The Kelpie's Curse (book #1 in the Kelpie's Entrapment trilogy)

Day 6 pt. 4

"So an art gallery, that must be exciting?"

    Kali almost rolled her eyes when Evelyn shouted out the bathroom towards Renestrae's open door while she curled her hair. She knew that she told Evelyn to be more supportive but there was no way Renestrae wasn't going to hear how convincing that wasn't.

    "I don't know, it's not like I've ever been to one of these things before. What if I make some kind of horrible social faux pas?"

    Then again she had been wrong before so what did she know. This guy must be something else if Renestrae was that oblivious to their friend's tone.

    "Oh I'm sure you'll be fine, just be yourself."

    Kali shot Evelyn a look through the mirror that screamed 'are you serious?' at the same moment that Renestrae responded.

    "Really, Evelyn? I somehow doubt these art people are going to appreciate my blunt sense of humor. I'd rather not give people a reason to look down their noses at me, thank you very much."

    Kali smiled as Evelyn finished her last curl. Good, as long as Renestrae hadn't lost her sass then she would do just fine. She just hoped that no one did looked down their nose at her because she had a feeling that if they did Ren would have no problem with putting them in their place. No, she was sure her friend's date would go a lot smoother if Hulk Ren didn't make an appearance.

    "You know she does have a point."

    "Oh shush." Evelyn muttered as she shut off the curling iron and began rifling through her make-up bag. "I don't like it, she shouldn't have to change anything about herself to impress this guy."

    "I wouldn't call it changing herself Ev, she's just going to filter certain thoughts."

    "I still don't like it, close your eyes."

    "Well that's because you don't have a filter. You know we can't all be as blunt as you."

    "I jus-"

    "Ev, after what she found this morning don't you think she needs a change of scenery?"

    "I guess so."

    Kali didn't have to have her eyes open to know that Evelyn was frowning now and probably giving herself an internal lecture.

    "I wouldn't worry about it Ev, I'm sure she'll do fine."

    "Of course I'll do fine. What do you think?"

    Kali felt Evelyn finish putting the eye shadow on her lids but before she could open them she heard the distinct sound of Evelyn's make-up bag hitting the floor. As soon as she opened her eyes she instantly understood.

    Standing in the door way with her hand on one hip was Renestrae. She was wearing a red and black lace 1940's style cocktail dress that was fitted on top with cuffed sleeves and flared at the hips with the hemline stopping just below her knees. For her hair she had used an anti-frizz cream on her dark curls before pinning it so that it stayed swept over one shoulder, for her make-up she sported red lipstick with light brown eyes shadow and on her feet were a pair of flesh toned pumps of the same era.

    Kali was speechless as she took in her friend who looked as if she'd just walked out of one of those old black and white films she was always forcing them to watch. She had to admit that with Renestrae's curves the styles of the 1940's were very flattering on her dark haired friend.

    "You look hot!"

    Kali smiled, of course Evelyn could always be trusted to find her voice. Kali cocked her head slightly to the side as she thought about Renestrae's outfit. As much as she enjoyed Evelyn's enthusiasm she didn't think 'hot' was quite the word, it fit of course but she would have used beautiful or elegant. 'Hot' was good but it didn't quite have the same ring to it.

    "Why thank you Evelyn."

    "You'll knock him dead, Ren." Kali commented as she stood up.

    Renestrae grabbed her hands then said in a voice that was entirely too hopeful for the temperamental and cynical girl. "You really think so Kali?"

    Kali forced a smile. "Of course we all know how you've been looking for a reason to break in that dress."

    Kali watched as a frown slowly began to mar Renestrae's brow and her happy smile dropped into frown. "Are you sure it's alright for me to go to this?"

    This time it was Kali's turn to frown. No, there was no way that she was going to allow Ren to travel down this road again.

    "Renestrae," Kali could tell that the use of her given name instead of her nickname instantly grabbed Ren's attention. "You are going to this art gallery and you are not going to worry about me or anybody else."

    "But-"

    "Kali's right Ren," Evelyn cut in before Kali could. "If anyone deserves to unwind after this morning it's you and we're not going to take no for an answer this time."

    Renestrae smiled. "In that case we'd better get going before our engagements today." Renestrae turned from them and started to walk towards the door.

    Kali was confused as she watched Renestrae take the first few steps towards the door. The girl had gone from happy, to a mixture of guilt and weary and ended in a very business like tone. What was she planning?

    "What are you talking about?"

    Kali almost scowled as Evelyn beat her to the punch.

    Renestrae paused then turned her head slightly so that she was looking over her shoulder at the two of them. "We need to get into town to pick out bows for the two of you or did you think I'd forgotten about that?"

    Kali frowned then glanced at Evelyn and noted her deep scowl. They had both noted the mischievous smirk in their friend's tone and neither of them liked it. Between that and the funeral Kali just knew that it was going to be a long day.