Changing Image
Summary: Cate has always thought herself as looking one way. What happens when she finds out that other's see her differently?
Chapter 1: The Artist
Cate pulled her shirt over her head and turned to her vanity. She picked up her brush and ran it quickly through her long brown hair. She looked quickly at her reflection. Dark hazel eyes, brown hair with caramel highlights, moderate complexion. She didn't even look at her body. Cate had told herself in 7th grade when she had almost run herself ragged because of her weight that she would never look again. She wasn't fat, but let us just say she was more fat than thin. However, unlike most chubby people her age, she knew how to dress to hide it. She managed to look…endearing daily.
Now some may read the paragraph above and wonder what it could possibly have to do with the story. Next your mind might jump to the assumption that she's a simple Mary Sue. The reason for the above paragraph, dear reader, besides to introduce key image elements, is that something bizarre is happening to her appearance. What she saw, when she looked into her mirror, wasn't the same as what everyone else saw when they looked at her. Now for the following story of self-discovery, we will be ignoring the role of Cate's family. Rest assured, they do exist and they ARE NOT bad people. For the author's purposes, however, they will not be mentioned.
When she stepped into homeroom that day, she knew that day would be different. Perhaps it was the fact her bus had actually arrived on time. Perhaps it was the fact her mentor pass that allowed her to make copies came in. Perhaps it was the coupon for a free portrait that her friend gave her. Whatever the reason, a feeling of difference hung in the air as Cate walked to her first period, Chemistry. As she set up the Flame Test Lab, her lab partner flipped through her agenda.
"Oh, you got a coupon too? Ya know the guy will be in the library to take the picture he'll use to paint you. You should go during your mentor period." Cate nodded and they began their lab. Times flies quickly when you're burning wood, and soon she was on her way to orchestra. That period was spent practicing the same couple of measures over and over again, until her fingers and cello could work together and play it right. When the class change/ "A" lunch bell rang, she put up her cello and moved her back pack to the mentor office. Mrs. Morris, her orchestra teacher, caught her on the way to lunch.
"Hey, the copying for today has already been done, so if you have some homework or studying to do, you can stay in the library or in the mentor's office." She said holding the door to the cafeteria open for Cate.
"I think I'll go see what this artist guy is all about after lunch then." Cate said waving a hand towards the media center.
"Okay, see you when I see you then!" Mrs. Morris said walking towards the deli line. Cate headed towards the Grille line and got herself fries. After procuring a tiny cup of honey mustard from the lunch monitor person, she went to her customary seat at her customary table. There she was surrounded by beautiful people. Her friends all spent way too much time on their image, and they had great beauty to show for it. They, my friends, were the type that everyone loves but secretly envies. Cate, herself, had gone through a phase where she envied them, but now she just saw them as lucky…and her best friends. Her 30 minute lunch passed and she walked to the media center. An old man with a silverish hair colour grabbed her arm at the door.
"The artist is this way…" He croaked leading her to a corner of the media center.
"How did you know I was here for the artist?" she asked pulling the coupon out of her purse.
"Call it a hunch," the old man laughed. He sat her on a stool, fiddled with her hair for a minute, then took her picture. As he was doing this, a young man with golden hair and deep blue eyes came to stand next to him. His eyes glittered, and his clothes were paint splotched.
"I cannot wait to paint your face." The young man said with a faint French accent. Cate smiled nervously and handed the old guy her coupon.
"It will be ready in a we-…" the old man started but was interrupted by the artist.
"Tomorrow. I will have it done by tomorrow. For you, I will paint you in a background. You deserve a beautiful surrounding." The artist said. Cate stood and smiled nervously.
"You don't have to…" Cate mumbled "Just what the coupon pays for is fine."
"For you, for free, I will do this," The artist said and put his hand to her face. She nodded and turned to leave the library. How weird…why would the artist insist on a background for her painting?
A/N: Well, we all know I have commitment issues, so instead of working on my numerous other stories, I create a new story. I'm liking this one so far. Unfortunately, as it started out quite not mary-sueish…I fear it may later become one. Not until at least the 4th chapter though….luckily enough. I'm off to type up the next chapter. With luck, it'll be up soon and you'll see why this is a LotR story. LOL.