. "Yes," I admitted. "Me, too. All those are sixes. Choose one. You'll look hot in them all." I bit the bullet and chose a black dress, the only one that didn't have cut outs. It was a short dress covered in some sort of shiny material. Upon feeling it, I realised it was latex. Oh, dear God. I couldn't pull that off. Just as I was about to put it back, Cece squealed excitedly. "Oh, my God. You will look incredible in that!" she exclaimed. "But it will be skin tight! Everything will show!" I hissed, embarrassed. Cece frowned. "What are you hiding? A third nipple?" She shook her head and rifled through her bag. Pulling out something small and black, she threw it at me. I managed to catch it, despite my poor reflexes. It was a black bikini. A tiny black bikini. No more than a tube top and bottoms that looked little more than a thong. "Put those on, under the dress," Cece instructed, as she started to pull off her cheer uniform. She was not embarrassed at all to undress in front of me as she selected a red bikini from her bag. Of course, I wouldn't be embarrassed if I had a figure like hers. I decided to stop being a coward and I quickly changed as well. Putting the bikini on was easy. Getting into the latex dress required some serious contortion. Cece helped me to pull the dress up and over my chest. It was a little tight, and she struggled with the zipper momentarily. Much to my humiliation, my breasts were a little big for the dress, and so I had the best cleavage I had ever had. Cece slipped into a red strapless dress with midriff and hip cut outs. She looked damned incredible. I just felt fat. Once we were dressed, Cece sat me down on the edge of the bath and she started to apply makeup on me. She buffed in foundation and powder, filled in my brows, and created a smoky eye look to complement my outfit. "I'm so jealous of your cheekbones," murmured Cece as she applied blush and highlight to my cheeks. Selfishly, it made me feel a little better that Cece envied me for something. She finished off my look with lipstick, mascara, and a spray that was meant to help makeup be waterproof. Cece and I were different shoe sizes, something for which I was relieved. She had planned to put me in some dangerous looking stilettos. Luckily, I didn't own a pair of heels like that, so I wore my black Chucks, much to Cece's chagrin. When Cece was finished, I couldn't believe my reflection. I actually looked pretty. I had never seen myself look like this. I didn't know I could look like this. My eyes were my favourite part. The smoky eyeshadow made the green of my eyes stand out brilliantly. Could she come and do my makeup everyday? "Wow, Cece, thank you so much!" I exclaimed, inspecting every detail of her work. Cece giggled. "I just can't wait to see Shea's face." I blushed. I couldn't wait either. Though I couldn't help the tiny thought of insecurity that reminded me that I wouldn't ever look like this again, not unless Cece came and helped me. "Now, come on. Let's get going or else Shea will send out a hunting party looking for you." She grabbed my hand and I laughed. We both made our way downstairs, Cece's stiletto heels making more noise than my Chucks, which caused Mom too look up. Her eyes immediately widened. "Oh my goodness, don't you girls look beautiful!" she remarked. She abandoned her magazine and walked over to us. That was when she noticed the latex of my dress, and the fact that I was nearly falling out of it. Perhaps I ought to grab a jacket. "Sara …" "Doesn't she look amazing, Dr Bryant?" asked Cece excitedly. "About time Sara stops hiding that bod under her clothes." My hand immediately went to the cookie pouch I called a stomach. I wouldn't exactly call it a "bod". I think Mom noticed my insecurity. Instead of telling me to change, she kissed my forehead and told me I was beautiful. I smiled at her, and Cece dragged me towards the door. "Now, is there adult supervision at this party?" Mom cried after Cece. "Oh, of course!" Cece promised over her shoulder. "No alcohol, Sara!" Mom warned. "And home by ten-thirty!" "Bye, Mom!" I waved at her, and we were out the door. When we were safely out of ear shot, Cece giggled. "Zoey's brother is twenty-one. He buys the beer. He counts as an adult, right?" I playfully slapped Cece's arm as we climbed in Shea's truck. --- As promised - my football team won today so I'm uploading another chapter!! We had amazing seats, but I was sitting behind this couple, one obnoxious Sydney supporter, and his wife who went for my team. The things he was calling out, I ended up whispering to my mum that I couldn't believe she'd married him. If I heard my partner insulting my boys … well, it wouldn't end well!!