Take It (2 page)

"Like what?"

Kayla thought for a minute. "I guess just shopping. Also I need a hair cut. And you need a hair cut."

"Do not," Brandi said, running her hand through her long hair. Kayla snorted. "You do. And maybe some highlights. And who was that guy you were with last night?"

Brandi turned bright red. "I'm surprised you remember. You were pretty gone."

"Of course I remember. I was looking for you but I decided to leave you alone when I saw you with him. I didn't see his face though. Was he cute?"

Brandi smiled. "Yeah, he was."

"So who was he? Are you going to go out with him? Did he get your number?"

Brandi rolled her eyes, knowing Kayla wasn't going to drop the subject until she had all the details. "His name is Zack Masterson. He goes to our school. He seems really nice."

"Zack," Kayla repeated. "Sounds kind of familiar. What did you guys talk about?"

Brandi shrugged. "Nothing, really. Just talked. It wasn't that big of a deal. He was drunk and bored. It's not like I'll ever talk to him again or anything. He was just being nice."

"Oh my God, Brandi. Your self esteem is so shitty. That's why you need a hair cut and highlights."

Brandi burst out laughing. "Flawless logic. Fine, let's do it."

Kayla squealed and ran to Brandi's bathroom to get ready while Brandi thought about the tall, sexy boy she met last night.

Two hours later, Brandi sat down in the chair at the salon. "Cut like three inches off and put in some blond highlights, I guess," Brandi said to Marisa, Kayla's hairdresser. She wasn't opposed to change as much as she had never really cared that much what she looked like. But talking to Zack last night had made her realize that maybe she wasn't a lost cause after all. Besides, she was overdue for a hair cut. Her split ends had split ends.

After she was done, the hairdresser spun her around to look in the mirror. A slow smile spread across Brandi's face. "I love it," she said. "Thank you so much."

"The blond looks great on you," Marisa replied. "It brightens up your whole face. When's the last time you had your eyebrows waxed?"

"Umm, never," Brandi replied. Marisa laughed and dipped a stick in the hot wax. "You're overdue, honey. Lay back."

Brandi tried to relax as Marisa spread the wax across her brow and pressed down. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt too badly as Marisa ripped it off. She did the same to her other eyebrow. "Wow," Brandi said as she looked in the mirror. Such a small change almost made her look like a different person.

"The redness will go away in a few minutes. Come back in two weeks to maintain them," Marisa said as she led Brandi to the cash register. Brandi paid the hefty price and gave Marisa a big tip. Her father had been loading money onto her debit card every month since he left. Brandi almost never spent it, so there was almost $2000 on her card. She hated the fact that this was her father's way of justifying the fact that he didn't want Brandi in his life anymore. Like he could throw money at her and make her go away.

"You look so hot," Kayla squealed. "You just need makeup."

Brandi knew Kayla wasn't going to let this one go, so she followed her to the MAC counter in Macy's. "Fix her face," Kayla told the young girl working the counter. "She needs everything."

The girl was more than happy to help, and almost $150 later, Brandi was set with makeup that she would probably never wear. "You look so hot," Kayla said. "Zack's going to love it." Brandi rolled her eyes. "Zack isn't going to care. I told you, we were just talking. He's not into me like that."

"Well, someone's going to love it. The boys are going to be all over you tomorrow."

Brandi shook her head. "No they're not. Not while I'm standing next to you." Kayla was tall and blond, with gorgeous blue eyes and full of self confidence. Brandi always felt small and dumpy next to her. She was far from fat, but she had curvier hips and a bigger butt. Kayla was thin and athletic.

"Stop comparing yourself to me," Kayla scolded her. "And stop acting like you're ugly. You need some self confidence."

Brandi didn't respond. Having self confidence was hard when nobody gave you a second glance and your own father didn't want anything to do with you.

Two hours later, they were done shopping. Brandi headed home and Kayla went back to her own house to take a nap.

Brandi pulled into her driveway saw an old, beat up car that she didn't recognize. To her surprise and delight, Zack got out of the car as she pulled in. Her heart started pounding as she got out of her car. "Zack? What are you doing here?"

He grinned when he saw her, then stopped smiling. "What's that on your face?"

"Huh? Oh, Kayla made me get some makeup. You don't like it?" She asked, her heart sinking.

He shrugged. "No, you look great. You don't need it though. You're prettier without it."

Brandi smiled, grateful that he liked her the way she was. "I'm glad you think so. It's not really me. How'd you know where I live?"

"This awesome new invention called Google. It's pretty convenient."

"Oh really? I'll have to check it out sometime," she said, laughing. She couldn't believe that Zack had cared enough to bother to find out where she lived. "So...do you want to come inside?" She asked, suddenly nervous.

What are you doing? You barely know this guy.

"Yeah, I'll come in," Zack said, melting her with his huge smile. Brandi pushed her negative thoughts away and led him inside. "Nice house," he commented. Brandi shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "You guess?"

She swallowed hard. "It's just...my dad left, and it's..."

Zack pulled her in for a hug before she had a chance to cry. She wrapped her arms around him and inhaled, loving the smell of his leather jacket and cologne.

"That sucks, Brandi. I'm sorry. My mom left when I was three. It's just me and my dad. I know how it feels."

Brandi nodded, grateful that he understood her. "It's just hard, is all," she said, sniffling. "He got his secretary pregnant and divorced my mom. Now he wants nothing to do with us."

He kissed the top of her head. "Then it's his loss," he said softly. Brandi reluctantly pulled out of his embrace, wiping her eyes. She gazed up into his soft, sympathetic eyes. "Thanks, Zack," she said.

"So, can I see your room?" He asked. Brandi nodded, thankful for the change in topic. "This way," she said, leading him upstairs.

What are you doing? A voice in her head screamed. You barely know this guy and you’re bringing him to your room, alone? She pushed the voice aside and opened her door. "This is it," she said. Zack looked around, smirking. "It's very...pink."

Brandi chuckled, embarrassed. "Yeah, I haven't really ever changed it since I was little. I've never cared that much, I guess."

Zack turned away to leave, and Brandi felt relieved that he didn't want to explore her bedroom anymore. "I have to go to work," Zack said. "I just wanted to stop by and say hi. And get your number. I didn't have a chance to ask you last night." Brandi told him her number as he programmed it into his phone. "I sent you a text so you'll have my number too."

"Thanks," Brandi said. "Where do you work?"

"My dad's a mechanic over at Larry's. I work part time at the counter. I'll see you tomorrow at school, ok?"

"Sure," Brandi said, smiling. Zack gave her a hug as she watched him leave. She sighed happily. Zack Masterson had been in her house. Seen her room. Hugged her and kissed her head. She went into the bathroom and washed her face, wiping away any traces of makeup. She felt better and went downstairs to start dinner for her and her mom.

"So are you excited for school tomorrow?" Her mom asked. Brandi shrugged. "I guess."

Conversation with her mom was usually strained and short. It was as if both of them were afraid of saying the wrong thing. Brandi wished they could go back to being happy like they were when her dad was still around. "Do you like my hair?"

Lynn looked up, surprised. "Oh, you changed it. Yes honey, it's very pretty."

Brandi sighed, putting her fork down. "You didn't even notice."

"I have a lot on my mind, Brandi. I'm sorry," Lynn said, her eyes filling with tears. "I told you it looks pretty."

"Mom, it's fine. I didn't mean..."

Lynn shook her head, standing up. "I'm going to go lay down. I'm not feeling well."

"Mom, wait," Brandi pleaded. "I'm sorry. I know you have a lot on your mind. Please sit down."

Lynn shook her head, sobbing. She stormed upstairs and slammed the door to her bedroom. Brandi fought back her own tears. Somehow in the past few months, she had become the mother, tiptoeing around her mom's mood swings and taking over the cooking and cleaning. Some days Lynn treated Brandi like a little girl who needed protecting and other days, like today, she didn't seem to notice her at all. The littlest thing would send her mom into hysterics, and Brandi never seemed to know the right thing to say. She cleaned up dinner and went upstairs to lay down, mentally exhausted. She grabbed her phone to set her alarm for the next morning and smiled when she saw Zack's text.

You're beautiful.

She sighed happily, her sour mood disappearing. She looked forward to the morning when she would see Kayla and Zack and could bury herself in her school work, and hopefully her life would have some normalcy in it again.

"Where's your makeup?" Kayla cried as Brandi got into her car. "I thought you were going to wear it today."

Brandi had her own car, but Kayla lived close so it just made sense to drive to school together. Brandi looked at Kayla, unable to keep the smile from her face. "I have to tell you something, but promise me you won't make a big deal of it, ok?"

Kayla nodded eagerly. Brandi laughed, knowing that Kayla would definitely make a big deal of it. "When I got home yesterday, Zack was at my house waiting for me."

"What!? Why didn't you tell me?" Kayla shrieked.

"I was going to, but last night with my mom..."

Kayla nodded, more serious this time. "I get it. So what happened?"

"So, he was waiting for me, and he said I looked prettier without makeup. We went inside for a minute and I showed him my room. Then he had to go to work. Nothing really happened," Brandi said.

"He didn't like your make up? That's weird."

Brandi shrugged. "Honestly, I don't care for it either. It's just easier to get ready in the morning without worrying about it. Also, he texted me last night to tell me that I was beautiful."

Kayla squealed. "I told you! He likes you! Are you gonna go out with him?"

Brandi giggled. "If he asks, I'll say yes. But I don't want to get my hopes up. He kind of seems too good to be true."

Kayla pulled into her parking spot at the school. "I'm so happy for you, Brandi. I need to meet this guy. He seems great. Even though he doesn't like makeup."

Brandi rolled her eyes and got out of the car. "Seriously, Kayla, don't make a big deal of it. I don't want to act like I'm desperate."

"I won't say anything," Kayla promised. "But if he asks you out, I want to meet him."

"Alright, mom," Brandi joked. "I'll see you at lunch, ok?" Kayla nodded and bounced off to find her locker.

Luckily, they had the same lockers as last year so Brandi didn't have to fumble with a new combination. She opened her locker and saw a red rose with a card taped to the inside of the door. "What the..." She mumbled. She opened the note with shaking hands.

Look behind you.

Brandi spun around to see Zack grinning at her with those sexy dark eyes and perfect teeth. She broke out into a huge smile. "You did this?" She asked.

"Of course I did. Who did you think it was?"

"You," she answered, smiling up at him.

He grabbed her books. "Where's your first period? I'll walk you."

"Umm..." She said, fumbling with her schedule. "415. Other side of the building."

They walked in an amicable silence. "What are you doing tonight?" He asked. Brandi thought. "I don't know. Homework?"

"They don't give homework on the first day. Let me take you out." She looked up in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, Brandi, really. I'll pick you up at 6. I know where you live."

"Yeah, ok. Yeah," she stuttered, turning pink.

He laughed. "You're so cute. I'll text you, ok?" She smiled and watched him leave.

"Hey Brandi."

She glanced up and saw Eric Kellen watching her. "What are you looking at?" He asked, following her gaze. She flushed. "Nothing. How was your summer?"

He shrugged. "Same old." They sat down at their desks. Eric wasn't a very close friend of hers, but he was nice. Even if he was extremely nerdy.

Brandi sat through the class, only half paying attention. They didn't teach much on the first day anyway. She wondered where Zack was taking her tonight and how she would dress. She also wondered what version of her mom she would get when she told her that she was going on a date. She had gone on a date before last year, but it was a nightmare. Kayla had thought Brandi and her cousin, Jeff, would be a good match. Jeff turned out to be a jerk, and he had spent the whole night trying to get into her pants. She finally left, disgusted. But this was different. This was a real date. Because Zack liked her and wanted to take her out, not because someone set her up on a blind date.

"Brandi Warner?"

She looked up at Mr. Stone, feeling the whole class staring at her. "Uhh..."

"She's with me," Eric interrupted. The teacher nodded and checked his book, moving on. Brandi breathed a sigh of relief and forced herself to pay attention. "The project will be worth 25% of your grade this semester. I suggest you take it seriously. Use the rest of the period to discuss with your partner what you want to do."

Brandi leaned over to talk to Eric. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. What are we supposed to be doing?"

He grinned. "It's cool. I got it. We have to pick a historic event and do a report with visuals on how the event would have happened if they had access to all the technology we have today, and if it would have ended differently and how it would have changed history."