I'm gonna take on the world

Beauty is just skin deep

Today (outfit 20) like usual at least for the most part we were sitting in Cory's class and he had a present in his hands. And Riley above everyone else wanted to know what was in it. But I knew this lesson before it was even taught. Because I had lived it. The present was beautiful but I'm guessing there wasn't anything actually in it. Like the Trojan horse.

Who wants the present? He asks us. Everyone except Maya and I wanted it. To Cory her not raising her hand was her deciding he was playing hard to get and that he would just give it to her. But then he turned to me. Why didn't you raise your hand Ms. Jack? He asked me.

Because, it's a Trojan horse. I cross my arms. How do you know that? He asks me raising an eyebrow. Because its beautiful and mostly beauty is only skin deep. Nothing is free in life. I had to be perfect for my family to love me and I was not, and they did not. We looked like the perfect happy rich family to everyone but on the inside I was just told to be perfect and if I wasn't I was scolded.

When they died and "Hunter" found me I had to lose something in order to gain something. I had to lose the fake life to gain the real life get rid of the seemingly beautiful and perfect life for one of love and a normal everyday life minus traveling around a lot for his job. I know because I've lived it. Beautiful things are not always real things, they're only there to trick people into thinking they are.

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way Ms. Jack, but Riley open the present. And once she does that's exactly what she found. And Riley was deeply disappointed. You ok? Maya asked her. No, I'm all worked up. She tells us. Oh honey we know you are I pat her shoulder.

Good work Ms. Jack. IDK how you knew that except the fact that you lived it but in Ancient Greece in the city of Troy the Greeks couldn't get in so they built a giant horse and left it outside at night. And what do you think the people of Ancient Troy did? He asked us. They left it there because they thought that they were worried someone was trying to teach them something. Riley said getting all worked up.

No, Riley I shake my head they took it inside and by night fall the Greeks destroyed Troy. Absolutely Ms. Jack. You've studied this. No, sir I've lived it. Why on G-Ds green Earth would someone that acted like they were royalty even though we were just rich.... Why would we want to go anywhere in the woods and go camping? What was their plan? Maybe originally it was to take me there and leave me there.

But a bear came instead our Trojan horse that killed my parents destroyed my what was seen as a perfect life and instead of destroying me gifted me "Hunter" as my caretaker. But nothing in life is free. Observe. You have another present don't you, and Riley you don't want to open it because even though it will look pretty and you think you will have learned your lesson you can not assume that just because one present was beautiful and didn't have anything good inside doesn't mean that both presents are also bad.

You're on a role Farrah you really have lived this story. When was the last time you received something good? A pretty present that did have something good inside? On my birthday and on Christmas or when my caretaker decides to try and spoil me. But I don't ask for anything but if I do or when I do he gives it to me. He gave me his riding jacket when I was 5, he gave me his notebook with all his photography and poems, they're my most prized possessions. But go ahead teach your lesson I encourage him.

Hold on a sec I wanna see where you take this. You're teaching this lesson better than me. Today instead of Farkle time, sorry Farkle we're gonna have Farrah time. Please Ms. Jack take over this lesson. He gives me the present. I take it and go to the front of the room. So, after learning the important part of the lesson who wants to take their chances with this one?! I will. Lucas says.

Once he opens it, the gift is a "get out of free detention" card. Which Maya wanted and told Lucas she wouldn't call him Ranger Rick all week and in replacement she would call him Ranger Roy this week instead. And then turns to Cory and hands it to him. As she dances on his desk. But there's a catch. Hold on there Maya.... I correct her. Mr. Matthews? I question. Yes? Nothing is going to happen to Maya is it?

Riley you were right, both gifts will end up bad. What do you mean Buttercup? What does the card say Maya? I ask her. Card: "Say "get out of detention free" then give worthless piece of paper to Maya and watch her dance on my desk." You were in on this! She says to Lucas. And I'll be Ranger Roy all week he tips his "hat" at her as she shudders with a chilling sound. My beautiful thing from my family is not as beautiful as it seems I just need it as a reminder that it's my past and if I forget it I'll be doomed to repeat it and I don't want that.

My golden locket it looks beautiful on the outside and gives off the appearance of it being beautiful in the pictures but only I know the truth of the smiles behind it. Assume nothing because I can't, I shake my head. I can't assume that now that I'm here I'll stay here forever, or that my caregiver won't suddenly get rid of me because we're not blood and I'm not his daughter or that we'll stay friends because I'm a little piece of both of you I say to Maya and Riley, and I'm mysterious and suspicious.

Later our debate team is going up against our biggest rivals of Einstein academy and Farkle's biggest rival Smackle their debate topic was over school uniforms and to Farkle when we all worked for him in the future our individuality wouldn't matter and that school uniforms took that away from us. Riley said she didn't understand debate and Maya told her she did and Riley was ok with that. Lucas said that he liked debate because it was exploring two sides of the same thing the good and the bad the light and the dark. Where else can you find that?

Then turns to the 3 of us. Oh right, right here. And Farrah is a part of both you so it would be like debating over which one she is more like. But to keep things short Smackle told us that no one should tell us what to where or who to be. And Cory told us that our next debate session would be here and that the topic would be "Is beauty only skin deep?" Which Smackle didn't understand, but was happy that she had won again and Farkle laid down on the floor.

Perhaps a smoothie would take away the sting out of my latest victory? She asked Farkle but he didn't understand that she was asking him out and he has always lost against her. So, she made it more simple in asking if he would like to go get a smoothie with her but unfortunately all Farkle say was her as his arch nemesis. Riley congratulated Farkle even though he didn't win then congratulated Smackle for winning and being smart.

I am sad she told her kind of like a robot. Why? Riley asked her. Farkle and I are perfect for each other? Why doesn't he see that? Why does he like you? IDK if I knew what it was I would stop. Then she asked her something she knew she was going to regret and invited her over to her house. Smackle seemed to really like that. Then Riley tried to hug her that's when Maya and I walked over.

Oh no I've already got one weird friend. What does that make me? You're more like me but kinder like Riley and mysterious. I'll take it. At home Auggie was also sad about Ava who their mother didn't like and he was sad because he thought she was through with him which made Topanga happy because she doesn't like her. But he was upset that she said that they wouldn't be together forever that there would be others. But to Auggie that fantasy was set in his mind because of his parents. Huh, I wonder how many people the idea of Cory and Topanga has ruined? Me! Auggie raises his hand.

In Riley's bedroom.... Why do I have to be part of your campaign to befriend every woodland creature? Maya asks her. Which woodland creature am I? Smackle asked her. You're like a gopher chipmunk thing. And me? I ask her. You're a wolf. (I took the quiz on it I had to know) Maya Farrah Smackle needs our help. Why I ask her? Because she's in love with Farkle. Why? Maya asks her.

But when she wants us to give her a makeover and make her beautiful like the rest of us, that's when I frown and don't want anything to do with this makeover business. You know maybe I should go home. I frown. No, come on stay they beg me. When Smackle doubts they can make her beautiful in 5 secs they turn her beautiful in only 4. I'm pretty? She asks them.

But when she's still talking like a genius she says its a simple fix. I really don't think that's possible. I shack my head. Giggle awesome like oh my gosh. Run that by us again? Maya asks her. She thought by inserting these terms and laughing at everything was acceptable and make her sound different. For example.... E=mc2 Why did you do that? Maya asks her. Like "E" equals M.C. squared then she laughs and says oh my gosh. And suddenly everything makes sense to Maya and Riley.

But I roll my eyes. Smackle listen to me I grip her shoulders looking into her eyes. I know how this ends, I was "perfect" and pretty once but only because I had to be and I hated it. What about everything you just said about not letting people tell you who to be? I asked her. Sure you were nerdy and dorky, but you were your own kind of beautiful and you were smart. I gave up being beautiful and "perfect" to be smart instead but I can't even be smart right either because I can't read and have dyslexia. The one thing I'm good at is art, and Maya is better at that than me. You shouldn't be anyone but yourself.

You see this necklace I show her pulling it out of my pocket. I open it up, that's my mom and dad or were they're dead now I am legally an orphan by definition but those smiles are fake. This is not you. I shake my head. There's nothing wrong with being dorky and nerdy, and smart. No boy is worth changing yourself for. Who cares what boys think? You should only care about what you think and even if you change your appearance doesn't mean you shouldn't stop being smart or start acting like a stereotypical girl. I'm a girl and I act nothing like that.

You've got it backwards Farrah, she tells me. Not being able to read does not make you stupid, having dyslexia doesn't not make you smart, and just because you don't look like a typical girl and because you're not "perfect" doesn't mean you're not also beautiful the way you are. At school the next Lucas wanted to join the debate team but everyone except Farkle saw him as a model or a baseball player but because he's Farkle's friend he wanted to prove against appearances.

And then the 3 of us walked in with Maya wearing Smackle's glasses changing her appearance and Riley told that that we were doing an experiment on how people would treat Maya now that she was wearing classes. And when Farkle told Maya she looked nice the way she was, she thanked him and asked him if he wanted to go out with her, but Farkle thought it was date and we instead brought him outside to introduce him to our new friend and said we thought he'd really like her.

And when we went after school to the bakery Farkle knew that she had no real intention of looking like or being like us but that she was preparing for the next debate, but she thought just because she changed her outer self didn't mean she would change her inner self but the girls had her wearing 4 blue nails and one red one but she didn't know why. She wasn't interested in the makeover she was only interested in winning and Farkle knew that. I can't say I was happy she had played us but I was happy that she didn't really want to change but she just wanted to prepare herself for the debate.

And then Lucas joined us. And he said she looked great and she giggled at him and was surprised that the noise came from her. Then Farkle had him smile at her and when she did was acting all girly and had no idea what was happening to her and then Farkle made him sit next to her and since she was so distracted by Lucas.... Care to tell me what the square root of 36 is Smackle? Farkle asked her. Who cares? She said dreamily starring at Lucas.

Smackle Lucas is on our debate team now. Do you think this will be a distraction to you? He asked her. Should be. She told Farkle. Farkle thought this was great and they left to prepare for the debate. What did you do to me? She asked the girls. I'm broken, I'm pretty, I'm confused. We can turn you back. Riley told her. Oh, I'm not going back! I'm not that confused. She told us. Which worried me.

And at the house Auggie was waiting for Riley to come home in her bay window and Farkle came in. And then Topanga came in. Farkle we have a front door she reminded him. I know I'm her on business. And then the 3 of us walked into her room. We wanted to deal with Auggie's problems first since Farkle didn't have an appointment with us. He told us that he wanted to be with Ava till the day he died and that she was messing with his mind.

But we told him it didn't matter what she said it mattered what she did. Did she break up with you? We asked him. No he had told us. But Topanga assumed that she had broken up with him. Mom that was your first mistake you shouldn't had assumed anything. Yeah, don't you get the home lessons you married the guy? Maya asked her about Mr. Matthew's lessons. And then it suddenly hit her. I married Mr. Feeny. That you did Mrs. Matthew's and I've heard a lot about him.

From "Hunter" she asked me. Yes of course who else? I asked her. So, because he still had a girlfriend and he'd eaten whipped cream and cake Auggie had actually had a pretty good day. And then we talked to Farkle who told us he was feeling tortured. And when we asked him why he told us.... You makeovered Smackle and made her better except you didn't. She's not gonna be her best at the debate. He told us.

And he told us to change her back because otherwise beating her isn't really beating her unless she's her. And Farrah I am the most disappointed in he frowned at me. What why? Because you told your Trojan horse story to us in class and we know what you told us you were like before coming here you should be all for being yourself, and you helped them change her. Before I could argue back and correct him he told Maya she was pretty smart. Even without the glasses? She asked him and he told her yes. And even though I didn't have a part to play in making her up and tried to talk her out of it, it was still post makeover I didn't try to stop her before they made her over.

But when we went to the debate I decided to play a little dress (outfit 18) I put black leggings underneath and put my crown on top of my head and straightened my hair putting my golden locket back around my neck and had my jacket in by bag. I decided anytime someone was not being their selves I would be my past self. This is not nearly as fancy as my parents would've liked to see on me but it would have to do for the lesson I was teaching. That I had a feeling I would keep teaching until everyone always stayed being themselves.

I know that I looked beautiful in my fancy clothing and I had a section of clothes in my closet that were there just for me to wear for exactly points like this to be made. No one liked seeing me this way and no one treated me differently. They knew that I hated being this way but Farkle was disappointed in us for not changing Smackle back and he told her he didn't want to beat her like this and that he hoped she enjoyed being pretty. And she did.

Farkle started off the debate with talking about the Trojan horse story we had talked about in class, and then Lucas told us about how people made assumptions about him that to his friends he had been called a joke and cowboy. But then he told us that he liked school and that he had been called a baseball player that, that's all that people see of him is a pretty face but that he knows on the inside is really what matters because he wants to get into a good college and into a good life. Exabit A visual presentation.... He grabbed my hand and brought me up in front of the debaters....

This is Farrah "Jack" she is mysterious and this was old her life, her parents wanted her to be perfect and they dressed like they were royalty just because she was rich, but what we think of as a tragedy to us was a blessing to her. This locket around her neck.... He held out his hand for the necklace and I took it off as he opened it. Is her family they look happy because they're smiling but she knows that those smiles were fake. A bear killed her parents but they never loved her.

Her caretaker that she lives with now is not fancy or rich and he took her in and saved her from her old life that she never wanted and showed her love and tells her he loves her more than her parents ever did in the 5 years they were together. He bends down and reaches for my bag and takes the crown off my head putting the necklace in the bag and taking out my jacket and my journal. He wraps the jacket around my shoulders. This is not the real her, this is who her parents wanted her to be. In reality this is more like her.

These are not all her photos and not all her poems but she's added to it, and this jacket and this journal are her most prized possessions and she only dresses like this when a lesson needs to be taught to her friends to be themselves she did it once for Riley and now she's doing it for my opponent. I know these things about my friend because I'm more than just a pretty face because I'm a good listener and I listen to my friends when they talk because beauty is not just skin deep. He gestures for me to sit back down.

And then Smackle goes and takes her turn she starts off sounding like a valley girl saying how confused she was that she was totally unprepared and scared. To our team they thought they would win this one and then once they think that she says.... That's what you probably expected me to say. Considering the effort I put into my appearance. She told us that she came to argue that beauty really is skin deep and that she did her own research to prove it that she got compliments from people and that people treated her different that she wasn't pretty but then she was. That the Trojan's had been fooled by how pretty the horse was which had destroyed them. That the army on the inside is what mattered most that sometimes when you change the outside you forget about what's on the inside.

And then she put her glasses back on. Look at you all, you're all deeply beautiful especially you Farkle, and you Farrah. Farrah may not had tried to stop the makeover process but she didn't help to change me she warned me to be myself that changing for a boy wasn't worth it, she told me that she gave up being beautiful and being "perfect" to be smart because she hated how she was. But when she gave up her past self that she hated being she thought that she stopped being beautiful. That she doesn't think she can be smart correctly because she struggles to read and has dyslexia but that doesn't make her any less smart. I ended the last debate with saying that people shouldn't tell us who to be, and I was right. And my friends are beautiful just the way they are.

She beat us. Lucas told his team. And they knew that when she started. Thank you for taking me in I hope we can stay friends she says to Riley Maya and I. We have a lot to learn from each other. Maya tells her. Then we all hug and Riley gives Smackle one of her bows and tells us she continues not to understand anything. Welcome to my world Riley. That's what makes you so beautiful Maya tells her.

At the end when her team has won she asks Lucas in her Smackle way to go get a smoothie with her but Riley tells her to back off and Farkle says she was enjoying her newfound confidence and Maya knew that by flirting with Lucas she hoped to make Farkle jealous. Which was a new one to Lucas. Tell me the truth Farkle if Riley, Maya and Farrah weren't beautiful would you still love them? They're beautiful I never even noticed. And I'm sorry I accused you and doubted you Farrah you and you are beautiful exactly the way you are. And even when you struggle that doesn't make you any less smart. Thank you Farkle I hug him. I'll try to keep that in mind.