Although the video was finished, the band had another photo-shooting to do for the album in front of the same location. When Paul and I arrived, they were all prepared and about to start. This moment reminded me of the first time we met. However, this time, I was determined to do things right. Before I approached them, I took a deep breath and smiled.
"Hi." I said and waved at them shyly from a distance.
When they saw me coming, they all looked surprised, except Bill who smiled back at me.
"Hey! Nice to see you!"
"Nice to see you too." I replied.
"Yeah, it's good to see you." Tom mumbled with a guilty face. "Bill told us what happened to you. Are you okay?"
"I'm better now. Don't worry." I answered. "Actually, like I told Bill, I'm the one who has to apologize to you guys. I'm the one who started it all and I'm sorry I called you fucking morons."
Tom looked at me, speechless. He then turned towards Georg and Gustav and told them to come closer.
"I think we need to mark that day. Tyler!" he assembled us all and called the photographer. "Can you take a picture right now? I'm gonna need that in order to remember that she really said what she said!"
We all laughed and Bill shook his head at his brother, although he was still smiling.
The rest of the afternoon went pretty well. Everyone was having fun and the pictures Tyler took turned great. He even offered me to take pictures of me, which I politely refused.
"Why not?" Bill asked. "Don't worry about looking good, he's a professional!"
"I'm sure of that," I replied, embarrassed. "but I still think I'll pass, I'm sorry. No offense, Tyler."
"None taken." he said and smiled.
However, Bill looked more disappointed than him. After we said goodbye to Tyler, Gustav and Georg left and Paul offered to ride me back home.
"Well, Tom and I are going shopping. Maybe Angela wants to join us?" Bill turned at us and asked.
I hesitated and looked at Paul who nodded.
"Um, sure, why not?" I replied with a smile.
"Great, let's go then!" Bill said, enthusiastic, and headed towards their car.
"Have fun, sis'!" Paul replied with a wicked smile as I followed them.
I gave him a discreet sarcastic laugh: we both knew I was ready to follow these freaky twins anywhere. However, he also knew I hated shopping even more than being photographed, which I wouldn't tell Bill, of course.
"Ok, where should we go next?" Bill asked, looking at all shop windows left and right on the street.
"Er, Bill, don't you think you've had enough?" I asked, glancing at the five bags of shoes and clothes he was carrying.
"For Bill, it's never enough." Tom said with a smirk.
"Yeah? Look who's talking." Bill replied and pointed at Tom's three own. "You become more and more like me every time. I even saw you borrow clothes in my closet the other day."
"What? I did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Guys! Who cares?" I cut them off and rubbed my temples. "I feel like the world's been turned on its head, like you're supposed to be the girls doing all the talking and shopping and I'm the guy who just follows quietly and carry all their bags."
After these words, Bill and Tom looked at each other, then smiled and looked at me.
"You know what? You're right!" they both said at the same time and handed all their heavy bags.
"That's not what I meant! Hey, wait for me!" I complained and ran after them as they kept walking, ignoring me on purpose.
"Here's the one I was looking for!" Bill said and entered in one of the shops, followed by Tom.
I followed them inside and put down their bags at the entrance.
"God, that's heavy! Seriously, did you guys shop for bricks or something?" I asked and rubbed my arms.
When I raised my head, I looked around and smirked.
"Wrong store, this is for ladies only."
"I know." Bill said and kept looking around.
I looked at him, puzzled, before I realized: we were here to find something for me.
"Take your time." Bill told me. "Don't look at prices. I'll pay for it today."
"Oh no, no, no." I replied and shook my head. "I'm not doing that! Trust me, I'm bad at finding things I like. When I go shopping with Sarah, I'm so indecisive it drives her crazy and she gives up every time."
"And you think that's gonna stop me?" Bill asked and smiled. "Come on, pick something, anything. We'll see how it goes."
I pouted and did what he asked, walking along the shelves, so long they seemed almost infinite to me. I picked a few random items: a long black shirt and blues jeans.
"Now, go try them on. And stop acting like this is punishment!" Bill ordered with his hands on his hips. "Remember you told me you would like an adult from now on."
"I hate you." I said with a pouty face. "You'll get tired of this much sooner than you think."
"Go try them on already." Bill insisted and lightly pushed me towards the fitting rooms like a mum with her reluctant daughter.
When I came out with the black shirt and the blue jeans on, I was still pouting.
"So?" Bill asked.
"Well, it's the right size." I said and turned around to look at myself.
"Gee, thanks. That's a helpful comment." Bill replied and rolled his eyes. "I mean, do you like it?"
"I don't know. I used to have a Goth style when I was 16 and that's the closest I get to that look. So it's okay, I guess."
Bill nodded.
"Tom?" he asked his brother who was flirting with one of the saleswomen.
"What?" Tom asked and glanced at me. "Oh yes, you look terrible." he commented and went back to his conversation.
When Bill turned back at me, he raised his eyebrows and smirked.
"I'm afraid I couldn't agree more."
"It's not my fault. I told you. I'm bad at this." I replied and crossed my arms, upset.
When Bill turned his back on me, I thought we were going to leave. But when I tried to follow him, he turned again and looked at me in the eyes.
"Don't move." he said. "I'll go find something for you."
So I stayed next to the fitting rooms and waited for him. When he went back, he had about a dozen items in his arms and a confident look on his face.
"There you go," he said and handed them all to me. "Now let's see."
I sighed and went back behind the curtains. I chose random clothes –a dress and a jacket- and quickly put them on.
"It's a little better" Bill said and smiled when I went out.
"I guess so." I said.
"What do you mean, you guess so? You didn't look?" Bill asked and pointed at the mirror.
"Of course, I did." I said and avoided my own ugly face in the reflection, which Bill noticed.
"No, you didn't. Come on. Just look at it." Bill insisted.
"I hate mirrors." I admitted. "But it's okay, I don't need it. I can just turn around and look." I said and looked at myself from top to bottom. "I can tell it's not bad at all." I said to reassure Bill. "Can we go now?"
Bill frowned and glared at me.
"You didn't even put half of what I proposed." he muttered and took by the wrist to bring me back to the cabin. "There, try the shoes. And no whining! Ok, let's add some jewelry now, and maybe make-up. I think I have some in my bag. Close your eyes, and –perfect. You know what?" he said when he was done putting accessories on me like I was his doll. "Keep your eyes closed."
When I came out, he put his hands on my eyes and slowly guided me out of the cabin. I had no idea of what he had done to me or my face.
"Ready?" I heard his voice behind my back ask. "One, two, and, three."
When I opened my eyes, I stood still for a couple seconds, transfixed by the person I saw in the mirror.
I had red high-heels, a dark blue short skirt, a light grey tank-top, a white jacket, big silver earrings, glossy lips and smoky eyes. The person I looked in the mirror looked taller, slimmer, sexier, confident, and, when she gave me that surprised look, she suddenly looked more fragile and I was ready to kiss her on the cheek to make her feel better like I would with any of my friends.
"Yes, that's you, no mistake." Bill said and stood by my sides in front of the mirror, amused by my reaction.
He put a hand on my shoulder with a big grin on his face. He looked happy. Together, we looked like a fashion, happy couple.
"So, do you like it?" Bill asked.
When I tried to answer, I suddenly felt a lump in my throat and I just nodded.
"Great!" he exclaimed. "Let's try another one."
He sounded excited like a little kid playing with his new toy on Christmas. He made me try another outfit: long brown boots, short pink tunic dress, golden bracelets and round earrings. Again, he took care of every detail to make sure I looked perfect. I couldn't believe that girl looked as pretty as before, and yet it was still me. I then tried a third one, followed by a fourth, a fifth…
"You see? This one looks cooler with a black belt, I think." he said when he adjusted the last one on me. "So? What's your verdict?"
Once again, I looked at the girl in the mirror. I was speechless. How could I tell him? I never had a boy spend so much time on me. He was putting so much effort into it and I looked so amazing each time. I looked like a completely different person; a different, happy girl. When that thought came to my mind, I couldn't help but put my hands in front of my mouth to suppress a sob.
"Thank you." I said, which made him come closer and hug me tight.
Although he was smiling, he looked also surprised. He did not expect this, obviously. I felt tears roll down on my cheek.
"I'm sorry." I exclaimed and wiped it out. "I'm gonna ruin your make-up. Shit, what an idiot. Oh no, I said shit. I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be sorry." Bill whispered. "You're welcome."
"You don't realize how important it is to me. Thank you." I repeated, unable to find any other words. "Thank you so much."
I kept crying in his arms and heard him chuckle lightly. A few feet away from us, I noticed Tom was looking at him with a small smile on his face. I wonder what he was thinking about that day.