Chapter 19 : Girl In The Mirror

'Don't fail me now time.' I thought to myself while nervously biting at the end of my pen, Watching the seconds go down on the clock above the entrance of the classroom door.

'10 more seconds. . .' I think again to myself. Soon the ringing of the bell immediately catches everyone's attention, especially mine. I hop out of my seat practicing sonic dashing out of class.

Students roam the halls chaotically, urging their friends and dates out of the school building to go home and get ready for the dance. It looks like a zoo gone wild.

That actually sounds about right. Everyone here is basically animals.

I never understood why Scarlet loves these things. I hate dances or any place where I have to dress up. Me and fancy wear do not get along, I always end up looking like a potato.

I never do well in a room full of people because I'd embarrass myself without even meaning too. When I'm around people, I freak out and end up doing something stupid.

That is why I stay hidden in the shadows where I'm unseen. But with a brother like Harley, it's not really that easy. I managed to somehow stay somewhat invisible since middle school, but I wasn't completely invisible because of Harley.

Most people knew me because of him but never paid attention to me unless I was being targeted by someone, mainly Joslin. Yes, Joslin has been torturing me since middle school and it's honestly hell.

After practically throwing my books in my locker, I make sure to look out for a tall brunette with happiness taped to her forehead. I don't mean literally though but you get what I'm saying.

Scarlet is a ray of sunshine. Happiness taped to her forehead is a figure of speech . I don't know why I'm saying this it's not like it's important but, then again, anything I say is never important because no one would care.

"Shit," I mumble, hiding inside an empty classroom. I watch as Scarlet runs down the stairwell near my locker with a huge smile on her face.

She's gonna stay there until she sees me walk by, isn't she? Great now I'm stuck. Yes, I am that desperate to get away from her right now. But no one gets it because everyone is so confident about their looks. meanwhile, I'm basically panicking about showing skin tonight because I'm afraid of being judged.

So I'd rather hide from it all then face it. I'm weak yeah I know.

looks like the gods answered my prayers. Scarlet looked around the halls one more time before skipping across the hall to her locker. This gives me at least 10-20 seconds to make a run for it.

Once I secede, I speed walk around the parking lot and straight towards Harley's car while also trying not to draw attention to myself. He stood up against his car making out with some girl. Oh, poor her, she has no idea what she's getting herself into.

My gaze moves from the disgusting make-out session and I spot Damon leaning on the passenger side, playing on his phone. And boy does he look fine doing it— Yeah, no that was weird.

My nerves start to kick in at the sight of him. The more I got closer the more my heart rate increases. His presence always makes me feel so weak and it's annoying. I've kinda started talking to him again, not much but here and there.

It's weird. It's like he's a stranger and we only say a few words to each other and go about our day. When we were young, we'd always talk to each other non-stop.

I never told anyone this ever. Damon and I would stay awake all night sometimes just talking about random topics. We'd hide outside under the porch of an abandoned house. It wasn't nearly as creepy as you think, no one just hasn't had the time to continue fixing up the place.

So Damon and I would sneak there at night and talk. Only when we were younger though. We don't do it anymore because he changed.

"Harley, let the chick go so I can go lock myself in my room!" I hiss annoyed with the girl slobbering all over my brother's tongue. I grab ahold of the car door, Handel, trying to pull it open but it wouldn't budge.

"What's the big time rush?" Damon says once he noticed my presences. I shoot him a glare and a smirk appears on his overly attractive face.

What is up with guys smirking?

What are we? In a book?

"I am seriously not in the mood for jokes ass wipe!" I say with gritted teeth while rolling my eyes, watching my surroundings for Scarlet. Damon laughs lowly and shakes his head some.

"Oh Best Friend!" Scarlets yells in a singing tone from across the parking lot. I nearly jump out of my skin and let out a groan. As I turn around scarlet smiles, waves and starts running in my direction.

"So we are getting ready at yours—"

"But don't you have to go home and get your dress?" I ask trying to somewhat get out of the situation.

"Nope. I went to her house and got it." Damon says, amusement in his voice. I raise my eyebrow at him evilly. He knows how much I despise fancy events and dressing up. You'd think since I'm a girl, I'd love it but I don't.

Maybe when I was younger but I grew out of it.

"Yayyy," I utter sarcasm through gritted teeth.

"Now let's go. We have to get dolled up!" Scarlet grabs my hands, jumping up excitedly.

"But I don't wanna!" I cry out, poking out my bottom lip.

"Too bad." She sends me a playful glare then starts pulling to the other side of the car, where Harley stood still devouring the poor girl's mouth.

"Go home and disaffect your mouth hun, before you get a mouth disease," Scarlet said while pulling Harley away from the girl by the collar of his shirt and gave her a look of sympathy.

Once the girl hurried away Scarlet plucked Harley in the forehead making him whine. "What was that for?!" He looked at her bewildered, rubbing the spot on his forehead.

"Your gonna break the poor girl's heart. Now get in the car before I pluck you elsewhere," Scarlet glared at my brother and began tapping her foot on the ground.

She's such a mom.

"You're such a mom," He muttered before unlocking the car door allowing everyone to hop in.

"You're really making me go?"

"Yes I am and you're gonna have to deal with it buttercup," I groan in annoyance.

"Come on, you gotta live it big time," Damon speaks up after a few seconds. I'm literally going to kill him, seriously I am going to kill him.

But now I kinda wanna watch big time rush.

Oh oh oh ohhhh. . .

* * *

"Mom, please. Don't make me do this!" I plead my mother who is standing in the doorway of my bedroom for the hundredth time. Ok, maybe not a hundred. Probably twenty-five times no big deal.

"You can pout all you want. I'm still not saying no," I groan loudly and flop on my bed making it bounce a little. I watched in horror as scarlet stood at my dresser gathering her makeup and hair tools.

"Why don't you want to go?"

"I don't like dances or dresses or being crowded around people I don't like.. or ANY people!"

"It's gonna be fun baby." Mom says softly, walking over towards me and grabbing my shoulders.

"You are going. you already agreed weeks ago plus, I need you there," Scarlet says and stands next to my mom with her lips pressed together.

"But you have Damon.," I mutter. Mentioning his name makes me feel guilty and a bad best friend.

"You know he hates these things but, he's going because I practically begged him."

"I'll have you begging on ya knees for me y—"

"Seriously what's up with all the tv references?!" I raise my voice a little in annoyance.

"I was just watching victorious jeez, calm down," Harmony's voice fills the room and she pops her head through my room door before fully walking in.

"Please, Minnie. Just for a few hours?" Scarlet begged, biting onto her bottom lip, nervously waiting for me to answer.

"Fine. But I have to go anyway. . . Brett kind of asked me to go with him," I mutter feeling my cheeks heat. It's still shocking that Brett— no a guy, asked me to the dance. That's never happened before and it's freaking weird.

I feel like something is going to happen But with Brett, it feels like I can trust him, not completely though. I have major trust issues that I need to work on before I can fully ever trust anybody.

But it's hard. I haven't been able to trust anyone for a long time.

"No way, Are you serious?" Scarlet gapes and shakes my body crazily. "Only as friends!" I respond quickly.

"You should date him, he's cute." Mom wiggles her eyebrows at me while attempting to wink but it mostly came out as blinking.

"We're just friends." I tell them honestly, sighing deeply. "Then can I have him?" Harmony speaks up, raising her hand slowly in the air. We all turn and give her a crazy look.

"Hey, he's cute. I couldn't have Damon because scarlet already took him," She shrugs innocently. I open my mouth to speak but close it back up not knowing what to say.

I'm Just gonna pretend I didn't hear that.

"You have a date ekk!" Scarlet squeals excitedly, jumping up and down.

"Dating who?!" A hard voice can be heard from outside my door. My bedroom door then slams open wide, Harley running in and tripping over my sneaker only wearing pants.

"Oh my—" I slap my hand over Scarlet's mouth before she could say something sexual about my brother's bare chest.

Harley always catches her off guard when he walks around with no shirt on. Every girl at school thinks he's 'hot' and it makes me sick to my stomach.

"No one is dating anyone!" I rush out before he could have a fit. He narrows his eyes at me thinking I would crack. Sorry brother but it's not gonna work on me anymore, maybe If I was still 7 years old.

"Hermione is going to the dance with Brett!" Scarlet says. Thanks for having my back scar. . .

It doesn't take a genius to tell I was being sarcastic.

"Only as—"

"What?!" Harley raises his voice causing us to jump at his unexpected tone.

"Only as friends, Gosh!"

"Mhm, yeah, 'friends'. I'll be watching you all night," He points two fingers at his eyes then at me, not breaking eye contact as he then walks out of my room backwards

"You just had to have a crazy son, huh?" I ask mom, turning to face her with folded arms.

"He doesn't get it from me," She defends and shrugs her shoulders.

"Enough talking, I have to make this beautiful woman even more beautiful." Scar says, urging mom and harmony out.

"Wait, I wanna help. I can do her hair!" Harmony moves aside giving us a pleading look. Scarlet thinks for a second before giving her an answer.

"Fine."

After throwing my mom out, Scarlet pushes me over to my dresser/desk. I would call it a vanity but, those are only used for make up I'm guessing. I'm not assuming because I don't actually know.

Scarlet makes me sit down and starts working on my face. Let me just tell you, she's into it. She's in the zone.

Scarlets has always dreamed about being a makeup artist ever since her mom taught her which was at the age of 12 years old.

"And done!" After about 45 minutes, she drops her makeup brushes into the palette and stands up straighter, examining as she calls it; and I quote, 'fine ass artwork'.

"How does it look?" I ask making a move to look in the mirror but scarlet grabs ahold of the chair with her foot. "You don't get to see this masterpiece until you are completely ready," She narrows her eyes at me playfully before giving me a soft smile.

"My turn!" Harmony bumps her hip with scarlet pushing her aside so she could stand directly in front of me. She then takes my hair out of the messy bun it was in and sends me a small smile.

"Why don't you ever wear it down?" Harmony asked me softly while playing with the ends of my hair. I ignore her question, turning my gaze to the ground. She takes the hint that I wasn't gonna speak and sighs.

I hate my hair down.

"Don't mess up my masterpiece!" Scarlet smacks harmony's hands down glaring at her like a madwoman.

"Yeah yeah," Harmony rolls her eyes as scarlet undresses herself to get into the gorgeous dress she bought for the dance.

After an hour of my hair being tortured by curling irons, combs, brushes and a lot of hair spray, the look was finally complete and I couldn't be happier. My ass is literally hurting from sitting for so long. From the feel of it, I don't think it would have taken very long to do my hair. But, I took up extra time begging Harmony to do a hair up style.

After about 30 minutes I gave up.

Harmony is really good at doing hair. She may act like a tomboy but her skills are amazing for a 14-year-old. She did hair up and hair down style. Half in a perfect ponytail, the other half flowing down in tight curls.

"A beauty queen isn't a queen with her dress," Scarlet said softly holding my dress in her hands. Beauty queen? Yeah right. I don't stand a chance against those girls who are going to be at the dance tonight.

* * *

"Wow. You finally look like a girl," Harmony speaks while nodding her head in approval. I roll my eyes playfully and stick my tongue out at her before turning to scarlet.

"Holy mother of god."

"Ok, can I just say? Beauty runs in the Scott family," Scarlet gasp softly eyeing me from head to toe. I bite down on my lower lip and fidget with my fingers.

"Do I look ugly? Is it too much? Do I look fat? I know—"

"Hermione stop it! you look absolutely amazing!" Scarlet growls at me and grabs my hands. "You are absolutely beautiful," She mumbles while staring into my eyes. I try my best and ignore the word 'beautiful' by giving her a small smile.

"Can I look now?" I ask very nervously. I'm afraid of what I might see. I never loved looking in the mirror, it always remained me of how terrible I always look.

I don't even remember what's it like to look in the mirror. Honestly, I can't even remember what my face actually looked like. I know it isn't a pretty sight though.

Scarlet nods her head and let's go of my hands. I take a deep breath, slowly turning around facing the mirror. After a few seconds, I finally gather the small courage I have and open my eyes.

My breath hitches at the sight in front of me. I stare back at the girl in front of me as I felt my breath start to increase. The girl in the mirror stared back at me with so much confusion, disgust, and hatred. She eyed my ever so slowly trying to take in the shocking and unbelievable sight before her.

Who is this girl?

"Who is she?" I found myself saying out loud which wasn't meant to be. "She is you. She is Hermione Scott, an incredibly gorgeous woman who's grown to be so strong," Scarlet whispers into my ear and stood behind me wrapping her arms around my shoulders. She stared back at me through the mirror with a smile on her face.

I then felt what seemed to be a few tears slipping from my eyes and I soon found myself sobbing. Scarlet's words hit me hard because I feel as if I let her down. I feel like I let everyone in my life down. I'm tired of t-that word and being called strong because that is not me.

I am not strong. I've always wondered what it felt like to be strong and confident but it's like I don't have it in me. It's like it's lost somewhere and can never be found.

I am totally in love with a guy I can never have. He's dating my overly gorgeous best friend, who I still till this day don't get why she still sticks by my side when I'm a huge mess. I feel as if the whole world hates me. I'm constantly getting bullied by everyone at school. My father doesn't even care for his three children anymore and on top of all that mess. . .

I just feel so freaking alone.

"Hey, no crying. You're gonna mess up my work," Scarlet jokes with a goofy smile on her face although, I know she isn't kidding. I chuckle through my tears and sniff hoping I would stop crying.

I could cry all day if I wanted too but, I always end up having to force myself to stop crying for the sake of not wanting to be clouded with questions I don't want to answer.

"Knock knock. Are you girls r—" Mom opens my bedroom door but stops mid-sentence once she sees me. I spin around giving her a small smile hoping she'll like it.

"Oh my," She touches her heart and slaps her hand over her mouth with her other. I notice she's holding a camera. Mom then began to sob in her hand making me frown.

Does she not like it?

"You don't like it?" I frown even more and she shakes her head rapidly, walking and stopping in front of me. I watch as her bright eyes roam all over my face and body.

"No baby. You look incredibly beautiful," She smiles through glossy eyes making me relax a bit. Mom lifts my chin up making me stare into her eyes before I found myself in her warm arms that I love deeply.

"Ugh, where did all this beauty come from?" She pulls away and lightly touches every part of my face with her fingertips.

I give her one more small smile before looking back in the mirror. I focus on the dress instead of my face and run my fingers over it, touching every detail.

It feels weird being in a dress.

"Your skills get better and better harm," Mom tells her and I watch through the mirror as flips her hair sassily.

"Thank you, thank you very much." I roll my eyes playfully at her cockiness. Ugh, she's turning into Harley.

Oh, god please no!

I finally turn back around and analyze Scarlet's dress. As always she looks amazing in any and everything. Unlike me, I panic about what should I wear to bed. Which is weird because I'm only going to bed but not the point.

"Have fun. No drinking and have more fun," Mom points out looking at both scarlet and me.

"Mom, it's a high school dance why would there be-Yeah, ok. Don't answer that but we won't," I chuckle and sniff. Mom lets out a laugh making me smile some. I like seeing her laugh again, it's been a while.

"Both of you girls look beautiful. Now, I want to take some pictures." She squeals like a teenage girl making me laugh and shake my head.

How could dad ever leave her?

After a ton of pictures, I told Scarlet, Harmony, and mom I would meet them downstairs with the rest. I just wanted a minute to get myself together and be alone for a while.

"I don't even recognize myself. . ." I mumble to myself while looking in the mirror. The girl in the mirror stared back at me once again, this time I didn't see the disgust or hatred. I saw pity.

"You look beautiful," I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of his voice. looking through the mirror, I see Damon leaning on my bedroom door staring directly at me intensely.

The look in his eyes scared me. It's the same look he gives me when we are alone. Dark and full of so much emotion. Emotion I can never seem to figure out.

Please, not again.