They were quiet for a moment and I figured that was as good a time as any to let them know I was awake so I made an exaggerated noise before standing and stretching.
“She’s up!” Cherry said and all three girls sprinted toward me like it was an annual shoe sale at Loehmann’s. She turned me toward her bathroom and shoved me gently. “Get in the shower. We only have four hours to get ready.” I obeyed. Cherry meant business.
The shower was lovely but not super warm. I noticed the other girls had already showered and done their hair. Each was perfectly styled and fit them beautifully. I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself. I leaned over the sink to brush my teeth, water dripping down my legs and back and I realized I’d have to kiss Callum today. I started to panic and dropped my brush in the sink. I picked it back up and brought it back to my mouth with shaking hands. I brushed longer than my shower had taken. Silly girl. Before I could even finish, though, Cherry came bursting through the door, taking me by surprise. I squealed like a little girl.
“How long are you going to brush your teeth, girl? They’re clean alright! It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve ever kissed! Jeez!”
“You were listening?” And it is the first time I’ll be kissing him! Suddenly I was more nervous about the kiss then I was about the actual getting hitched. Figure that out.
“Of course! Didn’t I mention we have precious little time? Come on!” She dragged me to her little vanity area in her dining room and sat me in the velvet cushioned stool.
I looked at myself in the mirror and started to freak out a little. My hair was still wet, not a stitch of makeup, and I was completely naked underneath my towel. I was about as little prepared to get married as humanly possible. I began to wring my hands.
“No worries,” Marty said, squeezing my shoulder. “Now! Blow dryer! Stat!”
Cherry, Marty and Kelly went into a mission like mode, buzzing around me like someone had just kicked their hive. Marty didn’t say a word while drying my hair and it seemed like it took forever but when I glanced at the clock only fifteen minutes had passed. It was going to be a long day.
Kelly took over where Marty left off, a bright gold curling iron in her hand. She began to fashion spiral curls that tapered to the middle of my back.
“I learned this from our hair girl at the theater. It took a lot of practice,” she said, laying a warm curl against my skin. “You’re hair looks like copper, Harper.”
“That’s what Callum always says.”
“Does he now?” She teased, wagging her brows up and down.
I blushed profusely. I knew there were going to be sex jokes this day but I didn’t think they were going to start that early. I figured they’d come right about the time the champagne started flowing.
“Stop, Kelly,” I laughed. “Don’t you dare!”
Cherry pulled a chair up to my side, grabbing my hands in hers, seriousness was written all over her face.
“Now, Harper. When a man and woman get married...” she started and I pulled my hands free, covering my face. All three of us started to bust up.
“Callum’s never done it with anyone before,” Marty said, matter-of-factly flipping through a magazine.
“Marty!” We all yelled.
“What? He hasn’t. It’s written all over him.” She looked at me pointedly. “He hasn’t, has he?”
I cleared my throat, turning another dangerous shade of red. I’m going to look like a lobster in the photos, I thought. “I’m not at liberty to say,” I said cryptically or maybe not so cryptically.
“I knew it!” Marty laughed throwing her head back. “What about you?” She asked.
Cherry could tell how uncomfortable I was becoming. “Marty,” she admonished. “We’re vexing Harper.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m not experienced either.” Once I said so, all of the girls’ faces turned expressionless. “What?” I asked, feeling shy all of a sudden. I sunk slightly into my shoulders.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Cherry said.
“I’m not,” I said and she winked.
When Kelly was done with my hair, I stood closely to the mirror. “I don’t think my hair has ever looked this beautiful,” I said honestly. “Thank you, Kelly.” I hugged her fiercely, a tear beginning to slip.
“Stop, you’re going to make me cry,” she said, already crying. “Turn around, I need to spray it.” I obeyed and she sprayed them in place but not too much because I told her my hair held curl well and I didn’t want to look like plastic.
Kelly also did my make-up, a trick of her trade she told me. She sat me in the stool, facing her and took out a large bag, splaying out its insides on the table. I gulped at the quantity she owned.
“Calm down, Harper. It’s not all going on you,” she teased. She picked a few colors out and got to work. “I think I’ll do gold for the eyes. What do you think girls?”
“Oh, definitely,” Marty agreed. “Just like her eyes. Make it smoky looking.” Kelly nodded her agreement.
“She doesn’t really need much for the cheeks,” Cherry said. “Her skin is perfect. Ugh. So jealous.” I smirked at her.
“Do a natural glossy lip,” Marty said, “or it’ll clash with the eyes.”
Once Kelly was done, all three girls stood, eyeing me carefully. “The fascinator,” she said. Cherry left and came back with the most beautiful netted head piece with feathered butterflies on the band. It made me gasp it was so beautiful. Cherry and Marty pinned it to my head, folding the slanted net over my face. I tried to turn and look but Cherry stopped me.