by Sky Corgan
She covers the side of her face as if it will make the store magically disappear. “We're not that far into things yet. And besides, I would not go in there with you.”
“That's fair.” I laugh.
We weave our way towards the entrance, but I stop Willow when we get to the makeup counter in Macy's for the final step in her transformation. She gives me a confused look as I lead her to one of the makeup artists and ask for suggestions. This is something I know nothing about, and while I prefer girls looking natural, I know that Peter likes them dolled up.
“Final part of your makeover,” I tell her.
Willow seems to like the attention as she's sat in the chair and painted up. I really don't think she has any idea how beautiful she is. It's kind of sad that such a gorgeous girl has such low self-esteem, but that's a large part of what will make her a better catch for Peter than most of the other girls he's been with. She's not some stuck-up bitch who feels like she's owed everything in the world just because she's pretty.
“It's really cute that your boyfriend came with you,” the makeup artist tells Willow after asking my opinion on what shade of lipstick to use on her.
My mouth falls open, and Willow looks absolutely repulsed by the comment.
“He's not my boyfriend.”
“We're not like that.”
We stumble to speak over each other.
“Oh.” The makeup artist's expression sulks.
The moment is so awkward that I divert over to the perfume section to let them finish up without me. Now I know why the makeup artist was asking for my opinion so much. She thought we were a couple. That makes me feel kind of bad because I did tell her what I thought would look best...so Willow was basically made up for me. Oh well, I'm sure Peter will like it, too. Guys aren't really picky about makeup.
“How do I look?” Willow asks when she finally comes to join me.
I take a deep breath. The makeup coupled with her new hairstyle make her look like a completely different person.
Gorgeous. Stunning. Amazing. I want to tell her all of those things, but instead, I just say, “You look good.”
She smiles politely before focusing on what I'm doing. “Being made up is expensive.”
“How much did they trick you into buying?” I spray a dash of perfume on a card and hold it up to my nose before letting Willow sniff it.
“I had to make a fifty dollar purchase. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it till the end of the month with everything I've spent today.” She frowns.
“It really wasn't that much.”
“Over a hundred dollars already.” She scrunches up her nose at the perfume I chose, picking another one from the caddy to try out.
“Well worth it for the man of your dreams,” I tease her.
“I suppose so.” She cocks her head to the side. “Please tell me we're done.”
I screw my face. “I lied about the makeup being the last step. This is the last step.” I lean over to sniff the perfume card she offers me.
“Do I really need expensive perfume?”
“A woman's scent lingers in a man's mind,” I inform her, reminiscing about my ex's perfume.
She exhales an exhausted breath. “Why do men demand so much of women?”
“Not all men. Just Peter.” I smirk at her. “Should have picked someone cheaper to fall in love with.”
“I bet most men would want all of these things.” She gives me a sarcastic look.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “Most, but not all.”
“So what scent does he like?” She smells a third sample of perfume.
“I have no idea,” I confess.
“Then how am I supposed to know what to get?” She turns to me somewhat annoyed.
“Let's just pick something that smells nice.”
Thankfully, she doesn't argue. We spend about five more minutes settling on a scent. Then we take Willow's haul back to her apartment. There aren't many bags, but I still carry most of them. Now that I think about it, we should have gotten her nails done, too, but I know it was already an expensive shopping trip for her. Hopefully, if everything goes well, Peter will be paying for all of her girly upkeep soon.
“Thanks,” Willow tells me as I set her bags down in her apartment.
“You're welcome.”
I'm so ready to go home and take a nap. Shopping is draining.
“I really mean it.” She gives me a sincere look. “I appreciate everything you're doing for me.”
“No problem.” I skirt past her to leave. “Can't have you hating me forever.”
“Well, congratulations. I think I hate you a teensy bit less now.” She pinches her fingers together. “Unfortunately, my bank account hates you more.”
“I just can't win, can I?” I laugh, walking backward out the door.
“You don't win until I win.”
“It's all on you now.” I point to her.
She smiles at me as she closes the door, and I wonder if everything that we've done today will really be enough. Whatever the case, the rest is up to her now.
6
Willow
Oh, how my pocketbook aches from that trip to the mall. I should have made Caleb take me to a cheaper hair salon and then to the thrift store instead. I'm sure that he didn't want to be driving me around town, though. I just wish he understood that I haven't been paid yet and I don't have a lot of money in savings.
Oh well. While I kind of want to return some of the clothes that I bought, I know that I shouldn't if I'm really serious about getting with Peter. Caleb knows him better than I do, and I might make the wrong choices if I go to the thrift store and shop on my own. I'll settle for the two outfits that I picked out for now, even if they're more expensive than anything else in my closet. Thankfully, they're all separates, so I can mix and match with the other stuff I already have.
I head back out to the local drug store to buy makeup that most closely matches what I already have on. My arsenal definitely needs an update, because right now all I have is lipstick and eye shadow. No foundation. No blush. Not even any eyeliner. And I did notice that the eyeliner and mascara make my eyes look bigger, which makes my face appear smaller.
For the first time, maybe ever, I feel beautiful. Really, truly beautiful. I have confidence now that I never had before, and for that reason, I'll be eternally thankful to Caleb. I'm still not ready to forgive him, though. Not until I'm happily settled down with Peter. Maybe then we can become real friends.
The next morning I wake an hour early to get ready for work. I put on one of the outfits that Caleb picked out, I flat iron my hair into perfection, and I apply all of the makeup that I bought, trying to remember the techniques that the makeup artist showed me. It doesn't come out exactly the way that she did it, but it's pretty darn close.
I walk into work feeling like a boss. Peter is going to notice me today. I just know it. Everything that I went through yesterday and all the money I spent will totally be worth it.
“Wow, you look different,” Becky says as I sit beside her. Her doe eyes are large with surprise. It makes me smile.
“Do I look pretty?” I hold my head up high, feeling like a million dollars.
“You look better than you did before.”
My entire body slumps from her response.
Really, Becky? Really? You couldn't come up with something nicer than that?
I want to punch her in her perfect face. Not everyone can wake up looking like a supermodel, cunt.
No matter. She's not the one I'm trying to impress anyway. And the fact that she even mentioned it means that she at least noticed the difference in me. Peter will, too.
Peter walks into the room to begin our training class for the day. I immediately perk up, my eyes glued to his visage. He skims over us, not settling on any particular person. I try not to screw my face as he passes over me like nothing at all has changed.
For the next several minutes, I think about how to get his attention. Maybe he's jus
t standing too far away to notice my transformation, I tell myself. I need to get him to come closer. So close that he has to say something about it.
I wait until we've all booted up into the practice system and started our fake assignments before I call Peter over to ask him a bullshit question that I already know the answer to. He leans over to look at my screen, focusing on the line I'm pointing at.
I doused myself well in perfume this morning. Just in case he can't smell it, though, I slide my chair a little closer to him. He turns his head toward me, tilting away from me slightly, creating the same space that was there before I moved.
We stare at each other for a moment, and my face grows hot. My God, he's so handsome. Especially up close. I can feel my engines revving just from being near him.
I wait for him to comment on my hair, but he doesn't. The mood quickly turns awkward, and desperation forces me to speak. “Do you notice anything different about me today?”
“Yes.” He pauses and smiles before returning his attention to the screen. His smile is so stunning that it makes me swoon. “You've been getting through your practice work a lot faster lately. Good job.”
Then he straightens himself, and he's gone.
I can hear Becky sniggering on the other side of me. I want to claw her fucking eyes out. It feels like my heart just fell to the floor and Peter kicked it across the room.
Did he really not notice my hair or my clothes or the makeup or perfume—everything that was all for him? Was everything I did yesterday—every dime I spent—all for nothing?
The rest of my workday is miserable, and my drive home is fueled by anger. I don't even go to my apartment first. I march straight to Caleb's place and beat on his door like I want to break it down with my fist.
He opens the door, looking dazed as if he just woke up from a nap. “What's wrong?”
“I was invisible today,” I inform him before barging in. Even Max can't bar my path. I push past the dog and plant myself on the sofa, brooding.
“Invisible?” Caleb scratches the back of his neck. He's only wearing boxers and a muscle shirt, so he must have been asleep.
“He didn't notice my hair or makeup or anything.” I flail.
“Huh?” He doesn't really seem to care, which only pisses me off more.
“I spent all of that money to get results,” I seethe through clenched teeth before folding my arms over my chest. “You need to fix this.”
“I need to fix this,” Caleb parrots sleepily.
“Yes. What's your plan?” I turn to face him since he stopped at the kitchen island and has been leaning against it ever since I came inside.
“The only other thing I can really do is try to get you two together outside of work.” He pushes away from the island to go to the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water. The fact that he doesn't offer me one only pisses me off more.
“How in the fuck are you going to get him to go out with me if he doesn't even know I exist?” I squeeze my eyes shut and massage my temples, trying to keep myself from completely exploding at him.
“I need to see how you guys interact.” Caleb twists the top off of the bottle and drains half of it in a few quick gulps.
“Again, genius,” I roll my eyes at him, “how do you propose to make this happen?”
“Isn't it obvious?” He snaps back at me with a sarcastic look, and I immediately feel bad for being such a bitch to him. “We all go to the same gym. I'll tell you when to be there. You come up and talk to me. It will be less awkward that way.”
My mouth falls agape. That's not a good plan at all. “I look like shit when I'm at the gym.”
“Everyone looks like shit when they're at the gym. It's the gym.”
“That's not true.” I sulk, thinking about Becky. She looked sexy. She always looks sexy.
“Listen. It will be less awkward if I introduce you to each other slowly. Then we can segue into all hanging out together. Trust me, I have a plan. This isn't just some...half thrown together idea.”
It takes me a minute to realize what he's doing. Then I nod, beginning to feel excited. “Oh, I get it now.”
“Besides, if he acknowledges that you go to the gym, it will be bonus points for you. Guys like a girl who takes care of herself.” He finishes the bottle of water and tosses it into the recycle bin.
I point at him, grinning like a loon. “You are smart. See, this is why you're my marriage mentor.”
“Please don't call me that.” He rolls his eyes.
I stand and walk over to pat Caleb on the shoulder on my way out. “Good job, Caleb. I'm placated. Text me his gym schedule, and I'll see you there.”
He shakes his head at me as I leave, probably happy to get rid of me.
The following day, I get a text from Caleb telling me when to be at the gym. It couldn't have come soon enough, because I was already beginning to get antsy from waiting on him, thinking that he just told me that to make me go away. It appears he's still holding up to his end of the deal, though.
There are butterflies in my stomach as I get ready and drive over to the gym, wondering if I should approach them before or after my workout. It would probably be better to do it before, just in case they leave early. I don't know how long they workout for anyway.
My heart is in my throat by the time I reach the door to the gym. I can see the two of them working out inside, Peter on his back while Caleb spots him on the bench press. I can't decide if he looks better in his suits or when he's wearing fewer clothes. His arms are glistening with sweat, but he's otherwise still the image of perfection.
I gawk at him through the window for a minute before walking inside and making a beeline for them. It's probably not the best time to approach, but jumping off of the treadmill in the middle of my workout would be weird.
“Hey, Caleb!” I wave.
“Hey, Willow.” He smiles at me, putting the barbell back on the rack.
Peter's brown eyes grow big with surprise, and he sits up to greet me. “Miss Stroop. I didn't know you worked out at this gym as well.”
My mood dips a fraction. That means he totally didn't notice me the last time we were both here, even though Caleb chased me out. I really must be invisible to him.
“Mister Burgett.” I bow to him, not really knowing what else to say. My nerves are wound so tightly that I feel like I might choke on my own tongue if I try to talk too much.
“How do you two know each other?” Peter glances between Caleb and me.
“We're neighbors,” Caleb explains. “She lives in the apartment right across from mine.”
“Oh.” He nods.
“How do you two know each other?” Caleb looks to Peter.
“Miss Stroop is in my training class.”
Well, at least he remembers that much, I think to myself dryly.
“Yes,” I pipe in. “Mister Burgett is an amazing trainer. He's so knowledgeable and articulate. I feel like I've learned so much from him. I'd even go as far as to say he's the best trainer I've ever had.”
Peter smiles politely at me. “It's very nice of you to say that.” He turns his attention to Caleb for a moment. “I'm going to hit the pull up bar.” He then looks back at me. “It was nice seeing you. I need to get on with my workout, though. I lose momentum if I break for too long.”
“Oh, of course.” I take a step back so that he can walk around me. “It was nice seeing you, too.” I give him an awkward little wave before he continues on to another part of the gym, leaving Caleb and me alone together.
Caleb rolls his eyes at me, and I give him a confused look.
“Go.” He shoos me off.
I'm not sure why he looks so annoyed. I thought it had gone well. At least, Peter talked to me. He acknowledged my existence and saw that I workout, too. That has to count for something.
I jump on the treadmill and start my workout with a smile on my face, doing my best not to stare at them too much. It's kind of hard when I know that Peter knows I'm there. I want to see
if he's looking at me, so I keep my peripheral vision locked on him. He seems mostly focused on his workout, though. If he and Caleb talk about me at all, I can't really tell.
They leave the gym before I do. I'm kind of sad to not have my man candy to gawk at, but I make it through the rest of my workout with relative ease. With the remainder of my time, I think about maybe starting some weight training. I could ask Peter for advice on lifting. That would give us something to talk about.
Once I'm done with my workout, I head over to Caleb's apartment. I'm so excited about getting to talk to Peter outside of work that I just want to discuss it with someone. Who better than the man working on setting us up.
As soon as Caleb opens the door to me, his expression droops and he steps back to let me in. It appears that the annoyance he had towards me followed him home.
“What's your problem?” I ask, now feeling less excited about talking to him.
“What's my problem?” He looks at me like I'm an idiot, closing the door behind me before following me to the sofa. “My problem is that you did exactly what I told you not to do.”
“Which is?” I arch an eyebrow.
“You practically threw yourself at him.” He gestures erratically.
“No, I did not.” I hug myself as if it will protect me from his criticism.
“I'd even go as far as to say he's the best trainer I've ever had,” he mocks me. “You might as well have asked to suck his dick.”
“Caleb!” My jaw comes unhinged from his crude wording.
“What? I'm serious.” He tears his hands through his hair. “I think you might be hopeless.”
His words both sting and make me cower. In the span of an hour, I went from feeling like I was on top of the world to feeling useless. It's painful that Caleb thinks so little of me...makes me feel like I can't do anything right.
Caleb sighs, noticing the hurt look on my face. He crouches down in front of me to get my attention. “Subtle, Willow. You have to be subtle. You can't keep acting like he's the best thing in the world. As long as you do that, he's going to continue to ignore you.”
“You think he's ignoring me on purpose?” That hurts even more. Maybe this really is pointless.