The Big Day

The first thing Laurie did on Saturday morning was switch her phone off. She couldn't bear the thought of reading messages from a boyfriend, knowing what she was going to do later. The next thing Laurie did was open a bottle of prosecco, and down the first glass. Then, Laurie drew out from a draw the bottle of peroxide she had bought the previous week. If she didn't want to be recognised, it was time for a makeover.

A few hours later, Laurie admired her new look in the mirror. She had never pictured herself as a blonde, but it gave her a very different energy, and a smile crept on to her face. The bob wasn't right for the colour though... Laurie rummaged around for a couple of ties, and pulled her hair into two pig tails. She laughed aloud at her reflection: she looked so different!

Over the next few hours, Laurie applied more make up than she had ever even owned before, and the wine bottle slowly emptied. Bright pink gloss coated her lips, and thick mascara rimmed her eyes. By the time she was ready, Laurie felt transformed - she doubted even her family would recognise the quiet, nerdy girl they knew and love as the painted bimbo she had disguised herself as. She couldn't resist a quick selfie in the cheerleader dress: just a memento, she reassured herself. Then she sat down on her bed, and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for Dan to pick her up.