Mabel left school and walked to Sumner's Grocery Store. For half an hour, she stood in the beauty care aisle. Although mama painted Melody's face for her photoshoots, Janet Tatterson never permitted her elder daughter to use makeup.

Finally, Mabel grabbed up lipstick, concealer, blush, and mascara. Then, she selected a packet of blonde hair dye. She dumped her basket onto the cashier's conveyor belt and dug in her purse for her money. Tentatively, she glanced into Laura Addams' questioning eyes. However, she kept her lips sealed. She did not owe the employee an explanation.

Her determined footsteps took her to the department store across the street. Using three weeks of saved allowance, Mabel purchased a new outfit. Later, in her bedroom, she gloated over her selections.

Mae Ferrer would appear as a new student at Sumner's Point High School the following day. No one would notice the disappearance of Mabel Tatterson.

"Coming down for dinner?" Janet asked, poking her head into her daughter's room.

"Nah, I'll grab something later," Mabel replied, shrugging. She perched on the bed with her algebra book propped on her knees. A white bathroom towel wrapped her head. "I just washed my hair."

"Suit yourself," her mother replied, shutting the door.

As soon as Janet disappeared, Mabel leaped from her bed. Removing the towel, she spread her newly blonde hair across her shoulders. Using the internet, she selected a style. Finally, she stepped back and studied her reflection.

"Mama's gonna kill you," Melody announced, her face appearing in the mirror near Mabel's.

"What are you doing in here?" Mabel snapped, turning on her little sister. Grabbing the child by the shoulder, she shook her.

"Ow! Leave me alone!" the child yelled, yanking free. "I'm telling."

"And I'll tell mama you hate modeling," Mabel countered. "I'll tell her you don't want to do it, and it'll hurt her feelings."

Mel's mouth made a huge 'O' as she hastily stepped backward. Her back connected with the closed door. Groping behind her, she grasped the handle and stumbled into the hallway. The clatter of her fleeing footsteps on the stairway made Mabel grin.

Methodically, Mabel applied her makeup and dressed in her new outfit. Twirling in front of the mirror, she admired the black skirt's flare and the rise of her leopard print crop top. She danced on the tips of her patent high heels. No one, she assured herself, would recognize her.

Falling onto her bed, the young teen grasped her photo of Hank Addams. Pressing it against her chest, she hugged it tightly. Then, she planted a kiss on the glass. Her lipstick left a red smear. Hastily, she wiped it off with the corner of her bedsheet.

Mabel's daydream took her to the next day. When Hank saw her, his eyes flew wide open, and his jaw dropped. Abandoning Adele, Scar, and Tiff, he swiftly approached Mae Ferrer—the new girl. He offered to show her the school and stayed by her side the entire day.

Passing her three rivals in the hallway, Mae gleefully twiddled her fingers at them. Swiping her long blonde hair over her shoulder, she gazed lovingly into Hank's grey eyes. He shrugged his shoulders and abandoned his harem.

Mabel believed happy days lay ahead of her. Her old life disgusted her. A new personality and a new look opened up a path to acceptance.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air. She fell asleep with her arms cradling the photo frame, a huge grin curving her lips.