Chasing Astrid Malone

10. FUCKED UP FAIRYTALE

"WHERE'S MY BIRTHDAY GIRL?!"

I opened the door and walked into the hall in my towel, holding the bikini behind my back. "Im up here mom, I just got out of the shower. I'll be down in a minute."

I threw on loose sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt, put my hair up in a bun, and slipped on my flip flops. Going downstairs I could only hope I didn't leave behind some obvious clue about what I've been doing today.

"Hey mom, I told you Im fine. You didn't need to close the store and come home early." She ignored me and handed me a piece of last night's cake.

"Eat your cake and let's go get mani-pedis. Maybe we can get our hair cut too while we're out?" She looked so excited and ill admit I liked the idea of getting pampered today.

"Are you sure we can afford that right now?" She turned to me and pulled me into a hug.

"Always so sensible. You get that from your father for sure. Considering Brenda bought you your prom dress and shoes, I think the least I can do is some hair and nails. You're going to let me do your makeup tomorrow right?"

"Sure Mom, okay let's do it then." I finished my cake and waited for my mom at the door. She smiled and jingled her keys at me.

"Your driving! You need to get your license and practice makes perfect."

I took the keys but felt tense about driving. I just need to become rich overnight and hire a personal driver. That's what I need.

....

By the time we reached the mall, my muscles were tense and sore. I handed the keys to my mom "you're driving home." She laughed and agreed.

We stopped in for mani-pedis at Tips & Toes. My mom walked right to the display of colors and picked out a pink she liked. I picked up a light blue and my mom grabbed it from me

"No way! You're in a white dress. You need a french manicure." I shrugged and turned to the woman waiting for us. My mom did all the talking.

We followed the woman to the massage chairs in the back. After the drive here it was exactly what my body needed. My mom was talking to me about her prom, but all I could think about was Cameron.

He was clearly joking when he called himself my boyfriend. He's cocky and forward, but he's still Cameron Beck. It pains me to think about all the girls he's been with. Did he treat them the way he's treating me?

My fingernails and toes were polished, and I was sad to leave the foot soak and massage chair. My mom, the ex-beauty queen, was thrilled to be doing this. We were headed to the salon now.

...

Two hours later we were heading home. My phone vibrated in my pocket.

Cameron: there's a party tonight... Do you want to go with me?

I looked over at my mom, who is still going on in detail about every memory she has about prom.

"Hey mom, would you mind if I went out tonight?"

She glanced over at me surprised. "I thought Brenda and Carly were busy tonight?"

"They are. I got invited to a get together with some other people from school."

"A party?"

"I guess... Don't make it a big deal mom"

She huffed at me but looked thoughtful for a moment. "Of course you can go. I can drop you off and your brother can pick you up when your ready. There's no way your wearing that."