Page 4 of Lily
It's weird, but I can see the resemblance they are talking about.
“Huh, that’s kind of cool,” I admit.
All four guys' faces light up.
“We were hoping you’d think so,” Guy with glasses says. “Because we were wondering if you’d be interested in dressing up like her.”
“I’m not interested in dressing up and taking kinky comic book photos that will be splashed all over the internet.”
“No, that’s not it at all. There’s a costume contest atCosmic Comicon Friday night, and we need you to complete our ensemble of the Defender Alliance.”
“Should I know who that is?” I ask.
“They are the protectors of Earth from aliens looking to take over the Earth and strip the planet of their resources.”
I look at each of the guys. They don’t look like they are kidding, despite this request sounding like it’s some elaborate prank on me to dress me up and make me look like an idiot.
“Are you trying to set me up to look like I’m stupid?”
All four shake their heads and look almost offended that I would even ask that of them. They seem sweet and sincere about needing my help. Plus, it’s not like I have anything to do on Friday. But there is one hitch in their plan to have me join their group.
“I don’t have the costume.”
“Don’t worry about that.” The tall one says. “We will get you the costume and anything else you need to make this happen.”
“I guess I don’t see anything wrong with doing this for you.”
“Really?” Glasses asks in surprise.
“Yes, but I have a few conditions.”
“Name them.”
“You drop off the costume here tomorrow, and I will have to meet you at the comic book store on Friday after work since I work the late afternoon shift.”
Glasses nods. “Sounds good to me.”
The other guys a quick to agree as well. They tell me what time to meet them out front at the comic book store before telling them I've got to get back to work.
They don’t stick around long after I leave them to finish their drinks. I'm still not sure what it is that possessed me to agree to dress up, but I did. Maybe I want to take a note out of their book and step out of my comfort zone. I'll likely be one of only a few women at this costume contest.
It's funny, a couple of hours ago during the meeting when we were deciding on what book to read for the week, I thought it was unlikely that a guy in his early twenties would still be a virgin, but it’s safe to say that one or more of my new Defender Alliance team could be one too.
The afternoon slows down, and when I’m all caught up on the grunt work, I pull out my phone to start reading the book for book club.
