Nametags

Chapter 4

          Tuesday morning, Jadee couldn't stop talking about the deal. She was ecstatic about it to say the least. She even passed me a few notes in class, which I looked at, but didn't respond too. I wasn't about to get grounded right before a date. I felt a finger tap my shoulder. I turned around and instinctively read the name tags of the person handing me a note from Jadee. It was Benny, who's name tags read "Girls can't resist me" and "I think crying is funny" I didn't find him attractive, but Jadee sure did. She had told me a while ago that this boy was her crush. I silently thanked him and took the note. Taking extra precautions to keep the teacher from seeing, I unfolded it. It read:

                                                 Are you excited for guy #1?

                                                                        -JD

 I looked her way and nodded. She replied only with jazz hands. I think she was more excited than I was. Was matchmaking really this fun?

         After school, Jadee gave me all the details about the blind date. "He goes to are school, and is in our grade." She hinted. "And he doesn't know it's you, ether." I was beginning to get nervous. "Where are we meeting?" I asked. "Oh, sorry. You are going to meet at the library and then go to the Chinese restaurant in town." She winked. I had only one more question. "What the heck should I wear?"  I asked, putting my hands on my head. She only giggled. "Do your parents have a smart phone?" She asked. "Yeah, my Mom does, why?" She wrote a number on a sticky note. "Take a shower, curl your hair, and then call me. I'll help you choose something." I smiled and accepted the offer. "Tonight is gonna be great!" She added. I sure hoped so.

          While in the shower, I went over scenarios in my head about how my date could go. After probably a thousand, I stepped out of the shower, dried off, and put on a bathrobe. As I ran a brush through my hair, I realized that I had no idea how to curl my hair. I was about to call Jadee and tell her, when I remembered something. Valentina had long, dark hair that she curled every Sunday for church. She could curl hair like a pro! I stepped out of the bathroom in my long bathrobe and walked down the hall to her room. She was in there, doing homework. We didn't talk often, and she knew I was shy, so didn't push it. I hoped she would help me. "Hey, Valentina?" I said softly. She looked up and around the room until she saw me. "Yeah, Chica?" I took a deep breath. "I have a date, and I was wondering if you could-" I hesitated, "Help me curl my hair...Please?" Her face lit up with a smile. "Absolutely! Come here!" I smiled, relieved. Valentina led me to the smallest of the 3 bathrooms, where her makeup and hair supplies where spread across the counter in front of the mirror. She turned and plugged a curling iron to heat up. As she combed through my hair, we chatted, and I slowly got more comfortable talking to her. "So, who's the date with?" She asked in her Spanish accent. "Well, I actually don't know. It's a blind date my friend set up." She nodded and put a section of my hair into a clip. "In Mexico, we call those arriesgada." "Arriesgada? what does that mean?" She smiled slyly. "Risky." she replied. I laughed. I had to admit, this deal was pretty risky, but I trust Jadee. Soon, my hair was done. Large red curles fell at my shoulders. And it looked GORGEOUS. I gasped and turned my head to see it all in the mirror. Valentina really did an amazing job. I thanked her, and gave her a hug. Still in my bathrobe, I walked downstairs and into the livingroom to find Mom's phone. I got several compliments on the way. When I got to the there, Mom was sitting on the couch with Dad, talking about plans for Taylor's birthday. I approached her and asked if i could use her phone. When she looked up, Her eyes got wide. I heard a wolf whistle from her side. "Daaad-" I chuckled. "You look beautiful, Hon!" He said. "Who helped you?" My Mom asked. "Valentina!" I replied. She handed me her phone and told me to bring it to her when I was done. I took it to my bedroom and dialed the number on the sticky note. A few seconds later, Ms.Kane answered. 

"Hello?"

"Hi, Ms.Kane. It's Cherry. Is Jadee there?"

"Yes, Here she is!"

I heard Jadee's voice on the other end.

"Hey, Cherry!"

"Hi!"

"Turn on your camera."

"Uh... How?"

"Press the camera button."

I did, and a moment later, I saw Jadee's face on the screen. She gasped when she saw me.

"Cherry, your hair looks amazing!"

"Thank you! Valentina did it."

"Do you have any skirts or dresses?"

"Yeah, here."

I opened the small closet with clothes belonging to all 4 of us kids. My dresses where hanging on the top rack. 

"Show me that white one."

I unhooked the dress.

"This is my temple dress. I don't think so."

"Yeah, too formal."

We went through dress upon dress, skirt upon skirt, until Jadee pointed out a light blue dress with pockets. 

"What about that one?"

I unhooked it and held it up to my body. 

"Alright, i'll try it." 

I put the phone on my bed, so it faced the celling. I tried on the dress, and put on a denim jacket over it. I looked in my full length mirror. It looked beautiful. The dress fell just below my knees, and the jacket pulled it together nicely. The color contrasted my hair, and seemed to make the curls pop. The dark denim complimented my eyes, and my minimalist sandals looked great with the look. I pointed the phone at myself. 

"Oh my goodness, you look wonderful"

"Really?"

"Yeah! He will love it!"

I spun. Now, I was excited. I said goodbye and hung up the phone, promising to call her when it was done. I couldn't drive the family car, since Miley had soccer, so I asked Christina to drive me, but she was busy. I asked Hannah, and she agreed. The whole drive, she asked questions. It was like my family was surprised I could look good. Then, when I finally got to the library, I thanked her, took a deep breath, and walked inside.