I don't feel any different.

I may look different.

But I feel the same.

Like the girl that never had anything to be admired in the looks department, the one nobody truly saw.

I felt rustling beside my ear, chuckles and clapping hands as my overexcited sister pulled off my blindfold with a flourish.

I have been sat here, in this not so comfortable salon chair, for what seems like days, my legs are numb, I am exhausted and I really don't feel like looking at my 'new and improved' self.

I clamped my eyes shut, not ready to see whatever Tiffany had done to me and my poor, poor face.

"Happy birthday, Liss!" Tiffany shouted.

"Thank you!" I replied.

There was an awkward silence as I imagined my sister doing jazz hands waiting for me to jump up and down in amazement. Believe me, I feel bad for not acknowledging my sister's hard work, but I am not going to abandon my post. I'm too scared to take a look. It's safe in my mind, behind closed eyes.

"Wait." Tiffany muttered, "That's why you're so quiet, you haven't even opened your eyes!"

I shook my head, trying not to laugh, let me explain. My sister, Tiffany, works at a salon. A salon which just happens to be where I am held captive right now.Tiffany has been itching for a chance to give me a makeover for a very long time. Around four years in fact, apparently, she kept count. And so, at around eight in the morning on my birthday, Tiffany ambushed me, dragging me to her salon whilst I cursed and cried out on the way. She considers this a birthday gift. And I have to admit, it is very relaxing having people pamper you for several hours. But this is my first time. I am a makeover virgin. And so excuse me if I am but nervous, sentimental even.

"Open them, Melissa," Tiffany said in her serious voice. "before I pry them open myself." 

She was dead serious.

"Okay, okay," I replied, "I'm sorry, Tiff. I'm just a bit scared."

"Don't be, hon! Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about!"

I smiled warily, opening my right eye and staring at my sister.

"Great start, Liss," She coaxed, "You're nearly there... and there you go!"

I squinted against the salon's fancy lighting. After hours of sitting in the dark my eyes needed a minute or so to catch up.I used this excuse to it's full capacity.

"Look!" My sister said, snapping her fingers in front of my face. "You can't ignore this forever. You agreed to it and you can't avoid reflective surfaces for the rest of your life! I went with mum to see your new school and every single classroom has a window. You're screwed."

"Thanks for the encouragement, Tiff." I muttered, rolling my eyes. Tiffany started tapping her foot as I made a show of squinting and itching my nose.

"Okay," I said. "I'm ready."

I'm nowhere near ready.

"Yay!" Tiffany cried, "I'm so excited!"

I am so not excited.

"Okay then... Mother! Bring forth the mirror."

I cleared my throat, trying to hide a laugh.

"Uh, Tiff?" I asked, "Why does mum need to bring us the mirror? There's one right behind me."I start to swivel around but Tiffany grabs the armrests of the chair and stops me mid-turn.

"It's for dramatic effect."

"Oh, because that makes sense."

We wait a painfully slow minute until my mother stumbles through the door holding a mirror nearly twice her size with one of Tiffany's work colleagues. The mirror has banners across the top with happy birthday Melissa written in sparkly pen. It is a gorgeous mirror. I've wanted one like that for a very long time.

As Tiffany watches me admire it she smiles smugly. "That's stage two of your birthday surprise."

"Wait that's mine?" I squealed. "You're kidding me, right? I love it, Tiff. I love it!"

I jumped up, squeezing my sister tight.

"Oh, don't worry about me," My mother gasped, looking red in the face. "Your poor old mother slaving away to bring you the biggest mirror in history for your sixteenth birthday."

"It's beautiful mum, thank you!"

My mum smiled and gave me a hug, "Happy birthday, sweetheart! I'm glad you like it!"Tiffany smiled and clapped her hands, it almost gave me whiplash when her turned so serious, taking on a new, low and dangerous persona.

"It's time."

"Oh great!" my mum laughed, "I thought I'd missed it! Your sister hear wouldn't let me say anything to you about your appearance, honey but let me just say you look - "

"No!" Tiffany screeched. "Not until she's seen it herself!"

She laced her hand in mine and gently dragged me over to my birthday mirror so that my back was facing it.

"One...Two...Three!"

She turned me around with so much force, I nearly fell over but that wasn't what surprised me. What did is that I was now had brown hair.

I took a step closer so that I could see my face more clearly.My skin looked flawless, so smooth and clear, my hair was shiny and silky, flowing almost towards my waste in subtle waves, a light brown, going blonde towards the end. My eyebrows, once unkempt and unruly now plucked entirely to perfection. My ears decorated with stud earrings after my sister convinced me that I would look good with my ears pierced. My lips were lined and coloured a deep red, making them look much bigger than they used to. My eyelashes are long and curled and my eyelids are covered in shimmering gold eyeshadow making the sharp blue colour of my iris stand out.

I took a few deep breaths.

"I... I look kind of... Pretty." I whispered.

A head appeared next to me, laying lightly on my shoulder.

"You look more than pretty, Liss," Tiffany replied, giving me a nudge. "You look drop-dead gorgeous."

"You do, sweetie!" My mother said, holding my other hand. Tears sprang to her eyes. "Thank you... Thank you, thank you, Tiffany."

Tiffany removed her head off of my shoulder and twisted me to face her.

"You're welcome, Liss. I love you, happy birthday."

My sister waited a moment for me to compose myself and then grabbed our bags and coats, pulling me to the door.

"Now for stage three!"

"The part I've been dreading." Mum muttered, wiping her eye and reaching protectively for her purse.

"Shopping spree!" Tiffany yelled.

"But I didn't bring any money." I said, "Can we go back home first? I just need to grab my purse"

"Don't worry about it, Liss. Get what you want! It's on mum!"

And as Tiffany pulled me out of the door I laughed as mum chased after us shouting, "Within reason!"