is right. I need to give Mackenzie more credit. Yes, she’s only seven, but that doesn’t stop Mom from having her eyebrows waxed before a big pageant. I refuse to make any noise, but I feel tears start forming in my eyes.
Just when I’m about ready to scream “uncle,” Lauren puts a cooling liquid on my eyebrows. “See, all better. Your eyes pop more.”
It’s amazing what a little grooming can do. My face already looks a ton better … except for the red splotches from the plucking.
I start making a list of items to buy and take diligent notes on what Lauren’s doing with her makeup tools and curling iron.
She gives me a satisfied smile when she’s finished. She holds up a mirror for me to study the final look. It’s amazing. I look like me, just a better version. And she made it look more natural than I thought. You can’t really tell I have a bunch of makeup on, and that’s what I wanted. My hair is probably the biggest difference. She used a curling iron to give my normally limp hair some much needed body and wave.
A text from Benny appears on my phone:
Chris just txted me!!!! What do I get if I reply to him and ask him 2 do something?
I get so excited for Benny. I reply back:
A date?
Haha. I want leg.
???
I want you to show some leg on Mon. And not long dress, above the knee.
Perv.
U know me so well!
A makeover and a dress? There is a very good chance no one will even recognize me on Monday.
Including myself.
I try to sneak into the room during crowning. On my way in, two people wish me luck. I try not to laugh. I don’t look that good.
“Let me get this for you.” One of the pageant dads holds open the door and smiles at me. Nobody ever smiles at me, or even notices me, at these things. I know I should be flattered, but it sort of annoys me that some makeup and hairspray is all it takes for people to be polite.
Once I get to the room, I look up to the front where Mackenzie and Mom are. They don’t even seem to notice that I’ve been gone for nearly an hour and missed talent and most of the crowning. I see that Mackenzie already has her tiara.
“What’d I miss?” I whisper to Logan.
“Where were you? I’ve been —” Logan stops himself and squints his eyes at me. “I … Are you wearing makeup? Your hair’s different, too.”
Okay, so I guess when one has never really worn makeup before and one’s hair isn’t in its usual messy ponytail, it’s obvious that something’s different.
“It’s nothing. Miss Lauren and I were just goofing around.”
“Oh, well, you look nice.”
I face forward, certain that the foundation I have on will not disguise the heat that I feel rising in my face. I can see Logan stealing glances at me. I can’t tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Does he think I look good or is he embarrassed on my behalf for me trying to be someone I’m not?
Or does he want to run off into the sunset with me?
Well, it’s nice to know that some things never change.
I decide to go for further distraction and reach in my bag for a snack.
“Almonds?” I offer.
Logan takes a few. “You’re the only person I know at this place who has anything not completely laced with sugar. Even Alyssa, who won’t touch it during the week, consumes handfuls of the stuff here. It’s weird.”
“Yeah, well, have you seen my mother?” I nod my chin toward Mom, who takes up nearly two seats. “Genetics are not on my side.”
I feel a pang of guilt that I’ve said something about my mom’s weight. While I know genetics are partially responsible, I also know that she gained over a hundred pounds after Dad left. She stopped taking care of herself, and just kept eating. The only thing that would get her out of her rut was pageants.
I tried to talk to her about it, concerned for her health, but it only made her mad at me. I even went to the school nurse and got some brochures on nutrition that I left out on the kitchen table. I found them in the trash later
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