James Sanders was dropped off by his mom, at Fair Oaks mall on the last Saturday before school. Their conversation the previous morning had led him here, to the place he most hated. He wasn’t a social butterfly. He was kind of a dweeb. His long stringy black hair hung in his face, and he always wore his favorite shapeless hoodie everywhere he went. He looked like the poster child for the slacker generation. Earlier his mother noticed all his clothes were tattered and faded, and she thought he needed some new things before school went back in session. They argued for several hours until finally they came to a compromise that he could go shopping for his own things. She was okay with him having his own style. She just wanted him to be clean.

Handing him her credit card, she said, “You’ll need 5 or 6 new outfits, plus some gym clothes, and you might as well get a haircut while you’re in there. If you think you’re responsible enough, you can go ahead and get a new phone as well. I’ll call the phone store, and let them know you’re coming. Text me when you’re done, and I’ll come get you.”

Being a typical grumpy teenage boy, he took the opportunity, as a punishment, and dreadfully made his way to the entrance. As he entered the food court, he saw the arcade on the right, and decided that would be the best way to kill some time. Time crisis was a lot of fun, but it was a quarter eater. After about 20 minutes he burned through his reserves, and realized he needed to find something else to entertain him, before he called his mom, and told her he couldn’t find anything.

The one thing about the mall he did like was all the pretty girls. There were girls working in shops, girls looking through clothes, and girls just plain hanging around. Too bad none of them would ever take an interest in him.

He walked around from shop to shop, looking at nothing, while occasionally stepping outside to sneak a cigarette. Coming across MacArthur’s department store, curiosity got the better of him and he made his way inside. The 3 story shop contained everything you could think you’d need for the decoration of your home, and yourself. The first floor was for men’s wear and appliances. The second held all make of clothing for sophisticated women, of any age. The third featured a full service salon, and makeup department.

Wandering aimlessly around the store, James happened upon the dressing rooms. He’d never seen a girl naked in person before. Was it anything like the internet? Feeling a bit sneaky he crept into the dressing area to try and sneak a peek. Checking under stall after stall he saw no one’s feet, and was about to turn around, and leave disappointed, when he heard, “What are you doing?”

He glanced up to see a pretty brunette twenty something, staring holes through him. She was wearing simple short black skirt, black heels, and a white button down blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her nametag said Pamela.

Trying to think of any excuse he could, he reached randomly into the nearest clothing rack, and grabbed the first thing he could find, and said, “I was just wanting to try this on. I’m shopping for my back to school wardrobe.”

“Really?”, the attendant replied, very skeptically. As she stood with her hands on her hips, he notice that above her name her nametag said personal stylist.

“Yeah. My mom dropped me off with her credit card. I’m supposed to get some new school outfits, and gym clothes. I’m also supposed to get a haircut, and pick out a new phone.”, he said nervously.

“So you want to try on that dress then?”

Looking down he realized he was holding an orange and white print dress in his hands, he returned his gaze to her blushing profusely. Seeing an opportunity, for a great commission, and an opportunity to teach the little pervert a lesson, she began to plan her next move. Her tone quickly changed to a perky salesperson, trying to help a customer.

“Well the color isn’t really right for your current hair color. We can take care of that up in the salon. Come with me and we’ll get you started up there. While you’re getting the works I can go ahead and arrange a few things for you to try on when you get back.”

Ready to make an escape, the boy said, “No that’s alright. I don’t think it’s for me.”

Seeing him trying to escape, Pamela grabbed his arm, and said, “But I insist. I know that I could bring out your best features if you let me. Unless you don’t really want that new wardrobe. I wonder what security would think of a boy back here, who didn’t want to buy anything. What else could he be doing in this dressing room? You should go ahead and give me your wallet, so I can get this account started for you.”

Realizing his defeat, James reached in his pocket, and handed over his wallet. Taking his card and id out, she examined it. The last names on the card matched. That part of his story checked out at least. She thought to herself, “If he wants a new look, I’ll give him one.”

Placing the cards back in the wallet, she said, “Jamie. That’s a very pretty name. Follow me Jamie. I’ll take you up to get your hair fixed. It looks like you’re overdue. I know how that goes.

Leading the frightened boy up the elevator, they head toward the salon. Entering they are greeted by a middle-aged redheaded woman with her hair twisted up in the back, with curls spilling out the top.

“Hi Louise. This is Jamie. I found him downstairs trying to find a new dress for a new back to school look. I figured you could help him get the style he seems to be going for. I’m thinking he should go blonde with a soft perm, and maybe French tips. Also, all that body hair definitely has to go.”

A little taken aback, she looked at the young boy and ask, “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

Frightened, he looks towards Pamela sporting a serious glare, and says, “Yes. I think that would be great. Whatever you think is best.”

“Well if you insist, I guess I have a lot to work with.”

James is led to the back and asked to disrobe. He puts on the pink terrycloth robe, that was offered, and waits lying on the table. A woman of Asian decent steps in with a serious look on her face. He says hello, but she shakes her head and says “No English.” Quietly he waits as she applies wax to his legs, and covers them with strips. Almost relaxing, he’s brought to a rude awakening, by the sudden tug that takes all of the leg hair with it. After finishing the legs, she makes her way up the rest of his body. Finishing with he eyebrows, his skin feels like it’s on fire. She then begins to rub lotion all over his sore body, to help with the redness.

After that Louise brings him a bag, and something on a hanger. In the bag he finds a pair of yellow satin panties, and a matching bra with a little bow between the cups. After struggling with it for a minute he manages to arrange it in place, and looks in the bag to find a pair of b cup breast forms with a little note attached to them. The note read, “For a ‘girl’ like you who could use a little help.” Trying to get through it as quickly as possible he does as he’s told and inserts the breast forms. Looking to the garment on the hanger, he realizes that it’s the dress he was holding earlier. Sighing, he puts the dress on looks at himself in the mirror. What he saw was a skinny young girl with a plain face, beneath her arched eyebrows, and stringy unkempt hair. Her dress was a tight fitting orange and white print knee length sheath. It had a braided brown leather belt around the waist. He thought that the dress looked very sophisticated for a girl his age, but still very age appropriate. Something a fashionista would wear. Summoning all his courage he stepped out into the main area.

Louise was waiting for him by her chair. After sitting him down she began the process of bleaching his hair. While coating his head in the smelly liquid she rambled about how her daughter had hair the same color, and about how she knew he would look just precious when she was done. He thanked her, as best he could, and hoped that he would be able to undo this when it was all over.

After 20 minutes under the dryer, he was washed out, and she began cutting his hair. She first cut straight bangs across his forehead, and then he noticed her cutting a lot around the ends, but that not much length was coming off. When she was done she rolled his hair up in rollers, and it was under the dryer again. While he was waiting for his hair to dry, the asian woman returned and started working his nails. When she was done he had a nice set of French tips, and shiny clean well rounded toe nails. After the soft perm she tweaked her creation. His reflection in the mirror was that of a young girl with blonde hair, and bangs. Her hair fell wavily down her back and ended in a light curl at the bottom.

“I think you could do with a bit a fancy style for your debut, don’t you?”, said the nice woman, smiling politely. She teased the crown of his hair a little, creating a little bump, and gathered it all back and secured it in a half back with a matching orange barrette. “All done.”, she said. “Pamela will meet you out front, so you can go to the makeup counter.”

“Thanks.”, he almost whimpered, slipping his feet into the white 4 inch pumps, left at the base of the chair, and he made his way out the door.

“Don’t you look pretty?”, Pamela said, grinning ear to ear. “Come this way. We need to get your face looking as hot as the rest of you.” The two made their way over to the cosmetics counter. Sitting there were 3 girls wearing a similar outfit as Pamela, but more heavily made up, almost to a characterish degree. Pamela greeted them and said, “Girls, this is Jamie. She needs a smoking hot look to go with the new hair. Make her look completely kissable.” Jamie was quick to notice her change of pronouns. He was grateful that this was getting less embarrassing, even if by a little.

The girls started working on his face. After about an hour of brushing and painting, and coating, he was handed a mirror. His face now looked bright and flush, with big blue eyes, and long lashes. His lips were a soft pink, and they looked a little bigger, from the lip plumper they used. As he was staring at the image they created, they snuck in and sprayed him with a rose scented perfume.

Pamela chimed in, “Thanks girls. She looks great. We’re off to the jewelry counter now.”

Taking James by the hand, she walks him to their next stop. She was really starting to enjoy this. She loved her job. He was starting to look so pretty, she almost forgot he was a pervert getting what was coming to him.

At the jewelry counter they had him try on several bracelets and necklaces, seeing which worked well with his complexion, and what seemed like his style. He was just hoping that the worst wouldn’t happen, but then it did. “Time for earrings!”, Pamela squealed. They picked out several styles, ranging from long dangly ones, to simple studs. Pamela finally decided on a pair of large wide silver hoops. Next thing he knew both his ears were pierced, and he was sporting the new earrings.

“Looks like you’re all set.”, Pamela said. “It’s time to shop till you drop.”

“Let’s just get this over with.”, James said, wobbling behind her in the unfamiliar heels.

She took him back to the dressing room where she had caught him. She made him try on outfit after outfit, taking pictures of him posing in each one. She made him smile in each picture as she added various accessories. When they were finished he was returned to the orange dress, while she sent the film, and the clothes to back for packaging.

“Well, I guess we’re all done here. I’ll run your card and get you ready to go. I would have to say that this was probably my most successful makeover. But you have to remember that what makes an outfit is the accessories. ” She placed a knee length white satin coat, with a single row of buttons down the front on his shoulders. She then hands him a brown buckled handbag, and shows him how to hold it over the crook of his elbow. She then places a large white pair of sunglasses above his new bangs. “Here’s a new wallet for you. I’ve already moved your id and your mom’s card over to it. I think the pink suits your new look better. There’s also all of the makeup that we used earlier in the purse. It’s going to take a bit to get your things ready to go. Didn’t you say you’re supposed to go get a new phone?”

“Yeah. I’m supposed to get a smart phone finally. I think I’m going to wait till later. It just doesn’t seem that important to me right now.”

“Nonsense. I’ll go with you. I’m taking my break soon. It’ll be fun.”

James hung his head, and resigned himself to the fact that this girl had him firmly under her thumb. The two made their way down to the phone store and Pamela made sure she was the one who spoke to the man behind the counter.

“This is James Sanders. He’s supposed to pick up a new phone.”

While James lowered his eyes in shame, the man snickers, and shows her the options.

She asked, “He’ll take the pink one with the white polka dots. I think it’s the cutest.”

After his service was transferred they made their way back to the store to grab his purchases. Before giving him his new phone, she made sure to text ‘mom’ to come pick him up. After retrieving his new things, they headed toward the main entrance, so James could await his fate.

When his mother pulled up she got out of the car, and started looking for him. James tried to ignore her hoping she would leave, but soon enough she recognized her own son. “James? Is that you?”

Pamela quickly jumped in and said, “You must be Mrs. Sanders. Jamie here has just been a thrill. I’m her personal stylist Pamela. I saw her in the dressing room holding a dress, and offered her some help. She told me she was getting some back to school clothes, but the poor thing didn’t seem to have any fashion sense, so I just had to help her out. We’ve gotten her several new outfits for class, and gym, and also for any important social functions she’ll have to attend through the year. We’ve compiled a photo album of her modeling her new clothes.”

Handing Mrs. Sanders the album, they flip through it looking at James in all his new outfits. The first that caught her eye was his new gym clothes. They were a pair of pink short shorts, and a white tank top, with pink and white trainers. The second was a legging and sweater dress combo with a cowl neck, and knee high boots. The last flashy one, was him in a white off the shoulder dress, with a flouncy skirt that fell to mid thigh, and a black ribbon tied around the waist into a large bow at the front. His feet were perched atop a pair a white strappy 3 inch heels, and his head was topped with a white large brimmed boaters hat with a large black bow on the left side.

After putting the album back in the bag, they loaded all of the packages, which filled up the entire trunk and backseat of the car. James sat in the passenger seat, about as embarrassed as a boy could be in his situation. Mrs. Sanders thanked Pamela for all the help, even though she was sure she wasn’t getting the whole story. The new mother/daughter duo then drove home in the most uncomfortable silence anyone could think of. It was only broken once when she said, “At least you’ll be one of the most stylish people in school.”

The End