The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 18

I set down my eyeliner pencil and turn off my curling iron. My hair is no longer in a bob, and instead sits on my shoulders as I haven't cut it in a while. I've curled it into little ringlets that finally decided to stay. I thought I was going to run out of hair spray I had to use so much. I walk into my room and quickly change out of my robe and into my costume.

Tonight, I've dressed as a taxi driver. I slip my legs into the yellow dress before pulling it up and sliding my arms through the thin straps up top. I look in the mirror, checking to make sure the dress is smooth. The top of the bodice is black. There is a black and white checkered band at the base of the bodice that separates the rest of the dress, which is the color of taxi yellow, from the bodice. The checkered band of fabric also runs down the front of the dress to the hem. The dress itself only goes down to my knees, where I have put on some black boots to cover the rest of my legs from the knees down.

I leave the mirror briefly and grab a hat from my bed. Its the same shade of yellow as the dress. Its in the shape of an older-styled police hat. On the front, just above the brim, it says TAXI in big bold lettering. I look back in the mirror and carefully place the hat over my curls, trying not to mess them up. Lastly, I grab fingerless black leather gloves and slide them on my hands.

I walk past Sharon, or should I say Cat-Woman as she is tonight. She's finishing putting up streamers over the doors, the television, the ceiling. Everywhere basically. I head into the kitchen, straight to the fridge-freezer that sits in the corner. I start to pull dishes out the compartment and carry them into the living room to the table we've set up. We've moved the furniture around so we can put up two tables for the food, and to make room for the karaoke machine Sharon is desperately wanting to use tonight. I guess she wants to hear Blake sing, or have him hear her voice. And I think that alone would make him smitten. Sharon sings like an angel, no other way to say it. She's a closer friend to him, although I know she really wants to be more. She told me earlier, while we were setting up the house for tonight, that she's gonna try and get him to ask her out. We'll see if it works.

While I was gone yesterday, Sharon spent the day cooking, baking, and frying dishes for today. She really goes all out. There is such a huge supply of themed cupcakes, fudge, punch, sandwiches, veggie trays, etc. I set down the final tray of food just as the door bell rings for the six time. Sharon's opened the door each time to let in our guests. So far Christy, Blake, Mandy, a pair of twins, Beckie and Benjamin, who are on Sharon's swim team, and another girl I've met in drama named Yolanda have arrived.

I pull plastic cups out of a plastic bag as Blake gets the door. Apparently the girls are all oogling over each other's outfits. Mandy is playing Kate from LOST, Christy is dressed up as FoxFace from The Hunger Games, and Yolanda, or as we call her, Yolo, has decided to be a pirate. Beckie and Benjamin are dressed in matching Superman and Superwoman costumes. Blake has decided to go a little more old school, and is a nerd for the night.

I look up as Xander walks in the door, then walks over and stands next to me. He's dressed in a tan police outfit, with a black tie, a loaded belt around his waist, and black shoes. I grin up at him. "Here to arrest me?" He smiles back. "Nope. Not unless looking pretty is a crime." I laugh. "Stop it! You got here just on time." Xander gestures to a tall brunette waitress who is standing next to him. "Emilee, I want you to meet Taylor Woods. She used to go to USC before she moved to Nashville. She's trying to get a record deal and I'm surprised she hasn't yet." Taylor laughs and smiles charmingly at Xander. "Oh please. I'm not that good." Xander winks at her. "Don't you believe a word she says Em. She's one of the best I know."

We walk over to the other seven and quickly introduce everyone. Sharon pops a DVD into the player and we begin an intense round of Scene It.