A New Beginning

Chapter Ninteen

It's hot. Too hot. I shoved the comforter off my body and rolled over, my sweaty legs cooling rapidly. Much better.

"Sophie? You up?" Laura poked her head in through the door, cracking it a bit.

"Hey," I respond.

"D'you want anything from the grocery store? Or do you want me to bring you anything in general? Karen is about to go run a few errands for me."

"Can you get me some more fruit?" I'd always prefer fruit over most junk foods. People say I'm weird; I say I'm healthy.

Laura left and I found myself staring up at the ceiling, rethinking the events that happened yesterday.

Laura came back in a short, few minutes, but this time was carrying a tray full of fruit.

"Thank you," I said, putting the tray on the bed next to me.

She offered a warm smile. "My pleasure. And honey?"

"Yes?" I popped a fat, green grape into my mouth.

"Tonight, I'm having a few guests over. They would absolutely love to see you," she told me with a smile. "Do you think you might be able to come and join us for a little while?"

I thought over it, but then after realizing I couldn't exactly say no to her, agreed. I mean, she adopted me for Christ's sake. It was the least I could do. "Sure."

"Great," she beamed. "Make sure you wear one of the dresses I bought you. The attire should be slightly formal, too, if that's alright."

"Of course, no problem." I forced a smile. If she wanted me there, that probably meant Troy was going to be there too. I wasn't in the mood for him. He could just be so irritating.

A few hours later, I chose my dress for the evening; a high-low dress with a lavender skirt with a tight, spandex-like material top for the bodice.

After stripping from my clothes, I stepped into the warm water of the shower and began to scrub my skin as fast as I could in a short period if time then washed my dark hair. The water made it look a few shades darekr than it really was.

As I walked back to my room with a towel wrapped around me, I could smell the food that's been made for this event. It was like the smell was pulling me downstairs. If I hadn't been ready I probably would've gone downstairs to eat.

I put on a robe and brushed my hair out, spraying it with a bit of leave-in conditioner. I put it in a quick braid so it looked more controlled.

I quickly did my makeup--foundation with a shimmery brown-grey smokey eyes for the eyeshadow, a few strokes of my Maybelline mascara, a bit of blush, and a light peach lip stick.

Now shoes....

I sifted through the shoes piled up in the back of my closet, then picked out a pair of black and brown wedges. The wedge part was a woven, twine-ish material and the black was shiny leather that wrapped around my toes and ankle.

I looked at my outfit in the full length mirror, and wow, I felt absolutely beautiful. The dress hugged every curve on my body and the shoes made my legs look much longer and slimmer.

I undid my slightly wet hair and let it cascade down my back and frame my face in loose waves.

Laura's party should be starting in a little while. I could tell that things were just beginning when the doorbell started to constantly ring every few minutes. It was guest after guest after guest.

I was starting to get nervous, why? No clue. Maybe it's just that feeling of impending doom that I used to get when... No, I cannot continue thinking like this.