What We Could Have Been (EN version)

Chapter 3

The next day

Today I woke up excited about the idea that a stylist was coming to dres me for the Youth's Angels Gala. I still can't believe it. I'm gonna go to the Youth's Angels Gala. Me. To top it all, I'm going there to talk about my book ! That's crazy ! I'm so deep in my thoughs that I don't realize that my coffee cup overflowed. I clean the coffee taht fell before sitting at the kitchen's table to read. Many times Sabrina tried to change this table and put another furniture. She said we already had a table in the living room and it was enough. She's not wrong, but I always loved this table. I could just sit there and read, I could reach the fridge from here, write without being distracetd by the tv. It was kind of a perfect spot when I couldn't focus.

I'm already ready when Sabrina arrives around 1pm.I know she tried to come as soon as she could. Around 10am Gina called to tell me that the stylist would be there at 14pm. I shower and put on something comfortable. Meaning a black jogging and a grey shirt. After all, I'm gonna try on dresses why put on something hard to remove ? When Sabrina arrives she goes straight to the shower. I knew she would do that to feel more comfortable instead of eating. Which is exactly why I ordered a sandwich for her.

At 2pm precisely the bell rings announcing the stylist's arrival. I open the door and discover a tall man. Really really tall. His black hair are perfectly styled. He's wearing a navy blue pants and a white shirt. I looks at me a few seconds before smiling. I let him come inside, he's followed by two person that I guess are his assistant. A young woman and a man. With the three of them, Sabrina and I the appartement looks so small, as small as a shoe box.

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Ricky" he says. 

"Nice to meet you I'm Josephine" I answer. 

He walks my way and hugs me. A little "Oh" of surprise escapes rom my mouth. He quickly stops our embrace. 

"Here's my assistants, we're here to make you become a star honey" he says.

Sabrina looks at me amused.

"I'm not a star" I shyly say.  

"Honey, friday night, you will ! Believe me I won't get out of this small appartement without THE outfit that will make you THE star of the night !" 

Even though he kinda looks crazy, I don't contradict him. He starts by asking us if we have any dresses idea. As soon as she heard him, Sabrina takes her computer to show him her Pinterest boards. Ricky compliments her organisation. He validates her choices but discuss mine. Sabrina only had to try on one dress. For me, it seems more complicated. Ricky and Sabrina both sees me wearing a red dress meanwhile I wanna wear a black dress. Or a pastel one if I have to go with colors. For Ricky, it's a way for me to hide. Somehow he's right. He almost convinced me, but I don't wanna be doing too much for my first ever gala. He has an idea. He asks his assistant to go pick up a dress somewhere close to here. During that time, I try on a few dresses. He's almost outraged when I tell him I don't like navy blue, or when I refuse to try on a flash green dress. Sabrina burst into laughers when she sees my face. I'm trying on a red dress to make them happy when his assistants comes back. Sabrina opens the door and I get out of my room, once the dress  is on. It's not that bad. It's fluid , with long sleeves. It's slightly slit on my right leg. The dress is pretty, but it's not me. 

"I can see you're not into it" he says while grabbing something. "You're wrong, but I got here something that'll make you happy"

He hands me a dress covered and asks me to put it on. I don't even have the time to thank him that he push me into my room. I'm thrilled to discover that the dress is black. I put it on and almost instantly, I feel like it's the one. I don't see myself, but I feel amazing. Once I'm out of my room, Sabrina's eyes are full of tears. Ricky nods and I guess it means it's a validation for him. I look in the miror and see the dress. It's a long black dress with thin straps. The neckline is light, but refined. The bottom of the dress is long, it almost looks like a little train. The end is split at my right leg showing a bit of my leg.The dress is sexy, but chic, and stays sober,and a little extra. I kinda feel like a princess wearing it. It's a perfect compromise for all of us. No one is saying anything. They only stare. 

"You don't like it don't you" I say breaking the silence.

" I can see it with some black heels" says Ricky. 

I guess it means he likes it. I turn around to face Sabrina who still hasn't say a word. She looks like she's about to speak, but she doesn't say a word. She just starts crying. I hug her to comfort her. 

"The dress ladies ! The dress ! " yells Ricky.

I hear Sabrina laughing, which makes me feel better. 

"Why are you crying ?" I ask backing away a bit. 

"It's just that I'm happy and oh god, this dres looks amazing on you" she says.

I look at her emotional. I can see the relief in her eyes, and something inside of me breaks. I didn't thought that seeing me wasting my life all these years could hurt her that much. I'm mad at myself for causing her so much worry.

During the rest of the afternoon Ricky shows me different kind of heels to go with the dress. When we finally decide on which one I'll be wearing, he do the same for the hair and makeup. For the hair he's thinking about a bun, braids, but we end up agreeing to some sort of wavy hair. It's simple and I know he's disappointing I'm not willing to go more extra but I'd like to stay simple. After all, I'm not the star of this gala, I'm only a guest. Gina refused to give me celebrities names when I asked her. So of course Sabrina and me had to do our own research. We didn't found anything interusting. Only rumors. A few sources said that the guest of honor was Ryan Hoover, an aethletic from the city. We didn't even watched who he was, we don't even watch sports anyways. Well, we do watch soccer, soccer is the only sport we watch on tv.

My thursday morning is dedicated to writing my speech. When Gina told me I would talk about my book, I was thinking it would be easy, knowing that I wrote the book. But when Sabrina asked me about the book last night I didn't knew what to say. So I decided it would be a great idea to write a speech. Gina did warned me I wouldn't be able to have anything while my speech, but writing it makes it stay in my head. I'll be forced to find something to say. Afetr all it's kind of like a sumary of my book but vocally. 

I write about a dozen of speechs without finding them great. At lunch, I decide to stop even though I didn't found my final speech. I need a break to eat. While eating, I almost google Ryan Hoover to see who he is and what sport he plays, since people think he's the guest of honor, but I decide not too. Rumors are only rumors. Plus it's kind of weird.

I'm doing the dishes when I finally have an idea. I write it down and read it out loud. It sounds pretty good to me so I read it a couple times to memorise it  before putting the paper on my desk. I'll read it again tomorrow, for now I should start relaxing. It's 6pm when I  realize I haven't done anything else than writing my speech. I decide to take care of me. I go out to buy masks. I take some for Sabrina too so she can relax too. I know she needs it. We're doing masks while eating guacamole and chips. Gina messaged me to tell me a little more about my day tomorrow. She tells me Ricky is supposed to come at 3pm. I'll leave for the gala around 5:30pm. I'll be on the red carpet around 6:30pm, finally, I'll be doing my speech at 7pm if everything is ok. After that, Sabrina and I will be allowed to enjoy our gala and diner as much as we want. We'll be able to talk to the young people here and the celebrities. I have to admit I'm most excited to talk to the young people than the celebs. After all the gala is organised for them, so my night will be a sucess only if I can put a smile on their faces. At least one of them. Just one.