Chapter 14

Disclaimer: Well I think this is by far the longest I have ever gone without writing. I hope you like the changes that I made this chapter. Please review.

I looked in the mirror at everything that was done…who would have thought that I would ever look like a woman. My makeup was flawless, my hair in a CONTROLLED mess of curls now. To be honest, I haven't felt this girly my entire life.

Since I was on the night shift and didn't have to go to work yet I decided to wrap my hair up and take a power nap. Having people poke and prod you really take a lot out of you.

*Five hours later*

I woke up feeling fresh and energized but feeling a little disoriented. Thankfully my head wrap hadn't come undone and I went my closet to pull out my uniform. I threw my new makeup back on the bed…lets hope I can imitate what Jonathan did before. I got my towel and ran some water to take a bath.

While my water was running I went to my shopping bags and looked at all of my new clothes one more time. I couldn't help but feel excited and I was going to get to wear them…granted, ill be in a room full of bloodthirsty vampires but, hey, I'm trying to be optimistic.

For some reason the bathroom looked a little different. Nothing was out of place it just felt different. As a matter of face everything looked different. It was hard to explain. Even taking a shower felt different. I kept my hair tilted up because I didn't want to get my hair wet. I knew that it wasn't going to last for another 2 days but I at least wanted to look decent for work…for once.

After my shower I dried off and went to put my uniform on. I decided to wear my new underwear but for some reason my new bra didn't fit me as well as it did before. I was almost spilling out of it.

Damn!

That's why I hate shopping. A: I have horrible buyers remorse and B: It always seems that the minute you get home and try on your clothes things don't always fit the same way they did when you tried them on in the store. I have an ongoing theory that the retail industries do it on purpose just to screw with you.

I went to put on my shirt and it was a but tighter around the bust…damn bra! Its messing up everything. I glanced at my clock on the nightstand and sighed

I guess you're just going to have to be a trooper and make it through the night with his thing on.

I sat on the bed and took out my compact. I laid out everything and tried to figure out what I would do first…I reached for the mascara and quickly took my hand away.

Last thing you need is to be going blind 20 mins before you're due in for work…better experiment with that on your day off….same goes to you mister eye liner.

I reached for the eye shadow and decided to apply the same shimmering gold that I had on earlier today. The lighting was shitty so I had a hard time deciding whether or not I had applied the makeup correctly.

Next…lips.

After applying almost 4 different colors of lipstick I decided to stick with the slightly pink tinted lip gloss and call it a night.

I then went to the bathroom while I was undoing my head wrap…hopefully it all looked the same as it did 6 hours ago.

I looked in the mirror and was horrified…the person looking at me in the mirror wasn't Casey.

"What the fuck!" I quickly turned around to see if there was anyone behind me.

I faces the mirror again unable to speak. No wonder everything in the room felt different I was roughly 4 inches taller. I ripped off my shirt to see that my chest had brown a bit larger. In any other situation I would be jumping for joy but at this moment in time I was just terrified.

My skin had almost a glow to it…not a literal glow…its hard to explain. I couldn't stop looking in the mirror…because I was shocked yes but also because there was something holding me there.

Just to make sure I reached up and touched my face. I jumped when the reflection did the same.

I was horrified and began thought of the only rational thing than popped into my head.

"God im dying." I whispered.

Yeah right Rachel you have that cancer where you turn into an Amazonian woman and in about two seconds you spontaneously combust. THINK. There has to be a logical explanation for all of this.

I pulled myself together and tried to think of an excuse as to why I couldn't make it to work tonight.

Who are you kidding Casey…you cant ditch work…you need the money sure you about to run into a healthy lump sum but into that day you're still dirt poor. Amazonian cancer or not you are going to work….damn poverty.

I took one more look in the mirror trying to psych myself out. "its not that noticeable" I whispered. So what, you hit a growth spurt.

They say the female body doesn't stop developing until you're 25 and you're…I looked at my calendar on the wall…yep you were officially 20 to the hour. One hell of a birthday gift.

I went to my closet reached for my belt and placed it on the last loop.

God you have AIDS you're wasting away…wait don't you have to have sex to get aids? Maybe you've contracted some sort of super aids where blood isn't involved

I turned off all the lights and headed to work. I was already 5 minutes late so I had to put some pep in my step.

I couldn't help but notice all of the stares I was getting while I was heading to work. I tried to ignore them but I was becoming increasingly difficult.

I decided to avoid as many people as I could so I slipped into the side entrance. I set my purse down in the back room and headed to the bathroom to look in the mirror again.

I made sure no one else was in the next stall and started running my fingers through my hair in an attempt to make it look less…well. Nice. I washed all the makeup off of my face and wet my fingers to run them through my hair. I never thought I would be doing this in a million years…actually TRYING to look jacked up.

I noticed that as I ran my fingers through my hair there were no tangles…another first.

I hair was still shiny but I could blame that on a new conditioner that I purchased. My face although structurally it hadn't changed my eyes were a lighter tint of brown. The scar on my forehead that had been caused my James had been totally healed…another thing that I would have to explain to Sam and the rest of the co -workers. I wrapped my hair in a messy bun and intentionally pulled some hairs down so they could cover my face.

I went to the back room and grabbed another set of shorts and a shirt. I went to the bathroom and took of my size 18 shorts and realized that my new sized shorts were now a size 12...wow. Super AIDS or not that was pretty cool. I made sure the shirt was baggy to give the illusion that I was the same size. I looked in the mirror and gave a weak smile.

Satisfied with the outcome I went to clock in. Sookie was off tonight I notices as I stared at the calendar which bummed me out. I hope she wouldn't mind me calling her up after I get off of work.

Sam usually likes it when we come into his office and let him know we're there but I didn't want to volunteer seeing anyone at that time. Ill make an appearance. Try an d make some tips and then after that I am heading over to Sookies. She didn't live too far away from here…about a 30 minute walk…20 if I ran.

Everything was going fine. No one said anything to me and every chance I got I was avoiding customers I usually served. When I saw Travis enter and sit at my station I let out a groan. He was there with his usual buddies.

The table went quiet and I help my breath trying not to make any eye contact with them.

"Casey?" Travis asked with a cautious and confused tone. "do something different with your hair?" He asked.

I raised the notepad to my face trying my best to block it and let out a nervous laugh. "umm yeah." I said quickly "new conditioner…says its suppose to make your hair shine and whatnot. So…will you and your friends be having some Jack and coke or something different tonight?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"well…it looks really nice." He said. I glanced above my notepad and saw that him and his friends were gawking at me their faces as serious as ever.

I quickly looked away and said without a smile. "well that is very sweet of you to say but im a little busy right now and I need to see to these other tables." It was a lie. All the other tables had already been taken care of but they didn't need to know that. I just wanted to get the hell out of this awkward situation.

"The usual will be fine." He said.

I gave him quick smile and quickly walked away. As I was heading to the bar give the tender the order I didn't make any eye contact with anyone.

Okay so its pretty obvious that some people can see I look different but don't worry you only have.

I glanced at my watch.

SIX MORE HOURS!!! FUCK!

When I have the tender my order Mr. Harper smiled at me. I smiled back and he got out of his seat and stood in my way. Mr. Harper was a sweet old man. He owned a used book store on Sanger St. and usually came into Merlotts on his way home for a beer.

"Well bless my eyes is that you Miss Cortez?"

I didn't say anything right away I just smiled.

"well you sure do clean up good if you don't mind me saying." Mr. Harper said with a sweet old grin.

"Well…its my birthday so I decided to head to the salon and treat my self." I said quickly. Mr. Harper always had a way of making me feel better when I was having a bad day and today was no exception. I smiled effortlessly and gave him a small hug. "how is Mrs. Harper doing?" Mr. Harper had been married for over 40 years to his loving wife Ella Harper. Brad and Angelina had nothing on these two. They were by far the cutest couple I had ever seen in my entire life.

"well happy birthday darling." he chuckled. "one heck of a way to be spending your birthday if you don't mind me saying. You should be out having fun not cooped up in here with these lushes." he joked.

"aw." I said with a broad smile. "I cant think of a better way of spending my 20th birthday than being here talking to you."

He let out a hearty laugh. "it was good talking to you Miss Casey I'll let you get back to work but stop by the store tomorrow so I can be sure to give you a gift."

"you don't have to do that for me Mr. Harper." I said warmly.

He help up a finger in a motion to silence me. "I wont hear another word from you. You're getting a gift from me and that's final."

I let out a heart laugh and suddenly the entire bar fell silent. I looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at me. At least all the men were. The women were…the best way I could put it was…leering. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Sam standing the edge of the bar his mouth agape. Without missing a beat I quickly went over to him.

"Can I talk to you?" I didn't wait for a response and quickly went to his office.

His footsteps were the only indication to me that he was following. When we were on his office I closed the door. When I turned around I saw that he still had the same look on his face.

I didn't know what to say. We must have both been standing here for about 1 whole minute before I opened my mouth. "hi." was all I could manage.

"Um…you look…different." Sam said finally.

"yeah its by birthday today and I decided to go to the salon this morning." I said weakly.

That's my story and im sticking to it.

He then took a step towards me. " you look….taller." He added.

"I do…well its about time I finally hit that damn growth spurt." I stuttered.

"Have you lost weight?" he asked bluntly.

Shit

I paused for a moment not knowing what to say.

"Yeah well that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Last night I hate some bad sea food and ive been puking all night last night and today. I tried to be a trooper but I don't think I can make it through the rest of the night. So I was wondering if I could just finish up with this table and head home early?"

Believe me PLEASE believe me.

Sam took another step towards me.

"You don't look sick." He said flatly.

FUCK

"thank you Sam. But I feel really sick and I don't mean to leave you here high and dry but…I want to go to the doctor to see if I can get some medicine."

Believe me you sonovabitch!

"well…alright just finish up with Travis and head on home but call here first thing in the morning so I know how it is you're doing."

God its times like this I wish I could read humans minds but something was telling me that Sam knew I wasn't telling the truth…

if that was the case then why the hell was he letting me go? Don't over think Casey. Just thank him and get the hell out of there.

"Thanks." I said quickly and turned to get the door.

"Case." Sam said behind me.

"Yeeeeah?" I asked cautiously. Mt squeezed my eyes shut. When he did say anything I turned around to see that he was even closer now.

He reached out and I took a step back so I was flush against the door.

What is wrong with you Casey? THIS IS SAM!

He then reached to the left where a small filing cabinet was and took out a poorly wrapped box. It had a darker green bow taped to it and he handed it to me. "Happy Birthday." He said with a half grin.

I let out a nervous laugh and grabbed it. He then backed away and stood there with his arms crossed.

After a moment of silence he spoke. "well?…open it up…let me know what you think."

I laughed quickly and went over to his desk to unwrap it. "How did you know it was by birthday?" I asked quizzically .

"your application of course. When I hired you I saw that your birthday was coming up so I thought--" He stopped when he saw the look on my face.

I tried to hold back the tears but nothing could stop me. About a week ago after hearing that I liked to read Sam asked me what my favorite book was. I had told him it was a book called Fairies in the Forest. It was a book that my mother always use to read to me. I tried looking for it when I grew older but none of the shops in Bon Temps carried it. Sam knew that my parent were dead. I told him that they died in a car accident when I was eight. I didn't know much about Sams parents all I knew was that he was an orphan just like me.

"Case?" He asked.

I stared at the book. I ran my hands over it just to make sure it was real. Mr. Harper had called all of the neighboring books stores outside of Bon Temps but none of them were able to find it.

He put his hand on my shoulder. I could hear the concern in his voice.

Without saying a word I flung my arms around his neck. "Thank you so much!" I said into his shoulder. "I don't know how you found this but…thank you thank you THANK YOU!" I cried out.

Sam let out a caring chuckle. Well Mr. Harper told me a while ago that you kept harassing him about that book… and you told me that it reminded you of your mom…I thought it would be a nice gift for you."

I pulled away and wiped the tears form my eyes. "it's a hell of a lot better than nice. This is the sweetest thing someone has ever done for me…thank you so much Sam!" I said not taking my eyes off the book. "now I feel bad for leaving. If you want me to stay I will." I said.

Sam smiled warmly and shook his head. Its your birthday. I was gonna tell you to take off anyway. Feeling the tears start again I didn't say anything else and left the room. I quickly went to my locker and put it in there. Looking in the mirror to see if my face was puffy.

"apparently super AIDS keeps you form getting puffy eyes too." I sighed. I then stared at myself in the mirror on my locker and took let my hair out of the bun. My hair tumbled down a bit past my shoulders.

Why the hell are you so scared about this. I mean you don't feel sick for once in you life Casey enjoy the good things that are happening to you.

With a smile on my face I grabbed the shirt I came in with and quickly changed into it. I was still going to go to Sookies after work Hopefully she would be home I didn't have her number so I couldn't call her but if she wasn't home I would at least leave a note on her door telling her to call me ASAP.

I went to the bar and grabbed Travis' order and headed over to his table with a big smile on my face. I didn't care if everyone was staring at me. For one I just didn't care.

"hey boys." I said warmly. They immediately silenced when the took one look at me. Travis' smile was almost as big as mine was. "unfortunately I am not going to be able to finish serving you all tonight but I an going to pass you over to Brenda and shell be more than happy to keep you guys company for the rest of the evening.

The look on their faces were so funny that I had to keep myself form laughing right then and there. "That's too bad." one of the boys said meaning it. They looked as if they were 5 year old buys and someone had just broken their favorite G.I. Joe.

Travis stood and I cautiously took a step back. "Well in that case I guess we should be hitting the road fellas." The men all nodded and began to rise.

"oh." I said slightly confused. "Well in that case let me just get you your check.

Travis waived his hands in a dismissive motion and handed me a bill. "Keep the change." He said with a grin. "and happy birthday Casey." I took the bill and shoved it into my apron without looking with he same confused look on my face.

I went over to the register and turned to see Travis leaving but not before he took one last glance at me. I rang up his check to see that his total was $12.56. I then reached into my pocket to see that Travis had given me….

"Holy Shit!"

It wasn't until I saw everyone looking at me that I realized that had said that out loud.

"Whats Wrong Casey? Lousy tip?" My Harper has asked.

"Uh…yeah" I managed.

If you want to call a $87.44 tip lousy!!

AUTHORS NOTES::

Well that's then end of this chapter I hope you all like it. Sorry it took me so long to finish but typing with a broken arm sucks balls. But im all healed right now and I will be adding a new chappy SOOONNN!!!!!