Page 16 of If We Meet Again

“What? Shit...” Ashley jumped up, almost knocking a half-asleep Emily to the floor. “How did I not realise the time? I said I’d meether at two.”

“Take it easy, you’ve got two hours toget ready.”

“I don’t even know what to wear. I needyour help.”

Ashley ran the length of the corridor from the living room to her bedroom, skidding smoothly to a halt outside her door. Once inside, she freshened up, applying an array of moisturisers and eye creams. Deodorant, followed by a body mist spray, set the tone; she would decide on the perfume of choice once shewas dressed.

Ashley’s closet, although stuffed full of clothes, rarely inspired her. If she required anything of colour, Madison’s wardrobe was the place to go and if she required anything super-tight-fitting and sexy, then it was Emily’s. The casual style she often donned would fit the bill for today’s date, she thought, but there had to be something she could wear that would add the extra special‘oomph’she waslooking for.

“MADISON!” Ashley bellowed.

Madison appeared at the door moments later. “What’s up, Ash?”

“I honestly have no idea what to wear. I can’t wear this...” Ashley waved the black denim shirt from side to side, “...because I wore that the night I met Megan. I can’t have her thinking I have nothing else to wear. I also can’t wear this...” Ashley waved a tight-fitted grey sweater next, “...because it has a holeon the arm.”

One by one, items of clothing spilled onto the floor at Ashley’s feet.

“Wait, what about that one?” Madison pointed towards a navy blue t-shirt.

“Isn’t that abit boring?”

“You are boring. Your wardrobe consists of black, white, grey and navy. You can’t get much more boringthan that.”

“Charming. Some of us just don’t have the ability to pull off that much colour.” Ashley pointed towards Madison’s attire, which included bright green sweatpants and a vintagered sweater.

“I know, it’s a gift.”

“I don’t have time for this. If I go with the navy top, what about bottoms?”

Items of clothing flew like projectiles across the bedroom while Ashley searched for a suitable pair of jeans.

“Got them.” Black jeans, simple and stylish. “What doyou think?”

“I think that will look great. It’s simple, understated, doesn’t look like you’ve tried too hard.”

“That is exactly the look I was going for. I have one favour to ask.”

“Nope.”

“What do you mean, ‘nope’?” Ashley batted her eyelashes and chewed on herbottom lip.

“Stop trying to be cute. I know exactly what you’re going to say.”

“Please?”

“Ashley, you have worn those trainers more than I have. I didn’t pay $800 for you to wear them all the time.”

Madison rarely purchased designer clothing, but a shopping spree on Fifth Avenue two months prior had turned out to be her most expensive one yet. The tips at work paid for a new pair of Dior trainers and an LV handbag. Items she cherished and begrudgingly let her friends borrow.

“But they would look so good with this outfit.”

“Fine, I’ll add it to the list of things you owe me a favour for. It’s mounting up.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Ashley squealed, launching herself toward her best friend to plant a kiss on her lips. A gesture often shared between the two.

“Get off me.” Madison wiped at her lips dramatically. “I will leave you toget ready.”

Ashley was left alone with just her reflection, one she hoped would be pleasing to the eye—Megan’s eye, inparticular.