The Ritual

Chapter 3

After trying on half of the clothes, probably, in all of Great Britain, Gloria—yes, Gloria. What, did you really think she would let me choose what I was going to wear?—finally decided on letting me wear flower-printed leggings and an over-sized faded denim button-up, with the sleeves halfway rolled up. I got to wear my own shoes, at least—a cute vintage pair, black ankle-boots with 3 inch heels and combat boot-look-alike laces. Put together, the whole outfit was actually pretty cute, I won’t lie.

“You look adorable!” Gloria exclaimed with glee, clapping her hands together. I gave her a ‘really?’ look, which she happily ignored.

“Alrighty, so tell me what you think of this,” she said, turning around and showing me two different tops. The first one was a half-sleeve sweater type thing, and it was a light gray with dark gray stripes. Along the shoulders and chest it had an array of sequins, which spaced out and eventually faded towards the midsection. The second top was a sheer black collared button-up with different colored stripes.

“I’d go with the second,” I said. “But I’m not sure what they look like on you. Try them on so I can see.” Gloria shrugged and pulled off her top, preparing to try on the first shirt.

And it was at that exact moment that David chose to walk into the room.

“Hey, Snip, what’s this I heard about you going to some party in—holy shit!”

Gloria screamed like the devil himself was after her. Meanwhile, David just stood there, his mouth gaping open like a fish, his eyes glued to Gloria’s appreciative cleavage.

“David!” I yelled, picking up a random pillow that lay on the floor and chucking it at him. Luckily, my aim isn’t too shabby, and the pillow hit its mark—right into David’s face. “Get out!”

He sputtered. “God, sorry!” He cried, his face bright red as he struggled to find the door with his eyes closed. I groaned, rolling my eyes and going up behind him, giving him a shove. He stumbled out of the room, and I slammed the door, making sure to lock it this time.

I turned back to Gloria, who still stood in the same spot she had been before, with the sparkly top clutched to her chest and her eyes wide. Her cheeks were stained apple pink.

“You okay?” I asked slowly. After a moment had gone by, she turned to look at me.

“Please tell me David Barnes was not just in this room, and saw my boobs.”

I blinked. “Um, then I’d be lying.” No shit, Edie.

She closed her eyes, letting out a breath. “I can’t believe this,” she murmured.

“Sorry,” I replied, scratching my neck. “He wouldn’t have come in here if it wasn’t for me, so I guess technically it’s my fau—”

“No, I can’t believe that I’m friends with the sister of David Barnes!” She cried, her eyes getting all starry.

I made a face. “What?”

“At first it was embarrassing, but he’s just…” her voice lowered to a lovesick whisper. “He’s just so hot.”

I felt bile rising up in my throat and fought to keep it down. “That’s…disgusting. And what are you trying to say?” I added, crossing my arms. “You’re only friends with me because of my brother?”

Her eyes widened, and she paused for a moment to slip on the sequined shirt. “No! Of course not! Don’t ever say that,” she said passionately. “I may have only known you for”—she turned and glanced at the large wall clock in-between our beds and then back at me—“about four hours, but I can already tell that we’re going to get along really well. I have good intuition about these things. David is just a plus. Like icing on the cake.” She smiled. “Don’t tell me you don’t believe me.”