Ugly Duckling

Anonymous · 5th July 2005, 14:31

Sorry if this is too long but I am not a great story teller.

They were all 18 having finished their exams and soon to join the big wide world.

The boys were headed by the alpha-male, Shane, who was incredibly good looking, was top in all sports, had acres of charisma and could get any girl he wanted. The only trouble with him is that he knew it. There was not a gang as such but all the boys tended to follow Shane because that is where all the action was. He was closely followed by his lieutenants Steve and Phil - who were good-looking and got their fair share of girls whether this was due to being part of the gang or by their own volition - who knows? Of course there were other hangers on and 'yes-men picking up the spoils. This will probably be their roles in real life too.

The girls had a similar hierarchy - with the top-girl being Debbie (really Deborah but woe-betide anyone who called her that) a typically sexy girl with lovely features albeit accentuated by all the latest make-up perfectly applied. Her hair was the latest layered cut straightened to perfection with an ever-changing colour. At the moment, she had an array of different blonde high-lights with the ends 'dipped' in a darker colour. Her clothes were the latest high street looks - typically with the tightest jeans and three to four inch classic stilettos. There was also Gemma and Amy desperately trying to keep up with the latest fashions but Debbie was always one step ahead. They all got as much attention as they needed but all competed nevertheless. Again, amongst the girls there were the ‘not-so-pretty’ the fat and the ordinary girls but one had to belong to do anything.

John was different. He would get on with the ‘gang’ but were not part of it. He was good at his school work and quite good at sports and enjoyed various hobbies. He would be friendly with all the girls from Debbie downwards – they, in turn, were friendly but did not ‘notice’ him. He was not part of the male gang and did not swagger around showing off. If only they would notice, they would realise that he was good-looking but did not have an attitude with it. Not only did he have a rapport with the girl posse but also had a good friendship with other members of the class. One of these was Elizabeth – a fresh-faced blonde girl with lovely features but wore no make-up and adhered strictly to the school uniform. She wore the same every day – a bottle-green jumper and matching pleated skirt at the knees which nearly met the knee-high green socks. All finished off with flat brown lace-up shoes. Her hair appeared long but was always in a bun perfectly arranged on her head – it was blonde but naturally so.

Elizabeth, like John, just got on with things at school. She appeared very studious but was not averse to joining in with conversations but kept away from the banal discussions on fashion boys etc. Everybody at the school was aware of the event of the year – the dance arranged to wave goodbye to the school from the school leavers. Of course, the’gangs’ were going and the talk of the girls was what to wear – as this was to be the time to really shine. Debbie, Amy and Gemma had been discussing, debating and shopping for months – no doubt, at times when they should have been revising. The main thing for the boys was who to invite – as it was understood that this was the gentlemanly thing to do. Even though everybody was free to come on their own, to arrive with a partner added a certain amount of kudos to the boys and a feeling of being wanted by the girls.
All the gang members paired up from the top down – even all the also-rans took pride in being paired. John was looking forward to going and wasn’t particularly worried about going with somebody as he was very sociable and would talk to anybody. He was talking to Elizabeth on the penultimate day before the big event.

John asked “ Are you going to the dance, Elizabeth?”
“No” she answered in a quite matter of fact way
“Why not?” he enquired
“I have no-one to go with” she replied
“You don’t have to have anyone to go with, silly!” he remarked.
“I couldn’t just walk in there on my own” she retorted.
“Oh…” said John in an understanding tone nodding his head but his brain cells obviously not latched on to what she was really saying. After a while, like a light bulb sparked up he exclaimed “…you could always come with me if you want?”
“Seeing as you asked so nicely – I will, thank you” she said. John was pleased with his idea and was delighted with the response, so much so that the hint of sarcasm was lost on him.
“Do you want me to pick you up” he enquired
“Thank you but if we meet outside – that will be fine” Elizabeth replied

It was the night of the dance and the music was in full swing. John arrived early as he always did – he was always punctual. In any event, he got to see the others arriving in dribs and drabs. There was no dress rules but each and every girl and boy made an effort in their own way. A number of the lads wore suit and ties, some wore jacket and trousers and some wore smart jeans – but the dress was not to do with them. It was a time for the girls to shine – as young ladies. The plain Janes with their opposite numbers in the gang arrived and they all scrubbed up well wearing a different assortment of short skirts, long skirts, dresses and mostly high heels. Most seem to go for a heel which was an inch up from what they normally wear so there were a few tottering in on three and a half to four inch heels.

Then, of course, as protocol seemed to demand – the top girls turned up with their beaus. Amy arrived on the arm of Phil in a white silky shift dress and perfectly matched pure white stilettos with nicely sculpted 4” heels. She gave the walk, of which she was used to being quite used to wearing heels. Her dark curls bouncing on her shoulders. Next came Gemma who was stick-thin and could get into absolutely anything – showed off her body in the latest designer jeans finished off with knee-length patent leather boots with a 4” heel. She was also used to wearing heels but due to her size, had quite a wobble in her heels but the boots were a good idea as this gave her a little more rigidity in her ankles. As if rehearsed, a taxi pulled up outside the venue and, of course, it was the self-appointed king and queen. Shane was in a crisp white shirt with perfectly ironed black trousers and short tight-fitting leather jacket with up-turned collar - he was smart but casual. Debbie then stepped out with her fashionable hair teased into the most fabulous style. Her make-up was so exquisitely applied as ever only more of it. She wore a red silk (one assumes) top and black skirt just above the knees finished of with some glorious red stiletto sandals – and for her she looked quite classy. She lapped up any stares she got, which included an admiring look from John. At this she worked those heels which were the highest she could find in the shops. She was assured they were 4 ½ inches and they seemed even higher as were just held on by the merest of straps.

John had been waiting for quite a while but had been entertained along the way by all his friends or classmates turning up looking their best. Seeing the girls turning up with the highest of heels on was quite a turn on for John as he secretly loved the look. The ‘higher echelon’ of his peers were especially rousing. With Amy in her white stilettos and Gemma in her kinky boots – topped off with Debbie, who he had always fancied anyway, in those gorgeous sandals – they must have been 5 inches he thought. He had heard of shoes that high but not seen them in real life. He wished now that he had been part of the gang now and had the chance to get close to the best girls. With all that distraction, he had forgot why he was here – of course – Elizabeth. Who needs all that window-dressing – the top-dogs do not have much up top (apart from their breasts) : Elizabeth is so nice to talk to , intelligent, bright and appears caring.. It seems, however, that she is not coming – all too daunting he supposes. He dutifully waits with late arrivals turning up in various taxis and cars. He is about to abandon hope when another car draws up and out steps a girl whom he doesn’t recognise at all – I mean, you would do with this one. As she nears he looks her in the eyes as she is coming towards HIM and, it is his date…

Inside, the hall is decked out in party paraphernalia and all the young men and ladies are taking drinks and standing around chatting in a foyer area all ogling the new arrivals. Of course the royalty had arrived and any late-comers are given a cursory glance as they blend into the background. Debbie is holding court and the other hens are jostling for position. At that moment the door opens which is noticeable due to a squeak and John enters holding the door open for someone. It is a young lady with blonde hair flowing down to her waist. The music stops, coincidentally, and then so does the hubbub – especially as most eyes are on the new-comers. The new apparition walks a couple of steps and turns to await John – her hair swishes round like a perfect curtain and swishes back. This is the first time that the ensemble can see what she is wearing. It is a figure-hugging black dress covered in thousands of glittery objects shimmering in the light. As she turns back, they can see that the dress is slashed to the thigh and that this girl is wearing black seamed-stockings due to the flash of thigh given.

As they walk in the deathly silence there is the familiar sound of stiletto shoes tip-tapping along obviously coming from this incredibly sexy woman whose hips defy anatomy the way they sashay along and as she gets closer the shoes become evident. They appear to be so high that her feet are practically vertical and as she passes the full motion can be seen from the back with a slight wiggle at the ankle with every step. The girls burn up with envy as they see the outfit and they see the reaction of their ‘partners’ Shane steps forward to meet John and says “ Who is this?”
John looks at the assembled group and says “Let me introduce Elizabeth”
“What, the swot with the socks?” said Shane disparagingly
“That’s me!” replied Elizabeth
“How high are those shoes?” enquired Debbie.
At which point, Elizabeth put her leg out to one side and tilted her foot showing the incredibly high and piercingly slim black heel. The shoes were a very glossy patent leather with very pointed toes low cut to show a great deal of her dainty toes.
“They are just over six inches she calmly said”
“How do you walk in them?” said Gemma sneeringly.
“Easily, with practice. You girls should try it” Elizabeth said smugly.
“Don’t need to wear things like that!” said Amy confidently.
“That’s not what your menfolk think!” said Elizabeth, equally as confidently, at which point she turned on her heels as swept off to the bar.

“I didn’t recognise you” said Richard.
“That was obvious” said Elizabeth “but then you weren’t looking at my eyes”
“Sorry”
“No, not at all, that was the whole reason for my plan” she said.
“…but you don’t look like you normally do” protested John.
“Oh yes I do, it’s just in school that I don’t look like this” she explained. “and at least I know you like me for who I am”
“Oh yes, but what a bonus – do you always wear high heels?”
“Yes and some are even higher” whispered Elizabeth.
“Wow, we have to go out more often” exclaimed John.
“No need”, she purred “these are not coming off until morning – until you take them off”
“I am glad I didn’t join the gang now and get off with the usual type” said John in seventh heaven.
“Quite right” said Elizabeth “You should never judge a book by its cover – the best books can be re-bound”.