Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Chapter 6: Part 1

I look at the reflection in the mirror of the girl standing before me. But it can't possibly be me. The girl in the mirror looks so bad ass. Like she could conquer the world in her ripped tights and combat boots.
"Eva..........where did you find this dress?? It's amazing!!"

She grins at me "My cousin made it. She goes to fashion school remember?"

"Right yeah. " I mutter inspecting myself. The dress feels like it was made for me. With a one-arm swoop fit complete with a fluffy skirt and low back, it feels amazing.

"So do you like it???"
"Like it? Eva, I love it!!"
She stands in the mirror with me then shrieks " Oh my god I forgot something!!! Sit sit sit!!"
I watch her run around and then pull out a little white box.
"What is..........no. Eva no."

"Maia c'mon please just wear them?"
"I AM NOT WEARING CONTACTS!"

"THEN WALK TO THE DANCE ON YOUR OWN THEN!!!"

We stare at each other for awhile, then I cave and grab the box.

"If they dry out its all your damn fault" I mumble as I take off my glasses and apply the contact lenses. I blink as everything looks so clear.

"Woah. This is so cool!" I look at Eva who is looking at me and almost crying.

" Hey hey hey Evie what's wrong? Don't cry! "
She laughs and holds my hand.
"I'm crying because I'm happy. You look so beautiful Maia, you really do. " She looks deep into my eyes and takes both my hands.
"I want you to promise me something. Tonight I want you to go out there, and have fun. Dance, make out with people in corners, get wild and crazy. Live Maia!"
I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight.
"I promise Evie."
"Awesome now get your tits out of my face, I can't breathe!"
"Oops! Sorry! It's not my fault!" I laugh and stand up.
" You ready to go? "
"Let's fuckin rock this dance bitch!"

*******************************

We walk out of Eva's house and start walking to the school.
"Ummm, remind me why we're walking to this thing again?" I say to her while she fixes her jacket.

"Because it's not far and that way both of us can get drunk and not worry about the car!"
"Coming from the person that wanted water when we went to go see BVB?!?"
" I didn't wanna draw attention, we weren't supposed to be there!"
" Eva drinking water in a place that people come to buy alcohol IS drawing attention! "
" Ugh whatever!!" We start laughing at each other and don't notice the red Mustang driving next to us slowly.

" Hey sexy ladies , you need a ride to the dance?"
I move Eva on my other side so I'm closer to them. I love her, she's tough, but she's NOT a fighter.

" No thanks , we're fine."
He reaches for my arm smirking while his friends laugh.
"C'mon baby, don't be like that....."
I jerk my arm away , lift my foot up, and grab the blade I stashed there earlier.

" You listen to me and you listen well. Drive and leave me the fuck alone before I open a valley across your fucking neck do you understand me??"
I press the knife to his throat.
"I said, Do. You. Understand. Me?"
" Y-yes , I get it alright damn!? Can you please let us go?"
" With pleasure."
I lean back and they take off down the road.
" Ummmm Maia?? Where the hell did that come from?!?!"
" Fanfiction, TV, and books. " I say as I put the blade back in my shoe.
" Where'd you get the knife? "

I look at her sadly. " My cousin gave me this before he left for North Korea. He was the only one who cared about me in my family. He protected me. When he was leaving , he told me " 'Maia, I'm sorry I can't be there to protect you. But I'm hoping with this, you can protect yourself.' I've carried it with me everywhere ever since. Don't matter where I go its always on me. "
I look up at her and her eyes are watering.
" Girl don't cry. Your gonna streak your makeup and then where would we be? "
She laughs out loud, holding her stomach. " C'mon you friggin teddy bear let's go dance!"