Thursday

"Ow! Katie!"

"Sorry, but you know, this wouldn't be such an issue if you'd just sit still!" Katie scolded me. She was giving me a makeover as a "nice" gestured. Apparently this was going to help me win over Johnny, an incredibly cute dark haired dreamy boy in our gang, but I didn't believe this. I was pretty much sitting here to humor her.

"Sure, I'll just sit still while you rip every last hair out of my head."

"Don't worry, I'm almost done. There," she announced placing a clip in my hair. "All finished!"

"Oh my God," I exclaimed when I saw my reflection. "Look at how much make-up I'm wearing!"

"Oh, stop it! You look fine."

I turned to look at her with raised eyebrows. "I look ridiculous."

"Well I think you look great," she insisted. I turned back to the mirror doubtfully. Well, Katie does tend to wear too much makeup herself. It's a real shame too, because she looks pretty, but she doesn't think she's pretty, so she's always overdoing her makeup which, sadly, ends up with her blue eyes looking too small, and her cheeks looking too bright, clashing with her red hair. I rubbed my lipstick off on my arm.

"Allie, don't do that! Oh, you act just like Jenny!"

Jenny was Katie's seven-year-old sister. I'm guessing that wasn't a complement.

"Oh, look at your arm. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were bleeding somethin awful."

"Well, if you hadn't put so much lipstick on me, I wouldn't look like I was bleeding!" I countered, laughing. Katie just rolled her eyes, refusing to admit that I might be wearing just a bit too much make-up. She's stubborn that way.

"Oh shoot!" I exclaimed, catching a glimpse at the clock on Katie's wall. I'd better get home or Darry'll skin me! See ya tomorrow!"

"Bye Allie!"

I ran down the street to my house, swearing under my breath. Darry was my oldest brother and very strict about mine and my kid brother, Ponyboy's, schooling. He hardly let us out of the house on school nights and the only reason I was allowed to go to Katie's was because I told him we were doing homework. I reached my front door and opened in as silently as I could, hoping to sneak in unnoticed.

"Where have you been? It's past eleven!"

Of course, he was waiting for me in the armchair. Shoot.

"At Katie's house," I replied a little sheepishly. He stood up then, making him even more intimidating than he already was. Darry's six-feet-two you see, exactly one foot taller than me.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He demanded.

"A t-shirt," I glanced down at myself to see what could possibly be upsetting him so much.

"Don't be smart with me. I was talking about you're make-up."

Shit

"You can't wear make-up like that, you're only fifteen. Boys'll think you're a tramp. Did you go out to some party tonight?"

Darry was lookin mighty angry and I was feeling more and more nervous by the second.

"No!" I said quickly. "Katie just gave me a make-over, that's all. It was just for fun." Ha, Katie thought it was fun at least.

"Well go wash it off and get to bed. I don't want to see you lookin like that again, you hear?"

I nodded and booked it out of that room without another word, feeling like I'd gotten off lucky. I worked at scrubbing my face clean for a good five minutes before examining myself in the mirror. I had dark brown eyes, like Dad, and straight light-brown, almost red hair that currently fell about six inches past my shoulders. After attempting to wash all the make-up off my face, I went to bed just as Darry had instructed. I flopped down on my back and sighed. Darry's been extra protective off me ever since our parents died. He could be awfully harsh at times, but I know he means well. I thought about the homework I had failed to do today. Perhaps I could still have time to get it done before it was time to turn it in tomorrow. It wouldn't be the first time I've managed to complete assignments at the very last moment. I hated school and I hated homework even more. It's a wonder that I'm passing the tenth grade with good grades considering how little I can actually manage to pay attention in class. I'm positive I wouldn't be doing nearly so well if it weren't for Darry. He doesn't help me with my work or anything, he's too busy for that, but I'm completely terrified of upsetting him. That guy can holler. I do my best to keep him as happy as possible so he's basically my only motivation to try in school. 'Keep Darry happy', that's my philosophy. I guess.