After I don't know how long, she finally let’s go. I must add that the lady next to me hasn't let me see myself in a mirror, so I don't know what she did.
"Are you ready?" she says excitedly, clapping her hands.
I stand up silently and look for the full-length mirror on Riley's side of the room. When I see my reflection, I'm amazed. I didn't expect such a drastic change. I mean, my mother has always done my makeup, well, not directly, but I've never seen myself looking so beautiful before. I'm speechless as I gaze at my reflection. I never imagined I could look so different. The clothes I'm wearing are not what I usually wear. I've always been a jeans, t-shirt, and hoodie kind of girl, although I do wear dresses and skirts, they've never been like this.
To help you understand, let me describe my outfit. I'm wearing a tight black dress that hugs my body, accentuating my figure in every way. I also have black knee-high boots, and the dress has thin straps on the shoulders. Over that, I'm wearing a white winter coat that falls a little below my knees. That's it, but I feel so transformed. I'm used to wearing more formal dresses, knee-length pencil skirts, and such. I look like someone my age, and that makes me want to cry. Something so insignificant as this fills me with sadness. I've spent my whole life dressing like a 26/27-year-old aspiring businesswoman, not like a university student enjoying life. My group of "friends" is just like me, rich daddy's girls who have the latest fashion. Sometimes I look at them and wonder what they see in that kind of clothing. Don't they think it's not pretty? Well, I do. And let's not even talk about those ridiculously expensive bags that can barely fit anything. I don't like those either.
I don't know how long I've been staring at myself in the mirror when my phone interrupts my concentration. I don't manage to grab it because Riley already has it to her ear. I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand, and she says cheerfully.
““Hello, it's Riley. Nice to meet you. Room 96, we're waiting," she says, ending the call.
"I still can't get over the transformation," I say, looking at myself again.
"Well, I didn't want to tell you yesterday that you dressed older than your age, but from now on, we're going to change that. That's why I'm here," she assures, winking at me.
"Thank you for this," I say sincerely.
"You're welcome, silly. That's what friends are for."
As she finishes saying that the doorbell rings. I open my eyes and don't understand why I feel nervous. Perhaps, in some way, I'm hoping for Mason's approval. It shouldn't matter, but I can't deny that I would like to know it.
Riley rushes to the door and opens it. I hear her introducing herself as my roommate and new friend, inviting him to come in and telling him that I'm looking for my purse.
I shake off my foolishness and grab my purse, making sure I have money and my documents. I tuck away my phone and approach the door.
I can't help but blush when I see Mason's face. He hasn't said anything, just stares at me like a fool. Riley pushes me towards my supposed boyfriend, and we both stand there doing nothing. I don't know what my roommate expects, and Mason seems incapable of doing anything, he just keeps staring at me.
"Wow, you two are some couple. Not even a little greeting kiss," she scolds us, crossing her arms.
"Oh, right... um..." I try to come up with a response to that. However, my boyfriend is not helping at all, he remains frozen, just looking at me.
"Well, you sure impressed him, friend," she says, winking at me.
"I'm sorry, but you look really beautiful," Mason clumsily speaks up.
"Thank you," I nervously reply.
"Well, let me reintroduce myself. I'm Riley, the one responsible for making your girlfriend look this gorgeous. Isn’t I good at doing makeup?" my roommate says, placing a hand on her hip.
"I like the change you've made in Paige, you have talent," my boyfriend says, smiling.
"That's not true, your girlfriend is beautiful, she just doesn't know how to bring out her best features on her own," Riley comments.
"Now I see that," Mason says, analyzing my outfit.
"I'm here, just in case you forgot," I interject, crossing my arms as they speak as if I'm not present.
"We know, don't we?" Riley replies teasingly.
I roll my eyes as she laughs, but Mason doesn't join in. He continues to stare at me, and that look is starting to make me uncomfortable. Has he never seen me before or what? I'm about to huff at his attitude.
"I think you've seen enough, haven't you?" I can't help but express my annoyance.
"I'm sorry, it's just that you look very different and beautiful," he says without realizing what he's saying.
"Aww, how sweet of him to say those things, right?" Riley remarks.
"Yeah, very sweet. Mason, I think it's better if we go grab something to eat. I'm hungry," I respond seriously.
"Of course, let's go," he says, extending his hand.
I take it, now more out of habit. Ever since we've known each other, he's always held my hand. But before we can take two steps, I turn to my new friend and say,
"Do you want to come with us?"
"No, I have plans, but we'll arrange for the three of us to hang out another time. I have a lot to learn about this love story," she says, laughing.
I shake my head and we leave. When we reach Mason's car, he opens the door for me. He's a true gentleman. What surprises me is that he buckles my seatbelt, even though I can do it myself. However, I don't say anything, I just let him do it.
He gets in the driver's seat and starts the car. He looks at me again before moving and says with a smile,
"I meant it, you look beautiful." I don't know how to respond to that.
So, I just nod and look out the window, thinking about the impact Mason's words about my "beauty" today have on me.
As I see the road, I realize that we're heading to the same café I went to yesterday morning. It seems to be his favorite place. I can't deny that it bothers me that he brought me to the same spot he probably brings everyone. Yesterday he was here with one girl, and today with another. What an idiot. I feel a slight discomfort in my stomach. I'm not going to feel comfortable in this place, really not.
"I'm going to take you to a very old café, it's not fancy at all. On the contrary, it's cozy and simple. I'm sure you'll love it," he says enthusiastically.
I smile because I can't think of anything to say. Finally, he parks the car and while I unfasten my seatbelt, he gets out and helps me out of the vehicle.
We enter the place and I sigh. It used to be my favorite café for a long time. Mason and I have very similar tastes. I never thought this would be his favorite café. It's true that when you see him, you imagine he's one of those typical guys who runs company and eats at exclusive places. But we're both more down-to-earth. Well, Mason's parents are just like him, while my parents are the complete opposite.
Now to think of it, the agreement our parents signed years ago was because they were friends, so why hadn't I seen them at home before? At least I should have met Mason's father before, but I hadn't seen him or his family. I must find out what happened to the friendship our parents had, or if they still have it.