Excerpt:

Choosing the music is Delia’s favorite part of The Transformation. The right song, artist and/or album set the mood for the evening’s event. Metallica or NIN? No, she wasn’t feeling angry. Springsteen? Maybe some Dylan? She tapped her short nails on the vanity.

“Ooh…I got it.”

Scrolling through her iPod, Delia selected the song then hit PLAY. She smiled as the opening notes of Tom Sawyer filled her ears.

She opened her teal Kaboodle case removing a bandana, a blue jar and a worn washcloth. She laid them on the counter, closed the case and returned it under the sink.

Delia knotted the red bandana behind her neck. She pulled it over her hair, leaving her face exposed. As the water ran from hot to not-so-hot, Delia looked at herself. The girl at Sephora was right - smoky gray eyeliner has the same effect but isn’t as harsh as the black she usually wears. She scooped Noxzema out of the blue tub, smeared it across her face. Delia smiled at the familiar tingling sensation in her belly. It had been almost 3 months; she was very excited.

She wiped away the last traces of Noxzema and makeup. She studied her face in the mirror: a few pimples on her chin, blackheads around her nose, ruddy cheeks. Using the corner of a washcloth, Delia scrubbed at her nose. She picked and squeezed the blackheads. She learned having a red nose and sniffling – a lot - left a certain impression.

Delia already had tonight’s outfit planned: a gold Lakers jersey with Kobe Bryant’s number over a white t-shirt, dark 501s and black Converse hi-tops. The chain wallet was a recent addition. She had seen several boys at the mall wearing them. Most of those boys looked harmless but something about that chain wallet made them look almost badass. She liked that.

Everything was laid out – socks, boxers, wife-beater, tee, jersey and jeans. Naked, Delia sat on the bed and started to dress. Socks first. White tube socks with two navy blue stripes around the top. She stepped into the plaid boxers. They looked huge on her slight frame. Delia decided she wouldn’t need a bra tonight; the wife-beater, tee and jersey would be sufficient camouflage. She didn’t have a whole lot to hide anyway.

That familiar tingling sensation in her belly grew with each piece of clothing she layered on. Delia buttoned her jeans then pulled on the hi-tops. Satisfied with her look, she walked to the bathroom. It was too hot for a hat or beanie, so she would have to take time to do her hair. Slicked back on the sides and spiky on top finished the look. Big diamond studs for her ears completed The Transformation.

In less than 25 minutes, Delia had become Del.