a few snips here and there and turned on his straightening iron.
Rob/Robin spent another fifteen minutes sectioning off a strip of hair, spritzing it, then clamping it between the flat blades of the iron. When he whirled the chair back toward the mirror, I gasped. I couldn’t believe it. My hair was COMPLETELY straight. Not a single curl. I looked like one of those girls on TV. My hair fell in glossy layers that framed my face and flipped under just past my shoulders. Rob smiled and said, See? Told you you have good hair.
I was still so shocked that I didn’t even know what to say. He said, I’m gonna put this up now in a loose French twist—I call it the Modern Grace Kelly. He gathered it all up and twisted it into a loose wrap that created a knot, which he tied up with a few hairpins. Then he told me that I could come get a blowout anytime I wanted for twenty bucks, and said, I’m going to give you some makeup now.
When he turned the chair around again, I didn’t recognize myself. My eyes were perfectly lined and he’d given me a smudged silver eye shadow that wasn’t too dark and gave just a hint of sparkle under my eyebrows. My lashes were curled; my lips were a deep crimson that matched my nails. I caught my breath. Who was this creation in the mirror? Certainly not a band geek.
When I stood up out of the chair, I hugged Rob/Robin. Hard. He smiled and pressed the lipstick he’d used into my hand. He whispered, On the house. Have fun tonight.
The best part of the whole day so far? When I walked over to meet Mom and Ashley, who were waiting up front for me to get done, neither one of them realized it was me until I spoke. Ashley’s jaw dropped open, and Mom gasped like she’d been smacked. Then of course both of them started gushing at the same time about how amazing I looked and neither one of them could shut up about it all the way home.
Jess just texted and said she and Kelly are on their way over.
I feel ridiculous, but I can’t stop looking at myself in the mirror. I’m actually really glad we decided to get ready here now. I don’t know who this girl is Carson is bringing from his church, but I can’t help but wonder how she’ll look. I’m feeling pretty confident all of a sudden.
Later . . .
Kelly and Jess were amazed when they saw my hair and makeup. Kelly told me I looked like a movie star. Jess made my mom write down the name and number of the salon so she could go see Rob/Robin as soon as possible, then they set up shop in my bathroom. They’re in there now doing each other’s hair, and I’m sitting here writing in this journal because I’m sort of bored, and as good as my hair looks, I’m worried about feeling left out tonight. I mean, I already sort of feel left out and we haven’t even gotten to the dance yet.
I didn’t want to tag along with Jess and Kelly because I don’t want to feel like a third wheel. And now, that seems to be exactly what is happening. And what if they actually do a bunch of that molly tonight? Then I’ll end up REALLY being left out. Or worse, I’ll end up having to get Ashley and Reid and Carson and Church Girl to let me hang with them.
Okay, I’m going to take a deep breath and just try to remember what Dad said this morning about not wishing this away. I’m just going to put on some music and go into the bathroom, sit on the toilet, and talk to them while they get ready. This will be as fun as I make it.
Sunday, May 11
I am still lying in bed. I want to write about everything that happened last night, but before I do I must hunt down some Advil or Tylenol. My head has a bass drum it. Maybe my brain is literally blown. It is definitely figuratively blown. I. Cannot. Believe. What. Happened. Last. Night.
Especially the Carson part.
Maybe that’s the drum in my head beating: CAR-SON, CAR-SON, CAR-SON.
Oh my god. I’m losing it. I have to get Advil. And water.
Later . . .
I just got back from the kitchen, where I went to get a bottle of