*2*

Um….No

I carefully take off the dress and looked at the other one. I grabbed the thick strip of material and tried to arrange it how it was supposed to be. Something wasn't right because my boobs where still showing. The cloth wasn't thick enough for both of them. I took it off again and studied it. To my surprise it wasn't as hard as I was making it. It was made like a tube top. I stuck my head through it and pulled it over my chest. Perfect fit. After that predicament, I found out that this too was a two piece. I removed the skirt from the hanger and rose it towards eye level. I step into the bottom pulled it up. It stretched around my hips and a couple inches of it pooled on the floor. I noticed that this outfit too had a very nice long slit. The dress shimmered slightly as I looked down to study my bare stomach. There was no way in hell I was wearing this. I was way out of my comfort zone.

I stepped out of the bathroom about to demand Anais to pull something normal out her closet when they both gasped and dropped whatever they where looking at, which seemed to be a hair magazine.

'Damn if I got them dropping stuff, then it must be bad.'

"Look, do-" I started but was interrupted by a whisper.

"That's it." Callie said, her eyes sparkling.

"Oh my God ." was all Anais said, nodding her head, " that's the one."

Confused, I tried to speak again, but this time Callie ran to me and pulled in front of Anais's floor length mirror so I could see for myself.

"Jesus." I mutter under my breath.

I stared at the reflection of myself and lightly touched the mirror. This couldn't be me. The tube top had a light ripple going throughout the fabric. I noticed where the skirt hung low on my hips was a thickly braided golden cord. It wound around my hips like a snake and ended at my side in an elegant bow. The tails of it lightly tapped my bare leg. My stomach was leaner than I though it would be and my neck looked long and graceful. The color appeared to have given my face a younger complexion, somehow.

"This is your dress." Anais said from behind me.

My hand dropped back to my side, and I shook my head at my own reflection.

"I can't wear this." I deadpanned.

Anais and Callie nearly dropped to the floor.

"And why not?" Callie whined. Anais was still lapsed in shock.

I face them both with my hands planted on my bare hips and my lips pursed. " I'm damn near naked!"

Seeming to have recovered, Anais's hands found her hips as looked at me and cocked an eyebrow. "Like hell your not." she pointed a manicured finger at me her pulse throbbing in her forehead, "your wearing that dress and I bet not hear a word out of you about it."

I crossed my arms across my chest and narrowed my eyes at her, my tone even, " If you even think I'm-"

" Even if that means I have to drag your ass out your room kickin' and screamin' I will do it." Anais interrupted, her tone matching mine.

My eyes widened and I quickly look to Callie for help, who seemed to have sided with Anais.

'Traitor' My arms fall to my sides in defeat as Anais and Callie high-fived each other. "Fine." I face the mirror once again and ask them, " What the heck am I supposed to be?"

Hostile moment seemingly forgotten, Anais searched her drawers animatedly, " A mermaid."

I shrug and walk towards her bed kinda liking the way the fabric felt against my legs, and hating the way my whole leg shows.

" But aren't mermaids supposed to have tails?" I asked when I plopped down on the bed.

"How do you expect to walk up to the stage in a tail?" Callie asked. " It's a club we're going to we gotta dress sexy, not practical." She gave me a sly smile, " Don't you want to catch someone's eye?"

My thoughts flash back to that one man. ' What if he shows up?' My cheeks flame as I shake the thought out of my head. 'What the hell am I thinking?'

Banishing the thought I watch Anais as she rambled through her uncategorized drawers.

"What is she looking for?" asking no one in particular.

"Noo ideal." Callie replied.

We watched her for a moment until I decided to take off the outfit. " Well while she's doing that, I'm gonna get out of this contraption." I take my leave to the bathroom, and minutes later I exit out with the dress back on it's hanger and me back in my comfortable clothes. As soon my bottom meets the bed, Anais nimble hand raises form the drawer and she gives a loud hoot. "Found it!"

Me and callie look at each other and then look back at Anais. "Found what exactly?"

She flings the object at me which I catch reflexively. My eyebrow raised. " A tiara?" I think out loud. Diminutive diamonds decorated the small tiara, making sparkle in the dim light. " It's pretty," I tell her, turning it in my hand, " these aren't real diamonds right?"

Anais put her hand to her heart and gaped at me. " Girl no!" she laughed, " you'd be surprised of what you can find in hair store now a days."

"True." I agreed, and went to hand it back to her but she shook her head. " Keep it for now, it'll go with your costume."

"Oh," I held the tiara to my chest, "thanks."

I put the tiara in my hair, just so I wouldn't forget it, and ask Callie, " Soo, when is the karaoke thingy again?"

"Oh, It's Saturday." she said matter-of-factly. My eyes widened slightly. "But today's Thursday."

We only had a day and half of Saturday to get ready. I winced. " We really don't have a lot to time." Callie waved it off, "We won't take that long."

"Just pick out a song, and come to me tomorrow so I can show how to move that money maker of yours." Anais said, swaying her hips to an unheard beat.

I frown, "I can't dance. At least not like you."

She snapped her fingers then pointed at me, "Exactly."

I laugh and shake my head.

" Just go and pick out a good song to perform to, bring it back here tomorrow, and I'll worry about the rest."

"M'kay." I reply and look at her clock. 9:36 p.m. it read. I winced again "Well, I hate to rush, but I gotta get some sleep, remember girls we have work to do."

Anais grimaced, "Don't remind me."

" We'll meet here after work, okay?" Callie said.

I nodded and waved good bye, then quickly made my to dorm. I hate to admit it but I was getting really excited over this. This would be my first time since that incident that I would actually sing to the public. And since the event takes place on Halloween night, I don't have much to fret about. Or so I thought.