At Seventeen
Chapter 7
It only took Eimear five minutes to choose an outfit, find her
size, try it on, and buy it - well, let Jane buy it. Eimear had said before that
Jane was spend-crazy when equipped with her credit card, which she had with her
now. Tonight, she certainly was. "Come on, we're going to be late, and we
have to change!" cried a panicked Jane, as soon as they returned out onto
the street.
Eimear checked her watch. 7:43. "We'll make it," she said confidently.
"The hotel entrance is this way as well, you know." And she led Jane
to the back entrance. "You know everything," Jane gushed, as they made
their way up to the room they shared. Eimear opened the door with the key, and
dumped the bags on top of her bed, before replying - "Well you pay for
everything! Do you know how much those two outfits cost?" "Yeah,"
said Jane, taking her bag to put it on her own bed, "but it was well
overdue, Eimear. Anyway, I never got you a proper Christmas present."
"But still - that much?"
"Aww, come on, Eimear! I need to get changed and put make-up on in 15
minutes flat, I don't need this!" She ran into the bathroom. Eimear
shrugged, and supposed she had better do the same.
Fifteen minutes exactly later, and she was ready. Her reddish brown hair was
slicked up with hair gel, small hair jewels decorated it. Her new black biker
jacket was the perfect contrast to the shoulderless silver dress she was
wearing. Her eyelids were dark, showing off her green-hazel eyes. Yes, she told
herself, it's about time I put more effort into what I wear, even if it's only
for myself.
At 7:57, Jane emerged from the bathroom. She looked fantastic too, but her face
was flushed. "We're going to be late!" "Yes, and so will they,
probably," Eimear replied calmly. Jane didn't look any better for that
information. "We'd better get going." And she immediately headed for
the door, moving faster than her friend had ever seen her move before. She is
smitten, she thought. I hope to God that Bryan takes care of her.
Even though Jane was speeding ahead, her new found athleticism didn't last. By
the time they had exited the hotel, she was back to her normal speed again, and
Eimear was beside her once more. "I look awful, don't I, I look just
awful!" burst out Jane in a sob. "Sshhh," said Eimear, who was
trying to keep her composure, surprised to find that she was quite nervous
herself about the whole meeting. "Don't cry, your mascara will run."
"Ohhhh!" Jane wasn't crying, but she didn't look easy at all.
"You'll be okay!" Eimear wished she had never brought it up.
They turned a corner and eventually, Eimear said, soothingly, "There now.
We're there." They were outside Carrs pub. The time on Eimear's watch said
8:06. And Bryan McFadden was outside, on his own.