I remember my senior year like it was yesterday, even though it has been 50 years ago. My family and I had just moved to Daytona Beach Florida from a little town in North Dakota. Boy was that a culture shock. I went from wearing denim, flannel shirts, and boots to summer dresses, tank tops, shorts, and sandals. I sure did need to work on my tan. Compared to all those blonde-haired, blue-eyed, bronzed girls I looked like a ghost. My first priority was to give myself a total makeover. "Mom I am going to the salon and then the mall before school starts tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" I asked in my usual sweet voice. "Sure AJ". My mom has always called me AJ but, my full name is Alexandria Jasmine Hill. "What look are you going for this year?" my mom asked in a chipper mood. She is always so upbeat in the mornings while I take after my dad being a night owl. At least that's what my mom told me anyway because I don't remember much about my dad, he died when I was four years old. He was riding in the rodeo circuit and was thrown off a bull and he died instantly. He had life insurance which helped and also he and my mom had been saving money so we were not hurting for money. My mom is a lawyer so that is why we moved to Florida because she was going to be partners with some big shot lawyer. "I am going for more of a beach-worthy look because I stand out like a sore thumb with my black hair, brown eyes, and pale skin". I pouted. "Oh, honey you know you are beautiful just the way you are but if you want a change have fun! I won't be home until late tonight and I have an early morning so I probably won't see you again until tomorrow night". "Okay mom I love you, I'm out of here". I walked over and gave my mom a kiss on the cheek and grabbed my purse and my car keys and headed out the door to my baby blue Toyota Camry. I loved my car, my mom got it for me for my 16th birthday. I drove to the mall with my windows down and my sunroof open with my radio blaring to country music, which was my favorite. I got to the mall and had to cruise the parking lot trying to find the closest parking spot without having to hike a mile. Who would have thought that the mall would be so crowded. After my third time around the parking lot I finally spotted a car backing out and I quickly pulled into the now vacant spot and walked into the busy mall. I found a beauty salon and stepped inside. I was greeted by a middle aged woman with light brown hair with blonde streaks. "Hi my name is Lexi, what can I do for you today"? She smiled at me. There was something that was so warm and friendly about her smile. "I am wanting a complete makeover because I just moved here and I start my senior year of high school tomorrow and I feel totally out of place looking like this". I said putting on my sweet and innocent face. She smiled back at me and said. "Okay hop on in this chair and I will work my magic". By the time she was finished with me I had a really cute shoulder length layered hair style that she had dyed dark blonde with sun blonde streaks. I totally loved it! "Wow, I am so at a loss for words. This is perfect! Thank you so much! I will be back next month for touch ups, I think I am going to be a regular for you". I said as I slipped a generous tip into her tip jar. "Awesome I am so glad you like it". I left there and went into a clothing boutique to search for a few school outfits. Three hours later I was driving back to the house, but before I got home I drove through the Taco Bell drive-thru and ordered two seven-layered burritos with extra sour cream and extra guacamole and a large Baja Blast Mountain Dew, my absolutely favorite lunch. I went home and put away all of my stuff, ate lunch and laid down across my bed and watched a DVD. After awhile I started to get sleepy so I drifted off to sleep. I woke up at eleven pm, I went into my bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth and slip into my pajamas. I was still tired from my long day of shopping so I set my alarm for six am and slipped under the covers and drifted quickly back off to sleep. The next morning my alarm went off and I slapped the off button quickly to stop the annoying beeping sound that was screeching from my alarm clock. I slowly dragged myself out of bed and went into my bathroom to take a hot shower and get ready for what I just knew was going to be a long day. After my shower I wrapped up in a towel and went back into my room to blow dry my hair and put on my makeup. I was just finishing up with my makeup when my phone went off, it was a text message from my mom telling me she loved me and that she hoped I had a good first day. She also told me she had a client dinner scheduled for tonight so I would be eating dinner alone. That was typical because she always worked late. I texted back and told her simply ok! I got up and slipped on a purple Sundress with matching strappy sandals. I stood in front of my full length mirror and looked myself over. If my friends from back home could see me now would they ever be shocked, I looked so different. I was running late so I grabbed my backpack and keys and headed out the door to my car.
