The Other Side of Tomorrow

The girl in the mirror seems like a stranger, but when I poke my cheek she does too. I guess it’s definitely me after all.

“You’re next,” Meredith tells Harlow.

“But we’re not going anywhere.”

When I called Meredith to help me get ready for tonight she agreed on one condition—that she get to stay the night so she can hear all about it after.

Meredith shrugs. “Who cares? You can still watch a movie in a full face of makeup. It’s called being fabulous.”

I turn to Meredith. “I changed my mind. I’d rather stay here with you guys and watch movies.”

She grabs my shoulders, looking at me dead on. “Don’t make Merebitch come out to play. You’re going out with this boy and you’re going to have the time of your life. You’ve literally barely left the house since you were fourteen. Now’s your time.”

I take a breath. “What if I make a fool of myself?”

“What’s life without a little laughter? If you can’t laugh at yourself then you’re kind of a sucky human being. Just remember, you’re beautiful and smart, don’t let your insecurities tell you otherwise.”

I hug her to me. “I love you.”

“Stop getting all mushy on me,” she jokes. “But I love you too.”

“Oh, let me in on this lovin’.” Harlow wraps her arms around us

.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you guys,” I tell them honestly.

“You’d be awfully lonely,” Meredith says.

Harlow adds, “It’d also be creepily quiet.”

Meredith picks up a black sparkly clutch she brought with her, slips in the lipstick, a pack of makeup wipes, my phone, and …

“Is that pepper spray?”

She shrugs. “Just in case hottie gets handsy.”

I don’t argue with her because having it does make me feel a little better. Not that I think Jasper will try anything, but I don’t know where he’s taking me and who might be there.

“I think we should put a cardigan on her,” Harlow tells Meredith.

Meredith scoffs. “And ruin my masterpiece?”

“Well, I mean, she told Mom and Dad she’s going on a date, so they know she’s going out, but I’m sure my dad will flip his lid if he sees her like that.”

I look down at myself and then at Meredith. “She’s right.”

“Ugh, fine, but as soon as you’re in homeboy’s car take it off—preferably in a sexy striptease sort of way.”

“Don’t push your luck,” I warn with a laugh.

She groans and mumbles to herself all the way out of my bathroom and into my closet as she searches for something for me to cover up with.

“What is this?” she holds out a large sweatshirt and I blush.

“Nothing,” I answer automatically, as she holds up Jasper’s sweatshirt that I should give back but haven’t yet.

“Mhmm,” she hums with a twinkle in her eyes, shoving it back into my closet. “Aha, this will do.” She pulls out a jean jacket with a hoodie attached.