Vanilla Girl

P i s t a c h i o

SELF-CONSCIOUSLY, I touch the hair clip Wyona placed on my hair to hold the yukky bangs which, by the way, she didn't manage to tame back to normal.

She'd combed through them, but they still had this oily consistency that looked just gross.

At the end, she'd given me a defeated look and slipped the pin in place.

At least now the thing wasn't right in front of my face.

I'd thought that too.

But then I looked myself in the mirror and gasped in horror.

My forehead seemed three sizes too big.

And I mean too big.

Plus, it gave away the slight white scar that spread at the side of my forehead from where my sister had burned me with a pan when we were kids.

Hence the bangs.

So now, as I endured sixth period I couldn't stop reaching up to touch it.

A few guys had given me weird looks when I walked in.

Or I think they have.

Maybe I made it up.

Gah! I'm going crazy.

We are at the laboratory. My partner Justin is sitting beside me, looking bored out of his mind. His brownish hair is tousled to the side in what I'm sure is an attempt at a sexy look.

One of his elbows is planted on the table, hand holding his chin as if his whole head weighed a ton. His warm green eyes are lacking their usual glint as he stares ahead, his lower lip curving on a pout.

I have to admit Justin is quite nice. The hard set of his jaw and deep set eyes give him his fair share of poins on the attractive department. I'd add him to my personal list of good looking guys if I didn't knew him any better.

Unfortunately, I do.

"What?"

His voice snaps me out of my own thoughts.

"Huh?" I say, coloring slightly, as I realize I've been staring at his profile a little too long.

He watches me amused.

"A picture will last longer."

Goodness.

Why did I have to drift off to la la land while I was looking at him?

Now he won't let the subject drop.

"Why would I want a picture of you on my phone?"

I say, making an obvious effort not to blush.

The sparks return to his previously bored eyes.

"Admit it. You just like to see my handsome face before you go to sleep."

I roll my eyes.

"Thanks Juss, but I like to avoid nightmares if I can help it."

The corner of his lips tugs up and I feel mine do the same.

"I'm sure my picture will help you get rid of nightmares."

I cock an eyebrow.

"Really?" I ask. "I'm curious. Say I do take a picture of you, won't my camera lens break?"

He lets out a laugh.

"Rude. By the way, those are mirrors. And... for your information, I've never broken one in my life."