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and be gracious. Take a deep breath and know that everything will be fine. Okay?”
    Dylan nodded again, then picked up her fork. I think she finally realized how mean she’d been lately. My parents and I chatted about random stuff as we ate, but we all finished quickly. I went upstairs to shower again and get rid of the makeup. Then I changed into my pj’s and went back to my room. When I got there, I found Dylan sitting at my desk! My Project M. T. notebook was on the table in front of her and she was staring at me.
    â€œOh my God,” I said.

CHAPTER 10
    Is She Really My Sister?
    D ylan had the notebook in her hand and started walking around me. “What is this?” she asked in a teasing voice.
    I thought I might throw up. I studied Dylan’s face to see if I could tell which way this was going to go. Was she going to mock me? Pity me? Blackmail me?
    â€œUm . . . ,” I said, stalling for time.
    â€œAre you . . . Do you like someone?” she asked.
    I decided to take a breezy, confident tone. “Well, what if I do?” I asked.
    â€œSo what is all this . . . math and stuff in here?”
    â€œOh, just data!” I waved my hand dismissively. The less she thought I cared, the less she would press me. Probably.
    â€œWho is it?” she asked.
    I didn’t know if the talk at dinner made her turn over a new leaf or if it made her resent me. I wasn’t sure I should tell her. What if she ended up using it against me?
    â€œUm . . .”
    â€œYou can tell me,” she said encouragingly. “I won’t say anything.” Dylan even looked sincere, so I decided to tell her.
    â€œUm . . . it’s Matt.” Maybe if I didn’t say his last name . . .
    â€œMatt Taylor?” she guessed immediately.
    I looked down at my feet and nodded, feeling my cheeks suddenly getting hot.
    â€œHe’s cute,” she said, and for some strange reason I was happy that she “approved” of my choice. “Does he know you like him?” she asked, flipping through the pages.
    â€œNo!” I said quickly, horrified by the idea.
    â€œDo you want him to know?”
    â€œWhat? No way!” I’d rather die.
    â€œSo where are you going with all this?”
    â€œI just . . . I just want him to notice me. And like me, I guess.” There. I’d said it.
    Dylan was quiet for a moment. Then she asked, “Do you want my help?”
    I eyed her suspiciously. “What do you mean?” I could just picture her telling Matt flat out that I liked him, and that would be a disaster.
    â€œI know what it’s like to have a crush who hardly knows you exist, that’s for sure!” Dylan said, laughing.
    I paused. Was this a trick?
    Dylan continued, “I also know some stuff about boys and what they like. And about how to present yourself.” She looked at me critically. “And I do think you’re ready for a more mature look. The makeover you did wasn’t a bad idea. You just went too far, too fast.”
    I kept looking at her, not sure if I could really trust my own sister.
    â€œCome on,” she said in an encouraging tone. “I owe it to you. Let me try.”
    â€œOkay . . . ,” I finally agreed. “But in the morning. I can’t do it again tonight. I have too much other stuff to do.”
    â€œFine. We’ll get up early and do it, okay?”
    I nodded, still waiting for this to turn into some sort of prank.
    Dylan got up and headed for the door, then turned around. “And Alexis?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    Wow. An apology from Dylan, and I didn’t even have to ask for it!
    â€œFor which part?” I asked.
    â€œEverything.” And she closed the door.
    I sat down and sighed loudly, part of me wondering if I had just imagined the past five minutes. Dylan had really turned