LITMIR.BIZ

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now? It's a ladies' night out for us, Alice chased him away.

       - Okay, I'm going. I'll see you later, Easton capitulated, but not before I take out the hairpin that was holding Alice's bun.

       - You bastard! It took me an hour to make this bun! Alice growled, furious at this umpteenth teasing.

       - That's for ditching me tonight instead of coming to the movies with me,” he replied contentedly before walking away.

       I watched Easton walk away and waved back.

       I still couldn't believe that I had just greeted the famous and terrible Easton Carson.

       All through high school, I'd shuddered every time he walked into class, prayed I'd never end up in his cross-hairs or a victim of a bet...

       I had done everything to avoid him and had always been perfectly successful, but now... Easton had just greeted me!

       His icy eyes were still popping up in my nightmares, but in the last few months I'd gotten to know him and found out he wasn't as bad as I'd always thought.

       He was a boy who hid his fragility under a thick layer of arrogance, but Alice had managed to master him and make him grow.

       Unfortunately, the same could not be said of his friends, whom I never saw, luckily.

       The last time I had been with them was in a jewelry store, while Easton was picking out a ring for Alice.

       Months had passed since that day, and Alice, knowing how uncomfortable they made me, had always avoided me being around them.

       "You look beautiful, Felicity, Kira said, catching my attention, her eyes on my dress and hair.

       -You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble," I murmured, blushing suddenly, as I looked down. Feeling watched always bothered me deeply. I had spent so many years making myself invisible that I felt nothing but shame and embarrassment when someone stared at me.

       I dried my sweaty palms on the sumptuous dress Kira had given me the day before, for my birthday. Wearing it had been an incredible effort because, as wonderful and beautiful as it was, it left too much skin uncovered and made me feel exposed to the judgment of others.

       I caressed the black silk of the V-neckline and short sleeves, then moved down to the flared, floral skirt that reached my knees. It was a wonderful feeling that made me feel free and relaxed, but every time I felt a bulge under the fabric, I wanted to run away and put on one of my beloved over sized sweatshirts.

       "It was our pleasure," Alice tried to calm me down with a big smile as she played with one of my curls fresh from the hairdresser's, where my friend had taken me that morning.

       I had felt reborn when I had accepted this transformation, abandoning my pink and fuchsia locks for good, and going back to my natural chestnut brown shaded with blond to the tips.

       For the occasion, I had even put in my contact lenses and made myself up in warm tones, to highlight my brown eyes and my dark skin.

       "This look really suits you. You should always dress like that. You look great," exclaimed Kira who always had a kind word for everyone. Not feeling like you belonged was impossible with her. She had the right word at the right time in all circumstances.

      “ But the presents aren't over yet! exclaimed Alice as Kira drew the waiter's attention to order a drink and a slice of the red fruit cheesecake, we had chosen together two days earlier when we had decided to celebrate my birthday that Saturday afternoon.

       - God, girls, please... I feel guilty... I didn't do any of this for your birthday, I stammered, uncomfortable.

       - In fact, what we're about to tell you isn't really a gift, but rather a proposal.

       - A proposal of what? I asked, curious.

       - Our second year of college starts in a few days, and I wanted to ask you if you'd like to share a room with me, Alice begged me, her eyes shining with emotion.

       -And Kira? I asked confused. Alice and Kira had shared room 7A in the Sherman dormitory throughout freshman year, while I was in the Maxwell dormitory, five blocks away. There I shared a room with Lea, an older girl with whom I had barely exchanged two words all school year.

       - I'm leaving the dorm, Kira informed me. Last year, I was always at Lucas' house, and this year we convinced our parents to rent a small studio nearby. Lucas is already looking for a job to support us and put as little strain as possible on my family.

       - So, I'm left alone, and I'd love to have you as my new roommate,” Alice added.

       - And Easton?

       - He tried to lobby the president, since he's his uncle, but he couldn't convince him to let us share a room. He says he can't afford to set a precedent and take the risk that other students will do the same afterwards and end up causing a scandal or other problems.

       - So you thought of me.

       - Of course, I did. You and Kira are my best friends!

       - In that case, I accept,” I whispered, moved. She didn't know it but hearing her say I was her best friend was the greatest gift I could receive.

       Alice screamed with joy and came to hug me tightly.

       I had to resist not pulling away.

       Being touched always bothered me, but I knew Alice loved me and accepted me as I was.

       Kira hugged me affectionately as well.

       I returned their embrace, hugging these small, thin girls that I could finally refer to as my friends.

       As we sat back down at the table, the waiter brought us the cake with a candle in the middle.

      “ Make a wish and blow out the candle,” Kira and Alice invited me.

       I looked at them for a long time. They were both beautiful.

       With her red hair and as blazing as her character but with a heart of gold, Alice was incredible.

       Kira, with her oriental look and disarming sweetness, was simply special.

       I wanted to be like them too. Beautiful and unique.

       I felt a desire to change and this new look was the proof.

       In time, I hoped that this evolution would lead me to accept and perhaps appreciate myself as I was.

      “ So, what do you want? urged Alice, impatient.

       - I want our friendship to last forever, I said.

       -You must want something you don't have. Not something you already have, dummy, laughs Kira.

       - Kira is right. Think of something else. I don't know... A boyfriend? tried Alice.

       - I'm not pretty enough to attract the attention of boys. I'm not like you.

       - Then why are the guys sitting at the table in the back staring at you? said Alice, who couldn't stand the idea that I didn't feel as beautiful as her.

       - They're staring at you, not me.

       - Nonsense!

       - Felicity, Kira sighed sadly. She suffered from my insecurity too.

       - You, you like me, but let us be serious: I am not as beautiful as you! I said nervously.

       - I never thought I was beautiful. Lucas tells me so, but he loves me, so it doesn't matter.

       - Then why is he jealous and goes crazy if someone comes near you?

       - Because he's stupid, Kira replied with a shrug. If I had your chest, I would understand, but I'm a surfboard. So, there is very little reason to be jealous.

       - You're thin, I defend.

       - I am flat and shapeless. Sometimes I envy you and I don't know what I'd give to have a bit of your hips and boobs.

      

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