Oh. He was referring to the contacts and skirt. And probably the makeup too. “Which is why we need to go. Now.” I grabbed Liam’s arm to try to pull him toward the door.

“Not so fast,” my mom said. “I need a first-day-of-school picture.”

“Mom…”

“It’s tradition. It’s your senior year, Scarlett. We can’t break the streak now.”

I sighed and stood next to Liam, forcing a smile onto my face. God, my dad would be down here any minute and I needed to get the hell out of here.

“One more,” my mom said. “I can’t believe it’s your last year at Empire High.” She gave me a big hug. “And Liam.” She turned to my little brother. “Your first year. Are you nervous?”

Liam shrugged. “Nah.”

“That’s the spirit, I guess,” she said with a laugh.

“Great, can we go now?” I asked.

“Yup,” my dad said as he grabbed his keys off the hook.

Crap.

“I’m taking you today.” He turned to me and his smile faltered.

“That’s really not necessary,” I said.

My dad just stared at me. “What are you wearing?”

“The uniform.” I tried to laugh it off, like he was being ridiculous, but my laughter died in my throat as his eyes narrowed.

“She grew another inch so we had to get a new one,” my mom said with a smile and a wink at me.

“Then why is her skirt six inches shorter?” he asked.

“Is it?” my mom said. “I don’t think so. You’re probably imagining it.” She patted his chest and then turned back to us. “Time to go, kids. How about you two race to the car?”

“I don’t think so,” my dad said. “Go change, pumpkin. Now.”

“Dad! We’re going to be late.”

“Go put on your old uniform now. And wipe that makeup off your face while you’re at it.”

Liam started laughing.

“James, be reasonable,” my mom said and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the kitchen.

I couldn’t make out their heated whispers, but I knew the gist. My mom wanted me to be allowed to wear whatever I wanted. She knew how hard it had been for me when I was literally the only girl at school who didn’t break the dress code. And my dad wanted me to dress like a nun.

“Told you,” Liam said.

“Shut up.” I lightly shoved his shoulder.

“Why do you even want to look like everyone else?” he asked. It was a serious question. And I didn’t understand how he could possibly mean for it to not sound sarcastic.

“I don’t want to look like everyone else. I just want to look like I’m not living in a convent.”