Free Hate Me by Jillian Dodd Page B

you thought of that. It’s not that much, but still.”
    “I know. So, how do you think the dance competition will go? I’m nervous. Peyton seems nervous.”
    “I think we’re going to rock it. And speaking of rocking it.”
    “What?”
    “Since I get to stay at school, I don’t want to wait any longer with Logan. We were waiting to see if things would work out, but they couldn’t be more perfect. I’m nervous, kinda. It’s weird. We’ve done it before, but it’s been a while. I don’t know why, but I sorta feel like it’s my first time all over again.”
    “I feel that way with Aiden. He makes me nervous.”
    “It’s love, don’t you think? That’s what makes it different?”
    “Yeah, I think so.”

    Sex in the alley.
    7:30pm

    Everyone comes to my and Katie’s room to get ready for tonight.  
    Whitney assesses our room. “I like how you two have decorated. It’s funky.”
    “Thanks!” Katie says, beaming.  
    Whitney immediately takes charge. “Peyton, you’re best with hair. Why don’t you do Katie’s hair while Keatyn and I do Annie’s makeup. Then we’ll rotate.”
    Annie sits in my desk chair and I wheel her into the bathroom so we’ll have better light.
    “What do you use on your face?” Whitney asks her.
    “Moisturizer and mascara.”
    Whitney shakes her head. “You’re lucky you have such a great complexion. Most girls couldn’t get away with that.”
    She paws through my makeup bag and starts with a primer. “It’s good to start with primer,” I tell Annie. “It fills in any imperfections and allows your foundation to stay on, so you can use less and still look natural.”
    “This foundation is too dark for her. Katie’s fair. Can we use hers?”
    “Yeah, second drawer on the left.”
    Whitney opens the drawer and tries Katie’s. “Oh much better.” She uses a damp sponge and blends the makeup perfectly.  
    Annie tries to sneak a peek in the mirror, but Whitney turns her back around. “No, no. We want you to see if all at once.”  
    I do Annie’s eyes in neutral tones, shading and highlighting in all the right places. I add a swoop of black liner and three coats of mascara to her long lashes.  
    Whitney studies her face, adds a pale pink blush, a little bronzer to the hollows of her cheek, and highlighter to the top of her cheekbones. Then she dabs on a pretty peach lip gloss. “What do you think?” she says to me.
    “I think you look gorgeous, Annie. Natural and pretty, and your eyes look huge!”
    “Can I see now?”
    Whitney shakes her head. “No, wait until Peyton does your hair. Get the full effect.”
    I touch up my makeup while Whitney does Katie’s eyes.  
    About an hour later, our hair is full and sexy and our makeup is done to perfection.  
    “What are we supposed to wear?” Annie asks, holding up a pair of pajamas.
    “If your goal is to make Ace drool, I’d suggest yoga pants,” Whitney says.
    “Yeah, boys love yoga pants.” Katie laughs. “They make your butt look amazing.”
    I go in my closet and grab a pair for Annie to try on.  
    “You have a great figure, Annie. Here, wear this long sleeved V-neck with the pants,” Peyton says, tossing a shirt at her.  
    We all get dressed and let Annie look in the mirror. “Oh my gosh!” she says, studying herself. “I look so pretty! No offense, but I was afraid you’d put a whole bunch of makeup on me and I’d look ridiculous. I look like myself, only better. My eyes look so much bigger. You have to show me how you did that.”
    “So, you feel good?” Whitney asks her. “Because more than likely Ace will bring Chelsea. You have to be able to handle it. Although, I don’t think you’ll have much time to worry about it. I think plenty of other guys will be vying for your attention.”
    Annie stands up straight and tall and says, “Bring it on.”
    Which makes Katie, Maggie, and me giggle.  
    Peyton points at Whitney. “We’re going to head over there now so we can greet