Dreamie, You've Got a Big Storm Coming

Chapter 2: Welcome to the Panic Room

[2162 words]

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Too late, Dream realized the impulsivity of his decision. Upon returning to his shared house with Sapnap at 10:27pm, he turned off the Lamborghini's engine and stared into the bag of makeup products from the shopping mall. Blinking in the dim light, he learned that buying feminine items was the easy part; actually incorporating them into his life would be the challenge. Unless nail polish counted, Dream had never worn makeup before.

Leaving the Lamborghini behind, Dream hurried to unlock the front door. To their surprise, when they shoved open the polished wood with one hand, the lights within the house were already on. Sapnap must have woken up; Dream hoped he had not been awake long enough to keep track of how long they had been gone.

Quietly Dream allowed the front door to click shut behind herself. Clearing her throat, she stepped carefully upon the hardwood to avoid creaky floorboards. She clutched her plastic bag's handles tightly until she entered the kitchen and stumbled upon her groggy roommate.

"Dream?" Sitting on a stool beside the kitchen counter, Sapnap lifted his head from staring at his smartphone. Frowning with confusion, the tired man squinted. "You're still dressed. Did you go out somewhere?"

"Shopping," Dream replied, nervously shifting his feet. Purposely changing the subject, he remarked, "I didn't realize you were awake."

"I couldn't sleep," Sapnap shrugged. Losing interest in the conversation, he crossed his forearms upon the kitchen counter and rested his chin upon them. "I'll go back to bed soon."

"Okay then. Sleep well." Eager to recede to their room, Dream exited the kitchen with a silent sigh of relief.

After placing the bag of makeup products upon his office-bedroom's desk, Dream hurried to the restroom to wash his hands. While lathering soap upon his fingers, he hummed quietly, then observed his appearance in the mirror. He had not shaved in several days; light stubble grew upon his jawline. Conflicted, he debated whether to shave again or let the facial hair grow out. It's not like anyone is going to see it, he mused to himself. However, he also realized he might have to reckon with not only makeup, but also with his entire physical appearance.

Turning off the sink, Dream dried her hands and glanced over her shoulder again. Even without the restroom light, she discerned the masculinity of her features. She worried that even if she wore a full face of makeup, she could never truly hide her body. Should she even hide her body at all?

Dream returned to their office-bedroom with confliction weighing heavily in their belly. They viewed the plastic bag full of makeup products with a strange disdain, even though these were exactly the products which the fashion store's cashier recommended. Unloading the bag, Dream arranged the makeup containers in a row upon their desk. They wished to try it at least once. Powering on their computer, they typed into their search engine: what order to put on makeup.

Resisting the growing urge to sleep as the clock advanced toward 11:00pm, Dream researched makeup application techniques. Every few minutes, he scooted his swiveling office chair toward the full-length mirror upon his wall to apply a little more eyebrow pencil, mascara, and lip gloss.

Constructing a full face of makeup would create too much stress for a first-timer like them, yet by the end of the process, they almost wished they bought more from the fashion store. Dream fell in love with the quiet determination and focus which accompanied makeup application. They admired the skill required to create such delicate artwork upon their face.

Once Dream finished the look, she stood from her desk chair and stretched. Within seconds of breaking focus, her head began to pound with exhaustion. First she glanced at the clock, which read 10:58pm, then she glanced toward the closed door. Over twenty minutes had passed; could Sapnap still be awake? If so, should Dream keep her secret until later or reveal herself to her roommate now?