by EmMz
“Okay, wait.” Hannah stopped just outside the mall entrance. “I mean, yeah, my parents aren’t like rich or anything, but we have money enough to live on. I’m not sure I want to be thought of as charitable cause.”
Ugh. She’s so stubborn. “Look, it’s not charity, I promise. I have to spend this money somehow. I mean I have to. And I would much rather share it with someone I know, rather than a perfect stranger.”
“I don’t know, it seems weird.”
“Only because you’ve never heard of something like this before. Okay, how about we make a deal. You let me do this thing for you—which would make me super happy—and then I’ll let you choose who we help next month!”
“You think your stepdad’s gonna buy you using me as a charitable cause?” She had begun to cave.
“It’s not charity and of course he will! He doesn’t care how I spend the money, seriously—just as long as it’s not on me. It’ll be perfect; you’ll see!” I opened the door and followed Hannah as she walked in. “I’ll just tell him I brightened a friend’s day by giving her a makeover.”
“You totally mean it, don’t you? You really plan on giving me a whole $350 makeover?”
“Um, yeah, that’s why I brought it up.” I shook my head and smiled at Hannah’s shocked expression. “What? What’s the big deal? Isn’t a makeover cool?”
“You know, you seriously have the craziest parents ever, right?” she asked cautiously. “I mean, literally, they are so rockstar, you have no idea.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty cool.” I shrugged before looking up at the array of cheerfully lit stores all around us. I so heart mall shopping! “Well, come on. Let’s get going.”
She dug her heels in as I pulled on her arm. “Do I have a choice?”
“No! Now, come on.”
Hannah and I spent a good three hours devouring our favorite stores. Once she got into it, she was a really good shopper. I couldn’t believe how much she was able to—under my fashion guidance—get for that much money. I had never looked at the sales racks before; there was really some uber cute stuff for like a fraction of the price. Where I would’ve walked out of the mall with like a pair of shoes, a pair of jeans, a light jacket and a couple of tops; Hannah came out loaded. She had like four pairs of jeans, seven or eight tops, a couple of way pretty skirts, a pair of new flats and new stiletto heels. And if that wasn’t all, she even had enough left over to get her hair done at a discount beauty parlor.
At the salon, she had gone to the bathroom and changed into a pair of dark skinny jeans with her new sparkly black flats and a black top with glittery pink lips across the front that read:
WANNA KISS?
What’s it like to want?
So needless to say, I walked into the mall with an average girl next to me and left with a major hottie. –Which would probably explain why Elton almost passed us by as he was walking into the mall and we were walking out into the bright sunshine.
“Elton?”
“Oh! Hey, Emmalee! What are you doing here?”
“Hannah and I were just shopping. You know girl stuff.”
“Hannah?” Elton turned toward her and his eyes nearly bugged out. “Uh-wow! Um, you-you look different.”
I grinned slyly over at her. “Do you think so?”
“Hey, would um, you two like to go get some Coldstone ice cream, or something?” he asked.
What do you think, I’m crazy? Like I would pass up Coldstone. “Um, yeah!”
Hannah looked like she was about to faint. “Really? You want to treat me and Emma to Coldstone? You?”
“Sure. Why not?” Elton laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “I like hanging out with pretty girls just as much as the next guy.”
Hannah blushed and I was surprised to see her giggle when Elton stared right at her.
Oh my gosh. Why didn’t I think of it before? It’s perfect. Elton and Hannah. Hannah and Elton. Yes! They are sooo perfect for each other.
Later that night Hannah and I were in my bedroom hashing out the crazy day.
“Can you believe how sweet he is?” Hannah sounded shocked.
“Well, yeah. He’s Elton. Everybody loves Elton. He’s totally nice.”
“Okay, but I mean to me. I can’t even get over the fact that the guy even spoke to me, let alone wanted to be seen with me. I mean, the only guy who ever really notices me, is Martin Roberts.”
Who? “Come on. You’re so gorgeous. Seriously. Elton’s a guy, he saw that—why wouldn’t he want to hang out with you?”
“Why? Um, because I’m not his normal type of person to hang with, that’s why.”
I rolled my eyes. “P-lease! Elton is so above that. He’s senior class president for Pete’s sake. He represents all seniors, whether they’re cool, normal, or not. He would never look down his nose at someone. Really, he is the nicest guy, ask anyone.”
“Well, I’m starting to believe it. He seemed really normal today.”
I leaned over and grabbed my silver nail polish off the dresser and started to shake it. Silently, I watched Hannah brush her hair and pull it up out of her face with an elastic band. I decided it was now or never to begin my campaign. “So, did you see the way he was looking at you?” Nonchalantly I unscrewed the lid and began to apply the first coat of polish to my toes.
“Who?”
“Elton, silly.”
“Oh, yeah? What of it?”
I looked up and raised my eyebrows at her before bringing my other foot forward. “He—uh, was definitely giving you the look.”
She laughed. “Oh, whatever. He was not.”
Want to make a bet? “Would you like to do your nails too? I’ve got some more colors in that drawer to choose from.” I pointed to the narrow drawer on my white vanity table.
“Sure. Thanks.”
“You know, I’ve seen Elton look at a whole lot of girls and I’ve never seen him look at any of them like he did you today,” I replied as I polished my big toe.
“No way. Are you serious?”
I glanced up. Hannah held two nail polishes in her hand and was staring right at me.
“Perfectly.” I shrugged casually and then went back to work on my other toes. Hannah took the bait.
“What do you mean? How do you know? I mean, what’s different as about it? Didn’t he look the same at you as he did to me?”
I finished my toes in agonizing silence before I looked up at Hannah—eyebrow raised—while I sealed the nail polish. “No. I would know if Elton was looking at me the same way he was looking at you.” I leaned over and set the polish on my dresser again and wiggled my toes. “I’m sort of an expert when it comes to relationships and guys liking girls. Trust me. Elton is totally crushing on you.”
“Are you serious?” Hannah looked like I’d slapped her.
“What? You don’t like him?”
She blinked and shook her head slightly. “No. It’s not that. It’s just I can’t believe it, that’s all.”
“What’s not to believe? You’re pretty and you’re nice. Is there something else out there that you need to attract a guy?”
“But-but, me? Are you sure? Me and Elton? It just doesn’t seem right. Not that it’s bad! Don’t get me wrong. I would love it if he really liked me. I just can’t get my head around it.”
“Well, start getting used to the idea. Because I think you and Elton may become a lot closer than you think.”
That did it; she giggled. “Really? You really think so?”
“Totally.”
“Eek! I can’t believe it; Elton Bloomfield--crushing on me!”
My Cheshire cat smile grew to cover my whole face. Phase One, complete. I think my senior year just got a whole lot more interesting.
The next morning while Hannah was in the shower, I ran down stairs to grab a bite to eat and begin Phase Two. My cell was plugged into the wall by the house phone. I I picked it up and quickly scanned through my texts before I wrote my own.
U no howur
/>
always sayin u
want 2 watch me
paint something?
Gonna b painting
H @ 2 come on
ova & watch. –E
Less than a minute later, I smiled when I heard the answering beep on my phone and dropped the cereal box to get it. Wow. That was fast. Elton’s number flashed at me and I had to smother a giggle when I clicked on the envelope to open the text.
Wood luv 2. C u
then. Thx.
“Eeeh!”
“What are you so excited about?”
I turned and chuckled at my stepdad’s cautious look. It looked like he’d just come upstairs from the gym we had in our basement. “No worries. Elton Bloomfield is coming over later. He’s going to watch me paint Hannah’s portrait.”
He grinned and nodded, just like I knew he would. My stepdad loved Elton Bloomfield. And what’s more, he loves it when people develop and use their talents.
“So do you have all the supplies you need to paint?” he asked over his shoulder while he reached into the fridge.
“Yeah, I still have all that stuff you got me for my birthday, remember?”
“Okay. That’s right.” He pulled out some assorted fruit. “You let me know if you need anything else.”
“Sure, I will.” I walked back to the counter where my cereal was and watched my stepdad as he washed the fruit and began to peel and slice it. He had made a fresh fruit smoothie every morning since I’d known him.
“So what time is Elton coming over?”
I smiled over a spoonful of Wheaties. “Two.” I knew the next question without waiting to hear him ask.
“Do you mind if I talked to him a bit before you girls got started.”
“Sure. I promise not to even set up until he gets here so you can gab with him while I get ready.”
He nodded his head in acknowledgement and tossed the fruit into the blender. I munched on some more cereal while he collected ice from the fridge dispenser and started the blender up.
I’ll never understand how a guy with such few words can find so much to talk about. --Especially when it came to Elton. Poor Elton. I grinned and chuckled silently to myself as I walked up to the sink and rinsed the bowl out. How many times had he got stuck talking to my stepdad during a party or something? Thank goodness Elton was so nice about it. Anyone with eyes—well except my stepdad of course--could tell Elton only talked to him because he felt he had to. Ha ha. Oh well, it was those qualities Elton had which made me positive he’d be perfect for Hannah. I smiled again as I happily skipped up the stairs. Now, to tell Hannah about Phase Two. He he he.
Chapter Six
“I know that Milk does the body good, but wow,
how much have you been drinking?”
“Wow, Emma. You’re really good.”
Elton’s gasped response at my somewhat obscure painting caused me to chuckle. “You’re just being nice. I’ve totally messed up. I don’t know what’s with me today, but usually I can paint much better.”
“No. Don’t say that. Look at it again. It really does look like her.” He paused a moment to examine Hannah as she sat across from us poised with a book on her lap. “See how you captured her face perfectly. Look, at the lips and her eyes and nose. They’re prefect--just as beautiful as she is.”
Shocked Hannah glanced up and I subtly winked at her. She rolled her eyes and ducked her head back down. The doorbell rang.
“Oh, Elton, would you mind getting that?” I asked as I turned and nearly splattered my brush on his shirt.
He jumped back just in time. “Um, sure. Hang on.”
“Thanks.” I hurried to straighten as much of the mess as possible I’d made around the table. If it was one of my mom’s friends she would never forgive me for cluttering the room like I had. Thank goodness it wasn’t.
“Chase!” I stood up as he came in the room behind Elton. “I’m so glad you’re here. First, this is Elton, my friend from school. He’s the senior class president.” Elton rose his chin in acknowledgment, before I ran over to Hannah. “And this is Hannah Smith, the friend I was telling you about. Hannah, Elton, meet Chase Anderson, my next door neighbor.” My smile beamed.
“Hey, thanks for letting me in.” Chase nodded in Elton’s direction, before he walked over to me and Hannah. “So, I came by to say hi and see if you wanted to come over later and visit the puppies. Hannah can come too.”
“Sure. I’m painting Hannah now, but when I’m through, maybe?” I looked at her to see if she was up for visiting the Anderson home.
“Really? Can I see the painting? Is this it?” Chase walked over to the canvas and I quickly met him there.
“It’s not done. I mean, it’s not that great either. I’m having a rather odd painting day.”
Chase held his chin in his hand and really examined the thing.
“I think it’s amazing,” declared Elton as he walked up to us. “Personally, I think Emma’s the best painter I’ve ever seen.
“Really? The best painter?” Chase asked as he raised an eyebrow. “Hmm.” After a moment of contemplative silence he announced, “I don’t know, it’s okay. I can definitely see that you have talent, Emma, there’s no doubt about that. It’s just lacking a few things to make it great.”
The nerve. “Great? What do you mean?” I placed my hands on my hips.
“Well, her arms are too long, for one.”
“What—?”
“And the angle of her head is all wrong, she looks like she’s trying to lay down—rather awkwardly—instead of read.” He put actions to his words, titling sideways a bit.
“Her head is fine!” I near enough bellowed.
“Yeah, I agree with Emma.” Elton came to my defense. “I think she captured the beauty of Hannah perfectly.”
“Yes, so you said.” Chase smirked. “You think she’s the best painter ever.”
Ugh. “Well, it’s obvious you don’t think I’m the best painter. Is there anything else you wanted to add?”
He grinned and looked again at the painting again. “Nope, the arms and the head just about cover it. Other than that it is a very nice attempt at Hannah’s portrait. Very good, Emma.”
“Thanks.” I raised my eyebrow and Chase laughed.
Elton must’ve really thought Chase was rude. “You know what. I think it’s so good I’m going to get it framed for you, Emma. That way you can always see how perfect your painting is.”
The last thing I wanted was to look at that picture hung on the wall somewhere every day. “No, don’t worry about it. It’s a wonderful thought and thank you for thinking of it, but really, don’t worry about it. Hannah and I were just messing around anyway. It’s no big deal.”
“Are you sure? My aunt owns a framing shop here in town. It’s she looks so beautiful—I think Hannah deserves to be framed.”
Chase choked down a chuckle. I glared at him. Just because Chase can’t appreciate it, doesn’t mean he has to ruin it for everyone else.
“Well, thank you, Elton.” I smiled smugly at Chase. “You are a great guy.” Unlike some other people I know.
“You know what we should do Emma, now that we have these two guys here?” exclaimed Hannah as she stepped forward, thankfully changing the subject. “We should have them add to our collection we’ve been working on.”
It’s perfect. “What a great idea!”
“What collection?” asked Elton.
Chase laughed and shook his head. “There is no way I’m going to get roped into one of your crazy schemes Emma, so you can count me out.”
“Well, for your information, Chase, our collection just happens to be a very uneventful and completely entertaining assortment of cheesy pickup lines we have heard over the years.”
“What in the—?”
“But, I understand perfectly, if you are too stuffy for pick up lines. Don’t worry; I’m sure we can get all the help we need from Elton,” I said as I straightened up my paintbrushes on the small tab
le beside the portrait.
“Yes, Elton!” Hannah walked over to him. “I’m sure you know some great pickup lines.”
“Actually, I’ll have to think about it, but yeah, I’m sure I can come up with a few.”
“See, I knew you’d be cool enough to have some,” I responded to Elton while I looked right at Chase, challengingly.
He seemed completely unaffected as he handed over a paintbrush I’d missed. “So what’s this collection for?” he asked. “Any reason you’re collecting them?”
Hannah smiled as Chase looked up. “It’s something I’ve been doing for a while now, just for fun. It wasn’t until I brought my notebook, with my collection, over last night, that Emma helped me add a whole lot more.”
“I can’t believe how many different pickup lines there really are,” I added.
Hannah chuckled. “Anyway, now we’re trying to see how many unique ones we can find. So will you help?”
Chase stared over at Hannah’s smile for awhile, before he answered, “I’ll see what I can remember. I didn’t use a whole lot of lines on girls. That was my little brother’s thing, I think. I’ve always been more into substance in a relationship than fluff anyway.”
I started to laugh. “Fluff? Come on Chase. Lighten up, seriously. It’s just a fun pickup line. Something to make a girl think you’re cool and to get her to notice you. It has nothing to do with a relationship. Good grief.”
Grinning Chase took a step towards me, causing Elton and Hannah to move back. “So Emma, do pick up lines work on you? When a guy uses one, does he get a date?”
“Uh, well, no. But that’s because—”
“So even if a guy wasted his breath saying one, you wouldn’t care anyway, right?” He took another step forward. “You wouldn’t think he’s cool or fun anyway, would you?”
Elton nervously laughed. “Well, I’m personally all about fluff. Especially, if it’ll make a girl laugh.”
Only I saw Chase’s raised eyebrow as he focused his glittering gaze right at me, “I rest my case,” he commented quietly. In the next breath—before I could respond—he announced to everyone. “Well, I’m off. I promised Georgia I would only be gone for a couple minutes. The puppy invitation is still open, if you girls would like to come later. It was nice meeting you Hannah, I’ll think of some fluff for your book. And uh, Elton, I hope you enjoy yourself. Good luck getting that picture framed. Oh, and nice painting Emma.” He grinned, his blue eyes mocking me.