Sucking in air, she blinked back tears and sipped at her lemonade, the tangy drink no longer appealing. I miss you and Mom, so much. Nothing’s quite the same without you. Taking the last drink of the lemonade, she gathered her trash and stood from the chair. I’m just going to keep moving until you show me what to do. I believe you’ll show me.
A hollow space filled her stomach. Taking another slow breath, she walked over to a store. This isn't so bad... A sales girl came up to her as she walked in the door. “Hi! Is there anything I can help you find?” She smiled warmly.
“Um, I'm really not sure. I mean, I’ve lost weight and nothing fits anymore. I need a few things.” Camille fiddled with her purse strap nervously.
“Oh, okay. What do you like to wear?” She cocked her head to the right and looked Camille up and down. It wasn't a malicious or appraising look at all, in fact, it was friendly and just curious.
She twisted the strap first one way, then the other. Panic bubbled through her and bile raced up her throat. Her chest tightened and she whispered, “I... I don't remember. I haven't bought anything in a long time.” I can't do this. I can't.
“Crap. Are you okay? Do you need to sit down for a minute? I can put you in the back as long as you don't steal anything.”
Camille nodded weakly. “I need to sit.”
“Come on then, I'll get you a drink from the fridge in the back.” The girl put a hand on her arm and led her through a door. Camille let herself be pulled along and she barely noticed the racks of clothing on the way to the break room. The girl pointed to an orange plastic chair. “Cop a squat and let me get that drink. Did your blood sugar drop or something? I know people who had diabetes so I kinda know what to look for. Oh, by the way, I'm Sarah.” She smiled brightly as she opened the refrigerator and shifted takeout boxes to find a soda. She kicked the door closed with her foot and handed her the cold can.
“I'm Camille.” Popping the tab on the drink, she took two gulps, praying for the shaking to stop.
“You okay, need to talk? Anything? I mean I know you don't know me, but you kinda look like you could use a friend. I'm going on lunch in a few and I'd be cool with it if you tagged along.”
“I'd like a friend. I don't have any, anymore.” Her fingernail picked at the tab of the can, making an annoying plink-plink sound. She stopped and smiled sheepishly. “I haven't been out of the house in a while.” You sound so pathetic.
Sarah chewed her bottom lip. “Oh, well hold on a few, let me finish a couple things. You can chill here if you want. I'll be back in just a few minutes.” She took a few steps away and turned back. “Dude, please don't steal anything. I don't want to lose my job.”
Camille held up the can in salute. “You got it, Sarah.” She sat there self-consciously and rolled the can between her hands while she waited. She had a feeling Sarah and shopping would be a lot more than she'd bargained for. I don't know if I'm ready for all of this yet.
Sarah bounced through the door a few moments later, a wide smile on her heart shaped face. “Okay, chick. I'm on break so let's go, I'm starved! You look a little better, I bet your blood sugar dropped. How do you feel?”
Camille got up slowly, “I feel okay.” Following Sarah through the front of the store, she noticed Sarah dressed joyfully. Happy would have a vibrant palette, and Sarah definitely portrayed that. She wore a black mini skirt, a hot pink belt, and a lemon yellow scoop neck top with lime green shoes. Sarah was a walking, talking wall of vibrant color. Her hair played along with its flaming orange red; a rich coppery color that seemed to be made for her. She didn't look tacky, in fact, she looked unbelievably beautiful. She was a one woman band, jingling as she walked due to at least ten bangle bracelets on each arm. Sarah talked to everyone on the way to the food court, smiling and waving. To most normal people, Sarah would be spirited, maybe even wild and weird, but to Camille, she was pretty awesome.
Camille wondered if Sarah was the sign from her father. It was pretty weird to have someone just suddenly want to be your friend after you asked for a sign. I need a friend. I need someone to talk to. Please let this work out…
The next person that walked by, Sarah threw an arm up and waved. “Hey! You! Have a fantastic day!”
Camille awkwardly smiled and threw her arm up as well. The guy had happily waved and smiled back at Sarah, but gave Camille an awkward look. Okay. I must be doing the casual smile thing wrong.. The guy probably thinks I'm going to come in the middle of the night and rip his throat out, or something... God, I'm so socially inept... It’s amazing what hiding for six months does to you... Sarah turned to Camille with a bright smile. “So chick, what do you want to eat? My treat!”
Camille shook her head and chuckled weakly. “Are you always buying strange people food? You must be broke all the time.”
Sarah snorted at her. “That was good! You’re funny! Do that more often. You’re cute when you smile. And nope, I only reserve lunch buying for the strangest people!”
“I'm on a special list? Really? It's almost as good as getting an Academy Award!” Camille felt herself loosening up a little and her old self peeking out. She kinda liked it.
Sarah snickered again and grinned. “I like you! I knew by your aura you were going to be alright.” They stepped up to a Chinese food restaurant and Sarah got in line. “Want some Chinese?”
“My aura? What are you talking about? I’m not really hungry, I sort of ate before I came in the store.” Camille shifted her purse on her shoulder and stared at Sarah curiously.
“The Chinese here rocks. Your loss. Even though you look like a crackhead in that shirt and those pants, I could tell you were alright.” She tapped at her temple with a grin.
“I don't look like a crackhead do I?” Camille picked at her shirt in horror.
“Okay, crackhead was harsh... Homeless.” She looked her up and down again. “Maybe. But I know homeless people with at least some style.” She stuck her tongue out at Camille, softening her harsh words with a smile. She didn't mean to offend, and Camille somehow knew that. Sarah turned to order her food. “One brown rice with broccoli and ‘shrooms, Jian, just like always! You know how I get down.” She wiggled her eyebrows and smiled at the cook, who had to be in his seventies. He grinned back and Camille saw he missed at least half of his teeth. “You sure you don’t want anything, Camille?”
“No, I had a pretzel earlier, but thanks.” Her stomach was still tied in knots and more food on it would probably end up with a fun display of puke. Let's avoid that, shall we... Don't want to scare off someone who could be a friend.
“Jian, wrap it up, my good man! Give Wen my love, k? Tell those rugrats I'll come see them soon enough, okay?” She smacked a ten dollar bill down on the counter and blew him a kiss. He grinned and stuck the money in the register.
“How do you do that?” Camille caught up to Sarah’s side and touched her arm.
“Do what?” Sarah pursed her lips and searched for a table.
“Be so... Well, cool?” Camille sputtered out.
Sarah rolled her eyes and crinkled her nose. “Who says I'm cool?”
She stuck her hand up. “Me and pretty much everyone else.”
Sarah laughed as she found a table. She walked toward it, her shiny lime green shoes clicking on the floor. “Wanna know a deep, dark secret?” she whispered as they moved through the tables.
Camille found herself nodding like a bobble head doll. “Yeah.”
Sarah sat down and let out a dramatic sigh. “Okay, time to shake the cobwebs off the skeletons in my closet, I guess.” She smirked then leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I'm wanted in eight states for mass murders. Despicable ones.” She sat back and unrolled the plastic silverware from her napkin. She opened the Styrofoam container and sniffed her food. “Mmm... They call me a serial killer.” She viciously stabbed a mushroom to further illustrate her statement.
Camille pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Bullshit, I don't believe you. You'r
e too happy for murder.”
Sarah popped the mushroom in her mouth. “Yeah. I'm not a fan of blood. Although, if it was a vampire, hell yes, count me in. He can suck every part of me he wants, if you catch my drift.” She wiggled her auburn brows wickedly.
Camille giggled. “Vampires are hot. I find I'm partial to paranormal beings.” She sobered a little and asked, “Okay, so what's your secret?” She realized she was sitting in the chair clutching her purse like a little girl waiting to get her birthday present or something. Kind of creepy and pathetic. She casually leaned back in the chair. She still looked awkward. Sighing, she gave up trying to be cool and collected.
Sarah smiled ruefully, her mouth turning down. “I was a teenage prostitute.” She speared a piece of broccoli and chomped down on it viciously.
Camille laughed incredulously. “No, be serious. Come on, no more teasing me.”
Sarah glared at her. “I am.” She scooped up some rice and popped it in her mouth, her head turning to look out at the crowd. .
Camille coughed nervously as her laughter abruptly stopped. “Oh... I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to pry...” She fiddled with her purse straps again. You're doing this all wrong.
Sarah smiled and brushed a wayward orange curl out of her face. “It's okay. I'm free now. No one can hurt me anymore. I had nothing left to lose, so I got out while I could.”
Camille nodded sympathetically. “I'm really sorry. I thought you were kidding.”
Sarah took a bite of broccoli, chewing brutally. “Most folks do. They don't want to think people can be horrible to kids.” She chewed some more and swallowed. “I was twelve and met this guy who was twenty-four, he was unbelievably hot... He bought me stuff. I was just a kid and the latest and greatest stuff was amazing. He took me away from the stuff I was in at home. Then he got my mind all messed up and before I knew it, I was being pimped out by him.” She shrugged. “Mostly on Craigslist. There are lots of sick pervs in the world.”
Camille frowned, her heart in her throat. “I am really, really sorry Sarah. I didn't mean...”
Sarah smiled sadly. “Seriously, it's cool. Like I said, I'm free. I'm my own woman. I got through all the bad stuff and I’m happy.”
Camille rubbed her arm self-consciously. “But how... How did you get through the bad stuff?”
“You got bad junk too? What skeletons are in your closet? Are you a secret werewolf? Maybe a vampire? Are you luring me in so you can suck my blood? I eat a lot of garlic…” Sarah snickered.
Camille laughed, the sound hitting her ear wrong, a little like a nail across a chalkboard. “Don't we all have some bad junk and secrets?”
Sarah nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we all do, but based on your aura, you got some serious bad junk and some juicy good secrets.”
Camille cocked her head to the side. “You said something about my aura earlier. What are you talking about?”
Waving her hand, she giggled, “I'm into all that hippy trippy stuff. You have an interesting aura. It’s blue grey. Sometimes grey, sometimes blue depending on the light.. and it’s trimmed in white.” She sipped her drink.
“What does all that mean?” Camille laughed and shrugged helplessly.
“Well,” Sarah started, her eyes twinkling. “Grey can be depressed, which we need to work on, and blue is compassion, although your blue is light blue. That can mean you're sensitive. White means you have a protector. Not everyone has a protector.” She tapped her plastic fork against her lips. “Do you know you have a protector?”
Camille's eyes went wide and her heart thudded in her chest. Sarah was a little too perceptive and it freaked her out. “A protector? Like what? Some kind of superhero? Prince Charming? Knight in shining armor?” She said quickly, chuckling as she did so. Too quickly, Camille, she admonished herself. Smooth move, idiot.
Sarah pursed her lips. “Yeah kinda like that. You have a protector. He's serious and he's bad ass. He's got issues too, but I like him. You should get to know him.” She paused, tapping her fork on her lip again. “Maybe we could do a seance or something. He's someone I'd dig talking to.” Her voice trailed off and her eyes went dreamy, then suddenly, she jumped up and gathered her trash. “Well, I gotta get back to work. Come on, I'm gonna help you get some cool clothes, then I’m gonna take you out tonight. Nothing huge, but I think it's something you'd like, and I think you need it!”
Camille sat in place, not moving a muscle. Her pulse skittered in her throat and she swallowed nervously. “Sarah, would you believe me if I told you I see a guy in my dreams and I truly believe he's an angel or a ghost? That he’s talked to me?” She's going to think I'm crazy. Oh my God, I am crazy.
Sarah turned quickly, her straw between her lips and eyes solemn. She took two breaths before words spilled out of her mouth. “Yeah. You aren't nuts. You got an angel when you...” She stopped abruptly and shook her head. “Nothing.”
Air whooshed out of Camille's lungs. “When I what?” She squeaked. Tell me! She wanted to scream, but she couldn't force the words out.
Sarah smiled and waved her hand in the air, dismissing her concerns. “Sorry, I like drama and I've read too many books. Just ignore me, I watched Ghost the other night with Patrick Swayze. God, that man is delicious! Come on, clothes! Let's leave the heavy for another day!” She grabbed her hand and pulled her back toward the store, jingling her bangles and waving to everyone the whole way.
Camille couldn't forget though. Unfortunately nothing made sense. Yet. Her whole body buzzed with excitement. I got an angel when I… what? How does she know? I need to know more… Now. She’d have to carefully pry into her odd new friend and get the answers, but for now, she was content. Sarah knew something, and she’d find out, eventually.
Chapter Four
Half an hour later, she grimaced, staring into the mirror. “Sarah, I’m not wearing that top. My boobs...”
Sarah cut her off. “Camille, why not? They’re nice. You’re small enough you could get away with it. You don't even have knockers like mine, so be grateful for that. God, you really need a new bra. See, it's perfect. You don't even need a bra with this shirt. Come on, just try it on. Please?”
“Sarah, I look like a stripper.” She grumbled.
“You do not. Nothing I pick out looks like something a stripper wears. Girl, I have taste. Get out here and let me see.” She could hear Sarah clapping her hands in delight.
She sighed. The top was pretty. It was a rich deep plum halter top that skimmed her perfectly, making her breasts look great and her skin and eyes glow. The top was skimpy, only one tie at the top and the back. Barely strings. Not even ribbons. She swallowed. Sarah at least had paired the top with dark skinny jeans. The other problem was the shoes. They were red sneakers. Not just red, they were ruby slipper red. It just didn’t seem to fit. Taking a slow breath, she opened the fitting room door.
“Oh my God, Camille! Look at yourself in the mirror. Let me see your hair down...” Before Camille could protest, Sarah had whipped the pony tail holder out of her hair and her dark hair slipped down her back like a waterfall. “Camille,” she breathed. “Oh yeah, you have to leave your hair down wearing this. It gives just the right amount of sexy without too much. Look!” She grabbed her shoulder and turned her back to the mirror.
Camille peeked over her shoulder. Her hair hung in a sheet down her back, leaving only a couple of inches of pale skin visible between her hair and the jeans. It helped with the naked feeling slightly. “Okay. What about the shoes? They don't match.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Have you never heard of a statement piece?” She kicked out her own foot and pointed down at her shiny green shoes. “Honey, these are it, and they are fantastic! You have to buy them. They are a sample pair, no one else will have them. At least not in this crap hole town. They don't fit me or I'd snag them, but you have to have them as my new best friend. It's just the way it is.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Fine.” Camille agreed reluctantly. “I’m
your new best friend?”
Sarah clapped her hands. “Yup. Okay, you need some earrings.” She looked at her quickly. “Do you have earrings?” Camille nodded. “And makeup. But I can do your makeup later.”
Camille fidgeted. “I want to get some other stuff. Just a few things though. I'm not going to walk around wearing this all day, even though it’s gorgeous.”
Sarah grinned like a Cheshire cat. “No? I bet you'd get a lot of attention. Okay, let's see...” She moved through the racks of clothes as if she was on autopilot, snagging a piece here, an item there. “Here, start with this.”
Camille raised her eyebrow. “Apparently I need all of this? Will a fashion apocalypse happen and there be no clothes left in the world? Oh, the horror!”
Sarah snickered. “No, but you have to try stuff on to see if it fits! Now move!” Camille tried on endless tops and jeans, and only the ones Sarah squealed over made it into the keep pile, which was pretty large. Finally, she was finished trying things on. “Yay!” Sarah exclaimed. “Now you get to pick which things are your favorites.”
Camille picked two pretty tops and another pair of pants. The rest was going back, and Sarah happily hung everything back on their respective hangers. “I think this will do,” she murmured.
Sarah nodded. “Yeah, you will look nice in those. Please get a bra from somewhere. You need to be measured. Or get one of those camisole bra things. They are killer comfy.” She hung the rest of the items up quickly and walked over to the register.
Camille followed with the few things she wanted to buy. “Okay, where are you taking me tonight?” She set everything on the counter and watched as Sarah painstakingly took one piece at a time and rang it up then placed it into a bag.
“Hmm?” Sarah asked, zoned in her work.
“Where are you taking me tonight?” Camille repeated. She drummed her fingers on the counter.
“Oh! It's a surprise. No raver or anything like that. You aren't into that, I can tell. I think you'll have fun, and God knows, based on those aura colors, you need fun. After my amazing employee discount, you owe me two hundred dollars and thirty-two cents..”
Beautiful Undoing Page 3
