Page 187 of Collided

Marie sets the curling rod aside and adjusts the curls with her fingers. “You know I’m an over-talkative girl, so guys stayed away from me. They thought I ate their brains with my long speeches. I had lost hope that I would ever find a guy who would love me and care for me. I was that girl who had no friends and when she tried to make some, people would just make excuses and leave. I was alone. My parents and Kevin, my older brother, were all I had. I wasn't alone at home, but at school I was. And that made me sad.” She explains with a forlorn face.

I take her hand and squeeze.

She squeezes back. “You remember that botanic garden trip?”

I nod. I didn’t go because my parents couldn't afford a four-hundred-dollar trip.

“I was sitting alone on the bus. Mr. Nathan was about to close the doors when Sebastian hopped in. The only seat left on the bus was next to me and he took it. I didn't talk to him because I was sure if I uttered a word he would just get annoyed. Also,he was so handsome, and I got nervous. I was hesitant to make any small talk. Out of the blue, he started talking to me. I began to ramble, and you know what Hope? He listened to every word and even smiled. That's how things started between us. One thing led to another, and we became friends who fell in love with each other.” She winks.

“Marie.” She hums in response. “How did you know Sebastian was the right guy?”

Marie focuses on my hair, thinking deeply about the question. She parts it from the middle with two tendrils on the front. Then, she makes a twist on each side and pins it with some black hairpins. Satisfied with her work, she styles the rest of the strands.

“That's the thing, Hope. I didn't know he was the one, my heart did. When he kissed me for the first time, I got thebutterflies. I felt thosegoosebumps. I still get them. They never go away.”

Looking at me in the mirror, she says, “You never know who's the right guy and that's why you have to be careful.”

I look at myself in the mirror. A beautiful girl stares back at me, with a face covered in minimal makeup and hair that looks perfect. There’s a little blush on my cheeks and a light shade of pink gloss on my lips. My light brown eyes look prominent because of my eyelashes which are coated with layers of mascara.

“Marie,” I whisper.

“You look beautiful, I know. Let’s get to the dress.” She squeezes my shoulders.

I wear a summer dress that I bought a few days ago. Marie hands me a thin shawl as it gets cold in the evening.

“This dress looks beautiful on you. Where did you get it?” she asks, adjusting the shawl on my arms.

“A local shop close to the library. You like it?”

“I love it. Maybe we should go shopping sometime.”

“Only if you let me pay too.”

She shoots me a smile but doesn’t say anything. I already know she won’t let me, just like Heath.

At the mention of his name, my insides swirl in an uncomfortable feeling that I can’t put my finger on. He didn’t talk to me at school or text me. I wish I knew what was wrong with him. The wall in front of his heart is far thicker than me. Sometimes, it’s impossible to read him or understand him.

I slip my feet into a pair of pumps because I don’t own a decent pair of heels.

“Hey, wear this!” Marie holds a pair of white heels that are just my style if I had them.

I shake my head. “Oh no. It’s fine. I can just—”

“C’mon, take them. Shoes are important.”

“Are you sure?” I ask in a little voice, feeling like I’m imposing on her.

She nods. “Ten thousand percent. They’ll look good on you and go with the dress.”

With an uncertain heart, I hesitantly take the heels from her and put them on.

They look amazing.

“Looks amazing, right? I know.” Marie reads my mind with a knowing grin.

Grinning at her tactics, I put on some earrings and bracelets that I made myself.

“Let's take some pictures.” Marie pulls me against her and starts taking pictures on her phone. In almost every single picture we’re smiling or giggling.

---