The next day, I bought the tickets the moment I arrived at school. To my surprise, many students had waited until the last minute to buy their tickets as well, so I waited for twenty minutes. According to the student working at the stand, I had bought one of the last available. As I clutched them tight to my chest and wandered off, I could hear the angry shouts of the other buyers as the stand closed.
I gave Birdie her ticket at lunch. I’d never seen someone so enthusiastic. She continued to chatter on and on about what we’d do when we got there, revising the plan she’d made yesterday. Almanzo gave me an approving pat on the back before he went to class, his two sidekicks looking just as pleased. In history, they gave me a lesson on how to tie a tie, how to dance without embarrassing myself, and the proper way to celebrate the team’s possible victory.
My mom took me shopping the moment I got home, insisting that we go to one of the fancy boutiques downtown. Though I figured any Goodwill suit would work just fine, she was determined to buy me something fresh and new. We spent twenty minutes wandering the boutique, thirty minutes trying suits on, and twenty more minutes trying to decide which one we liked best. Seventy minutes later, we wandered out with a regular black suit, adorned with a light pink tie. I thought it was much too fancy for someone like me, but it fit me the best out of any of my options.
By the time that evening rolled around, I was prepared.
My mother spent forty minutes fussing over my hair, insisting that it wouldn’t lie properly without hairspray. I was spritzed with five sprays of fancy cologne, dragged up and down as she adjusted my belt, and squished as she used foundation to cover zits on my nose. After a moment, I finally managed to get some privacy.
Staring at the person in the mirror, I never would’ve imagined he was me. I’d let my hair grow out a little in the past few months, so it now hit at my mid-neck. Slicked back, it was neatly groomed on top, with long, dark lines running along it like rivers. Now that my mother had covered up my zits, my face was clear as the ocean, making my ocean blue eyes stand out even more. The black suit hugged my figure nicely, twisting my awkward chest and disproportionate limbs to look more natural. I’m not sure when the last time I really looked at myself in the mirror was, but it must’ve been forever ago. Before, I looked pathetic, with droopy eyes, large eye bags, an awkward frown, and a constantly furrowed brow. Now, I’d straightened up, my eyes held more life, their baggage had been dropped off, and I managed to put on a charming smile. I actually looked pretty good. Who would’ve known? A month ago, I never would’ve guessed this would be possible. The wonders new people can do for you.
Pushing open the door, I was subjected to fifteen minutes of fussing, my tie continually adjusted until it was straighter than a ruler. My mother took loads of photos, claiming she’d show them to my father when he got home that night. When she was finally done, I was sent out the door and into the chilly afternoon air, holding a rose in one hand and clenching the other nervously at my side. I could do this.
