Jeanette stared at her reflection. She'd wiped half the make-up off her face and was now turning her head one way, then the other. Which was really her? The side with the make-up looked pretty, but false. The other side looked real, but hideously plain. She sighed and rinsed the rest of the lipstick and eye shadow off. She'd just have to accept that some people were naturally pretty, but she wasn't one of them.

As she replaced her glasses and looked again in the mirror she was reminded of something Britany had once said.

"Boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses." It had been cruel and mean, and Britany had apologised, but still it was true. No-one ever saw past the frames to her eyes, which she actually thought were quite pretty. She could wear contacts of course, but then that was like wearing make-up wasn't it? Physically changing her appearance so people would like her was something she didn't want to do. It shouldn't be necessary. She wanted to be loved for who she was naturally.

But she was the 'smart' one. Britany was beautiful, Eleanor was sweet, and she was 'smart'. That was how everyone thought of them. People went to Eleanor for sympathy and they photographed Britany for their tours. They only went to her if there was a technical problem. Anything mathematical or scientific, that was Jeanette's area.

She wondered if Simon had these issues. But it was different for boys. They weren't expected to fit a stereotype of beauty. Ask any girl at school who they thought was attractive and you'd get a different answer. Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Sean Connery… Guys could be whoever they were and be loved. She knew Simon didn't have to change anything to have a girl love him.

She turned sadly away from her reflection. As she headed to her room she heard the phone ring and moments later Miss Miller called her. With a slightly puzzled expression she went down. Her adoptive mother handed her the phone.

"Don't talk too long dear."

"Hello?" Jeanette wondered who'd be ringing to speak to her.

"Hi Jeanette. It's me, Simon." She'd already recognised him but let him continue. "I wanted to let you know you left your homework here, so I'll bring it with me in the morning."

"Oh. Thanks, Simon."

"Are you OK? You sound… sad."

"I'm OK. I was just thinking… isn't it sad how some girls are naturally pretty and others aren't?" He chuckled.

"Jeanette. You're too soft-hearted. You should just be grateful you're one of the lucky ones." Jeanette's mouth dropped open. "Now don't go feeling guilty about something you can't help."

"I won't." She stuttered.

"OK. I'll see you in the morning. 'Night."

"'Night." She hung up the phone and her heart soared. As she went back past the bathroom she looked again at her reflection, and laughed.