Nothing Personal

“Is this really necessary?” Zooey asked as she found herself being pushed down on the seat in front of her best friend’s vanity. She glared at all the cosmetics and brushes and bottles on the top as they seemed to laugh at her. Catching Penny’s reflection in the mirror in front of her, she shot the glare at her too, but her friend seemed unfazed and just smiled sweetly in return.

“Yes it is, it’s part of the whole experience. Now sit still. We only have a little more time left before we have to leave.” Penny replied as she started to go through the different things scattered there looking for something.

All Zooey did in reply was sigh. This was one of the reasons she didn’t even want to go to the dance. But, Penny had promised that if Zo went, she wouldn’t go with a guy and they could go together instead. The after promising that, Penny basically wouldn’t take no for an answer and found herself stuck being Penny’s guinea pig. It was going to be an interesting night.

But the only real reason she was going, besides the fact that she could hardly ever say no to her best friend, was to take pictures for the school news paper. And since she was the only person in the club actually going to the dance, the job fell on her. At least they paid for her ticket, bit it was still Penny’.

At least she got to pick out her dress. Penny had said that she would take care of everything if Zooey wanted. But as soon as Penny had said that, Zooey knew that it would turn out to be a nightmare. If she had agreed, Zooey would find herself in some pink ball gown with a sparkly tiara and matching nails.

Instead, she as in a light blue dress that hung down to her feet and had an open back that made her feel uncomfortable. It was a halter style dress and was smooth almost like silk. Her mom and done her hair up into a bun sort of thing and have given her one of her favorite necklaces to wear for the evening. All that was left to do was her makeup.

*I still think you should have worn the heels.* Alex said with a chuckle as Penny continued to put things on her face. Her eyes were closed so she couldn’t see what she was doing and it was really bugging her.

“I swear to God Zo, if you don’t stay still I’m going to do a clown mask on you.” Penny threatened.

*Oh, now I’d like to see that!*

“Ok, do it. That means I won’t have to go to the dance then!” Zooey replied as she also told Alex to shut up. Penny and Alex laughed at the same time and she couldn’t help but get a little werided out about that.

It was strange how alike they were at times. They both liked to tease her and never took her threats seriously and just ended up laughing at anything she said. But she loved them anyway, they were her best friends.

*Oh and shut up with the heels, I am not going to kill myself on those Godforsaken four inch heels Penny wanted me to wear. I’m good with what I’m wearing now.*

*Silver ballet flats, yeah. At least it’s an improvement from the converse you usually wear.* Alex replied as she began to fidget again.

“Stop moving,”

*Leave my converse out of this. They never did anything to you.* He laughed again and she whined as she felt something touching her eye lid. “I feel like the chick from Breakfast Club,”

“What?” Penny asked as she heard something snap open and then felt a brush come to her face.

“You know, the Breakfast Club when the popular girl is putting makeup on the weird girl.”

“Oh right. You know you watch that movie too much.” Penny replied as she laughed. “You know the roles are sort of perfect now too. The beautiful popular girl helping the weird girl look nice for her boyfriend. So now all we have to do is get you a boyfriend tonight and you can start calling yourself Alison.”

“I hate you,”

“Yeah yeah, you’ve been saying that for years. But you’re still my best friend.” She left a pause as she continued to put something on her lips. “Alright, that just about does it. Open your eyes and stare at my handiwork. You don’t have to grovel at my feet this time.”

Zooey rolled her eyes once they were open and looked at the mirror to see that she had a light touch of eye shadow and eye liner on her eyes and some blush along with blood red lipstick. She gave a slight smile to Penny in the mirror as her friend just beamed and smiled back.

In the mirror, she saw the door open and noticed that Dorian was poking his head in to see if they were done. When he saw that they were, he smiled as he pushed the door open and came running in and flopped down on Penny’s bed. Both her mom and Do were there to see Penny and Zo off to the dance. And to take pictures and freak out like all the other parents were too.

Zo noticed that her little brother still looked a little pale but with the medication that he was on it was making him feel better and so we he was more like his old self again. But they still didn’t know what was going on, and everyone at their house seemed to be on edge about it. They just wanted to find out what was wrong and start getting the treatments so that Do didn’t have to suffer.

“Hey Do, decided to come and spy on us?” Penny teased as she started to tickle the little boy and he burst out into giggles. “You know, I can put some makeup on you too. I’d bet you’d look super handsome with some eyeliner on.”

“Eww! No!” He laughed as he wiggled out of Penny’s grip and ran over to where Zo was still sitting in front of the vanity. She picked him up and set him on her lap with a laugh as he stuck his tongue out at Penny.

“Oh c’mon, I know you want to! I have glittery stuff too if you want.” Penny continued as the little boy shook his head again. There was a knock at the door and they both looked up to see Zo’s mom standing there with a camera in hand.

“Hey mom,” Zo said as she stood and smoothed out her dress still feeling a little awkward in it.

“Hi sweetie, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you Ms. Peter’s,” Penny said as her mom came in also. Then both moms ordered their daughters to pose for the billion pictures they were about to take.

After fifteen minutes of it, they finally used the ‘we’re going to be late’ card. It worked after saying it at least three times and then followed them down to the front door to see them off. As Zooey was walking down the hall, she passed the full length mirror on the wall and caught a sight of her reflection.

She looked so different from how she usually did. Her hair was finally in order, she actually had makeup on, and she was wearing something other than skinny jeans. She looked like someone else.

*You look beautiful,* Alex said as she walked carefully down the steps so she didn’t step on the dress or rip it.

*Thanks,* was all she replied as she felt a blush grow on her cheeks. She tried to hide it since she didn’t want anyone thinking that she randomly started blushing for no reason and took a few deep breaths.

Making sure she had everything, she gave her mother and Do a hug before heading out to her car with Penny beside her. Her camera was slung over her should since the tiny little thing Penny called a purse barely even held her keys and spare camera battery in it let alone a large camera.

They waved to their moms as she backed the car out of the driveway and then made their way to school. She turned the radio on and heard a good song on and told Penny not to change it as they both started to sing along. It was a good way to get her mind off of the dance. For some reason, she was finding herself nervous and uneasy about it.

But she had no reason to be, she was just over reacting. But maybe it was just because she was in this ridiculous dress and was about to let all the kids at her school see her in something other than her usually clothes.

*Stop freaking out, you look fine.* He said as she snorted. *I’m serious, all the boys at the dance won’t be able to keep their eyes off of you.*

*Alright what do you what? You’re sucking up, you want something.* She replied as she turned and the school came into view.

*All I want is for you to have a good time tonight. I know you don’t want to go but trust me, it’ll be fun. I remember my prom. I went with my best friends and we had a lot of fun. Just take a deep breath, stop freaking out, and have a good time. If all else fails and I’m talking total crap, pretend to be taking pictures and talk to me.*

*Fine,* she muttered as she pulled into the parking lot and tried to find a parking spot. When she did, she grabbed her camera and bag and followed Penny towards the gym for the dance.

She snapped a few pictures of the outside of the building and decorations before getting in line and waiting to get inside. When she handed her ticket to the person collecting them, she took a deep breath as Alex told her to before stepping inside; hoping that this night would be over with soon.

Everything was already started. There were kids on the dance floor dancing to some popular song that was on the radio while everyone around them was talking and laughing at the tables set up around the dance floor. Balloons and streamers lined the walls in silver and white and confetti and such scattered across the folding tables.

“Let’s go find our table!” Penny shouted over the music. Zo just nodded since she didn’t want to compete with the music and followed her friend through the madness.

When they found their table, Zo nearly bolted at that moment when she saw that Jack Grey was sitting there with some girl in their grade. Penny grabbed her arm to keep her there and then elbowed her so that she would actually say hi instead of glaring at the boy staring at her across the table. This was going to be interesting.

A half hour later, Zo could barely take talking any longer. The chairs she was sitting on were hard and she needed to stretch her legs. She made the excuse that she needed to get some pictures, which wasn’t a total lie, and then stood to leave. Penny tried to follow, but Zo knew that she was having fun so she told her she was fine and left her with the other people at the table.

Looking around the room, she figured the dance floor was the best place to start. Walking carefully around people while trying not to step on her dress, she turned her camera on and then walked around trying to find the best shot. Once she did, she took the picture and then snapped a few more before going through them.

*That bad huh?* When she heard his voice, she couldn’t help but smile a little. Finally, someone else to talk to. Now she wouldn’t feel totally alone as she wandered around the dance taking pictures.