Serenity

seven

"You are not wearing those shoes," Kathleen sits beside me on my bed as I stand in my front of my full-length mirror. She scrunches up her face, "They don't even look good with that dress!"

I look down at the black flats on my feet, "They look fine. I'm not going to wear heels. They hurt my feet, and these shoes are pretty comfortable."

She scoffs, "At least do something with your hair."

"I did. I straightened it, see?" I bring my hair forward over my shoulders and smile to show her my satisfaction.

"Cora, you are helpless," She rolls her eyes, "Can I do your makeup, then?"

"I already have mascara and eyeliner on," I say, making her frown. Maybe a little more wouldn't hurt, right? "Fine." I sigh in defeat, "I know this is for a party, but please don't go over the top."

She squeals, "I won't, I promise. Let me just go get my makeup bag." Kathleen practically runs out of my room with so much excitement. Meanwhile, I push my desk chair in front of the mirror to sit down on. "Okay, I'm back." She places a medium-sized black makeup case on top of my bed.

"That's your makeup bag?" I question and raise an eyebrow.

"Well," She pauses and purses her lips, "I couldn't find it. But, don't worry! I won't use a lot on you." Her voice is filled with so much enthusiasm and it scares me.

"Kathleen, you're only fourteen, are you sure you know what you're doing with this stuff?"

"Okay, I only know how to do basic things," She admits, "Like using BB cream and face powder, or a light smokey-eye. I don't even know how to do a winged liner; I only line the top lid, and that's pretty much about it."

"Okay," I nod my head, "I only hope that you won't make me look like a ridiculous clown." I joke.

She frowns but chooses to ignore my comment, "Okay, first, I need to put a primer on your face." She notices my confusion and continues, "It helps your makeup stay on longer."

She opens the latches of her makeup case, and pulls out a small cylinder tube. Removing the cap, she squirts a small amount onto her fingertips. She then spreads the smooth lotion-like base onto my face.

"Hold on, I need to get that," I say as soon as I hear my loud ringtone break the silence in the room. I stand and grab my cellphone, smiling as I read the contact name written on the lit up screen.

"Hello, Harry." I say and Kathleen frowns since I am now holding the phone on the side of my face, so she moves onto my eyes for now, telling me to close them.

"Cora," His voice sounds panicked, "I don't know if I can go through with this, Cora."

"Go through with what?" I say, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Don't do that," Kathleen scolds me as she pauses from moving a brush across my eyes, "The eyeshadow will come out looking weird. Keep a straight face."

"The party," Harry says and I hear rustling in the background, "There is going to be a lot of people there, am I right? I don't do well around a huge crowd."

"Little do you know, I'm not so fond of parties either," I say, laughing to myself, "Harry, you need to make some friends."

"I have friends."

"Okay, yes, you do have friends. But that's only on campus, and all you talk about with them is either classwork or sharing notes."

"I don't know," He says slowly.

"I'm sure some of the guys from your soccer team will be there, okay?" I pause, "You'll be fine."

He stays silent for a moment and sighs. Then all of a sudden he says, "Be my date, Cora."