The Transformation

Chapter 10

I was just putting the finishing touches on my makeup when I saw Jake coming up the driveway in a tuxedo. I finished quickly and grabbed my shoes. I came downstairs to find my little sister talking to Jake. My older brother was giving him a look that said 'If you hurt my baby sister, you will end up in the hospital.'

"Hey, Jake. Ready?" I waited by the front door.

"Yeah." He stood up and make a wide arc around my brother, while I rolled my eyes.

I didn't live too far from the school, so we walked to the formal together. I tucked a stray piece of hair back into my bun. It was a braid that was twisted and pinned into a bun shape, nothing fancy.

"You look beautiful." Jake told me when we were a block away.

"Thanks. You look handsome." I replied.

"Thank you." He held the door open for me.

I went inside and was shocked with what the student council had done with the gymnasium. It looked like winter had moved into the gym. My jaw dropped as Jake led me inside.

"Shocked?" Jake closed my mouth.

"A little." I sat down at a table.

Kati and her date joined us and we chatted for a bit. I was truly having a good time, even though Jake insisted on showing me off to his teammates.

"Who's ready for the dance-off?" The president of the student council said into the microphone and everyone cheered.

"Do you want to do it?" Jake whispered.

"Sure. If you want to." I said.

"You can only dance with your date. Last couple standing wins. Nothing gross or inappropriate. Leave the dance floor once you are eliminated. Good luck." The president announced.

Jake and I walked onto the dance floor and stood across from each other. The music started and I immediately started to dance. Jake followed my lead. One by one couples were eliminated until it was only is and one other pair left dancing.

"Jake, throw me then catch me." I said softly.

"I'm afraid that I'll drop you." He had a look of terror in his eyes.

"I'll be fine. I'm a flyer for a reason." I told him, while glancing at our competition.

Jake looked so nervous, but he picked me up by the waist. I flew into the air and smiles. Luckily, he did catch me. I looked around and saw that the other pair had been eliminated.

"Our winners of this year's dance-off are Jake and Vanessa." Someone's voice blared through the speakers.

"I can't believe we won!" I hugged him.

"Me either." Jake got out and I released him.

Everyone applauded for us and we returned to our table with Kati. I smiled and talked to her for 5 minutes. Then everyone was silenced for the announcement of the Snow King and Snow Queen.

"The Snow King and Snow Queen for this year's winter formal are..... Jake and Vanessa." The student council president read off of a piece of paper.

"We won?" Jake dragged me onto the stage.

"Yeah. We did." He replied.

They put a delicate diamond tiara into my hair and set a heavy looking crown onto Jake's head. The student body cheered for us, except for about 3 people. Jake led me down to the dance floor for a slow dance.

"How do you like the formal?" He asked as the song played in the background.

"It's a lot of fun." I said, smiling.

"Great." We continued to dance.

Once the song had ended, Jake and I sat back down. I didn't bother getting up unless I had to. Before I knew it, the winter formal was over. I was genuinely disappointed. Jake walked me him in silence.

"I guess I'll see you at school then." I adjusted the tiara in my hair.

"See you then." Jake smirked slightly.

He kissed my cheek and left. I stared after him, thinking of what to say, before going inside. I assured my brother that Jake was a complete gentleman. I went upstairs to change out of my dress.

I looked into the mirror to wash off my makeup. The girl that I saw staring back at me was nothing like who I would have seen a month ago. I was no longer Vanessa, the invisible nerd. I had become Vanessa the Snow Queen.

Odd as it was, I was proud of my transformation and wouldn't change a thing.