When I open my bedroom door, my eyes go wide at the scene in front of me. It looks like a department store threw up on my bed.

Before I can say anything, Alexis points to the floor. "Sit down. I'm doing your hair and makeup."

Wincing at the thought, I beg, "Please nothing too crazy."

"I won't. I promise."

True to her word, Alexis curls my hair in loose waves and doesn't cake my face with products. Her skills are an art form, and I keep telling her to go into cosmetology because if she can make a hag like me decent looking, I'm sure she could make a pretty penny off doing makeovers for others.

When I feel the wet tip glide across my eyelid, I ask, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to go for a winged look to accentuate your almond-shaped eyes, but if you keep moving, I'm going to fuck it up." Placing her hand gently on my forehead and tilting my head back, she continues her work. "Alright, now all you need is a little mascara and some lipstick."

With my makeup done, warmth consumes my body as if someone turned on the heat. A pit begins to form in my stomach, and I feel the anxiety trying to take hold. "Can I be honest for a minute?"

Taking a seat next to me, Alexis nudges my shoulder. "Always."

Trying to pick away at my freshly painted nails as if it is my new life goal to chip them, I admit, "I'm nervous."

My friends perfectly shaped brows pull together, a frown replaces her usual vibrant smile. She interlocks out fingers and gives my hand a light squeeze. "You're stepping out of your comfort zone tonight. How about we just go to a bar, have a few celebratory shots and leave. We can come back here put in a movie and stuff our face with leftovers and cake."

The tightness in my chest starts to deflate, and I begin to believe that maybe tonight won't be as bad as I'm making it out to be. "That sounds perfect."

After patting my knee, she hoists herself off the floor and walks over to my bed. Resting her hand on her slim hip, she taps lightly on her chin as she looks over the clothes she brought over. "I have some cute jeans and skirts, and before you say anything, I know skirts aren't your favorite. I just thought you might like to venture out a bit."

Alexis doesn't just want me out of my shell of insecurities, she wants me to bust through them with a sledgehammer. The truth is that I haven't worn a skirt since that pervert touched me, but this is the new me, a better me. I'm a year older, living in a town in a new state, and I am no longer working in a dive bar. "Give me a skirt."

My friend's brows raise to her hairline as pure joy takes over her face. Letting out an ear-shattering scream, she unexpectedly wraps her arms around my body and tackles me to the mattress. "I'm so proud of you."

Barely able to breathe, I desperately try to get out from underneath her. "Get off of me, you weirdo."

Alexis reaches behind my pillow and pulls out a rainbow-colored gift bag. "I got you a little something." When she sees my eyes almost roll back into my brain, she waves me off and says, "It's nothing big, I promise."

Sighing, I lift myself to follow her. "You have done enough already, Lex."

As my friend bounces excitedly on my bed, unable to contain her happiness, I take my time to open my present. Pushing the hot pink tissue paper to the side, a sparkling tiara, as well as a deep teal tank top that has a large twenty-one printed on the front, are waiting for me at the bottom of the bag.

Alexis takes the tiara out of my hand and gently places it on my head. "Because you truly are a Princess, my friend."

It doesn't matter how long I have known her, I have never had a friend like her and that in itself is the perfect gift.

Alexis picks up a beautiful rose gold pleated skirt, and the night that plummeted me to my lowest point flashes through my mind. My self-doubt has held me back for far too long, and tonight is the night I finally let it go.

Taking the skirt and shimmying into it, I realize it is a little shorter than I had initially thought. Turning to take a look in the mirror, I can't help but wince when I almost see my asscheeks.

"Hot damn, Mama!" Alexis praises. "All that time we have been spending at the gym has definitely paid off. Those legs are on fire!"

Although I am appreciative of my one-woman hype team, I'm unsure if I can pull this off. My bottom lip finds its way into my mouth, and I continue to take in my appearance as I weigh the pros and cons of wearing this beautiful skirt.

"Screw it," I announce proudly. "I'll wear whatever I feel good in, and I think this is perfect." Carefully pulling the teal tank top over my curled hair, Alexis hands me a pair of nude peep-toe shoes. After sliding them on, my mouth goes wide when I look at myself. Twirling around, the skirt flares outwards, and I feel like royalty. "I look good."

Alexis puts her hand up for a high five, and I gladly give her what she is looking for as I bring our palms together. "Damn right, you do. Now put all your things in your new, sexy-as-fuck purse and give me a few minutes. I'll be right out."

The high heels click against the tiled floor as I walk into the kitchen, and my confidence soars with each step. When I set my eyes on the stunning gray bag, my fingers reach out and brush over the beautiful leather. I'm in utter disbelief that something so exquisite belongs to me. Remembering Adele telling me to look in the wallet, I flick open the clasp and see a fifty dollar bill and a small note saying, First round is on us! Happy Birthday, Gemma. We love you.

Holding the folded paper to my heart, I begin to cry. Those two have done so much for me, and everything I have become is due to their unconditional acceptance. Thanks to the love they shower me with, I am no longer weak, and I no longer feel as if the world is crashing down on me. Twenty-one is my year, and I finally feel like myself again.

"No crying, or else I will have to redo your make up." Turning around, my eyes land on my bombshell of a best friend.

Her blonde hair is tied up in a high, straight ponytail that brings all the attention to her razor-sharp cheekbones. A smile breaks out across my face when I notice the shirt she is wearing is the same color as mine but says, It's my best friend's birthday, buy us a drink.

My hands clap together in appreciation as she twirls to show off her outfit. When she stops, Alexis stumbles a bit, and I can't help but laugh at her expense. Trying to help her steady her shaky legs, I say, "Get your stuff ready, our taxi will be here in a few minutes."

It isn't long before we hop out of our cab and make our way into the bar. Alexis grabs my hand and nearly pulls my arm out of its socket as she guides me to an open spot at the bar.

A petite woman with her stunning red hair pulled back into a french braid greets us with a smile. "What can I get you two?"

It's been so long since I have had an alcoholic beverage, I stand there like a deer in headlights. Laughing, Alexis decides to take the lead and orders. "Can you please get us two shots of tequila, two cherry vodka limeades, and a blow job shot for the birthday girl."

"Sure, can I just see some ID?"

I proudly show my ID to the bartender, and with a smile, she nods and walks off to make our drinks. Reaching to grab my wallet, I take out the fifty dollars the Newman's gave me and place it on the bar. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"You will be fine."

The fiery redhead comes back with our limeades and tequila shots and yells over the loud music, "I'll be right back with the Blow Job."

Cracking up over the name, I push the money towards her. "Keep the change."

Alexis picks up her drink and raises the glass in my direction. "Happy birthday to the woman who is beautiful both inside and out. Here's to twenty-one."

Our glasses clink together, and I bring the shot glass to my mouth. The amber liquid burns the moment it hits my lips, and I immediately place the lime in my mouth to remove the lingering taste of agave on my tastebuds.

Anyone who doesn't know Alexis would think she is already drunk with the way she is screaming, "That's my girl!"

My chest feels as if it is on fire, and I shake my head. "I'm going to need a moment after that one."

"Take a picture with me." Alexis jumps off her barstool and pulls me in tightly as she holds her phone out in front of us. She doesn't stop at one, or even three, as the flash keeps flickering in my face. Before each picture, she requests that I make a different face. Placing her lips on my cheek, I can't help but roll my eyes as the flash goes off for a final time. Looking back at her phone, she laughs. "Well, this just describes us perfectly."

Taking a peek, I nod in agreement. "Look at you being all annoying."

With my mind buzzing and the warm fuzzy feeling starting to take over my body, I barely notice her playfully slapping my arm. "You love me."

"That I do," I admit freely.

When I hear a glass make contact with the bar, my eyes go wide when I see the new drink placed in front of me. The bartender shakes a can of whipped cream and whirls some into the glass before placing a cherry on top.

I reach out for it, but Alexis pushes me away before shaking her finger from side to side. "No hands."

Laughing, she pulls the cherry up by the stem and holds it above my head. Alexis then reaches for her phone and asks the bartender to document my humiliation. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Oh please, Gemma. You need a good blow job in your life. It's been years."

My middle finger rises, and I push it in her face. "Fuck off, Alexis."

The bartender looks between the two of us as she grabs for the phone. "You two are hilarious. I love it."

My eyes flicker between my so-called best friend and the chocolate shot in front of me. With a huff, I clasp my hands behind my body and lean down and wrap my mouth around the shot glass.

With a deep breath, my cheeks hollow, and I throw my head back so the smooth, creamy drink can make its way down my throat.

Swallowing hard, Alexis removes the shot glass and teasingly dangles the cherry above my mouth. When my teeth clench around the sweet fruit, she lets out a howl of appreciation and claps loudly.

Her face beams with pride as she brings me in for a hug. "You, My Love, put on quite the show."

"What are you talking about?" I ask as I use a napkin to wipe away any whipped cream that might have escaped my mouth and landed on my cheeks.

Turning her back to the bar, Alexis leans against it and says, "Hot guy, twelve o'clock, hasn't taken his eyes off you in about three minutes. It looks like your blow job skills impressed him."

As I look over to the opposite side of the room, my heart stops when my eyes connect with the crystal blue eyes I thought I would never see again.

Maybe wishes do come true because I have been waiting for a second chance, and mine is sitting at the other end of the u-shaped bar.

This time I won't let him go.