Project Publicity || l.h

Chapter 3// Makeover

The next day is a Saturday, and you can say I was more than a little pissed when Luke wakes me up with a phone call.

"What do you want?" I growl into the phone, tired and cranky. I am not about to deal with any more phone calls from:

1. My Exes (Especially the stalker type)

2. My divorced father (There really was nothing to say)

But it just turns out to be that blond, dorky kid I'm doing a project with.

"Whoa, calm down. You told me to call you in the morning for 'evil-planning step one'!" Luke laughs.

Evil-planning Step one?

Right. I do remember saying that last night.

I clear my throat, realizing I was being rude. With that, I am interrupted by a horrible memory.

"Gotta be nice to strangers, Jade." Ashton chuckled, running a hand through his messy curls. He sat back with his hand resting on the idle steering wheel, then leaned in so close I could feel his breath on my lips, his fingers on my chin and-

"Helloooo?" Luke sings through the phone, interrupting the horrifying flashback. Thank you, Luke. Good lord.

"Right. Sorry." I clear my throat, suddenly embarrassed. "Can you drive over to North Hill Mall? Meet me in thirty?"

"Um, sure. Why?" He sounds hesitant.

"You'll see," I tell him simply, then hang up. Next, I get up from bed and start my daily routine: taking a shower, straightening my hair, applying eyeliner and lip balm. Dressing in a simple tee and skinny jeans, I'm out the door and starting the car engine within twenty minutes.

....

"I'm early this time," Luke says happily as he plops down in his seat across from me. We're sitting at the Starbucks at the mall, a caramel mocha already attached to my hand. The way he did that was kind of cute, but I hide a smile.

"Today's the day for the 'all-new-and-improved, Luke makeover!" I announce, and watch as Luke's eyes nearly pop out of his head.

"Makeover? No way...." He looks petrified. I wonder why? His style sense is horrible and obviously needs a few tips from me.

"Yes, way. You're coming with me." I get up and pull on his sleeve, dragging him down the halls and into the first decent store I see.

"Ahh. American Apparel. Not too fancy, not too pricey." I decide with satisfaction.

"Not too pricey?!" Luke frowns, pointing at a blouse that costs over $50.

"Compared to the clothes most trendy guys buy, yes," I give him a dirty look, but my attention is quickly diverted to a long-sleeved plaid shirt on the rack. "Ooh. Go put this on." I shove the shirt into his arms. "And these pants." I give him a pair of skinny jeans I find next to it. "And these." I add a sleeveless top and sneakers, then push him into one of the change rooms.

...
Minutes pass and Luke is still in the change room. I've gotten bored of playing Candy Crush, tired of the same Selena Gomez song the store kept repeating, and way too impatient for that boy to come out.

"Loo- uh, Luke, whatever. Today, please." I sigh.

"Uh....Jade..." Luke replies from behind the door. "I really don't think these clothes are...for me."

"Just come out when you're done! Jesus." I roll my eyes, resisting an urge to kick open the door.

Luke clears his throat nervously. "Okay," he mutters, and the door clicks open. He's wearing the sleeveless shirt I handed him- which is edgy, but casual. He also has on the skinny jeans and new sneakers. Luke looks like a changed man. Completely gone are his baggy sweatshirt and track pants, and beat-up pair of runners that proves he really didn't give a shit what he wore.

For a nerd that probably sits around reading books all day, the clothes fit him pretty well. It's not like he has a full 6-pack and a ripped chest, but the fabric hugs him in all the right places. Damn, I'm good at this.

I flip my hair over my shoulder, feeling the ultimate Jade moment. "We're buying all of it," I declare. "And I'll pay."