Another Study Hall Begins
âAll right, Little Sisters,â Madison announced, âbefore we start study hall, letâs talk a bit about Sunday. Itâll be your first major event as Delta Darlings and a chance to earn gobs of points!â
The boys glanced at one another, anxiety prickling up their spines. Their girlish appearances once again left them feeling acutely self-conscious. They all looked undeniably feminine in their dainty silk blouses, demure navy skirts, and tights that hugged them snugly from waist to ankle. It was bad enough wearing makeup and adorably feminine hairstyles, but the knowledge that they had done it to themselves seemed to make it worse. Their delicate curls were pinned sweetly with pretty barrettes and shimmering clips that caught the light. Their faces were delicately dusted with petal-pink blush, and their lips were glossy and sweetly tinted. Their feminine lashes fluttered beneath carefully applied mascara. Even the scent of light floral perfume clinging to their skin reminded them how different, how exposed, they felt now.
Madison continued, âAs we mentioned before, youâll be getting your salon âfield tripâ on Saturday. Youâll all be heading to La Belle Vie with your Big Sisters. Itâs makeover time!â she enthused. She continued, âYour Big Sisters will work with the stylists to âfind your look.â I wonât spoil all the surprises now, but on Sunday night, youâll get to show off your adorable new looks for the entire chapter!â With a devious grin, she added, âWeâre going to have so much fun!â
For a moment, the room was silent but for the faint rustling of skirts. Miloâs mouth dropped open; Owen clutched the hem of his blouse; Nateâs face paled several shades, and Julianâs eyes grew wide as saucers. Their stomachs did somersaults at the thought of parading themselves, fully made up and coiffed, before all the sisters. The threat of the even more public spectacle seemed to outweigh the embarrassment of their current state. The prospect of being put on full display, their femininity so carefully crafted and so conspicuously visible, made the embarrassment nearly overwhelming. Their tights and dancerâs belts felt even more confining, as if they were being gently but constantly reminded of their delicate presentation.
The Big Sisters, on the other hand, were nearly giddy with excitement, exchanging gleeful glances and already brainstorming outfit themes and looks for their Little Sistersâ debuts!
Madison grinned at their collective discomfort. âDonât worry, youâll have your Big Sisters guiding you every step. Youâll represent Gamma Delta with style and grace. And rememberâpoints will be awarded for poise, creativity, and, of course, teamwork.â
The boys nodded mutely, the reality of the challenge settling in, but with so many questions still unanswered. Suddenly, every detail of their appearance seemed magnified.
As the Big Sisters again marched them into the study lounge, the boysâ nerves were wound tight, their thoughts already racing ahead to whatever Sunday would entail and the transformations awaiting them at La Belle Vie. The room was already filled with other Gamma Delta sisters scattered at tables, poring over textbooks and laptops. The boysâ cheeks burned as all eyes flicked up, many sisters smirking or whispering behind perfectly manicured hands. Each step made their tights whisper against their legs, and the glossy Mary Jane flats clicked softly on the wooden floor, emphasizing their conspicuous femininity.
Settling awkwardly into their seats, the unfamiliar sensations of makeupâpowder on their cheeks, mascara on their lashesâagain felt foreign and unavoidable. Their skirts swished as they shifted, and every movement seemed to announce their transformation. With every page they turned, they became hyper-aware of the contrast between themselves and the more casually dressed sisters, making concentration nearly impossible as butterflies danced in their stomachs and self-consciousness prickled at their skin.
When the clock struck eight, it was time for another session on Gamma Deltaâs history, traditions and lore.