Not-So-Perfect-Romance

Chapter Two

Today is Picture Day. This picture is going to be in my middle school yearbook forever. I want to look nice.

I decide to wear my favorite blue shirt, stylish jeans, black Converse and a dainty flower necklace. I straighten my hair for the first time since some 7th grade dance, and put on some neutral makeup.

I look nice, I think, admiring myself in the mirror.

Since my parents leave for work an hour before I'm up, I'm always forced to take the school bus. I pack my backpack, eat breakfast, brush my teeth and head out.

It's nice outside. I suddenly wish I didn't wear jeans. I run back inside and change into a pair of white shorts.

Better.

I head to the bus stop, where Rachel is already at, putting on final touches of makeup. Rachel loves makeup. She has her own YouTube channel (300,000 subscribers!) with makeup tutorials and was invited to the NYX Face Awards last year! Cassandra was so jealous when she found out. Rachel hopes to become a makeup artist one day.

She closes her compact and slips it into the pocket of her backpack. "Hey," she says.

"Hey," I say. "Can you believe it? This is the last middle school picture day we'll ever have."

Rachel nods. "I know. It crazy! It feels like just yesterday you sneezed for 6th grade picture day." She chuckles.

I grimace at the memory of seeing that horror in the mail a week later. The bus pulls up in front of us and we get on.

___________________________

6th period American History is canceled since 8th graders take their pictures 6th period.

Rachel and I are very glad about this. Mr. Gallagher, our 6th period American History teacher, was as mean as the Grinch. You may think that's an exaggeration, but I'll leave you at this: The Grinch got a whole SONG dedicated to the fact he's a mean person.

Let that sink in.

Rachel meets me at my locker after 5th period. I slip in my English textbook and close the door.

Cassandra comes towards us. Adelaide and Tiffany are sick today, so Cassandra is pretty much all alone today.

We head to the Little Theater, which is a very tiny theater as the title states for pictures.

Rachel touches up her makeup and I fix my hair. Last middle school picture, gotta make it right.

Then a tall, dark haired boy walks in. He's wearing a tight red shirt and blue jeans. He looks like an adorable combination of lost and confident.

He walks up to Rachel and I. "Hi, my name is Matt," he says. "I'm new here. This is where 8th grade picture day is taking place right?"

We nod. He lets out a sigh of relief. His breath smells like peppermint. I like it.
"I'm not good at getting around," he says with a warm smile. I smile back.

"I'm Rachel," Rachel says.

"And I'm Lilly," I say. "Welcome to Maple Oak!"

"Matt Smith, come up to the stage for your picture," the principal, Ms. Stacy says.

Matt gives us a quick wave before heading to the stage.

"Is he the new kid you told me about yesterday?" I ask. Rachel nods.

"He looks kind of cute," I say. Rachel gives me an astonished look. "What?" I say.

She smiles her red-lipstick lips as far as they can go and squeals. "Finally!" She says. "You have a crush on someone, and I can help you with it!"