Copy and Paste (a plastic surgery short story)

i. beautiful

December, 2015

RINGG!

"You're so pretty!"

Dohee's eyes abruptly opened caused by both the home time bell and ear-piercing exclamations and squealing. She blinked to see the whole female population of her class surrounding something she thought was sarcastically 'oh so amusing'. That was until Nara and Soobin stepped back.

"Areum?" Dohee stood up from her seat not realising she dropped her books out of her lap.

"DOHEE! I just came by to show everyone my new appearance!" Areum hurried over excitedly and hugged Dohee.

Was that my best friend? Areum looked different. No, beautiful just like her name. Dohee blankly examined her facial features for a long time.

She had a tall, long nose bridge, which was previously flat. She had huge double eyelids, which were previously mono-lids. She had a small v-shaped face, which were previously chubby and that Dohee would squeeze whenever they ate lunch.

"You look so...beautiful," Dohee faintly smiled.

Dohee was happy for her friend, except that she was just Dohee Jung. She still had Areum's old facial features but felt like she was deviant. She wishes she came from a rich family like the others in this prestigious school she attended and that she could fit in. Everyone looked attractive just like the idols on TV except for her. She wishes she was Areum and that she can get plastic surgery. With most of her family's income spent on getting her to a good university, that is, due to South Korea's view on the importance of education, on top their overflowing debt, she will never be able to.

"Okay, so in the morning I found out my parents were taking me..." Dohee ignored Areum talking about her day and began overhearing the students' conversations as they walked through the corridors.

"Hey, how much is it?...Oh that's cheap!...I'm getting my nose done tomorrow...I've saved up my allowances for a whole year and I finally got plastic surgery!..." The words became louder and louder as she listened in. They became hallucinations of fingers that threatened and picked on her face. Everywhere she looked, everyone looked the same. Everyone was good-looking.