The Price of Beauty

V

Eva went to the kitchen to get some breakfast, light and carefree, as if nothing in the world could really bother her. She sat with her bowl of milk and Choco Crunch cereal, then realized she had left the spoon on the counter. Eva groaned, too lazy to get up and walk two feet to get the spoon. She wished she could just will it to fly over to her.

With that thought in mind, the spoon suddenly flew off the counter and shot straight toward Eva.

"Gah!" Eva shrieked, raising her hand to defend her face. But the spoon landed safely into her open palm instead.

"Whoa," she gasped. Did I really just do that?

Just then, Eva's parents walked into the kitchen, talking about something work related. Her mother had been chuckling, but as soon as her eyes settled on Eva, the smile disappeared.

"What's this?" her mother asked, bewildered at her daughter's new look.

"What did you do to your face?" Eva's father added in a mix of shock and growing anger.

Normally, Eva would start whining an apology while excusing herself from the room as fast as possible like a little mouse. This time, however, was different. Eva scrunched her face and shot both her parents a dark and ugly glare.

"What do you care about it?" she snapped.

Mr. and Mrs. Farrow gaped incredulously at this sudden change in attitude. Eva stood, giving them a better look at her tight blouse and short skirt. "I look good," she stated.

"Good?" her father bellowed, "No no no, you look like you were just picked up off the street, that's how you look!"

Eva scowled.

"Eva, where did those clothes come from?" Mrs. Farrow demanded. "And where are your glasses?" She paused. "Are...are you wearing makeup?"

"Duh," Eva replied. Shouldn't the black around my eyes be obvious enough? Idiot.

Her mother's eyes flashed angrily. "Eva, answer me. Where did all this come from?"

Eva shrugged. "It was in my closet this morning."

Mr. Farrow rushed in front of Eva, making her stumble back and hit the table behind her. "Are you trying to be smart with us?" he growled in her face.

Eva couldn't help but gulp, almost feeling like her mouselike self again. It pissed her off, and her fury boiled high. This is stupid. I'm changed! I'm better than this now, better than THEM. She glared her father in the eye defiantly.

Mr. Farrow squinted, studying his daughter's face in confusion. "Wh...Where's--Is your skin...?" He touched her forehead to feel for the bumps that were normally there. Eva slapped his hand away.

"EVA!" her mother cried.

Eva got away before her father could grab her. "God!" she howled. "I'm almost sixteen but everyone keeps acting like I'm some stupid kid that can't do anything! I don't need to be bossed the hell around! I do what I want! And if you can't handle it, too freaking bad! You're just gonna have to deal with it."

Eva's parents looked like the ceiling had just caved in.

Her father edged closer, snarling through clenched teeth, "You little brat. You speak to us like that again, I'll--"

"You'll nothing," Eva affirmed, and with a wave of a hand, her parents were no longer able to speak.

Having lost her appetite, Eva upturned the bowl of milk so it spilled across the table and tossed the open cereal box on the floor. She then grabbed an apple for lunch and waltzed out the door, leaving a mess for her mute parents to clean up.

~~*~~*~~

Students moved out of the way, gawking at Eva as she walked confidently down the school's hall. Whispers exchanged among the girls while the boys stared longingly at her when she passed them.

Eva thought with a smirk. Psh. These morons were laughing at me yesterday, but now I have the power to make them bow down and kiss my feet if I want.

She eyed Vince, who was walking rapidly toward her from the opposite direction. Lissa trailed behind, confusion plastered on her face.

"Eva?" Vince asked. He took her dainty little hands in his, gazing at her like she was the only person in the crowded hallway.

Eva smiled brightly, her heart racing with joy. "Hey," she replied, pretending to be coy.

"Wow, you're....wow. I almost didn't recognize you at first. Damn you're hot," he told her.

Eva ran a hand through her hair; she just couldn't stop grinning. "Oh god, thanks," she said, giggling.

"Come to Ball Night with me?" Vince asked eagerly. Lissa gasped.

Eva's lips formed a devious curl. "Yes. I would love to," was her answer.

"Um, what the hell?!" Lissa screeched.

Eva gave her a smug smile. "Oh Lissa. Didn't see you there," she said. "You're ruining our moment so..." And with a swat of her palm, Eva sent Lissa flying back into the wall, knocking her into a trash can that toppled on the floor with her on impact.

Everyone in the hall shrieked. Lissa sat up, horrified, and covered in disgusting garbage.

"A pile of trash, Lissa," Eva remarked. "So fitting. Who's too hideous for this world now?"

The students backed away from Eva fearfully. Whispers and mutters of "dark magic" and "witches" ensued. Vince hardly noticed anything, as his eyes were only on Eva the entire time. He suddenly pulled her toward him and kissed her. Lissa's lip trembled.

Eva's heart soared and her head pounded with adrenaline. Oh my god, I'm kissing him! I'm kissing Vince! I can't believe I'm kissing Vince!

The kiss would have gone on longer if not for the bell's blaring ring. Eva pulled away, smiling up at her new beau. So this is what happiness feels like. She took Vince's hand and stalked down the hall.

"Move!" she barked at the crowd, satisfied to see immediate obedience.

I could get used to this, Eva thought. As she walked down the hall, hand in hand with Vincent Parker, a small scaly patch grew at the base of her neck.