Tips From A Street Racer

Chapter 2: Meeting Him

"I'm here!" Candace shouts as she takes a ruined Becky from my arms and hands her a full tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

I send her a grateful smile as Becky slowly dumps her spoon repeatedly into the ice cream.

Candace slowly pulls out three packs of Kool-Aid from her grocery bag and shakes them in front of our faces as if we are babies.

"I thought maybe we could use it to dye our hair as a way to get your mind off of... well.... you know who." Candace finished sheepishly.

Becky begins nodding her head as she reaches up to wipe away the last of her tears.

"Let's do it."
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"Are you sure about this?" Becky asks, obviously doubting her earlier words.

"Of course I am. I've already watched 10 DIY videos about Kool-Aid dye. You literally can't mess it up!" Candace explains to us.

I scoff at this. Knowing me, I can and will mess it all up.

I glance over at the 3 little bowls that hold Kool-Aid powder, conditioner and water.

The scent of candy fills the air as I mentally slap myself for even considering this.

"Jade, what colour do you want?" Becky asks me, her peppy nature resurfacing.

I'm pretty sure she knows I'll pick red, it being my favorite colour and all. My car is red, my clothes are red, my nails are red, anything and everything I own is red.

Before I answer, Candace sets a bowl filled with red Kool-Aid down on the counter in front of me.

" You only want red, I know I've heard the speech before!" Candace says a smirk on her face. At least she can tell I like red!

"Ready?" Becky asks us when we all finished putting our gloves on. "1...2....3!" I count before plastering the goop onto my hair.

When we all finish smothering our hair, we settle in for a movie while we wait for the dye to set.
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"All Done!" I hear Candace say.

I reach up to touch the tinfoil covering the dye. Finally! I think to myself.

I lean over the sink and rinse out the left over dye. I lift my head to look at myself in the mirror.

My dark brown curls are now stained with red at the tips. The red came out in a colour the shade of blood. It actually worked! And I didn't mess it up!

I glance over at my friends to see if it worked for them as well.

Becky's hair was now completely purple and Candace's tips were bright blue.

"Now we should make facemasks!" Candace screeched.

"As much as I would love to see that disaster, I have to go home."I say, halfway to the door.

Before they can reply, I'm already in my car and racing home, needing to try and get some sleep tonight.

The door to my house quietly clicks as I make my way up to my room. I suck in a breath and silently wish that my mom won't bust me for staying up past curfew.

I slip into my bed and let out a relived breath at not being caught before my eyelids droop and sleep takes over.
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My eyes flutter open at the sound of beeping coming from my clock.

I jam my fist into the top of the alarm and stuff my face into my pillow until my hand comes in contact with the correct button to turn my alarm clock off.

I groggily drag myself out of bed and stare at myself in the mirror.

New and improved Jade. Ah ha! Jade! That's the colour I should have chosen. I think before I head toward the stairs.