Once Beauty, Twice Beast

Willow - 1

Willow Nevah Paek.

Ten Years Later.

One.

Spice

Sighing, I looked up at the clock in my Cosmetology Class. It's thin and black arms clicked at every second until I could leave. It was my last day, and I was definitely ready to go home for the summer.

My best friend, partner in crime, Rosey, flicked me in the ear, causing me to turn away from the clock. Smiling at me, her pearly whites were brighter than normal. Her hair was bright pink, and it was in perfect ringlets. Most likely due to her date with her three year going strong boyfriend, Danny.

"Can I help you?" I laughed, flickering her in the nose.

"You were zoning off into lala land." Rose stuck her tongue out at me. I busted out into laughter and earn a stern look from the head teacher, Mrs. Dalor.

"Sorry..." I mumbled, looking down. I turned towards Rose and sent her a smirk. She laughed, and watched as Mrs. Dalor went back to looking as if she wasn't excited to have us leave.

"What do you need?" I asked Rose. She looked up, and beamed at me. "Oh god..."

"Danny wants you to come with me to meet his friend-"

"No. No. No. No. I will NOT go on a blind date!" I quipped. Groaning I tilted my head back, and just couldn't suppress the loud groan that came from my lips.

"Please!" Rose cooed, trying to succeed in making me get annoyed and agree to go on this blind date. "You'll have so much fun! You don't even understand! He's so cute, and out going. Believe me!"

Rosey looked at me and I tilted my head back, and stared into her eyes. She was trying to do the puppy dog face to make me agree, but what she doesn't know is that I grew out of the urge to always agree to her three years ago to that face. We've been friends for way too long to still be able to be dragged in by the puppy dog face.

I rolled my eyes, and heard the last final clicks of the clock. Then the glorious, amazing sound of the bell's loud shrill of freedom.

Springing out of my seat, grabbing my back pack and Rose's arm, I darted out of the room. It was amazing, feeling the wind of the awaiting freedom. I heard the chorus of "We have to hang out this summer!" from all the girls in my class and in the hallways. And my famous line of all, "I'll definitely call you or text you to make plans!"

It was the same routine every year. People that are friends this year won't be next year. The people who talked everyday in class, won't sit next to each other next year. The girls who talked about someone else, will be come the once who are talked about.

It was a never ending cycle.

Except with me and Rosey. We've been friends since I moved here to Balton. It was an instant connection as soon as I made eye contact with her.

Been sharing lunches ever since then. Especially since Rosey had no cooking skills at all. She could burn water, that's how bad she is with cooking.

"ILLY!" I heard someone scream behind me, and I turned to see my other best friend, Lori.

Her blonde hair bobbing behind her as she walked in her heels. I laughed at her. Today she went all out. She had on six inch heels, a black pencil skirts and a bright coral pink blouse. Her hair was back in a tight pony tail that was perfect, just like her make up. Which was always perfect.

She was practically oozing out perfection, and making all the guys in this school drool over her. Especially as soon as she found out she was a women, and was capable of making the boys fall to her feet.

Lori smiled at me, and stuck her little tongue out at me. All because I flipped her the bird, for using the nickname I hated the most. Which was, none other than, Illy. It wasn't pretty like Lilly. It wasn't even nice. It sounded like I was sick. As in, going to croak whenever. Kick the bucket soon.

"Come on, love bug. We have summer now at our finger tips! At our mercy! We can go to the beach. Go to the movies. Go to concerts. Go on dates. Meet people. The Mall! Oh, god! The maaaalll!" Lori gushed, hooking her arm through mine and leading me forward. I rolled my eyes, but kept silent.

Any attempts to tell Lori something different would be obviously pointless. Especially to anyone who knew her. She was the Queen. She had the looks, the personality, and the money. But what was different about her.. She wasn't ashamed of being friends with me.

A nerd who enjoyed reading her books, writing her stories, and keeping to her imagination. A girl who liked to stay intouched with her inner child, and kept herself well updated with the episodes of her favorite show, Once Upon a Time. It only seemed reasonable for Lori to be disgusted to be with me. I wasn't very pretty like her, or very talkative.

I liked privacy. I liked my own space. And I liked being alone.

"You'll love this year. And the boy Rose is talking about, is defintely good." Lori gossiped. "I asked around, and he's pretty well known. I mean, he doesn't really date many girls. But, his one girlfriend is pretty close with him. He broke it off, said it wasn't his thing." Lori shrugged. "He might be gay, though."

I looked at her horrified. Her smile was potent, and it was obvious she was kidding.

"Good to know you aren't." Lori teased. "But, I think you should go on this blind date. He might be something you need to spice everything up in your life."

"Spice is not what I want this year." I mumbled. "I just want peace, and books. Lots, and lots of books." I smiled, thinking of my small collection of three hundred some odd books in my closet and book shelf.

"Illy, you need a life." Lori smiled, and we got onto the bus in practical peace.

A/N: Picture is of Willow. Her friends are the second and third chapter! Leave good comments! :) Bye cupcakes! :)