Page 193 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

She gives me a look. “I mean everybody.”

“Liar.”

“Fine. Alex.”

We all crack up and, yeah, start singing.

By the time we pulled into the nail salon, we were still laughing. Laughter is truly the best medicine, and even though I didn’t need it to get through rough times, I certainly appreciate how plentiful it’s been lately.

The place smells like nail polish, shampoo, and whatever they use for the pedicure water. We sign in, and the woman behind the counter looks at the four of us.

“Four?”

“Four,” Becca confirms.

“Manicures and pedicures?”

“And eyebrows,” Tessa adds.

The woman looks at her. “Anything else?”

Tessa hesitates. “Maybe.”

Phoebe's eyes widen. “Oh, God. What are you thinking?”

“Nothing.”

“That was not a nothing face.” I laugh.

Tessa lowers her voice. “I'm thinking about getting a bikini wax.”

The three of us stare at her.

“You're what?” Becca asks.

“I said I'm thinking about it.”

“Why?”

“Because tomorrow is Homecoming.”

“Your bikini isn't going to Homecoming,” Phoebe giggles and I lose it.

Tessa points at her. “You shut up.”

“You're going to let a stranger rip hair out of your body because you're going to wear a dress?”

“I want to feel pretty.”

“You already feel pretty.” I rub her arm. “Phoebe, tell her.”

Phoebe rubs her arm. “So pretty.”

Tessa laughs, pulling away. “I know. I just want to feel extra pretty.”

“We’ll get you started and then you can decide.” A woman says walking past us. “Follow me.”

We got settled into the pedicure chairs, and we all start talking about dresses, hair, shoes, and boys of course.