Page 52 of From Drummer to Gamer

“Thanks again for doing this,” I said, exiting the car while I followed her steps.

My skin instantly felt the burn of the sun. I hadn’t been out in a week, and my eyes fought the spots blinding my vision. Maybe Matty was right. My life was embarrassing.

“Oh, come on, you don’t have to thank me.” Katy gestured me toward the boutique, with exquisite display windows showing a spring fashion scene. “I had to pick up my dress anyway. And Lara is one of my closest friends.”

The cold air inside the store calmed my skin as I stood there awkwardly, waiting while Katy spoke animatedly to a store assistant.

It wasn’t long before they directed us toward a room filled with rows and rows of pretty, glimmering dresses. A tall woman with pin-straight copper hair and deep tan skin introduced herself as Lara, the boutique owner.

Soon, her shop assistant pulled out dresses in an array of colors, some sparkling, some lacy, and some so intricately designed that I had to take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty. The only other time I tried on dresses was for my senior prom, and they were a monstrosity of puffy lace and cheap sequins—subpar compared to this unfathomable fashion.

I tried on three dresses before I arrived at the one I liked, and somehow, it felt like it was made for me. The faint shimmering golden silk of the dress fit me like a glove, gliding over my body and hugging me in all the right places. The thin spaghetti straps curved along my shoulders to stop at a deep V, exposing the length of my spine before flowing softly over my hips and thighs.

It was beautiful.

“This is perfect,” Katy said, peering at me with her hands on her hips. “I knew gold was your color.”

It certainly was.

Not long after fitting Katy in her dress and making final alterations for mine, we left the store with Lara promising us the dresses would be delivered in a few days.

“Do you mind if we grab something to eat?” Katy asked, pulling a pair of sunglasses over her green eyes. “I’m famished, and I know a good place nearby.”

“I don’t mind,” I offered with a smile.

Katy waved to the car driver that we would be back in a few minutes before she joined me on the sidewalk.

She suggested we walk instead, stating that some exercise could help us burn some extra calories before lunch.

Although, it seemed completely unnecessary for her. The simple bodycon dress she wore immaculately fit over her lean form and she was proportional in all the required places. She tied the look together with an oversized shirt, white sneakers, and a baseball hat, making her look more chic than flashy.

If I had a figure like hers, I certainly would be chomping down a few extra Cheetos packets. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my body. I had a petite frame with decent boobs and a tiny waist, yet my hips and thighs were another story. It doesn’t matter what I ate. It added straight to them. And it didn’t help my tiny legs.

Minutes later, we were seated by the window with our food in front of us. I had a chicken sandwich and fries with a vanilla milkshake, and she had a green salad and purple-looking smoothie she claimed had antioxidants and minerals that were good for your body.

I guessed she was a health nut like her twin, although she kept sneaking sad glances at my sandwich, almost as if she wanted to say fuck it and devour my plate instead.

“Do you want to share some fries? I wouldn’t be able to finish them,” I said, gesturing toward the plate.

Her eyes widened like she wanted to say yes, but instead, she flushed, mumbling, “No.”

I nodded. Maybe she was on some kind of special diet. According to the girls on social media, those were quite popular these days. I only tried them once, then one where you were only allowed to eat sweet potatoes and apples. I lasted for a mere thirty-six hours before I went crying back to my mother, who fed me her signature hot pot while reprimanding me with choice words.

“So how do you like living with Matty?” Katy asked, sipping her drink with a slight grimace. “I know my brother can be grouchy.”

Don’t I know that?

“It’s fine. We all have our own things going, so we hardly see each other.”

It was a complete lie…unless you counted today. I avoided him this morning like a rat avoided a trap, timing my exit perfectly so I wouldn’t face him. After last night, I couldn’t bring myself to. I was too embarrassed.

“Is that so?” Her red lips tugged into a grin. “Matty told me you helped him name the label.”

Pink bloomed on my cheeks as I dropped my gaze to my sandwich. “Hmm, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“It must be. My brother never asks for help.” Her voice held heavy undertones of amusement.

I shrugged.