Chapter 69

Aly and I sat in front of her parents as they stared straight at me. I don"t know who I"m going to look at in the two of them and still can"t lose the awkwardness I feel because of the expression they show. They were sitting straight as we were enveloped in silence not until Aly"s dad cleared his throat and asked me.
"So you're my daughter's best friend?" he asked and I nodded as a response. I gulped and think what would I say, but nothing comes to my mind. I"m thankful that her mom saved me from being speechless, she asks me while smiling which causes me to gulp again. Her mom is too gorgeous at her age and it"s also has a brave and powerful face.
"We"re glad that we meet you, El. Thank you for coming here," she stated.
I bowed with a respect to her before I response, "I"m also glad that I met my best friend"s parents. Nice to meet you too, ma"am and sir. "
"Ma'am and Sir sound very professional, El," her father added with a grin. We're not in a meeting with an employer; after all, our daughter's best friend is sitting right in front of us. You can call me uncle and auntie for Aly"s mom."
"I agree with what my husband said. El, don't put too much pressure on yourself when you speak with us. We don't oppose you, and we believe you can assist us in keeping our daughter from straying. We trust in you, and we know how valuable you are in Aly's life because this is the first time she has had a friend," Auntie explained.
I took a deep breath before responding to them as the nervousness in my chest subsided. "Thank you for putting your faith in me, Auntie and Uncle." With a smile on my face, I stated, "You can be assured that the trust you have placed in me will not be wasted." I have a negative perception of them, and I am grateful that they are not who I thought them to be, and that they embraced me as their daughter's friend.
Auntie glanced at her wristwatch before turning to face us. "It's 5:30 p.m. already. You should begin the makeover right away. We also have a 6:00 p.m. flight, so we'll have to leave as well," she explained.
In response, Aly and I both nodded and her parents stood up at the same time."We have to go. You also need to go to the dressing room because you can't be late," Auntie said.
"Take care, mom, dad," Aly said and I could see in her parent's eyes that they didn't expect Aly to say that. They fell silent for a second and Auntie averted her eyes from her daughter without saying anything, meanwhile, her dad smiled at her and said, "Yes, we will, darling. You two will also be careful. Don"t drink high tolerance of alcohol because that will harm you. Understood?"
"Yes, Dad," she responded and we nodded together.
They began going out of the living room after turning their backs on us. When Aly and I were the only ones left, she sighed and leaned against the sofa we were sitting on, looking up at the ceiling.
"Thank God, there was no issue." She expressed her gratitude by saying, "I'm delighted they welcomed you as my friend." I took her hand in mine and entwined our fingers. She spoke without looking at me. "I thought I'd be alone for the rest of my life, and that they'd put restrictions on everything I wanted to do. I never imagined I'd go through something like this, and I'll thank God for changing my parents' hearts for the rest of my life," she said. She sat up straight after opening her eyes. While our hands were intertwined, she looked at me, and I could see how happy she was.
"Let's go to the dressing room. The make-up artist is ready for us," she said, and I responded with a nod. We stood up and began walking toward the dressing room.
I'm not sure what was bothering me because I seemed to have lost my capacity to converse. This is my first time getting a makeover, and it's also my first time attending a party. I know Aly and I aren't going to a typical party, and I'm hoping we won't be the odd ones out.
As we walked to the dressing room, Aly said, "I'm nervous."
"How come you're so jittery? What makes you queasy?" I inquired. I have the impression that our voices reverberate in their house because of its stillness and spaciousness.
"I'm worried about the make-up artist because I might get tears when they put eyeliner on me," she said, which made me laugh. I didn't think that was the issue, but I thought she was adorable. I can't wait to see her in a gown and make-up because she always acts so sweet and innocent.
"You don't have to be concerned, Aly. The make-up artist won't scold you." With a smile on my face, I replied. "Can I ask you something?" I asked and when I look at her, she nodded. "Aren't you nervous at the party later?" I asked her.
She stopped walking so I stopped too. She looked at me and then smiled. "Yes, I'm nervous, but I lose my nervousness when I think of being with you. I will not be outcast there because you are there," she responded which make my lips to curved.
"I also don't need to be nervous because you're there," I stated and we both laughed before she held the doorknob of the dressing room.
We went inside and were greeted by four make-up artists. They looked kind and they immediately made us sit in front of a long mirror with mini bulbs on the frame, but when they noticed what I was wearing, they gave me a robe, and then they told me to wear it. Aly pointed the way to the comfort room and I went there straight to take off my clothes and put on the robe given to me.
I went back to Aly's place and then the make-up artist started fixing our faces. Aly and I don't talk anymore and I can't see her either because my eyes are close. I wanted to open my eyes to see how we looked, but I couldn"t because I was afraid of being scolded by the make-up artist. She told me that I have to close my eyes and I will only open them when she tells me to open them. Maybe that"s the right thing to do so I can be a surprise in Aly"s looks.
When the make-up artist allow me to open my eyes I immediately look at Aly's position, but she wasn"t in the chair she was seated in earlier. I immediately looked every corner to see where she was, but I couldn"t see her. I looked at the make-up artist and then I asked.
"Where"s Aly?" I asked the make-up artist who just smiled at me before looking at the back of my figure. I also turned my back at her to see what"s she was looking and I was shocked to see my best friend wearing a light blue shining gown. She"s not wearing her eyeglasses and when our eyes met, I can see how uncomfortable she is.
She"s a kind of a girl that she doesn"t know in herself that she"s beautiful. She was afraid of people's attention and she was so shy to interact, but the truth is, there is nothing embarrassing about her personality. She was so gorgeous and adorable at the same time and I hope she knows it. I love my best friend very much.