AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, sorry about that,” I told the adults as my gaze strayed gratefully to the six boys who’d just saved me in a way I’d never been saved before. “But I’m better now. I’m lots better, actually.”
1
RAINA
January 2024
After carefully dusting my cheeks with blush, I tipped my face back and forth, studying all the angles as I checked my reflection in the mirror. Finally satisfied that my makeup looked even, I tossed down my powder brush and opened the drawer where I kept my lipstick.
Names like Bombshell, Venus, Baby Doll, First Class, Miss America, and Trophy Wife gleamed up at me from the ends of their tubes.
Running my fingertips over them, I sighed with indecision.
“Kinsey?” I called. “What color of lipstick should I go for?”
“What?”
I rolled my eyes and lifted my voice. “What color of lipstick should I wear tonight?”
“Something bright,” she decided. “Bright red is for making a bold statement. You’re passionate and sensual and don’t mind being admired.”
“Uh.” I cringed, not feeling very passionate or bold or sensual at all. That sounded likeher, actually.
“Next?” I asked, wondering what color best displayed nervous, terrified, and ready to hide under a rock.
“Alright. Wine, then. Wine’s the color of seduction.”
“Oh God,” I groaned, hating the idea of having to be seductive even more. “What else you got?”
“Lord above, Raina,” she shouted. “Just pick a damn color. The party’s already started.”
I whimpered and returned my reflection to the mirror. I had to wear the absolute most perfect color. “Kinsey,” I whined, needing some big sisterly guidance, especially sinceshewas the one who’d talked me into doing this in the first place.
“Fine!” I heard her yell. “Stay away from mauve. Mauve’s too patient and organized, which you arenot.”
I made a face and then had to nod in reluctant agreement as I glanced around my bathroom, which looked as if a department store had exploded in it.
“Baby pink’s too cutesy,” Kinsey went on. “The last thing you want to look like tonight isadorable. Subtle red’s too quiet and modest. Black’s too dark. Taupe’s too boring. Peach is too goody two-shoes.”
“Goody two-shoes?” But peach was one of my favorite lipsticks to wear. “What’s so goody two-shoes about peach?”
“Really?” Kinsey scoffed. “It’ll make you look all kind and generous, like you care about family and friends.”
I blinked, wondering whythatwas a bad thing.
Until Kinsey answered, “You want to attract theguy, not his mother, right?”
Ah. I guess she had a point.
“So you need to display either fun or excitement, sex or intrigue,” she instructed. “Ooh, what about hot pink? That’s the color ofadventure.”
I made a face. Adventure washerthing, too. She was the lively, wild sister who knew how to party. I was the sweet, chatty, adorable one who made old people and small children laugh. I knew nothing about attracting the opposite sex. Which meant I should just listen to Kinsey and take her first piece of advice.
Except when I picked up the tube of lipstick labeled Miss America, which I’d never once worn in my life, I swallowed thickly before shoving it right back down into its slot. And then I plucked up Peach Kiss, which I’d nearly used up already.
I just needed something familiar and soothing right now, since my stomach was already tangled into a million knots.
“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” I called through my apartment to…wherever she was hanging out. It sounded as if she was outside actually, maybe chilling on my mini balcony. “What if he’s not even there?”
