My Second Chance

Chapter 6

Sitting on the love seat with my back facing the mirror – my best friend continues to work her ‘magic’ on me. “Hands down S! I specifically said ‘no touching’ and will you stop trying to turn around?” Jennifer slaps my hand away as I try to touch my hair and look at my reflection in the mirror behind me.

“Come on Jen. You know I hate surprises, especially with the matter of my appearance.” I say rolling my eyes. “I told you if I don’t like it, I’m taking it all out. All the make-up, everything.” I sarcastically tell her.

“Have I ever disappointed you?” She asks but I don’t answer because we both know the answer to that. She never fails. “And who knows, you just might outshine me tonight and every woman for that matter.” She teases.

She always knew what to do with me. She knew I wasn’t a fan of make-up, lipstick, mascara, eye liner - even lip gloss! Like I said, I’m an island girl. There really isn’t any use of putting on make-up where I’m from, unless you were hiding something or you were trying to ‘look’ professional. So with that, she did her best and that’s what I always got in the end: the best of everything.

“Alright, have a look and tell me what you think.” She says. I turn and my eyes are wide with surprise.

“Jennifer…I…um…” I utter. She notices my stuttering and she squeezes my shoulders tightly. This is why I love her, she does everything she can to put a smile on my face even when I think I don’t need one.

“You’re welcome dear sister. I love you too.” She winks and smiles at me at our reflection. I turn to give her a full hug now. “Okay love, let’s not ruin my work so no tears! We need to get ready now. Sammy is going to be ringing our phones non-stop if we don’t hurry.” I nod smiling at her.

She opens my closet doors and pulls out what I’m hoping is her dress: a very short yellow dress with a stunning black bow surrounding the waist. She then hands me a gorgeous black mid-thigh dress complete with a sparkling necklace, a pair of earrings and a single gold rimmed black bangle.

“Don’t forget the shoes S! Heels only! NO flats you hear me!” She yells through the restroom door. My lips thin out in displeasure.

“Oh come on Jen! You know I don’t do heels! I can’t even last for five minutes in those things!”

“Just put the shoes on missy! We are going to be late!” She tells me handing the pair to me when I open the door. Well, they do look very pretty.

Mumbling to myself nervously, I slip into the dress and put the jewelry on. I look at my reflection in the mirror and notice I’m wearing the necklace Elijah gave me. I raise my hand and hold on to the pendant for a brief moment, not really wanting to take it off. I shake my head of the thoughts and bend down to put the heels on. Finally locking the heel into place, I look into the mirror again. I can do this. You can do this Savannah. Doing a double take at myself in the mirror, I try to pull the dress again, feeling it’s just too short for my full figure.

“S! Sammy just sent me a text and he says he’ll have my head if we don’t leave now! Let’s go!” Jennifer yells through the door.

“Almost finished!” I’m feeling so frustrated at the moment and anxious all at the same time that I’m convinced I might be having a panic attack. It’s just one night, it’s just one night, I tell myself. I don’t feel so good that my insides starts to do twists and turns. You’ll be okay. I did promise Jennifer that she could take me out for my birthday – and that was tonight. I’m not breaking my promise and there’s no turning back now.

“Savvy? Hun you’re worrying me. Come out please.” I take a few deep breaths and take one last look before walking to the door. “S. I swear if you don’t come out I’m going to call Sammy himself to come get you!”

It’s now or never Savannah. Alright, let’s get this over with. I open the door and Jennifer doesn’t hear me as she’s throwing the last of her make-up kit into her black purse. It’s a little funny because she looks a little more nervous than I am.

“Savannah!” She yells again still not noticing me standing behind her. “If you are not out here in the next second, so help me god I will break down that – “ she turns and nearly jumps out of her skin when she sees me watching her. “Fucking christ!” She screams but the minute she takes in my figure from head to toe, her jaw drops open. “Ohhh my god S. You look beautiful!”

I immediately look down at my toes and begin to nervously play with the key pendant on my neckline before looking up to meet Jennifer’s smiling face. “What’s wrong love?” She walks over to me and notices fingers fidgeting with the sentimental object. “Oh hun, it’s alright if you don’t want to take it off. I understand.”

“I’ll be okay.” I sigh and slowly begin to unlock the sentimental object, but my hands start to shake a little, making it harder to do.

“S. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. If and when you’re ready. It’s your night remember.” She holds my arms and I lightly nod.

“I ready, just a little nervous.” I assure her. “But maybe I’ll just take it with me in my bag? I really don’t feel like leaving it behind.”

Smiling she answers, “No worries love. Let’s do that now before Sammy kills me for not dragging you to the club, yeah?”

Chuckling, I ask “Yes, yes we should. But help me out will ya?”