The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren by Wendy Toliver

said it was on the house. Whatever that means.”
    â€œIt means it was free.”
    â€œNo, I mean,
why
was it free?”
    â€œOh, yeah. I think the manager said something about being the ten-thousandthcustomer, so it’s the big prize,” I try, hoping she’ll buy it.
    I can all but see the little cogs turning in my best friend’s head as she refreshes her lipstick. But she doesn’t question it.
    A young woman and a toddler emerge from the handicapped stall and commandeer the sinks. Natalie and I jump back so we won’t get splashed.
    â€œWell, thanks again for my dinner. Just because it was free doesn’t mean it doesn’t count.” I hug her.
    â€œYou’re quite welcome, Roxy. And your birthday celebration night is just beginning.”
    Before we leave, I practice making a coy Marilyn Monroe face in the mirror. Oh, how fun! I hope I can look like this next time I put somebody under my Siren spell.

Six
    When Odysseus sailed past Anthemoessa Island unharmed, the three lovely Sirens flung themselves into the ferocious, unforgiving ocean, as the oracle had decreed.
    â€œUm, Natalie? This isn’t the way to the theater.”
    She brakes at a red light and looks over at me, a mysterious smile on her freshly lipsticked mouth. “I know. We’ve had a change of plans.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? Where are we going?”
    â€œTo a party.” She turns down her stereo, muffling Kelly Clarkson.

    â€œWhose
party?”
    â€œJ.T. Brewer’s.”
    I shake my head, my mouth going dry. “No way, Natalie. Are you crazy? It’s going to be a total Proud Crowd party. We’re so not invited.”
    â€œAu contraire, madame,”
Natalie says in a faux French accent. “J.T. himself invited you.”
    I scrunch my nose and give her a look that clearly says, “How the heck did
you
know?”
    â€œAlex told me. And it’s a well-known fact that the invitation extends to all the friends of the invitee.” The light turns green and she steps on the gas. “That’s what makes it a
party.”
    I slap my forehead. “Remember the last Proud Crowd party we went to?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œAre you telling me you don’t remember? You have no recollection of calling me last summer, begging me to go to Devin’s house for a party? We weren’t even invited; you just happened to overhear the jocks talking about it at Seven-Eleven. We bought new outfits and did each other’s hair all cute and showed up right on time. Righton time to be left with Devin’s bratty little brothers. We babysat them so the jocks could go to the
real
party, at Amber’s house.”
    Natalie squeezes her steering wheel extra hard as she turns up University Boulevard. “Okay, okay. I remember. But Devin’s parents paid us each five bucks an hour, and we snuck a wine cooler out of the fridge, so it wasn’t
all
bad. Plus, that was a long time ago. We’ve all grown up a lot since then.”
    I cross my arms over my chest, still shocked to feel my new boobs. “Whatever.”
    A few moments later Natalie says, “Listen, Rox.
Everyone’
s going to be there.”
    â€œSo Alex is going? And what about Fuchsia, Ginny, Carl … and that new guy from Texas who plays the trumpet?”
    â€œI know what you’re thinking, Rox. We are
not
band geeks,” she says indignantly. “We are talented musicians.”
    I really,
really
don’t want to go to this party. I can’t face the jocks. Not after the Zach’s Date Incident. We’re just a block or two from J.T.’s house, and I definitely have cold feet.
    â€œDon’t you want everyone to see youafter your makeover?” Natalie asks. “I’m serious. You look even better than Tess McGill in
Working Girl
or Allison Reynolds after Claire gets ahold of her in
The Breakfast Club.”
    â€œWhen are you