The next morning, Odette theorized how to become someone that people felt drawn to and wanted to hang out with. Someone more like Beth.
Her best friend was right. Odette couldn’t spend her days reading her books and forgetting about having a social life. Why couldn’t she be more outgoing like Beth?
One can’t change people's habits. Odette knew that. But love wouldn’t fall into her lap, she had to fight for it. Modern men didn’t care if she knew Emily Dickinson’s poetry by heart. They didn’t care if she spoke five different languages or knew the constellations' names and if her favorite flowers were sunflowers. Being top of her class and helping at the local charity center wasn’t something guys cared about. Still, nothing changed from the old days. Men continued to like pretty women who dressed to impress and knew how to have a conversation if it revolved around the guy’s life and dreams. Odette needed to adapt and pretend she belonged amongst her peers.
Looking at the time, she realized her free period was over and hurried to class. A girl pointed at her vintage dress and laughed. Hardly any girl on campus wore a dress unless it was cut short, and Odette’s was ankle length. Between that and her old-fashioned framed glasses, it was no wonder why hardly anyone of the opposite sex noticed her.
It was fine. In the past, she wasn’t seeking attention. Now, she knew she had to change to live as the heroine of her own story.
In class, she saw Beth wave at her from the back. Her friend didn’t take this course.
“What are you doing here?” Odette sat beside her. “You better not be planning to cause trouble. We have a test coming up, and I plan to be focused on my notes.”
Beth rolled her honey-colored eyes. “I’m here to talk to you, but I had to wait for you to arrive. Why are you late?”
“I lost track of time.”
“That sounds like something you’d do if you were reading a new book. Were you? Did you find another breathtaking romance with a dashing prince on his white steed?”
Odette looked at her sideways. “You like to read, too. Stop making fun of me.”
Beth grinned. “I’m just teasing you.”
“Why did you need to see me?”
“I have something to tell you.” She leaned in close and whispered in Odette’s ear. “Guess who is single again?”
Odette shrugged.
“The man of your dreams.”
Odette’s mouth opened wide.
Beth added, “You got your wish granted.”
“I never wished for that.”
“Liar.” She smiled mischievously. “Queen bee is out of your way, and if you play your cards right, maybe you’ll be his next girlfriend instead of his usual type.”
“Me? Why would he even give me a second glance? We know his type.”
“What’s his type?”
“Sexy and with legs for days.”
“You’d be sexy if you changed your clothes and put on some makeup. You are also his type since he likes blondes.”
Odette looked at her outfit and then at her hair. “Do you think I could be his type with a makeover?”
Beth nodded with a wide grin.
Leaning closer, Odette whispered, “There’s no question that Carl O’Brien loves beautiful girls, and his former cheerleading girlfriend, Chastity, is a knockout. Still, as a member of the AABU Football Team and a top player, he’ll be on the radar of every available girl.”
“Not on my radar,” Beth protested.
“If I were gorgeous and confident like you, maybe I would stand a chance. But I can’t even say good morning to him without choking.”
“You are smart and beautiful. These things count, and you need to be more open. Also, get a new wardrobe so you don’t look like my great-grandmother,” Beth retorted.
Leave it to a best friend to really hit the nail on the head. A guy as handsome and cool as Carl would never want a girl like Odette. Well, it wasn’t a crime to try, right? At least, for Beth’s sake, it didn’t look like the brunette snuck into class for nothing.
Odette felt courageous for the first time. “I guess I might have a shot.”
“Perfect. In five weeks, Carl will be at the Moonlight Ball. I think I can get an extra invite for you. I’ll think of a way to introduce you to him. My brother plays football, too. I can ask him to help us. If Carl gets a chance to talk to you and see how nice you are …” Beth bounced in her seat.
“Only you would believe in something like that, Beth,” Odette mumbled, her heart filled with love for her bestie.
Beth lifted her hand with her index finger pointing upwards. “You have less than a month to seduce Carl and have him invite you to the grand ball.”
“That’s an insane goal. I don’t—”
“Don’t even dare chicken out,” Beth warned with squinted eyes.
“I really need a makeover.”
“Great! This is truly the incentive you need to try a fresh look. Even if you fail to seduce Carl, at least you will get out of your comfort zone and experience new things. Maybe you’ll find true love in the process.”
“You are more romantic than I am. Do you know that?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“Do you know what this means?” Odette asked with widened eyes.
Frowning, Beth probed, “What?”
Odette leaned forward. “We both need to find the perfect dress for the ball.”
“We’re going dress hunting!” Beth squealed, ignoring the looks of the other students.