The Perfect Doll, Becca Marien [book club suggestions txt] 📗

told me she wasn’t home. She was out on a date.

I thanked her and got back in the elevator. How dare she not tell me she had a date! I thought we told each other everything! But I did hold back my new job. Now what was I supposed to do?

I guess I could always go and get more books. I had been reading the same ones for the past few weeks. I shoved the money I didn’t spend at the mall into my wallet. I grabbed a purse that matched my outfit and tossed in my wallet, lip gloss, deodorant, and phone. I put on a pair of sun glasses and headed out.

The mall had a barns and noble in it and I headed over there. I bought myself a tea and looked through the books. I had picked out three books when I saw Piper hiding behind a shelf. I walked over to her and leaned over her head. She was looking at a cute guy looking through the self-help area.

I took a couple of steps back before I spoke.

“He’s cute.”

   She shot up and spun to face me.

“Hey!”

“Did you meet him at the party?”
“We made out at the party.”
“So why are you hiding?”
“Because-“ She looked at me, and blinked, “What happened to you?”
“I got a summer job.”
“And what job needs a new look?”
“Modeling.” Although it sounded like a question. “Back to the guy.”
“We were drunk when we made out. I doubt he’d notice me.”
“Well throw a party.”
“Where would we hold it?”
“At his house.”
“How?”
“Come on.”
“No!”
“We’re going in the aisle next to his. “

  We headed over.
“And I can’t have  the party at my house,” I sighed, “The kitchen is getting remodeled. Then I’m modeling and the only day I can do it is Sunday. Who would come to a party on a Sunday?”
“I would.” The cute guy rounded the corner and I elbowed Piper, “No one throws a party on a Sunday.”
“But where am I going to throw it?” I asked him, twirling my hair. Did I have to do all the leg work here, Piper? “My house is a total construction zone.”
“Well, My parents are out of town this Sunday.”
“Perfect! This is my friend Piper. She’ll be doing party set up. You guys should get together.” I kissed the air around Piper’s cheeks, and she looked at my confused, “I have a shoot.”

“I’m Colban.”

“Piper.” I could hear her blush from here.

       I went back to my book searching. Once I picked out my books I cashed out and headed home. My room, as usual was the coolest room. I stripped off the dress and lay down. I began to read my book. Half way through the book I got a text from Amara.

She had booked my day tomorrow. She texted me each address. As I had requested, the first one would start at 8:30. A small twinge of nerves shot through me, I needed Chinese. I book marked my book, grabbed my bag and headed out.

I ordered enough food for both Dad and I before heading home. He was already there when I walked through the door. We picked through the food. I said goodnight and headed to my room. I opened my book and read. I fell asleep at 9:40.

FIVE

 

The next morning I hurried into my dressing room.

“Did you eat?” Amara asked me.
“I was trying.”
“Did you take a shower?” Frankee picked up a wet strand.

“I was trying to eat and My Dad bumped into me spilling my food. I had to take a shower I was sticky.”
“Well hurry up before it dries.” Frankee led me to my desk.
“I’ll get you some fruit form the snack table.” Amara hurried away.

“I already picked out your outfits,” Freaya informed me. “It’s beach wear.”

       I ate around Frankee’s flying hands, and then pulled on the bathing suit and headed out to the fake beach set up. I quickly met a few other girls, and we were tossed together to act like best friends. We were basically all around the same height. It was odd not seeing the tops of the girls’ heads. Amara followed me home, and I sat in her car.
“How do you think it went?”
“Well Only three girls cried. That’s a good thing.”

“My little trooper.” She smiled and grabbed something silver and gold from her wallet. “This is your debit card. It leads directly to your account. This is the only card, no one can touch it but you.”

“I’m going to hit the sheets.”
“Okay sweetie.” We hugged, “Remember, if it gets too much for you-“
“I’ll let you know.” I shut the door and hurried over to the apartment.

I waved at Amara before going inside. I pushed the button for floor three and waited for the doors to open. You entered on one side, and exited on the other side. The door opened and Piper stepped out in full date mode.

“Hey.” She said slowly, “Nice tan.”
“One of the camera people thought I wasn’t tan enough for their shoot, so Frankee gave me a spray on tan.”
She nodded, “Uh-huh. And who is Frankee?”
“Hair and makeup.”
“You want to take a break super star? Colban and I are going out for pizza.”
“No way.” I climbed into the waiting elevator. “This is all you.”
“Whish me luck!” She said as the doors began to slide shut.

“Good luck!” I hurried to say before they closed.

      I was tiered. I just wanted to go to bed and sleep. I didn’t even have the stomach for dinner. Was there even any food in the house? We went out so much I doubted it.

 Maybe some mustard. I headed straight to my room, and set my purse on my desk. I plugged in my phone adjusted all fans and fell into bed.

SIX

 

The next few days were the same. It passed in a blur, and I hardly ever saw Piper. She was always out with Colban. I wondered if the party was still on. On Saturday while I was working, Dad tried to move into the house, but turned right back around because the line of moving trucks was far down the street.

So today, we woke up early, being my only day off, and headed out. The man at the gate was a lot smaller than Brody, and he was actually on the lookout.

 He stared us down as we pulled up. When we told him we were trying to move in, but it was too crowded yesterday, he laughed, and agreed. The gate was now operated by the residents’ finger prints.

Dad and I both placed our thumbs on the scanner and waited as the man put them in the system.

“Alright.” He held the scanner out. “We’re trying to get a box scanner installed, but until then, we’ll have you scan your thumb this way.”

   Dad reached over and scanned his thumb. The white gates slowly opened inwards and then Dad pulled forward. We drove the moving truck through the winding road and over to the house. The house was even bigger than I had remembered. There were these tall wooden dome like doors, you unlocked one of them and both of them opened.

When you first stepped in there was a large chandelier over our heads, and after a few feet two winding stair cases leading upstairs. Then another few feet of space, that leaded to both living rooms, the formal dining room, and kitchen. In that space there was another chandelier. The arch ways leading to other rooms had big thick marble squared off columns on both sides. Upstairs on the landing it had sort of a balcony type deal that rounded over the floor below, between the two stair cases.

Dad and I emptied the tiny  moving Van, and headed out for our cars. As we locked up and headed down the stone walk way, a tow truck drove by, and wouldn’t you believe it.  It had the powder blue two seater car.  

“Really Dad?” I questioned, as the tow truck backed half way into the drive way.

“What? I couldn’t leave it behind.”
“Yes. Yes you could of.”

 I sat in the moving van as Dad and the driver of the two truck pushed the powder blue car into the garage. Dad shook the guys hand and came over to the van. We dropped the van off and got into Dad’s car. He drove me over to the old apartment, and I picked up my car. I had tried to say goodbye to Piper, but she wasn’t home or answering her phone.

Better just wait until she comes to me. I followed Dad over to the furniture store. We picked out house furniture, and sent them over to the house, were Amara would oversee the decorating. Dad had to get to work and I had a two hour spa appointment. I have never in my life gotten a massage.

I could do without another one as long as I lived. It sure would be easier if I had a friend to come with. I got my nails redone, my eyebrows and tan touched up, and a facial. Next up on the agenda was to meet at a snazzy little bistro with my new personal trainer. We were to have lunch, and he would give me a list of exercises to go through during the week.

On Sundays he would come over at nine in the morning for a review and a quick work out. I took my little booklet and left the bistro as fast as I could. The trainer sort of creeped me out. He was huge. He was nice though, so that’s okay.

I headed over to the mall for some spandex workout clothes and a few running clothes. I put my bags in my trunk, and took out my phone. No text or call from Piper. I looked over as someone approached. It was one of the girls I did a shoot with.

Her shiny black hair was in a ponytail and she was digging around her purse.

“Hi.”
“Hi.” She passed me, then turned to face me, with slightly tipped eyes. “Hey, didn’t I do a shoot with you?”
“Yeah. The creepy fake beach one.”
She laughed digging in her purse again. “I don’t mean to be rude but I’m almost late for my platies class.” More digging, “I have to get a water bottle, a matt,