Girl at Heart

by Kelly Oram

  I glance again at Jace, seeking a second opinion. His gaze flits over my hair, and he shrugs. “Why not? Could be fun. And if you don’t like it, you can always dye it back.” He shoots Leila a worried look. “Right?”

  She bobs her head. “Oh, totally. But I think you’ll be happy with it.”

  Blonde. It’ll be different, but any more so than the skirt? I’ve always said my dirty blonde hair is boring. Jace is right. Blonde could be fun. I’m already getting the makeover. May as well make it complete with a new hairstyle. Butterflies have my stomach in nervous knots, but there’s excitement, too. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

  “Yay!” Leila squeals, clapping her hands. She grabs me by the wrist and starts dragging me away like she needs to get me in a chair before I change my mind.

  “Okay!” Jace calls out behind us. “Don’t worry about me! I’ll just get all the bags by myself!”

  I choke on a laugh, and Leila flashes Jace that megawatt smile, giving him two thumbs up. “Thank you, Jace!” I call back to him. I’d go back and help him, but Leila is still tugging me away. “I’ll make sure there’s hot fudge for your ice cream later. Promise!”

  He sighs and does that headshake/chuckle thing that tugs at my heart. I can’t stop the goofy grin that spreads across my face, and Jace winks at me. Swoon.

  Leila is right, and one of the ladies in the salon has time to do a color. She sits me down in a chair and opens a book full of hair samples. I have no idea, so I let her and Leila decide what color to go for. They pick this really pretty golden straw color that makes me think of the country’s amber waves of grain.

  Once the stylist is hard at work bleaching my hair, Leila sits in the empty chair at the station beside mine and takes a picture of me. “What’s your Instagram handle so I can tag you?” she asks.

  I meet her curious gaze in the mirror. “I don’t have one. I don’t really do social media.”

  Leila’s eyes get huge. “You don’t?”

  I shrug.

  Leila holds out her hand. “Okay. Give me your phone. You’re getting Instagram and Snapchat. Right now.”

  She’s so adamant that I unlock my phone and hand it over without protest. “Why do I need those?”

  Leila presses a few buttons on my phone, then looks up at me. “Don’t you and your friends ever chat or take pictures?”

  I have to think about it. “My dad takes pictures, but I don’t very often. I text with the guys, and we send each other random memes and GIFs sometimes, but that’s about it.”

  Leila gives me a smile that’s mostly sympathetic and a little bit amused. “Okay, boys are usually terrible about pictures. It’s definitely more of a girl thing. Now, you don’t want to be that girl that’s constantly taking a million duckface selfies, but I promise, posting the occasional picture with your friends and using cute Snapchat filters is fun. Here.” She hands me my phone back. It’s got Instagram downloaded. “Create a username while I try to figure out where Jace disappeared to.”

  I start to go with boring old @CharlieHastings, but then I smirk and change it to @BaseballBarbie. Jace will like that one. “Okay. Account created. Now what?”

  Leila laughs. “Now you use it.”

  She takes my phone from me and holds it up. “Smile!”

  I stick my tongue out and cross my eyes, and she snaps a photo. I look ridiculous with my hair in the middle of being bleached, with cotton lining my face and a hairnet on my head. But it’s a fun picture, so I set it as my profile picture.

  Leila holds her hand out for my phone again. I hand it back and don’t even ask what she wants it for this time. “I’m following a few of your friends for you, ’kay?”

  As I’m wondering who these friends are, she laughs. “Baseball Barbie! I love it!”

  “Uh-oh,” Jace says, walking into the salon minus half a shopping mall’s worth of bags. He must have taken everything out to the car. “I promised Charlie no Baseball Barbie. Please don’t tell me I broke that promise in the ten minutes I was gone.”

  I laugh, but Leila pouts. “What’s wrong with Baseball Barbie? I think it’s perfect.”

  She hands Jace my phone and shows him my new Instagram account. He smirks at the picture and the new username. He meets my eyes, his shining with laughter, and nods. “Definitely perfect.”

  I roll my eyes. “I was going for ironic.”

  “Well, you succeeded at adorable.”

  And he’s made me blush again. Over the course of the morning, it’s become his favorite thing to do.

  Leila sees my blushing cheeks, eyes her brother in a way that has me blushing even more, and then suddenly jumps up from her chair. “I’m going to go find the bathroom,” she announces. “Too much Diet Coke. She points at my phone, still in Jace’s hand. “Create her a Snapchat account while I’m gone, and add all your friends for her. I’ll be back in a few.”

  As she leaves the room, she nods her head toward her brother and gives me an exaggerated wink. I glance at Jace to see if he knows what the heck that was all about, and he’s watching his sister with this dry smirk. She winks at him next, and he rolls his eyes.

  “What was that about?” I ask.

  “Who knows?”

  I have a feeling he knows and he’s just not explaining it to me.

  He sits in Leila’s vacated chair and starts playing around with my phone, but he’s doing the chuckle/headshake thing as if he finds his sister as amusing as me. “You guys are really close, aren’t you?” I ask.

  He glances out into the mall in the direction his sister just went and shrugs. “We have our fights like any siblings, but she’s my twin. We’ve always had each other’s backs.”

  I smile at the thought. “Must be nice. I’ve always wanted a sibling. Dad is amazing, but he’s gone a lot, and that house is just so big and empty.”

  Jace stops playing around with my phone and looks at me in the mirror. Some of the light in his eyes has dimmed. “Does anyone ever stay with you while he’s gone? Who used to watch you when you were younger?”

  “I used to go stay with my grandpa, or he’d stay with me, but since I got older, I don’t go over there as much. Staying home is just easier. Eric stays with me a lot, though, which helps. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

  I abruptly stop talking due to a lancing pain in my chest. Eric hasn’t offered to come over since my dad left this time. Things haven’t been the same this week. Not since I almost quit the team and became friends with Jace.

  And now I want to cry. Good going, Charlie.

  As I struggle with my emotions, I realize it’s gotten quiet. Really quiet. When I look up, Jace is studying me very carefully. “Sullivan sleeps over?” His voice is too neutral. His face too blank. “And your guys’ parents are okay with that?”

  My face turns bright red. I hadn’t thought how that would come across to Jace. I’m not sure why I’m so desperate to defend myself, but I frantically shake my head. “It’s not like that,” I promise. “He has his own room at my house. His parents don’t pay him much attention. They really don’t care what he does so long as they can use him to hurt or one-up each other. My dad’s been more of a father to him than his own. And Dad likes that I’m not home alone so much. He likes that I have someone looking out for me.”

  Jace says nothing to this. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. He doesn’t look upset. Not exactly. But the fun-loving, carefree guy who’s been laughing with me all morning is suddenly nowhere to be seen. The silence becomes deafening, and I wish the stylist or Leila or anybody would just come back already.

  He looks down at his lap for a long moment, seems to take a fortifying breath, then slowly lifts his eyes again and pierces me with a serious look. “Have you guys ever dated?”

  I swear. It’s unhealthy for a person to blush so much.

  I look away as I shake my head, unable to hold his gaze. How much do I tell him? Just the facts? Or do I admit how long I’ve wished we had and how he broke my heart when
he asked Shelly Turner to prom? Yeah. Just the facts sound good. “No. Never.” I want to lighten the mood again, so I add, “Pretty sure if we ever did, Dad would take back Eric’s house key and change the security code. And maybe send me off to a convent.”

  That gets a laugh. “Your dad’s pretty protective, then?”

  I snort. “He’s the worst. He’s a really cool dad, but nobody messes with his baby girl. Especially not boys. I’m pretty sure I’m still a six-year-old in his eyes.”

  He laughs again, and it feels like the weight in the room is gone. “I think that’s a dad thing,” he says. “It’s a big brother thing, too. I’m like a big papa bear about my little sisters, and if anyone ever messed with Leila, I’d end up in prison for murder.”

  He’s adorable. Another pang of envy hits me. I’d love to have a brother to watch out for me. Though, I guess if you ask Eric, I have three. I slide Jace a wry smirk and tease, “A big papa bear that babysits and French braids hair?”

  He tips his head back and groans. “Leila and her big mouth.”

  That has me giggling again, which in turn has Jace eyeing me with amusement. “I think it’s sweet,” I tell him, admittedly wanting to make him squirm a little, since he’s been doing that to me all day.

  He grimaces. “Sweet isn’t exactly the reputation I’m going for.”

  I bite back a smile and poke at the cotton protecting my skin from all the products currently dying my hair. “Sorry. I think you’re stuck with it. You opened all my doors today, paid for lunch, and carried all my shopping bags.”

  His lips twitch as though he’s fighting a smile, and he cocks an eyebrow at me. “That sounds more romantic than sweet to me.”

  I want to laugh, but at the same time, I get all those fluttery butterflies again. Jace was trying to impress me. As much as it makes me nervous, I can’t deny that I like his attention. I just wish I knew what to do with it.

  Realizing that he’s clammed me up again, Jace clears his throat and goes for a subject change. “Are you having fun today? You think this whole learn-how-to-be-a-girl plan is going to help you?”

  Emotion so strong I can hardly breathe swamps me, and I can barely get any words out. My eyes glisten as I nod. “I’ve never had a day like this in my life. I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Jace. Thank you.”

  My nose stings, and when I have to sniffle, I lean my head back and groan at the ceiling.

  Jace chuckles. “Look at you, getting all emotional,” he teases. “Charlie Hastings, you may hang out with all boys, but you are a girl at heart.”

  My instinct is to be embarrassed, but Jace said that with just enough sincerity that I get all warm and fuzzy inside instead. I drag my eyes back down and give him a shy smile. “Thanks. But do me a favor and never tell Sullivan, Escobar, or Jones. I’ll never live it down.”

  He matches my smile with a small one of his own and murmurs, “Our secret.”

  We’re having a moment. I can feel it. And he’s looking at me like he really wants to say something. But he waits a beat too long and a timer dings on the counter, bringing the stylist back. “Okay, time to rinse.”

  Leila eventually comes back—sure took her long enough—while I’m getting the chemicals rinsed out of my hair. She reclaims the seat next to mine, and Jace moves out to the small waiting room. He gets on his phone, having finished fiddling with mine. Baseball Barbie is now a proud user of both Instagram and Snapchat and is friends with or following the majority of the baseball team and the cheer squad.

  The stylist combs out my new bright golden hair and drags it down on either side of my face. “Are we cutting or styling it today?”

  I’ve never had any kind of hair other than long and straight. I consider cutting it in some kind of bob or something, but I’ve reached my adventurous quota for one makeover. “Maybe just a trim?”

  Across the room, Jace lets out this loud breath of relief. I glance his way, a question in my eyes, and Leila smirks at him. “A trim and some layers,” she tells the stylist. “And maybe frame her face with some long, sweeping bangs. What do you think, Charlie?”

  “Bangs?” I tilt my head to the side and try to picture it.

  Jace shoots out of his chair and stomps across the room. “No bangs!” he demands.

  His strong opinions on my hair should make me mad, but it’s actually kind of flattering.

  “Jace,” Leila warns.

  “No bangs,” he demands again. “They’ll get in her face and distract her while she’s playing.”

  My eyes widen, and I shake my head. “He’s right. No bangs. I need to be able to pull all of it back in a ponytail without it slipping out.”

  Leila frowns. “All right. No bangs. But some layers, yes?” she pleads. “Just so it falls nicely when it’s down.”

  The twins agree to the layers, and Jace goes back to his seat. It takes an eternity to cut and dry my hair, but the finished product is so worth it. When all is said and done, I look at Leila, and she’s grinning just as hard as I am. “You love it, right?” she asks. She’s holding back a squeal.

  I don’t hold back. “I love it!”

  The blonde is just what I needed. It took me from drab to pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself. The color really pops, and my skin tone looks rosy. I look…pretty. Really, truly honest-to-goodness pretty.

  I jump out of my chair, and for once I’m the one to tackle hug Leila. She clings to me and jumps up and down, letting out the excited squeal she was holding in before. “Oh my gosh, Charlie, I knew it would look good, but you were born to be blonde! You look amazing. Jace! Jace, come take our picture!”

  Jace glances up from his phone, and the look on his face is almost as good as when he saw me in the skirt. He pulls himself up and slowly makes his way to me. I don’t think he even blinks. “Wow,” he breathes. “Charlie, it looks…”

  “Fabulous!” Leila supplies.

  I can’t help grinning at Jace. “I love it. I really do.”

  Jace drops the stunned expression and smiles at me. He takes my hand, and I squeeze his so hard he laughs. I can’t help it. I’m just so excited. “You look beautiful,” he says, and I don’t even blush because right now I feel beautiful. I can’t wait until I can add the clothes and makeup and have the whole new look all put together.

  “Take our picture!” Leila demands. “Use Charlie’s phone so she can post her first Instagram photo.”

  Jace rolls his eyes at Leila but takes my phone and snaps a picture of Leila and me. Leila snags the phone and posts the picture to my Instagram with the hashtag #blondeshavemorefun. It makes me laugh. When she hands the phone back, I look at the photo and realize this is the very first picture I’ve ever taken with a girl. I kind of want to print it out and frame it. Might have to do that.

  I look at Leila and then at Jace, and suddenly my eyes are all shiny again. “Thank you guys. So much.”

  Leila gives me a tight hug. “You’re welcome. Thank you for trusting me.” She pulls back and looks me over. “Well, I think that’s it. Clothes, shoes, makeup, accessories, hair. I think we’ve covered everything.”

  “Actually,” Jace says, “I think there’s one more thing she needs before we go.”

  Leila and I share a curious look and then wait for Jace to stop being vague. He steps right up to me and takes my hand in his. “A prom dress,” he says softly. “If you’d like to go with me, that is.”

  My heart skips a beat. Or two. Or three. Jace just asked me to prom! I feel like crying all over again. I can’t believe it. Jace just asked me to prom!

  I really want to freak out over this like I did with my hair. One look at Leila, and I know she’s dying right now, too. But I try to play it cool. “Prom is next weekend,” I say. “You don’t have a date already?”

  Jace gives me a sly smile that one could almost call cocky—if Jace were capable of being cocky. “I thought the only girl I wanted to go with was dating Sullivan.”

  I can’t tell if he’s being serious
or he’s feeding me a line, and, honestly, I don’t care. Not one bit. I swoon, and I swoon some more. I’m going to prom with Jace King!

  That excited squeal I’ve been holding in finally bubbles up out of my chest, and I attack Jace in a tackle hug worthy of his cheerleader sister. Jace laughs. Not his amused chuckle he’s been so fond of today, but a real belly laugh. He hugs me back and says, “Is that a yes?”

  I burst into laughter and somehow manage to let him go. “Yes!” I squeak. “I would love to go to prom with you.”

  Dad video calls me Monday morning while I’m putting the finishing touches on my makeup. (My makeup!) I set the phone against the mirror and go back to applying my mascara. “Hey, slugger, how did—whoa. Are you putting on makeup?”

  The shock in his voice makes me smile. “Just a little blush, mascara, and lip gloss. Leila says I don’t really need makeup because my skin is so nice, but that a little of the basics makes a girl feel pretty.”

  “Is that right?” He’s trying not to laugh. The amusement makes my heart happy. He’s going to love Leila. “So, is it working? Do you feel pretty?”

  “So pretty,” I tease, fluffing my new blonde hair.

  We laugh together for a second, but then I stop joking and pick up the phone, bringing him closer. “Seriously, though, Dad, I had an amazing day yesterday. Leila is so nice, and she really helped me. I think we’re going to be great friends.”

  “That’s great, Charlie. I’m glad you’ve got someone to help you with that stuff. I’m sorry I’m so hopeless.”

  “You are,” I tease. “Totally hopeless.”

  I put the phone back down and reach for the rose-colored lip gloss that smells like strawberries. Jace picked it out after personally smelling like twenty different kinds. It was funny. He had surprisingly strong opinions on the lip gloss.

  “I suppose you’re going to have to show me this new wardrobe when I get—wait, is your hair blonde?”

  I abandon the lip gloss and tug on the hair I’ve left down for once. “Yeah.” I move the phone around my head so he can see my hair better. “Is that okay?”