The Cycle of STRANGERS

• 23 •

"Yes."

"You like him." She drops my hand

"Aretta, just because I took an early shower, doesn't mean I like him." I groan.

"Rosa, I've literally known you for years. You don't like waking up super early. You don't like robes. You are the last to take showers."

She lets the white duvet drown in the bed as she sits up with her bonnet resting against the wall. Her hands ball up into fists, she rubs her eyes.

"Change. It's all about change." I stick a prodding finger out in objection.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyways, show me what you're wearing." She claps.

"I have to wait for Elias. He's going to text me the type of clothes he recommends."

"Your date could literally be at five pm, and you're already getting ready. Nawa!"

"He said to be ready for nine."

"Shit! You only have two hours and you choose to get ready so late!"

With that, Aretta jolts out of bed. She grabs my arm and pulls me into the bathroom, sitting me on the dresser stool. Two hours is more than enough time- I can get ready in half an hour if I pleased- shower included.

She begins lining all the products from mine and her makeup bags. I tell her I don't want any foundation and to use concealer if she absolutely must.

Don't misunderstand me, I do not have clear skin. My skin has a good week once a month, then the blemishes and pimples appear for the rest. Not a lot- but still quite noticeable. So foundation would be great to cover them up. Problem is... I'm THAT girl who will touch their face every five seconds, then proceed to rub it on my workbook, clothes- anything!

After a good hour of me being a lab rat for Aretta, she gives me the go ahead to look at myself. I crane my head to look in the mirror, already tempted to touch my face. I look so different, but so light.

My eyebrows are better groomed, she filled them in to make them emerge from they're hidden position on my face. Instead of leaving them full, she used concealer to cover up, something I don't due to laziness.

Although I detested the idea of having falsies, because of feeling uncomfortable after a while, she insisted. They actually look good. Not too full and over the top, but almost natural.

The inner corners of my eyes glimmer with gold highlighter. On my cheeks, the same highlighter is contrasted with a dark rosy blush. My nose also has a bit, right on the tip.

The main focus, however, are my lips. She coated them in a matte dark brown lipstick- one shade deeper than my complexion.

"I look nice." My words breathe out by themselves,  eyes still fixated on the girl in the reflection.

"More than nice." Aretta stands behind me, holding a hand to her hip. She smiles.

"Yeah."

"Did he text?"

"Wh- who?" I force my eyes to look at her in the mirror.

"Elias, you only have an hour left, man!"

"I will literally be ready in fifteen minutes. Don't worry!" I grab my phone on the makeup table. I don't unlock it until I see the little message.

My mouth gapes open and I glance up at Aretta.

"It's a picnic and reading." I state.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"No."