The Lost Ones | Choni

11| The tryout

Toni's POV

It was Friday after school and I was with Cheryl in the locker room. We had gotten there early so I could help Cheryl get ready to go into the gym. I had practiced her routine with her the last couple days to make sure so felt comfortable with it. She seemed ready yesterday, but now she's freaking out.

"What if I mess up, Toni? What if everyone makes fun of me?" She asked frantically as she paced around.

"You won't mess up and no one will make fun on you." I said gently.

"But what if-"

"Don't focus on the what ifs." I said as I looked into her eyes. "When you're out there you're going to have your moment, so own it. I know it's hard for you to be confident but if you act confident then chances are you'll feel more confident. When you go out there, hold your head up high and strut in like you own the place. Focus on having fun above everything though, okay?" I explained.

"Okay." She smiled as she let out a relived sigh. "Thanks, Tee-Tee."

"You're welcome. Now put your uniform on while I get something out of my bag."

"Okay." She nodded.

She went to the curtains to change in private while I got my brush out of my bag, along with some red lipstick and a little gift, but I put the gift out of sight. Cheryl came back and she had taken her glasses off and replaced them with contacts.

"I hate wearing my contacts so much." She groaned.

"Whys that?" I asked with a little giggle.

"Because I hardly wear them so my eyes hurt when I put them in. And knowing I have something in my eye grosses me out." She winced at the last part.

"I'm sorry about that, but if you were to break your glasses then you'd have to wear them everyday till you get new glasses." I explained.

"Yeah, I know." She said as she playful rolled her eyes. "What's the brush and lipstick for?" She asked as she saw what I was holding.

"I just wanted to try something. Trust me?"

"Of course."

"Okay, sit down please." I said as I gestured for her to sit on the bench. She sat down and then I reached to pull out the hair tie that held her braid together. "Can I?"

"Yeah." She nodded and I pulled the elastic band from her hair. I then gently raked my fingers through her red hair to pull the braid apart.

Holy shit! Her hair is so soft!

I frowned a bit once her hair was all down and I couldn't run my hand though her hair anymore. I picked my brush up and ran it through her hair until all of her hair got into proper place. I then opened the new red lipstick I got for her and walked around the bench to be in front of her.

"Woah wait? You want me to wear red lipstick?" She asked worryingly.

"Hey, I know it's a bold color and it'll draw some attention, but trust me. Okay?"

"Okay." She sighed.

I put the lipstick on for her and then I helped her off the bench. I took her over to the full length mirror and she gasped at her reflection.

"Wow." She breathed. "I didn't realize that wearing contacts and some lipstick could make me look so different."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it! I don't think it'll be a permanent thing, but I do feel kinda confident." She admitted as she smiled at her reflection.

"And that's why I wanted to try it. If you feel good about how you look then you'll feel a little more confident." I explained. "But for what it's worth, you look perfect all the time. So don't feel like you have to look like this to feel confident and beautiful."