“Stay calm; your father will get it. Plus, you’re supposed to make the boy wait,” she said as she applied pinkish nude lipstick to my lips. Five minutes later, my mom put the mascara on the sink. “There. . . I think I’m done. Take a look.” She stepped aside so I could see her masterpiece, but what I saw instead was an average girl looking back from the mirror. Yes, I looked better than I usually did, but I was still not at Ben’s level, and I knew at that moment that I’d never be. I didn’t deserve him, and I never would. But my mom had put a lot of effort into my makeup, so trying to sound happy, I said, “Thank you so much, Mom.” I hugged her close, making sure not to smudge her work or mess up my hair. “I think I’m almost ready. I just need to get my heels. Can you go out first to m
