Becoming Beautiful

Chapter 4

“Come on, we’re going now,” Marissa told me and I nodded, standing up from the chair I’d been sitting in for what felt like eternity.

I still didn’t have a chance to look at myself in the mirror and when I did, I was shocked. My dull gray eyes looked lighter thanks to mascara and eye shadow. My full lips weren't chapped anymore; instead, they were covered with a light lip-gloss. My acne scars were covered with cover up and my face looked clear. It didn’t look as bad as it usually did. My normally brown pin straight hair was curled prettily.

“You like?” Dana giggled as I looked towards my tight skinny jeans. I usually wore looser pants, occasionally (okay, more than occasionally) sweatpants.

I smiled. “Yeah, I guess.”

The tank top was perfect for our all year round warm weather. I didn’t own many tank tops, band tees- sure, but not tank tops. The only ones I had were used as undershirts. “You look very pretty.”

I smiled at Chloe, thanking her. She was the one who chose the outfit, claiming that the mint green of the tank top brings out my eyes. I just laughed in response while the other girls agreed. We got several complaints from Noah about our volume. I told the girls to wait a few minutes while I go to the bathroom and while I was on my way back to the room, I ran into him- literally. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence or the hard hit I took when I smashed into his chest. He was walking fast and had determined strides while I was carelessly throwing my lower limbs around in order to get back to the room. At some point, I was actually dancing back to the room. Instead of apologizing, he continued walking past me and slammed his fist onto his sister’s door- snapping that they need to shut up.

He even disregarded me on his walk back to his room, where he slammed the door loudly. I raised and dropped my eyebrows, unimpressed with his attitude. How can someone be so miserable? Walking back towards the room where the girls were waiting with their bags in their hands, I grabbed my own and shook my head from the bitter encounter.

On our walk towards the back door, which let out near the garage, we passed through the large living room- where Noah was sitting, watching a UFC fight. I watched him for a while as the girls stood around, grabbing their jackets and slipping their arms into them. I bought myself some time to stare at him when I made the decision earlier to bring my jacket upstairs.

His hair was dark brown; it was messy and was tossed around his head carelessly. His eyes were a clear blue and they were cold, like ice. I wonder what happened to make him so… mean. Whatever it was, I wasn't sure if I wanted to know. His legs were outstretched in front of him while his hands supported his face as he leaned over slightly. His eyelashes were long and they created shadows across his face. His lips were full and a light pink color, pouting slightly as he stared at the screen. His nose was straight and his skin was pale, like porcelain. I’m guessing someone didn’t get out much.

“Kenna!” I whipped around to see Marissa staring at me, her eyebrows raised as a smirk decorated her face. “Although staring at my brother may seem fun, I think a party sounds better, don’t you?”

Honestly, no. I’d rather stare at your mysterious brother who just so happens to be gorgeous rather than be surrounded by drunken idiots. I began to stutter before I gave up speaking and followed the laughing girls out of the house but not before giving one last glance towards Noah, who was glaring daggers at me. I hastily turned around and closed the door behind me. I’m guessing he isn't such a big fan of me.

>>

“Don’t get drunk, Kenna, we’re counting on you to bring us home. Just in case anything happens, call my brother.” She quickly texted me Noah’s number and my eyes scanned my phone’s screen. I have Noah Rivers’ phone number.

“Have fun, but not too much fun,” Chloe replied, giggling slightly. The other girls laughed before splitting up, walking in separate directions, leaving me to stand alone in the center of the living room, between a bunch of drunken people.

I groaned. Remind me why I even agreed to this.