Sometimes I would go over to the park that was across the road, and sit there on the bench, and take notes about a new story I would be planning to write, or just sit and think about a new idea. But sometimes, I let myself dream of other things besides writing. I sometimes drempt that I could be beautiful, popular and have a boyfriend. It was just a dream I knew, and I didn't feel sad because I loved myself the way I was. I wondered what it would feel like to look in the mirror in the mornings, and see someone beautiful, like my mom. I wished with all my heart that some nice, good-looking boy would one day look at me, and like me, and want to be with me. I had so much love inside, and I wanted to share it with someone speical. This was my only secret dream, but I could not even write it down. So I would let myself daydream about it for an afternoon, and then try to completely remove it from my mind. But it wasn't that easy. Because the more I grew up, the more I longed for love.

One day, it was a holiday, and so I had no school and my mom didn't have to go to work in the morning. So she asked my if I wanted to do something together. I was thrilled about the idea of spending the whole day with my mother, and so started preparing things right away. We decided to go for a picnic in the park. In the afternoon, we sat on my favorite bench, and started talking. "So how are things at school? I know you are getting good grades because I have seen your report, but I want to know about the other stuff you and other girls do in school." I shrugged, and said. "I'm not like the other girls mum. I have a couple of friends with whom I spend lunch hour, but other than that I prefure to be left alone, and write a story."

She smiled. "You always loved writing, ever since you were a little girl, but there are other things out there besides writing. You should be out with your friends, and having fun. After all, your sixteen only once, and never again in your life will you get the chance to have the fun that sixteen year old do. There is something really special about being sixteen, and thats the age that most people look back to when they are older. So I want you to have beautiful memories to look back to when your older." I looked at her. "But I don't feel like partying out all night, mum, and getting drunk, and doing all the stuff the other girls do." "Have you ever tried it?" she asked. I shook my head. "Well you should. I'm not saying you should start drinking, but there's nothing wrong, if maybe once you drink a little too much, and start laughing about the silliest things, just as long as you don't drive."

I got up from the bench and sat down on the grass. "I don't know. Maybe I should, but then I don't even know how to party." Mum leaned closer, and asked. "Well why don't you start by doing something simple, like going to the school dance next week? I know there's one coming up, because many girls have come into the parlor talking excitedly about it." I stared at her. "Come on mum, I'd rather die than do something like that. The school dance is not something simple like you put it. It's the toughest ordeal and girl has to go through. I can't go. I've never been out, and I'm not going there, making a complete fool of myself. I wouldn't even know how to act." My mother smiled. "Well maybe you should be yourself. Just be this beautiful, amazing girl you are."

I sighed, as I lay down to look up at the sky above me. "I know mum, that inside I am this beautiful girl, but on the outside I am nothing but a geek. And you know I can't go to the school dance looking like this. You said it yourself, most girls have come to your place if work, to make themselfs even more beautiful for the dance. How do you expect me to go looking like this?" My mother said nothing, just smiled. We stayed like this for a few moments, she looked at me, and me staring up at the clouds above. "What are you thinking?" she finally asked. "Looking up at the sky, I am thinking that someone up there, beyond the clouds, in a parallel world, there is another me, who is just as beautiful on the inside, but who has a gorgeous exterior too. I know she exists somewhere, but I live on this plane, and in this reality, this is who I am."

My mother stood up then, and helped me to my feet. She looked straight at me and smiled. "Alison, you are forgetting one this about this plane. In this reality, you have a mother who can do literally anything for you to see you happy, but who also happens to be beautician. I want you to come to my work tomorrow, and we will transform you into this beautiful girl that you dream you would be. I want you to go to this dance, and I am not going to take no for an answer." I stared at her, not quite believing if I was hearing right. I could be beautiful? Well, it was worth giving it a try, anyway. I hugged my mum, and could only whisper a soft thanks. I was so happy.