"Hi-hi!" cried Jamie Newton as he flung the door open on Monday evening. It was the evening after I had gotten my braces, and my mouth was already hurting like hell. I was thinking, I'm supposed to sit for two kids in this condition?

"Hi, Jamie," I answered more cheerful than I actually was, "where's your mum and Lucy?"

"Coming."

"Hello, Mallory," said Mrs. Newton as she walked towards me with Lucy in her arms, "Ah, I see you've gotten braces! Wow, they make you look a lot older, like a teenager!"

I scrunched up my face and protested, " Braces stinks, and they hurt!" I made a face at Lucy and said, "hello, Lucy-goosey!"

Lucy smiled and laughed. Mrs. Newton invited me in and reminded me of the children's bedtimes.

"Mr. Newton and I will be back at around 8.30," continued Mrs. Newton, "Well, good-bye, and be good, Lucy, Jamie."

"Bye, mommy, and I'll be good," said Jamie as he fiddled through my Kid- kit (I'm sure u all know what that is.), pulling out a book. Mr. and Mrs. Newton left and I asked Jamie what he wanted to do.

"Read this," he said, showing me a Paddington bear book, and settling down on the couch to read it.

Later that night, after I'd put Lucy to bed, I once again asked Jamie what he wanted to do. He had already finished all the books in my kid-kit, so he said he said he just wanted to talk to me.

"Mallory, what are those things in your mouth?"

"Braces."

"What?"

"Braces."

"What are those?"

"Metal things the dentist puts in your mouth to make your teeth straight."

"Can I get them too?" he asked, "I want straight teeth too."

"Not now, maybe when you're 11 or 12, Jamie."

"Oh, but they make you look nice. When you smile, it shines. Like the stars!" He said, " They make you look nice. They make you look older. I can't wait to get mine,"

"Really, I don't think so. They hurt." I replied, " And it's your bedtime, young man," I said sternly as I glanced at the clock.

Jamie groaned. "Can I stay up a little bit later, Mal? Please?"

"No, but I'll read you a book."

"Okay," Jamie said, fairly contented.

I brought him to his room and after he had changed into his pajamas, I read him a book, and he fell asleep towards the end of the book.

That night, as I put down my book and turned off my bedside lamp to sleep, I thought about what Jamie and Mrs. Newton had said about my braces.

".They make you look nice."

".They make you look older."

".Like a teenager!"

I fell asleep feeling that perhaps braces weren't that bad after all. Maybe they were cool, maybe they were an item some coveted. What ever they really were to kids my age, I would find out tomorrow.

~END~

I think this chapter isn't too well written, I was rushing through it cause at this very moment my bro (yes, the one who I might use as for when Mal's braces go off) wants to use the computer. Thanks for all the reviews!!!