Alone

Make-Up

"But I've never worn make-up before!" I whine to Amira.

"Aleena it's for the best, and the dress I'm sure will be spectacular!" she replies. We glance at the red dress hanging from the door of my closet and I sigh.

"You will get to wear it another time." Amira says.

"It wont be the same. It's a wedding dress and my mom wore it on her wedding, I want to wear it on mine!"

"It's not that big of a deal." Amira replies but I can tell she also doesn't understand the need to wear what Zaryab has picked out.

"And no one in our family has worn make-up. EVER!"

"Yes, I know, and I've never worn stuff like that either but your husband wants it, just for this one special night!"

"Maybe..."

"If you want I can help you pick some out when we go shopping?" she offers.

"That would be great Amira thank you!"

"No problem, it will be fun!" she giggles.

I roll my eyes, Amira is really excited about this wedding... I wish I could match her excitement.

---------------------------------------------------

"Hello how may I help you today?" the clerk drawls not even looking up from her magazine.

"We're just looking." Amira says while giving me a goofy look.

"K." she replies. Wow some people need to pay attention to their job!

"Aleena do you think this shade will look nice on you?" Amira asks and I realise she's already made her way to the cosmetics section.

"To be honest I don't think any shade will look good on me..."

"Chillax, you'll look good!"

"I don't know about that, but anyways I want a toned down pink maybe, not a bright red like that!"

"Of course!"

"You really seem like you know what your doing!"

"Well I'm really trying." she replies with a smile.

------

In the end we get a beautiful pink lipstick that's bright but not bright enough to be the main attraction. The faded pink blush makes me look younger and the black eyeliner and mascara brings out my eyes. We also pick up make-up removal wipes.

"Will this be all?" the clerk asks, barely looking at us.

"Yes that will be all!" Amira replies cheerfully with a huge smile on her face. I don't know what I would do without her! Throughout this whole thing she's been so supportive, she's been there for me. I cannot wish for a better cousin then she.

"Here." the clerk says thrusting the bag into my hands.

I grind my teeth. Cant she be nicer?!

"Thank you!" Amira says when I open my mouth to chastise the clerk. I look at her and she shakes her head. I calm down and silently thank her, she is a life saver.

"How can you be so nice all the time?!" I ask when we're outside.

"The smallest things we get rewarded for, but I don't do it for that. I do it because it is for the greater good, some people just need a smile in their lives." Amira answers wisely.

I smile.

"So lunch then?"

"Definitely!"