The Beauty Project

Chapter 4: Popular?

Sophomore Year, August 31.

‘I don't care, I love it! I don't care, I love it!’

My eyes shot open. I checked my phone as I turned off the alarm. 4:30 in the morning. An hour and a half to get ready for school. First day of a new year, a new chance.

A new me.

I went to the bathroom and washed my face, pleased to see my face was clear. I guess touching it so much really was the cause of all that acne.

Next, I plugged in the brand new Chi straightener Ginger had forced me to buy on our shopping spree last weekend.

I grimaced at the thought. $500 I had been saving since I was a kid, right in the toilet after all she made me buy. It's not like I made much money to begin with. And I couldn't ask Eliza for any. She did plenty by letting me live here in the first place.

Gently, I pulled my frizz up into a pony like Ginger had shown me, and took a piece. Here goes nothing.

To my surprise, out of the other end of the metal, it came out perfectly smooth, and feather soft. I smiled, and did the same with the rest of my hair, before moving onto makeup.

In the last few months, I had actually become pretty good at doing makeup, and it showed. Using techniques I had discovered without any help, I managed to make my eyes bigger, and cheeks more angular.

All that only left me with about fifteen minutes to be out the door. Quickly, I turned back to my room, and rummaged through the pile of shopping bags.

Ginger had told me and I quote, "Eliza's pretty and all, but she's SO much older than you. If you want to look hot, you have to buy the right clothes."

"Which means?" I had asked, and she smirked.

"The smaller and tighter, the better."

Which is how I ended up wearing a pencil skirt and tight ruffled shirt that probably cost more than my entire tuition. But what I saw in the mirror made it all worth it. A small (but still, could be smaller) girl, with noticeable curves that weren’t just fat. I looked.. dare I say.. hot.

Suddenly, I heard the familiar vroom of a bus engine. Shoot. I was going to be late. I attempted to run out the door, only to trip on my wedges as I grabbed my backpack.

"Tanya!" Eliza turned from where she was frying eggs, looking concerned. "Are you okay?"

"The bus is here," I answered, dusting myself off and going out the door.

Luckily, stragglers were still getting on the bus. I speed-walked to it, knowing now that running in these shoes would be a miracle.

By force of habit, I avoided all eye-contact as I looked for an empty seat.

Of course, I sighed.

Being the last bus stop, all the seats were full except one. One that was occupied by none other than Kyle Parkington.

My heart jumped into my throat. He would be so pissed if someone like me had to sit with him. He was the quarterback for the sophomore team. He was homecoming king last year. He was one of- if not, the most- popular boys in school.

And me? Well, let's just say my only hobbies were eating, and, well, eating.

Quietly, I asked, "Um, excuse me, can I sit here?"

His long, blonde hair covered his eyes as he bent over his iPhone. "That depends," he answered, not looking up. "Who are you?"

"I'm.." I faltered, squatted in the aisle by him so the bus driver would think I was sitting, and would go. "I'm Tanya. Tanya Michaelson?"

He looked up, saying, "Wait, aren't you that fat chi-" He stopped, finally seeing me. I felt kind of uncomfortable, to be honest. His blue eyes grew wide as he looked me up and down. "Holy s**t," he murmured.

"So, can I sit here?" I asked, my legs threatening to buckle soon. And I was not getting my fifty dollar skirt dirty before I had even walked into school. No way.

He seemed to snap out of it. "Um, yeah, sure," he said, scooting over. Then a smirk grew on his face. "You're hilarious, you know that?"

"Um.. thanks?" I answered, super confused.

"I mean, to think I actually thought you were that fat chick. She's so gross. I heard when she runs, you can see the fat jiggling on her legs."

I just stared at him for a minute, trying to hold back tears. Is that seriously what they thought of me? I could barely croak out my response: "What?"

"Awe, babe," he said sympathetically. "I know you feel bad for her, but she brings it upon herself."

"I do not!" I said angrily, and he shot back.

"Wait, you're really Tanya?" He looked shocked.

"Yes!" I said, looking anywhere but at him. At least when I was fat, people kept their opinions to themselves.

"Oh," he said, not even apologizing. Instead, he put his arm around me, and whispered in my ear, "In case you haven't noticed, you're super hot now. So, if you ever need anything.." Before I could respond, he had already reached into my bag and pulled out my crappy phone. He punched something in it, and put it back. "Give me a call." He winked, and I blushed, despite all the things he had said.

I mean, I had never really found him that hot before. His personality, and constant teasing, kind of ruined that. But now that I had a chance to really look at him, he actually seemed pretty cute. Cuter than Finn?

Well, I peeked at him through the curtain of my hair, and saw his gorgeous eyes glued to my legs.

At least he hadn't friendzoned me.

"I.. I forgive you," I said. And in a way, I kind of did. Everything he said was pretty true, so I couldn't be too mad at him for mentioning them, right? Besides, he, one of the most attractive guys in high school, had just called me hot. And I think, offered to have s*x with me. If he treated me this way, who knew how everyone else would respond? Would I actually be.. popular?

If the way Kyle kept staring at me was any indication, the answer was yes.