Always Right

Aynsley Cho couldn't stop flicking her hair.

It felt heavier now, glossy and pale, catching the fluorescent lights of South Point's hallways with a shimmer that almost made her look like Madison's reflection in glass. She'd stared at herself all Sunday night after leaving the salon, swishing it in front of the mirror, tilting her chin to find the angle Madison always used when she posed. Some people thought it was trashy when Asian girls went blonde, but Aynsley didn't care. Madison was amazing. And if Madison had blonde hair, then Aynsley was going to have blonde hair too.

The gross guys, the ones Aynsley had expected to be ignorant, noticed immediately. By second period three different meathead jocks had "joked" about how they always wanted to try a blonde Asian. One leaned in close and asked if she was "importing the look straight from Tokyo," as if that made any sense, as if it wasn't incredibly racist. Another winked and said she looked like she belonged on a poster above his bed. Aynsley rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might stick. Please. Joey Granger was in her life now. She didn't need these sweaty, protein-shake-smelling losers sniffing around.

Joey would like it, though. She hoped he would. She caught herself twirling a strand between her fingers during math class, picturing his reaction. Would he notice right away? Would he grin, tug at the silky ends, tell her he liked that she was trying so hard for him? Maybe he'd even say she looked as hot as Madison!

The idea made her heart race. Madison, her best friend, was so much better since she got together with Joey. Aynsley understood it. She, too, was now with Joey, and she could tell that her life was drastically improved. Not only was she head-over-heels in love with him, but she had gained an incredible, supportive friend group in the other women who had discovered how incredible Joey Granger was.

They were all becoming the best versions of themselves, all thanks to Joey. And for Aynsley, also thanks to Madison.

Her phone buzzed in her lap.

Group chat: Madison, Aynsley, Miss Matthews.

Miss Matthews: Has anyone seen Joey today? He wasn't in first period.

Madison: Nope. Not in Calc either.

Aynsley: Haven't seen him.

She tapped her nails against the screen, thought for a second, then added:

Aynsley: He's prob with Bianca or someone. Let's just go by his house after school.

That felt right. Joey wasn't unreliable—he was Joey. He had girls everywhere. If he wasn't at school, it was because he was busy being Joey. And Aynsley wasn’t worried. Even if he was missing, Madison would know what to do.

She looked down at her outfit—a short pleated skirt, white tube top lower cut than the dress code liked, a pale cardigan thrown over her shoulders. It was cute. But was it Madison-cute? Madison always managed to look effortless, like she'd just tossed on whatever and still came out glowing. Aynsley's look was more try-hard. Maybe that was fine. Of course it was fine. Aynsley knew she was showing off. What was different now to times past where she might have been just as bold is that now it mattered. She was showing off for Joey, her love, her man.

Still. She could start copying Madison's style, too. Buy the same tops, the same shoes. They could match every day, like they were already twinning with their hair. That would be amazing.

Her stomach fluttered at the thought. How far could she take this? She wanted to always be Madison's best friend—the best best friend—and the way to do that was to become more like her. More Madison meant better Aynsley. Maybe she should even… change her name? Was that insane? No one really cared about the name Aynsley anyway. What if she picked something closer to Madison's? Madelyn, maybe. Or…

She chewed her lip, giggling under her breath. That was too far. Wasn't it? Still, she made a mental note to ask Madison after school. If Madison said it was a good idea, then it couldn't possibly be bad.

Because Madison was always right.