This was it. Finally, my week long dream was about to come true. Or at the very least, the necessary steps were at last being implemented. I could feel the butterflies of nervous excitement trying to flutter from my stomach in any direction they felt fitting. In mere minutes my make over would be complete and I would be gorgeous. Gorgeous enough to get me a boyfriend and more specifically, an Aiden.

My sister had decided to make up for ditching me the evening before for what had turned out to be a date 'waaaaay too hot to refuse' by waking me up far too early for a big day of change.

"Get up lazy bones," I had heard a voice call me from a distance.

"Mmmffffggggnnn," I replied into my pillow.

"This time, try English," the voice, against my wishes, came at me again.

"Go away,"

"No."

"VAL!!" I cried as the covers were torn away from me, leaving me to curl on the bed, shivering and not quite conscious.

"Twenty minutes. Be in the car. We're going to get your make-over."

I squinted against the morning light and watched as my sister left my room, taking the doona with her as a precaution against me falling back asleep.

I had done my best, despite my semi-conscious state, to shove myself into some decent clothes, but it clearly hadn't been enough for my sister who sent me back to my room twice to change.

"I know we're getting you a make-over today," she shook her head as she locked me out of the car until I was more presentable, "but that doesn't mean I'm looking for a challenge here."

When I had finally chosen an outfit deemed acceptable to be seen in public, we were on our way.

The next how ever long it was being dragged around the shopping centre were, in all honesty, just murder. I'm not a great shopper on the best of days, but hungry, sleepy and mildly disoriented were not great enthusiasm boosters.

After what had seemed like an eternity, Val had finally stumbled the salon she was looking for. She explained what we wanted, found me breakfast and produced a make-up container, desperate to prevent me from further embarrassment. Early morning hideous is fine, but once peak hour shopping commences, drool, sleep and smudged, day old mascara are no longer classed as socially acceptable.

And now, sitting here all fed, made up and groomed, I was feeling far more optimistic about today's mission.

"Okay," the lady behind me announced with a few final snips. "Make-up: check. Hair: perfection."

I was seated looking away from the mirrors and gulped. This was really it!

"Are we ready, Beautiful?" The hairdresser grinned at me.

Oh My God, Yes!

I nodded weakly and my chair was swivelled around to face the mirrors.

I stared at my reflection as she stared straight back.

"I look…" I tried to keep my smile in place but failed, "exactly the same," I finished blankly.

I could feel the disappointment seeping in. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! I was supposed to pull my hair from its pony tail, give it a quick cut and colour, or take off my glasses, splash a little make-up on my face and go from plain Jane to stunner in a matter of Hollywood minutes. I was supposed to completely transform and have guys drop their girlfriends' shopping bags when I walked past in the aisle. Perhaps I would be ordering my lunch at the food court when an incredibly good looking guy would come up and offer to pay, just because he now found me so attractive!

I was not supposed to look exactly the same for the price of a few hundred dollars.

"No, no," the hairdresser rushed to her own defence, "We've taken off some length..."

An inch? Maybe Two? Three would definitely be pushing it.

"…and layered the ends to a bit to give it texture…"

My hair was already layered.

"…and we've added some blonde highlights to really make it pop…"

On my already blonde hair??

"You look just stunning, my dear!"

You are a crook.

I gave a fake smile, "Oh, yeah. Thanks. I love it."

I paid at the register and walked stiffly outside to where I met my sister. Val took one look at my expression and rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on Blake," she shook her head and stood up off her seat. "What did you really expect? A haircut that shaved off several kilos? One that lifted your cheekbones? Or maybe one that added a bra size?"

I couldn't help but let out the pout that had been tugging at my lips since I was turned to face the mirror.

"I don't look any different! It's hardly a make-over if nothing is made over."

Val let out an exasperated breath and reached over, running her hands swiftly through my hair. "It's much softer now. That's something."

"That's because it's clean."

"Well, it's very shiny."

"It's full of product."

"Blake! I did not come here to listen to you bitch. Your hair looks great, now shut up and buy me lunch."

I tried to stop sulking as my sister and I headed over to the food court, but I couldn't help to notice the distinct lack of males dropping their bags at the very sight of me. I did, on the other hand, notice the quantity that paused to mentally grope my sister and her ample chest.

"I knew I should have dyed my hair," I muttered, glaring and her gorgeous chocolate locks.

We arrived at the best sushi bar in town and took our time choosing. I am a huge fan of sushi - it's my all time favourite meal. My sister pointed out what she wanted and before I could argue, walked off to find a table, leaving me to order and pick up the bill.

Once ordered, I paused a moment to allow a good looking man to offer to pay for my lunch.

He didn't show.

I cursed my sister and the 'hairdresser' and paid for the two meals myself.

"You know," I said sitting down at the table my sister had claimed as ours, "traditionally, if you eat half the food, you pay for half the food."

"I'm sorry," Valarie said, reaching over and taking what was hers, "you must have me confused with someone who is not helping you steal your best friend's boyfriend."

I poked my tongue out at her.

"Hey, not many people would be on your side, Blake." She raised her eyebrows and gave me her best mother voice. "Be glad I am."

"You're my sister. I think I am genetically entitled to have you on my side."

"Tell that to Annie Wilkins," Val replied with a soft snort.

"Annie Wilkins," I tapped my chin thoughtfully, "now where do I know that name?"

"She's our neighbour."

"Oh. Well what does she have to do with us?"

"Her sister set her up with her husband."

"Annie Wilkins isn't married."

"Exactly. Turns out Annie's sister just wanted an excuse for the Almost-Mr-Wilkins to notice her, so she helped her sister meet, greet and date, before running away with him two days before the wedding."

"Tragic as that is Val, it absolutely nothing to do with me."

"No, I'm simply pointing out how great I am as a sister. At least I'm not helping you with the intention to claim Aiden as my own two days before you get married."

"Val, three things. One: I'm in high school; I just want a boyfriend, not a husband. Second: I'm pretty sure it's almost illegal for you and Aiden, what with the age. And Third: shut up."

"Alriiight, I'm just saying..."

"Yes I know you are, and I'd really rather you gave it up."

Val rolled her eyes, took a huge bite of her lunch and then sat watching me with an annoyingly smug, all knowing gaze.

We finished our meal in silence.

"Right," Val said when she was done, "time for new clothes."

"New clothes? What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with your clothes."

"I'll say!" I snorted. "If there was I wouldn't spend half my life pulling them out of your closet."

It was true. My sister and I are fairly similar size wise, minus the fact I'm a great deal taller than her and her chest size is far more than I could even dream. It didn't stop us sharing. Sorry, let me rephrase: it didn't stop my sister stealing from me.

Valerie gave a non committal shrug.

"So... then why do I need some clothes? How will this help me win Aiden?"

"It probably won't, I've been dying to get a hold of this cute little black number though. I'm just lacking the funds. You, however, have more than enough AND-" she raised her hand as I opened my mouth in protest, "-it will look stunning on your long frame."

"Are you abusing my trust?" I peered at her suspiciously.

"It's about confidence, Blakey," Val rolled her eyes. "Who doesn't feel better in a new outfit? You want it to show off good taste, your great figure and your ability to look hot."

We shopped for another ungodly amount of time. I think part of the reason was the fact that everything I tried on that I liked had to be tried on by my sister. She said it was so we were sure that we weren't being fooled by the in store mirrors. I think she just wanted to make sure she would be able to get the most out of 'my' new wardrobe.

"Alright," she said once she was convinced we were now well provided for. "We've got the clothes, the shoes, the make-up, the nails and the hair. The final necessity: a new scent."

"Why?" I gave myself a subtle sniff. "What's wrong with the way I smell?"

"Nothing," Val rolled her eyes. "But it's important for a girl to have a signature smell. Science has proven that when I guy falls for a girl, he learns to associate her perfume with his affection. So much so that no matter where he is, if he smells that same perfume, he will immediately think of her."

I stared at her. "That was very intellectual."

Val shrugged "The important thing to remember is that smell alone can keep a guy… interested."

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

I stared back at her blankly.

"It can turn him on, Blake."

"Right, so are you saying my smell doesn't turn Aiden on?"

"Maybe, maybe not. He's too used to it anyway. It's only fitting that a new, sexy you comes with a new, sexy smell."

I fingered my 'new do' and rolled my eyes.

"Since we're visiting and you're covering my expenses-"

I opened my mouth to protest, something I seemed to be doing a lot.

"-as per our agreement," she raised an eyebrow, "you should probably know that I am in DESPERATE need of a refill."

I sighed, resigned. "This is going to be expensive, isn't it?"

"I'm not going to lie to you Blake," my sister rested a hand on my shoulder, "it really is,"

When we finally made it home, I was tired, frustrated, disappointed and poor. I won't lie, it wasn't exactly a list of words I had expected to put in the same category alongside "make-over". My early mid-morning optimism had been crushed. Aiden had never seemed so far away.

"So what do you say," Val asked, ignoring my misery as she held up my new dress against her body, "shall we head out to Katz Club tonight to show off the new and improved you?"

"You mean the exact same girl who smells a little bit different?"

Val grinned.

"The one and only!"

"I'm tired."

"No you're not. That's the old Blake talking. The New Blake is outgoing, social and more than willing to let her sister break in this gorgeous purple number."

I sighed and reached for one of my many shopping bags.

"Do I even have a choice?" I looked up at my sister hopefully.

"Not eeeeven a little."

A/N:

Hi Folks,

Back after a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong pause. I have reasons, I have excuses. Truth is: I got bored. But I'm back, I promise, so let me know what you think!

Hope all is well,

K