Surviving my Scholarship

Paralyzer

              I slipped into the pink party dress that Mrs. Galloway insisted I should wear to the party. I'm not sure why I still had to go. It was obvious they weren't giving me the scholarship. I glanced in the mirror and smiled at my reflection. It fit me well. I twirled allowing the frills to flow up making a small fan around me.

                A throat cleared behind me and I stopped my twirl. The fabric knocked against my legs in protest. I smoothed it back in place. I glanced up at Jon shyly before fixing the skirt again.

                "You look nice," Jon complimented. "I'm sorry your door was open."

                "What can I do for you," I asked still a little embarrassed at being caught.

                "Oh... um.... I wanted to give you this," Jon held out a small box. I looked down at it as if it was something I didn't recognize.

                "I know you weren't happy with brown. So, I thought maybe this would be better," he explained placing the box on the small table near the guest bed with a shrug. "I'll see you later, Ms. Graddon."

                I walked over slowly and took the box lightly in my hand. Another change. I walked over to the mirror and slipped on the contacts. I smirked at my new color. It was a little better. The honey glow would look great with my fake hair. I tried to burn the new image into my brain before twisting my hair up and forcing on the wig.

                The small rap on the door forced me to turn away from my reflection. Mrs. Galloway squealed at the sight of my dress. She walked over holding her hands out to me. I gracefully stood up from my little bench seating and walked over to her. She gently took my arms and glanced down at me.

                "Look at you," she encouraged. I forced a smile. She was trying. "Won't you two just look adorable tonight?" I shook my head in disbelief. Still trying to play matchmaker even after all she's seen.

                "Alright, you get my stylist team tonight," she cheered as she turned around motioning them through the door. The younger woman and pink-haired man approached as if I was a Beast of the Old World. I smiled at them encouragingly before turning around and glancing back at my face.

                "I don't want to set you back," I tried to get away without these two. Mrs. Galloway placed her hands on my shoulders with a soft smile.

                "Don't worry about me," she sang. "I will get mine done when they finish with you. You won't take as long with such natural beauty." The two behind her gave me a different opinion. Their body language screamed rudeness and disinterest.

                They worked in silence. The male played with my hair. He frowned as he first touched it and I looked at him through the mirror. My secret was out.

                "Relax doll, no one shows their actual hair anymore," he waved my concern off and pulled out an odd device. After a few minutes my hair was placed in sophisticated waves that made me look older. It brought out my cheeks and rounded my face a bit. He nodded in success before packing up and heading out the door.

                The woman held up various shades of color and frowning. After what seemed like an hour she finally held out a light pink. It brought out my natural shades on my face. She finished quickly thanks to her Wandoff v2.0.

                This nifty little device, invented by famous stylist Madame Pedigree, was a programmable wand. It scanned your face and then provided the makeup coverage programmed. Instead of taking hours to cake on the makeup like those of the poorer regions, this took seconds. My favorite part was if you didn't like it afterwards simply reverse your wave and it took it right off. I could never afford one though.