His lips curl in a crescent moon smile. “How is this for a beginner?”
“I thought you weren’t any good at this.”
Slowly, he lifts me to our starting position. “I guess you bring out the best in me.”
Then he tilts my chin with his finger, drawing closer until I can feel his breath against my lips. I close my eyes. If this is to be my first kiss, I have no objection.
“Incoming!” Stephanie’s voice cuts through, and I whip away, startled.
Before I realize what she meant, Paige materializes out of nowhere, her pearly white smile wide as she throws her arms out toward Theo and me. “There you are! Been looking everywhere for you.”
The rest of her posse flock around us, and I feel like I’m on display. Their judgmental glares bear into me, and I’m suddenly self-conscious of my wardrobe choice.
Paige laces her arm with mine, pulling me aside. “Don’t look so panicked,” she says with a grin. “Come with me, I have an idea.”
“Where are you going?” Theo asks.
She glances over her shoulder in a teasing manner. “Don’t worry, handsome, we’ll bring her right back.”
“What’s this about?” I ask.
Paige smiles and squeezes my arm. “Makeover. You have potential, Chrissy. I don’t know why you’ve been hidingthis long.”
The Queen Bee and her loyal servants usher me upstairs, steering me into one of the many rooms where I’m seated and looked upon like a blank canvas for an arts project.
“I’m not big on makeup,” I admit.
“You don’t have to be,” Paige says. “A little touchup goes a long way. Trust me.”
To my astonishment, they spread their crafty tools—brushes, eyeliners, powders, and things I’ve never seen before—and begin their work. They seem so excited; I don’t have the heart to refuse their offer. To them, I must be like an ugly duckling, desperate to become a majestic swan.
“Close your eyes and try not to move,” Paige instructs.
I try to relax as she pats my face with a cotton pad. “I can’t believe your parents let you throw parties like this.”
“They’re always gone. Their business matters more to them than anything.”
I can’t believe I’m thinking it, but maybe there’s more to her than meets the eye. Maybe she’s just lonely and her shenanigans are a way to rebel against her parents. It’s funny how one tiny detail can change your opinion of someone.
“There. All done.” She takes my hand and guides me out of the room. “Let’s find a mirror.”
As we get closer to the bathroom, the Queen Bees clutch my arms and lead me to the top of the staircase. “What are you doing?”
Paige’s voice booms over the party below. “Hey, everyone! Meet our new member!”
A chorus of laughter erupts. I break free of their grip and run to the bathroom. They’ve painted my face like a clown—face pale with garish colors splattered around eyes and lips. I look ridiculous.
My chest tightens as though invisible hands wring the fabric of my heart to draw forth tears which blur my eyes.
All sympathy I had for Paige a moment ago washes away by a tidal wave of humiliation. All I can do is escape.
Malice glints in Paige’s eyes as I pass by her, and she says, “Did youreallythink you could be one of us?”
The snickers and rude remarks get louder with each step I take on my way down. Phones are up recording and taking pictures, and when I reach the bottom, a hand catches my arm.
“Chrissy,” Theo says, “I’m—“
“Get away from me!” I wrench my arm free and shove my way through the crowd who point fingers and laugh at me.
