"May I help you?" a snotty, middle-aged woman asked. She stared at Danielle through her square glasses in disgust, carefully examining Danielle's T-shirt and jeans. "Are we looking for something in particular?" she asked. "Well, we're needing a dress," Mercedes happily informed her, stepping up beside Danielle. "See, she's going to this club, with this guy, and..."
"Uh huh," the woman interrupted, slightly nodding her head. "Perhaps you girls are in the incorrect location. You know we have a KMART near by..." she said as if the two girls were morons, pointing outside. "Well, we can take our business elsewhere," Justin casually said, appearing from behind Mercedes. "I mean, if you all are just TOO busy for my friend,
Danielle here." The woman's jaw nearly hit the floor as she watched Justin Timberlake strut towards her.
He casually sat his arm on her shoulder. "You know, come to think of it," Justin continued, rubbing his chin, "I'm sure KMART would LOVE our business," he added arrogantly. He gave her a cocky smile, and it was as if you could physically see the sales representative remove her foot from her mouth.
"Oh, Mr. Timberlake," the woman laughed nervously, tugging at the scarf around her neck, "now we've been supplying NSYNC with STYLISH wardrobes for years!" She glanced cheerfully at Danielle and Mercedes, who were amused at her pathetic display of butt kissing. "Any friend of Mr. Timberlake's is a friend of ours, here at Ray Jays Designs! I'll get you girls
some juice!" She hurried on her way, nearly giving a skip. Mercedes leaned closer to Danielle. "Is she bipolar?" she asked cluelessly.
"For the love of GOD, Danielle, let's see it already!" Mercedes exclaimed, quickly turning another page in Cosmopolitan. She carefully scanned each page. "Hmm...How To Make Your Mate a Better Sex Machine...maybe Justin should read this." She smiled with delight. "I'm kidding, baby!" she yelled across the store. She stared back at the door. "Danielle, what IS THE HOLD UP!?"
"I, um, don't have it on yet," Danielle said nervously behind the door to her dressing room. She stared at herself in the full-length mirror, observing how the short, bright red dress hung from her body. She pulled at the spaghetti straps, feeling more and more insecure with every new inch she discovered in her reflection. She closed her eyes and thought about the evening ahead of her. Her stomach began to tighten with nerves.
"How 'bout this one?" Justin asked, holding up an awful green dress. "Justin! She's going to a club, not joining the circus!" Mercedes shrieked at him. She rolled her eyes in disgust and turned her attention back to the door in front of her. "Come on, Danielle, let's see it!"
"Fine," Danielle sighed. The door opened and Danielle nervously made her way out of the dressing room. "Is it too much, or actually, is there NOT ENOUGH?" she asked insecurely. Justin and Mercedes smiled at each other with delight. "Where IS that snooty sales woman?" Mercedes asked, her eyes searching the store. "Why?" Danielle asked confused. Justin laughed. "Cause I think we have ourselves a winner.�
Twelve