Brains over Beauty

Duo

"I think you should go with the red one," Jade said, rifling through my walk-in closet as I came out of the bathroom, gently towel drying my hair "it brings out your tan" she stated pulling out the scarlet off-the-shoulder gown. She had decided to help me in getting ready for the dinner tonight when I texted her to fill her in. I placed the towel down and walked over, running my hand over thick, expensive silk like fabric. My mother had recently had this gown made and delivered as a gift after she had received my most recent university marks, it was extraordinarily tailored and no doubt cost more then three weeks rent in my loft apartment. When I had begun at the university my parents had offered to buy me a city apartment, however I turned them down immediately explaining to them that I needed some experience in working and earning my own money, they had fought me for a few months but agreed when I showed them the loft I had discovered. It was large for a single bedroom and bathroom, with massive windows that created natural lighting that allowed me to create a minimalistic design and dedicate an entire wall to a bookshelf. "Sounds good," I said, as she flopped onto my double bed, "remind me why you can't come tonight, my parents were very upset when I told them you weren't joining us" I sat down at my vanity and began applying my make-up, my hair wrapped in a towel. Jade sat up and watched my movements before getting up, reaching over, grabbing my brush and beginning to brush my long brunette locks. "Well, I promised Tiffany I'd have dinner with her, we've been putting her off long enough and she's already deeply wounded that your not coming, or replying to her messages," she looked at me pointedly in the mirror, and I rolled my eyes in reply, "I brought your parents back two bottles of that wine they like, so you can take that to them as my apology" she said grinning. I was just finishing up the maroon smokey eye I had decided to do, when Jade began straightening my long hair, "Well," I said, make-up brush in hand, "they'll definitely appreciate that" she nodded concentrating on the task at hand. "So Simon is going to be there," she said I averted my eyes to her, meeting her mischievous gaze in the mirror, "is he still trying to get with you?" she asked. I let out an annoyed huff, "If by 'get with', you mean sex," she laughed at my brazen phrasing, "then, yes, he doesn't seem to have the ability to take a hint," I paused, "which is why I was hoping you would come," she pulled a face, "when you're there it takes away some of the focus" in response i received a gentle whack with a hairbrush on the side of my head to which, I grunted, "And here I thought you just wanted my amazing company" she replied with a wink.

Once my make-up and hair was finally finished I moved towards the cupboard, pulling out the gown, mulling over all the other things I could have been doing instead of attending this dinner. My parents held an assortment of different events each month and I was expected, as their only child, to attend every one. The bigger ones I usually didn't mind attending; the roll of the diligent, thoughtful daughter was an easy one to fill, however the more intimate ones; they were more difficult as I was forced to interact more deeply and personally with my parents guests of whom were usually made up of friends, business partners, influential politicians and the occasional celebrity. This only guests of this dinner was to be the Millers, meaning that I would most likely be in the limelight for the majority of the evening.

After I changed into the gown in the bathroom, I went over to Jade as she zipped me up and turned to study my reflection in the large corner mirror. "You look amazing," she said studying my reflection, I smiled in thanks and returned the compliment studying the all white outfit she had put on for her dinner. I let out a slow sigh, checking the time, "We had better head off" Jade nodded and we both put on our shoes, gathered our coats and purses before heading out onto the busy street, hailing our taxis and going our seperate ways.

Once I was in the cab heading to my parents estate, my phone buzzed, 'have fun tonight with Simon ;)- J' I rolled my eyes and let out a breath, here we go.

Amelia's apartment

Jade's outfit