Jason was four years older and at 18 he masked a manlier aura then boys her age. Ever since she was a small child Chloe had been fascinated with Jason, following him around like a lovesick puppy. He was always kind to her and last week, at the Country Club, he had told her to save him a dance at tonight’s formal. The dance was for students of Miss Eden, showing off their skills. Miss Eden helped children of the high society become miniature adults and she groomed them to perfection. Jason was an old student and while he would not be attending the dance, he promised to make an appearance for his sister. Jason was home from college and was most likely going to spend the evening at the Club’s bar. When Jason has whispered his request in Chloe’s ear a shiver had been sent through her body and Chloe’s mind had been numb ever since. “Chloe did you hear me?” Nella was looking at her friend with curiosity, “I said that you should wear your hair up, it adds to elegance, and a hint of makeup.”
Chloe smiled at her friend who had a wonderful fashion sense, “Thank you Nella. What would I do without you?”
Nella just rolled her eyes and smiled, “I am going on a date with Kyle tonight although I do wish I could help you get ready.”
Later that evening Chloe thinking of Nella’s words of wisdom as she began to dress. Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she picked up a maroon floor length dress. She sighed and stepped in zipping the back. Turning around to look into the mirror Chloe could barely contain her shock. On the hanger the dress had looked ugly but on her the dress just looked hideous. The neckline was high, barely exposing any skin, and the straps were thick. It was an amazement her father allowed sleeveless. The dress itself would not have been bad if in fact it was a simple maroon, but it was covered with gaudy white flower print and hung straight instead of fitting her body. Chloe was so engrossed in staring at herself she did not hear Miss Ellis enter and spun around in shock after she spoke, “You look---“
“Ugly.”
“No dear, you look lovely.”
“Miss Ellis please, I know you are just trying to be nice. I just do not understand why my father won’t allow me to wear a dress I want, or at least one that a teenager would wear. This one looks like something you would wear—no offense.”
“None taken my dear.” Miss Ellis smiled at the sulking Chloe as she moved to help her with her hair, “In fact I have a dress very similar to it.”
Chloe let out a small chuckle, “And I am sure it looks wonderful on you. Can you please put my hair up tonight and help me put on some light makeup?”
“Chloe, I’m not sure your father would like that.”
“Please,” Chloe begged and Miss Ellis obliged. Thirty minutes later Chloe stood in front of the mirror, slightly happier at her appearance. Her hair was pulled loosely back with strategically placed butterfly clips. A few wisps of hair hung down, shaping her face as they curled slightly, falling right above her shoulders. Her eyes were accentuated with mascara and a hint of blush colored her pale cheeks. A maroon lipstick softened her lips. “Not perfect but definitely an improvement.” Chloe picked up her small handbag and headed downstairs.
“What do you think you are wearing?” Her father’s voice boomed as she reached the bottom step.
“This is the dress you picked---“
“I am talking about what is on your face and what you have done with your hair. You are 14 and you should not go around looking as if you are 18. Go upstairs and change!”
Chloe knew it was hopeless; her father would not back down. Begrudgingly she started for her room as tears began to fall from her brown eyes. She wiped them away quickly when she heart a faint knock on the door. “Come in.”
“Chloe why didn’t you tell me!” Nella stood at her door with fury in her eyes and a small overnight back at her side.
“Nella! What are you—I thought you were with Kyle!” Chloe started toward her friend.
“Chloe, I had a fight with him—I was going to come help you and hopefully stay the night,” she lifted her overnight bag.
“I wanted to tell you, I really did, but—“
“But what? You thought it was fun to befriend a poor spanish girl is that it? Look, I don’t need to be a pity case—“
Chloe flung her arms around Nella, tears falling uncontrollably, “NO! It’s not that at all. No one will talk to me at school. You seemed so nice and I didn’t, I didn’t want to loose that. I’m so sorry. Really, I am.”
Nella broke into a small smile as she hugged her friend tighter, “It’s ok. I guess I would have done the same thing too.” She pulled back slightly surveying her friend’s outfit, “Why are you wearing a dress that makes you look like you are 50?”
Chloe giggled softly as she pushed the tears away, “My father. He picks out my clothes. It’s ‘elegant’ rather than ‘trashy’ like the clothes girls our age wears and I can’t wear my hair up or makeup!”
Nella felt a twinge of pain for Chloe as she quickly reached to open her bag, “Well you in luck. I can turn any pumpkin into a beautiful carriage—not that you are a pumpkin,” she added quickly.
“It’s ok, I understand. You are referring to ‘this’” Chloe modeled her dress as she nose wrinkled in disgust.
Nella really did work wonders. Twenty minutes later Chloe left for the dance with a newfound self-confidence. The maroon lipstick was hidden in her purse, waiting to be applied and her hair, although down, was clipped in small bunches with the butterfly clips. Although the dress remained hideous, Nella had lent Chloe a black chocker which directed eye contact elsewhere.
Nella smiled as Chloe walked outside excited about the prospects of dancing with Jason. She had agreed to stay the night, and wanted to hear the juicy gossip but in the meantime she had a room to rearrange. Chloe wanted her childlike bedroom to be miraculously transformed in three hours and Nella was set for a challenge.