Nerd Makeover Novels & Stories

“I’ve always been the quiet honor-roll girl. The yearbook committee girl. The one who gets asked for study guides, not phone numbers.” My voice thins. “I thought if I wore matching sweats and did lip gloss and threw mixers maybe I’d stop being invisible.” “Harper—” “I mean I am still a nerd,” I choke, tears edging hot behind my eyes. “I just… dressed her up in Greek letters and hoped nobody noticed.” A tear slips. I swipe it away, angry. “And none of it mattered. It doesn’t make a difference. I could get a spray tan, starve myself into a size two, buy a padded push-up bra, and it still wouldn’t make him look at me the way he looks at girls like— like them.”

The building buzzed with excited energy as the team transformed the downstairs hall into a runway fit for dreams. Nora watched in a trance as the models transformed into her creations. The hair and makeup artists worked their magic, enhancing each model's natural beauty and accentuating their individual features. Nora observed the subtle changes, the way a touch of mascara could open up a model's eyes, or how a sweep of eyeliner could accentuate their cheekbones. She marvelled at the artistry of it all, the way these skilled professionals could elevate a person's natural beauty to something truly extraordinary.

Thankfully, I avoided looking at him because I could feel my tears welling up in my eyes without any effort. I swallowed one after another and felt the bitterness of my disappointment. He didn't appreciate my makeover! I couldn't understand it! Why does he prefer my nerdy version?! I wanted to punch his chest and shout in his face that I did this makeover to be presentable for this day, especially since we're going to be together.

I hated how excited she sounded. “Something like that,” I muttered, turning back to the screen so she wouldn’t see my face. “Oh my God, sis. I can help you make Nico fall for you.” I didn’t need help. I didn’t even care about him. But I couldn’t say that. “First, you need a makeover,” she said, dragging me away from my desk. “The nerd look with the glasses isn’t helping.” “I like the nerd look,” I argued. “And I don’t mind going to my engagement like this.”

The mirror is foggy, my reflection too. I dress slowly. Every movement is precise, studied. Dark jeans, a black turtleneck. A well-tailored beige jacket. No trace of provocation. Nothing that screams. I want to go unnoticed. I want to be that silhouette that is immediately forgotten. In front of the mirror, I apply light makeup. Just enough to smooth my features. To diminish the shadows under my eyes. I am tired, but there is no way that shows. In the kitchen, the silence is almost comfortable. I pour myself a coffee and two slices of toast. I quickly take a bite and two sips.

She knew it would be difficult for Katherine to get ready on her own. "You don't need to ask," Katherine shouted her reply, a smile on her face. With the help of Hannah, Katherine was transformed into a beautiful goddess. She was no longer looking like a nerd as her glasses had long been discarded, replaced with contact lenses. "Just look at how stunning and gorgeous you look," Hannah commented, feeling proud of her work in transforming her nerdy best friend into a different person. "I think it's time you got rid of these glasses for good, Kat. You really need to start making up more."

“Fine.” Or maybe not, she thought. She glanced around and realized she had walked all the way to the park without realizing where she was. Without noticing the dozens of pedestrians lining the sidewalks. A number of high schoolers and a few adults, too, sported black-rimmed glasses and plastic pocket protectors filled with ink pens, all in honor of Nerd Day. Most people were decked out in red and white—even Nick wore a red-and-white team jacket with leather sleeves. She shook her head. She must have really been out of it. She wondered if she would have noticed if there’d been a fire.

" That's a pretty good brain there nerd " he says " Don't you have other things to do ? " I ask him, getting irritated by his presence " Oh are you telling me to leave ? " he pouts jokingly " Maybe.. now that you understand then leave " I say " I like it when you're angry nerd " he says " Stop calling me nerd,it's Raine " I almost yell " I know it's Raine nerd but I like nerd better nerd " he keeps saying nerd again and again.

I kick his bedframe to make sure he jolts awake. He startles upright, nearly impaling himself dozens of times on my Neron. His wide, cinnamon brown eyes find mine in the dim light. “You’re right about some things,” I say, my voice low and dark. “The galaxy can’t use Neron in interplanetary warfare. We can’t trust them to govern themselves and the Neron trade. But what you’ve done is conquer the galaxy with fear. There are about a hundred different ways that this could be done better. Your turn is over.”

I had no idea what she had planned for my little makeover, but I couldn't deny my pure excitement to find out. "We'll start with the hair," a stylish red-head spoke up, grabbing some bottles of product from the back wall. I couldn't see exactly what she was holding, but it looked like a lot of stuff. "We're still going with the neon green, right Nikki?" She appeared to be joking, although I honestly found it hard to tell. "What happened to the hot pink?" Nikki replied, trying to hide her smile but failing miserably. "I guess lime green will do." "Y'all are scaring me," I groaned. "Let's just get this over with."