I want to be like Ursula [Discontinued]

3 - Beauty Privilege

Our club, the Elite Academy Maidens & Muses, is similar to any other Girl Scouts club at school. This year, we were chosen to organize the annual event for Elite Academy High. Last year, the event was managed by the Elite Academy Astrophysics Club, and it was spectacular. Their preparations and decorations exceeded my expectations, especially the theatrical performance about star mythology, followed by stargazing. Even now, I can vividly recall their play, Fomalhaut: The Lonely Star. Since our club was selected to be in charge this year, Angel, our leader, was determined to go all out. One thing about Angel: in her dictionary of life, the words 'lose' and 'fail' don't seem to exist, which makes me envy her and wish to be like her. She is the epitome of a goddess, seemingly born with countless blessings. Everything she touches flourishes effortlessly. As for me, and perhaps others, I sometimes feel like we are among 'The Forgotten Ones' by God, though I know that's not entirely true.

On our way home after school, Linda and I were discussing what kind of event would be great for this year. Then, we both received a notification saying that Angel wanted to gather everyone to discuss the event, which made us sigh in defeat. We knew our ideas probably wouldn't be heard, considering Angel and her squad. Once I got home, Linda and I said our goodbyes, and I retreated to my room, lost in thoughts about my project—The Makeover Project: Ariel Code 0001. I was giddy with excitement as all the makeup and clothing materials I had ordered online had arrived in a few packages. I locked the door with a loud thump, which sent a wave of concern to my mother downstairs. "Are you okay, love?" she called from the kitchen.

"Yep! I'm very, very good!" I shouted back, eagerly rummaging through the packages. I couldn't contain my excitement, and squeals of joy escaped my lips as I did a little victory dance. Tomorrow, they're going to accept me, no matter what. "Let's begin," I whispered, examining all the makeup products I had purchased.

Linda raised an eyebrow, standing rooted to the ground, as she looked me over from head to toe for the third time before circling around me. She then stepped back and gave me a judgmental look. "Are you really Juniper Vale, the one I know?" she asked, her words crushing my confidence. Could she actually be trying to say I look pretty? Many people said I looked great and stylish today. They couldn't all be lying, right?

"You look... different," she muttered, and my smile grew wider, feeling triumphant. "I know. Amazing and gorgeous, right?" I twirled around and gave a gentle bow like a ballerina, but ended up spraining my ankle. "Juni!" Linda exclaimed as she helped me up. I laughed it off as we made our way to Geography class, closing my locker. "Silly me," I muttered, and she just stayed silent.

"I don't think dressing like this will do you any good, Juniper. You should change before you get into trouble," Linda advised as we walked side by side. "I think I look great," I replied. She stopped, looked me over again, and frowned. "You already look great, but not by dressing like this. Dyeing your hair red like Ariel, wearing a green scaly beaded skirt, and a white sports bra as a crop top? That's definitely against the academy's dress code." Her words hurt me, especially since my best friend didn't support my new look.

"You're just jealous. I'm just as great as Angel and her friends. That's why you're saying these things," I mumbled, and her jaw dropped as she adjusted her round glasses. "Excuse me? That's completely outrageous. I'm trying to help you as your best friend, not out of jealousy!" Linda burst out, but I just flipped my hair and walked ahead of her. "I don't want to be your friend anymore. We're not on the same level anymore, nerd," I said. She stood there for a moment before running off, brushing past me. I felt a pang of guilt. I didn't mean to say that.

When I reached class, I immediately approached Angel and her friends, who gave me the same look Linda had, sizing me up from head to toe. They tried to suppress their smiles and laughter as I greeted them and stood there, hugging my books. "Mind if I join you guys?" I asked, sitting down in one of the chairs. Her friends gave me faint smiles and exchanged looks with each other. Geography class was about to start, but Linda was still nowhere to be seen. Her usual seat was empty, and I couldn't spot her anywhere. I sat down next to Angel, but she just ignored me. I tried to strike up a conversation, but it was like talking to a brick wall.

"Just a piece of advice: your outfit doesn't suit you. But I do like the skirt," she said, opening her book, leaving me speechless. Miss Scott entered the room, and her reaction was one of shock. "What on earth...?" she muttered, looking at me almost in horror.

"Miss Juniper Vale. Come with me. To the office. Now," she ordered, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment as her words drew everyone's attention to me. My face stung from the humiliation, which intensified when I heard their whispers about how my fat was as visible as Bob in Monsters vs. Aliens.

I ended up with detention for violating the dress code, and I couldn't help but feel it was unfair. Angel had worn similar clothes to mine, and she had even dyed her hair blonde, yet she didn't get detention. Was it because her father was a shareholder of the academy? Or was it because she's pretty and a model that everyone loves, allowing her to escape any consequences? This is so unfair.