Chapter One: The girl with red lips

Jess's Point of View

"Fro once in your life, do something exciting. Or fun. You owe it to yourself, Jess." My sister's words echoed in my head long after she said them. Here I am, sitting down on my bed while looking out the window. I'm pondering on whether or not she's right. Am I really that uptight?

No. Of course not.

She is so wrooong. Dead wrong. Of course I'm not uptight. I do fun things, exciting even. I'm daring. Yeah, damn right I am. You know what I'll do? I'm going to prove her wrong.

Tonight.

I am so going to join my sister tonight. Yup, the same sister who tells me to loosen up. She's older than me, being 22 already, but her mental age is like 16 years old. I'm turning 18 in a few months so I guess I am older than her in so many levels. I can't help it.

I wasn't always like this, though. I used to be dependent on my parents, especially my mom. Ever since she got married again though, things changed. I like my stepfather but I I felt like an outsider in my own home. So I packed my bags and went to New York to live with my dad. But he had a crazy schedule and we kept on moving back and forth that it was really hard on my part.

Finally, when I turned 17, my parents decided that it was time for me to have a stable environment. I was left at the care of my sister, Hannah. Rather, I was left to care for Hannah. I guess she's a lot like my parents – carefree, fun-loving, and basically just happy people. So that's how I turned into this uptight, zombie freak with no concept of fun. If I wasn't keeping tabs on things, or being their mom as she sometimes joked, I swear our whole household will collapse.

Between you and me, I actually feel okay with this already. I love taking care of people, cooking, baking, and other "mom" jobs. It's like my comfort zone, and I don't like leaving it.

But tonight everything's going to change. Goodbye, boring old Jess. I was looking through my closet for something to wear when Hannah suddenly came in.

"Ready for tonight, little sis? You will be smoookiiin."

"Are you sure you'll take me? I am a minor, you know."

"What am I like an idiot? Of course you're not. Here." She said as she handed me this card like thing.

Oh. It's a fake id. Let's see now.. My name is Hannae Marshall. I'm 21 years old and I'm legal.

"Hannae? What the hell were you thinking?"

"Hannah. Hannae. Isn't it cute? We can be twins."

"Yeah, like anyone will ever believe you."

Hannah, the girl of long legs and gorgeous black/brown hair, and me, the plainest jane ever? Unlikely.

"Of course they will. Now honey, give me a hug. Oh my god, your first fake id. I think I'm going to cry." She said as she pretended to wipe a tear.

"Hush, hush, big sister. It's okay."

"Now, go get ready. We'll leave at around 9 ish. I'm going to do my usual beauty routine now."

"But isn't that too late?"

"Honey, the party starts at midnight. Relax."

Right. I knew that.

xoxo

By 8:30 sharp, I was beyond ready. I was having second thoughts, and all the waiting was doing nothing to excite me. I already had dinner, showered, got dressed, and I have even put on make-up. I may be a boring, overweight girl, but I do love dressing up and putting make-up on. What can I say, I am a girl.

I'm wearing my most flattering outfit tonight. I really think it compliments my tan and not quite fair skin ( I blame it on the fact that my dad is Caucasian and my mom is Asian). A black mini dress that shows off my shapely legs (I think they're my best asset!), black open toe heels, a long pearl necklace, and of course, red lips. I love highlighting my lips, and I think red lips are so glamorous. I dare to be more adventurous, right? I just wish I didn't get a haircut. Now my black hair's too short to be curled. Oh well, I'll just rock this 'do anyway.

Gosh, I feel like a completely different person. I don't look like myself. I don't dress like this and I kind of feel like a hooker. A classy hooker, if there's even such a thing. I wish Hannah would hurry up now. I can't wait to get this over with.

I bet it's going to be really boring. What happens in a club anyway? Dancing, maybe. And drinking. God, why would someone want to waste their time in places like that? What am I gonna do there? I feel like this is a bad decision already. Maybe it's not too late to back out.

"Hannah?" I called out.

"In a minute, Jess. Can't you wait?"

"I think I feel a flu coming. Maybe I should just stay here and rest."

Silence. Uh oh. Is she mad? Damn.

"No! You wouldn't dare! Jessica Antoinette Gregory. You will not sit this one out. You will go with me and party the night away. Understand?"

This is the big sister part. She can be so bossy.. and scary at times.

"Okay, but can you hurry up?"

A few minutes later, Hannah finally emerged from the stairs. She looks breathtaking, as usual. She's in a sexy white mini dress that totally enhances her tan, really high stilettos, and her signature smoky eye and pale lips make up. Wow. She looks like a supermodel. I'm sure all the boys will be wanting her attention tonight.

"Wow little sis, I have to say, you look awesome. Really."

"Me? But look at you! You look like a supermodel. I'm sure you'll be the center of attention."

"Sheesh. Who cares? Tonight, I'm with you! And I have to say this again, you really look hot."

"Thanks."

"Look's like someone is getting laid tonight!" Hannah said with an evil glint in her eye.

Yeah, like that will ever happen.