Is This What You Always Want Me For?

Part 12

I woke up the next morning feeling weird that my usual brown hair wasn't covering my eyes. Instead it was this black mess tangled about. I hadn't had time last night to show my mother my new look and I didn't think I was ready this morning, so I snuck out quietly for work.

My morning at Barnes and Noble wasn't ideal. Let's just say Emily was surprised.

"Oh my gosh, Vee! What happened? Was there an accident with your shampoo and lawn mower?"

"No," I said with a small laugh. "Maria did it."

"Well what was she thinking?"

"You don't like it?"

"It's awful!"

I couldn't agree with Emily entirely. I had started to like my new haircut that morning. I couldn't stop looking at it or touching it, and it had a nice movement when I would turn my head. What did Emily know?

That afternoon I made another trip to Maria's house to get ready for Frank's birthday party. She made me put on the outfit we had agreed on and then she sat me down to do her magic on my make-up.

"So are you ready for tonight?" She asked applying foundation to my face.

"I guess," I sighed, not really sure I could express all my emotions right now.

"Well you have had...you know before? Haven't you?" Maria asked sensing my tone.

"Um...," Okay I was getting uncomfortable. "Not exactly."

Maria looked at me and sat down the eyeliner. "Don't worry about it Vee," she said reassuringly. "Just be confident. Guys like that, but also let him have some control because dominance could turn him off, but also try not to be passive..."

Okay I didn't even plan to do anything and I was already sweating with nervousness.
Maria saw my expression and stopped talking. She smiled and picked up the mascara. "You'll be fine."

I'm really not okay!

The product that had come out of Maria's efforts was amazing! I couldn't believe how I looked. I couldn't believe it was me! Maria had darkened my eyes with eyeliner and at the same time made them shine with the shades of red eye shadow. It matched perfectly with my top. Also she insisted I apply a shiner to my legs and arms which made them look even toned and sparkle.

Even though I was barely wearing anything at all, I was sweating bullets when Maria drove us both to Frank's house.

"Relax," she commanded noticing my bouncing limbs. I grabbed my legs to stop the shaking and gave a small smile at Maria. "You have to appear calm and confident when he first sees you," 

Maria went on. "That means no fidgeting!" I laid my hands back on my legs.

I had been to Frank's house numerous times now but it didn't quite look the same with people over-flowing out of it.

Maria got out of the car with grace and poise and put on a smile as we walked towards the house. I almost fell...twice. I heard the speakers emitting Bouncing Souls (Frank's favorite band) as we went through the front door. Three-fourths of the people occupying the house I didn't know and the other one-fourth were people I had met once or twice.

"C'mon," Maria yelled in my ear. She grabbed my hand and pulled me downstairs. It was a lot quieter in the basement and only a few people were there, two of them being Bob and Gerard who occupied the corner bar.