Tough - Tup

first and last

Today was the day. It was Taz's 16th birthday. She was oblivious to the fact that Up was planning on making her birthday special this year which would turn out to be a good thing but for the time being, Taz just felt so low. She did not want her birthday. She did not want to think about the past and she did not want to wear the dress. But, she told Up that she would, just for a little while. It was a beautiful dress and Taz had never felt particularly pretty in her life so maybe just once, she could make an effort then as soon as it was done, she would never have to think about it again.

Taz stayed in bed for a little while which only happened anually - partly because she wasn't in the mood to get up and partly because she just couldn't sleep. She picked up her book and as soon as she turned a new page, a light tap came to the door. It must have been up.

"Si?"

"Just me Taz." Replied an awake Up.

"Yes I know dat. One second." She dragged herself out of bed and opened the door.

As soon as up saw her tired eyes, he put an arm around her shoulder and sat on her couch, encouraging her to do the same.

"So. How you feeling? 16, ey?" Conversation starting was never Up's strongest point.

"Not brilliant. But hey, I can finally drink at de academy." Up furrowed his eyebrows.

"Is that all your looking forward too?" Taz closed her eyes and leant into Up's chest.

"I don't know." A little smirk drew on Up's face.

"Well, I hope not because I'll be coming at 5'O' clock and you need to be in your dress, all made up and ready." Taz sat up and questions his motives

"Que?"

"Well you'll have to be ready to find out. Its already 11.17 so you have 6 hours and a bit to get ready and until then, hasta luego." Up kissed her on the cheek and rushed out to make sure everything was perfect. He was so excited to see Taz's reaction. Taz, meanwhile, was baffled and suspicious. What was Up going to do? If he told anyone it was her birthday, she would murder him, then cut him up and feed him to the pigs. Taz looked over at her dress and remembered agreeing to wearing it...maybe if she just tried it on to see if it fitted? She headed over to her bathroom with the dress, got undressed then slipped it on. It fitted so damn perfectly. She was facing away from the mirror - she didn't want to know what she looked like in it. Probably stupid. She was a tough son of a bitch wearing a pretty, sparkly red dress fit for a Hispanic princess. Not Taz. However, she would be showing Up and out of all the human beings she had ever met, Up was the nicest and the most tolerant of her. He even kissed her on the cheek today. There was one boy back in Mexico, Mateo, and he was one of Taz's best friends but then he tried to kiss her and he got a punch sqaure in the face. Up however, was different. It was hard to explain. Turning around slowly, she took a glance at herself wearing the dress. Flashbacks filled her head. Usually she would shut them out but these were good ones and she didn't mind wearing the dress because of the good memories it had attached to it. After the sentimental moments had passed, she looked at her hair. It really was long now, almost past her hips. It got in the way of combat and gym. That was when she decided, she was going to cut it. Short. But not yet, after her birthday. One day of feeling pretty then no more. She took the dress off and hung it up. Taz was excited - it was weird.

By the time she had showered and freshend up, it was only 12 but there was a knock at the door. It can't have been up, he wasn't coming till 5...

"Hey Taz, its just me. Sorry to disturb you." It was Up, what did he want so early? She opened the door.

"Everything alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Absolutely. I was just making sure that you remember to wear your dress. You're not backing out of this one I'm afraid." Up smiled and swiftly walked away. As if Taz wanted to back out of it. It was the most exciting thing that had happened to Taz since she joined the academy all those months ago. She dried her hair then combed it gently until it was all straight and smooth. Maybe a small change wouldn't hurt. Taz rummaged around through a box of old things that her Mama used to use until she found a set of hair rollers. Although she had never put them in herself, she had often seen her mother do it for her so she knew roughly what to do. After a long half hour of cursing and struggling, all of her hair was up and setting. Going over to sit near the box, she had another look through it and it was practically a girls treasure chest. There were stunning bracelets and necklaces or all kinds, make up tools that she had never seen and different hair ties and accessories. You know what? Screw it. If she was going to be girly today then she might as well go full out. She took out a black tube of eye lash paint or something, as well as red lipstick and a diamonded necklace to compliment her dress. As for the hair, Taz just got some plain black grips so that she could keep it off her face. By the time she had sorted everything out, it was 1.15 - time to get ready. She started by using the eyelash paint which turned out to be called mascara, it was a bristled brush which stabbed her several times in the eye and it was probably more painful than Nick's punch. Thankfully, she got the hang of it and caused less injuries. Then it was the lipstick. This was easy because Taz would put it on all the time when she was younger. Looking in the mirror, she hardly recognized herself. She looked like her Mama. Shivers were sent down Taz's small spine and she felt torn. She wanted to feel like this all the time, she felt pretty and as if her mama was proud but at the same time, it just wasn't who Taz was. She felt self conscious of everything, her make up, her hair, the dress. This never happened in her combat boots and trackies. Today was a one off. After today, she would never go back. Letting down the once straight hair, Taz watched the curls fall from the rollers. She picked up some small black pins and did a simple braid to keep the front parts of her hair off her face. Finally, the dress. She checked the time - just about 3 O'Clock. Where the hell did the time go? She guessed that it took her so long to do all that because most of it was a new experience for her. Oh well. Picking up the dress from her bed, she took one last look at it before carefully putting it on as well as the diamonded necklace. Finished. Wait...shoes. Taz swore against ever wearing heels so instead, she just put on a pair of black converse, it wouldn't matter - the dress covers her feet anyway plus she wouldn't be falling around all over the place. Now she was done. She took another look in the mirror and had to hold back tears in fear of the mascara running. Her mama would be so pleased that she was making use of some of the stuff she left behind. The lipstick had faded ever so slightly and stained her lips into a faint matte red which she actually preferred than the blood color of the original. Something was missing. She felt a little lost but she couldn't figure out what it was... Looking around her room, she saw her knife in the leather belt. Damn. She couldn't just leave it because knowing her luck, something would happen the one time she didn't bring it. An idea came to her, she could wrap the belt around her thigh and the dress would cover it. Perfect! So. She had the outfit, accessories and the knife, now all she needed was Up. 3.45. He wasn't coming until 5'O'clock... How about a film? Taz now knew how to work the TV so she switched it on and put in the first film she found - Cinderella. Up had a bunch of films that his little sister gave to him and when he missed her, he would watch them but he shared them with Taz. It was a really sappy film but she could see why people would like it. She was starting to get really into the film before remembering that she was waiting for Up. In a surge of panic, she checked the time - 4.45 - then went to the bathroom to do some final checks. Everything had stayed on which was inevitable because she'd done nothing except sit down. Before she knew it, there was a tap at the door. Taz switched the TV off then answered the door, suddenly feeling really anxious about everything. What if someone saw? Or what if Up thought she look stupid or what if -