Finding Home

Chapter Ten - Bar

After I left the cafe Jess told me to go to one of the little clothes boutiques owned my Mrs Lewis. She was a lovely woman with a chubby face and happy features, her greying hair in a tight bun on top of her head, it didn't look harsh on her warming presence. She picked out a few dresses for me to try on and selected matching heels. She even called the make-up and body shop next door and had a young girl in her teens pop in with some products to use. I'd paid the teen and Mrs Lewis after I chose my dress. Even though Mrs Lewis insisted I went with a shorter one I stuck to my guns and walked back home for a shower taking the afternoon to pamper myself a little bit. It was not something I was used to. My Mom got home just after me at 4pm and Dad was in at 6pm.

It's 7:30pm. I text Kate to tell her I am actually going out. Do I have friends now?

I apply all of my make-up. Something still minimal but with a smoky eye which takes practice, I don't think I've done this since college and even then it was rare. Jason didn't like heavy make-up... or make-up at all for that matter. I shake my head to clear my mind. I don't need to be thinking about Jason right now.

My make-up now finished I grab my dress and step into it. It's a black midi dress that is fitted and flared at the bottom slightly. Definitely not something I am used to wearing. It has a sweetheart neckline with thin straps.

I curl my hair and let it hang down my back. It comes to my shoulder blades, I am so used to tying it up I hadn't realised how long it had gotten. I usually keep it short.

My shoes are black heels, like my clutch. I hope I can walk in these. I take a walk around the bedroom after putting them on. I'm a little shaky, but do a few laps of my room to practice.

"Annie, Georgia is here" I hear Mom shout from downstairs.

I stand in front of the mirror to see the final look. Is this too much? Do I look silly? This dress is too tight, I know it. I have a slim figure but with plenty of curves. This dress shows them all. Why did I agree to wear this? I chose black so I wouldn't stand out too much but now I'm doubting it.

"Annie, sweetie, you look beautiful" Mom interrupts my negative thoughts as she stands in the doorway.

"It's not too much?" I ask, rubbing my hands down the dress to smooth it out, not that it needs it.

"No honey, it's great to see you in anything but your jeans" she softly jokes "Come on though, Georgia is waiting"

"Coming" I grab my clutch and follow Mom down the stairs.

Georgia is in a pink mini dress with a square neckline, her curls are straightened making her beautiful brown hair come down to her lower back.

"You look great!" She beams when she notices me

"You too" I smile, reaching the bottom of the stairs.

"You ready girls?" A woman appears from the living room. I can tell immediately she must be Georgia's Mom. They look so alike and have the same friendly and bubbly energy.

We climb into Georgia's Mom's car, who I learn is called Fiona, and head to the bar. I feel like a kid sitting in the car waiting to be dropped off. But it's a nice feeling. It doesn't take long to get there and soon we are waving to Fiona who drives away wishing us a good night.

"Jess should be here..."Georgia says as we enter. I join her in looking around. This place is bigger than what I had expected and is quite busy. All the tables are taken. Music is plays a little too loud for me but not loud enough so you can't hear each other talk. As the name suggests, it's blue. Well the hightop tables and stools are black. In fact most of the furniture is black but there is blue back lighting everywhere, it's set low so finding Jess is a little tricky.