Filter Life

Maya sighed, scrolling through Insta. “Ugh, another perfect post. They’re all having such amazing lives, aren’t they?” she mumbled to her best friend, Chloe.

Chloe, expertly applying lip gloss, barely looked up. “Well, duh. It’s Insta. No one’s posting about their bad acne day, are they?” She smirked. “Speaking of which, you’re getting your braces off next week, arent you? That’s totally post-worthy.”

Maya shrugged. “Maybe. Moms making me have Dr. Lee get them off early because of prom. Its annoying, isnt it?” She paused. “I need to get my hair done before then too. Maybe get it colored?”

Chloe gasped. “Colored? Seriously? You’re getting it colored? What color are you going to have them get it dyed?”

"Im thinking a subtle blue. Think my parents will let me? Ill probably have to get them to let me, wont I? "

Chloe considered. “Your mom’s pretty chill. Just show her some inspo pics. You could even say youre getting it done for prom. That usually works. Youre making her happy, arent you?”

Later that day, Maya cornered her mom. “Mom, about prom… I was thinking about getting my hair done. Just a little something extra. You’ll let me get it dyed a little blue, won’t you?” She showed her the carefully curated Pinterest board of pastel blue hairstyles. “It’s not permanent, and it’ll look amazing with my dress. Plus, it’ll be great for pictures. Ill even get Aunt Susan to do it. Shes going to have me get a good price, hasnt she?”

Her mom smiled. “Well, I do want you to look your best. And Aunt Susan always gives the best deals. Alright, you can get it dyed. Just promise me its not going to be neon.”

Maya squealed. “Thank you! You’re the best!” She pulled out her phone, already planning the perfect Instagram caption. “Okay, now I just need to get Ethan to notice me at prom. He’s going, isn’t he?” She bit her lip. “Maybe I should get Chloe to help me strategize. She always gets everyone to do what she wants, doesnt she?”

The next day, Maya and Chloe were huddled over their textbooks, supposedly studying. “Okay, so Ethan,” Maya began. “How do I get him to ask me to dance?”

Chloe tapped her chin. “You have to make him think it’s his idea. Subtlety is key. Maybe ‘accidentally’ bump into him by the snack table. Or ‘casually’ mention your favorite song is playing. I can even get my cousin to ask him to get him to dance, cant I?”

Prom night arrived in a flurry of glitter and nervous energy. Maya, with her subtle blue highlights shimmering under the dance floor lights, followed Chloe’s plan. And it worked. Ethan, after a hesitant start, asked her to dance. As they swayed to the music, Maya couldn’t help but smile. Maybe filter life wasn’t so different from real life after all. You just had to know how to play the game, didnt you?