Page 4 of Brave as It

ONE

EMMALEE

Life lessons with Emma: If only I knew in this moment what was to come … don’t we all wish we had the gift to see the future.

Another day in paradise.Diem dumped the douchebag boyfriend Walker last week and we finally get to go out tonight!

“The best way to get over a breakup is to get lost in the lips of another guy!” I explain as I apply one more layer of mascara. “There are studies to prove it.”

Diem laughs while we are side by side in her bathroom applying makeup. “First things first, trashy lashes. The best way to get over a breakup is to cloud my vision with the best mascara a girl can get at the drug store!”

This causes us both to laugh and reply in unison, “the thicker the lashes, the closer to God!”

Since middle school age when we both started wearing makeup, we have been obsessed and I mean obsessed with mascara. Tonight, is a full-face makeup night, but even days I don’t actually wear much makeup I will always put on at leastone coat of lash booster. It gives me the confidence I want and need.

Diem and I have tried every type of serum, wand, and product we can get our hands on. Some have been wins and others have been absolute fails. It’s our thing, though, and we love trying them all. Tonight, we are getting dolled up with the mission to forget Walker and all the drama he brought with him.

There isn’t a time in my life that I can remember when Diem Reigns hasn’t been my very best friend. Maybe it’s because our entire lives have been so sheltered. From private schools together to her dad being my dad’s boss which means dinners and other functions together, everything we have done is always as a pair. We are both only children and our whole lives are entwined together in the best of ways.

Diem’s warm beige skin with her deep, dark hair are a beauty to envy without makeup. She has this natural curly hair with volume and body I can only dream of having. Tonight though, she is straightening it leaving this gloss shine that will absolutely glow under the club lights. All of this leaves me paling in comparison with my standard brown hair that falls just below my bra line on my back when straightened against my alabaster skin. Summer after summer, Diem and I spend as much time as we can at the beach. She tans beautifully while I scorch even with copious amounts of sunscreen.

She tells me I’m gorgeous with an understated beauty because I have a perfectly round face. Without much effort my eyebrows always match symmetrically along with any makeup I apply. I can give myself credit for the ‘art of putting on my face’, as my grandmother called it. The rest of it, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I don’t see what Diem sees. I’m not saying I’m ugly, I consider myself average. She’s my best friend, of course, she says I am beautiful. She has to, right?

Since tonight is special, we are going all out with hair, makeup, and new outfits. It’s New Year’s Eve and what a better way to ring in the new beginning then dancing the night away with my best friend.

While the clubs here are small compared to Raleigh or Charlotte, we will have a good time. No need to drive hours away and get a hotel when we can make do here at home. This time of year, it’s mostly locals where in the summer the spots fill up with tourists. Booty’s is the club we will hit up here in Emerald Isle. We could go to Jacksonville, but that means a farther drive home. Normally, Booty’s is casual, but tonight they are enforcing a dress code to make it special before they close for the off season. I love any reason to dress to the nines like this.

We are both twenty-two-years-old, single and sassy. And spoiled. I’m sure that is how most people describe us both. I wouldn’t say we have a silver spoon in our mouths because we both have very strict parents, but we are privileged. Neither of us have to work and have not had a job yet. Her dad gives my dad a very generous salary allowing my mom to live a life in comfort. We go to college, and both decided to stay at the community college in order to remain home with our parents. We have it made, why rush to get out of the house? Plus, for me, I have many years of school ahead of me, no need to rush off yet. My doctorate won’t come any faster being away from home versus staying here.

People make a lot of assumptions about money and what they perceive as wealth. I don’t know what it is to worry about buying something. That doesn’t mean I don’t see what other people go through. I have compassion and empathy. I wish I wasn’t judged so easily based on where we live or the car I drive.

Sure, when I was little, I didn’t understand that other people may not live like we do. I didn’t realize that a beach house or nice cars weren’t available to everyone. In all honesty, Diemand I have been so sheltered we were in our early teens before we really took in that some people worried about keeping their lights on or where their next meal would come from. Now, I get it and I appreciate the life I have, and I try to give back where and when I can.

We have seen our fair share of jealousy even going to a private school. The mean girls spreading lies and rumors are everywhere. It’s made us stick together and keep our circle small. I have to admit Diem catches more flack than me. I think it’s because her dad’s name is practically everywhere. She takes it with poise and grace, where I have to bite back all the things I want to say in retaliation.

Diem will be my best friend until the end of my days. I know it to my heart. We will end up our own version of theGolden Girls.

Sometimes we get ready at my house, but most of the time, especially when we are really glamming it up, we get ready here. Diem has these custom vanity lights that are the best.

Although, I spend so much time here, the Reigns have set up a bedroom for me. For as long as my dad has worked for Diem’s her parents have treated me like family. She’s the sister I never had. Since my parents travel frequently and some of it is for the Reigns’ businesses it was this simple answer that I stay with Diem. Which is how over time I ended up with my own bedroom in their home.

If I’m honest with myself, I’m more comfortable here than at home. Diem’s mom is amazing. She’s accepting of us in a way I know my mother is not. The bar is set very high in the Van Etten household and most days I don’t measure up. I love my parents and they will literally give me anything in the world. I can’t explain it, our connection isn’t what I see other people have. I know my parents love me, but they don’t engage me. It’s like we go through the motions together. They give me everything Icould ever need or want, but I don’t feel like they see me or hear me.

We live in Diem’s old house. Where Diem has the beach right outside her bedroom balcony, I have to drive over to have the true beach access. Mom wanted to live away from the hustle and bustle of the beach life, even where we are was a huge compromise to her. Sound side life means I can see the water, feel it, hear it, but it isn’t crashing waves on the sand type of thing. We do have a gorgeous view from the rooftop deck.

It’s a common thing in Emerald Isle for the houses that aren’t directly on the water. It’s four bedrooms, three bathrooms, with a full outside shower. The house is on stilts giving us the view from the rooftop. Mom hates our house. She didn’t want to live on “the island”, as the locals call Emerald Isle. She wanted to be on the other side of the high-rise bridge with space between the houses. To my mom, everyone and their brother can hear every conversation in our house because they are so close. I think that is a bit dramatic, but I have to admit, the neighbor’s house is really close.

It surprises me really that our moms aren’t the best of friends. I know my mom doesn’t like Thomas Reigns. She has never given specific reasons for the way she feels. She hasn’t hidden her feelings though either. It’s a regular argument between my parents that we live in Thomas Reigns’ house. In fact, that is mom’s biggest complaint. Thomas Reigns has all the power over my family. Since my dad is employed solely by him all of our income is because of Reigns. Our house is not a traditional mortgage. While I don’t actually know much about the house buying process, I know that my mom bitches loudly every month when my dad gives the check to Thomas for the house payment.

I know it’s their business, not mine, but when they argue so loud and often, I kind of can’t avoid the knowledge. Outside ofmy parents arguing, I really live a good life. There isn’t a thing in this life my dad doesn’t work to give me. My mom while she’s not what I expect a mom to be as far as involved or comforting for me, she doesn’t deny me anything either. We won’t be having any long talks or walks or much of that. They live their lives and I have mine. We are like two ships passing in the night some days and that’s okay with all of us.

Alas, this is our family dynamic and I’m grateful for the escape to Diem’s where things feel easy and normal. Tonight, being a holiday, we’re both donning new outfits we ordered online. I’m in an all-black jumpsuit with flared legs that is form fitting through my waist and top with only one shoulder. The accent to my look is my leopard-print pumps. Diem is wearing a little black dress with teal heels that draw the eyes to her lean, long, tan legs.

I have spent the last hour straightening my naturally wavy hair before adding in a few hot-pink extensions. Diem has this natural jet-black hair that has a coarse texture with volume that at times drives her nuts. She spends time at the salon regularly getting a blow out to make it faster for her to manage. Tonight, she’s opted for a tight bun adding a peacock feather sticking out of the top to bring out more of the teal from her shoes.

With one final coat of mascara, we are headed out to Booty’s full of excitement and anticipation for the night ahead.

I don’t know what it is about a nightclub that make everything else disappear. Walking in just like every other time, it’s dark with only neon lights illuminating areas. The music is already going, and the bar is filled up along with the pool tables. As soon as we enter, Diem and I both begin to sway with the sounds of the music as we go directly to the bar. Being local has it’s perks as the bartender sees us and comes over before we can even signal, we need a drink.

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