Burn My Paranoia One Last Time

3. Neon Night

This is where it always starts.

I look into the neon mirror in front of me and undo my tight bun. I don't have control over myself. I watch as dark brown curls cascade down either side of my face. I ruffle my hair and smile mischeviously into the mirror.

"Pfft I look so silly..." I murmur lightheartedly to myself.

But it doesn't matter. Tonight is the time to let go. I've been buried under so much school work, I deserve to relax tonight. I open my closet and flip through about a dozen hangers.

It's like I'm watching a rerun of my life.

I fall upon a short purple camisole and a black leather jacket with studded rhinestones on it.

Better yet, I am living it.

I pull up some high waisted black pants and grab a pair of black ankle length boots.

Next, I run to the mirror and apply some heavy purple eye shadow. This is to hide my age in case anyone asks later on. After adding mascara, I roll dark red lipstick over my full heart shaped lips.

It feels like every choice is new; like every chain of event is happening for the first time.

"Not bad," I smile, tugging my leather jacket over my shoulders.

Thump!

My heart nearly leaps out my throat when I hear something hit against my window. I whirl around and lift it open to see my friend Sloane standing a story below in my front yard.

"Hurry up, ya slowpoke!"

"I'm coming I'm coming!" I shush her. "Don't throw any more rocks at my window or I'll throw one back at your dad's limo, ya hear?"

"Don't you dare, Wilson!!" Sloane lifts a finger at me in her best intimidation imitation.

I chuckle to myself thinking even some light wind could knock her over. "Haha Im joking! Let me just get one more thing..."

***

"What took you so long?" Joel Larson leans over Sloane to look at me and chews his gum loudly. Sloane shoves him away playfully and laughs.

"I had to get my hair bow, you know I can't leave without it, Joel." I study my reflection in the tinted window beside me as I adjust some curls.

"Oh Rain! You and your hair bow," Sloane reaches up and squeezes it. Now it's my turn to shove someone away and stick my tongue out at them.

"Hey!" I chuckle. "It's my good luck charm."

"Ah that's right that's right." Joel leans back in his cushiony seat next to us in the limo and crosses his tan arms over his narrow chest.

"We all need a bit of good luck every now and then," He reaches over his white camisole and gently holds his gold cross. Licking his lips and placing his hands over his dark ripped jeans, he stomps his heavy combat boots and hops off the seat. "Well! This baby chula isn't gonna drive itself is it? Get comfortable girls, because we're going to motor outta here!"

I watch the back of his head as he exits the side of the limo, careful not to crush his sleek dark brown Mohawk against the ceiling.

Meanwhile next to me, Sloane is nodding her head to the soft stereo music. Her straight blonde hair falls down to her shoulders. She's wearing a black bustier, a poofy bright pink skirt with black lace up boots and distressed tights.