of it.
“He didn’t seem to be when I texted him earlier. He didn’t seem at all concerned.”
“I’m sure he was, but you know what boys are like, can’t show their feelings. I’ll have a chat with him later, tell him off.”
“It’s fine. Please don’t say anything.” All I need on top of everything else is for Guy to think I’ve fallen out with him.
“Okay. If you don’t want me to. Look why don’t I come over before the picnic starts? I’ll bring some magazines. Mom bought me the latest Cosmo you can borrow that if you like.”
“NO,” I shout then quickly cough to hide it. “I mean, thanks but no you mustn’t. I’m very contagious and you can’t risk catching anything. Not with the netball finals coming up.” Notice being ill hasn’t affected my talent for thinking on my feet. Except I’m not ill, am I? Oh well, whatever. I’m still good at wriggling my way out of things—hardly surprising the amount of balancing and wriggling I’ve been doing these last few months. “I’d hate to be responsible for the best player on the team missing the most important match of the season.”
I launch into a long cough and throw in a couple of sniffs when I finish. You know I really should have taken drama. I’m a natural.
“I suppose you’re right. Well take care. And I’ll ring you as soon as I get home. If you’re feeling a bit better tomorrow I’ll pop around then.”
You know, this is so weird. The most popular girl in school and leader of the in-crowd is concerned about me. And I’m having to let her down. Never in a month of Sundays did I ever picture myself in this situation. And believe me I’ve envisaged a lot situations in the past. Well, only the recent past because Maddie and I never cared about being in the popular group before. We used spend our time laughing at them.
Just wait ’til Maddie hears about this. I’m sure she’ll agree this confirms I’ve truly made it. I’m where I set out to be. And it’s definitely worth all the sacrifices I’ve had to make. I feel sort of cleansed. A bit like how people must feel after a colonic irrigation. Gross, what on earth made me think of that? Oh yes. Maddie mentioned it to me. Said she was thinking of having one. Actually I think she was winding me up.
“Why don’t I phone you later instead. In case I’m asleep and the ringing wakes me up, you know how loud the ring tone is on my cell.” And just in case I’m back after you, which I could well be as Truck-fest is over an hours drive away.
I glance at my watch. Crap. I’m going to be late if I don’t get rid of Lori. I have another coughing fit, which seems to do the trick and we say goodbye. Then I make a mad dash for the bathroom.
No need to make an effort, obviously. As I’m not trying to impress. Though for the sake of my personal pride I can’t go out looking a total wreck so I do put on a light covering of foundation, some lip-gloss and a touch of mascara—no eye-shadow as I read recently that you should do lips or eyes and not both. So, now I’m suddenly an officiando on make-up. It’s truly scary.
More importantly however, and I’m really excited about this, laid out on my bed for me to wear is my favorite long black tie-dye skirt and a striped shirt that Maddie gave me for my birthday last year.
After admiring them on the bed briefly, I put on my clothes and pull open my closet so I can see myself in the full-length mirror on the inside of the door. I gasp at my reflection. It’s like looking at the ghost of Christmas past or whoever it was in that book. I look strange, but in a familiar sort of way. And the more I stare at myself the more I like what I see. For want of something better to say, it’s like I’ve come home. Maddie will laugh when I tell her, she’s always saying I have over-the-top clichéd tendencies.
“Suzy. Ryan’s here,” Mom calls.
“Won’t be a minute.”
Crap. I’m nowhere near ready. My hair isn’t properly dry which means I’ll be sporting the ultimate in frizz within a couple of hours. I’ll have to put it up. Even though Ryan loves it down. Oh no. I