Samantha sat up in bed, holding out her arms to make sure she hadn't shrunk into a little girl. If anything her arms appeared longer and leaner, the skin on them a deep tan. The T-shirt she wore fit tight around her heaving bosom while the jeans fit loose around her narrow waist.
She leapt from the bed, hurrying over to the mirror. "Oh my God!" she squealed. She was beautiful! She ran a finger along her smooth cheeks to her cute button nose. Then she swept her hair-no longer black but a chocolate brown-back behind a pair of adorable little ears.
She danced down the hallway to Joseph's room, throwing open the door. He looked up from his workbench, his jaw going slack. "Samantha? You look wonderful."
"I feel wonderful," she said. She hugged Joseph, rubbing a wet cheek against his. "I never thought I could look this pretty. Thank you, Joseph. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." He took her hand and stood up. "Come on, we have to show everyone." They walked down the stairs hand-in-hand, finding Prudence and Wendell in the kitchen.
"Samantha, what happened to you?" Prudence asked. "You look different."
"I am different. I'm pretty now." She kissed Joseph on the cheek. "I'll see you guys later. Don't wait up."
She and Joseph left the room laughing and continued laughing all the way to the car. As Joseph pulled the car out of the driveway, Samantha stuck her head out the window to let the wind blow through her hair and whoop. Never before had she felt so free.