4: The Transformation

Samarah

After my incredibly successful eye surgery we had to postpone the shopping trip, much to Allison’s disappointment. I was to stay in dark areas, resting my eyes for three days. But when we did finally get to shop Allison footed the bill while picking out many different outfits. She had me try on several, who knew shopping with a girlfriend could be so fun!

Next was the make up and she chose several eye shadow palettes, lip glosses and lip liners, mascara, eye liner, etc. Hair products were confusing as hell and I was extremely grateful to have Allison there. Jewelry and purses came after that, I wasn’t really a jewelry person but Allison insisted and required me to pierce my ears. Last were the shoes, she chose several heels starting with a small chunky one and going all the way up to a stiletto! I was sure I’d never have the balls to wear them.

We had several bags from the mall for the both of us and ended the trip with soft pretzels and cheese. I was sure I’d never had so much fun in my entire life. 

“Ok, fashion 101, never, and I mean never! Wear red and pink together, it is the worst kind of clash babygirl, let me tell ya.” Allison started when we got back to the room. And for the next day she explained ins and outs of fashion. After that she showed me how to apply make up on an almost professional level. She was amazing.

I learned so much about her over those couple of weeks before the first day of classes, and I didn’t hold out either. I told her all about Davis, my parents, Riley, Aleah, the car accident, and my revelations. I met her twin brother, Carlton, also. I quickly learned that he was gay, and he really was very sweet and even helped with the fashion pep talks.

I learned that they were a close-knit family, and they decided that I would be their unofficial adopted sister, and to hell with everyone else, except Davis who they were very eager to meet, especially Carlton, though I made it clear that Davis was straight.

“They all are at first honey.” He waved his hand at me with a grin when I pointed that out.

My physical transformation was incredible, who knew that some make up and clothes could change so much? They also insisted that I stop hiding my ‘opulent’ hair. I giggled at them profusely, but with the hair products, my usually dry hair was shiny, my natural blond highlights throughout the light brown color were easily distinguishable, and it was wavy going to my lower back.

I knew my hair was long, but I always kept it up in that bun and didn’t pay any particular attention to it. Looking in the mirror before orientation that day made me feel like a queen. I had decided to wear a green sleeveless top that matched my eye color, and my cleavage was not lacking, with a black waist belt, and completed the outfit with sleek black jeans.

“Oh girl, you are totally rocking that!” Allison gushed. “Riley will be so sorry for missing out!”

I smiled. “Thanks Allison.”

“Ready for the heels?”

I sighed. I had been practicing as she instructed, and yes I was able to walk in heels now without falling, but it was still a little wobbly. I nodded my head and she brought out a pair of black heels, not the stiletto's thankfully, but they were at least four inches, and it was not a bulky heel this time!

“Remember, it is all in the confidence! If you think you can do it, you will do it!”

She had said that many times and I believed her. I slipped them on and took a couple of deep breaths, thankful that she was standing there for me to put my arm on while I got the shoes on.

“Alright.” I smiled at the extra inches the heels provided.

“By the way, did I mention how well that smoky eye effect goes with your outfit!” She sighed dramatically. “The student learns well!”

I laughed with her. I soaked in everything she was willing to teach me about this, and I had to agree with her that I was catching on well.

“Allarah will be the best duo this college has ever seen!” Allarah was the nickname she had adopted for us, a mix of our two names thrown together. “Alright Sam, you ready for orientation?” She smiled brightly. 

The orientation at TSU was a big event for every student, even those in their final year. They go over every aspect of what is expected at the school, in classes, as well as anything else pertinent to the students. Afterwards they hold a function and require at least first years, or freshmen, to attend, though everyone is welcome to mingle. It is to provide camaraderie and ensure good social relations to start the first semester of college.

The school strives to have everyone represent the school well, and that includes a strict no violence policy, and no shifting during class. They are highly against shifting during class time, they do allow us to shift outside of class to stretch our paws when needed though. And the fact that classes are held only three days of the week, or four if necessary for a lecture, makes it much easier to get time to stretch paws or work.

We made it to an extremely large outdoor seating arena without me falling and I counted that as success! There were quite a few students present already, they said their hellos and we sat down on the bottom row of the bleachers. Students filed up, gradually filling up the bleachers. I recognized a couple of people, such as Damor Persnal, he was Riley’s best friend, and the son of the beta for Hammerstorm Pack. There was also Sloan Drake, Moonriver’s gamma was her mother, Fiona. 

She planned to follow in her mother’s footsteps and be a future gamma I was sure. A gamma was second to Beta’s in a pack, and they helped with strategy meetings.

I definitely didn’t miss when Riley walked up with his arm around Aleah’s waist. My heart was hammering, I was sure that I was over him and over the sting his betrayal left on my heart, but seeing him after more than a month made me feel light headed.

“Is that him?” Allison asked. I only nodded. “You’re way better looking than that she-wolf!”

I smiled appreciatively.

“Well you certainly look better than the last time I saw you.” The voice was strangely familiar and I looked up to see Nicholas?