Free Open Eyes (Open Skies) by Marysol James Page B

even more in the face of their obvious shock and started edging towards the door. “You know what? Never mind… please forget that I ever brought it up. It was stupid, and you both have much better things to do with your time…”
    “Whoa. Hold up,” Tammy said. “Just – just wait. OK?”
    “OK.”
    “So – let me get this straight. You want me and Julie to help you with your hair and makeup? Clothes, too?”
    Vicky nodded, her fingers twisting in humiliation. Julie and Tammy were looking at each other in that totally unnerving way that they had: the two of them could have entire conversations without uttering a single word.
    Without any warning whatsoever, Julie and Tammy burst in to whoops. Vicky jumped about three feet in the air.
    “Of course we’ll help you!” Tammy said. “We have been dying to get our hands on you!”
    “You – what?”
    “Oh, my God,” Julie said. “I mean, look at you – tall and slim and gorgeous, with those eyes and lips! And, of course, that stunning hair!” She shook her own sexily.
    Despite herself, Vicky laughed.
    “Yeah. You are just beautiful , but you’re hiding it under those prim and proper clothes and no color and always wearing your hair all tied back and up.” Tammy’s eyes were sparkling with enthusiasm. “I have been itching to get my hands on you and put you in some color. Greens, yellows, maybe even pink, if it’s the right shade.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah, really.” Tammy was bursting with excitement. “So! When do we go?”
    “Uh. Well, when you have time –”
    “Tomorrow!” Julie said.
    “But – but aren’t you busy tomorrow?” Vicky faltered. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
    “Nope. I’m up here for three days, just hanging out, and we were planning on going shopping anyway,” Tammy said. “You come with us. Oh! And we’ll call right now and make a hair appointment for the morning. Right?”
    “Ummm… I’m not sure that… I mean, I think it’d be better if… ummmm…” This is escalating rapidly.
    “OK, hang on a sec,” Julie said. “Wait up.”
    “What?” Tammy asked.
    “What’s wrong, Vicky?” Julie asked. “Tell us.”
    “Well,” Vicky said. “The thing is – I’m on a bit of a budget.”
    “Right. You told me you send money to your Mom every month, I remember,” Julie said, “So, do you need to save up for a few weeks?”
    “Oh. Oh, no. I’m fine to go tomorrow. But the thing is, I have a set amount and I know that some hairdressers are reasonable and some are insane. Maybe, you can just – you know… pick a reasonable one?”
    Julie studied her tight, worried face for a second and then she smiled. “No problem. You leave it with me, alright? I promise I’ll find someone not too expensive. OK?”
    “OK.” Vicky took a deep breath. OK.”
    “Great!” Tammy said. “So… we’ll leave Open Skies at nine o’clock tomorrow morning, and we shop. And don’t fuss about your budget, Vicky.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because you , girl, are going to look incredible on almost nothing at all.” Tammy winked. “Trust me on this.”
    **
    Vicky stared at her reflection in the mirror. My God. Really? That’s me ?
    They were in to the third hour of shopping and bags were scattered around her newly-manicured feet in smart new high heeled boots. Tammy and Julie were standing behind her, looking her up and down.
    “So, what do you think?” Tammy said. “I was right about the pink, yes?”
    “Yes,” Vicky said, still staring. “Yes, you were. I never thought I could get away with it, not with my hair color.”
    “You can,” Tammy told her. “You look great.”
    Normally, Vicky would have rebuffed the compliment, played it down, denied it. But today – today she didn’t. Today, she agreed with Tammy. Today, she did look great.
    Her hair was cut to just below her chin, in a sassy and sleek bob. The cut accentuated her delicate heart-shaped face and brought out her round eyes and generous