Ms. Popularity

3 | Makeover

"Is Chris home?" I ask the young girl who opens the door when I knock.
"Are you his girlfriend?" A younger boy asks, tripping over his feet as he rushed to stand next to the girl.
"Something like that, yes. But it's complicated," Do I have tell everyone I'm his girlfriend? Lie to everyone?"Is he here?"
"You're late." His voice fills the room just as I close my mouth. Ge gestures to the kids who can be no more than 6 or 7,"These are my youngest brother and sister. But we have business to attend, so let's get going."
He grabs my arm and drags me through the house, up the stairs and into a room with a bright pink door.
"Zoe, meet my sister Chloe. Your name rhymes, so you'll hit it off." He says all in one breath.
"Nice to meet you." I'm taken aback by how blonde the entire family is.
"Likewise. So, Chrisie told me what's happening, sounds fun."
"Chrisie?" I smirk, tilting my head to the side and looking at him.
"I'll leave you two alone. Chloe, make her hot." He says.
"Boys," she rolls her eyes and goes over to her closet - tossing pieces of clothing into the bed and floor,"So why did you agree to this?"
"Honestly, I didn't really. I was trying to finish my English paper and in a desperate call for peace and quiet I told Chris I'd hear him out later."
"That simple?"
"Yep."
"Not trying to make anyone jealous?"She asks, and I look at her confused,"Dating someone like my brother, it's the perfect plot to get a guy to be jealous."
"I haven't really thought about it, but no. I just don't like Harper."
"Yeah, she's a bitch. Don't know what he saw in her."
"Boobs and a big ass?" I guess.
"Oh, that girl doesn't have an ass."
We laugh and continue talking about things. I have to try on a number of clothes, all of them a bit more different and adventurous than my usual pick. I end up being stocked with skinny jeans, semi-tight tops, new boots, and a few sweaters. I deny taking them, but Chloe insists saying that she has too many clothes anyway. But I promise to return them.
"I'll give you some makeup and do your eyebrows. One thing that will drive Ms. Popular crazy? Being dethroned by a new Ms Popular who has the natural look."
______
Chloe takes my phone number, promising to call when she has a new batch of clothes for next time. She directs me to Chris' room and tells me to kick this plans ass.
"Everything's done?" He asks as I walk in. I'm not surprised that he's shirtless, I expected it. But I am surprised at how good he actually looks.
"Yeah," I awkwardly stand in the doorway, "How is this gonna work?"
"We'll walk together in the hallways, hang out with my friends, anything to make it sound and look convincing."
"What about my friends?"
"You have friends?"
"Ass."
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7:35."
_______
"I'm home." I call when I return from the 'Makeover session'.
"How was the project?" My mom asks, barely looking up from her book.
"Good, we made progress. Is dad home?"
"He got held up."
"I'm surprised."
"Don't take that tone with me, young lady.
"A friend is gonna give me a ride to school tomorrow."
I go up to my room and look through Chloe's clothes. Tomorrow should be fun. I think about calling Jessica, but instead I just go take a shower.
👠
Picture of Chloe