Page 103 of The Thorne at My Side
Would it be terrible to admit that I think it's a waste of money?
I laugh and look down at my almond shaped chrome manicure that I got refreshed over the weekend. Since I started teaching I've been branching out into different shades and it's been fun.
TalkShopGirl:I don't think it's terrible to admit but never say it to a woman's face. Her nails are a means of self expression. A way to admit her into the in-crowd or to set her apart. Men may not care but other women notice it.
I once heard a woman say that crazy girls have chipped nail polish and I've never been able to forget that. So, each week, I dutifully get my nails done. I used to do the same shade that was basicallyskin tone but, recently I've tried new colors. I'll admit it is fun to try something new but it is also agonizing to try and pick a color.
Even if it is just for a week, red nails say one thing, purple says another. Designs and art is another world I have yet to explore.
I hit send and slip the phone into my bag. I lock up, and by the time I reach the corner there’s a new message.
DCFox:Okay, but now I have to know, what does red nails vs purple say?
TalkShopGirl:I don't know but it says something. It's a vibe.
DCFox:See, this is why I don't understand women. Explain it to me!
TalkShopGirl:Have you ever had your nails painted?
DCFox:No.
TalkShopGirl:Well, when you do, you'll understand.
DCFox:So since I'm too manly to have my nails painted you won't explain a color vibe to me?
TalkShopGirl:Is it manly to be closed minded about trying new things?
CHAPTER 31
The green one?
AUSTIN
"What the hell are you doing?" Elle hollers as she walks into the apartment.
"I'm painting my nails but it is fucking impossible!" I yell back even though she’s standing in front of me. I've been sitting at the kitchen counter trying to paint my own nails for over an hour and have more paint on the towel I put down under my hands than on my nails themselves.
"Why on earth are you doing this? And, oh gosh, no!" Elle swoops in with a paper towel to start wiping up. She plucks the brush from my hand and screws it back onto the bottle. It's a shade I picked from the stash in her room. It's a little bit pink, a little purple, a little orange, it reminds me of the sunrises I saw when I was at Maggie's apartment early in the morning.
"Someone told me to try it." I shrug.
"Someone orshedid?"
"She who?" I ask sarcastically. It’s obvious I’m doing this because Maggie suggested it.
"Ohmygod, come here." Elle says exasperated as she soaks a cotton ball in the remover. She holds my hand and starts to clean off the polish. "I mean the she who you have been trying toimpress."
I look up at her and she just shrugs.
"I heard you and Felix talking about it."
"Well then, the cat is out of the bag. I'm trying to get my SMS Connect girl back. Or, get her for the first time, kind of."
"I still don't understand all the moving parts of this but whatever bro. Now, go wash your hands, dry them with a paper towel and come back, I'll paint them for you."
"No, I'm good actually." I say as I wash my hands. "I was going to take it off tonight anyways, I just wanted to try it, not actually run around with sunrise colored nails."
"Sunrise?"
