Kelly Anne’s eyes widen with delight, and she cps her hands together gleefully. “Oh, Jackie, this is going to be epic. I can already picture the looks on their faces when you strut in. They won’t know what hit them.” She jumps up from the couch, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. “Come on, let’s go show Mom first. She’s going to flip when she sees you.”
We make our way to poolside, where she’s lying on a lounge, enjoying the sun. She looks up as we exit the house, and her eyes immediately widen. “Jackie?” she says, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Is that really you?”
I shift my stance slightly, feeling a mix of pride and self-consciousness under her gaze. Kelly Anne beams beside me, clearly thrilled with her mother’s reaction. I twirl for her, then gently tuck a loose strand behind my left ear as I smile. “It’s definitely me. I take it you like the look?”
Mrs. Thompson gets up from the lounge chair, her eyes still locked on me as she steps closer. “I’ll say. If I hadn’t known you your entire life, I’m not sure I’d have recognized you. Long hair certainly changed your look, and it definitely enhances your beauty, young dy,” she remarks, shaking her head in admiration at the change. Although I blush, I’m relishing the attention. “Sweetheart, you’ve always been adorable, but seriously, wow.”
Naturally, Kelly Anne can’t resist stirring the pot, particurly if it means embarrassing me. “It’s lucky she’s going to an all-girls school; otherwise, she’d need to carry around a bat or taser to fend off all the boys... Oh, yeah. I’m sure you won’t mind, but we’re going to the mall to window shop with Olivia and Marcie, and afterward, we pn on going to Sugar and Spice to dance. We’ll be home before our midnight curfew.”
Mrs. Thompson raises an eyebrow, a pyful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “Sugar and Spice, huh? Sounds like trouble waiting to happen.” She gnces at me, her eyes narrowing slightly in mock suspicion, then looks at Kelly Anne and asks, “And you’re sure the boys there can handle Jackie? She’s liable to make them pass out,” she points at her crotch, “from low blood pressure.”
Kelly Anne bursts into ughter, clutching her sides as I blush all the way to my ears and pintively cry out, “Oh my God, Mrs. Moore! That was so unnecessary!”
I groan, burying my face in my hands as Kelly Anne doubles over ughing. “Mom! You’re the worst!” she manages to get out between giggles.
“UGH~ Would you two stop? Please! Kelly Anne is bad enough, and now I have to deal with this from you too?”
Mrs. Moore barks out a short ugh, then says, “Just where do you think Kelly Anne got it from, Jackie? Hmm?”
“I need to dig a hole so I can crawl in it and die. Jesus, you two are so embarrassing,” I mutter.
Kelly Anne wipes a tear from her eye, still chuckling. “Okay, okay, we’ll stop. Seriously though, you’re going to kill it tonight. Alright, let me text Olivia and Marcie to grab an Uber and pick us up so we can go to the mall.”
We head inside, and Kelly Anne heads upstairs to change while I attempt to regain my composure. When she comes back down, she grabs her phone from the coffee table. I grab my purse from the couch, and then Mrs. Moore gives me a warm smile and a quick hug. As we are leaving, she calls out, “Have fun, girls, and Jackie,” she adds with a wink, “try not to break too many hearts.”
With a smile and a wink, I respond, “It really depends on who’s at the club. Some hearts deserve to be broken.”
We walk to the curb to wait, and while the wind gently blows my hair around, Kelly Anne says, “I know many of the people who bullied you in school will be there; are you going to be okay with that?”
I take a deep breath; the memory of their taunts, sneers, and occasional beatings flickers through my mind, but instead of the usual knot of anxiety, disgust, and hatred it brought, there’s nothing. “Yeah,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “I’m more than okay with it. They’re not going to ruin a night out with my friends, and anyway, I doubt anyone will recognize me.”
She hooks her arm through mine and draws me closer, whispering, “Exactly. They don’t know Jackie, and they are beneath her notice.”
I nod and grin instead of saying anything, and we stand there together in a comfortable silence until the Uber arrives a few minutes ter. We pile into the SUV, and Olivia and Macie coo over my change much like Kelly Anne and her mom did. Thankfully, the talk soon turns to a pn of attack on the mall, which is rather animated and filled with giggles.
Of course, 4, at the very least, cute teen girls strutting into the mall like they own the pce will draw attention. Especially when we’re chattering away and ughing.
As we step through the sliding gss doors of the mall, I can feel a rge number of eyes on us. It’s not just the usual gnces—people are outright staring. I catch a few whispers and some pointing, and I realize it’s not just because we’re boisterous; it’s that all they see is a group of good-looking girls.
Kelly Anne notices the stares too and leans in close, her voice low but brimming with mischief. “Have you noticed?”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Of course I have. I’m not blind or deaf.”
As we make our way deeper into the mall, the attention only intensifies because far more boys are hanging out in the main concourse. A group of guys loitering near a pretzel stand practically trip over themselves trying to get a better look, and I catch one of them nudging his friend while pointing in our direction. Olivia catches it too and shoots a sly grin at us.
“Looks like Jackie’s already got an audience,” Oliva says pyfully as she dramatically flips her hair over her shoulder.
“Oh, please,” I mutter, though I can’t help feeling a small thrill. “It’s not just me. If I weren’t here, you’d still be drawing just as much attention.”
Marcie giggles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Maybe so, Jackie, but you are like a walking glow-up meme.”
I roll my eyes again but can’t suppress the grin spreading across my face. “Alright, alright, enough already. I’d like to look at some jewelry while we’re here.”
Kelly Anne nods in agreement, steering us toward our favorite boutique. “And maybe we can grab some food after? I’m starving.”
We tour through several shops, stopping here and there to try on and occasionally buy something that catches our eye. Of course, we model the items for everyone and receive feedback, and in some cases, some good-natured ribbing, usually when one of us chooses something to try on that we shouldn’t. Like when I try on an orange slip dress, and it washes me out to the point I look like a ghost. Orange is definitely not a good color for me.
In the end, I chose several skirts, dresses, and blouses to buy and several more pieces of jewelry, though I mostly bought bangles and earrings since Mom has already bought me many neckces and chokers.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Back at home, I announce myself, set down my bags by the stairs, and head deeper inside to find Mom. Once I find her in the undry room, she smiles and says, “Hi, baby. Did you have fun?”
“Mhmm,” I respond. “Hey, Kelly Anne and the others are going dancing at Sugar and Spice. Do you mind if I go?”
“No,” she replies with a shake of her head. “Just don’t go anywhere else, alright?”
“I won’t, and thanks. Umm… would you mind helping me get ready? I want to look really good tonight.”
Mom’s eyes light up, and she sets down the undry basket with a grin. “Of course, honey. Let’s make sure all the other girls envy you.” She ushers me upstairs as she chirps, “Go take a quick shower while I get everything ready, baby.” In my room, her excitement is obvious as she begins pulling out makeup, brushes, and rollers from my vanity. I smile and shake my head as I head into my bathroom and consider how little it takes my mom to be happy when it comes to me.
I pile my hair up, clip it in pce, and step into the shower. As I stand under the hot water of the shower, it rinses away the vestiges of the mall. As I step out, I can already hear Mom humming to herself in my room. I smile at my reflection in the mirror as I dry off, wrap myself in a towel, and step out into my room. She’s id out one of my going-out dresses on my bed—a white bell dress, which takes a step into sultry territory, and a pair of high-heel pumps. Alongside it are ce panties and a strapless padded bra.
Mom’s eyes gleam with excitement as she gestures toward the dress. “I thought this one would be perfect for tonight. It’s bold and confident—just like you.”
I raise an eyebrow, a teasing smirk pying on my lips. “It’s certainly making a statement.”
Mom ughs—a light, musical sound that fills the room. “That’s the point, isn’t it?” She points to the chair at my vanity. “Sit down and let me work my magic.”
I offer her a smile and settle into the chair. Mom unpins my hair, brushes it out, and sets it with curling rollers.
As the rollers do their thing, Mom begins to work on my makeup. Her hands are steady and precise, adding hints here and there, adding a soft shimmer to my eyelids, and finishing with a lip gloss that makes my lips pop.
“There,” she says, stepping back to admire her work. “You look stunning.”
I gnce at myself in the mirror and almost don’t recognize the girl staring back at me. Mom’s eyes shine with pride as she looks at me. “Now, let’s get your hair done.”
She carefully removes the rollers, revealing soft, bouncy curls that cascade down my shoulders. She gently brushes it out to loosen the curls, then adds a bit of hairspray to keep everything in pce and steps back.
“You look fabulous,” she announces. “Now get dressed, young dy. There are hearts out there waiting for you to break them.”
The Uber ride to Sugar and Spice is filled with excited chatter and bursts of ughter. Thankfully, our driver simply shakes her head and grins at us, probably remembering that she was much the same at our age.
As we pull up to Sugar and Spice, the neon lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the pavement. The bass from inside thumps through the walls, reverberating in my chest before we even step out of the car. Olivia squeals, “It’s already packed! Let’s go!” and practically drags Marcie out of the SUV. Kelly Anne tosses the driver a quick “Thank you!” before grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the entrance.
The bouncer at the door barely gnces at us—probably because he’s too distracted by the line of people waiting behind us—and waves us in. The moment we step inside, the energy of the club hits us like a tidal wave. The air is thick with the scent of sweat, perfume, and something sweet that I can’t quite pce. Bodies are packed together on the dance floor, moving in sync with the pulsing beat of the music. Strobe lights fsh in time with the rhythm, casting fleeting glimpses of faces, ughter, and the occasional spilled drink.
“Let’s find a spot!” Kelly Anne shouts over the noise, tugging me further into the crowd. We weave through the throng, dodging elbows and spilled drinks until we find an empty corner seating area where the music isn’t quite as loud. It’s also fairly well-lit and well-appointed with plush chairs and loveseats.
I lean close to Kelly Anne and ask, “Why would this be empty?”
“Because,” she responds, “it’s too well lit. Couples want dark corners so they can make out.”
I ugh, shaking my head. “I guess it’s a good thing we don’t want to make out then. Plus, we can actually see each other and not have to scream to be heard.”
“Exactly,” Kelly Anne says, plopping down on one of the loveseats. Olivia and Marcie are already scanning the room, their eyes lighting up as they spot a group of guys near the bar. “Oh my God, is that Tyler? From math css?” Olivia gasps, grabbing Marcie’s arm.
“Who cares about Tyler?” Marcie replies, rolling her eyes. “Look at the guy next to him. Tall, dark, and definitely not boring.”
Kelly Anne leans back, smirking. “Go say hi if you’re so interested. But don’t come crying to me if he turns out to be a dud.”
Olivia and Marcie exchange a look before giggling and disappearing into the crowd, leaving Kelly Anne and me alone in our little oasis. I look around at the crowd and see Ivan Andrich, the captain of the football team; Mia Christen, the cheer captain; and several others from the ‘popur crowd’ at Abbot walking our way. I nudge Kelly Anne with my elbow and nod in their direction.
Ivan looks directly at me and begins to pass on but does a double take and stares at me for several seconds.
Kelly Anne asks, “Are you good?”
I merely nod and take a deep breath since he doesn’t seem to recognize who I used to be. Mia tugs on his arm and says something; then he shrugs and nods. He walks directly to us and blows my mind when he very politely asks, “Do you dies mind if our group joins you? There are not enough seats for us elsewhere.”
I gnce at Kelly Anne, who looks at me for a couple of seconds, then shrugs. I return my gaze to him and gesture to the seats opposite us and say, “Be our guest.”
Ivan fshes a charming smile and motions for his group to join us. Mia and the others slide into the empty seats, their eyes flicking between Kelly Anne and me with a mix of curiosity and barely concealed judgment. Mia, in particur, gives me a once-over, her perfectly arched eyebrows rising slightly as she smirks for some reason.
