CHAPTER ELEVEN
ERIS
The Make-Over
†
STANDING IN THE SMALL cubicle in front of the fitting-room mirror, I barely recognized the image staring back at me. I suddenly regretted my decision of enlisting Lisa as my makeover buddy, a job she eagerly accepted.
“Oh my God, yes!” she squealed with delight when I asked. “Now I know something’s up with you, Eris Johnson! But that’s a conversation for another time… we need to focus on the task at hand and get going… we don’t want to be late tonight!”
This was the fifth outfit she had me try on. I should’ve known it would end up like this… endless fittings and wearing clothes that I’m wasn’t comfortable wearing at all. We clearly had varying tastes.
“So?” Lisa enquired from behind the drawn purple curtain. “I just know this is the one!” she continued, clearly over-confident in her ability as a stylist.
“I don’t know about this, Lisa. It’s so revealing… and clingy… and, did I mention revealing?” I protested. “I might very well be locked up for indecent exposure going out in public like this,” I moaned, pulling at the silky material as if that would by some miracle make the hem drop a couple of inches.
“Oh, stop whining and come out here so that I can tell you what to think,” Lisa joked.
“You know there is no way that I’ll be able to wear a bra with this,” I persisted as I drew back the curtain, stepping out onto the soft carpet in the seating area.
I was met with an astonished silence, a first for Lisa. “Eris! You look stunning… that dress!” Lisa eventually exclaimed, her palms pressed against her cheeks to frame her stunned expression. “God, your boobs look amazing… you need to show those puppies off honey, not hide them, and you sure as hell don’t need a bra – trust me!”
“I don’t know about th…” I was cut off mid-sentence.
“That’s enough!” Lisa grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me around to face the large, floor-to-ceiling mirror, vertical lights running all the way down the sides of it.
“Just take a look at yourself Eris,” her voice suddenly soft. “Come on my friend. You’re young and gorgeous. You need to embrace that and start enjoying the beautiful woman you are.”
I looked at the woman that stood in front of me… taking in the full picture. She was right.
The emerald green satin faux wrap-dress softly hugged my small frame; the barely-there spaghetti straps the only thing keeping the dress from slipping off. The soft material draped across my large, perky breasts swooped down to wrap across my small waist to tie on the side. The hemline touched my slim legs mid-thigh, somehow making it appear longer.
“Put these on,” Lisa said as she placed a pair of rose gold strappy sandals in front of me. I stepped into them and although they were higher than what I was used to, I still felt comfortable.
I turned sideways, the dress cutting across my narrow hips showed off my derriere. I’d certainly never worn anything like this before. ‘But why not,’ I bravely thought, a small smile touching my lips.
For a split second, the unwelcome memory of Kyle and the mystery woman locked in an embrace flashed in front of my mind’s eye.
“Yes. You’re absolutely right. It’s time that I live a little. I’ll take it. So what are we going to do about my hair?”
†
Entering the club through large wooden doors, I stopped to take in the scheme before me. Inverted bottles of liquor covered most of the back wall of the bar area, the illuminated icy blue countertop lined with men and women, mostly students and young professionals, perched on top of silver high-chairs, sipping on beverages and cocktails. Club music pulsated at full volume, mixed with the sound of raised voices. The atmosphere was almost electric, filled with the promise of a night-to-remember. Black and white squares made up the dancefloor while musical instruments were arranged on the raised stage, ready for the night’s performance.
“Come on!” Lisa shouted excitedly. “Let get a drink before the show starts”. She took me by the hand, dragging me towards the bar. As we wound our way through a sea of bodies, it was impossible not to take note of the blatant stares from some of the men directed at me and their uncensored comments did not go unnoticed either. Not really what I had in mind for the night.
Reaching the bar, Lisa leaned forward, her brown hair draped over one shoulder of her sequenced silver dress. She lolled her head to the one side signaling to the bartender to take her order. She asked for cocktails I’d apparently ‘absolutely love’. As the bartender turned his back, Lisa shouted in my ear, “He’s a hottie. I need to come back for him a little later!”
“And what would Mark say about that?” I replied, frowning at her.
She threw her head back and laughed loudly, the sound somewhat muffled by the music.
“Just because I’m chained to the fence doesn’t mean I cannot bark at the passing cars honey,” Lisa giggled naughtily. One couldn’t be serious with her around. Lisa knew how to have fun and just live in the moment. Exactly what I decided to do as well!
It wasn’t a time to be serious. I went there with the clear intention to relax, let my hair down and enjoy myself for once. No need to be responsible and overthink my every move. I just wanted to blot out everything and everyone.
‘Tonight, I’m free’ and by God, I was going to celebrate it, the club being the perfect place to do just that.
†
He was tall, young and sexy with tanned skin and sun-streaked blond hair. Pure trouble. I was flattered at his attention and he was an accomplished flirt. I didn’t mind at first. It was just light, playful flirting, but as the night progressed, boundaries seemed to become blurred. I knew that I’d too much to drink, but who was counting. I was enjoying myself, felt sexy and wanted.
I eyed the amber liquid shining golden in the glass he handed me, and threw it back, downing it in one large gulp, the sting at the back of my throat making me gasp. Jay’s arm was around my waist and he drew me onto the dancefloor before turning and pulling me even closer, fusing our bodies together as we swayed to the music.
He bent down, and whispered in my ear, “You are so fuckable Eris, and every guy here knows it. You know it. Just feel what you’re doing to me.” I felt a bit sluggish and didn’t resist when he grabbed hold of my hips with both his hands, pulling me hard against his body to feel his erection, his hands sliding further, squeezing my butt.
My eyes widened at his hardness, and I tried to pull away, but he was strong and held me against him with ease.
I felt lite-headed.
As I lifted my head to protest, his mouth covered mine in a hard kiss, his tongue forcing my mouth open. I felt faint, my legs starting to give way underneath me. I threw my arms around his neck to keep myself from falling, a move that he mistook for me reciprocating his advances, his kiss deepening.
What was going on?
I felt as if I was about to lose consciousness. I could barely stand.
Surely I didn’t have that much to drink, did I?
His demeanor changed, his voice sounded sleazy and thick in my ears. “Oh yes, baby. Don’t resist. Just let it wash over you. I saw you coming a mile away and you want this,” he snickered. “I’m going to fuck this little body of yours so hard tonight, you’ll beg for more. I’m going to have the time of…”
I didn’t understand most of what he was saying, but I knew I needed to get away. I tried, but my body was not cooperating. I could barely keep my eyes open. Why did Lisa have to disappear on me when Mark arrived earlier to surprise her?
The room started to spin, everything was happening as if in a daze. I heard swearing and raised voices. I remembered looking up at the blinding lights streaming from the stage, swirling… spinning.
I was falling, but strong arms grabbed hold of me just before I hit the floor… sweeping me up against his hard body.
I knew this scent…
“Kyle” I whispered as I slumped backward, losing consciousness.