Free Double Threat My Bleep by Julie Prestsater Page A

night,” I joke.
    “And I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Eleven
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Getting all beautified for the homecoming dance should be exciting. Or at least fun. But I’m so preoccupied with Alex and his sudden lack of trust in me it’s hard to be enthused. He’s totally been on edge since our fight a couple of weeks ago. We haven’t fought like that again, but he’s been a little snippy. I talked to my mom about it. She reminded me to be considerate of his feelings. She said it has to be difficult for Alex to be so far away, and he probably feels like the world is moving on without him.
    Like my world could move on without Alex. I talk to the guy every day. I text him when I’m not talking to him. I can’t even think of a day I’ve gone to sleep without first saying good night. How can he doubt me?
    “Earth to Meggie.” I hear Keesh shout. “Meeeeeggieeeeee. Hello, are you there?”
    “Huh, whuh?” I mutter. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I was just thinking.”
    “Do you want a flower or what? The lady is waiting for you to answer,” she explains.
    I look down and I see my perfectly manicured toes. The nail lady is looking up at me all wide-eyed and smiles. “Oh, no thank you. No flower.” She continues to add the top coat. I can’t wait to be finished. Keesh is still busy getting white polka dots on her hot pink toes, and cute little daisies are dotted on Steph’s French manicure.
    Sporting fake nail salon flip flops, we stumble our way through the mall to the hair salon. We only have three hours left before we’re going to be picked up so this better be a quick one. The less bobby pins the better. I probably still have a remnant pin in my hair from last year, kind of like a grain of sand stays with you forever after visiting the beach.
    Robby, my stylist, has a new toy. I tell him I have no ideas for today’s do, and he busts out with this crazy new curling iron, that’s not really a curling iron. I’m not sure what you call it. I just know that if I were to use it, I’d probably have third degree burns on my fingertips before I even got a fourth of the way done with my hair.
    When we’re finished, I picture us walking out of the salon looking like the chicks in House Bunny after they got their makeovers. Only we’re not in slow motion and our bras aren’t shoving our boobs up to our chins. We do look good though. Keesh’s hair is up in both braids and curls, while Steph’s looks smooth as silk after her gal straightened every single strand. Robby curled mine with his spiral curling thingy, and then pulled it to one side with one fresh Gerbera daisy pinned for a nice natural look. I love it.
    At Steph’s house we spill our makeup across the floor and begin the process of covering up every zit, freckle, and flaw with tons of various tinted minerals. Like always, I go for the smoky eye. I just love the look, so elegant, so grownup, and so not me. It turns me from this goofy little kid into a confident young woman. Just a dab of plumping lip gloss and I’m done.
    Now come the dresses. One by one, we slip on our gowns and take turns helping each other out with zippers. Shoes too high to be comfortable, finish the ensemble and we saunter out into the living room for pictures. Our parents aren’t as excited for us this year because the only one here to take pictures is Steph’s mom. Last year, all the parents were present to ogle over us and take a thousand pictures like it was a freaking professional photo shoot. I shouldn’t complain because it’s nice to only have one camera to look at.
    The guys arrive and it hits me. For the first time since getting my toesies done, I think about Alex. He’s nuts if he thinks something is going to happen with me and Joshie. He’s gone flippin’ mad.
    hey babe. getting ready 2 leave. just wnted 2 say Hi. Love u.
    Guilt spreads through my mind as Josh walks in with a corsage.
    “Hey, Megster,” Josh says. “You look really nice.” He gives me a hug