Chapter 25 Hit it Hard

"How does it feel?" Paige asked as she observed Michelle driving.

"Like Brook's Bugatti but I'm the one behind the wheel. It's incredible." She answered with a huge smile.

"You're in control. And you rock behind the wheel. Just – not in that cheerleader outfit." Paige's eyes dropped to Michelle's skirt and blouse with distaste.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" Michelle asked.

"Angel face, if you roll with us, you gotta look the part. And I know just the place to update your look. Take that intersection and go left." Michelle obeyed wondering where they were going.

"Here. Stop here." Paige said. Michelle stopped in front of a clothing store. It was completely black except for the logo which said 'Her Point' in white. Even the walls and floors Michelle could see through the glass window were a sparkly black marble.

"You're taking me shopping?" she asked in surprise.

"Call it a favor. Or a birthday gift. Either way, you need it." Paige said getting out of the car. Michelle got out and locked it before following Paige into the store.

"Paige, this place is really emo-punk. Not exactly my style." She said, wrinkling her nose.

"Don't judge till you try it," Paige said, pulling her to a couple of racks of clothes. She pulled out several pieces and dropped them on the circular couch where people usually sat to wait.

"Do I get a say in this?" Michelle asked.

"You wouldn't pick out anything if you did. Just relax and try these on." Paige said, pushing a pile of clothes into her hand.

"But –"

"Just go. Trust me, you're gonna like it." Michelle had no choice but to try them on. She came out in the first outfit which was a neon blue strappy v-neck blouse and grey paint-splattered print jeans.

"Now that is style," Paige said approvingly. Michelle smiled.

"Well, it's comfy."

"Go try the next one." Michelle went back to the dressing room and put on a fuchsia off-shoulder top that cropped at the stomach but had a net lining inside covering her stomach. To pair it off was a black mini leather skirt with lace over cutouts.

"Ouch! You're gonna make guys drop dead in that!" Paige said approvingly when she came out.

"Er..." Michelle wasn't sure if that was a good thing. She went back and tried on a different outfit. This time she wore a bronze-colored sequin top and a black cropped shoulder jacket with a navy denim skirt.

"Okay, this I kind of like." She said, nodding. Paige winked.

"Whoo! Now you're talking! Try the last one." Michelle saw the last outfit was a dress.

"That's kind of fancy."

"It's for tonight. Hurry up and try it on!" Paige shooed her. Michelle went into the dressing room and put on the dress. It was a tight-fitting one-shoulder white cocktail dress with a net studded strap and a net cropped-off area around the stomach, also covered with studs. They glittered when she moved.

"That's a winner. Brook's not gonna be able to keep his eyes off you tonight." Paige said when Michelle came out. Michelle patted the dress down.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but – I kinda like it," she said checking her reflection.

"You'd better. Because we're getting it."

"What are you wearing tonight?"

"This." Paige held up a neon green tight-fitting spaghetti strap ruched dress that had barely any length.

"Oh, okay, wow. Isn't that kind of short?" Michelle said doubtfully.

"Fishnets, angel face." Paige held up a pair of black fishnet stockings.

"Oh, cool. You really do have style." Paige laughed.

"Nice to see I'm rubbing off on you. Now let's pair off your outfit with some stilettos and we're good to go."

Michelle drove through the streets of Las Vegas after their shopping, Paige guiding her through the roads. Paige said they had one more stop before heading back.

"A hair salon?" Michelle asked as they got out in front of a salon.

"We're getting you a new look," Paige said, leading her in.

"Wait, Paige! I'm not so sure about this. I like my hair how it is. And I am not getting a buzz cut or a mohawk –"

"Relax angel face, you're gonna look hot after this. Trust me." Paige cut her off. She directed her to a chair.

"Hi, Simone. My friend here needs the works - hair, makeup, the whole package. She seriously needs some color. Give her a brunette-blonde balayage. You know the rest." Paige said to the hairdresser.

"Paige, you know what you're doing right?" Michelle asked anxiously. The hairdresser smiled at her with reassurance.

"Don't worry, miss. This is one of our best looks. For your hair color, it will look great. You will love it," she said, fluffing Michelle's dark brown hair. She got to work dyeing Michelle's hair first before washing and drying it. Then she cut layers off the edges skillfully.

"Take a look." She said when she had finished. Michelle's mouth opened in surprise. She had soft wavy layers with golden brown highlights which fell past her shoulders like a silky frame. Two side-swept pieces of bangs framed her cheekbones.

"Whoa! I hardly recognize myself!" she asked in surprise. Paige high-fived the hairdresser.

"Right on Simone." She said with a grin.

"It's perfect! Thank you!" Michelle said, standing up and admiring her hair.

"Nice friend you got there Paige," Simone said with a laugh.

"You are gonna look so hot tonight Michelle. Look out boys, Michelle is about to blow your mind." Paige said with a wink.

Payton, Brook, Jett, and Reece were seated around the living room counting the minutes. Soriano and Leslie were sitting in the kitchen chatting over coffee. Reece glanced at his watch and groaned.

"Maybe we should just go. Let the girls drive themselves. I can't wait anymore." He said.

"Do what you want Reece, I'm stayin'. I want to see what I've been waiting for." Brook said.

"Paige has been hiding Michelle since they got back. It's got me intrigued." Payton said. "I wanna see the big unveiling." Brook glanced at him with narrow eyes but said nothing.

"Yeah, and it'd be rude to leave the girls behind! It's Michelle's birthday for crying out loud!" Jett said.

"Ugh, you guys are hyped up about nothing," Reece grunted. "So the girls dress up tonight, big d–" he stopped as the girls came down the stairs, Paige in front wearing her neon green dress hugging her figure to perfection. Michelle followed shyly in her white studded dress which showed off her slender figure just as well. She wore matching stilettos and clutched her purse dangling off her shoulder as though holding it for support.

"Deal." Reece finished weakly as he stared at the girls. Brook blinked without moving for a minute, his eyes fixed on Michelle like he was hypnotized. Payton smiled, his eyes flickering between the two girls and Jett's jaw dropped open.

"Close your mouths boys, you're drooling," Paige said with a sly smile.

"OMG," Jett said. Brook finally shook himself out of his trance and walked forward to Michelle.

"Damn... hot... You look – ahem. You look good. I – I like your hair." He stuttered with red cheeks, his eyes roving her from head to toe, fixing on her curves. Michelle laughed.

"Bowled over? That's the first time I've ever done that to a guy." She said. She took his chin and gently lifted it so his eyes would meet hers.

"Up here," she said. He grinned sheepishly and wrapped an arm around her waist, his fingers brushing against each stud on the material around her back.

"You trying to take my breath away Michelle?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Is it working?" she asked mischievously.

"Like crazy." He cleared his throat and turned away, tearing his eyes away from her.

"Mission accomplished," Paige said to Michelle.

"You guys aren't so bad yourself," Michelle said, looking at the guys. She rubbed the lapels of Brook's coat between her finger and thumb. He wore a black satin shirt inside and Michelle eyed it with appreciation.

"You girls better drive. Because we're gonna get into a serious accident if we do." Payton said.

"Why?" Michelle asked. Paige scoffed.

"Obvi, they'd be too distracted by the way we look." She said. Michelle blushed.

"Right," she said under her breath. "Where's Leslie? And the chief?"

"We'll be sitting this one out. You kids go have fun." Leslie said coming out of the kitchen. Soriano followed slowly, limping a little.

"You kids look like you're ready to party," Soriano said, looking at them.

"Thanks, chief. Leslie, you sure you're not coming?" Paige asked.

"Sure. Someone's gotta stay behind and make sure the chief doesn't run away again." She said. Everyone laughed.

"Oookay, you two have fun. Don't wait up for us." Paige said with a wink.

"Then let's go. Paige, you're driving the Dodge Charger." Payton said.

"There won't be room for all of us in there," Reece said.

"Michelle and I will take her McLaren," Brook said. Michelle smiled at the thought.

"Oooh, her McLaren." Jett drawled. Brook gave him a light punch.

"Just get to the car," he said. They all walked to the garage.

"Oh, Michelle. I almost forgot to tell you. For your birthday present, I installed a CB radio like the ones in our cars in your McLaren so you can transmit whatever music you're listening to, to any of our cars." Jett said.

"You can do that?" Michelle asked.

"Already done. As long as we drive within fifteen miles of each other."

"So you're picking the tunes tonight Michelle. Don't disappoint." Paige said getting into a navy blue car.

"I won't," Michelle said confidently getting into her car. Brook joined her.

"I've been waiting all day for this." He said.

"For what?" she asked.

"To go on a drive with you." He said with a sideways smile.

"You and me both," Michelle said starting the car.

"Yo, guys! We're going to Giordano's for dinner. Just follow Paige's car, okay Michelle?" Jett said over the radio.

"Got it," she said. They drove out of the garage onto the main road.

How about some music?" Payton asked through the radio.

"Oh right. Brook, could you check my purse for a little red flash drive?" Michelle asked. Brook took her purse and went through it.

"Lip-gloss, makeup mirror, earphones, gum..." Brook said, going through the contents.

"Brook!" Michelle called playfully. "I asked you to find a flash drive, not take inventory of my purse!"

"Sorry – here I got it!" he took out a red flash drive.

"You got your music in this?" he asked.

"Yeah. I used to carry CDs around but that got outdated ten years ago." She joked. "And flash drives carry way more songs than CDs. I put all my favorite playlists in that."

"Let's hear something," Reece said through the radio. Brook plugged the USB into the car and pressed the play button. The starting synthesizers of 'Hit it Hard' blared through the speakers.

"This is one of my top favorites," Michelle said.

"Whoa! Killer beats Michelle!" Jett said as the song synced in their car.

"Hit it hard! Ooooh, Hit it hard! Hey – ye-yeah!" Michelle sang along, her voice hitting the high notes perfectly.

"Wow, who knew you could sing like that?" Brook said impressed. Michelle laughed, her head bobbing to beat.

"If you're gonna play then play all night!" she sang.

"Not bad, angel face. I was expecting some soppy serenade." Paige said.

"Ironic lyrics. It's like you picked it on purpose." Reece said.

"Okay, music survey! Top favorite old school bands – Go!" Jett said when the song came to an end.

"Nobody listens to old school here Jett," Paige said.

"Hey, don't diss the 'King of Pop' fan. Michael Jackson is a legend." Reece said.

"What about you Michelle?" Jett asked.

"I'm more of an eighties girl. Heart, Scorpions..."

"Scorpions girl? Wow! That's rad!" Jett said.

"Okay, enough old-school. Top fave 'this century' artists – go!" Paige said.

"If you say Justin Bieber, Michelle, you're just another swoony fan girl," Payton said.

"I was not gonna say Justin Bieber! I'm more into electronic and club..."

"Don't tell me Taylor Swift isn't at the top of the list." Paige teased. Michelle giggled.

"Okay, yeah, but absolutely no country."

"Everybody here agrees to that," Brook said.

"Hey, this song is pretty cool. And is that some foreign language?" Paige asked. Michelle turned her attention to the music.

"Oh, this. I'm also into a little Korean pop. This song is a collab between a bunch of American artists and K-pop groups. It's called Pop Stars."

"Hot," Paige said.

"Whoa, Michelle knows K-pop? That's pretty cool." Reece said. Brook laughed.

"Amazing. Takes a lot to impress this bunch." He said.

"Guys Giordano's coming up on the right," Jett said. Paige slowed down and entered the parking lot, Michelle following in her McLaren.

"Stuffed crust here I come!" Jett said as they entered the restaurant and took a table.

"Take my advice Michelle, don't get the stuffed crust if you're gonna dance like you mean it after this," Paige said.

"Okay, I was gonna order the thin crust anyway." Brook shared her menu.

"So what's catching your eye?" he asked. She smiled at him.

"Between you and the menu, definitely you," she said flirtatiously. He grinned.

"Smooth." He said.

"Guys, we've already ordered. You two gonna stop hiding behind that menu sometime soon?" Payton asked Brook and Michelle.

They grinned and gave their orders to the waiter who took the menus and went away.

"You guys are missing out. Giordano's is known for its stuffed crust and you go and get thin crust?" Jett asked cynically.

"She's smarter than you Jett. She's gonna dance the night away without puking."

"Unless she has a couple of Margaritas," Payton said.

"Why would I puke with a Margarita?" Michelle asked, confused. "It's just plain cheese and tomato." Everyone burst out laughing.

"A Margarita is a cocktail, Michelle," Brook explained.

"Man, she said that with a straight face! I'm cracking up." Reece said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Oh, my bad. I won't make that mistake again." Michelle said, laughing along.

"Great, starters are here. I'm starving." Jett said as the waiter brought two trays of appetizers.

"You got one of everything?" Michelle asked.

"It's a Giordano's sampler plate. You get all the starters on it." Paige said.

"Plus calamari because seafood is a must," Reece said. He was about to take a piece of calamari when Michelle stopped him.

"Wait! We have to take a groupfie!" Michelle said. Everyone looked at her blankly.

"A what?" Payton asked.

"A groupfie! A selfie of a group of people! You guys never heard of it?" she asked in surprise.

"No, we only speak English this side of the state," Paige said, rolling her eyes.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Michelle said with enthusiasm.

"What do we take it with? None of us carry cell phones." Brook said. Michelle held up her finger for them to wait and rummaged through her purse. She pulled out a small Polaroid camera no bigger than her hand.

"Really?" Paige asked with lowered eyelids.

"That's handy," Brook said.

"What other weird stuff do you carry in there?" Payton asked. Michelle stuck her tongue out at him before turning and focusing the camera on all of them.

"Alright everybody, you know the drill. Three, two, one!" she snapped the photo as everyone said cheese, Jett making a funny face. A small film slid out of the camera.

"And voila," Michelle said, holding up the photo for everyone to see.

"Old school! Nice." Jett said.

"You just happen to carry a Polaroid camera wherever you go?" Reece asked Michelle.

"You never know when your phone is about to die and you want to take a picture. I got this for my birthday a couple years ago and it has come in pretty useful."

"Commemorating the anniversary?" Payton asked.

"Yeah, I guess I am," Michelle said. She turned to whisper to Brook.

"We're taking a couple selfies after this," she said to him. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Wouldn't miss it."