Alice and ayra made the same style of hair and makeup and while at it they discreetly informed each other on the right things to say to their friends , the stylist were busy with their jobs therefore they didn't listen to the girls chit chat which was also against their professional conduct to do so.
" Ayra be careful don't ruin your curls" ( Alice now in ayra's body) ordered sternly .
" Oh I'm sorry you know I'm not used to all these " She commented pointing at the hair which felt heavy on her head and the makeup.
Alice waved off her apology " So this is my first outfit then shortly after I would change into this then this one " She said raising one outfit after the other in her face.
Ayra opened her mouth in shock " Alice how many dresses exactly do you want to wear in one night!? "
" Close your mouth baby sis least flies enter in there and don't ever leave your mouth hanging in front of my friends nor guest because that behavior is so not Alice " She stated.
" Alright don't leave my mouth open or bite my fingers nails " She muttered like a mantra hoping she wouldn't ruin her sister's image in front of everyone.
" Perfect ,don't worry I will always be nearby" Alice consoled knowing all this would be new and cumbersome for ayra. People always assume her life was all glitter and perfect unfortunately assumptions were always wrong . Being in ayra's body wasn't so bad she had never felt this light and worried free in a long time she thought to herself, of course she was stressed out about the party and people finding out they swapped bodies but apart from that she felt a kind of peace she hadn't felt in a long time while in her own body.
" But Alice three dresses are too much don't you think so? And they all look heavy and itchy " Ayra complained .
Alice laughed deliriously " You wanted to be me right? Well this is what it takes to be me honey " She added demurely.
" You can't blame me Alice you make it look like a piece of cake and just because of these dresses doesn't mean that your life isn't beautiful " Ayra declared.
" I hope you don't learn the hard way muffin " Alice drawled " And I'm wearing this many dresses to maintain my image as the queen that I am, most of the people coming today ain't attending to celebrate with me some are coming just to see my outfit and the standard of the party " Alice said which made ayra want to leave her mouth hanging again but she held herself back and her brows furrowed on realizing something
" Omg my jack would be here too, what if he tries to hug you thinking you are me "? Ayra asked genuinely worried.
" Tsk that's not an issue I will make sure he doesn't touch me it's not like I want him to and this is all your fault for inviting him " Alice declared.
" We're both to blame here , stop heaping the blame on me alone,how was I supposed to know that this would happen?" Ayra questioned.
" Ayra!!!! Ella is here already come downstairs and Alice few of your guests are present too " Catherine shouted from downstairs.
" Omg Ella is here and I can't even go to her " Ayra cried panicking all over again.
" Relax ayra remember Alice is always in control of her emotions so put yourself together, don't worry I will take care of Ella just make sure you fill in my shoes properly okay? " .
Ayra nodded in reply and watched as Alice left the room in her body " Don't worry too much I will try and come back soon enough" Alice said before shutting the door after her.
Ayra ( now in Alice 's body) had never felt so alone in her life before as much as that moment, it was as though a big stone was lodged in her throat and refused to go away. Was this how Alice always feels, lonely? She asked herself struggling with the straps of her number one dress.
" Omg Ella you look dashing in this outfit " Alice ( now in ayra's body) declared hugging Ella and felt strange when she was hugged back tightly. Alice never embraces her friends it was always the pretentious air kisses they gave each other in order not to ruin their makeup but now Ella was genuinely hugging her back.
" I know right, you picked it yourself " Ella replied feeding her eyes with the glamorous decorations.
" Huh did I ? " Alice questioned herself, taking a second glance at the dress it wasn't up to her taste but no so bad either just something dear ayra would go for " Comfort over anything else " .
" Alice really outdid herself this is simply beautiful " Ella said still starring around in awe .
" Yeah you know Alice always goes for the best of the best " ( Alice in ayra's body) replied feeling contentment wash all over her.
" Uhm where is she? " Ella asked softly.
" Who? "
" Alice of course the birthday girl " Ella mouthed and Alice almost said " I'm the birthday girl " thankfully she caught herself in time.
" I was hoping to give this to her as a birthday gift " Ella said bringing out a sleek black wrist watch with her name bodly but intricately branded in the insides.
" Ella you shouldn't have bothered you know how Alice cab be " She replied relieved she had practiced this conversation previously with ayra.
" I know we all consider Alice as mean and a dragon but I think that's her twisted way of showing love and from what I have observed she doesn't want to be soft or kind because she's afraid of being used therefore I really want to gift her this watch " Ella said in breath and was instantly worried on seeing tears in ayra's eyes.
" Oh my did I say something wrong? Why are you suddenly emotional? " .
Alice sniffed back her tears glad she was under the disguise of ayra because she couldn't be caught crying for no reason but this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to her in a long time " Thank you so much Ella for the gift and kind words " She said grateful.
Ella stared at her bestie weirdly " Why are you thanking me? It's not for you but for alice your sister " She emphasized.
" Oh yeah yes I know just thanking you on her behalf , c'mon let me take you to Alice but you can only see her briefly " She warned.
" That's alright with me I think I came too early " She giggled self consciously "And oh kachi mentioned she would come with Patrick hmm I think something is going on between the two of them but she would never admit it " She trailed off.
Once again Alice was held spell bound, apart from the fact Ella talked too fast flowing into one topic after the other she also held her hands in hers , Christ how did ayra keep up with her? She questioned herself walking slowly upstairs and nodding when necessary.She wondered when the cheat of her boyfriend would arrive and hoped nothing would ruin the day.