Alexia's mom was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. "There you are! Finally! You're three minutes late young lady!"

"Sorry mom" Alexia said apologetically. She grabbed her hairbrush and a rubber band off the counter and began to pull back her hair. "I couldn't decide what shirt to wear for my first day. I won't happen again, I promise."

"It better not" her mom warned. "Or you won't get your driver's license for another month."

"Yes m'am." Alexia said quietly. "I understand."

Alexia's mom nodded, frowning at the floor. "I am glad to hear that you're starting to care about your looks though. You're a very pretty girl Alexia, and you really should take more advantage of that." She looked up at her daughter, who was begining to braid her ponytail. "But what I don't understand is why you always have to wear that same braid! Alexia, think of your ears. They always stick out when you pull your hair back! And if it's all back there's nothing to frame your face, and we both know that your face looks much rounder if it's not framed. Really, Alexia, you're going to nulify everything if you continue this way! Here," her mom walked around to where Alexia stood and took the brush out of Alexia's hand. "if you would only wear it more like this instead, it would look so much better dear." She started to remove the ponytail, brushing the hair down and around her daughter's shoulders. "I saw one girl wear her hair like this on my soap opera the other day. Her hair is so much like yours, you really should sit down and observe what she does with it! She always looks so beautiful..."

Alexia tuned out her mother's rambling speech and hands, letting her mind wander to her new school. She wished she had her schedule out so she could study it. She knew her first hour was...French...or was it Chemistry? She couldn't remember. Not that it mattered, she won't know where it was anyway. "Or who'll be in there..." she muttered to herself.

"What did you say?" her mom asked, distracted. "Nevermind! This last bit just comes around here like this...oh, don't you look so beautiful! Go and take a look! You can't tell me that ugly old braid looks better than this!"

Alexia had to admit, she did look like nice. Parted over her right eye, her hair curled under itself, held by her abducted rubber band. The remaining hair swished and curled softly over her shoulders, giving her a very feminine look. "From an actress, hu?" Alexia said under her breath. She could believe that. But it just wasn't...Alexia. "I'm just no used to it." she assured herself quietly.

"Alexia?" her mom called from the kitchen. "What do you think dear?"

Alexia quickly walked back to the kitchen, forcing a smile as she entered. "I love it. It really looks good. Thanks mom."

"You're welcome." her mom beamed. With a wink, she added, "All the boys at your new school will be running after you for sure."

Alexia's smile dropped. "Mom!"

"What?" her mom asked innocently. Alexia refused to answer. Her mom narrowed her eyes, studying her daughter. "One day, Alexia, one day."

"Don't go making that into today," Alexia muttered, then looked up at the clock. "Oh, look at that, I have to go or I'll be late!" She grabbed her new, light blue backpack off the counter and gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you when I come home, okay?"

"Don't miss the bus. I'm not coming to get you." her mom warned, then gave her daughter a smile and a quick hug. "Have fun at school today."

"I will," Alexia untangled herself from her mom and hurried towards the door. "Bye!"

"I love you!" her mom yelled, but Alexia had already slipped out of the door and was jogging up the street to her bus stop. Her mom walked over and leaned against the window, watching Alexia. With a heavy sigh, she watched as the bus pulled over the hill and opened its doors for Alexia and another girl. "Knock 'em dead honey."