Shot to the Heart

Chapter 1- Eyebrows So Not on Fleek

JE: I am so screwed. I can't get my eyebrows to look good.

FG: Eyebrows are the catepillars of the soul.

JE: what the frick felicia

FG: I mean it. Catepillars seem useless, and are really fuzzy. Eyebrows seem useless, and are really fuzzy. Take away catepillars, and you upset the balance of nature. Take away eyebrows, and you look like one of those freaky Melissa & Doug dolls.

JE: I loved those things as a kid omg

FG: I still love them what are you talking about

JE: ugh eyebrows

FG: You know, I bet Adam said that about butterflies

Jayla put down her phone, still laughing. She returned to the mirror, deftly wielding a tweezers. With a critical eye, she plucked a few stray hairs and, somewhat satisfied, returned to the phone.

JE: who decided eyebrows were important anyways

FG: if you don't like yours, shave them off and draw them off. Eye brows-e for new designs all the time

FG: HAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAH

FG: Get it?

JE: omg felicia galton that's the dumbest pun ever

FG: wow a little harsh for the girl who's about to pluck her eyebrows off. Don't you have a boy to french kiss or something

JE: EWWWWWWWWW FELICIA

JE:EWWWWWWWWW

JE: What if he reads this how would you feel

FG: Pretty awkward actually but then I'm always awkward so

JE: Shut up

FG: i'm serious aren't you supposed to be on a date or something

JE: He's almost here. I should go

FG: Goodbye, dear jayla

JE: Bye felicia

Jayla returned her phone to the charger and returned to the mirror. She inspected her eyebrows (so not on fleek), checked her mascara, buffed up her lip gloss, and then swiped on a last layer of blush. She checked her clothes in the mirror, adjusting her polka dot sweater and making sure her shoelaces were perfectly tied. A spritz of perfume under the neck and she was good to go. Downstairs she danced to talk to her mom, who was calling for her.

"So what are you guys doing again? On your date?" Mrs. Ehlertson teased her daughter, while putting together a meal for Jayla's little brother.

"Shopping at the mall! We're doing some last minute Christmas shopping."

"Oh! And is anything else besides shopping going to happen?"

"Ew, Mom." Jayla stalked away, prowling off. Her brother called her stork walk, because whenever Jayla tried to walk away peevishly, her long legs and fast, stomping manner gave her the impression of a stork.

The doorbell rang. Jayla changed course and opened it. There, waiting on the doorstep, was Alex. He looked so cute, dwarfed in a large trenchcoat with a nice flannel scarf. The snowflakes floated down from the heavens and sat lightly atop his tousled blond hair, giving him an angelic appearance.

"Hey there, stranger." He said this easily, obviously unaware of the effect he was having on Jayla. Words failed her at the moment, and awkwardly, all she could think to say was, "Hello."

They stood there silently for a few seconds before he said, "Are you gonna invite me in or.."

"Oh, yes!" Jayla stepped back, embarassed, and let him in. Suddenly needing to flee the situation, she stammered, "My phone's upstairs." and ran.

Upstairs, she spritzed on one last spray of perfume, gathered her red peacoat and phone, and headed downstairs after taking a few yoga fire breaths.

"Ready to go?" Alex asked.

Jayla nodded. She said goodbye to her mom and brother, and then allowed Alex to escort her out the door.

"You, uh, look very nice." Alex was watching her, and she smiled at how awkwardly phrased his sentence came out.

"Not as nice as Obama." Their laughter filled the air around them, and she was still laughing as she slid into the passenger's seat and shut the door.