Mirror Image

Three

Zena's father studied her and the provocative tank top and micro shorts she wore. Shaking his head, he went to her closet. Scanning the items inside he turned, and he slammed the door shut.

"You're seventeen and I hope you're still fairly innocent. If not, we have to have a talk about birth control, but that's for another day. This isn't appropriate for school, let alone a bar. This is an outfit a prostitute would wear to sell herself. Don't you have any respect for yourself? You look like a Hooters waitress."

"I've got a great body. Why shouldn't I show it off? This isn't any worse than what I was wearing at the end of last school year. My cheerleader's uniform wasn't much better." Zena stomped her foot in anger.

"We will be making a stop at the mall after school. I know for a fact your cheer uniform didn't leave half your butt hanging out. Shorts are okay, it's hot out. But I doubt the principal would let you stay in class dressed like that."

Zena growled and gnashed her teeth. How was she supposed to capture prom queen by the end of the year if she couldn't show off? She turned her back on him, trying to ignore his comments. Sexy outfits guaranteed she would be noticed.

Her father touched her shoulder forcing her to face him and continued to lay down the law.

"Change into jeans. The ones you've got with the tears and holes. Wear the pink tee shirt you threw into the laundry after an hour wearing it yesterday. It will have to do. Do it now. We have to meet the principal and your guidance counsellor in less than an hour."

"But Dad! I have to make an impression."

"Yes, you do, and it won't be the wrong one. Now change. I'll be waiting in my car."

At least dad let her wear the snuggest jeans she owned. She knew her legs and butt were great, and the pink tee shirt was exactly the right shade of medium rose to match her lipstick. He didn't complain about her makeup, so points for her there. She put her hair up in a ponytail but left a couple of curls loose at the side of her face. It wasn't a bad look. Even though she could have any boy she crooked her finger at, she'd never crossed the line with any of them. And threats of no dates with any of her group made sure they didn't spread rumors.

She checked herself in the mirror standing in the corner of her room and ran down the stairs. This house was huge, and it had three wings. There was even a ballroom on the main level behind the dining room and kitchen. She already had plans for Halloween. The only problem was the Spanish couple who took care of the estate while no one was living in it.

Chiccaro. What a weird last name. It must be Spanish. She had to admit the woman could cook and everything was clean. Maybe it would better than having a maid service come in twice a month like it used to be. And the flowers. Wow! She didn't want to admit she liked the place. There was something about the house that made her feel like it could be home. The noises it made had her jumping out of skin the other night.

Still she missed Mom, even if she was always gone on a flight somewhere, she made sure she had enough money, and there was always the credit card. And the car. That was a piss off. Dad took the keys away, and even though it was parked in a four car attached garage, she wasn't allowed to drive it until she proved she deserved it by keeping up her grades.

She shuddered at the thought of studying every night and doing her own homework. Arriving at her Dad's Cadillac, she settled into the passenger seat beside her father.

"Can I drive this sometimes? I mean, I'm going to forget everything I learned about driving if I don't practice." Zena crossed her fingers hoping for some leeway.

"You can drive home tonight. I'll be there to pick you up. I'll be driving back and forth for the first few weeks. If parent teacher meetings go well in October, we'll see about giving you your keys back."

"Thanks Dad."

"Your welcome Zee. You know I love you."

"Yeah." She wasn't ready to say it back, but it was nice to hear it. The super trampy look she'd started with this morning had played into her hand, maneuvering her father into letting her wear exactly what she wanted. She might be able to get around him if she played her cards right.

He wasn't a strict as he was at first. Those last two weeks before they moved had been hell. Nothing but her and Dad. But packing her own stuff meant she knew exactly what boxes went where, and this house was amazing. And she ended up finding out Dad could cook. Who knew? Most of the time they ordered in before Mom died and gone their separate ways to eat.

"Are you ready to face the music?" Dad's question interrupted her thoughts.

"Yeah, let's get it over with." Zena checked her face in the mirror on the back of the sun visor.

"God, I remember your mother doing that." Her father's voice sounded tight.

"She taught me never to leave the car before I fix my lipstick." Zena rubbed her lips together and decided they were fine.

"You have a lot of her in you."

"Then how come I love acting, and not airplanes?" Zen asked.

"Because you're you. I'll tell you a secret. I hate going to the principal's office."

Zee looked at her Dad with new eyes. What had he ever done to get into trouble? He was the perfect nerd. "Really?"

"Yeah, really." He parked in the visitor's stall and shut the motor down. "Let's do this." He sounded more nervous than she was.