City Gurl

Chapter Eleven

BEEP,BEEP,BEEP.

I groan and roll over. The beeping is my alarm clock for today. I didn't want to make the mistake of sleeping late today. Why did I want to do that again?

School.

My eyes shoot open and I reach over and slap my alarm clock forcefully. I'm not sleepy anymore. Not even a little bit.

I throw the covers off and sit up. I step out of bed and head towards the bathroom. I take a shower, brush my teeth, and brush, comb, and take the curlers out of my hair. My brown hair is now bouncy and curly. I need to make a really good impression on my first day at New York City.

I apply pink lip gloss, a tiny bit of dark eye shadow, and really light pink blush. I've practiced this makeup routine for years, and I've found out that this makeup pattern seriously makes me look sexy, but simple. The perfect look for school.

I dash to my room, allowing Keith to enter the bathroom next. I quickly get a pink off-the-shoulder shirt that says OMG on it. I put on a tank top, then that. I choose some nice jean shorts and purple ballet flats.

I stand back to look into my full length mirror and study myself. Hmm. Yes, very nice. But it's missing something...

"Oh my gosh," I gasp. I've forgotten nail polish! How could I???!!! 😧

I flash a look at the clock in my bedside table. It says 7:00. I have to wake up extra early because I have to walk to school, which is two city blocks away. Hmm. School starts at eight...yes, have time if I do them in fifteen minutes. Which I can, because I've practiced that, too.

I choose pink nail polish and carefully, but quickly, paint my nails. No time for toes. Nobody will see my toes, anyway. Ah, screw it.

I run to the kitchen and allow myself a piece if toast with strawberry jam. Can't be fatty on the first day! Besides, I don't want to mess up my lip gloss. I use my teeth only to eat my toast, while Keith is gobbling down a whole stack of them. I wince as crumbs get all over is face.

After I'm done, I grab my stuffed new purple book bag and lift it onto my shoulder. I grunt, it's so heavy. Keith, of course, picks his up with no effort at all. He plays football. I sing. Compare.

I nod at him and say, "Let's go, Fatso,"

He sticks his tongue. "Alright, Shithead,"

I roll my eyes and push the door open. Keith follows me out the door and into the hall. I wave to our elderly neighbor, Ms. Haven. Why do I make so many old friends? God!

We go down the stairs and into the lobby. Bernie is there and he nods at us.

"Have a good day at school!" He says as we leave.

"Thanks!" I call back, and step into the sunlight.

Harry is there, standing around.

"Hi," I say bashfully. "We're going to school. You?"

Keith grins and winks at me. "Yo, Harry! How's everything?"

"Good," Harry smiles back at me and Keith. I twirl my hair around my finger automatically.

Keith rolls his eyes at me and tugs my arm.

"Come on, Evelyn," he says. "We're gonna be late for school!"

Harry puts his hand up in apology.

"Sorry!" He gasps. "I didn't know you were heading off to school! Well, I did, but I thought you were going to breakfast!"

Keith frowns and tugs me away.

"Lame excuses," he grumbles.

I take a deep breath. I don't think they're lame. I probably would've said that too.

But I had bigger problems now. I was going to school.