The Galaxy Meetings

thirteen

"Why did you bring a bag?" Chase asks me. I look over to the bag I had with me. "Oh, it has these..."

I produce a blanket I decided to bring, as it was veering to the end of summer and the nights were beginning to get colder. "August night weather tends to suck."

"You go all-throughout the cold?" Chase asks in doubt. I nod, content as I throw a green blanket I snuck from the cupboard at Chase. The fluffy hot pink one I had already belonged to me.

Chase wraps the blanket around himself after thanking me, and helps me wrap myself in mine. He eyes my bag. "Can I see?" I smile, picking up the Nike rucksack and handing it to him.

"Why do you have so much makeup?" Chase asks, in awe. You can tell he obviously doesn't live with many girls.

"R-R-Rimmel London – Wake Me Up concealer and foundation? Maybe-line mascara? Mac, oh like the laptop, eyeliner? This is crazy."

I laugh at his terrible mispronouncing of Maybelline. "That's life. And that's not all I use in a day. There's bronzer, my lash curlers. Have you noticed that's the palest shade of concealer and foundation they do – and still it's almost too dark. I'm not Ivory, Mrs Rimmel – I'm freaking snow white." I rant for a moment.

Chase laughs. "I think it's cute. I think you don't need makeup. You're beautiful without it. I mean – why bother smearing produce on your face when you don't need it?"

I think of the creases and bags under my eyes and the scar I have from when I cut my face with a broken Wii remote (which explains why sharp items and I don't get along. It was a damn Wii remote!)... I definitely do need makeup. "Sorry, but I disagree. I don't wear makeup to cover up spots and stuff. Well, I do – but I use it more to feel confident in my own skin. It's just a girly confidence booster."

"Leila, we both know you have enough confidence!" Chase jokes. I laugh. "Mm... My head isn't big yet, so I'm just fine."

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