The Prison Project Novel

Margot's POV Three cocktails in , and my legs felt lighter than they had all week . Not in a dizzy or disoriented way just ... carefree . Relaxed in a way I hadn't felt in months , or more like years . The fruity buzz hummed in my veins like a gentle summer song , making everything around me seem just a little brighter . The light caught on the glasses as we clinked for the third time , Sarah giggling into her drink like she hadn't had a reason to laugh in days , and Cara lounging back with the grin of someone who had finally been given her due .

" I needed this , " Sarah said softly , twirling the pink umbrella from her drink between her fingers . " I forgot what it felt like ... to just sit and feel normal for five minutes . " " You're telling me , " I muttered , sipping the last of my watermelon daiquiri , the rum warming my chest . " This place is ... something else . " Cara raised a brow at us both . " So. Salon next ladies ? " " Yes , please . " I exhaled , already fantasising about treatments I could only ever dream of before ... Sarah's face lit up .

" I used to love getting my hair done , " she said dreamily , her voice distant . " I had this tiny little salon near my apartment back home . The woman who owned it always remembered my name . Even my colour formula . She'd talk my ear off about her grandkids the whole time but I lived for those appointments . " Cara and I exchanged a quiet look , one that didn't need words . " That sounds amazing , " I offered gently , meaning it . " We didn't really do ... stuff like that . " Sarah blinked . " Oh , really ? " Cara nodded , matter - of - fact .

" Hair was more of a survival thing than a luxury where we're from . " " The only time someone ever did my hair , " I added with a dry laugh , " was when Cara did it for me . " " Or vice versa , " she said , nudging me with a small smile . " Bobby pins and hope . That's what we worked with for school . " Sarah chuckled lightly , but her eyes softened with understanding . 1/4 3:37 pm P DD Chapter 88 - The Salon " I wonder what treatments they'll recommend though , " Cara mused as she stood , stretching her arms above her head . " I mean , I'm open to anything except eyebrow threading .

That stuff sounds like torture . " " I think we should get a mani / pedi too , " Sarah grinned , standing with us . " We might as well lean in . Live it up while we can before going back ... there . " We all nodded at her enthusiasm , something about seeing her so light - hearted made me want to follow her anywhere , but I knew the thought of going back to her innate - Newman - bothered her . We made our way back toward the elevator , feeling just a touch more confident than when we had arrived . Our clothes didn't feel so stiff . The air didn't seem so tight .

We were just three girls heading to the salon like any others our age might do on a Saturday . The doors dinged open once more and we stepped inside . Cara hit the button for the salon floor with exaggerated flair . " To the land of lotions and gossip ! " The ride was quick , but in that brief moment , we passed knowing looks between us . There was a certain kind of unspoken excitement pulsing through our trio now , a shared buzz that had nothing to do with the alcohol and everything to do with the fact that for once , something good might actually be happening for us this week .

As the doors opened again , my breath caught . The salon was buzzing with activity . A soft , floral scent met us instantly , lavender and something calming , and beneath that , the undercurrent of fresh shampoo . The entire room glowed in soft golden light , walls covered in hanging plants and serene artwork of oceans , skies , and open fields . But it was packed . Women sat in nail chairs chatting , others were wrapped in towels and seated beneath hooded dryers , and the hum of blow dryers filled the space in waves . Every direction was motion , every corner filled with life .

My stomach twisted a little at the possibility that there might not be any space for us left at least not today . - " What if we're too late ? " I murmured under my breath . But then came; " Hey girls ! Here for some TLC ?! " The voice came from the welcome desk , where a woman with a perfectly shaped Afro and a megawatt smile waved us over like we were old friends . 2/4 3:37 pm PSDD . Chapter 88 - The Salon Her energy hit me like sunshine and I couldn't help but gawk at how pretty she was .

We crossed the room toward her , weaving through laughter and the sounds of clinking metal trays and whispered beauty secrets . The name on her gold tag caught my eye as she greeted us with a wink : Diana . " Three of you , yeah ? " she asked , fingers flying across the screen in front of her , nails long and decorated in an intricate floral design that honestly belonged in a museum . " What you after ? Hair ? Nails ? Toes ? Facial ? The whole shebang ? " Her rhythm , her confidence , her no - nonsense sass , it made us laugh instantly . " Uh ... yeah , sure , all of it ?

" Cara grinned , already charmed . " If we can , " Sarah added quickly . Diana grinned . " We can get you three in the back for hair first . I've got a few spots just opened . Then , by the time your roots are revived and your ends are blessed , we'll have some mani / pedi chairs open . Sound good ? " " Perfect , " I said , sincerely . " Thank you so much , Diana . " Her face lit up when I said her name . " That's what I like to hear ! " she clapped her hands once and motioned us forward . " Right this way , queens . Come get your crowns polished .

" We followed her through the main space , past the wall of treatments and buzzing dryers , until we reached a back room with eight extra salon chairs - three of which were currently empty and waiting for us . - " This is the VIP row , " she teased as we sat . " Stylists will be right in . Y'all relax . You've earned it . " We each thanked her , watching her disappear with a wink and a spin on her heel . Cara exhaled loudly and sank back into her chair . " If we're rating staff here , then she's a solid twenty out of ten . " " Agreed , " Sarah said , eyes wide with admiration .

" I want her energy bottled . " I looked around at the shelves of shimmering product , the polished countertops , the soft music and occasional bursts of laughter in the distance . Somewhere deep inside me , a knot loosened just a little more . Maybe it was the cocktails . Maybe it was the warm lighting . 3/4 3:37 pm PDD . Chapter 88 The Salon Or maybe , it was that for the first time in a long time , I was just a girl with friends at a salon - something I had always longed to be . Waiting patiently to be pampered ... " Okay , so while we wait , tell us what the deal is with you and Coban ?

" Cara asked , as I tensed at hearing his name . Damn ... there was no escaping my best - friend . Chapter Comments 5 Write Comments