1 7| t i m e

H E R M I A

"What do you think about this?"

I read aloud and scoffed. It reminded me of how Sally used to obsess over velvet shoes and glittery phone cases back in high school. Vain, dramatic, and fiercely proud of it. She once made me walk half a mile back just because she forgot her tinted lip balm. Classic Sally.

"What has she sent again?"

Lizzy, my makeup artist, groaned behind me, clearly frustrated, as I tilted my head forward to peek at my phone.

"She’s showing off her heels. Again," I mumbled, thumbing through the message, barely able to respond before she huffed.

"Hermia... You’re making this so hard for me. The boss said I’ve got fifteen minutes with you, and we’re already on minute eleven. All I’ve managed is this weak outline of your brows!"

I glanced up at her exasperated face, her arms folded as she waved the makeup brush like a white flag. Then I shifted my gaze back to the mirror.