Tonight's a big night for me, Marsha announced to her family, who was gathered at the dining room table, I have a date with the cutest boy in school! His name is Mark Ruthers he asked me out just this morning! Marsha beamed as she said this, and then scooped another spoonful of mashed potatoes from the bowl in front of her.

Marsha always has the dates. All the boys love Marsha everybody loves Marsha. Me, I'm Nobody. Who would date me? Jan twirled her ratted blond hair around her finger in thought.

And how was your day today, Greg? Mrs. Brady questioned her oldest son.

Terrific! I found out that I have an A in math!

Jan thought back to the day before. Of course, I got a C. Who cares that I brought it up from a D-? What am I but a shadow in Greg's perfect light?

The Brady family continued their stories right down the line, each Brady child producing another wonderful event that occurred during their day. Then came Jan's turn.

Jan, I got a call from your teacher today she said you skipped class. Is this true? Mrs. Brady turned a disapproving glance toward her daughter.

Yeah, that's right. Skipped class. Skipped all my homework assignments not like it matters anymore, Jan thought bitterly. She didn't say this aloud, but instead replied,

Yeah I wasn't feeling so well, so I went for a walk outside for some fresh air. Jan looked down at her plate guiltily.

Jan, that's the third time this week! This has got to stop. With that, Mrs. Brady stood up and began to help Alice clear the dinner plates from the table.

9:00 PM, time for bed. Marsha sat on her bed carefully smoothing out her long, flaxen hair with a soft brush.

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. Little Miss Pretty. I'll show her! Jan walked into the bathroom and closed the door. She took a bottle of black hair dye that she'd bought that day from her pocket, and then set it on the bathroom counter. Taking Marsha's favorite bottle of Shampoo from the tub, she unscrewed its lid and emptied the contents into the sink. Grinning, she then opened the bottle of hair dye, and poured it into the Shampoo bottle. Screwing the lid back on the bottle of Shampoo, Jan smirked. She put it back in its rightful place, left the bathroom, and sat back on her bed to begin combing her own gnarled, pale blond hair.