Amnesia • Calum Hood

•Chapter Thirty-Three•

Much like before my date with Charles all those weeks ago, Sadie attacked my appearance with an undeniable fervor.  My hair was curled and my face was swiped with makeup, until the whole ordeal was over and I was a new girl.  I looked different than usual, more sexy and less tired. 

I'd never been a makeup or hair person.  I enjoyed getting dressed up every now and then, but I never really found the point to it all.  If someone didn't appreciate my natural features than why would I want them to accept the fake ones?  And this was Calum.  I knew he wanted me for so much more than exterior additions.

Then again, because it was Calum I wanted to up my game.  I knew I could've done nothing and he'd have called me beautiful regardless, but I wanted to impress him.  I wanted to remind him of the bold, powerful Joey he used to know, and sweep him off his feet.

"Mission accomplished?" Sadie questioned, crossing her fingers as she waited for my response.  I fluffed my hair in the mirror, pursing my gloss covered lips and soaking in my reflection.  I thought she did a damn good job, and shot her a smile.

"Perfect, thank you."  I stood up, and started to sift through my clothes in search of something suitable to wear.  Since we'd inherited the basement, Sadie and I had put up makeshift racks in the corner like a faux-closet, and used all our old hangers that had previously been unused.  Even just hanging up my clothes gave this whole set up a more familiar tone, and I knew it would feel officially like home in no time.

I pulled out the gray dress I wore on my last date, and waved it at Sadie.  "What about this?  It worked last time."

As soon as she laid eyes on the garment she threw her hands up in protest.  "Oh no, no way.  You can't wear the same thing on two dates in a row.  That's a huge no."

Frowning, I hung it back up and shrugged.  "Then what?  None of your dresses are exactly...my style, so should I stick with jeans?"

She let out an impatient tsk, and went to reach for something from her own clothing rack.  A few seconds went by, and then she presented a flowery black dress that I'd never seen before.  It wasn't too fancy, but it was still better than anything I owned.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "When did you get that?  I don't recognize it."

Upon hearing my question, she avoided my gaze and just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.  "Oh, I don't know, recently I guess."  Her vague answer gave me a perfect idea of why she bought the dress.

I rushed over to her and grabbed her arm.  "When did Ashton take you out?  How was I not paying attention?"

Blushing a deep shade of red, Sadie shook me off in embarrassment and stuttered out a reply.  "I-it wasn't anything, really.  We were both bored and decided to do something together rather than sit at home alone."

I snorted.  "That's called a date, my friend."

"Whatever!" she burst out.  "This night is about you, and you're first official date with Calum since you got back together.  It's an important event."

Rolling my eyes, I went to take a pair of simple heels and changed.  I could've pressed her more, but I could tell Sadie was hesitant to talk about Ashton.  Things with them seemed so timid and confusing, I knew if I pushed too hard I might burst their very fragile and awkward bubble.

Once I was ready, I splayed my arms out and did a little twirl.  "Good?" I checked when I met Sadie's eyes.

She was giving me a long once-over, squinting as she took in every minute detail, from my shoes to my dress to my makeup.  Not a hair could be out of place or she'd sit me back down and fix it, something I'd had to endure a thousand times in the past.