Chapter 6: School Pictures
It's always uncertain which day is worse for Judy; the night before school pictures or the day of school pictures. Since the town wasn't very big, Mom always knew exactly which day it was. Mom would spend the entire week brainstorming outfit ideas and make Judy try them all on the night before.
Judy stood in a midnight blue blouse and white leggings before Mom's scrutinizing eye.
"Turn around," Mom said, tapping her chin.
Judy sighed and did what she was told.
"No, not this one," Mom said, getting up to select a new outfit.
The next one was a cream colored lace shirt. It was paired with chocolate brown corduroy pants. Judy wasn't even aware that she owned half these clothes.
Judy modeled a dressy pink shirt with a brown belt, a white summer dress, light blue scoop neck T shirt, and finally found herself standing in a olive green dress with a glittery copper pattern at the hem and neckline. The pattern consisted of triangles, zig zags and dots. The dress had a halter top but one of those school appropriate ones.
"Oh, this is beautiful," Mom said, twirling Judy around. "Look, Baby," she said, directing Judy to the mirror. Mom was right. The olive green and copper went well with Judy's golden tan.
Judy laughed. "Can I go to bed now?" she asked.
Mom playfully swatted Judy with a hanger. "Yes, my poor little victim," she said, hanging the clothes back in the closet. Judy hung up the dress and changed into her silky heart pajamas.
The next day, Judy had to get up a half hour early so Mom could do her hair. Judy stood in her robe, brushing her teeth while Mom was setting the bathroom counter up. After Judy washed up, she was told to sit on a stool. She sleepily chewed her bagel as Mom brushed and curled her hair.
"Please don't burn me," Judy said with a yawn.
"I'll try," Mom said nicely. In 15 minutes, Judy's hair was in perfect ringlets.
"Cover your face," Mom said as she shook a can of hairspray. Judy buried her face in a towel and Mom let the fumes go.
"Okay, all done with your hair," Mom announced.
"Rare!" Judy said, tempted to touch a glossy ringlet.
After some mascara, lipgloss and brown eyeshadow, Mom added a simple copper necklace with a flower pendant.
"Who are you?" Stink asked as Judy came down the stairs. Stink had on nice jeans and a brand new polo shirt. Judy walked over and pulled the sticker off his shirt. Yup...it was brand new.
"Just hurry up, Stink," she said, slipping on a pair of brown sandals.
"Bye Mom and Dad!" Judy and Stink called as they left with a slam of the door.
Most kids at the bus stopped were wearing nice clothes. Rocky had a pinstripe button down shirt. Frank had on a green and white polo and Amy stood beautifully in an inky indigo blouse with a black and silver skirt. On her feet were black ankle boots. Her hair was naturally curly and she had her contacts in.
"You look so pretty!" Judy said, giving Amy a careful hug.
"Judy, you look hot!" Amy laughed. "What's the scoop today?" she asked. "Did your mom spend all week looking for that dress because it is stunning"
Judy shrugged. "I never know where my mom gets my clothes. I never even knew all five outfits I tried on yesterday had been in my closet for a while now."
Amy sighed but couldn't help smiling. "You should dress up more often!" she coaxed. "Doesn't she look gorgeous?" she loudly asked Rocky and Frank.
They both obediently nodded.
School pictures were during gym class which was 4th period for Judy. She kept reminding herself not to run so her hair wouldn't go flying.
"You look great Judy!" a girl named Sue said.
Judy thanked her and continued on her way. A lot of the girls who complimented her barely even talked to her on a regular basis...actually they never talked to her at all.
Judy's day was going pretty good until she was heading down for school pictures with Rocky and Amy.
"Why hello Judy!" an annoying voice said.
Judy got chills up her spine. Jessica Finch blocked their way with all 5'10 of her. She was obviously wearing heels that Judy would break her neck in. Judy was 5'7 but she wasn't afraid to stand face to face with Jessica's smirking one.
"What do you want now?" Judy demanded.
"Why can't a friend just chat with you?" Jessica asked, smoothing down her straightened hair.
"We're not friends," Judy said, flatly.
Jessica blinked innocently. "Of course we are!" she said putting a hand on Judy's shoulder. Judy brushed the cold manicured hand off her.
"Aren't we, Rocky?" Jessica asked, smoothing her sky blue dress down now.
Rocky shrugged. "Not really..." he said, blowing a piece of hair out of his eyes.
"Let's go take our pictures together!" Jessica said tugging on Rocky's arm. "We never talk."
Judy's jaw almost dropped to the ground. Jessica was trying to seduce Rocky in the middle of the hall. Everyone was feeling especially awkward and it got worse when Jessica's friends showed up.
"Isn't it Judy Bad Mood and Amy No Name" a blonde named Bethany said, laughing.
Jessica looked superficially shocked. "That's not very nice!" she said.
Judy stomped right up to the blonde's face. "Listen, you plastic Barbie!" she yelled. "Apologize to Amy right now."
The blonde looked offended. "Gross-"
Judy grabbed her arm and yanked her over to Amy.
"It's no big deal!" Amy said, trying to soothe Judy.
"I wouldn't be so mean," Jessica said, shaking a finger. "I heard Stink is in high school now!" she said walking off with her friends.
Judy was ready to rip Jessica's shaking finger off. "If you dare do anything to my brother..." she threatened.
"Judy!" Rocky said, pulling her back. "She doesn't have the guts to actually try anything. I'll personally get back at her if she did" he said, trying to calm an angry Judy down. Rocky practically had to drag Judy down to the gym.
"Smile!" the photographer said.
Judy wasn't in the mood to stand on the plastic foot prints and put her hands on her hips. She gave her lips a twitch. The bearded man looked up from the camera.
"Come on!" he said. "You can do better than that."
Judy sighed and tried another awkward smile.
"Happy thoughts!" he coached.
Judy was getting annoyed at being criticized all the time.
"No, not angry, happy!"
"Psst!" Amy whispered. "Think of when Rocky wore your dress..." she hissed. That cracked Judy up. The camera flashed. "Beautiful!" the man said, waving her on.
When they were in 2nd grade, Rocky, Frank, Amy and Judy all went down to swim at the lake. Rocky's clothes somehow ended up at the bottom of the lake, irretrievable. He had to wear Judy's extra dress with flowers on it until they went home. Judy had the last picture of the embarrassing day hidden in her closet.
When everyone eventually got their pictures and their new student ID, Judy liked hers. This year she looked very comfortable and had a real smile. At home, Mom laid out her and Stink's pictures out on the kitchen table when they got home.
"Look at my beautiful children!" she said, dividing up the pictures for Dad's wallet, Mom's purse, living room wall, Dad's study and Mom's desk.
Dad gave Judy a big warm hug. "You look beautiful, Princess," he said, patting her on the shoulder.
"What about me!" Stink asked, giving a sample of his boyish smile.
"Absolutely handsome," Dad said.
"You look just like your father" Mom marveled studying the picture. Both Dad and Stink had the same blue eyes and blonde hair though Dad's was beginning to gray.
"Absolutely dashing then," Dad laughed.
Mom elbowed him. "I prefer modesty over dashing," she said kissing him on the lips.
Stink and Judy both made gagging sounds at the same time. Judy gave Stink a high five as Mom kicked them out of the kitchen.