Chapter 108

• I pull my hair back into a high ponytail, slicking on some red gloss and adding a small black wing of eyeliner. My hips sway as I sing to Taylor Swift blaring over my phone speaker. Maybe it’s the way Weston Vaughn looks at me or maybe it’s knowing that a man like him wants me, but I’m feeling empowered tonight. I sort through my closet, finding a black fitted turtleneck dress with long sleeves. I pull it on, shimmying it over my hips before looking at myself in the mirror.
• “Not too bad.” The dress is tight, hugging my curves and hitting me about mid-thigh. It’s a lot different than my typical school dress. I’ve had it shoved in my closet for a while. I never had a reason to wear it because I never went out anywhere. Sometimes Xana and I have a glass of wine here or there, but I didn’t have coworkers who wanted to have happy hours and I was far too lost in my grief to join them even if they did.
• I grab my thigh-high black suede boots to pull the outfit together. They’re flat so they bring an edgy, casual look to the outfit. I sling my purse over my arm and make my way to the train to head to the bar.