Beauty and the Geek

Camilla snapped her head up and looked around. She was aware she had fallen asleep again, as she pulled the airpods from her ears. She rubbed her eyes, then again, finding it difficult to get things in focus. What the hell...

She could just about make out a pair of thick glasses on the desk, and on a hunch she put them on. Immediately her vision became clearer.

"I don't wear glasses." Camilla muttered to herself, "Definitely not these monstrosities." shaking her head in confusion, her eyes suddenly fell on her body. "Did someone... change my clothes while I was asleep?!" she exclaimed. While she had been wearing a top that only just obeyed the school dress code and jeans that cost more than most of the teachers even could afford, Camilla was now in a lumpy jumper of assorted colours, and a threadbare black skirt. Even her shoes were different, her designer heels changed to off-brand sneakers.

Camilla grabbed her bag and hurried from the library. She passed the janitor, a thin man in a striped jersey, face hidden by a battered old hat, as he mopped the floor.

"No running in the halls!" he rasped.

"Screw you!" Camilla shouted in reply, storming into the girls bathroom.

Examining herself in the mirror, Camilla was dismayed at what she saw. Her outfit looked like it cost about two dollars to put together, and she was wearing a hideous pair of glasses that she found she could see almost nothing without. Even her hair was tied back in a tight ponytail. She released it, but found her hair appeared to have been cut haphazardly by someone who had only a minimal idea how, so she tied it back again. Possibly the most distressing find was when she noticed a glint of metal in her mouth. She leaned in closer to the mirror. Braces? She hadn't worn braces in five years!

Camilla leaned her head against the mirror and sighed. It was maybe concievable that she could have been so deeply asleep that some malicious person had managed to change her clothes in the library. But she could not possibly have slept through major dental work, not to mention somehow altering her eyesight and giving her a bad haircut.

The bell suddenly rang out, and Camilla stood up straight. She had a class to get to, where she would find her friends, who could help her get to the bottom of this. She hurried from the bathroom, and up the corridor.

She saw Jenny and Ashley deep in conversation, and headed straight for them.

"Something bizarre is going on!" Camilla exclaimed. The girls looked at her with undisguised contempt.

"Yeah," Jenny replied, "you're talking to us."

"Well, of course I am." Camilla replied, confused. "I always do."

"Maybe." Ashley conceded, "But we don't talk to you."

The girls walked into the classroom and Camilla followed. They made their way to the back row, where she always sat with them... Then she froze. In her seat was Mary, but not Mary. She dorky girl was wearing designer jeans, and a top which emphasised her cleavage while being just on the safe side of risque. She was dressed like Camilla. And she was surrounded by Camilla's friends and admirers.

"Hello, class." a middle-aged woman dressed in a red and green striped wool dress entered the room, "I'm your substitute teacher, Mrs Kreager. Please take your seats."

Camilla looked around for somewhere else to sit, she had to make it through this class and then figure out what was going on.

"Not you, Camilla, dear." Mrs Kreager smiled, "It's time for your oral report."