The World is Ugly, but You are Beautiful to Me

Chapter 20

"You'll never believe who just called for you! It was Chelsea! See, I told you she would forgive you! She's such a lovely girl, isn't she. Why don't you act like her?" My mum gushes. "Oh, and I'm going to drive you to her house in about an hour, she said it was okay."

I want to run away and hide in my room. I completely forgot about Chelsea, and here my mom is, acting like she's the president. My eyes shift to the clock. It's six o'clock, and Chelsea had told me be ready at eight.

"Oh, yeah," I mumble, "we made plans to go out tonight for my birthday."

"That's wonderful!" My mum exclaims. I nod and flash the best smile I can muster.

"I'm gonna get ready," I announce, backing away to return to my room. My eyes scan my closet and I have no idea what to wear. I don't even know where we're going. I sigh and pull out a simple purple dress with a bow in the back. I put it on and tie my hair into a messy bun. I could care less if I look bad.

I walk around my room at least six times to make sure that I have everything I could possibly need. Once I'm sure I do, I emerge from upstairs and wait patiently for my mum to drive me.

*

Chelsea greets me at the large doors of her mansion. A tight, sleeveless black dress hugs her hips and doesn't pass her thighs. I hear my mom pull away, leaving me alone with the girl.

"Follow me," Chelsea says, leading me up a marble staircase. At the end of a long hallway is a normal door, and I couldn't be any more surprised when she opened it. I had expected a pink, fancy room and lots of flowers and glass. Instead, I find a spotless area with pale blue walls and twinkling Christmas lights hanging on the walls. On one wall is a large collection of records.

"Wow," I breathe, astonished.

Chelsea shyly looks at the hardwood flooring. "No one from school has ever seen it before," she admits. "I only go to other peoples' houses."

I smile. "It's beautiful."

"Thanks." Chelsea awkwardly glances about her room. Her eyes dart from my dress to her bed. Confused, I look at the simple white comforter and notice a dress almost identical to hers. I don't do anything; I wait for her to talk. "So, I got you out this dress, cause I thought it was nice and since it's your birthday.." She explains.

"Okay," I respond. Normally, I would've taken her comment as an insult to my outfit. This time, however, I decide to give it a try. I take a hold of the dress and make my way to the bathroom on the other side of her room. The dress fits me perfectly, making me look slimmer. I love the simple teal design on it and it's not as showy as the one Chelsea is currently wearing.

I walk back into her room. This time we both have smiles on our faces.

'You look great," she compliments. I thank her and she insists on doing my hair. Thirty minutes later my blonde locks are curled and the front section is pinned back. For once, I feel confident and maybe even pretty.

The clock strikes eight, and Chelsea suggests going out now. I agree and follow her outside, climbing into her black Mercedes. The drive is silent, yet there is no tension at all. I don't even bother to ask where we're going.

I don't know how, but I've actually enjoyed the past hour. Chelsea has been so nice, and I returned the favor. We got along so well, it seemed like we had been friends and never hated eachother. It's weird, but I like it. She treated me so much better than Madison ever had.

Sooner than I expect, Chelsea pulls into a lot packed with cars. 

"Where are we?" I ask. She doesn't answer, but instead she grins at me. I shrug and follow her inside, cutting through the long line. 

As soon as we step inside, I want to leave.