After a wild party spirals out of control, a group of teenage boys are forced to attend an elite all-girls school as punishment, where they must learn discipline and respect. While they initially see it as an opportunity to be surrounded by girls an...
The common area was a flurry of activity, with makeup palettes, curling irons, and jewelry scattered across every surface. Dylan sat rigidly in a chair, his gaze flicking between the girls who buzzed around them like excited bees. Marcus, Kyle, and Aaron were seated nearby, all in various states of transformation for the Debutante Ball. It was Friday afternoon, and Dylan had barely made it through a gruelling week of rehearsals, fittings, and endless schoolwork. Now, just hours before the ball, all the boys were trapped in their common area, becoming someone else entirely.
Dylan felt the pressure of Sophie's hands against his scalp as she teased his hair into shape, the weight of extensions pulling at his roots. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize the person staring back. Long, voluminous hair framed his face, and Sophie was busy layering foundation on his skin. The makeup felt heavy, suffocating, like a mask he couldn't remove. He forced a smile, though he wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.
"Just a little more blush," Sophie chirped, swirling the brush over his cheeks. "You're going to look amazing, Dylan."
"Thanks," Dylan mumbled.
Aaron, sitting stiffly in the chair next to him, was in no better spirits. Olivia was applying eyeshadow to his lids, despite his clear discomfort. His hair was teased into waves, and the glittering eyeshadow made him look almost doll-like. He wasn't taking it seriously, of course, but he didn't fight it either. His eyes caught Dylan's for a moment, rolling with barely concealed frustration.
"This is insane," Aaron muttered under his breath, though loud enough for Olivia to hear.
"You say that now," Olivia teased, adding another layer of eyeliner. "But just wait until you see yourself all dressed up. You're going to be the belle of the ball, Aaron."
"Yeah, sure," Aaron grumbled, wincing as she added mascara to his lashes. "Can't wait."
Across the room, Marcus was clearly enjoying himself. Emily was chatting away as she applied his lipstick, and he responded with genuine curiosity, asking about makeup techniques and colors. He seemed oddly at peace with the whole transformation, maybe even excited about it. Dylan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at how easily Marcus embraced the role. For Marcus, it wasn't just an act; it was something more.
"I'm thinking a soft pink for the lips," Emily suggested, holding up a tube of gloss. "Something subtle but pretty."
"Go for it," Marcus replied with a grin, leaning forward as she applied the gloss. He smacked his lips together, admiring himself in the mirror.
Dylan glanced over at Kyle, who was quieter than the rest, barely speaking as Hannah added extensions to his hair. He sat stiffly, almost as though he was trying to disappear into the chair. When Hannah handed him a mirror, he barely looked at his reflection before setting it down.
Dylan couldn't blame him. The process of it all was exhausting, not just physically but mentally. They had all managed to avoid makeup for most of their time at Crestwood, thanks to the school's dress code. But tonight was different. Tonight, the mentors were making sure to go all out—full glam, long hair, and everything in between.
"Almost done," Sophie said, stepping back to admire her work on Dylan. She placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling brightly. "You look perfect."
Dylan forced another smile, the word 'perfect' ringing hollow in his ears. He didn't feel perfect. He felt like a stranger in his own skin, layers of makeup and hair separating him from who he really was. But he couldn't break character now. Diana had to shine tonight.
The final touch came when the girls brought out the gowns. Each boy had been handed the gown they'd ordered during their boutique visit, carefully preserved in garment bags. Dylan unzipped his, revealing the elaborate dress within. It was beautiful, no doubt—a floor-length gown with a fitted bodice, and a flowing skirt. But as he ran his fingers over the fabric, the dress felt more like a cage than a masterpiece.
He stepped into the gown, the heavy material clinging to his body as Sophie helped zip him up. The fitted bodice tightened around his chest, and the skirt swished around his legs, making him feel every inch of its presence.
"Ugh, gorgeous," Sophie said, adjusting the sleeves on his shoulders.
Dylan glanced at his reflection in the mirror, seeing a version of himself that wasn't real. But he smiled anyway, letting Diana take the lead.
"Thanks," he said softly.
Aaron was struggling with his own gown, fidgeting as Olivia tried to help him adjust the fitted waist. "This thing is ridiculous," he muttered, pulling at the fabric.
"Stop complaining, you look gorgeous," Olivia teased, smoothing out the wrinkles in his skirt.
"Easy for you to say," Aaron shot back, though his voice held a tinge of humor.
Marcus was already spinning in his dress, admiring the way the fabric flowed around him. "This is amazing," he said, beaming at Emily.
Dylan exchanged a glance with Kyle, who had barely said a word. They both knew they were in for a long night.
Once their gowns were on, the girls added jewelry and spritzed them with perfume, giggling as they complimented their handiwork. Dylan endured it with as much grace as he could muster, though every piece of jewelry felt like another chain holding him in place. The perfume clung to him, a scent that wasn't his, another reminder of the role he was playing.
Finally, they were ready.
The group stepped outside into the glowing light of the setting sun, the cool air brushing against their skin. The boys, now dressed in elegant gowns, heels clicking against the stone pathway, felt every eye on them as they walked across campus. Dylan's dress swished around his ankles, the fabric heavy and restrictive. His heels made each step feel like a balancing act, and he could feel the weight of the night pressing down on him.
"Can't believe we're doing this," Aaron muttered, adjusting his dress as they walked.
"Just smile and wave," Marcus joked, twirling once more in his gown. "We're practically royalty tonight."
The mentors watched from afar as the boys glided across the garden, their gowns flowing behind them, proud of the transformation they had crafted.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
