02

But lately my parents are careful with the money, not spending it on things that aren’t really necessary. I want to help them so badly but they won’t allow me to get a job. So, I’m really glad to hear that an old friend of dad is willing to offer us a deal, which means that this is a chance that can help us out of the problems.

A plate being placed in front of my face is what gets me out of my thoughts. « It looks delicious mom, » I smile at her. « When does it not look delicious ? » she grins and takes a seat next to me.

« So, what time did we agree to meet up with Vincenzo ? » mom asks and takes a bite from her pancake. Dad puts his paper next to his plate and also starts eating. I reach up for the whipped cream and blue-berries, and spray some of the whipped cream on my pancakes, while I let some blue-berries fall next to it.

Savoring the sweet taste of pancakes, I continue to eat it till my plate is empty.

« We’re supposed to go to his house at seven o’clock in the evening, » dad says and takes a gulp of his coffee. « Alright, how is he, by the way ? » mom asks.

Dad shrugs. « Good, I think. I only received an email with the question if it’s good to have dinner at his place so we can discuss some business, » dad answers.

« Is it good if I call Lucy ? » I ask them. Two heads turn in my direction. « I mean, I need her help to pick something out to wear tonight, » I add quickly. « Of course, honey ! You know you never have to ask if she can come over, » mom smiles. I nod and put my plate in the sink. « Alright, I’m going to call her then, » I say and go upstairs.

After I brushed my teeth, I fish out some clothes out of my closet, not bothering to look what I’m exactly wearing and call my best friend.

« Look who we have here, » I hear her voice say as soon as she picks up. I roll my eyes. « Hello to you too, Lucy, » I smile and take a seat on my bed. « Why are you bothering me, right now ? » she asks. The annoying sound of her chewing gum rings in my ears.

« Uh… well I was wondering if you could come over ? » I ask hopefully. « Yeah, sure. I’ll be there in twenty minutes, alright ? » she asks.

« Yeah, sure. »

And after that we say our goodbyes and hang up. I don’t know how we got to be friends exactly.

She was new on the primary school I was in and we shared the same class, we were in second grade and we never really talked to each other, but one day when I accidently bumped into her she got her chocolate milk all over her and she gave me the blame.

I started apologizing to her but then she pushed me back and we got into a ‘huge’ fight. One of the teachers got to us pretty quick and she took us to a classroom, asking us what happened.

And from that day on we started to hate each other, but that changed till one day when she saw me getting bullied by a mean girl because she was making fun of my dress. Lucy stood up for me, her eight-year-old self decided that it wasn’t fair that some got bullied and she took matters in her own hands.

That’s when we started to hang out together and that’s the story of how we became friends.

She’s always there for me when I need her and vice versa. With every break-up she goes through, I support her with her so called heartbreak. I mean, I love her to death, I really do, but she gets easily distracted by boys. Too easily.

She always claims that she’s’in love’ but she isn’t.

How can you love someone that you’ve only known for a week ? I think it’s shallow but it’s her decision. I got nothing to say.

The doorbell brings me out of my thoughts, and I rush downstairs to open the door for her. « Hi ! » I exclaim and throw my arms around her.

« Hi, Athena, » she laughs and hugs me back. I let her in my house and wait for her to put her jacket away. After quickly greeting my parents we go upstairs and she jumps on my bed. « So, why did you call me ? Because I know you won’t call me if you don’t need anything, » she says and stares up at the ceiling.

« Well, an old friend of my dad invited us to eat dinner with him and I wondered if you could help me out to pick some clothes ? » I ask with a sweet smile. She looks up to me and raises an eyebrow. « Of course ! My little girl needs some help ? » she grins and stands up. Making her way to my closet I follow her and watch how she opens the door and inspects my clothes.

« Well, you’re definitely are going to wear a dress, but the problem is ; which one ? »

And so, we are searching through my closet for the perfect dress, pulling out different kind of dresses and trying them out. When I come out of the bathroom with a strapless, red dress that reaches till my knees she runs her eyes up and down my body before she shakes her head.

« Nope ! Not good, enough. Try another one ! » she orders and I go back into the bathroom, changing for what felt like the hundredth time. When I come back with only my bathrobe on I see literally all my clothes scattered around my room while she digs for a dress. Suddenly I hear a loud gasp.

« What ? What is it ? » I ask worriedly and hurry over to her, looking over her shoulder to see what she has found.

« This is perfect ! »

° ° °

Sighing I look at myself in the mirror. I fumble with my hands in front of myself, criticizing my body. Personally, I think it’s too short, but Lucy insisted that I should wear it.

Around my neck I’m wearing the necklace Chris gave me.

My eyes travel to my legs, and I frown. Aren’t my legs looking too thick in this dress ?

Oh God ! Did I gain weight ? Am I too fat ?

« Don’t stare at yourself with that face. The only one who needs to appreciate how beautiful you are is yourself, » my mom says from behind me. I turn around and spot her leaning against the doorway with a pair of black heels in her hand.

She looks at me with raised eyebrows. « It’s almost time for dinner, » she says and walks in my room. I nod. « Thanks mom, » I say as I take the heels from her.

« Anytime honey, » she winks. I notice the red dress she’s wearing, her long black hair cascades down her body and her lips are colored in a bold red. I don’t know how she manages to look so young at this age. She turns around and walks away.

« We’re leaving in a few, » she says before she closes the door behind her. I walk to my mirror and check my face. I apply some lip balm to my lips and put my hair in a loose bun, a few strands of chocolate brown hair escaping and hanging next to my face. I put on the black heels and check my body a one last time.

Could be better, but for tonight it’s good.

I see my parents standing in the hallway, waiting for me. Dad has his lightly grey hair combed back and he’s wearing a grey suit. « I’m ready, » I smile.

They turn to me. Dad smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulder.

« You look beautiful tonight, darling, » he smiles and presses a kiss on my forehead. « Yes, you indeed do look wonderful, » mom adds. « Thank you, » I smile. « Shall we ? » dad asks. Together we walk out of our house and step into the car.

When we’re all settled we drive away and while mom and dad have a conversation in the front of the car, I hear my phone vibrate and I check to see who it is.

Lucy ; Tell me if he’s hot ;)

Rolling my eyes, I reply.

Athena ; I will certainly not inform you on his looks. I’m not gonna introduce you to him. I don’t want him to have a trauma for the rest of his life