Enchanted Secrets by Kristen Middleton Page B

couple of places in the mall that are hiring. I’m going to see if mom will drive me this weekend to fill out some applications.”
    I put my book down and stared at my pudgy toes, which hadn’t shrunk one bit.
    Potion, right.
    I sighed. “Yeah, you know, I’d like a job, too, but there’s no way I’m working in a clothing store or boutique.”
    “Why not? Then you can get discounts on clothing and stuff.”
    “I don’t really care about clothes. You know that.”
    “Well, whatever. Maybe you can get a job at a bookstore or something. What about that shop you visited today? Are they hiring?”
    An image of Tyler and I working together in the shop popped into my head and my heart fluttered. I closed my eyes and smiled. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I woke up earlier the next morning; a little intrigued about what I’d find when I looked in the mirror. Unfortunately, the same lumpy body stared back at me. I closed my eyes and groaned.
    Come on, what did you expect? There’s no such thing as a magical potion to lose weight.
    “What’s wrong?” asked my sister, walking into the bathroom.
    “Nothing,” I sighed.
    “Mom said it’s going to be really hot today,” she said, putting her dark hair up into a ponytail.
    I pulled out a strappy sundress from the closet that hadn’t looked too bad on me in the store and put it on.
    Kala nodded in approval when she saw me dressed. “That looks good on you.”
    It was black with lime green and white dots.
    “Thanks.”
    “Let me do your makeup?” asked Kala. “I’ll make you look gorgeous ,” she drawled.
    I bit the side of my lip. “I don’t know. I usually don’t wear makeup.”
    “I know but maybe you should live on the edge for once , sis. You have beautiful eyes. Why not accentuate them a little more?”
    “Okay, but don’t make it too obvious.”
    She smiled wickedly. “When I’m done with you, the guys will be hypnotized by your sultry eyes.”
    I smiled wryly. “I’d settle for them just shutting their mouths and leaving me alone.”
    “Believe me, when they see you, their mouths will be open and they’ll be panting.”
    Right…
    I sat down and closed my eyes, trying not to chicken out. When she was done applying some kind of grayish-blue shadow, dark liner, and mascara to my eyes, she squealed in delight. “Wow, you look pretty, girl.”
    I looked in to the mirror and smiled. My eyes were definitely more… intense.
    “It looks pretty good, thanks,” I said, standing up.
    “Pretty good? You look amazing!”
    I didn’t know about that, but I had to admit, I looked better than I would have thought.
     
    ~~~
     
    When we sat down for breakfast, my mom eyed me curiously. “Wow, look at you all dazzling this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with makeup.”
    I shrugged. “It was Kala’s idea.”
    “Well, you look very pretty today. Your dress looks nice too, I’m glad I picked it out.”
    “Actually, I picked this one out,” I said. “You didn’t like the dots.”
    She smiled. “Well, I was wrong. The dots are working.”
    “Mom,” said Kala. “Mark’s driving me home again from school. We’re stopping at the library again.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “What’s with this new interest in the library? I didn’t think you even liked to read.”
    Kala’s face turned crimson. “ Um, we are working on this project for school.”
    “You already have a project for school and have only been there for one day? What kind of project is it?” she asked.
    “Oh , my God, look at the time,” said Kala, pointing to the clock. “We’re going to miss the bus if we don’t leave now. I’ll tell you about the project later, okay mom?”
    “ Sure. I can’t wait to hear about it,” she answered with a wry smile.
    I followed my sister outside. “Project? Right. I’ll be t you’re creating your own little project in the back corner of the library.”
    Kala