“What do you want?”
“I need your help getting ready for Dean’s party. He wants me to wear my purple dress, and I was hoping you could do my hair and makeup.” I’ve never worn makeup before, but Spencer just started wearing it, and all her girlfriends wear it, and she says that Dallas and other boys at school like it.
She’s my big sister, so she’d know what guys like.
“Baby sis, you don’t need makeup.” Her scowl softens as she wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Stupid Sadie will be there tonight, and you know that she’s going after Dean. I want to look hot.” I plead my case, getting a roar of laughter from Dallas. My eyebrows pull together, and I look behind Spencer to where her boyfriend lies on her bed. I shoot him a scowl, which shuts him up quick.
“Okay, fine. I’ll help you. Dallas, I’ll be back.”
“It’s cool. I’ll go next door and see Dean.” He climbs off the bed, his brown eyes full of humor as he walks toward us. I look away while he and Spencer kiss. Dallas and Dean had become good friends a few years ago. He’s friends with Spencer too, so naturally, they formed a close bond. I’d be lying if I said that sometimes, I feel left out.
Spencer leads me to my bedroom and takes it upon herself to step into my closet, searching for my purple dress. Seconds later, she returns with my dress in one hand and shoes in the other.
“Here.” She sets the items on my bed. “Go shower and then I’ll do your hair. You’re wearing a dress, so you’ll need to shave.” I nod, then skip off toward my bathroom. I strip, then step inside my shower.
I’m nervous. So nervous I end up cutting my knee while shaving because I wasn’t paying enough attention. I’ve never been to a high school party before. I’ll have Dean and Spencer, but it will be different. I’ll be the youngest person there and will hardly know anyone. If I didn’t care for Dean so much, I wouldn’t even go.
I keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for him.
I wash my hair with my vanilla coconut shampoo that Dean likes so much. When I finish, I step out of the glass shower and towel myself off, spreading vanilla-scented lotion all over myself. It’s a lotion that he gave me for my last birthday.
I’m beginning to realize that I like doing things that he likes. I'd do anything for him.
I’m standing in front of my vanity mirror, wrapped in my fluffy pink bathrobe, while Spencer is working on my hair behind me. She blow-dries my long hair, then begins straightening it, getting the flat iron too close to my scalp occasionally, causing me to flinch.
“I’m not going to put a lot of makeup on you or Mom will kill us both. Besides, you’re too young and already pretty, you don’t need it.”
“You’re young too, but you still wear makeup.”
“I’m sixteen. Therefore, I’m allowed to wear makeup. Plus, I have a boyfriend, so I can do things you can’t do.” I roll my eyes at her.
The only makeup she agrees to put on me is a little bit of eyeshadow that’s barely noticeable, some mascara, and clear lip gloss. It's strawberry flavored, and I secretly hope Dean will get to taste it tonight.
Spencer zips me into my purple spaghetti strap dress that lands above my knees, and I put on the black ballet flats she picked to go with.
Just like that, I'm ready to go to the party.
My first ever high school party and I'm not even in high school yet. Maybe by the time I get to high school, everyone will think I'm cool, and I'll have a lot of friends since I'm partying with the cool kids already.
Spencer says it’s better to show up to a party late. I don’t know why; the party starts at eight, and we’re not going until nine. It seems ridiculous to show up late, but even Dallas, who comes back over, says that’s what the cool kids do. I wonder if he knows he doesn’t sound very cool calling himself a cool kid. I have even texted Dean to see if he wants me to come over early, but my texts go unanswered.
Guess he's having too much fun with his high school friends.
At nine o’clock,the three of us walk across the street to Dean’s house. We let ourselves in, and I'm instantly left alone just as soon as we enter. Dallas drags Spence off somewhere to either make out or find their other friends.
I stand alone in the foyer like a loser, not recognizing a single person in the crowd.
The music is loud, and the further into the living room I get, the more I recognize the song. “Whatever You Like” by T.I. is playing. I finally see Dean sitting on the couch in the living room surrounded by a bunch of his friends, and there on his lap is Sadie freaking Marshall. I hate her even more now.
Spencer has told me many times about how Sadie is going after Dean and how he has always ignored her, but he isn’t doing anything this time.
The stupid blonde sits on his lap like she belongs while he's smiling at her. He is freaking smiling at her! What the heck?! He either needs to push her off, or I’m going to really be angry.
Screw it, I’m angry at him for allowing her to sit there in the first place.
“Yeah, birthday boy, you can havewhatever you like,” Sadie yells over the music with a giggle, leaning into the side of his face. She must be whispering something in his ear because his smile grows, and his hand touches her knee.