“Crap.” Natalie struggled to get her jeans up her thighs.
“What’s wrong?” Lise turned around with the curling iron dangling from her hand.
“My skinny jeans…they don’t fit me.” Natalie wiggled her way out of them. “I don’t understand. I’ve been working out like crazy. How could I have gained weight?”
“Nat, you’re not fat. Turn to the side.” She motioned with the curling iron. “You’re just really defined. You look great.”
Natalie’s shoulders slumped and she frowned. “I have nothing to wear. I guess I’m staying in tonight.”
“No you’re not.” Lise ran to her closet and scurried through the tightly packed clothes. “Here, try this on.” Leave it to Lise to find her something to wear. Natalie didn’t know how she managed to pack all the clothes in her hatchback car and drive across four states.
“What? I don’t want to wear a dress unless you are.” She took the sleeveless short red dress from Lise.
“Okay. I’ll wear a dress too. Besides, it’s hotter than hell outside.” Lise pulled out a short, bright blue dress with a big fabric belt hanging from it.
Natalie held the dress up to her. She didn’t have a body to fill it out but decided to try in on anyways.
“Let me see.” Lise stopped applying her makeup and turned around.
“Oh wow, you look hot. You should wear it.”
“Really?” Natalie walked over to the full-length mirror mounted on the door. She turned her body in every direction, not trusting Lise’s opinion.
Lise walked up behind her. “Trust me, you look great. Now, let’s remove these.” She reached over her head and took off her glasses.
“Wait. I ummm…” She tried to stop her from removing them then changed her mind. “I guess I’ll wear my contacts.”
“What if…” Lise grabbed a handful of Natalie’s long dark hair and pulled it to the side. Before Natalie could say no, she sat her down in a chair.
“What are you doing?” She didn’t want Lise to glam her up. She preferred a simple, natural look.
“I’m going to do your hair and makeup.” Lise fumbled through her cosmetic bag.
“What? I already did.”
“Come on. Let me do a few things. Please?” Lise begged.
“Alright, but if I don’t like it, I’m washing it off and brushing out the curls.” Natalie folded her arms across her chest.
“That’s what you say now. Wait until I’m done.” She rubbed a make-up brush in a compact and then stroked it across her cheek.
Thirty minutes later Lise took a step back and smiled. “I’m done.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “I’m scared to look.”
“Oh come on.” She stepped away from the mirror.
Natalie couldn’t believe her eyes. What had Lise done to her? “Wow. I look so much older and…”
“Say it. It’s okay.” Lise mouthed the words.
“Pr- pretty.”
“Yes, pretty and smokin’ hot.” Lise fanned herself.
“I don’t know Lise. I might send the wrong message to guys.”
Lise furrowed her brow. “You don’t look like a slut, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Are you sure?” She leaned in closer to the mirror, studying her long thick eye lashes. She had no idea mascara could work wonders like this.
“Believe me, you don’t. When we get to the bar, I’ll make sure and point some out to you. Okay?”
Natalie giggled. “Okay. I’ll go out this one time, looking like your Barbie doll.”