The Model Project

Chapter 14

"So, would you like to go out with me sometime?" L.J kept her voice soft, yet firm and laced with confidence.

"We can go see a movie, or go have lunch?"

L.J wanted to laugh at herself as she flirted with her reflection in the mirror, trying to come up with lines to use on Roy. It was an hour before school started and her hair was straightened and down, and her makeup was done by Willow again. The makeup wasn't very extravagant, but it did make a huge difference in her eyes, and on her lips. She was currently wearing a pair of high heeled boots, a black mini skirt and a tight camisole. She didn't really think, that it fit her all that well, and that this was her style, but she went with it anyway. Maybe people will look at her differently if she looked different.

"L.J!" She heard someone yell downstairs and she, slowly, made her way down to see who it was.

She opened the door, to reveal all the boys standing there, waiting for her.

"Good mor-" Cameron was about to greet her, but his eyes scanned her body and his mouth fell open at what he saw.

"Wow, L.J" Aaron says and grabs her hands walking into the house with her. He makes her spin around once, and then looks at her up and down for a few seconds.

"You look great" He says, and she nods, trying to feel the excitement he felt.

"Thanks, Aaron" She says, and he smiles at her, giving her a side hug.

"What do you think, Shane?" Aaron asks him, since he hasn't mentioned anything since, he saw her. He averted his eyes to floor, not looking at her, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh, yeah, great" Is all he says, his words broken, and not making any sense. L.J gave him a confused look but ignored it and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

"So, are you ready to show the rest of the public your great look?" Cam asks her, and she nods, with a smile.

"Yeah, just kind of nervous" She voiced her honest feelings and, tried not to throw up.

"Well you don't have to be" Aaron says and then smiles at her.

"By the way, I like it when you wear your hair down. Who knew you had such long hair?!" He teased and L.J chuckled at that. She was shocked by how long her hair had gotten as well, since the last time she trimmed it.

"I think we should start heading to school" She says and grabs her bag, heading out the door, and getting into Shane's Jeep. Cam stopped Shane at the door, latching onto his arm with a tight grip.

"Hey, man. You should say something to L.J, about how she looks, alright?" Cam's voice was serious, and it took Shane by surprise for a second, throwing him off guard.

"Yeah, I'll do it later" Shane says wanting to leave, but Cam tightens his grip.

"I mean it" He says, giving Shane a very serious look.

"Alright" Shane says, and walks to the car. Shane didn't want to say anything to L.J, because he didn’t feel like he should. He felt uneasy about this whole thing, and he didn't really like the new L.J they were trying to create. He knew that he agreed to help her, but the more she started to change the more he started to feel weird about it. He pushed those thoughts aside and started the car as Cameron got in the backseat next to Aaron. The entire way to school, Shane couldn't help but glance at L.J in that short skirt. He knew guys were definitely going to be checking her out and he didn't like that idea at all, yet he didn't know why. Maybe it was because she felt like a sister to him, and because he holds her very dear to her heart.

"Shane, are you coming?" He felt a small, soft hand on his shoulder, and snapped out of his daydreams, looking at L.J halfway out the door, realizing they were already at school. They all walked into school, just like any other day, but today, people weren't looking at them, but instead they were all gawking at L.J. Shane looked around, and saw girls whispering amongst each other, and guys smirking as they pointed at her.

"Whoa, L.J you look great" Someone walked up to her and complimented her. A lot of people started greeting her and started giving her compliments, and Shane was shocked by how many of them didn't even know L.J. He looked at L.J and scanned her expression, which seems to be one of shock, and slight excitement. He was glad that she felt good, and that she enjoyed it and it slightly put him at ease. He didn't know why her felt so uncomfortable with L.J dressing up like this, but he kept ignoring the feeling hoping it would go away.

"Alright, I have to go to class" L.J says and quickly hugs all the guys, saying goodbye, and walks off to her first class. Shane kept staring at her back the entire time, until she disappeared around the corner and he couldn't see her anymore. He shook his, resting against his locker and sighed. Aaron looks at him with a raised eyebrow and steps closer to him.

"What's up man?" He asks Shane and puts a hand on his shoulder for comfort.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just not used to her new look yet" Shane says, and Aaron nods mulling it over in his head.

"You'll get used to it, just give it some time" He says and then walks off to class. Shane thought about that for a while and nodded to himself. He just had to get used to how L.J looks now, and everything will be fine.

"She is still the same L.J, Shane" He reassures himself, and strolls to his class, repeating that one phrase in his head over and over.