The Taxi Ride

Chapter Eleven: Girl's Trip

I hadn't meant to say that; hadn't meant to make that request of Victoria. But it had just happened, had just fallen out of my mouth and I couldn't stuff the words back in. So I had rolled with it. And in a way, my words were true. I did wish I had the grace and aura of Victoria. The woman oozed confidence and sex appeal and the more time I spent with her, the more I wanted to be like her. And in no small part, I also was lonely. I was getting tired of waiting to meet the perfect guy. I wanted someone to be my partner in crime, to go on dates with me, to hold my hand when it was cold. And I figured if I was more confident, more poised, than I could get one.

And if I got one, then I could stop having these weird feelings towards Victoria. The red head's figure was making me question my unquestionable sexuality and I was finding out that frustratingly, I was becoming attracted to the other woman. I didn't want that. I liked being straight and I was pretty sure I didn't like other girls. So it was a strictly Victoria thing. The way she talked, the way she walked, the way she just was, was unique and unlike anything else I had seen. I was astounded by her, drawn in like metal to a magnet, closer and closer with each ride.

I was becoming a Victoria-sexual, slowly loving the shared car rides more and more as we spent more time together. Slowly wanting to spend even more time together just to bask in the other's wonderful aura.

When Victoria had offered the coffee date, my stomach had done a little flip and I agreed readily to it, feigning a bit of reluctance so Victoria didn't think I was desperate to hang out outside of the car services. And pretty much before the casual hang out (Victoria thought of me as her friend, which made me happy when I had never thought anything associated with my red head passenger could make me happy) I had stuffed my foot in my mouth and said such an embarrassing thing.

But, I figured, if Victoria taught me how to be like her, then I could find a man and stop these totally crush like feelings that I wished were strictly admiration for the red head, and could be back on track to a normal life. I had come to terms with it, had finally deciphered what these weird feelings I had were. But that didn't mean they had to stick around.

Victoria had seemed happy to offer her advice and time, and that was why, I was now standing in front of a department store mirror, checking out my new reflection.

"It's...wow, I look so different," I said, turning around to get all my new found angles. Victoria had picked out for me a tight black skirt and a halter top to go with it and I had to say I looked pretty good in it. I had curves where I thought I had none, and my boobs looked great especially because she had gotten me a bra that fit me so perfectly it was like it was made for me. Turns out I had been wearing bras two sizes too small.

"Clothes make a huge difference. Looking good adds to self esteem and if you have more of that then you'll feel more confident, like you can do whatever you want. Feel like you deserve to be respected, not that you shouldn't be lacking that in the first place," Victoria said, appraising my looks. Her eyes lingered over my backside and I felt myself flush a little at her attentions. I knew she was only doing it to make sure this outfit truly looked good on me and that she wasn't ogling me in a sexual manner.

"But it's hard to dress up each day. I don't have the money to afford these looks." I frowned as I pulled at the price tag of the skirt.

"You don't have to dress up each day. Just the weekends. You need to attract a guy first, and what better place than at a party," Victoria said. "We'll start with just two outfits then. You can mix and match them later with stuff you have." She gestured to the huge pile of clothes on the couch that I had tried on and shown off to Victoria who had judged whether they looked good or bad on me.

"Hey girl, you looking fine. Wanna come and give my friends some of your time?" a loud voice cut in and I saw that there were three men standing by some of the clothing racks, leering at us openly. I didn't know who they were talking to, but I immediately felt self conscious. Had I overexposed myself? I lifted my hands to my chest, trying to cover the exposed flesh on top.

I felt Victoria's hands grab onto my hips almost possessively and her chin dug into my shoulder. "She does look fine," she purred, her hands tightening in their grip. The whole front of her body was laid out across my back and I could feel her cold radiating into me, her scent wrapping around me. "But I'm afraid she doesn't have time for any of you." I couldn't see the look on her face, but whatever it was it sent the men walking the other way, without another word. I couldn't see it from how my cheek was nearly pressed against hers but she watched them walk away, not relenting her gaze till then. Once she was satisfied they were gone, she let go of me and I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding.

I turned to her with a questionable look, wondering what that had been all about. Wasn't I supposed to be attracting men? And here she had scared them away. Granted I was frightened of the attention...maybe she had picked up on that and helped me out?

She was purposefully studying an article of discarded clothing but I could see a line of anger between her brows. "Uh, thanks, for helping me out," I stammered out, still feeling the press of her fingers into my hip bones, of her soft chest against my back. It made my heart beat just that much faster.

She lifted her eyes up to look at me, a small smile gracing her lips. "It was no issue. You wanted to attract boys, didn't you? This just proves that the new Bella is certainly tempting." Her tone was cheery but I sensed something was still off about it.

"So, uh, what do we do now?" I said awkwardly.

"We go and pick out the rest of your new look, like the makeup."

I went over to the cash register to pay for my purchases and then the two of us made our way over to a Sephora, Victoria quickly glancing over the rows of makeup and pulling me over to them. "I think this would work perfectly for you," she said, snatching up the necessary eye shadows, foundations, eyeliners, and lipsticks that could be used as samples and pulled me over to a chair and sat me there.

"Close your eyes," she instructed and I did as she asked, feeling goosebumps erupt on my skin at her cool touch. With gentle movements, almost too gentle, she took to applying the necessary applications to my face. First she started with the foundation, spreading it smooth over my face, then she settled on my eyes, taking the longest time there. This would all have be soothing and relaxing, if my heart hadn't been hammering away in my chest for some silly reason.

"All set, you can open your eyes. All we need is the lipstick," Victoria said and I opened my eyes, the lids feeling heavier than before due to the makeup on them. I didn't chance a glance in the mirror yet, waiting for Victoria to apply the lipstick on for me as well. She popped the tub open and holding my head steady by the chin, she slicked the pink shade on, her eyes never once leaving my lips. When she was done, she slowly capped the lipstick and softly swiped a thumb under my bottom lip to get rid of the excess color. I inhaled sharply at this, not understanding my reaction to it. I knew I was attracted to her, but Jesus, could I not even handle her touching my face without freaking the fuck out?

She noticed my reaction- of course she did, she'd have to be deaf to not hear it- and her eyes lifted up to mine, darker than her usual bright cherry red. I expected her to smirk at me or make some sort of joke, but she didn't. Instead she swallowed deeply and regarded the mirror next to her. "Look at your reflection. Tell me if you like it."

Glad that she wasn't going to comment on my blunder, I looked and gasped. "I-wow, I look, good," I stammered, my eyes open wide. Victoria was an artist with makeup, creating a masterpiece on my face. I looked more mature, more sensual, but not too over the top that it would seem out of character for me. "I love it. Will you teach me how to do this myself?" I asked hopefully. Once she did, I would get over this stupid crush on her. I knew I would. I would attract a guy and date him and be too occupied by him to think about the splendid color of her hair, or of the way I loved it when her lips quirked up in a deeply satisfied smile, like they did now.

"Of course Bella. After all, we are friends. Good friends," she ran her hand through my hair thoughtfully. "Now, how about we look at some hair care products?"

A/N: 'Good friends', hmmm. You sure its just that, Victoria?