Lies of a Makeup Junkie

Chapter 8: Brushes and assumptions always need a vigorous cleaning

Lenox was brushing her teeth, getting ready for her first day as Kaylie's assistant, when her phone rang. She spit out the toothpaste and raced to grab it.

"Hey, Mom," she answered.

"How's my favorite girl doing? You ready for today?"

"I'm a little nervous," Lenox admitted. She couldn't sleep last night. All she thought about were different scenarios of her messing up. What if she was on Kaylie's YouTube channel and accidentally deleted all her videos? Or what if she had to move Kaylie's makeup collection and tripped and broke everything? Even worse, what if she posted something on Kaylie's Twitter or Snapchat that started a controversy? Those could be the kiss of death for an online personality.

"You'll do great," her mom assured her. "You're always so organized. Remember that time you helped clean out Nana's house? You had everything in piles before I could blink."

"That was different, Mom." This was so much bigger than sorting through old clothes and furniture. She was going to be working for Kaylie Hanson—her idol. She couldn't mess this up. She just couldn't. "This is a real job with real money. Plus, Grandma and Grandpa know her. I don't want to make them look bad." Pressure began mounting in her chest, making it hard to breathe. What if she turned out to be an utter failure?

"You always do this to yourself. Stress yourself out over nothing. I know you like this Kaylie character, but honey, she's just a girl who posts videos on YouTube."

Lenox took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. "Mom, she makes thousands of dollars by posting those videos on YouTube. Not to mention she collaborates with cosmetic companies and gets flown out to Paris and other crazy places for launch parties."

"Launch parties?"

"For new products. A few months ago I saw on Snapchat she was in Morocco for a new Revlon mascara."

"Companies do that?"

"Yeah, Mom. She's kind of a big deal."

"Well, it doesn't matter who she is. I know my daughter and I know you're going to be the best assistant ever. She's lucky to have someone like you." Her mom might as well have a sign with "Proudest Mom in the World" in blinking lights above her head.

Lenox loved the vote of confidence but wished her Mom would be real right now. Lenox didn't need pretty compliments. She needed the truth. Normally, she would talk to Molly about something like this but they hadn't spoken since Molly hung up on her. "Thanks, Mom. I better finish getting ready."

"Call me tonight. Your father and I want to hear all about your day."

"Is Dad there?" Maybe he would understand. He was more pragmatic than her mom.

"He's at the clubhouse with some business associates. Do you want to talk to him? He has his phone with him."

"It's okay. I don't want to bother him." She'd have to suck it up and do this on her own. Maybe this was what being an adult felt like.

"Love you, honey."

"Love you too, Mom. Bye." A painful realization took hold as Lenox ended the call. Besides Molly and her parents, she had no one to talk to. There were other friends, of course, but none close enough to share thoughts and insecurities. Why had she never noticed how small her circle of people was? Did having a small circle reflect on who she was? Did it make her a bad person?

Feeling lonely, Lenox opened her texts with Molly.

Hey, she typed. Do you have time to talk?

But before she could hit send, resentment rose to the surface, and she deleted it. Lenox was done calling and texting only to get ignored. If Molly wanted to talk, Molly would have to make the first move. Even if that meant Lenox was without a friend. She'd just have to find new friends. Maybe she'd become close with Kaylie. That would really show everyone.