She watched Tara in awe
As she gazed into the vanity mirror, applying mascara.
Have you ever used that before? She asked.
I know how to put on mascara, Tara said,
Fluttering her lashes.
She wondered why Tara needed it,
Her lashes looking fake and clumpy
Unlike her own natural face
That she hadn't yet painted up with makeup.

All the popular girls were doing it,
Excusing themselves to the bathroom to powder their faces
And share high-pitched giggles around the mirror.
But she sat in class, taking notes,
Letting the girls borrow them during lunch hour.
It was unlikely they read them over
When primping for their Friday-night dates.

After graduating, when she went to Cornell,
The clique was educated at community college.
Wearing the same risque clothing
And flirting with boys between classes.
Hey, did you hear Tara's pregnant? The rumors asked,
Their world becoming a twisted reality
When they helped her through pregnancy.
And at Cornell, she was making Dean's List
When Tara called for help
Because her girls were talking shit about her,
And she apologized that she couldn't help
As she hung up the phone.