Skylar had always felt like she was invisible, hiding behind her plain looks and awkward demeanor. She was the girl nobody noticed, the one who blended into the background. That was until she stumbled upon a makeup tutorial online. The transformation was like magic, and Skylar was hooked.
She spent hours watching videos, practicing different techniques, and experimenting with various products. Her small room was cluttered with cosmetics, brushes, and tutorials scattered everywhere. Her family would often tease her, but Skylar didn't care. She was on a mission to reinvent herself.
As she applied her makeup, Skylar felt a strange sense of liberation. She was no longer just the invisible girl; she was becoming someone new, someone beautiful. She practiced her new look in front of the mirror, smiling at her reflection. The confidence boost was exhilarating.
The next day, Skylar decided to wear makeup to school. As she walked down the hallway, she felt like a different person. Boys stared, girls admired, and Skylar felt like she was on top of the world. She was no longer just a wallflower; she was a butterfly emerging from her cocoon.
But there was one person who didn't seem to care about Skylar's new look - Tariq, the school's resident heartthrob. He was handsome, charming, and talented, and Skylar couldn't help but feel drawn to him. She had seen him around school, but they had never really spoken. Skylar assumed he was out of her league, anyway.
As she was applying her makeup in the school bathroom, Tariq walked in and caught her off guard. He didn't seem to recognize her at first, and Skylar panicked. But to her surprise, he smiled and introduced himself.
Skylar's heart skipped a beat. Was this really happening?
Meanwhile, another guy, Khalid, was watching from afar. He was the school's bad boy, with a tough exterior and a soft heart. He had noticed Skylar before, but he had never seen her like this.
Who was the real Skylar, and what did she want?
As the day went on, Skylar found herself caught between Tariq's charming smile and Khalid's intense gaze. Little did she know, her life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter 2: The Unexpected Encounter
Skylar's heart was still racing from her unexpected encounter with Tariq. She couldn't believe he had actually talked to her! She replayed their conversation in her head, analyzing every word, every smile. Was he just being friendly, or was there something more behind those piercing eyes?
As she walked to her next class, Skylar felt like she was walking on cloud nine. The hallways were bustling with students chatting, laughing, and snapping pictures. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the cafeteria, mingling with the sweet aroma of fresh flowers from the nearby florist. Skylar loved this time of day, and today felt different, like the sun was shining brighter just for her.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Khalid standing in front of her, his arms crossed and a scull-emblazoned backpack slong over his shoulder. His black leather jacket creaked as he shifted his weight, and Skylar's eyes snapped up to meet his.
"Hey, you're the makeup girl, right?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, like a gentle summer breeze.
Skylar's cheeks flushed. She felt like he'd seen right through her, like he knew her secret. "Uh, yeah... that's me," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Khalid's gaze lingered on her face, making Skylar feel like he was seeing right through her. "You look different today," he said, his voice lipped with curiosity, like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Skylar's mind went blank. What was she supposed to say? That she was the same girl who'd been invisible just yesterday? That she was trying on a new persona, like a pair of jeans, to see if it fit? She settled for a simple, "Oh, I, uh, just..."
Khalid raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to finish her sentence. But Skylar couldn't find the words. Luckily, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. The shrill sound jolted her back to reality.
"See you around, Makeup Girl," Khalid said with a smirk before sauntering off, leaving Skylar feeling like she'd just been caught in a storm.
Skylar let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. What was with that guy? First Tariq, now Khalid? She was used to being invisible, not the center of attention.
As she took her seat in class, Skylar couldn't help but notice Tariq sitting across from her, chatting with his friends. He caught her eye and smiled, and Skylar's heart skipped a beat. She felt like she was floating, like she was a bird spreading her wings for the first time.
But when she glanced over at Khalid, she saw him watching her, his expression unreadable. A shiver ran down her spine. What was going on? Was she really ready for this?