Free Confessions of a Teen Nanny 01 - Confessions of a Teen Nanny by Victoria. Ashton Page B

the John Barrett Salon, and she'll oversee the cut. Do whatever she tells you. She's the best."

    I completely can't afford this, Adrienne thought, panick- ing. Then she remembered: She had more than a thousand dollars in cash in her pocket. The idea of all that money belonging to her made her a little giddy. She glanced back at the door. She knew she could make an excuse and leave. But Cam had brought her here. This is how Cam spent time with her friends. Adrienne didn't want to say no. She stepped into the elevator. And besides, there was no way a haircut could be that expensive.

    "I am Juan!" the colorist announced. He spun her around. "Today, we turn you into a goddess. Your hair, it will be like flaming sunsets! Like the change of seasons!" He continued for so long that, by the time he was finished talking, Adrienne was really afraid.

    My hair is going to look like a pile of dead leaves, she thought.

    Then, Nils, the stylist, took over.Adrienne grew a little calmer.

    90 T O D AY W E T U R N Y O U I N T O A G O D D E S S

    After the cutting and blow-drying ceased, Adrienne noticed Cameron standing behind her. Cameron, if possible, looked even better than ever. "Cameron," Adrienne said, "you're so blond! You're amazing!" She admired Cameron's almost platinum-blond hair, softened by hints of pale gold.

    "I know," she said without any pretense at modesty. "The Palm Beach season starts any minute. I had to put the sun-kissed streaks in there before the chlorine did it to me. Nothing on earth is worse than coming out with green hair in a picture in the Palm Beach Post's color supplement."

    "I can imagine," Adrienne said, even though she couldn't.

    "Well," Nils said, putting the last bit of product in her hair. "You ready, Adrienne?"

    "I guess so," she said.

    Nils turned her chair around, and Adrienne looked at herself in the mirror.

    She didn't recognize herself. Her unruly, flyaway hair fell around her face in sleek, silky chunks. Bangs drew attention to her eyes, which suddenly appeared blazingly green. The color of her hair had gone from a gingery brown to a real red, laced with streaks of honey and chest- nut. It was amazing. This, Adrienne thought, is me. This is how I am supposed to look.

    "Fabulous!" Cameron announced, pronouncing the final word on the transformation. "Adrienne, you're gorgeous.

    91 C O N F E S S I O N S O F A T E E N N A N N Y

    Juan, Nils, Zoya--you are the best. Now, let's do some damage downstairs.Adrienne, prepare yourself. I am a trained shopping professional--do not try this alone."

    The two girls went through the store like predators. Prada, Narciso Rodriguez, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana.

    "Adrienne, try these on." Cameron threw her three wrap dresses and a miniskirt in quick succession.

    Adrienne glanced at the beautiful things. There is noth- ing I would like better, she thought, but why bother? There was no way she could afford them, and trying them on would only make her feel worse.

    "Adrienne, please, you're bringing me down!" Cameron scolded. "Why the long face?"

    Adrienne took a deep breath. "Well, Cameron, I'm really not sure these clothes are me. I mean, look at this miniskirt--it has less fabric than a washcloth."

    "It's hot," Cameron agreed, nodding her head. "What you need is a pair of thigh-high boots to go with it."

    "Cameron, did you hear me? I can't really use these things," Adrienne said.

    Cameron looked at her. "Adrienne, I heard you, but I just don't care. You see"--Cameron leaned forward and whispered--"no one needs these things. They just want them. I hope you're not worried about the money--I don't pay for these clothes, and neither will you." She smiled.

    92 T O D AY W E T U R N Y O U I N T O A G O D D E S S

    Adrienne froze. "You're going to steal them?" she whispered, her heart pounding.

    Cameron laughed hysterically, leaning on a man- nequin in a beaded evening ensemble for support. "No, you idiot! They give them to me."

    Adrienne blinked.