While Gemma had the scoop on the real world, no one knew how to navigate Chrysella better than Trista. And following her lead was easy. Being a Penultimate wasn't like being a DangerZone. There was no specific uniform. Trista was all about individual style—as long as whatever we wore looked good enough to be "aspirational."
She thought my basic jeans and tops were a fine place to start but I needed some additional pieces and accessories to make my wardrobe work. She e-mailed me lists of links to items I should buy. I thought it was cool that she didn't make assumptions about what I could afford. If she liked something for me, she always sent at least two different versions: one higher end and one budget-friendly equivalent.
When I told her my credit card had been confiscated as part of my grounding, she told me to save the links until she "took care of things." In the meantime, she brought in items of her own or had the other girls bring in things to supplement my wardrobe. I never minded taking Trista's suggestions. She brought out a personal style I didn't even know I had.
Turned out "casual chic" was my thing: skinny blue jeans, tunics, heels, and limited but very specific accessories, like just the right textured shoulder bag, long necklace, or earrings. Trista also tweaked my makeup routine. She showed me how to blend different blushers, bronzers, lip glosses, and eye shadows to create the perfect look for my face: one that seemed totally natural but made my eyes and smile pop. My hair was still a mess of straight layers that looked best tied back, but I told Trista how curly it would get and she was thrilled. With the right highlights and product, she said it would be my crowning glory.
Even my mom noticed the change in me once I started taking advice from Trista. "You look so sophisticated lately, Cara," she said during dinner one night. "Like you're really taking care of yourself."
I ignored the implication that I had looked like a slob before and simply took the compliment. "Thanks. It's my friend Trista. She gives amazing fashion advice."
"I like the makeup, too. You look very collegiate. Doesn't she look collegiate, Karl?"
Karl lowered his paper for all of a second to look at me, then he disappeared behind it again. "Very collegiate," he muttered.
It was only two words, but Mom nearly jumped out of her seat with delight. Not only had Karl spoken to me, he'd admitted I looked "collegiate," which was the highest praise imaginable.
Much as I didn't want to get caught up in Mom's and Karl's head games, I felt pretty warm and fuzzy about it, too.
The next day, Karl showed up at Chrysella.
Trista, Ree-Ree, and Kristie were walking me out after school when I saw him. He was standing by my car, his long, lanky body practically bent double as he tried to shield his cell phone call from the wail of the wind.
No good could come of Karl being here. Sure, he'd acknowledged and half complimented me the night before, but he could still say anything now, and the Populazzi were right here to witness it.
"Cara!" Karl called, then he quickly got off the phone and walked toward us. He had a huge grin on his face, as if his appearance in the Chrysella parking lot was a special treat I could only be thrilled to receive.
"Aren't you going to introduce me?" he chirped.
"Um ... sure. You guys, this is Karl, my stepdad. Karl, this is—"
"Trista Camello," Trista interrupted. She had a huge, confident smile on her face, and she strode toward Karl with her hand outstretched. "It is such a pleasure finally meeting you, Mr. Ralston. I can't even tell you what a joy it's been getting to know Cara. You and Mrs. Ralston have clearly done an incredible job raising her."
Wow ... gush much? If I tried pulling off something like that it would sound completely fake, but Trista made it work. Karl lit up. I think he even blushed as he shook her hand. "Thank you, Trista," he said. "It's a pleasure meeting you, too. Cara's told me a lot about you."
I briefly considered asking when I'd told him a lot about her, seeing as we hadn't had a single conversation since I'd entered Trista's orbit, but Trista was already introducing Karl to Kristie and Renee, which apparently was Ree-Ree's real name. Trista then complimented