59 Gorgeous

Veronica was persistent, "Do you like what you see?"

Zara twirled in front of the mirror, "Not yet."

She then changed from the silver dress into a third pink-colored one. It had soft pastel shades and complimented her skin perfectly. It didn't have sleeves, though it had a flared skirt, so not much skin was on display. It's neckline was a bit low for her comfort, but it was better than the others. It hugged her figure in all the right places and looked nice on her. 

She was painfully reminded of the painting in which Ryan had painted her in the exact same dress. She also knew that if she said no to any of them, Veronica would take her to more stores, and Zara hated shopping. 

So, she looked at herself once again, smiling at herself when at the exact moment she heard the faintest of a whisper, gorgeous.

Zara was about to call Veronica when she heard the word and her heartbeat went up like a racing car.

The air tickled her ears, and she quickly turned around, but there was no one except herself. She looked up and down but couldn't see anything. Her heart leaped at the thought of Ryan, but then how would he magically weave in and out of a ladies changing room? Still, she was sure it definitely was his voice.

Thinking her mind was playing tricks on her, she stepped out of the room to show herself to Veronica. Her best friend lowkey whistled, "Ooh la la, Jake is going to jump on you the moment he sees you in that dress."

Alarmed, Zara said, "Shut up, V. I am going to cancel it, I don't want it." Though it was a lie. She wouldn't part with the dress, even if she had to pay diamonds for it.

She asked Veronica to pack the dress for her. Veronica had decided to go bold and tried and loved the silver one.

Veronica handed in the cash as the old lady packed the dresses, "It's paid for honey, no backing out. Now off to the parlor."

Zara groaned at the prospect of imminent torture. "I'll die V, shopping was enough for a day. Please don't murder me, besides I'm famished. Let's go eat."

Veronica would never back out from having a snack hence she considered the offer, "Hmm…where should we go?"

"To the nearest restaurant," answered Zara. They put their shopping bags in the car and drove to a restaurant down the street. As Veronica was parking her car, Zara saw a black Porsche parked in the lot.

Zara bolted out of the car and ran inside the restaurant. It was almost full, but she scanned each and every table. There was no sign of Ryan. Her heart sank down to her stomach. She had been stupid enough to think that maybe he had been in the shop to see her. She had been ravenous a moment ago, now she only felt empty.

Veronica grumbled as she entered the restaurant after wrestling her car in a tight spot, "Hey, what's the matter? I know you are hungry, but you could have at least let me park. C'mon now let's find a table."

They settled in the table, and Veronica scanned the menu. "What will you like to have, the usual?"

"I'm not hungry, V, order what you want."

Veronica slapped the menu card on the table and hissed, "How many times have I told you, Ryan is a closed chapter. He is gone. G-O-N-E. You are starting to make me sick."

Zara was taken aback by Veronica's sudden outburst, "How do you know this was about Ryan?"

Veronica smiled pointedly, "Because I am your best friend, and I can sense your feelings even if you don't tell me."

Zara's phone buzzed. It was a text from Jake Hey, when are we meeting today? Are you girls done with your shopping?

Veronica eyed the text message and went on a full-blown lecture, "Z, that boy is gold. Have you forgotten the way he looks at you, the way his eyes follow you even when he is working in the cafeteria or how he brings in the freshest food to us, even if his hands get burned and scarred during cooking or how he tries finding ways to spend more time with you.

Veronica took a breath and continued, "Even your mom likes him. Any other boy would have left you as a lost cause. He is sticking to you. You better make it worth it."

Zara had nothing to say so she ate her food in silence. Veronica dropped her home and Zara spent her night staring at the ceiling. 

The rest of the days went in a blur as Veronica took her from one store to another buying jewelry, make-up, and whatnot. Zara went with her only because her mind would explode whenever she was left alone with her thoughts. 

She had called Ryan's number every day since she got it and left a number of voicemails and text messages. Whenever she decided to forget him, one thing or the other would remind her of him. Though as the days passed, her brain was beginning to win over her heart, to accept that Ryan was gone.