The Popular Plan

Chapter 4

song of the chapter: house party// sam hunt

The next day, I was super tired and most of all, bored. I didn't want to go swimming because my brother was in the pool, and I definitely did not want to see any of the neighbors. My mom wants me to make friends, but I don't think she realizes what is actually going on.

My mom opened up the door with a smile on her face. She sat down at the edge of the bed and patted my leg. I was watching TV and on my phone. I was a professional multi-tasker when it came to this stuff. People were jealous.

"It's your second day and you are already inside," my mom sighed. "C'mon, Hon, summer won't last forever and before you know it, you will be back in school, moping about how much you miss summer like always. Get out, have fun, meet the neighbors."

I laughed. I already met Blondie and Ombre and I did not like either of them. If my mom thinks for one second that I will go out there and meet more of their kind, she is wrong. "Mom, I already met two and I hate them. There has to be others."

"Oh, well, that's too bad..." My mom sighed, looking over at the window. She was hiding something. This was always what she does. "Because I may or may not have invited all eleven neighbors over for a barbecue."

"You did WHAT?!" I screamed, jumping out of the bed. "Mom, what time? I don't look even halfway decent!"

"Well, let's see, it's two right now, so in about three hours."

I groaned and flopped on my bed. I was probably the most anti-social person ever when it came to the popular crowd. There was this one time when Ms. Fourth-Grade Popular, (remember her?), wanted to talk to me, but I got cold feet and chickened out. I wasn't a loud mouth at that moment in time.

"Mom, what am I going to wear? What am I going to say? How do I hide the fact that I am fat?" I felt like I was about to cry. That feeling that I get in my stomach when I am nervous or upset came back. I couldn't break down over something stupid like this.

"Well, first, you are going to wear your bathing suit under your clothes," she explained to me. "Then, put on a nice dress. You know, you rock dresses. Put on your long maxi dress." My maxi dress had green, black, and white V-stripes on it. It was cute.

"Okay. And my hair?" I asked.

"Put it up in a messy bun," my mom told me again. "I can do your make-up too. And hair. We got to give them all first impressions. Good impressions." My mom smiled again. "Go take a shower and use your best smelling shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Throw on your robe and meet me in my room."

I nodded and my mom gave me a hug. "I love you, baby girl."

"I love you too mom," I replied.

She walked out of my room, closing the door. I then proceeded to walk into my bathroom to shower. Poor David... He had only a bathtub, which is a shame, since he needs to be able to take showers. I grabbed my robe and shampoo, conditioner, and body wash and turned on the shower.

I walked in, thinking about my neighbors. Blondie and Ombre were bound to be there. So were a bunch of boys and some other girls. If I didn't impress them now, my chances at succeeding this school year were low.

I washed my hair, body, and shaved. Then I walked out, went to the bathroom of course, and brushed my teeth. I put on my robe and went to my mom's room. I walked in to see my mom with a chair and vanity.

I sat down. My mom would, hopefully, make me pretty for tonight.

--

It was 5 o'clock. My mom gave me a little eyeshadow and water proof mascara and eyeliner. She also did my hair way fancier than what I expected. It was like a French braid at the top of my head and two waterfalls at the side, leading to a messy bun.