Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 5

"Nika Sophia Lacroix, you are going to tour and you are going to attract the attention of a certain guitarist who isn't your dad", declared Clara as she led Nika into a boutique in Silverlake.

"Shh, you're too loud", she hissed.

"Just like Dad. But seriously, you need to learn how to attract men's attention. Josh is a cool guy and he might like you, if anything, you can have a little fling with a hot guy", teased Clara.

"I don't want a fling, that's wrong", Nika protested.

"You need to let loose just a bit, you're wound tighter than Chad's drums", chided Clara.

"The one that time Mom let go, she ended up pregnant with me. Luckily, my grandparents were understanding people. I am going to finish my degree", she declared.

"Of course, but college is supposed to be fun. When was the last time you went on a date?", she asked.

"Never, I have more important things to do", said Nika proudly.

"Okay, that is going to change. You are very pretty and super-smart, guys would like you if you let your guard down", said Clara.

Nika sighed as she followed her friend inside. The boutique sold brightly-colored skirts and blouses with matching accessories, the faint scent of sandalwood incense and New Age music adding to the ambiance. "I know you like dark colors, they look good on you. With your coloring, you'd look good in darker colors but you should still wear stuff other than black or navy blue", said Clara as she searched through a rack of skirts.

Nika had been planning on reading and starting to pack when Clara had come over and demanded they go shopping. Barely a few minutes later the redhead had shown up and more or less dragged out for shopping. Part of her was annoyed by her friend's insistence but another was relieved that she got the push and excuse to go shopping. "Ah, this'll look good on you", said Clara triumphantly as she held up a long Paisley skirt. The skirt was a vivid deep purple with Paisley swirls in turquoise, jade green and bronze.

"It's nice", she replied.

"It's more than nice, it would look amazing on you. You need more skirts like this and some blouses, since it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere. And you are not going to attract Josh by dressing like a filing cabinet", Clara chided.

"I do not dress like a filing cabinet, I dress professionally", she retorted.

"No one in college dresses professionally, except for the professors. You are going on tour to Korea and Japan and the Antipodes, trying to catch the eye of a very cute guitarist. You are going to enjoy yourself and have fun even if I have to drag you. But seriously, you are going to enjoy yourself", Clara said with a laugh.

Nika smiled wanly at her friend and looked at several more skirts and blouses, choosing three Paisley skirts in a similar blue and green and purple design along with white and cream blouses to provide contrast. "As a redhead, I can wear really bold colors. If I wear black, I'll look like a vampire", said Clara as she led them to the counter to pay.

"Everyone on both sides of the family is dark-haired, except for Grandmere who was blond when she was younger. That's our genes, the Frusciante and Lacroix families", said Nika ruefully.

"You have the Snow White coloring, Nika. You could be a Goth model", said Clara.

"But that's not a popular look in LA, and I don't want to be on a constant diet or become famous. I'll stick to Herodotus", said Nika.

'You worked very hard this semester, you're on the Dean's List, Honors Society, Eta Sigma Phi. You need a break, go on vacation with your Dad and uncles, catch the eye of a certain guitarist", teased Clara.

"Maybe", replied Nika.

After paying for their purchases, the women walked out of the shop as Clara led them down the street to a Sephora. "You have to try real makeup, not that pallid pink and beige and mauve. You would look amazing with red lipstick", said Clara.

A trim, black-clad saleswoman with a chic black beret perched atop her fire-engine red hair walked over to them. "She needs makeup, and no pale pinks or mauves", Clara said.

The woman tilted her head and gave Nika an appraising look. "I like your coloring, it's very dramatic. You could cosplay as Snow White, since you're so pale with dark hair. You should use red lipstick, it'll provide contrast. For your cheeks, just a shade pinker than your complexion and smoky gray and brown for eyeshadow. Sit down, I'll show you", said the woman.

Nika sat on the stool and dubiously watched as the woman took out a group of cosmetics. "Hmm, it looks as though you have delicate skin., but it's clear. Just be still", she ordered.

Nika was still as the woman got to work, feeling the brushes and wax on her face. She hoped Clara and the woman were right as she waited for her to finish and hoped she didn't look like a clown. "Ah, you look amazing. Take a look", said the woman as she handed her a mirror.

Nika closed her eyes and counted to ten before slowly opening her eyes. Her lips parted in a gasp when she saw her reflection, looking far more glamorous than she ever had. The red lipstick made her lips full and pouty, contrasting with the her fair skin. The blush added a touch of color to her high cheekbones and smoky gray eyeshadow brought out the purple highlights in her blue eyes as she looked at her reflection from different angles.

"You look glamorous, Nika. Should I take a picture and send it to your Dad?", asked Clara.

Nika blushed deep red. "No!", she exclaimed.

"Wow, okay. But you are getting all this stuff", ordered Clara with a smile.

Nika paid for the makeup and followed Clara. "Now let's get some lunch, you deserve it", laughed Clara.

Seated at their favorite café, Clara leaned in and smiled at Nika, her green eyes full of mirth. "See, there's more to makeup than pale pink and mauve and beige. Your cousins live in Tokyo, right? You can go clubbing and have some fun, maybe Josh can come along as he isn't as old as Dad and our uncles", she laughed.

"I don't do clubbing", Nika protested.

"I don't mean you have to take Ecstasy and go to some wild club. Just go out dancing and have fun, maybe you can dance with Josh", said Clara.

"Uh, I only dance at home or with people I trust", she mumbled.

"But I've seen you dance, you got some moves. Remember at Dad's party where the DJ put on some Motown and you showed off your moves?", said Clara with admiring look.

Nika blushed. She waited until the waiter brought out their drinks and took their orders before addressing her. "Once because I was with people I know. I don't dance in front of people I don't know", she protested.

"So, you showed off some moves. Maybe you can bust some moves in front of a certain sexy guitarist", teased Clara as Nika blushed.

"You are so adorkable when you blush, Nika. But seriously, you'll never have Josh notice you unless you stand up. You are going on tour with your Dad, cool uncles and a very hot guitarist. Carpe diem, baby", said Clara as their food arrived.