Stranded

Chapter 21: Finding Nemo (and Dory as well)

Liz’s POV

Worn out, I let my body fall on my bed face first. I am too tired to take of the goshdamn five-inch heels that made my feet scream ‘please take it off’ for the last five hours. In my hands were lots of paper bags full of clothes, shoes and accessories from Target, Forever 21 and Topshop, but unlike what it looks like, my sister didn’t make me her personal assistant for the day. Instead, she took me shopping and even took me to the salon.

I literally spent five hours trying on different clothes, asking salespeople if they have my shoe size of stilettos and pumps, looking for the ‘perfect’ accessories to go with the clothes and flinching every time the people at the salon cut my hair or pluck my eyebrows. My experience makes me wonder how my pretty sister manages to do everything every once in a while.

I got up and fixed myself, letting my back lean on the headboard. My feet were sore from all the walking we did that I think I wouldn’t be able to walk for a few days. Tania entered the room with her newly-bought Chihuahua, Benjamin. Her hands went on her hips at once as she saw my current appearance.

“I didn’t spend my savings on you just to make those clothes wrinkled, Lizzie. And your make-up! Your hair! Gosh!” She screamed, making me jump off the bed at once. I straightened my wrinkled dress and combed my hair with my fingers, looking at her like an innocent child.

My head feels lighter and my hair is incredibly softer than before. They cut about six or seven inches of my precious hair. They put make-up on my face and plucked my eyebrows. My sister even changed my wardrobe completely. Gone are the simple graphic tees, faded denim jeans, ballers and well-worn Keds. Hello fussy dresses, skimpy tops, short shorts, fancy jewelry and designer shoes. Sigh.

To be very honest, I still haven’t taken a good look at myself. Tania literally prevented me from seeing myself. She made me avoid looking at all the mirrors we happen to pass by. Our car’s window, on the other hand, only gave me a barely there black and white duplicate of myself. As for the car’s rearview mirror, she warned me not to look or else she’d wax my legs.

She smiled when she noticed that I was already looking at my reflection on the mirror. It took me a while to take in that the girl I see is actually me. My natural curly black hair shone like it was a newly shined shoe. They cut it just a little above my elbow. My big brown eyes were emphasized by the eyeliner they put on me. My eyebrows were perfectly arched. The make-up was barely noticeable, except for the bright red lipstick they put on my lips.

“I look… normal.” I said, breathlessly. I no longer look like a loser.

“No.” Tania corrected me. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I mouthed, looking at her, as tears started to form on the corners of my eyes. 

“Don’t thank me. You’ll be paying everything someday.” She said, grinning. Again, my sister is ruining the moment. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her.

“Anyway…” She gave me a look that seemed like she has a brilliant evil plan on her mind. “We still have some more steps to do.”

Steps?

She continued. “We have to make you social media accounts and show Bernice Hale that she’s no longer this place’s ‘it’ girl.” Her teeth shone as she grinned at me.

Rae’s POV

I feel better now that I finally met Angel and Lea in person. My worries faded away as they (or just Angel) talked to me about the dream. The day ended really fast that we had to say goodbye. Angel hugged me before they got to their ride back to Harlow and told me to keep in touch with them, or her, at least.