Misty
“Ramona, is he looking?”
“No.”
“I’m gonna try flipping my hair.”
I flip my frizzy curls to the side.
“What about now?”
“He’s still not looking.”
“Ugh.”
“Misty, get your cute butt up and talk to him!”
“Yea, I’ll go say hi.”
“Go girl!” Ramona cheers.
This is why Ramona is my best friend at Park Ave High School. They indulge me in truths I already know but need to hear again. Also we are THEE favorite people for the “Antoinettes” to hate. Me because I’m the poor dark skinned girl. And they’re horrified that Ramona decides not to wear makeup, curl their hair, or conform to a gender.
I sneak a peek at myself in my phone reflection then place it on the counter to focus on the 6’2 cutie in front of me.
“Hey Jamie.”
“How you doing Misty?”
“Still coming down off that test from last period.” I dramatically splay my hand on my forehead because..well..I’m dramatic.
“Really, as clever as you are what do you have to be worried about?”
OMG he basically said I’m the smartest person he’s ever met. Swoon
Pink lips suddenly disrupt my view of his sexy jawline. They belong to Kelly York, leader of the Park Ave High “Antoinettes”. Her licorice smile puts terror in the hearts of more insecure girls, but the Antoinettes with their privilege, money and false sense of talent don’t phase me.
“Oh hello Misty. I like your K-Mart boots.” Her two followers laugh.
“Thanks Kelly.” I shoot her a sweet smile. “They’re actually Target. A gift from Diane Von Frustenberg when I interned for her Target collaboration.”
“OMG Kelly isn’t that the internship you tried to get last year,” Nicole says innocently. She’s the least deadly of the Antionettes, mostly because she’s usually 5 steps behind everyone else.
“No Kelly you are so dumb! You never listen! I changed my mind and went to Paris with Jason remember.”
A lightbulb goes off in her eyes. “I do remember! Thats when you found out he was cheating on you. See I listen.” The poor thing actually looks proud of herself for remembering.
There’s an awkward silence as everyone tries to act like they don’t hear what just happened until Jamie says,
“Dang Misty, you never stop impressing me do you? My mother has like a hundred of those wrap around dresses in her closet.”
Win!!
I laugh and throw him a flirty smile,“See you later.”
I run to Ramona and give them the play by play of the whole scene.
“Good job, but now we need to establish our line of defense because you know this victory is not going unanswered.”
Reason C why Ramona is my bff—They’re ALWAYS right.
Suddenly I hear my own voice through the speakers. I notice I don’t have my phone, then realize what video is playing for the whole party to hear. My heart drops out of my body.
The most painful, embarrassing time in my life is documented in that video.
Ramona knows this story. It resonates in their mind what everyone is about to hear and a look of fire I’ve never seen crosses their face. The Antoinettes are huddled over by the auxiliary cord giggling. Ramona jumps up before I could stop them, then the biggest show of the school year begins.