Who to choose?

Chapter 4 - Rock God

Chapter 4 - Rock God

"You've looked forward to this a long time, haven't you?" the dentist asks.

I nod eagerly since my mouth is a little occupied.

I jump when he rips off another one of the bricks on my teeth.

"Done," he smiles down at me. I wash my mouth with the water he hands to me, then I stand up. The dentist holds up a mirror and I nervously look at my teeth. I gasp in shock, then I smile widely. They're gone. Finally the braces are gone.

***

I'm sitting in the waiting room at the dentist office, thinking back to the last time I were here. It was one of the most happy days in my life so far. When I finally could smile without big bricks on my teeth. Now I'm back for a check, exactly 12 months later.

"Miss Reed? He's ready for you," the young assistant says. Her big, white smile, framed by glossy red lips, makes me guess she's been here a lot before she got the job.

I smile back at her, then I gather my shopping bags and stand up. Earlier today Kylie literally dragged me on a shopping mission. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to shop, since my plans on Monday, then Tuesday, was cancelled. When Wednesday came and I still hadn't gone shopping, Kylie took the case in her own hands. And I'm glad, I just didn't want to spend my day off (there's some technical problems at school or something) with five hours inside a shopping center. But, on the bright side, I did end up with almost a whole new wardrobe. (Lucky I had a lot of money saved up) Now, I was totally ready for the party at Jack's house on Friday. 

What? I have to go, don't I? Especially if I want to maybe see Alex again. 

After greeting the dentist and sitting down in the dentist chair, I think more about Alex. He's been on my mind all the time, but I haven't seen him other than at school. We haven't even talked. We've passed each other in the hallway or in the cafeteria, but neither of us did anything. It's driving me crazy. Maggie and Kylie aren't so sure about him asking me out anymore. Which drives me even more crazy.  Am I never going to get a date? With anyone?  

"Hmm, everything looks just fine," the dentist smiles at me.  

I nod a little to respond. It's not like I can say "Yeah, I thought so" when it would have sounded like "Gah, I tat o".

I continue with my thoughts, while the dentist continues messing inside my mouth. So, the only solution I can think of for my Alex "problem" is to go to another party, and hope he'll be there. My friends had been so happy about it until I said I didn't want to be the babysitter this time. I promise you, their moods had gone from heaven to earth, because now one of them had to be sober and the driver. Not that I'm planning to drink anything. I'm just tired of fixing their drunk mess. Seriously, the party on Friday was one of the calmer ones. After much discussion, they decided that Maggie is going to be the sober one, since she was closest to making a scandal the last time. Remember the very public showing of affection with Justin? Yeah, thought so.  

Anyway, my plan is to grab Alex, pull him over to the oak tree (of course not forcefully) and ask him out myself. It's not exactly me, but he can't say no when the girl asks, right? No matter the outcome, I'm determined to try. I'm almost 18 years, for crying out loud! I have to go on a date soon!  

"I think you're done," the dentist, once again, interrupts my thoughts.  

"Oh, well thank you," I say and stand up, making myself ready to leave. 

"Keep up the good work, and you'll get no problems with your teeth in the future."  

I smile at him and walk out of the building. It's not the funniest thing to walk down the street with your car parked what feels like miles away, when you're carrying eight shopping bags full of clothes. A walk I normally would have used 5 minutes on, takes me 15 minutes, because I keep loosing the handle on some of the bags. The only thing on my mind now is to go home and take a long, warm bath. Shopping really does something to your feet. Something really sore.