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I
had fun with Adriann that night, but I knew it all had to come to an end soon.
All too soon, the morning came, then afternoon. Finally, my mom insisted my return
at 4:30. According to her, and I quote, “We’re invading on this lovely family’s
privacy.” Sure mom, whatever. Like, I haven’t lived with you for three years
and you want me to give up everything I’ve come to know and give it all back
for the life I hated? Shyeah right. Like that’s gonna happen in the next
millennium, much less this one. Life goes on, I guess. Where did I return to
you ask? My aunt’s house. There were
millions of messages from my friends, besides Adriann. They were still pretty
freaked out. They didn’t adjust as well as Adriann. I listened to and deleted
them as I went, there were 10 just from my friends! The last one was from my
aunt. My mom had dropped me off at my aunt’s house. I had decided I didn’t want
to go back to the hotel. I would get mobbed. And, apparently, somehow, all this
had leaked to the media. The place was surrounded. No way I was going there. I
pressed play as I sat down in a chair next to the answering machine.
Hey Jessie,
Your mom called and said you didn’t want to go to the hotel. I
don’t blame you! I drove by that place and you couldn’t even see the door for
all the fans! Anyhow, I’ll be a little late from work and your uncle will be
too. There’s some leftovers in the fridge you can heat up. I’ll be in around 7
or 8. Enjoy yourself.
I erased the message and flipped on the TV. When I got to the local news, I stopped. The very familiar Holiday Inn was on the screen.
“Fans
have been gathering outside the local Holiday Inn since word got out that the
music group, Hanson, was staying there,” the reporter voice-over said.
“Apparently, the group’s 12-year-old sister, Jessica Hanson, who had been
living with a relative for several years, is living here and was reunited with
her family earlier in the week. Evidently, to avoid recognition, she had dyed
her hair brown and changed her name.” The picture flashed to one of the most
recent pictures of my brothers. I snorted and turned off the TV. I could only
hope that the fans were too stupid to realize that my name would most likely be
Lawyer or Hanson. My aunt and uncle were listed in the phone book. If
they did, well, I won’t think about that.
I
stretched and stood up. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I
really did look different. My hair was brown, but I hadn’t been able to cut it
all off. I wore loads of makeup. My cheeks were bright pinkish-red from all my
blush and my lips were a deep red. Eye shadow outlined my eyes darkly. I never
wore my hair down or in a braid like I used to. It was always in a ponytail.
Always. I pulled my hair down from the ponytail. I shook it out and looked in
the mirror. I looked different. Almost as if I could be my old self. I grabbed
some toilet paper from the roll and ran it lightly under some water. I wiped
the thick layer of makeup off of my face. Now I really looked like I
used to. I started to get an idea. I ran to my room and grabbed my wallet. I
pawed through it and counted my money. I had enough. I’d better call my aunt
and ask first. She said it was fine, but could I call one of my friends and ask
if they could take me? She didn’t want me walking around after things got
leaked. Sure, I said. I hung up and called Lucile. Adriann lived closer, but I
didn’t want to call and ask her for something again. My mom would probably get
mad anyhow.
“Hello,
Lucile,” she answered. She had her own line.
“Hey,
Luce?” I said.
“Hey
Jess, what?”
“Well, I um, have an idea, but I kind of need to go to the drugstore and I was wondering if your mom could take us, cuz my aunt and uncle are at work.”
“Sure,” she said. “We’ll be there in…5 minutes. See ya
then, ‘k?”
“Okay. Thanks Lucile.”
“Sure. Bye!”
“Bye!”
I hung up, got my
shoes on, grabbed my money and my keys and waited by the door. I left Aunt Kate
and Uncle Thomas a scribbled note by the machine, just in case. There was a way
I could have left them a message on the machine, but I had no clue how. I like
simplicity. Lucile rang the doorbell in precisely five minutes and we were off.
Mrs. Butler dropped us off and said she’d pick us up in fifteen minutes. We
ventured into the store together.
“So,” Lucile said, “just what do you need?”
“Well,” I said. “I’m going to tell you this, but you can’t
tell anyone, cuz no one but my aunt knows yet. But, they will soon.”
“What?”
“I’m going to dye my hair.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because, retard, this is not my original color.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” I rolled my eyes. “Did I not tell you guys that? I
mean, come on, my entire family except for my dad is blond, what are the
chances of me having brown hair?” She shrugged.
“You could.” I laughed.
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She was quiet while I browsed through the different brands
and colors. Finally, I picked one out that looked pretty much exactly like mine
had before I dyed it. We paid and ran outside to Mrs. Butler’s waiting car.
“Hello girls,” she said pleasantly.
“Hello,” we chorused.
“Mom,” Lucile said after a second, “can I spend a few
hours at Jessie’s house?”
“Well, I don’t’ see why not as long as her aunt and uncle
approve.” My story had spread like wildfire through the neighborhood.
“It’s fine, Mrs. Butler,” I assured her. “My aunt and
uncle are working late, they won’t mind.”
“Sure then,” she said. A few minutes later, she pulled
into my driveway.
“Thanks!” we yelled as she pulled away. I let us in with
my key and trashed my note.
We went straight
to the bathroom. I pulled out the kit and read the instructions. In a few
minutes, my hair had returned to a light blond.
“So,” I said, turning to Lucile, “what do you think?” She
just stared at me for a second, squinting her eyes.
“Well, you look different, that’s for sure.” I put my
hands on my hips and gave her a friendly glare.
“Okay, okay,” she said, smiling. “You look great. But I
can’t tell you if you look like you used to, cuz I never saw you with blond
hair before,” she said bluntly.
“True, very true.” She followed me to the living room
where I pulled out some photo albums and showed her pictures. Pictures of me
alone, me with my family, me with my brothers, me with my sister. After we had
looked through every one, she turned to look at me.
“Ya know what, Jessica?” I shook my head.
“You look exactly the same,” she said, a radiant look on
her face.
“Thanks,” I said, beaming.
“Well,” she said, pulling herself off of the ground, “I
better get going, it’s been a few hours.”
“Okay,” I said and said goodbye. I locked the door behind
her and out away the photo albums. I collapsed on the couch and sighed. I was
tired.
Brriing! Brriing! The phone brought me out of my reverie.
“Hello?”
“Jessica? It’s Aunt Kate. Have you eaten yet?”
“Nope, Lucile came over to help me with my hair. She just
left.”
“Okay, good. Your mother just called me and she wants us
to meet for dinner. So be ready when I get home, okay? I’ll be leaving in about
ten minutes.”
“Okay,” I said, my voice getting excited. I was going to
see my family! They would be so surprised.
“By the way,” Aunt Kate said, “how did the hair turn out?”
“Absolutely perfect! I showed Lucile some pictures, and
she said it was perfect!”
“Great, well, be ready!”
“Okay.”
Click.
I got ready and was waiting by the door when she showed
up. I noticed before she was all the way in the driveway that there were some more
people in the car. It was Zac and Avery. I smiled to myself. Would they ever be
surprised! I took a deep breath and stepped outside where they were climbing
out of the car.