004: The Glow-up

~~Abigail Darlington~~

It took me three more weeks to finally get my plan together. To get my looks together. To change my entire wardrobe into the... what did Jade call them? Cunty? Yeah, the cuntiest set of clothes I could find. I had to practice how to walk in heels, all types of heels. I’m still learning, I can’t perfect it overnight, but I’m determined. And I’m a fast learner.

The most important part was switching up the products I use on my face, and learning to do simple makeup that wouldn’t make me look like a different person, but would highlight my features instead. Three weeks. I had to pack all this knowledge, sign up for my classes, and still show up for the classes I’d already signed up for.

There was a lot to do.

Today’s the first day of Wolf Transformation class, which Romeo Amoretti teaches. I finally researched the Amoretti family. I can see why Elio told me not to. They are good-looking. So attractive. The three brothers are Romeo, Niccolo, and Nero Amoretti.

Romeo is the scary one from what I saw online. He has no socials and has been to prison eight times. Eight times since he was fourteen. He’s basically bad news.

Nero is a player, apparently. Sleeps with A-class alpha females only. Which sucks for me, but I’m hopeful. He’s the primal ethics teacher.

Niccolo is a mystery. Other than his photos on their family website, there’s nothing else about him online. I did overhear from some students that people struggle to stay in his class for more than one semester. He teaches wolf history teacher. I can’t see how that class could be tough.

I’m ready, though. Jade is perched up on her bed, and Chiara isn’t here. She has an early class she couldn’t afford to miss, even though the semester started about a month ago.

“How do I look?” I asked, feeling nervous.

“Uh-Uh, don’t hunch. Stand straight.”

I straightened my body and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. It is going to be cold as shit out there. I have a long coat to wear, but my god, is the outfit something I never thought I’d see myself in. But the strange thing is that I look good in it. Jade is a fashion wizz.

She was right when she said I was pretty. I just needed to dress to show my body, lean into what I have instead of being afraid of it or being worried that everyone would call me fat. Honestly, not everyone at Evermont is as rude as Elio’s friends. Yes, the hierarchy still stands. Most can’t stand to be around lower classes, but they’d just avoid you rather than say mean things.

I went back to checking myself out and searching for the confidence I would use to win over one of the Amoretti triplets. The red top doesn’t fight with curves; it leans into them. The halter pulls everything upward; my bust is sitting full and unapologetic, the fabric is stretched just enough to seem like it’s going to pop open, but it doesn’t. The deep V frames my cleavage, and the lace skims over my middle rather than clinging. It’s forgiving in that soft, intentional way— sheer enough to be sexy, loose enough that my belly isn’t the enemy. When I breathe, the lace moves with me, not against me.

The jean skirt sits high on my waist, right at that narrow point where my body naturally curves in. The wide belt anchors it there, the oversized buckle drawing the eye to my way instead of my hips. My thighs fill the skirt completely—no gaps, no pretending otherwise. It’s short, yeah, but it doesn’t look wrong. It fits my thick thighs and makes them look really good.

When I turn sideways, I see the softness of my stomach, the gentle curve that never goes quite flat. It’s still there, but it doesn’t ruin the look. The top flows just enough that it doesn’t highlight it, and the skirt doesn’t dig in or slice me in half.

And to finish off the whole look are the boots. The tall burgundy heels stretch across my legs, making my thighs look powerful instead of heavy. The way they hug my calves makes everything above them feel intentional. I feel taller, grounded, and dangerous in a quiet way.

I tilted my head a bit, causing some of my blonde hair to fall off my shoulders.

Jade hummed softly. “Something is missing.” She got out of her bed and came up to me. She reached into one of her accessory bags and pulled out two things. A golden hairpin, and slim, cat-eye sunglasses with dark frames and lightly tinted lenses.

“Let’s put your hair into a ponytail.”

I bent my head a little so she could do what she needed to do, then stood straight once she was done. She handed me those glasses and a small necklace.

“That is going to sink into my cleavage.”

Jade had the biggest smile on her face. That’s the whole point.

I sighed, but I couldn’t fight off the excitement. Can I really pull it off?

“Don’t overthink it. You just need to sleep with one of them, and Elio will be crying. Oh, that reminds me, pose for me.” She reached for her phone in her back pocket, then moved away from me so she could get a better angle.

I didn’t know what to do, so I just stood there.

“Come on. Lean against the wall, lift that leg up...” she rattled on some instructions, and I followed them exactly. Once she deemed me ready jade started snapping pics. She had this wicked grin on her face. I’d worry that I was being set up for failure if it weren’t for her. I know she wouldn’t want me to get hurt. And she never liked Elio. She told me he always came off as pretentious.

Old me would have defended him, but now I welcome all insults.

Jade showed me the photos before sending them to me. “Post this one and these two.”

My account is normally full of museum photos, food, and cute things. I’ve deleted all of them. Changed my bio and profile picture.

Jade walked me through the right tags to use. She whistled after I posted the pictures.

“You got this. You look gorgeous. How do you say gorgeous in your language?” She looked at me with a thoughtful expression.

“Sei bellissima. It means you’re gorgeous. But also, my mother is British, Jade. English is also my language.”

She chuckled a little bit. “I know, but it’s not as sexy. I should really learn the language since I’m going to be here for the next three years.”

“You’ve been saying that since I met you.” I pointed out, and she feigned shock.

“Oh, really? Damn. Enough about me. Go go. You need to get to class in the next thirty-five minutes. I will drop you off.”

“I can just take one of the many free golf carts on campus.”

“No, no, I’m dropping you off. This class is all the way on the other side of the school. If you take those annoying carts, you could get lost, and imagine having to walk the rest of the way in those gorgeous shoes.” There’s no arguing with her. I picked up my bag and took one last look at myself. I’ve never looked hotter. I can only hope this is enough.

I’ve never seduced anyone in my life. I just need one.

If I’m lucky i might end up seducing all three, but that’s pretty unlikely. Still, Elio isn’t the only one who can play this game.

If he wants war, then I intend to win.