As the official morning came and the sun was up, Allie felt as if she was in a dream. She wasn't aware of anything really that she was doing, going from class to class, listening to teachers, because her head and heart were somewhere else, somewhere better. Allie walked as if she was walking on the clouds and when she sat down at the lunchroom table with Lola and Nicole like every school day before, her head was stuck up in the sky and didn't want to come down.
Lola looked curiously and with raised eyes brows to her friend that sat in front of her. Allie's hand was perched under her chin as if it was the only thing holding her head up or even on; also she had a dreaming look to her face. Where is she in that head of hers today? Lola wondered to herself.
Lola: I think the Texas sun has finally gotten to her.
Nicole: What?
Nicole said as if coming to attention for the first time, she looked up from her plate of lunchroom food that she was busy disgustingly looking at earlier Why is school's food so gross?. Nicole was saying to herself a moment ago, then looked over to Lola sitting next her.
Lola: Just look at her.
Lola said with a hand gesture for Nicole to turn her attention to Allie, Nicole looked over to Allie and saw exactly what Lola saw and began to look at her in the same way Lola was. Both Lola and Nicole were afraid that at any moment Allie was going to let out of dreamful sigh, for a reason that they wanted to get to the bottom of.
Nicole: Allie, are you with us?
Suddenly, Allie snapped herself out of her dream like state of mind when she heard Nicole's loud questionable voice. Allie turned her attention over to Lola and Nicole sitting in front of her looking like they were confused by something, she began to freak out knowing that she was the reason.
Allie: Yeah, I'm totally fine.
Allie said trying to convince her friends, it looked as if Nicole was slightly convinced, but Lola wasn't having it so her facial expression didn't even change an inch. Allie knew that Lola was a tough cookie to try and crack.
Lola: What's with you today? You look as if your head has been in the clouds all day.
Allie: Please...
Allie said with a 'pff' noise and a wave of her hand as a gesture to say stop it that's ridiculous! Lola observed Allie's mannerism and to her it seemed oddly familiar, but she couldn't exactly put her finger on it. Just then, the light bulb above her head suddenly turned on brightly, so bright she thought it was going to shatter in front of her.
Lola: Oh my god! It's about a boy.
Allie felt her eyes go suddenly wide like a cartoon character when their eyes would fall out of their head, she screamed busted! to herself. To play if off cool and in hopes of being able to convince, Allie made a face as if to say no way, you couldn't be more wrong.
Allie: What? No!
Lola knew exactly what was going on in Allie's head, so she became giddy with excitement as she tried to drill it out of her friend. Allie started to become nervous because of the fact that both Lola and Nicole were looking directly at her. What can I lie about now? Allie nervously asked herself.
Lola: Yes it is. You always get this way when you find a boy cute. So who is he?
Curse You, Allie felt like screaming at her best friend, why does Lola have to know me inside and out? Allie argued to herself. Sitting there not knowing exactly what to say, Allie started to mischievously smile to herself because she thought of something that her friend doesn't particularly like, but Allie loves to do to her. As Allie began to speak, she suddenly became shy and was playing with her napkin that was placed on the table next to her lunch plate, as if she was nervous.
Allie: Ok, he's famous...
Lola couldn't believe that Allie was keeping such a straight face when she knew that it was a load of bull that Allie was trying to deliver to her.
Just as suspected, Nicole looked across the table to Allie with her mouth open wide as if she believed Allie's nonsense.
Nicole: You know someone famous?
Lola: *to Nicole annoyed* No, she's kidding. *Back to Allie* Fine, its cool if you don't want to tell us.
Lola playfully started to look as if she was disappointed that her friend wasn't confiding in her, but she was really just doing that so Allie would self-consciously tell the truth. Even with the attempt from Lola, Allie still rolled with her act so she looked to Lola as if apologetic.
Allie: Ok I'll tell you, his name is...
Allie started to pause as if she was nervous to reveal her big secret. Aas she began to say the punch line, she couldn't keep a straight and started to laugh hysterically out loud as she said the fake lover boy's name.
Allie: John Mayer...
Lola or Nicole weren't as amused as Allie seemed to be with her humorous laugh. Lola told herself to stay level before she over reacted and became extremely pissed at Allie; who was just trying to play fun.
Lola: Now I know for sure that you're just playing with us because you always said you would never...
We've been through this conversation before, Allie said to herself as she began to finish Lola's sentence with reassurance and a hint of annoyance behind her voice mostly because she wished that her friend would just laugh at her jokes like this for once.
Allie: *in one long slightly annoyed breath* Go for John Mayer because he's a derp-faced asshat with a mediocre singing career and would probably send me on a downward spiral of bad life choices.
Lola: Exactly.
Lola said as if she just proved her point. Suddenly, Lola felt herself not playfully but truthfully become disappointed inside because she knew that something was going on with her friend, something big, but didn't know why Allie just wouldn't come out and tell her. Allie always told her everything ever since they were little girls, but now she's not too sure on what's going through her mind.
Breaking everybody's -well mostly everybody's- thinking mind, Nicole started to cringe to herself in her seat as she saw Junior walking toward her table, she came to think of it as his new routine.
Nicole: Speaking of bad life choices.
Allie: *snarling* Nicole, behave.
When Junior approached the table he stepped by Nicole, whom was slouched over in her chair with her hand covering her face.
Junior: Hey Nicole.
Junior said just like every time he's said hi to Nicole, nervously. Nicole just sat turned in the same position, not even bothering to move her hand away from her face. Without out taking her forced smiling eyes off of Junior, Lola nonchalantly and hopefully unnoticeably nudged Nicole in the side with her elbow.
Suddenly, Nicole sat up straight in her chair and took her hand away from her face while giving Lola a glaring look, Lola didn't even move an inch but she saw Nicole out of the corner of her eyes. Nicole looked up to Junior standing next to her and tried forcing a smile on her face.
Nicole: Hi.
Throwing Nicole all the way off, Junior did something that he's never done before, turn his attention to someone other than her, to Allie. Why are you getting the attention? Nicole angrily thought to herself.
Junior: So Allie...
Nicole: Why are you talking to her?
Nicole said even before Junior had time to finish his sentence. Allie looked from Junior down to Nicole, who had a confused angered look on her face. Jealous? Allie laughed to herself.
Allie: Because he's giving me a recipe.
Junior: Yeah, crème brulee.
As soon as Junior said the recipe name, Allie started to think of the French because that's what it sound to be. Way too be impressive Junior, Allie thought.
Allie: Yeah.
Junior: The recipe is in my locker so I'll give it to you after lunch.
Allie: Yeah, I'll meet you by the doors.
Junior gave a smile before he walked away, so Allie smiled warmly back. Unlike Nicole, she actually liked Junior, well maybe only at first because of his ability to cook, but now she was starting to get to know him unlike she has years before. When Junior had walked away, Allie turned back to the table and looked to Nicole furiously glaring in front of her, Allie swore that she could see seam coming out from her ears, like a cartoon Allie thought.
Once the lunch bell had rung, all three girls picked up their bags from the lunchroom floor and slung them over their shoulders as they walked to the garbage cans, and threw their Styrofoam lunch plates away. Just like she thought, Junior was waiting by the lunchroom doors for Allie so she started to walk ahead of the other girls. As she and Junior started to walk away together, Allie turned back and gave a wave.
Allie: I'll see you girls later.
As Nicole watched Allie walk away with Junior, she folded her arms across her chest and let out a deep sigh of what Lola could tell was anger. When Lola looked over to Nicole walking beside her, she could see how Nicole was getting heated with anger and how she couldn't take her glaring eyes off Allie and Junior walking away together.
Nicole: Do you think he likes her?
Lola: Why? Are you jealous?
Lola said as if she was teasing Nicole, Nicole seemed to be taking it personally as she looked over to Lola was a look of disgust shown upon her face.
Nicole: No! It's just... she's not his type.
How would you know what his type is? Lola playfully asked herself. Lola felt herself getting a kick out of the noticeable jealousy Nicole has at the moment.
Lola: What? And you are?
Nicole: Maybe?
Lola: Right and you say you don't like him because...?
Lola paused and leaned towards Nicole as she waited for a plausible answer. Nicole took a moment to think of something to say, then started to speak as if she was talking to her brother.
Nicole: Because he's a total dork.
Lola let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes thinking Oh Boy in her head. Before Nicole walked out of sight with Lola, she gave one last glance back to Allie and Junior.
Once they had approached Junior's locker, Junior unlocked the lock with the proper combination then as Allie just stood there leaning against the closed lockers next to her, Junior pulled out a note card from his locker and handed it to her. Allie looked to the note card and noticed that it actually was a recipe for crème brulee, it had all the different ingredient measurements and even the temperature you're supposed to put your oven at.
Allie: Oh, I didn't really think that you had a recipe.
Junior: I brought that in case, I didn't want to get caught in a lie.
Junior let out a laugh while Allie just looked at him with squinted eyes and an offended look on her face while she thought; are you trying to imply something? She shook that thought out of her head because she was here for a different reason.
Allie: Ok so, you want me to hook up with Nicole?
Allie asked with slight disbelief behind her voice, Junior wondered why everybody said it like that, even his own brother. But instead of being offended about it, Junior began to speak with a dream like frame to his voice.
Junior: I can't explain it, but I like her.
Allie: And... how exactly do you want me to help? Because I can't just magically make her like you. I'm not a wizard, thought I wish I was.
Junior: Has she said anything about me?
Junior asked and Allie could see the hope shown in his eyes and heard it behind his voice. Allie suddenly looked away from Junior and to the ground, as if she knew something he didn't and was nervous to reveal it.
Allie: Yeah, but you don't need to know that.
Junior: Yes I do. Allie please tell me?
Junior said as if he was a little kid in the candy store. Allie was becoming anxious with herself because what she knew wasn't exactly a confidence booster, and she hated to be a bearer of bad news.
Allie: Ok, but it might sting a little.
Junior: It's ok, I can take it.
Suddenly, Allie began to look away from Junior and to the ground with a shameful look to her face. How do I say this without breaking your heart? Allie sadly asked herself.
Allie: She said you look like a pizza face with glasses.
Junior: I've gotten worse.
Not exactly the answer Allie was thinking of that would come out of Junior's mouth, she figured he'd be hurt but he seemed to understand it in some weird way.
Allie: Yeah, but your face isn't horrible. You only got a few here and there, so some face wash will clear that right up.
Allie felt like a spokesperson for Neutrogena when she said that. She began to picture what it would be like to be a spokesperson for the commercials and how they always dramatized it with splashing the water on their face, if she did that she would make a mess.
Junior: So what is Nicole's type?
Allie was blown out of her own thoughts as she heard Junior's question, she began to draw a blank for probably the first time in her life. Allie's mouth dropped opened and she began to fear that she was stuttering.
Allie: Actually, I don't know.
Junior: How don't you know?
Junior looked to Allie as if he was confused and a little bit angry; Allie began to feel like she was letting him down in some way.
Allie: We don't really talk about our types, we just talk about who's cute and who's not.
Junior: Well who does she say is attractive?
Allie began to feel shameful all over again like she had earlier, what her answer was going to be could be considered someone's worst nightmare.
Allie: Your brother.
Junior: Figures, every girl does.
Just then, Allie swore that she heard the painful sound of Junior's heart breaking into a million pieces, she shuttered to herself inside.
Allie: But, she said this one actor...
Allie was hoping to say something to give Junior reassurance, but suddenly realized that it was just another let down. Her shoulder's that were once raised, began to slink down in shame.
Allie: Wait, no she said he has no talent...
Junior: Thanks Allie, you're a great help.
Allie could hear the disappointment behind Junior's voice and could see it shown on his face. She felt like doing two things: hugging Junior because she felt so bad for letting him down like this, and finding Nicole and shaking her silly while saying why can't you just like Junior?
Allie: I'm sorry. But she's never really said anything.
Allie said apologetically as Junior shut his locker, making Allie jump to herself, then started to walk away while dragging his feet behind him down the hallway. Allie's heart went out to Junior because even though his back was turned to her, she could tell his face looked to be devastated with defeat.
Allie: *yelling after Junior* I'll try to be a better help next time.
That is, if there will be a next time, Allie thought to herself. And that was it, Junior walked down the hall without uttering another word and all Allie came to hear was the busy-ness of the hallway that came to be filled with her classmates.
As Allie walked down the long stretch of the hallway to her art classroom, she was afraid that the guilt was shown all over her face. As she saw Dustin waiting by the end lockers with that triple threat smile, his face that made Allie go gaga on a good day was suddenly effecting her because she couldn't help but think of what had just happened with Junior.
Dustin: Hey, how'd it go with Junior?
Dustin said to Allie was cheer behind his voice, she knew that's what he was trying to do because now she was sure that the guilt she felt earlier was shown on the outside of her.
Allie: Not good, he started to ask me about what Nicole's type is and I have no idea.
Allie began to feel like a babbling and stuttering fool, so she looked up from the ground and to Dustin for help not exactly sure if he could or not.
Allie: Do You?
Dustin got a look on his face as if he was thinking are you shitting me? inside that beautiful head of his. Allie felt like saying thanks in the rudest way possible to Dustin.
Dustin: Do you really think I sit around and have deep conversations about the kind of guys she likes?
Dustin said with a side-ways smirk on his face, but he could see that Allie's expression hadn't changed on her face. She was too depressed about not being able to help a desperate man that she didn't even realize that Dustin had just made a little joke. It was understandable, Dustin guessed.
Allie: No.
Dustin: I don't understand the inner workings of my twisted sister's mind.
Allie: Have you seen her be attracted to a certain type of guy before?
Allie felt as if she was beginning to whine, but as this point she really didn't care. It was tearing her up inside, all she wanted to do was help Junior out.
Dustin: Well... there was this one guy back in Nebraska; he was kind of preppy looking.
Allie suddenly felt herself becoming slightly happier, now we're getting somewhere, she happily said to herself.
Allie: So like good dresser and male model hair?
Allie started to brush her fingers through her hair and struck a pose just like she's seen male Abercrombie models do. Dustin laughed to himself knowing that Allie was feeling better, feeling like herself, with what he had provide to her.
Dustin: Yeah, guys like that.
Allie: That helps, but that is so not Junior.
As soon as Allie said her words, makeover and the name Lola kept running through her head. Suddenly, the bell for the last hour of the day disappointingly started to ring. As Dustin began to walk away, he gave Allie a squeeze of her hand, a love squeeze. Allie liked to think that the reason for her being in a better mood than before was because of her brilliant idea that she had just come up with in her head, but she knew that the real reason was because of Dustin. All he had to do was show up and Allie was happier than she ever was before.
As Allie walked away and into her art classroom, she began to fish for her cell phone in her front right pocket and text messaged Lola with furiously fingers before she got caught and got it taken away by a teacher.
---------
At the end of the day when Allie had walked out of the school building, she saw Junior walking ahead of her, looking the same way as she last saw him, she rushed to catch up with him.
Allie: Junior.
Allie had yelled to get his attention, but it was as if Junior couldn't hear a thing. Allie didn't take it personally that by her voice he didn't want to respond. She had something that would cheer up his broken heart, so she tapped him on the back of the shoulder and he turned around to face her, but didn't feel the need to say anything. More like, he didn't want to say anything with the fear that he might start crying if he even spoke Nicole's name.
Allie: I know how I can be a better help.
Junior: How?
Junior asked with no emotion or enthusiasm to his voice at all. Instead of giving a direct answer, Allie began to pull a ripped piece of notebook paper out of her front pocket and handed it to Junior. Junior opened the folded piece of paper and began to look at it, he became confused because it had an address on it; he was hopeful that it was Nicole's home address.
Allie: Just meet me at my house and you'll find out.
Allie said non-directly and Junior suddenly became frightened because he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Both Allie and Junior began to see Nicole approaching them so quickly. Junior put the piece of paper Allie had given him into his pocket before Nicole could see it and ask about it, or even worse take it from his hands; then their whole cover would be blown because she would recognize the address.
Nicole: Come on Allie, let's not talk to the nerd.
Nicole said ever so rudely towards Junior, making Allie wonder why Junior still wanted to do this to himself when she treated him like this just because of the way he looks. Nicole looped her arm through Allie's as she practically yanked Allie away from Junior and towards the parking lot.
Nicole: Why were you talking to him?
Allie: I was thanking him for the recipe.
Finally! Allie thought as she and Nicole had reached Lola's blue car; Lola was already sitting in the driver's seat with the engine started. Allie and Nicole just quickly got into the car.
Nicole: Hey, can you two come over today?
Nicole said while buckling her seatbelt, it gave Allie and Lola time to give each other a knowing glance without Nicole seeing.
Allie: Umm... my mom wants me home because I've been getting a lot of homework lately.
Allie said in hopes that Nicole would remember the fake conversation they had days ago about Allie having to turn her cell phone off because of homework. Even though Lola had her eyes on the road, she could tell that Nicole had turned to look at her for an answer.
Lola: I have to go visit with my grandparents tonight.
Nicole: That's ok; I guess we can hang out tomorrow.
Allie and Lola could hear a hint of disappointment behind Nicole's voice, but they didn't exactly care because what they were really doing was going to make her ten times happier, well hopefully.
After dropping Nicole off at her house, Lola drove down the street to Allie's house. Allie saw a little white truck parked in front of her house and knew that it had to be Junior's car. Sure enough as Lola drove up to the truck, Allie saw through the opened window Junior sitting there in the driver's seat.
Allie: Junior, get in.
Allie yelled out the window at Junior. He began to roll up his driver side window and closed the door of his truck firmly, then got into the back of Lola's car nervously. A little too nervously, Allie thought. This is going to be work, Allie thought of the brilliant idea that she and Lola have for Junior.
Junior: Lola, you're in on this two?
Lola: Yes, I'm the transportation.
Lola said as soon as Junior was buckled in the back and she started to drive out of Allie's neighborhood. Allie was happy that Lola was a part of some kind of secret with her for once, now all she had to do was work up the nerve to tell her about Dustin.
Junior: Allie, how come I never see you driving?
Junior asked curiously, this was a question that Allie never wanted to answer. Lola saw Allie's mouth drop and before her friend started to stutter, because that's what she does when she's nervous, she saved her by speaking up first.
Lola: You don't want to see this girl driving.
Yeah, I kill people, Allie thought to herself. Then, heard Lola let out a laugh and saw as she hooked her right thumb over to her sitting in the passenger; Junior seemed to be buying it. Maybe he and Nicole are perfect together after all? Allie laughed to herself.
Junior: Bad driver?
Lola: Yeah, pretty much.
**********
About ten minutes later, because Lola was a speed demon as Allie liked to call it, they were at the mall in the main town. This mall was the perfect mall to shop because it literally had everything: clothes, food and more; it was perfect for their adventure today. Allie and Lola took the lead walking into the glass and gold handled door while Junior sluggishly trailed behind. When Junior stepped into the mall, he figured that this place was every teenage girl's fantasy with all the different type of stores and even more stores on the second level.
Junior: Before we start, let's get one thing straight. I am not wearing Hollister.
Allie: I'm pretty sure Hollister isn't a thing anymore.
Allie said wondering to herself, but she knew that Junior wouldn't know a thing about fashion even if that store was still in business. Instead of laughing along, Lola just looked to Allie questionable and a little worried.
Lola: But, where are we going to shop for him?
Allie didn't think about that. As she started to think, she put her hands on her hips and began to tap her right foot on the floor, she feared she was turning into her mother. Then suddenly, her light bulb turned on as she started to grab for her cell phone.
Allie: I got an idea.
Allie pulled out her cell phone and began to dial a number that she already knows by heart and listened to it ring twice before she heard the right voice.
Nicole: Hello.
Allie looked to both Lola and Junior as she put her finger up to her mouth in order to say shhh... because she didn't want Nicole to hear them in the background, Nicole was devious like that. Allie wouldn't be surprised if Nicole was doing that this exact minute.
Allie: Hey it's Allie, umm...
Got to think, Allie thought, as far as she got in her mind was the idea to call Nicole, now she needed to have a legit reason to be calling her.
Allie: I'm doing a project in art class and I want to ask you a couple of questions.
Nicole: Why do you need to ask me questions for art class?
Really? That was the best you could come up with? Allie said to herself. If someone said something like what she said, she wouldn't believe it for a second. On the other hand, Allie knew that once you start to run with a story and make it more real, then it can be sold; especially to Nicole. Allie had been doing that every day since she and Dustin began dating.
Allie: Because it's going to be like a collage of pictures and questions, so are you going help me?
Allie said with a big smile across her face, she knew that Nicole couldn't see her smile -–thankfully -- but she could still hear her convincing voice, and sure enough Nicole gave the answer that Allie was looking for. Allie felt like she could start clapping to herself, but didn't because of the fact that she had her phone held up to her ear by her hand. Instead, she just imagined herself clapping in her head.
Nicole: Yes I will.
Nicole said with a slight laughing knowing that this all sounded a little bit crazy, but that was Allie, she was an interesting girl, so she figured that her school work had to be also. Nicole began to feel honored that Allie was asking her the questions for her project; little did she know that it was really Project Nicole.
Allie: So, the project is about types that people are attracted to.
Allie and Junior shot a look at one another, both thinking of the type's conversation they had today in the hallway.
Allie: So where do you think a guy should shop, at Abercrombie, Rocawear, or vintage type of stores?
Just to name a few, Allie giggle to herself as Nicole took a moment and paused on the phone for her answer.
Nicole: Vintage, but not emo like.
Allie: No emo got it. Keep your phone by you at all times because I'm going to be calling you constantly.
You can count on that, Allie said to herself then heard Nicole's questionable voice break her thoughts.
Nicole: Why can't you ask me all the question's now?
Allie: Because I have to come up with them first, duh!
Allie felt like a rich valley girl as she said that, and because of it she let out a laugh, so Nicole knew that she was just joking.
Nicole: Ok, I'll keep my phone by me.
As Allie heard the line go dead, she pressed the lock button on her phone. Instead of putting it back in her pocket, she held it in her hand because it would get annoying to keep taking it in and out of her pocket.
She looked to Lola and Junior, who just stood there the whole time staring at her waiting for her to get off the phone and tell them everything.
Allie: She says vintage type of shops, but not emo.
Lola: Ok, let's go then.
Lola said as if she knew exactly what Allie was talking about, Junior was at a loss, but then again he always was when it came to looking good. Seeing the skittish look on Junior's face, Allie and Lola looped their arms through his on either side of him and drug him along to the desired destination. Lola knew this mall like she knew the back of her hand and she knew the exact store to shop for Junior, it had to the right amount of what they were looking for; stylish, trendy but not Abercrombie or Hollister or anything like that, it was a perfect store.
When Allie and Lola had drug Junior into the door of the store, all Lola could see was endless possibilities of t-shirts, pants, and so much more. Lola just went at it and started to pull different clothes off of the racks, Allie started to do the same as Junior just stood and observed wondering what did I get myself into? When all the clothes were chosen, Junior was shoved into the dressing room by both Allie and Lola, only because he was starting to whine before he went in.
Patiently waiting outside the dressing room, Allie and Lola sat down in the chairs. Allie had laid her head on Lola's shoulder and Lola laid her head on top of Allie's, both acting as if they were exhausted, but Allie knew that this little adventure had just started.
Allie: Junior, just come out already.
Allie said as if she was annoyed, but then started to giggle to herself because the way she had said her words made her think that she was making a gay joke.
Junior: No. I look like I should be snapping my fingers as I walk down the street.
Junior said as if he was going to cry with embarrassment, Allie couldn't help but laugh over what it made her think of.
Allie: Junior, did you just make a "West Side Story" reference?
Junior: *sheepishly* Yes.
Lola: Just come out.
Lola said just like Allie had said earlier, annoyed. When Junior finally emerged from the dressing room, he opened the door slowly and had a look on his face as if he was embarrassed to be frightened. As soon as Allie and Lola looked at Junior's appearance -a black vintage leather jacket accompanied with a green V-neck t-shirt and pants that defiantly made him look like he was going to a "West Side Story" convention or something because they were double cuffed- they began to laugh out loud.
They aren't even trying to hide it, Junior thought to himself as he watched Allie and Lola laughing hysterically. He was thinking that at any minute, they were going to start rolling on the floor in laughter.
Junior: See I told you.
This time Junior really felt as if he was about to start crying. No wonder why Nicole doesn't like me, I'm no man, Junior thought to himself as he began to walk back into the dressing room.
Lola: Junior wait.
Lola said as if apologetically, then picked herself up from her seat and rushed over to Junior, whom now turned around to face her again. As Lola practically ran over to Junior, Allie could hear the clinking of her high heeled shoes against the wood floor of the dressing room.
Lola: We can make this work, like for instance why do you have your pants rolled up?
Junior: Because they're too long.
Well maybe you're too short, Lola felt like saying back to Junior, but decided against it even though he was a little shorter than average guys she knew, like his brother for instance. Ok let's not get that in your head, Lola thought to herself then began to wonder if having Junior around hopefully all the time now, would it guarantee his brother to come around? Focus, Lola told herself.
Lola: Well you look like you can't dress yourself or you're waiting for a flood, so roll them down.
Even before Junior had time to lean over and roll his pant legs down, Lola began to do it for him; she was a take charge type of girl. Lola was small and tough, Allie always said. Lola stood back up straight as she began to look over Junior's outfit for any more mistakes, Junior began to feel like he was a mannequin standing in a window.
But the mannequin is better looking, Junior thought to himself and was glad that he didn't say it out loud because he knew that if he did, Allie and Lola would try to talk him up just to be nice, that's what everybody did. They looked passed him and to his younger -key word- brother because his brother was charming and funny.
Junior figured for the first time in his life that he was the one that wanted it all, so that's why he is trying to make Nicole his no matter what.
Lola: Unzip your jacket, no one zips it anymore.
Even though Junior had zipped his jacket halfway, Lola still felt it looked too tacky. She also noticed how because the jacket was zipped up, it was bunching up his green V-neck that really complimented his skin tone, Lola had thought.
Junior: Are you sure Nicole is going to like this jacket?
Junior said once he unzipped the jacket all the way, he then looked to Allie still sitting down but thankfully not laughing anymore. Allie knew that by Junior's expression, it was her cue to call Nicole with more questions. Allie took out her phone and didn't even have to dial the number because since she's already called Nicole, she just pressed the re-dial button then listened as it rung.
Allie: So what do you think of leather jackets?
Allie didn't even bother to say hello because that was already done and over with, Nicole knew what was up. Allie heard on the other line a disgusted type of noise come out of Nicole's mouth when she started to speak.
It reminded Allie of Amanda Bynes in "She's The Man" when she lets out the same noise and says to her mother "Mom, I have a strict no ruffles policy." Allie liked to think she had an Amanda Bynes sense of humor, but not the legit crazy side.
Nicole: Too "West Side Story."
How ironic, your soon to be boyfriend just said the same thing, Allie felt like saying but restrained herself from doing so. As Allie spoke her next words, she got up from her chair and walked closer to Junior as she made a hand motion towards Lola.
Allie: Ok, no to the jacket.
Lola knew that by Allie's hand motion and words, it meant take off the jacket so she did and just held it in her arms. Lola was starting to feel like she was hosting the show "What Not To Wear" she was Stacey London and Allie was Clinton, just without the being gay part but the humor is pretty much spot on.
Allie: Hey, I'm going to send you a picture of this outfit I want to use and then tell me what you think.
Nicole: Ok...?
Allie hung up her cell phone as she started to act upon her brilliant idea that she just thought of over the phone. She took her phone and opened to the camera as she began to hold it up to Junior's outfit. When Allie snapped the picture she made sure not to get Junior's face in the picture, then she sent it to Nicole.
Allie: And now we wait...
Allie said building the suspense. While waiting, Lola went and got the hanger for the leather jacket and put the jacket back on the rack because they weren't going to need that anymore. She doesn't even know why she thought it would work in the first place, it was awful.
When Lola came back, she heard the sound of Allie's text message tone and also thought she heard the sound of Junior gasping for breath as she stood next to him.
Junior: What'd she say?
Lola began to understand the noise she heard from Junior, he was nervous like always. Allie looked at her phone and stood there while she read the text message that Nicole had just sent her. What did she send a novel? Junior thought as he was waiting for what felt like the longest moment of his life.
Allie: Love the shirt, but the pants look too long for the body.
We already established that, Allie thought then started walking over to Junior, whom began fumble with his pants. He was lifting them up from the floor and under his feet; it was as if he was checking the pants out for himself.
Allie: So once you get those pants hemmed you're going to be golden buddy.
Once Allie had approached Junior she gave him a pat on the back just like guys do to one another, she told herself.
Junior: Yeah, my mom is a clothes designer so she can do it.
Both Allie and Lola gave Junior a look as if to say seriously? Allie began to wonder what his family doesn't do.
Allie: Your mom is a designer, your brother races cars, and you cook. What does your dad do?
Allie asked with an eagerness to her voice just thinking of all the different possibilities his father could have as a career, so many different amazing career options were running wild in both Allie and Lola's head. Then suddenly, they both became disappointed with the answer that fell out of Junior's mouth.
Junior: He's a security guard at the tracks.
There wasn't even a hint of shame to what his father does for a living in Junior's voice as he said his words. Allie cocked her head in disappointment as she looked to Junior, Lola turned away and held her hand over her mouth as a giggle began to spill out.
Allie: Well that was unexpected.
Allie stood in her same cocked sideways head position and began wondering Is your dad an underachiever? then told herself it wasn't right to judge. She seemed to be telling herself that a lot these days. Allie blew the thought from her mind and looked at Junior with a "normal" expression.
Allie: Anyways... we need to find more clothes.
Suddenly Junior's shoulders slunk down in both disappointment and annoyance as he began to slightly whine as he talked.
Junior: More clothes?
Allie: Yes, we only have one outfit. You can't go naked all the other days.
A mischievous smile slid across Junior's face, and as Allie began to walk away that's when she pictured that thought in her head --not pretty-- and turned back to Junior with her index finger pointed at him. She also had a slightly disturbed expression to her face.
Allie: Whatever you are thinking, stop it!
Junior raised his hands in the air as if to say I have no idea what you're talking about, so Allie and Lola just walked away and to the clothes racks. Again.
After they shopped for all the clothes and paid for them, Allie, Lola, and Junior began to walk down the mall with bags of clothing in each of their hands. When guys at the mall would pass by Junior and the girls, Junior would act as if the bags weren't even his and that he was just here with two girls acting as their sugar daddy. He's more of a man than I thought, Allie said to herself as she observed Junior. For a second, Junior thought that it was time to leave the mall --finally!-- but then he began to follow as Allie and Lola walked inside a store that looked to be exactly like a drug store with all your basic needs inside of it.
Junior began to wonder, how girls could know where all these stores in the mall are? He could hardly remember where the store that he tried on the all clothes in the bags in his hands was. Junior almost ran into both Allie and Lola as they stopped walking in front of him, then as he started to look around at what aisle they were in, all he could see were different brands of hair dye. UH OH! Junior began to think.
Allie: What color should we go for?
Allie looked to Lola for help, but all Lola did was begin to point to the cell phone in Allie's hand. Why didn't I think of that? Allie thought.
Lola: Call Nicole.
Again, Allie just pressed the re-dial button as she began to wait for an answer. Lola looked over to Junior whom was looking around at all the different hair dyes with widened scarce eyes, you've gotten in way over your head mister, Lola thought.
Nicole: What's your next question?
Nicole said with a cheer behind her voice, Allie just decided to get right to the point.
Allie: What hair color are you most attracted to?
Nicole: I don't know... I guess a dark brown color.
Allie looked over to Junior and began to observe his hair; it was chin length long wavy light brown hair, so if they found a dark brown color then their plan would be on the right track. Suddenly, Allie's light bulb went off with another question and she wondered why she didn't think about asking earlier.
Allie: Ok answer me this, who do you think is cuter Channing Tatum or that one guy in the movie we watched the other day?
Allie said with a little hesitation behind her voice because she wasn't too sure that her friend would understand her language, Allie language as Lola liked to consider it. But thankfully, Nicole began to understand.
Nicole: Oh, the main character guy in the movie?
Allie: Yes, him.
Nicole: Neither.
By that answer Allie felt herself becoming disappointed while thinking you're a great help, then suddenly her hopes were let back up.
Nicole: I'm more of a Jared Padalecki kind of girl.
Good choice, Allie said to herself. She was also a Jared Padalecki fan, especially watching him on the show "Supernatural" alongside Jensen Ackles. On the show, they were two brothers --who also happened to be hot-- fighting side by side to save the world one demon at a time, they could save me from demonic forces anytime, Allie always thought that when she would watch the show. She would only watch that show because it was her dad's favorite, she was like her dad in that way, they enjoyed the same things.
Allie: Oh, so that's the type of hair you like?
Nicole: Yes, I could get lost in that hair of his.
Nicole began to say in a dreamlike state of voice, it made Allie think Nicole do you need to go to the bathroom? But decided not to say it because Junior was standing right in front of her and he didn't need to know that she was getting let's put it this way: happier because of another guy, an actor.
Allie: Well thank you, this is some great information.
Allie felt so adult saying that, she began to think she was holding a job interview for Nicole or something. Well, if you looked at this situation it kind of was like a job interview for Junior to be Nicole's boyfriend. Now Hiring, looking for a Jared Padalecki look a-like, if you can get the look then you got the job.
Nicole: So does that mean you're done with questions?
Nicole said playfully curious, Allie was slightly offended by Nicole. What does she not want a boyfriend? Allie thought to herself.
Allie: Maybe, I'll let you know later.
Allie said to end the conversation as she pressed the hang up button on her phone. This time, she put her cellphone back into her back pocket because what she was just about to start doing, she needed her two hands for.
Allie: Ok, so she said she likes mostly dark brown hair.
Allie began to fill Junior and Lola in on her phone conversation, she figured she would beat them to the punch. As Allie started to talk about hair, Junior began to look at a strand of his own and almost became disgusted because it was light brown instead of dark brown. Really? You're blaming yourself? Allie thought to herself as she looked to Junior also thinking that this all still isn't exactly worth it, but it's what he wants. Good luck Junior.
Allie: And she's a Jared Padalecki girl.
Junior: Damn that Jared Padalecki!
Junior said as he dropped the strand of his hair that he had in his hand and he looked up to Allie when she spoke, his face became slightly vengeance looking. Allie came to realized that Junior wasn't aware that Jared Padalecki was an actor that neither she nor Nicole had a shot with.
Allie: Calm down Inigo Montoya, he did not kill your father, so he's not prepared to die. Jared Padalecki is just an actor.
Allie said with a slight laugh as she felt that her reference to the cult classic movie "The Princess Bride" was pretty dang funny. She didn't care who it was, it was pretty dang funny.
Allie: A very hot actor.
Allie said in a dream like love struck state of voice as she began to picture Jared Padalecki standing front of her. She was just about to reach her hand out and touch the imaginary Jared, but then came snapping back to reality as she heard the sound of Lola clearing her throat. As Allie looked to Junior, whom had that same vengeance look on his face, she began to clear her own throat and scratch her head awkwardly. She decided it was time to change the subject.
Allie: Sorry not helping. Let's get you hair dye.
Allie and Lola turned directly to the store shelving of different hair dyes while Junior just stood there looking at the hair dyes as if he wanted to cry. When Allie and Lola both had a box of dark brown hair dye in their hands, they suddenly began to put it up to the side of Junior's face and continued to do this with a numerous of different hair dye boxes. Junior looked at both of them with scrunched eyebrows as if he was confused.
Junior: What are you doing?
Lola: Comparing hair dye to your skin tone.
Lola tried reassuring Junior as she put the box of dye she had in her hand back on the shelf, then grabbed another box and put it up to his face like she had before. Junior was still confused and a little bit worried now.
Junior: Why?
Allie: Because Nicole wants you to look like Jared Padalecki, but we don't want the dye to clash with your skin tone.
Allie had said, and even before she heard his voice she knew that Junior would start to whine -- like he has before -- when he began to speak.
Junior: Why do I have to look like this guy?
Allie: Well at first you have to look like Jared to attract Nicole, but once the relationship progresses you can look like yourself; just a better looking you because she isn't attracted to you right now.
Junior: You mean, she isn't attracted to me yet.
Junior said with a big smile on his face and a hint of confidence behind his voice, Allie thought for a split second that she saw Junior suck his breath in and lift up his chest just like a macho man would do. Allie began to respond as if she was playfully not convinced, but she was really thinking I hope!
Allie: Umm... sure.
Lola: Perfect!
Lola said drawing everyone's attention to her as she held a hair dye box of a dark brown color up to the side of Junior's face. Allie began to observe the hair color on the box and compared it to Junior's face and thought the same as Lola, Perfect. Again Allie started to picture herself clapping her hands together in her head, she now realized if she really did, it would look a little weird.
Allie: Yes it is, now on to our last task at the mall.
It better be something good, Junior thought to himself as Allie grabbed his arm and started to drag him to another aisle, Lola just followed along. Junior began to feel as if his arm was going to be pulled out his socket if he was dragged one more time.
When Allie had stopped dragging Junior along, they stopped at the face wash aisle and the phrase pizza face with glasses started to run through Junior's head.
Allie: Use this on your face...
Allie began to say as she handed Junior a tube of face wash, he began to observe it as he still listened to Allie talk. Junior held a tube of Neutrogena exfoliating face wash in his hand, and he soon began to think of all the different dramatized commercials you see on the television.
Allie: ... And your skin will be as smooth as a baby's bottom.
Allie felt as if she was trying to sell this product to Junior; in a way she kind of was. Junior's head perked up as he listened to what Allie had ridiculously said.
Junior: *disbelief* Really?
Allie: Maybe...?
Allie took a pause and began to think about what she had just said, she didn't even believe it herself so she spoke playfully.
Allie: But, it will get arid of the pimples. Most of them anyways.
Lola just stood and listened to the conversation, but then as she looked to Junior observing the face wash tube, she began to discover one factor that she or Allie hadn't even thought of.
Lola: Junior, do you have contacts?
Junior looked up from the face wash in his hands and turned his head over to Lola standing next to him, observing him.
Junior: Yeah, but I don't wear them.
Lola: I think maybe you should start.
Lola spoke in a hushed playful tone trying not to offend Junior, whom began to adjust his glasses just like any nerd would do, by pushing up on the middle of the frame on the brim of his nose. As Lola watched Junior do so, she began to think of the movies and when the nerd would do that he would always let out an embarrassing snorting noise. She was glad that Junior didn't do that because otherwise everything would be hopeless, and this mission would fail disastrously.
After the hair dye and face wash were purchased, Allie, Lola, and Junior walked out of the store with everything they bought and went on their way back to Allie's house where the real adventure was about to start. When they had arrived back to Allie's house, Junior left the bags of clothes -- more like pretend to forget them in the back of Lola's car -- but grabbed the plastic bag of the hair dye, and followed behind Allie and Lola into the house.
As Allie's mom was standing by the counter island in the kitchen, she began to hear the sound of the front door opening. As she saw Allie walk by, not even bothering to look into the kitchen at her, she also saw Lola follow in behind, along with an unidentifiable boy walk in last. This was unusual even for my daughter.
Lori: Allie?
Allie heard her mother say her name as if it was a question, Allie was surprised she didn't say her full name like she does whenever she is in trouble. Allie began to cringe to herself as she started to walk backwards to her mother in the entry way of the kitchen, she moved slowly then began to speak in a question just like her mother had.
Allie: Yes?
Lori: What's going on?
Lori said as she put her hand on her hips and began to tap her right foot to the floor. I am turning into my mother, Allie shutter to herself as she began to remember herself doing the same thing earlier today at the mall.
Allie didn't feel like lying to her mother about this situation, one less thing to lie about, Allie figured. So as she began to tell the truth of the situation, she spoke in a nervous ramble.
Allie: We're making over Junior so Nicole will like him.
Junior: Hey!
Allie heard Junior say knowing that he was offended by it. Even though Allie couldn't see Junior from where she stood because he was by the staircase going downstairs with Lola, Allie turned her head anyways to talk him.
Allie: Sorry, but it's true.
Allie heard no response back from Junior so she turned back to her mother with a big smile on her face, a smile saying: are we all good?
Allie: Can I go now?
Lori: Yes.
Lori said with a slight laugh always wondering what her daughter was going to do next. As Allie walked out of the kitchen, Lori began to remember the times when Allie was just a little girl and all the crazy things she would get into running around the neighborhood. Curious George, is what Lori would call her.
Once downstairs, Allie switched on her bathroom light revealing a shade of red walled colored bathroom with a bathtub and a shower curtain draped above it; a counter top sink with multiple drawers, and a toilet next to the bathtub. Making sure that the lid was down, Allie took Junior by the shoulders and plopped him down on top of the toilet, acting as his chair.
Why are girls so forceful? Junior wondered to himself, also hoping that Nicole wouldn't be like this. Inside, he knew that Nicole will probably be even bossier than her friends. Allie and Lola were tame compared to Nicole. And, soon he would find out just how bossy she really was.
Lola: Ok first we have to cut your hair.
Lola said as she stood in front of Junior and observed him. Junior began to touch his hair as if he was saddened to depart from his long light brown locks.
Junior: What?
Junior said with a scarce look on his face. Lola didn't even pay any mind to Junior's look, she just pulled his hands away his head.
Lola: Sorry, but your hair has got to go.
Listening to the conversation, Allie began to open the drawers in her bathroom in a search of scissors. I know they're somewhere, Allie thought to herself as she searched, then finally she found the scissors she always keeps in the bathroom, then placed them into Lola's hand. Lola began to feel like she was a hairdresser working on a customer as she began to observe Junior's head like it was a painting or something, then she began to cut his hair how it needed to be cut. Junior closed his eyes as he heard Lola cut the strands of his hair, because he couldn't bear to watch.
Minutes passed, Junior's hair was cut perfectly --Lola proudly thought-- and the hair dye was mixed in, it was about twenty minutes of passing time. Allie and Lola walked back into the bathroom, Allie with two cans of soda in her hand while Junior still sat on the toilet with his hair formed into a Mohawk -because Allie thought it would be funny to do so as she helped Lola mix the hair dye in- a towel around his shoulder's so the dye wouldn't get on his clothing, and a look of annoyance on his face. Even though Junior had taken off his glasses and set them on the counter once the hair dye had started to be put in, he could still see that Allie and Lola both had grins across their faces.
Allie: Looking good my friend.
Allie said with a laugh as she handed Junior a can of an unopened sodal it's what he had requested before she and Lola went upstairs. Even though Allie met his simple demand, he still didn't wipe the annoyed look off his face.
Junior: My head is burning.
Junior wanted to start touching his hair so he could desperately scratch an itch he's has been wanting to scratch even before the dye was in, but he knew he couldn't do that without staining his fingers with the glob of dye on top of his head.
Lola: Well that means its working, and stop whining because it's almost time to wash it out.
Well can it hurry up already? Junior thought to himself miserably.
In Lola's hand, she had an empty water picture and set it by the edge of the tub. Suddenly, the alarm that she had set on her phone earlier to let her know when it was time to wash the dye out, started to go off. All she did was press a button on his phone to turn it off, then put her phone back into her pocket.
Lola: It's time.
Junior smiled thankfully as Lola leaned over Allie's bathtub and turned on the faucet. Junior took off the towel around his shoulder and Allie grabbed it from him putting it back on the rack, as he began to kneel on his knees up to the edge of the bathtub. Lola grabbed the conditioner that the hair dye box provided and set it on the edge as she grabbed the water picture and began to fill it up with water; then dumped it over Junior's head in order to wash all the dye out fully. Allie just sat on her sink counter top sipping on her soda as she just observed Lola washing Junior's hair dye out, Allie began to wonder what the outcome would be of Junior's hair, amazingly good, she hoped.
Junior began to think that he was in a salon or somewhere because of the way Lola was washing out his hair. Just like a hairdresser would do, she was almost massaging his head -it's not like he would know, wink, wink-. After the conditioner was put in and washed out, Junior sat back on the closed lid toilet as Lola began to use the towel to semi-dry his hair. While Lola did that, Allie hopped off the counter top and grabbed her hairdryer from one of her draws -knowing exactly where it was this time- and plugged it into the wall all before handing it to Lola. While Allie watched Lola blow dry Junior's hair, it was kind of amusing to watch someone, a guy, use her hair dryer.
Again, Junior thought as if he was in a hair salon when Lola began to dry his hair. He's never had his hair blow dried before, it felt comforting to him as Lola ran her fingers through his hair and aimed the blow drier to the chunk of hair that she held in her hand. After Junior's hair was just the right amount of dry, Allie took out her hair gel and Lola squeezed a glob of it into her hands and began to run it through Junior's freshly washed, dried and perfectly cut hair. Lola began to think of how when she was a little girl, she would do this to her dad --well when her dad actually had hair, because now that he's balding she couldn't do it anymore-- she always loved to play hairdresser as a kid and she guessed that she still does now.
Junior: Are we almost done yet?
Junior said as he began to look up at Lola's hands running through his hair, he was beginning to wonder what his hair even looked like. Be patient, Lola felt like saying to Junior because throughout the day he complained a lot, furthering the point that he and Nicole are going to be perfect for each other.
Lola: Stop fidgeting!
Lola said pulling Junior's head straight as he noticed --probably for the first time-- the bathroom mirror that was behind him. She didn't want him to look at what he looked like before she put the finishing touches like a painter would do, on the styling of his hair.
Lola: *with a look of satisfaction on her face* Ok, I'm done.
Junior stood up from the toilet, for what felt like the first time, and turned around to the bathroom mirror for the big reveal. Junior began to run his fingers through what hair he had left because Lola had practically cut it all off, Junior exaggerated to himself. Very Jared-esqe, Allie thought to herself as she admired Junior's finished hair, it wasn't too short but it wasn't long and ugly --no offense Junior-- like it was before. Junior's hair was now dark, styled, and with a bit of wave still, Allie hoped that now Nicole would say that she gets lost in Junior's hair like she had said about Jared. Ha Junior, Jared, Allie laughed to herself of the two J names.
Junior: Are you sure Nicole is going to like this?
Junior said as he turned back to Allie and Lola, Stop questioning everything, Allie thought as she looked at Junior's unsure of himself expression on his face. Allie and Lola began to look at each other with knowing glances, then back to Junior with big huge Demi Lovato-esqe smiles on their faces as they spoke at the same time.
Allie and Lola: Oh yeah.
Allie and Lola had said reassuringly, Allie felt like the kool-aid guy when she spoke her words.
Junior looked back to himself in the bathroom mirror and ran his fingers through his new hair, a slight smile came across his face as he did so. Allie knew that he was starting to believe everything that she and Lola have been filling into his head today.