Page 116 of Last Letters to Ara
“You already have.” Her friendship is the only gift I’ll ever need from her. “You’re going to bring people to their knees.”
She grins. “Fuck yeah, I am.”
• • •
We’d asked Theo what the dress code was for tonight, which is a stupid question to ask a guy. Despite him being one of the most well-dressed ones I’ve ever seen, it’s either “nice” or “regular” with him. His mind doesn’t process the endless sub-categories such as cute-but-we-didn’t-try or cute-but-we-definitely-tried. When we began badgering him if it was a bikini and fishnet kind of concert, or one you wear clothes to, he finally relented and told us to dress like a chill rocker.
Turns out that meant the same thing to both Lou and me, which was nothing, and we both stand here in jeans and plain black tops. With Theo in a black Henley and jeans, we look like the three of us did it on purpose.
Lou slowly looks between us. “Someone has to change, otherwise the rockers are going to mosh pit us into the ground for being lame as fuck.”
“It’s not going to be one of those concerts,” Theo says, amused. “Besides, I don’t have any other clothes here.”
“We shouldn’t risk it.” Lou looks at me. “Ara, go change.”
“What? Why me?”
“You have a closet full of amazing things you’ve made and never worn. Go pick something from there.” Lou winks at Theo.
That’s when I figure out her agenda. She doesn’t care that we match, she just wants me to wear something that I made.
Understanding lights Theo’s eyes and he jumps on the train. “The birthday girl definitely has to look better than us.”
I roll my eyes and walk toward my design room, not bothering to fight them since I know I’ll never win. And maybe, just maybe, I can’t help but feel a little bubble of excitement over getting to wear something I created.
The day I went to The Fashion Institute, I felt proud wearing the simple blouse I’d made. It’s never been fair to shut away these beautiful pieces, hiding their personalities from the world for no other reason than fear. Because theyarebeautiful.
I decide to go with a lilac bodysuit that I made out of some beautiful, soft lace. It’s one of the most recent designs I made, shortly after creating Lou’s scandalous suit. It features a sheer bodice with nude underlining, that way you get the bare look without feeling too exposed.
Boning starts below the bust, dropping in a V to the waist. The built-in padding gives the girls a little push, and clips connect the seamless bottom, making it into a body suit that can be paired with anything, but I’m sticking with my jeans.
I take a look in the mirror and smile. I’m not the most confident person around, but I’ve always believed that if you could wear the right thing, it’d make you feel so beautiful that you’d forget to pick yourself apart.
I send a silent wish up to the stars that I can help women all around the world feel that way someday.
Present - Ara
WE ARRIVE ATthe concert, my skin buzzing with excitement.
Having never been to any sort of a concert before, I hadn’t known what to expect. An empty field still being set up wasn’t at the top of my list, but understanding hits as I see a familiar head of sandy blonde hair. They’re still setting up, and only the bands and their crews have arrived.
Connor doesn’t spot us at first because he’s busy looking down the shirt of a stagehand as she pushes her boobs together and sticks out her chest, batting her eyes so hard she’s going to cause permanent damage to her corneas.
Lou scoffs. “Who is that insult to the male gender?”
Theo sighs. “That’s my brother.”
“You have a brother?” Lou isn’t the person to backpedal. She says what she means and is unapologetic, which is how she’s made the wordbrothersound like an accusation.
“Yep. Wait here.”
I wrap my arm through Lou’s and we watch silently as Theo sneaks up behind Connor and slaps him upside the head. We hear his Aussie howl all the way from here, and can’t help but laugh as he rubs the back of his head in disbelief. The girl disappears back to work and leaves Theo and Connor alone to…hug.
Connor looks toward us and waves, pulling out three red lanyards from his back pocket and handing them to Theo. They have VIP written in such a big font I can read it from this distance.
“Holy hell. Who is that delicious cup of troubled bad news?”
I follow Lou’s gaze and see someone leaning against the side of the stage looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. He’s familiar, someone whom you couldn’t forget no matter how drunk you got. “Holy shit, that’s the bartender. Ryder.”
