Page 33 of Kiss My Crown
I sit up and swing my legs over the bed, quickly realizing how bad of a decision that was. My stomach turns and revolts against me getting up. I have to make it to work today, even though I have no idea how I am going to do that.
I stand up and wait for everything to stop spinning before slowly making my way to the shower. I am never drinking like this again when I have work the next day.
Once I’m out of the shower I get dressed, moving as slow as I can so that I don’t lose it. The thought of walking in today and putting on that dress almost depresses me. I just want to be happy and pretending to be someone I’m not isn’t getting me there.
I walk out into the living room when I’m done getting ready. “Anyone else feel like calling in sick?”
“Every day, girl.” Melanie smiles at me.
Ugh. I grab my purse and keys, then we head out to the car. We are quiet for most of the ride, but I think that’s because we are all still a little drunk. Even though I’m not saying anything out loud the voices in my head are screaming.
I need to figure out a way to be happy because the way I’ve been living constantly hating what I’m doing every day just isn’t working.
Walking into the building, I start to head toward my dressing room but stop mid-way. I turn around and walk to Ethan’s office.
I pray that I’m doing the right thing and that I won’t regret this.
***
I finish getting dressed as I text the girls and ask them to come meet me. I take a deep breath, knowing how big of a change this will be for me, but I hope it’s something that makes me happy.
My door opens and I hear their sharp intakes of breath.
“What are you wearing?” Dani says, the shock evident in her voice.
I turn, my leather boots clicking on the floor. “I talked to Ethan and told him that being the princess just wasn’t what I wanted anymore and I asked him if I could switch departments.”
The looks on their faces are a lot like what I imagined they would be. I turn back toward the mirror, almost not recognizing myself. The big gold hoops, the white flowy shirt, the black tattered skirt.
I’m a pirate now.
“I mean, it’s cute in a way. It’s like Danny and Sandy at the end ofGrease, except they both traded up. You went from being a princess to a pirate hooker.” Dani laughs.
I glare at her. “Please tell me I’m not crazy.”
“You’re not crazy,” Melanie says. “Maybe a bit in denial but not crazy.”
“I can’t even tell you guys how nervous I am. What if I did all of this and he still wants nothing to do with me?” I bite my lip, more nervous than I have ever been.
“Dressed like that?” Dani looks at me again. “Any pirate would be crazy not to swab your deck.”
We all laugh, and I move toward the door. “Wish me luck.”
“Oh, there’s no way I’m missing this,” Dani says catching up to me, her wings waving as she skips.
“Me too!” Mel says as she tags along.
The three of us walk through the park. We must look crazy. A fairy, a pirate, and an evil queen. I feel like that’s a start to a really terrible joke. People are staring at us, especially the employees who know me and are realizing the huge change I’ve just made.
“Just breathe, Sandy.” Dani winks at me.
We turn the corner and the pirate area comes into view. I can see the guys standing outside talking to kids and laughing with them.
Okay, you got this.
One of his friends spots me first and elbows him. When Justin looks up the shock on his face is priceless. His mouth hangs open as he walks past the group of kids and over to us.
“I swear, if you break out into song, I’ll club you over the head. Those touchy-feely movies have totally gotten to you,” Dani whispers in my ear.
