First Date by Melody Carlson Page A

something—anything—starts pressing into your life and taking too much time and energy and ultimately controlling you . . . well, that’s when it’s time to stop and take stock.”
    Cassidy thought about this as she munched.
    “Well, Cass doesn’t need to worry about that ,” Callie said a bit glibly. “She has never been overly focused on her appearance.”
    “Unlike some people who will go unmentioned, Callie Marie.” Cassidy gave her sister a slightly accusing look.
    The comment must’ve gone right over her head, because Callie simply smiled as she tossed her shiny chestnut hair (which was similar to Cassidy’s except that it was sleeklybrushed and shimmered in the light). “Hey, I can’t help it that I’m just naturally pretty.”
    “And not a bit conceited about it either,” Cassidy said.
    Mom gave Cassidy a warning look but said nothing.
    “Just being honest,” Cassidy mimicked her little sister as she rinsed her bowl in the sink.
    “It’s okay,” Callie said lightly. “I’m used to girls being jealous.”
    Cassidy rolled her eyes as she set the bowl in the dishwasher.
    “I hope you’re more gracious to those girls than you are to your sister,” Mom said. “A kind and gentle heart is much more attractive than a pretty face, Callie.”
    Callie gave Mom a look that said she’d heard that a million times before but didn’t really believe it.
    “She’s fourteen,” Cassidy said to Mom. “She’ll grow out of this.”
    Callie made a sneering look now.
    “Ooh, now that’s really pretty,” Cassidy said as she reached for her bag.
    “Yes, and you’re such an expert on pretty,” Callie shot back.
    “Girls!” Mom’s voice had the edge of warning in it. She would tolerate only so much sibling bickering.
    “I’ll be gone most of the day,” Cassidy told her.
    “You did your chores?”
    Cassidy nodded. “Callie still hasn’t cleaned our bathroom. It’s her turn today.”
    “Tattletale,” Callie called out as Cassidy exited through the laundry room.
    “Have fun,” Mom called out, almost as if she wanted to cancel out Callie’s bad manners.
    “Thanks.” As Cassidy went out to her car, she wondered if doing this makeover really was a good idea. What if she ended up as superficial and shallow as her little sister? Although that seemed ridiculous. It wasn’t like her friends could turn back the clock and turn her into a snotty fourteen-year-old. Even so, as she drove over to Bryn’s house, she promised herself that she would continue to focus on her inner self more than her outer self. No matter what her friends said or did.

9
    S ince Bryn had been only partially involved in Emma’s fabulous makeover last weekend, she was even more determined to play an important role in Cassidy’s. This was too much fun to miss out on. She’d known Cassidy for a few years now, and while she liked and respected her, she also knew that Cass could be pretty stubborn, not to mention negative sometimes. Cassidy liked to make fun of fashion and trends, acting like it was shallow for anyone to follow the fads. Maybe it was shallow, but Bryn liked it. She didn’t need Cass to lecture her on why it was stupid.
    As she flipped through her latest issue of Teen Vogue magazine, Bryn reminded herself that everyone was different—and that was okay. Besides, she actually respected that Cass took her Christian beliefs seriously, even if Bryn didn’t. Oh, Bryn would go to church when her parents pressured her, but she didn’t really embrace faith. Not like Cass did. She didn’t quite get it either. What was the big deal? Even so, it was reassuringto know that Cass was like that—solid and dependable. Kind of like having an anchor. Except that an anchor dragged you down sometimes. Bryn tore out a couple pages of fashion dos and don’ts that she thought might be helpful for Cassidy. If she wouldn’t listen to Bryn, maybe she’d listen to the experts.
    It really bugged Bryn that Cass didn’t seem to