Young Stella walks alone out of class just moments after the school bell rings. She walks through the halls toward the exit. The happy voices of her peers grab her attention just enough to look up every now and then. The heavy doors to the school's entrance swing open and teenagers begin to flow outside. Stella watches as the popular girls walk towards each other and begin to form a group. Stella looks around at different groups of teens enjoying each other's company. Stella catches a glimpse of her awkward face in the window of a nearby parked car. She is not beautiful like other girls. She is the new kid, the awkward kid, the one that doesn't belong. Her skin is scarred by pimples. Her hair a coiled tangled mess. Her underdeveloped facial features are not proportionated to her face. She humbly walks away towards her home as the sounds of young people having fun in the background fade into the distance. During her walk home she passes a homeless person sitting on the ground. Next to them sits a cup and a piece of cardboard with message written on it. Stella reads the message: "Please help, God bless" is all it says. Stella stops for a moment and reaches into her pocket. She leans down dropping her lunch money into the cup. Not much but the sound of the money entering the cup wakes up the homeless woman. She removes the blanket from her head and looks up at Stella. The woman says to Stella, "Thank you, I've been sitting here all day and no one has even noticed I am here." Stella stops and looks back at the woman. Stella replies, "I know how that feels. I hope your situation gets better." The homeless woman looks carefully at Stella's face. She recognizes that sadness. The homeless woman stands up. Her small frame is hidden by oversized dirty clothes. She looks up at Stella and says, "Maybe we can help each other. I wasn't always this way, I use to be a successful woman. Illness led me to this lifestyle. And I think I can help you." Stella looks confused. "You, help me? How so?" The woman walks a little closer. "I could grant you undeniably beauty and the power to make your friends like you. That was one of my greatest gifts before I ended up this way." Stella is skeptical but interested. "How could you possibly do that? Look at me? What are you gonna do? Give me a makeover?" The woman laughs and replies. "Oh, no, nothing like that. I practice witchcraft. The gift that I would give to you would last far beyond a little mascara and a blow drier. The power that I could pass to you would be undeniable and no body will be able to resist you." Stella looks disgusted and shakes her head, NO. She replies to the woman, "No thank you. I'm not into that." Stella begins to walk away. The homeless turns away but continues to speak to Stella, "This will be the one and only time you will ever see me. You will never get this offer again. You may regret not taking this offer." Stella stops and thinks for a moment. She looks at her reflection in the window of another nearby parked car. Stella takes in a deep breath and sighs. She turns back to walks towards the homeless woman. "What do I need to do for you to help me?" The homeless woman smiles with a mouth full of rotten teeth. She answers Stella's question. "You just need to believe. And all I ask of you is to not change who you are as a person. If you become like them, your beauty will fade. But with risk, reward will come. Look…" the woman points to the car window. Stella looks at her reflection and sees the potentially beautiful new face she will have if she agrees. Stella examines her face in the window in shock. She can't stop smiling. She looks at the woman and replies, "Is this, I mean, are you serious? Is this real?" Stella looks at the window to her reflection again. The beautiful image is no longer there. Stella's normal face is reflected back to her reminding her that the deal must be made. Stella is excited but nervous. "Ok, I will remain the kind and giving person no matter what. Please help me. I promise I won't change." The woman closes her eyes and quickly grabs Stella's hand. She shakes her hand and places something into Stella's palm. Stella notices the woman's eyes are closed and does the same. As Stella stands on the street with the woman's hand in hers and her eyes closed, the woman disappears. Stella opens her eyes and looks around in shock. The woman and her belongings are gone. Stella opens her hand and sees a small crystal. She rushes over to the parked car and examines her face. Stella is seemingly disappointed as she sees no difference in her appearance. Feeling defeated she continues her walk home and enters the house. There is music playing and sounds of happy conversation and laughter fills the air. Stella sees her parents unpacking boxes in the kitchen and putting dishes away. Stella's parents notice Stella is home. Stella's dad walks over to give her a hug. "Hi princess. How was school?" Stella replies, "It was ok." Stella's mom walks over to greet Stella. "Hi Stella I put all of your boxes in your bedroom. I opened the window to get some fresh air. It's such a beautiful day." Stella smiles. "Thanks mom, I'm gonna go lay down. I had a long day." Stella's mom replies, "Ok, dinner will be ready in a couple of hours. Don't sleep too long." Stella walks into her room and sets the crystal on her dresser. She kicks off her shoes and pulls back the blankets on her bed. The sheer curtains blow inward as a gentle breeze fills the room. Stella climbs into bed. She tosses and turns as the homeless woman's voice replays in the back of her mind. "Do not change who you are as a person." Stella tosses and turns and eventually she falls asleep. Hours go by and Stella wakes up out of a deep sleep. Her soft, curly, silky hair covers her pillow. She slides to the edge of the bed and sits herself up. She walks over to the window to close it as she notices her body looks much different. She has a gorgeous new shape as she looks down at herself. Stella excitedly rushes over to the mirror that leans against her wall. Her beauty is beyond what she expected. Shocked beyond words her face remains excited and in shock as she examines her new look. Stella's happiness is replaced with nervousness as she suddenly hears her mother call her down to dinner. She realizes that she will have some explaining to do when her parents see her. She nervously locks her door and thinks of any excuse to text her parents. She begins to type on her phone: "Mom, I'm sorry, I'm not feeling good. I have a major headache. I'll eat later. I've gotta sleep it off." As Stella waits for a reply, she continues to check herself out in her mirror. Her phone alerts a text: "Ok if you need anything let me know. I love you." Stella texts her mom back: "I love you too."
