Chapter 6 Chapter 5

Jessica.

Stephanie looks suprised. "Me?" She asks, pointing to herself. I nod.

"O-of course I do." She stutters out.

"Great, I'll see you this evening then." I tell her.

"Okay." She answers, still dazed.

And with that, I leave the restaurant.

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After my second job, I visit Stephanie at her apartment. Although we're not close enough to called friends, she's the only I can be sure of to help me out right now. Knocking her door, I wait till she replies before stepping in, closing the door behind me.

I glance around before looking at her. She seems excited that I'm here. "Hello Jess! Welcome to my house!"

"Thanks." I mutter, still at the entrance.

The walls are filled with pictures of her and her family and they're painted in such warm, bright colors they make me sick. Happy thoughts Jessie, you're here to borrow a dress.

"Come on in," she urges me, gesturing inside. "Would you like to have anything?"

"No thanks, I already ate before I came here. Maybe some other time." I tell her, managing a smile.

She nods before the walking ahead, turning around to look at me. "So, you want to borrow some evening dresses?"

"Yeah," I mutter, look around. Then fix a glance at her. "I have a date tomorrow and I have nothing to wear."

"Well, lucky for you. I have some dresses I think will fit you! This is the first time you've ever talk about a date." Stephanie lingers towards me, her eyes glimmering. "Tell me, who is it?"

"I don't know. It's a blind one."

"Oh... That's even more exciting!" Is it though? Sounds terrifying to me.

She brings me to her room where she has a few dresses laid out already on the bed, her wardrobe still wide open. Walking towards them, she starts to speak.

"Tell me, what kind of clothes do you like?"

"Anything will do."

"Come on, be specific."

I let out a breath. "Something simple, classy maybe? Bold colors."

Stephanie grins, her eyes shining. "You sure do know your style. I think I have a few options." She brings out a couple of dresses, placing it on my body to see if it'll fit. I try my best not to roll my eyes. I only need one.

After a couple of tries, my eyes catch something. It's a red velvet bodycon dress with thin straps and a high slit. "What about that?" I ask, pointing at the dress in the wardrobe. Stephanie eyes turn to look at it and she jumps in excitement.

"Of course, why didn't I think of it before? This would look PERFECT on you!" She immediately brings out of the wardrobe and places it on my body, giggling excitedly.

"You think I can have them?" I ask her. She nods vigorously, still putting the dress on my body.

"You need some jewelry to go with that!" Leaving the dress in my hands, she rushes to her table and bring out some gold earrings and necklace. Wearing them on me, she walks around to access it. "Perfect!" She exclaims clapping her hands. "What about shoes."

"I have lots of heels at home." I tell her.

"Make up then? I've never seen you wear any."

"Well, I don't think i do."

"I have a perfect shade of lipstick for you. It'll be sure to compliment your outfit." She announces and hands me a lipstick.

"Thanks, I'll pay you back." I say, collecting it from her.

"But you don't have to. I'm just glad I was able to help."

"I'll pay you back." I reply, even more firmly this time. I glance at my watch, noticing how much time had gone. "Is it okay if I leave now? It's getting late." I tell her.

"Of course, have fun on your date!"

Fun, never had that. It's all work. I smile at her, grateful for her assistance. "Thanks once again. See you later." I say before putting the clothes in my bag and walking out of her house, straight to mine.

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When I arrive home, it's already late at night. I enter using my keys and meet Emma studying. Grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge, I take one to her, placing it on her table. She looks up at me, smiling.

"Thanks." She whispers, headphones in her ears.

"You're welcome." I mutter before walking to my own room. Dropping my bag on the bed, I stand in the center of my room, wondering what the hell I'm about to do. I bring out my phone, staring at the message once more. I swallow, my mouth dry.

Look at me once again, jumping head first into danger. Didn't the past times teach me anything?

I have no idea who I'm about to meet or what he could possibly want. I don't even know the person's name.

I catch my reflection in the mirror and different versions of me stare back at me, all with one silent plea. Don't do it. Will I listen, of course not. If I don't do it, who will? My sister's future is at stake here. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes.

Well, if I'm going to die tomorrow, I'm at least going to look pretty while at it. Right?

Right?

Wrong.