Torn
Chapter 30 
When we pulled up to Boutique Nails and Facials, we got out and piled into the little shop.   The inside was very girly and fluffy, but it was small and cute.  We were the only ones there except for the workers that had been pulled in to work on us.  They were all looking at us eagerly, so we went and sat down on the massage chairs to get manicures, pedicures, and facials all done at once. 
                While they were all scrubbing, rubbing, and pulling, I drifted in and out of sleep.  After about an hour, we were done and dry, so we were all pulled into the back room to get deep tissue massages.
                After we were done at the boutique, we went to a private hair dresser who only did hair for weddings and proms.  She was Di's second cousin Seroya and she was able to do us a special favor because according to Di, she was the best hair stylist in the western part of America. Seroya's daughter, Ashley did an amazing job at doing makeup also.  I had Seroya do my hair in an elegant twisted bun at the top fastened with little diamond encrusted jewels and Ashley did a smoky eye with light facial make up.  Mom had her hair down and straightened with all natural make up while Lanie had curly hair with very dramatic eyes and lips.  After critiquing every aspect of everybody's hair and makeup, we paid for our session, took off our makeup, paid for tomorrow's appointment in advance, and headed back out to the limo.
                When we got back to the hotel, Eli was waiting outside with Tyler, both of whom looked tense at the close proximity.  We got out and everyone walked inside except for me, Eli, and Ty, but I knew that everyone was hovering in the lobby watching us. 
                Eli spoke first, "Hey, it's my turn to go on a walk with you."
                Tyler just nodded, gave me a hug, and walked inside.
                So Eli and I headed off on the same path that Tyler and I had taken the day before.  We walked in silence for a while until we hit a small cafe where Eli stopped and held the door open for me.  We sat in a small booth in the back, but that didn't stop people from staring at us.  Eli just looked at me for a while before speaking.  "I love you," he said softly, "I know it hasn't seemed like it a lot lately, but I really do.  You will always be my baby sister, even though you are having a baby of your own.  I just don't want you to think that this will make us any less close.  I want you to know that I will always be here for you."
                I just stared at him for a second or two, and then I smiled at him, "I love you too Eli.  You are my best friend, and I know that you are always here for me.  I will always be here for you too."
                He smiled too, and then started laughing.  I looked at him because I didn't know if he was going crazy or what was going on. He stopped after a minute and then explained to me, "Does it not sound a little weird, the two of us having a serious conversation? We are never serious! What is happening to us?"
                I started laughing then too, throwing my head back and being a lot more dramatic that I had to just because it felt so good to laugh with him again. There had been so much tension between him and Tyler and me, and the more I laughed, the more I felt that tension melt away.  Soon we were both in hysterics and people were starting, just like when Ty and I were having our dinner.  We quieted down as our bread was delivered to the table and then our waiter let us know that the paparazzi was waiting outside.  They offered to sneak us out the back, but we were having such a good time that we both declined and said we'd handle them ourselves.  He gave us a doubtful look and then left to go get us our appetizers. 
                "So what are you going to look like tomorrow?" he asked, chewing on a piece of bread.
                "I can't tell you about that.  It’s going to be a surprise," I said smiling and pushing him playfully.
                He pushed his lower lip out and put his hand in a praying position, "Please please please? With cherries on top? Tell your big brother? I thought you told me everything."
                "I can't tell you this!" I exclaimed, laughing at his begging.
                "Why? I won't tell anyone. Pinky swear!"            
                "They're listening all the time.  Everyone, we're being stalked," I whispered with a creepy edge in voice, making me sound like a paranoid psycho.
                "You are freaking me out, and you need to tell me!" he whined
                "I'm serious.  I can't, now stop asking."
                "Fine." he pouted.
                "You'll get to see tomorrow along with everyone else in the world."
                The appetizers got there at that moment and our conversation subsided over the pita bread and spinach dip.  After that, I ordered jumbo shrimp and Eli ordered oysters.