Page 82 of My So-Called Perfect Life

My heart races in my chest as if I were walking into a snake pit.

“You’ll be fine, Dani.” Amelia rubs a hand over my back as I get up.

“I’m Lana,” the woman says when I reach her. “I’ll be doing your waxing today.”

The stark whiteness of her uniform keeps my attention focused forward as we head down the hall to the room.

There’s no screaming.

I imagined the atmosphere to be a bit more medieval torture-esque. Lots of bloodcurdling screams and whatnot.

Lana opens the door to the room, and I’m surprised to hear light nature music through the speakers and see a potted tree in the corner. The room is almost relaxing. The calm before the storm.

“You can remove everything from the waist down, and I’ll be back in a few moments.”

Alone, I spin around and take in the room. The earth tones work well. Sitting on the chair in the corner, I remove my shoes and my nerves start to rattle.

Just like the gynecologist, Danielle.

Yep, just like that.

The paper even crinkles just like at the gyno as I take a seat on the table.

A knock sounds at the door.

“All set?” Lana asks from the other side of it.

“Yes.”

My eyes stay glued to Lana as if I’m worried she’s about to pull a knife out of her pocket and shank me.

“Is this your first time?” she asks as she fiddles with the wax in the pot on the tray next to the table.

“That obvious?” I reply, fingering the hem of my shirt.

She smiles over her shoulder. “You seem a bit nervous. I’ll talk you through it. It shouldn’t be that bad. You’re probably expecting worse.”

God, I hope so.

“Okay, lie back on the table. Bend your knees and touch the soles of your feet together, butterfly-style.”

I follow her instructions, and she leans against my hip.

“We’re going to start with the bikini line first.”

Lana spreads the hot wax over the inside of my thigh and along my panty line. She pats the wax a couple of times before saying, “Now, take a deep breath.”

Just as I inhale, she pulls the wax strip and quickly places her hand on top of my skin.

It stings but isn’t too bad.

“How was that?” Lana asks as she drops the hardened wax onto the tray.

“Wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.”

I might be able to get through this after all.

She repeats the steps on the other side. “Still good?”