Chapter FIVE-ARLISS

I head into my room to get ready for my shift, which makes it sound like it’s some grand affair. It’s not.

Just a pair of jeans that are starting to lose the battle against time and thigh rub, and a black t-shirt that says Bob’s Bar in peeling white letters over my chest. Real glamorous stuff.

Still, it’s warm out today. Finally.

I decide to brush out my hair until it falls in soft, wavy ribbons, all shiny and clean.

I pull it up into a high ponytail, a little bounce at the crown. Something about it makes me feel fresh.

Presentable.

Kinda cute.

I swipe on a bit of face powder, add some mascara to make my blue eyes pop, and finish with a touch of pink gloss.

Sweet.

Simple.

Functional.

I don’t do heavy makeup. Not because I’m some au naturel goddess or anything, but because I run hot.

And by hot, I don’t mean sexy.

I mean sweaty.

You ever see blush on top of a peaches-and-cream complexion that’s currently losing a battle with humidity and hustle?

Yeah.

Not cute.