Title: Beauty and the Bark
---
Chloe had always felt invisible. At Pine Valley High, where appearances mattered more than grades, she was painfully aware of her plain looks. Her unruly hair, thick glasses, and a wardrobe filled with hand-me-downs didn’t help her case. She had no interest in makeup tutorials or fashion trends, unlike her classmates, who seemed to float through life with effortless beauty.
Prom was approaching, and while the entire school buzzed with excitement, Chloe dreaded it. She didn’t have a date, and she knew she wouldn’t get one. Why would anyone ask her?
Her only source of comfort was Toby, her golden retriever. Loyal and always ready to cheer her up, Toby never cared how she looked. “At least I have you,” Chloe would say, hugging him tightly.
---
The night before prom, Chloe sat on her bed, tears streaming down her face. “I wish someone cared enough to take me,” she whispered, stroking Toby’s fur. “Even if it was just pretend.”
As if understanding her pain, Toby licked her hand. But something strange happened. His eyes glowed a faint gold, and a warm breeze filled the room. Chloe blinked in surprise.
When she looked back, Toby wasn’t there.
Instead, standing in the middle of her room was a young man. His golden hair shone under the light, his brown eyes sparkled with kindness, and he had the same goofy grin Toby always gave her.
“Uh... Chloe?” he said, scratching the back of his head. “It’s me. Toby.”
Chloe screamed. “What?! How?! You’re... human!”
“I don’t know!” Toby said, glancing at his hands in awe. “You were sad, and I wanted to help. Then, poof!”
---
After the initial shock, Chloe realized what this meant. “Toby,” she said hesitantly, “would you... be my date to prom?”
Toby tilted his head—still a very dog-like gesture. “Prom? What’s that?”
“It’s... a big dance. People go with someone they like. I don’t have anyone, but now...” She paused, embarrassed. “Would you go with me?”
Toby’s grin widened. “Of course! Anything for you, Chloe.”
---
The next day, Chloe helped Toby pick out a suit, though he struggled with human customs.
“Why do I need shoes?” he grumbled. “My paws—uh, feet—don’t like them.”
“Because humans wear shoes,” Chloe said, laughing. “You’ll get used to it.”
When the night finally arrived, Chloe couldn’t believe her reflection. Her neighbor, a makeup artist, had offered to help her for free. With her hair styled, a beautiful dress, and contact lenses replacing her glasses, she looked... stunning.
“You look amazing,” Toby said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” Chloe replied, smiling.
---
When they arrived at the prom, everyone stared.
“Is that Chloe?” someone whispered.
“And who’s that guy with her? He’s gorgeous!”
Chloe, for once, didn’t feel out of place. With Toby by her side, she walked confidently into the hall. They danced, laughed, and even took silly photos at the booth.
“Thank you,” she said softly as they swayed to a slow song.
“For what?”
“For making this night magical.”
Toby smiled. “You’ve always been magical, Chloe. I just helped you see it.”
---
By midnight, Toby began to glow faintly again. Chloe knew their time was running out.
“I guess I’m turning back,” he said with a sad chuckle.
Chloe hugged him tightly, tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Toby. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
In a flash of light, Toby was a dog again, wagging his tail and looking up at her with those same kind eyes.
---
The next day, rumors about Chloe and her mysterious date spread like wildfire. People treated her differently, noticing her confidence and kindness rather than her looks.
Chloe didn’t care about the attention, though. She had learned something important: beauty wasn’t about makeup or dresses—it was about how you made others feel and how you saw yourself.
As for Toby, he was back to his usual antics, but every now and then, when Chloe caught him wagging his tail, she swore he winked at her.
