Burned (Beautiful Mess) by S.C. Rosemary, S.N. Hawke Page A

rolled her eyes. “But it turned out that she didn’t need it at all,” she said proudly. “This,” she gestured her upper body, “runs in the family. I gave her my bracelet instead.”
    “That’s a more appropriate gift,” I commented.
    “Now, you are putting them on,” she put the box on my desk.
    “No, why?” I watched the box out of the corner of my eyes.
    “Because all men like boobies!” She took the box from the desk and stepped closer to me.
    “But that’s vanity.” I felt back against the wall.
    “Vanity shit! You can say that on your philosophy essay, but you are not getting any boys with that brilliant brain of yours, are you? I am helping you to bust your chance. Just let your breasts pop-out a bit, you need to give guys a sexy impression,” she put the box in my hands.
    Vicky was not going to let me walk out that door if I didn’t put those things on. I couldn’t believe I really let her persuade me. But it was true I needed to increase my chance to get a boyfriend since I had a statistically 0% success rate.
    Shaking my head, I put those gel pads in my bra and adjusted them. The pads felt cold and a little bit sticky but they did stay in place and fit in the bra. I took a look at the mirror. Now my curve was fake and perfect.
    “Ah, don’t you look fine!” Vicky cheered. “I knew you are a beauty underneath those old rugs. That’s it. You are wearing this dress no matter what tonight.”
    “I looked fine anyway,” I mumbled. The weight of the pads in the front was strange. This was going to make walking on heels even more “fun”. Nevertheless I appreciated Vicky’s support. I needed it. 
    ***
    Ethan texted me just after 7:00 P.M. He picked a place I was familiar with this time – the student library only two blocks from my doom. I sighed in relief. Then I realized I was going there with breast enhancement pad and Vicky’s dress.
    I usually went to the library with my comfortable sweatshirt. Wearing anything other than that to the library was definitely out of my “comfort” zone.  But it was spring time, and girls on campus were wearing colorful dresses everywhere. I figured it would be fine for me to go the library in this dress.
    I walked slower than usual after I got out the dorm. I didn’t want to trip on my high heels because of the extra weigh on my chest. The pads itself didn’t really weigh a lot at all but the mental weigh I put on them were messing with my balance. Vicky told me these were lucky pads and warned me not to take them out or I would be out of luck. I was worried about the opposite, walking as clumsy as I already was.
    I entered the library as quietly as I could. Students actually studied here. I was thankful that the floor was carpeted so my heel didn’t make much noise. But something strange was happening. People were noticing me. Their glanced over me and their stares lingered. Weird, I was not even with Ethan this time. What was so interesting to stare at? A thought chilled down my spine. Did something wrong happen to my pads? I kept walking and quickly looked down at my chest. Nope, they were in position and well hidden.
    “Dude, look.” I heard someone whispered as I walked passed a group that was clearly freshmen.  I looked over them and saw the guys looking at me, drooling. Oh my gosh, I was having the Vicky-Effect. I broke eye contacted with the boys and walked on. Vicky was right. This make over thing was working. I picked up the pace. I couldn’t wait for Ethan to see me.
    I walked all the way to the study rooms at back of the library, enjoying the cheerleader-passing-through treatment. Ethan was already there. He had his cellphone to his ear, talking to someone. I walked toward him and let the dress swing with my steps. His gaze met mine and he looked stunned for a second, just as I expected. I smiled at him.
    “I will call you back,” he said and hung up the phone. “Dana,” he opened his arms and rushed toward me.
    “Hi,” I