The Price of Beauty

Original Version (2016): VII

The doors to the gym blasted open. Everyone turned to see Vince and Eva standing arm in arm at the doorway. They walked down the row and to the middle of the dance floor. After everyone resumed dancing, Vince grabbed Eva, spun her around and kissed her. This was the fifteenth time tonight already, and Eva just wanted it to stop. She couldn't take his kisses, sappy text messages and words any longer.

"Vince...Vince," Eva said to him, pulling away.

"What is it, my beautiful Eva?" he asked. Ugh.

"Can we just dance please?"

"But I'd rather kiss those precious lips of yours."

Eva sighed in defeat. But as she put her arms around Vince again, she noticed Lissa and her friends standing off to the side, glowering. A smile curved on Eva's mouth and she smacked her lips right on Vince. Lissa stormed off.

A couple hours went by. As Eva slow danced with her date, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of loneliness and melancholy. Looking into Vince's fake-loving eyes, she realized just how much she missed him. The friendship they had before was truly special, and Eva felt there was no chance of having it back.

The song ended and Eva gave Vince a sad half-smile as he placed his lips on her again. Everyone turned to the main stage where Lissa now stood in front of a microphone.

"Hey my fellow Dragons! Hope you are enjoying this year's fabulous Ball Night!" she said, with a slight strain in her voice. "As you all know, I was put in charge of this dance and it's been such a wonderful opportunity and I have to say, I think I did the best job out of everyone from the past few years. Of course, it's to be expected."

Eva spaced out as Lissa went on with her superficial and meaningless introduction. She honestly just wanted the night to be over until...

"And now, here is Mrs. Garter with the winners of Ball Night King and Queen!"

The students clapped as the teacher walked up to the mic with two envelopes in hand. She cleared her throat and read, "And the winner for Ball Night King is...Vincent Parker."

Everyone cheered as Vince hurried up the stage and accepted his crown. He flashed the audience a wide smile.

"And finally, the winner for Ball Night Queen...is Eva Farrow."

"What!?" Lissa shrieked. She could not believe this was possible. They had voted for King and Queen a day before Eva had bewitched herself. She couldn't have rigged the votes now...could she?

Eva just smirked at Lissa as she climbed the steps to the stage and had the tiara placed on her head. She nodded in approval as all her classmates bowed and curtsied to the King and Queen, as this was one of Ball Night's traditions.

"No, no! This...this is a load of garbage!" Lissa shouted out, striding up to Eva on the stage.

"You would know that, wouldn't you?" Eva said. The kids stifled their laughter.

Lissa just gave her a cold glare. "You know what Eva? You think you're all pretty and cool now, but we know you for what you really are: a fake. A hideous fraud. Without your magic, you're nothing but an ugly little rat. No one actually cares for you, least of all Vince. Oh, and look at that..." Lissa pointed to the green spots becoming visible on Eva's arms and chest. "I guess you really are too ugly for this world. Both inside and out!"

Eva heard enough. She lifted her hand and levitated Lissa in the air by her throat. Then, with a swift motion, Eva slammed her down to the hard floor below the stage. She felt the scales on her skin grow as the cover-up started oozing off. She grinned and everyone gasped as they stared at her crooked sharp teeth, thin clawed hands, and bulging black eyes.

"Anybody else have something they would like to share?" Eva rasped. Without warning, she pushed back a mob of students into the walls and windows as everybody else started screaming and running out. Eva didn't know why she was doing this. She scanned the room. People were crying, running, screaming, or laying on the dance floor injured. Lissa was unconscious and probably had a concussion. As hurtful as her speech was, Eva knew harming Lissa like this was uncalled for. Yet she no longer seemed to have control over her emotions or actions. She turned to Vince for comfort, only to find him backing away. For the first time, Vince was afraid of her, and that made Eva feel even more hurt and anger.

Eva jumped off the stage and started upturning tables, destroying decorations, and making all of Lissa's hard work go to waste. Eva watched in glee at the chaos she created and cackled her way out the door like the true witch she had become.