Chapter 4

"Bye Brooke, thanks a lot! I owe you one!" Haley said as Brooke pulled into the driveway.

"No need to thank me! I consider it an honor and a privilege to be the first to see the transformation of Ms. Haley James into the swan she was destined to be."

Haley shook her head and laughed as she hugged her bestfriend.

"So, now that you're all spunked up, I'll consider lunch at the cafeteria with the gals and me as payment!"

"I'll think about it!" Haley said as she got out of the car.

"No buts Haley! Lunch at the cafeteria on Monday at my table! I mean it!"

"Ok-ok!"

"Oh, and don't forget, smile when applying blush, comb hair back from all sides to add more body and---"

"I know, I know! Don't worry." Haley smiled.

"My bestfriend is all grown up!" Brooke said with a teary smile.

Haley laughed. "Thanks again Brooke! See you on Monday!"

Haley walked inside the house. She could hear laughter from inside the kitchen. Zach and Lucas, of course. The guy practically lives here already! She thought.

"I'm home!"

"It's about time! Have you eaten yet? We're in the kitchen Haley!"

"Nope! What's for lunch?" she said as she placed her bag on the sofa in the living room.

"Nothing! That's why I told you to come home before lunch!" Zach said with a laugh.

"Why do I even bother?" she muttered to herself as she made her way into the kitchen.

I wonder if they'd notice the change, she said to herself as she went in. Both guys had their backs to her and were facing the TV, so she opened the fridge and got herself a soda. Zach and Lucas were busy watching the game on ESPN.

"So, little sis, how was the sleepover? What did Brooke talk you into this---" Zach's sentence was left hanging as he turned around and saw Haley.

Lucas still had his back to her so he wasn't able to see Zach's stunned expression.

"Who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

Haley had to laugh at the incredulous look on her brother's face.

"Cut it out Zach! It isn't that bad!" she said as she threw a carrot stick at her brother.

"Shh! Quit it you guys! I'm trying to watch the game here!" said Luke as he concentrated on the game.

Haley was a bit disappointed that Luke hadn't even turned around and looked at her.

"Whatever. You guys can watch your stupid game. I'll be in my room with this last bag of chips." Haley said with a pout.

She walked out of the room leaving a stupefied Zach.

"Did you see my sister?"

Lucas frowned and said, "What are you talking about man? I see her everyday."

"I know, but did you SEE her?" Zach said as he pointed outside the kitchen.

"Whatever man, just watch the game."

"No! You've got to see her. She looks different… I mean, she… Oh, I dunno… Come on upstairs man." He said as he dragged Luke upstairs.

Luke sighed. "Alright! Just let go of me! I'll go up the stairs by myself! Jeez!"

They walked down the hall to Haley's room. Luke knocked.

"Hey Hales, open up. You're brother seems to think you've grown another head or something and he's forcing me to go check---"

He stammered once Haley opened the door.

"There, see? One head. Satisfied?" She said as she slammed the door, but not before Luke pushed it open wider.

"Hales, you… I mean, what… uh.." Lucas looked at Haley from head to toe.

"See man, I told you!" Zach said with his brow raised at Luke.

"Uh! I knew it! I'm killing Brooke when I get to school on Monday! I look like a freak, don't I?" Haley said as she looked at the stunned expressions on both guys.

"No! You look… Different…" Luke said.

"Different? Oh, I get it… You mean WEIRD different. Brooke is so dead." She said.

"No, I mean… I… Different in a good way."

"What he means is, you look hot Sis." Zach said with a smirk, obviously enjoying his bestriend's discomfort.

"Brooke did this?" Luke said, wanting to change the subject.

"Yeah. Well, I asked her to. She's been bugging me about this for years." Haley said as she turned around for them to see the transformation.

"What's all this stuff lying around here?" Zach said as he examined her room.

"Oh, that's Brooke's stuff. Make-up and some clothes. She said I needed to be ready for school next week, so she loaned me some of her things."

"So, I guess I'll be seeing you more around campus and at parties huh." Zach teased.

"Nothing drastic. I just wanted a new look. I don't even think anyone will notice."

"They'll notice." Luke finally said. He was still eyeing Haley with an expression she couldn't read.

Zach noticed his bestfriend's stare. "Ok Luke. Time to watch the game remember?" he said as he tugged at Luke's shirt.

"Uh, what? Oh yeah, the game, yeah." He said as he backed out of Haley's room.

Haley watched Lucas leave and when he turned for one last glance, Haley smiled at him. The smile that Brooke said came handy when you wanted to get under a guy's skin and distract him. She smiled just to see if it would work.

Luke stumbled on some unknown object on the floor and bumped into the door on his way out.

Oh yeah, it works. Haley thought with a satisfied smile.