The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  Finally, one moved towards me.

  "Hi Emma, nice to meet you," Jeremy smiled, shaking my hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

  "Good things, I hope?" I asked, giving him a small smile.

  "Of course."

  He moved back and resumed his sprawl on the table. No one else moved. I got a smile, or a wink from some, but Daniel just glared. If his eyes could shoot laser beams, I'd sure be injured right now. His penetrating stare made me shiver. I wanted the flinch, but I just stared coolly back, resisting the urge to run away. I needed to seem cool on the outside, so he didn’t see how much his gaze was affecting me.

  I wanted to leave. Now.

  "Is it cool if she sits here?" Jason asked, completely oblivious to my attempt at telepathic communication. He just didn't understand I would never be able to sit here. Not with these people. Not like this.

  No one replied to the question, which just added to my unease.

  I just wanted to sink into the ground, in a hole and cover myself in dirt. Hide away forever from these scary people. Finally Jeremy smiled.

  "Course' any friend of Jason's is a friend of ours."

  If I hadn't been so paranoid, I wouldn't have realised the little emphasis on the 'friend' part of the statement which made me stomach clench.

  "Mm." One or two murmured.

  Uggghhh.

  They were all, bar Jeremy and one of the others, were staring at me like I was some alien. I really, really just wanted to leave. They made me super uncomfortable. I guess Jeremy was only being nice out of curtsey of being Jason's best friend.

  "Okay, well this has been nice and everything, I should go." I said, attempting to be bold.

  I pulled away from Jason without even looking at him.

  "Emma, wait."

  I kept going. I had to walk past the 'It' girls. Jutting out my chin, I didn't look at them; I just kept my head up and strode past.

  Not until someone came beside me. It was ridiculous how she just seemed to appear out of thin air.

  "Hello Emma." The familiar voice said, making my skin crawl at the sound of it. "I see you're with him now. Huh, I didn't think that would ever happen."

  "Do you have a reason you're talking to me or are you just trying to humiliate me further?" I snapped at her, stopping.

  She looked surprised at my outburst. "Clearly someone has their knickers in a twist."

  I sighed deeply through my nose in irritation. "Britney, I'm not trying to look for trouble, I just want to be left alone, okay?"

  "If you want to be left alone, break it off with Jason."

  "Why don't you just go away and keep your opinions to yourself, yeah?"

  I wanted to push her. To kick out and hit her, but I just turned and stalked away. I found a table by myself and just sat there. I jammed my earphones in my ears and cranked up the music. Jason started to make his way over, but I just shook my head, signaling the 'wanting to be left alone' vibe. At least he received that message clearly. I wanted to be angry at him, but found that near impossible. At least he'd tried.

  Maybe I didn't even need all this drama.

  Was it worth it?

  Maybe it would be the best thing for me to just forget everything and break if off completely.

  15

  "What?" I asked, my hair spilling over my face. I hastily flicked it away in annoyance. Sometimes I loved the length, but other times, it frustrated me. It always got in my way.

  "Please?" Mel begged, her eye sparkling. She was actually on her knees. "For me?"

  "Why does everyone keep saying that?" I grumbled with a frown, wishing I had more resilience to people’s pleas.

  "Come on. Say yes."

  I sighed. She grinned, taking that as an affirmative answer. "MUM! Make-over ASAP."

  See, when she says make-over she doesn’t just mean some make up on and curling my hair. She means full on make-over as her mother is a trained beautician.

  "Not necessary." I insisted when her Mum practically ran into the room, looking more excited than she has been in a while. I had told Mel about the incident in school today, and she thought a make-over would help. Get real. I was dragged into the salon and forcefully sat in the cool swivel chair. Mel turned all mirrors away and whispered frantically with her Mum for a few moments.

  This didn't look good.

  I sat there, twiddling my thumbs underneath the black, slippery cape cast over me. I was actually nervous. Who knows what these two will do. Her mum turned around, beaming.

  "Let's get started!"

  After a painfully long afternoon/emerging night I was 'transformed'. They had put dye in my hair, (ignoring my excessive complaining), plucked my eyebrows, waxed (yes, actually waxed) my legs, moisturised them, tinted my eyebrows, eyelashes and gave me a manicure and a pedicure. Also I was gifted with all these nice smelling creams. Some part of me felt like I was in Heaven but another part was screaming to leave.

  "I was going to put fake nails on you, but yours are already so long. We'll just put some decoration on the tips." Her mum smiled down to me, warmth glowing from her. I loved her as much as I would my own Mother. She treated me like a daughter. She practically had been my mother growing up. I felt much more comfortable speaking to her about ‘lady problems’ than my father, who had absolutely no idea on the subject.

  "Try this," Mel said, shoving it in my face. I'd had it before. It was this crystal lip balm stuff, you put it on your lips, let it soak in for a minute or so, and lick it off. It tasted like strawberry bubble gum. That was one of the more fun parts of the ‘make-over’ for me.

  "Yum..." I murmured, licking it off and savouring the flavour in my mouth. Mel just grinned encouragingly, still excited about the entire situation.

  "Do you want contacts?" Her mum asked me, bending down so that she was eye level with me. The look on her face was as though she was absorbing every detail of mine. I felt a blush blossom in my cheeks at her proximity, as our noses were almost brushing.

  "No, that's okay!" I said, almost too quickly.

  "Alright, you ready to be amazed?"

  "I don't know." I mumbled nervously, chewing my bottom lip. I wasn't sure if I was ready to witness this 'make-over'. I had a slightly bad feeling about it...

  The cape was suddenly ripped off me, the cool air nipping at my bare legs. Before I could complain, Mel had swung the mirrors around, so I came face to face with myself.

  Wow.

  I looked completely different.

  My hair was blonde. Like actually blonde. It enhanced my tanned skin and my green eyes sparkled under the golden lights. My hair fell down me in tumbles. My nails, eyebrows, lips, everything looked good. Like actually good. I couldn’t even describe how I was feeling. I was too stunned to think properly.

  "You look amazing!" Mel gasped, running up to me and hauling me to my feet. She threw her arms around my neck, embracing me. "I'm going to stay the night at yours and help you with your uniform tomorrow."

  "Oh, are you now?" I asked in a teasing tone.

  "Surely am."

  "Here." Her Mum smiled at me, handing over numerous bottles. "Oh! This shampoo will make the blonde in your hair last."

  "Wow, thank you so much." I grinned gratefully. "How much would you like?"

  "Don't start carrying on with that. On the house. Literally." She said, laughing at her own joke. I suppressed an eye roll at her cheesiness.

  "But-" I began but she waved me off.

  "No. No excuses. Come along now."

  I sighed but smiled anyway. I was pretty impressed; her mum did all that pretty quickly to be honest and I was also very grateful for it. After Mel threw some clothes and accessories in a bag, followed me to my house, continuously babbling about my new look. I think she may have been more shocked about it than I was if I were to be perfectly honest.

  "You hair looks amazing."

  "Thanks." I replied, smiling gratefully.

  We finally reached the house and I entered. Luke dropped the plate he was
holding, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance.

  "What?" Dad asked, turning around. His eyebrows shot up, disappearing into his receding hair line as his eyes met mine. "Jeeze, you're glowing!"

  "You don't like it?" I asked self-consciously, ducking my head.

  "I love it! The blonde makes you look so much like your mother."

  I beamed proudly, looking back up. We hadn't spoken of my mother in a long time. It made me proud to look like her.

  "Looks great, doesn't she?" Mel smiled, showing me off like I was about to be presented in a museum. "Oh and I'm staying the night."

  "Are you?" Dad laughed at her directness, although he was used to it by now. "What if I don't want you to?"

  She shrugged. "You don't really get a choice."

  Dad rolled his eyes and continued washing up. Luke hadn't said anything. I guess he was having a hard time with it, since he remembers Mum more than I do. He took her death pretty rough, concluding in him ending up spacing out so much. He was never the same. Maybe it threw him off, having me look so much like her.

  I don't exactly know how it makes me feel, actually...

  I woke up to a loud alarm, perfect curls and eyeliner eyes staring at me.

  "Huh?" I said groggily. The alarm snapped off as I glanced at the time. "Why are we awake at six?"

  "Umm... I'm finishing your make-over. Get with it girl," She said in a bored voice. She had completely finished getting ready herself.

  "How long have you been up?"

  "Not long." She sang, all chirpy.

  "Ugh, you haven't been with Luke have you?"

  She shrugged, grinning widely. "Maybe..."

  I groaned. "Ugh."

  "Come on!" She cried, pulling me up. I was hauled to my feet. I swayed slightly, having a sudden head rush. Mel was oblivious to this and began dragging me around, as if I was her personal rag doll.

  Soon enough the toast was shoved down my throat, my teeth were brushed and I was standing there while Mel smeared, spread and swiped. She was curling my hair currently and I was beyond over it at this point. One should not have to spend this much time and effort before eight in the morning. I shifted my weight uncomfortably from foot to foot, getting bored.

  "You look like a celebrity." She grinned, marveling at her own work.

  I turned, admiring my appearance in the mirror. My eyelashes were long, making my eyes look bigger and wider than they really were. My skin looked smooth and my lips were nice and red. It shocked me how bright my hair was. I almost had forgotten I dyed it. I had to do a double take in the mirror, to be honest.

  "No wearing shorts today, Missy. You're wearing a skirt."

  "What?" I complained, my mouth hanging unattractively open. "Why?"

  She gave me a flat stare. "Will you ever stop questioning me? I’m in my element here."

  The red checked skirt was hastily slid up my body and placed uncomfortably at my ribs. I felt like I couldn't bend over. Actually, I couldn’t bend over. How did people wear these all day?

  "Why does it need to be this short?" I grumbled, hitching it my comfortably on my waist.

  "Shh." She snapped. I shrugged into my white shirt and she rolled the sleeves on either side. She grabbed some long, white socks, yanking them on my feet.

  "I can dress myself." I deadpanned moodily. Yes, I was extremely grateful she was doing this but it was changing me entirely in the process.

  She ignored my grumpiness. She grabbed my nicest flats from my closet and I slipped them on, knowing I would definitely have a uniform pass for these.

  "Wow. You look like an 'It' girl."

  I went and observed myself in the mirror, yet again. If I went and stood next to those girls, I would have looked no different. Wow. I was actually a bit impressed at my reflection, not seeming to sound up myself. It was quite a step up from how I usually looked though, so you had to cut me some slack.

  The more I stared at it, the more I began to love my hair. The blonde complimented my skin and features in way the brunette locks never could.

  "Are you ready to go?" her voice snapped me out of my internal monologue of my new appearance.

  "No." I said, my brief good mood dropping again.

  She dragged me out of my room and out through the front door. She jogged besides me, pretending to be paparazzi, as though I was a celebrity walking down the red carpet. I threw my head back with laughter, going along with the joke. I slid into her red, Audi. I felt so cool, driving into school in one of these. The trip there was over before it hardly even began, causing my nerves to brew in my stomach. Exhaling deeply, I mentally prepared myself. With this new look came a new attitude. Wear it proud.

  I got out and waved at Mel, feeling a lot better about myself with my little mental rant. I strutted into school, with a small smile on my face, feeling quite smug.

  It seemed as though everyone’s jaw dropped. I definitely did not look like a ‘nobody’ today. I didn’t feel like a ‘nobody’ today.

  I went right up to Jason, in front of all his friends. Swallowing down my instant nerves, I pulled him around, pressing my lips against his, wrapping my arms around him. I pressed my body close to his. Finally, I pulled back, attempting to smirk up at him like all the other girls do.

  "Hey." I whispered, enjoying his shock.

  His eyes widened so big that I thought his eyebrows were going to disappear into his hairline. His mouth was in a big 'O'.

  "Holy crap!" he breathed.

  "Like?" I smiled, doing a little spin and pose. I glanced around; Britney was frozen in shock, surrounded by her minions. Both the whole 'It' groups were gawking. It was the first time I had ever seen them speechless. Where were the cameras? Someone needed to capture this moment.

  Jason just gaped, with his mouth opening and closing, but no words were coming out. He genuinely reminded me of a fish. A really tan and attractive fish.

  I winked at him, sending a slight blush up the back of his neck. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, obviously trying to get the blush away. A grin danced around my lips at the thought of me making him nervous.

  "Catch up with you later, yeah?" I kissed him on the cheek before walking away to class, feeling surprisingly confident. I hadn't waited for a response from him, letting my confident facade linger a bit longer.

  Is this what those girls always felt like?

  If so, I was going to stay like this.

  This was the new me.

  16

  It was strange; when I looked down at myself I had long, curly, blonde hair and a skirt on. I still wasn't used to it. I threw my bag on the ground somewhere and shed my top, trying to find a shirt to wear. I heard hurried footsteps and my door banging open.

  I glanced up in surprise with a frown. How rude, someone barging in like that, considering I was half naked. When my eyes registered who it was, my jaw dropped.

  Jason.

  "Hey," I grinned excitedly. I had a sudden euphony that I had no top on. I looked down and screamed, suddenly feel self-conscious. I ran into my bathroom and wrapped myself in a towel before emerging again. Of course my face had immediately turned bright red. I bit my lip and darted my eyes low in embarrassment, the confident facade definitely dropped.

  He was grinning from ear to ear at what he had just witnessed. "Don't I wish that was our school uniform?"

  Now I was really, really red. I wanted to wrap my head up in the towel. He came over and snaked his arms around me. I loved when he did that, he was always so warm. His blond hair was extra floppy today, which made him look irresistibly adorable. I leaned into him, inhaling his scent. (Okay, now I know that probably sounds weird, but he always smells good, okay?)

  "I like your new hair." he complimented.

  "Thanks," I smiled under his approval. "Mel thought I needed a make-over."

  "Why?"

  "No reason," I said quickly. I walked away from him, trying to find a top. He went and closed the door behind me, making my heart rate pick up for some reason.


  "Why?" he repeated.

  I sighed. "I wanted to try and fit in with your group."

  "You don't need to do that. I don't care if you don't have blonde hair."

  "Too late," I shrugged, making my towel slip. I had found a shirt anyway. I quickly slipped it over my head, but not quick enough as I felt his eyes on me. It made me all tingly. I searched in my cupboards for some shorts. I reached up, snagging a pair from the top shelf. I hastily ditched my skirt and shoved them on.

  It then dawned on me that I had just gotten changed in front of him. I couldn't bring myself to face him, so I went and put my towel back in the bathroom. I came back out to see him smirking playfully at me.

  "You have a really good body."

  My heart seemed to drop into my stomach. I felt weak at the knees, so much I had to go sit on my bed. I never knew how to respond to compliments (never had all that many to get used to) so to say I was a little awkward would be an understatement.

  "T-thanks," I muttered, embarrassed. He came and sat beside me, looking amused.

  "You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

  My face was like a tomato again. I wanted to smack myself repeatedly in the forehead. I hated being embarrassed all the time. Why must I blush so easily?

  He placed his hands on either side of me cheeks. "Am I making you all flustered?"

  "Pfft, n-no..." I replied, even though my voice shook a little.

  He grinned, leaning in, kissing me. The world stopped, it must have. My body froze before it molded against his. I leant in closer to him. He pulled my only newly put on top, back off. I felt over-exposed straight away. My heart hammered in my chest at a ridiculous speed. Thoughts started racing through my head a million miles per minute. I couldn't breathe. The world started spinning. Black dots danced across my vision.

  Everything went all fuzzy for a moment…