I follow her to the other room and can’t help but grin with excitement. Having my own space will make it so much easier to learn. I won’t have to worry about what I look like or whether my fat’s jiggling with every twirl.
~
I fall down on the couch next to Josie, and for a moment we just stare at our little place we’ve tried to decorate today. It’s not much, but it’s our space, and just the thought alone makes me tear up.
Josie’s back to her normal self, which is a huge relief. She’s been ignoring her parents’ calls. I don’t agree with her, but I keep my mouth shut. Proverbially speaking, I sure as hell don’t want to rock the already unsteady boat. She doesn’t realize how lucky she is. Man, what I would give to have my parents back. And Rhett. It’s true what they say – you don’t know what you have, until it’s gone.
Suddenly, Josie jumps up and turns to me with a determined look on her face. “We should celebrate. Call in sick. I want to go out.”
As much as I want to go out and just be a normal twenty-two-year-old, I need the money.
“It’s just one night,” Josie begs, holding up her pointer finger for emphasis.
Hesitating, I start to chew on the inside of my bottom lip. It’s a nervous habit I can’t shake.
She must see that I’m hesitating, because she takes my hand and pulls me up. “Come on, don’t be such a drag.” She pushes me towards my bedroom. “Make the call and get ready.”
“I need the hours, Josie. Otherwise I won’t have enough money for next week.”
She shoves her fists in her sides, while rolling her eyes at me. “Fuck, if it’s such an issue, I’ll give you the money. We haven’t spent any time together. You’re either sleeping, pole dancing or at that stupid job. Don’t you want to go out with me?”
I don’t want her money. I wish she’d understand that I want to take care of myself. I don’t think she’ll ever understand how important that is to me.
“Please. We’ll have so much fun.” Her face softens a little as she pouts.
I suppose one night won’t kill me. Besides, maybe having a fun night out will help get our friendship back to normal. I hate confrontation and just want our easy going vibe back.
“Fine, but just tonight,” I give in.
She squeals, while pushing me all the way to my room. “Tonight’s gonna be awesome,” she sings, as she runs to her own room to get ready.
I take a shower, and quickly shave while leaving the conditioner in my hair for a few minutes. When I’ve dried myself, I take my time rubbing lotion all over my body. I don’t bother drying my hair, but instead scrunch it, giving it a wet and wild look.
I decide to wear my black skinny jeans and boots. I wear the boots every chance I get, needing to get used to them. The first night I had to practice pole dancing with them, I almost saw my ass without a mirror. It’s one thing wearing them every once in a while. But damn, it’s a whole different ball game climbing a pole out with them on.
When I pull my jeans on, a huge smile splits over my face. I don’t have to jump around to get the pants on. It slides easily up my legs and over my butt. I even have to grab a belt to help keep the jeans from sagging.
Feeling sexy because all my hard work is starting to pay off, I take a top from the back of the closet. The second I saw the top, I fell in love with it. I got it in a smaller size as motivation to lose weight.
I keep my back to the mirror as I pull it on. I smooth out a few wrinkles, then turn to face my reflection in the mirror. My eyes glide over my figure, and what I see makes my chin start to tremble with emotion. Pride fills my chest until it feels like I might burst. There are no rolls of fat in sight.
The top fits around my middle like a second skin. It has a scoop neck, which almost reaches my neck, before plunging down my back to kiss the top of my ass.
“Look at you,” I whisper in awe. “Months ago you wouldn’t have been caught dead in an outfit like this, but now you’re rocking it.”
I blow a kiss to my reflection, and with a huge grin, I quickly put on some mascara, blush and lipstick.
An hour later we’re sitting in a bar. It’s not my idea of fun, but Josie seems to be having a great time. I smile as she jumps up and down, along with a group of girls we met a few minutes ago. She’s a total extrovert and makes new friends so fast it sometimes makes my head spin.
“Is there a cellphone in your pocket?” I hear a guy say behind me. I glance over my shoulder, which is my first mistake. The guy wags his eyebrows and says, “’Cause that ass is calling me.”
My jaw drops when he makes a point of staring at my butt and biting his bottom lip.
“No,” I say as I struggle not to pull a disgusted face. “Just no. That’s the worst pick up line ever.”
The creep actually has a set of balls on him, because he leans closer to me, then trails his middle finger down my back. He even groans, which makes me want to gag.
“I’m like a firefighter, I find them hot and leave them wet.”