AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t need to do that,” I assure her. “I’ll just watch you get ready.”
“Why? Do you not think people will be dressed up?” Cassie asks me, her expression nervous. She sees me as some sort of guide for all this, and I have no idea how to break it to her that I’m far more clueless than she is.
“No, I’m sure they will be. It’s just—well, I don’t want people to think I care,” I admit. “It will just give them more to talk about.”
Cassie’s face softens. “I’m not going to pretend like I understand the social dynamics of this town, because I don’t. At all.” I laugh. “And I know some people are shitty. But I also think some of them might surprise you if you give them more of a chance. I know Shannon really likes you. So do the rest of the girls. They all thinkyoudon’t likethem.”
I open my mouth to reply, but she keeps talking, so I snap it shut again.
“Just think about it, okay? If you don’t want to wear makeup because you don’t want to, that’s fine. Just don’t decide based on what others might do or say.”
I know she’s right. “Okay,” I sigh. “Just a little, though.”
Cassie beams. “That’s all you need, anyway.”
“Why wouldn’t Shannon or any of the others say anything to me?” I ask. “I mean, no offense, but I’ve known them all a lot longer than you have.”
“Are you serious?” Cassie asks. She answers her own question. “I guess you are. You’re intimidating, Lennon. You’re smart and gorgeous, and you might care what other people think, but you don’t act like you do. And you always know just what to say. People areenviousof you.”
I scoff, and it’s thick with disbelief.
“I mean it,” Cassie insists. “You should have heard the girls at lunch yesterday after you went to sit with Caleb. I mean, he’sCaleb Winters.” Her voice holds the same blatant admiration I’ve heard so many times before.
I shrug. “He’s just a guy.” My voice is indifferent, but I’m not. Not entirely. I keep picturing him sitting across the table from me in the library this morning.
Cassie shrugs, evidently not sensing my mixed emotions. Maybe she’s right; I am better at hiding my true feelings than I thought. “True. But he’s a very hot, very popular guy this entire town seems to have some sort of unhealthy obsession with.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I acknowledge.
Cassie keeps talking as if I hadn’t spoken. “None of us could come up with anything to say to him, but you acted completely normal. Not that it mattered. He didn’t pay attention to anyone but you.”
She’s right, I realize, with a jolt of surprise.
Cassie doesn’t bother waiting for a response, too excited about me agreeing to a mini makeover. She beckons me over to the stool and sets to work. It’s a surprisingly relaxing process. A swipe of lip balm and some moisturizer is usually the extent of my morning routine. I have a new appreciation for the girls who show up at school with a full face of makeup when I realize how long it’s taking Cassie to do what she assures me is a minimal amount.
Finally, she finishes, and I have to blink at my reflection a couple of times. The liquid she spread across my whole face has given me a glowing, dewy complexion. My lips look soft and shiny. And my eyes look green again, thanks to the flattering lighting that surrounds the vanity and the black Cassie has rimmed my eyes with.
“Wow, thank you,” I tell her, hesitantly raising a hand to touch underneath my left eye. The patch of skin that normally appears almost bruised has been seamlessly altered, making me look well rested rather than sorely sleep deprived.
After makeup, Cassie moves right along to clothes. I lounge on the loveseat as she tries on outfit after outfit, before finally settling on a pair of black skinny jeans and a sparkly sweater.
Then, her attention shifts to me. I end up changing out of my oversized sweatshirt and into a clingy, maroon sweater Cassie insists looks amazing. As we head out the door to go back downstairs, Cassie hands me a gray woolen jacket to wear over it. The material and sleek design look fancy enough to be an outfit all on their own. I feel completely transformed as we head back downstairs. Only my jeans remain unchanged, but I know that’s mainly because I’m several inches taller than Cassie.
“Nice Guy is not going to know what hit him,” she tells me on the stairs.
I laugh, but it morphs into a yawn.
“Lennon! It’s not even ten yet!”
“I know,” I reply. “Early morning, that’s all.” Not to mention I usually go to bedatten, never mind when I’ve been up since four thirty.
The faint sound of raised voices is just audible as we prepare to depart. Cassie seems to rush to put on her shoes, but she doesn’t say anything, so I don’t either. Avoiding uncomfortable family drama is certainly something I can understand.
We’ve just reached Cassie’s SUV when a shadow emerges from the side of the garage. I study it curiously, but Cassie jumps a few feet in the air.
“Josh!” she exclaims when the twinkling lights reveal her brother’s features. “What are you doing out here?”
He jerks his chin in the direction of the house. “Avoiding them. Can I come with you? Just for a bit?”
