The Self-Harmed

~The dance~

I had my makeup suitcase tossed over a shoulder, my heels tucked under an arm, my dress bag in one hand and my mask in the other. I was standing outside Ayelie's door trying to open it. I finally sighed, and smacked my head on the door twice. Ayelie opened the door, and lunged for my shoes and mask.

"Thanks." I told her walking in. "I don't have anything to do my hair."

"I think Clara has you covered. She did mine too."

Clara was sitting on the floor in front of a hair station she had set up. She was dressed in a white tank top and pink pj bottoms. Ayelie was dressed similar in black pj bottoms. I wore plaid pj shorts and a black tank top. "Hold your breath." Clara said. Ayelie and I sucked in a large breath as Clara sprayed her hair down.

She fixed a curl and then smiled at me.

"Curly, straight?"

"Curly."

"Welcome to my salon." She held out a hand.

I sat down with my makeup bag. Ayelie moved the mirrors out of the way and sat in front of me. She unzipped the bag and grinned.

"Hell yes. This is going to be fun." She reached inside. "Did you want me to do your makeup too Clara?"

"Yeah, I wanted a Smokey eye. Black and pink."

"Lucky for you." She grabbed a black eye shadow. "I do a killer Smokey eye. Is that okay for you too Charlie? Or do you have another look you want?"

"My face is your playground."

"A very pretty playground it is." She smiled. "Close your eyes."

So an hour later my hair was curled my makeup dark and dramatic. Clara and Ayelie already had their dresses on. Ayelie was helping Clara with her mask. I grabbed Ayelie's off the dresser and tied it into place. As I doubled knotted it Clara unzipped my dress. We all pulled it out, and they helped me climb in.

"Are you decent?" A voice asked from the other side of the door.

"Yeah." We all called, sounding like one echoing voice.

I lifted up my dress and stuck a foot out for Clara as Ayelie set my mask in place.

"Hey." We all looked up and Ryder snapped a picture.

"Sorry." I told them.

"It's okay." Clara grabbed a shoe. "Other foot."

"You'll photo shop that if I have a double chin right?" Ayelie asked, tying the double knot.

"Sorry." Ryder looked down at his camera. "My pictures are all natural."

We all pilled out of the room. I was last and Ryder grabbed my arm.

"You look beautiful, and if your lips weren't as red as blood I'd kiss you."

"Thank you." I smiled. "I think."

He kissed my cheek and we met up with everyone in the hall.

"My lady." Caden bowed, holding out a hand.

I bowed a little also and took his hand. His head snapped up as he grinned. He spun me out and then back in. I laughed and smacked his chest.

"Okay so we are ten minutes late." Alex informed us.

"Good." Ayelie grabbed his arm, "That means everyone will be there."

We all headed into the food hall, as Owen put on his mask. He was usually the last one ready. They had changed it a lot. Perfect for the dance, with a live Dj and they had added a stage.

Right away people started to talk and point at us.

"Once again." Mr. Pepper called from the stage mic. "Will The Members of Ana Cuts please make their way to the back stage? Please?"

We all looked at each other and then walked in a straight line against the wall to the stage. We hurried behind the stage.

"You called Mr. Pepper?" I asked.

He turned around and jumped back hand to heart.

"Jeesh." He muttered. "I was wondering if you wanted to perform."

"They'll perform." Ayelie stepped forward. "I'll make sure of it. But please don't introduce the band. They'll just go up there, perform, and then take off their masks."

Mr. Pepper looked at us.

"She's the manager." Owen said.

"Alright." He nodded. "Midnight."

"Perfect." Ayelie nodded.

"There's a voting table!" Clara grabbed My arm. "Let's go see what It's for!"

As she pulled me away I grabbed Ayelie's arm. No way was I going in this one alone. Ayelie Grabbed Alex's arm, Alex grabbed Owen, and He grabbed Ryder, who grabbed Caden's good arm. So we all walked to the table in a train. Caden was out of his cast now for his foot. It was just a really bad strain. His arm was still in a cast like mine was.

I had better mobile of my arm than he did. I grabbed the paper that Clara shoved at me. New year's Queen. I scribbled down Clara's name and stuck it in a box. I grabbed the next paper that said New year's princess. I wrote down Ayelie's name and shoved it in. I voted Caden and Alex for King and Prince and Called it a night.

At midnight they announced the winners. Clara won Queen and there was a tie for princess between Ayelie and I. Caden won King and Alex won Prince. The back curtains Opened. Ryder was in place along with Owen. I took off my mask and took my place. We played a few songs before we headed off stage, some kids coming up to us congratulating us all.

We all headed to the field for sparklers. There were tables set up, with pencils and paper and wooden boxes. We started on our new year's resolutions. I wrote down eat more, cut less, stay alive, on three papers before folding them in half. Owen held out the box and I dropped my papers in with the rest. He smiled at me and snapped the box shut. He set the box in a hole in the ground, and Ryder and Alex grabbed shovels and buried the box.

Ayelie and Clara stood next to me holding my arms. Funny thing about resolutions, is that they never really come true. You don't really follow through with them. But this year was different. I was determined to make them a reality.