It is Sunday evening and the girls have just finished their chores and any last-minute homework. They are sitting in the rec room debating on what movie to watch. Cassandra wants to watch Mean Girls but Cleo wants to watch Kissing Booth. They look to Marie to decide which movie to watch out of the two.

"So what's it going to be Marie?" Cleo says.

"Yeah, which one should we watch?" Cassandra adds. Marie doesn't like the look either girl is giving her. The intense stare makes her uncomfortable and nervous. She hasn't seen either movie and doesn't have an opinion one way or another.

"Ugh... honestly guys I can't choose." She finally says after the stare-down gets too much. Both Cleo and Cassandra sigh dramatically. They still have no idea what to watch.

Millie claps her hands to get everyone's attention. 'Why don't we just sit and talk instead? When was the last time we had a heart-to-heart?'

This peaks Keandre's attention more than rewatching either of those movies. She sits up straight and focuses her attention on Millie. "That's a good idea, Millie. What do you want to talk about?" She then gives Millie a smirk  and signs 'Or should I say who do you want to talk about?'

The girls giggle at that comment. Seeing Millie's embarrassed face only spurs the laughter on. The plan to watch a movie tonight is long gone as they tease Millie about her crush on Darius.

'For your information, I do have something I want to talk about. And no it isn't about Darius.' She sticks her tongue out at Keandre. 'I just got word from Mrs. Leane that I will finally be receiving my hearing aids soon.'

'Congratulations' Cleo signs "You have been waiting for so long." Everyone also signs their congratulations to Millie. They each take a turn giving her a congratulatory hug or fistbump. Millie has been waiting for years to get hearing aids since her doctor diagnosed her as hard of hearing. Being in the system makes getting medical needs, that they don't deem necessary, harder. 

'Thank you guys. So who's next to share?' Millie signs looking around the group.

"Well, I guess I have some good news too," Cassandra speaks up. Everyone focuses their attention on her. She has a blank face with a ghost of a smile on her lips. "My mom is getting out of rehab soon. If she stays clean and goes to her parenting classes I can start seeing her again." She pauses before adding "At least on weekends."

"That is great news, Cassandra. I really hope she stays sober for you this time. " Keandre is the first to say. The two girls have been close since Cassandra first came to the orphanage. Keandre was there when Cassandra cried for her mother at night.

"Honestly me too. I don't want to get my hopes up but this is the longest she has stayed in rehab. I think her last overdose really scared her." Cassandra says melancholy. "I know it definitely scared me." The memories of having to administer Narcan to her mother when she found her passed out on the couch after school still made her heart hurt. 

"She would be silly to continue to miss out on being a part of the life of her incredible daughter," Marie says and everyone nods their head in agreement. There is a somber mood as a moment of silence falls over the group. 

"Okay enough about me. What about you three? Anything interesting happening with you?" Cassandra asks trying to deflect the attention off of her. The mood had soured and it made everyone sad. Cleo and Keandre simultaneously shake their head. The synchronization of their head movements was comedic and lightened the tense atmosphere. 

'I guess that leaves you Marie, spill.' Millie signs with a mischievous grin. She was eager to hear any juicy information from her new friend.

"Wait that's not fair. I also don't have anything going on." Marie says defensively. If she knew they were going to do that she would have also. Now all of them are staring at her expectantly. For a second her mind jumps to her study session with Kaden tomorrow. The look on the girls' faces tells her she isn't getting out of this so she decides to talk about it.

"Well, it isn't a big deal." Marie starts "I am meeting Kaden after school tomorrow to work on our project again." Cleo gives her a look that says go on so she continues. There isn't much more to say, but she can't leave them hanging. She decides to be vulnerable with them and open up about something that has been weighing on her mind. "To be honest the reason I brought it up is because I feel like ... I look dull." The girls give her a look that says they think she is crazy. "Listen guys, compared to you all I am boring. Cleo your make-up always looks great and Millie your nails are always cute and fun. Cassandra and Keandre's outfits look effortless no matter what they wear." Marie sighs "I don't think he'd care but I guess I am afraid Kaden will think I am as boring as my look." She finishes feeling defeated.

"Girl you are crazy. You look gorgeous and you should feel as such." Cleo says with a serious face. She turns to the girls a smile growing on her face. "What this sounds like to me is that you Marie, need a self-care makeover." Marie looks at her skeptically. 

'You are right Cleo.'  Millie chimes in. 'Marie, I can totally do your nails.'

"Yes, and we can give you tips on styling your clothes so you can add more of your personality to it," Cassandra says pointing between herself and Keandre.

"And I can give you some make-up tips, as well as lend you some. It is the least I can do for you helping me with my hair." Cleo says, she turns to face the other girls. "Come on let's meet in Marie's room in 10 minutes to begin operation: Boost Confidence."

The girls get up and go their separate ways. It looks like the night is decided so Marie goes back to her room. She waits for the girls to come with a notebook in her hand. She wouldn't be Marie if she wasn't prepared to learn. Cleo goes to her room to get some makeup she hasn't used yet to give to Marie. Millie goes to her room to get her nail equipment to give Marie a manicure. Cassandra and Keandre go to their respective rooms to get outfits to give Marie a visual example. Ten minutes later everyone is in Marie's room ready to begin. 

Millie begins working on Marie's nails. They decided on a pastel pink with sunflowers as the design. While Millie gets to work Cleo explains what each makeup item is and does. Off to the side, Cassandra and Keandre are raiding her wardrobe to see how she can style her outfits better. As dinner time approaches Marie has gotten a crash course in beauty and fashion. She has had to learn most things on her own before but tonight she had a support system. It feels good to have people in her corner.

The girls walk to the mess hall, chatting happily. They had a ton of fun and operation: Boost Confidence was a success. Marie is looking forward to showing off what she learned at school tomorrow. This is the first time she has had a relationship with girls like this and she is so happy to be their friend. She can't stop thanking them and staring at her pretty nails throughout dinner. Something about them makes her want to use her hands more often. At the end of the night, Marie goes to bed excited and filled with appreciation.