“That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Cherry said.
“I’m not,” I said and she winked.
When Kelly was done with my hair, I stood closely to the mirror. “I don’t think my hair has ever looked this beautiful,” I said honestly. “Thank you, Kelly.” I hugged her fiercely, a tear beginning to slip.
“Stop, you’re going to make me cry,” she said, already crying. “Turn around, I need to spray it.” I obeyed and she sprayed them in place but not too much because I told her my hair held curl well and I didn’t want to look like plastic.
Kelly also did my make-up, a trick of her trade she told me. She sat me in the stool, facing her and took out a large bag, splaying out its insides on the table. I gulped at the quantity she owned.
“Calm down, Harper. It’s not all going on you,” she teased. She picked a few colors out and got to work. “I think I’ll do gold for the eyes. What do you think girls?”
“Oh, definitely,” Marty agreed. “Just like her eyes. Make it smoky looking.” Kelly nodded her agreement.
“She doesn’t really need much for the cheeks,” Cherry said. “Her skin is perfect. Ugh. So jealous.” I smirked at her.
“Do a natural glossy lip,” Marty said, “or it’ll clash with the eyes.”
Once Kelly was done, all three girls stood, eyeing me carefully. “The fascinator,” she said. Cherry left and came back with the most beautiful netted head piece with feathered butterflies on the band. It made me gasp it was so beautiful. Cherry and Marty pinned it to my head, folding the slanted net over my face. I tried to turn and look but Cherry stopped me.
“Not yet,” she said. “Let’s complete the look first. Stand up for me, baby.” She whipped out a very light blue silky piece of underwear. It looked like a piece of scrap. She bent and held it open for me to slide my feet into. I laughed out loud.
“You’re going to put my underwear on me?” I asked.
“Yes, unless you want to do it but you’ll have to remove your towel and I can’t have you move yet or you’ll see yourself. Expose yourself or have me slip them on. Your choice.”
“Fine,” I sighed as she slipped them up my legs.
“Lotion,” Marty said, handing a big bottle to Cherry. They both lathered their hands and started applying it to my legs.
“I can’t believe I’m not embarrassed by this,” I said, laughing.
“Meh, we’re girls. Who cares,” Marty said, finishing up my right leg.
Kelly left to the closet and pulled out a garment bag hanging on the door.
“The dress,” she said dramatically, smiling from ear to ear.
“We’ll have to tape her first,” Marty said.
“Tape?” I screeched.
“Yes, you can’t wear a bra with this dress. It’s backless,” she said like I was goofy in the head. I’d tried the dress on once and it fit perfectly but didn’t even think about undergarments. I blushed slightly as I applied the nude colored tape to my breasts awkwardly under my towel.
Then they slipped the velvety soft silk garment over my extended arms and it cascaded over my figure and toppled to the floor. The only thing Kelly could find in my size in Costumes that wouldn’t clash with my dress were a pair of white Dupioni silk ballet slippers with a satin ribbon that laced up my calf. They were comfortable and elegant and so unbelievably beautiful.
When the look was complete, the girls stood back a bit and admired their handiwork. All three started tear up, smiling at one another. Cherry did a little jump.
“Turn around, Harper,” she said.
I turned slowly, a little afraid of what I’d see but was stunned to see that I actually looked beautiful. I couldn’t believe how well they had thrown me together like this. The dress was white silk, a nineteen-twenties inspired floor length slip dress with a slight train. The sleeves gathered at the shoulders and twisted like pieces of rope that criss-crossed in the back. It was form fitting and hugged my hips and chest perfectly. I lifted my dress slightly to expose the lace that ribboned up my calves.
“You’re stunning, Harper,” Cherry said, a hiccup in throat.
All the girls came to stand beside me and we admired my slippers, gown, head piece, hair and makeup.
“Let’s see,” Marty said. “We have something old in the gown, something new in the underwear.” We all laughed. “We have something borrowed in the shoes. What’s her something blue?” She asked.
“The underwear!” Cherry laughed making us all giggle yet again. “It’s working double-time. I thought of everything.”