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Thursday

Ok so Frank asked me to the Ball today. I know he was just asking to be a good friend, because he knew that I was really upset about it, which just made me feel even worse, because I'm starting to wonder if everyone thinks I'm some kind of charity case. I'm starting to think that when I walk by, they look at me and think, "Poor fat, ugly Maria. It's such as shame that she can't get a date, but then, what does she expect, she's just so ugly?"

I asked Dawn if that was the case, and she laughed at me. Charming! I can't help it if I have insecurities. So, anyway, I obviously turned Frank down. I mean, he's so sweet, but he doesn't even want to go anyway. Romance has never been a big thing for him anyway. Well, with what guy has it ever?

Life's pretty darn depressing at the moment. Mum sat me down yesterday and asked me if there was something I wanted to tell her. I gave her a weird look and said no, should there be? Apparently there's nothing wrong with me- I'm pretty, I have confidence, and I'm smart, so why don't any boys want to go the Ball with me. Thanks mum. A real confidence booster, that one!

Tomorrow's the last day Dave has to ask me to the Ball, I'm pretty sure he hasn't got a date yet, but I don't know for sure. I'm going to get up an hour early to do my make up in the morning, and try and cover at least some of my repulsive spots!

Friday

I am in shock! I am totally shocked! I can't believe what happened today. I am going to the Ball with Dave! I mean God, me and Dave! Dave and me! I guess I should stop hyperventilating and start from the beginning.

This morning Dawn came up to me looking really pitiful. I asked what was up. She told me that Dave had asked Keely to the Ball. I was so sure he wouldn't ask her! Anyway, I convinced myself that she wouldn't turn him down. I mean, how could she? So I followed mine and every other girl's instincts. I ran to the toilet for a good cry. And guess who should be painstakingly reapplying her lip liner, than "little miss perfect" herself. It took all of my control not to yank the mirror off the wall and hurl it at her.

Anyway, so she saw me crying an asked me what was wrong. I was totally stunned. Her speaking to me? It was like Mel Gibson speaking to the humble girl who makes him coffee! Preposterous! So I told her. God knows why. Perhaps it was the fact that I was completely in shock , but I told her. She was so nice. I cant believe I've spent all this time building her up to be a complete bitch, when she was just so nice. I can tell you, I was gutted. It would have just been so much easier to hate her if she was a bitch!

Anyway, she said that she didn't want to go with him, because he was just too arrogant. She thought he was "conceited, stuck up and vain !" Funny, five minutes before, I would've said exactly the same about her! She said that she'd ask him for me, and while I was desperately trying to remake my blotchy, puffy, spot- infected face, she ran off to ask him.

He found me later, smiled, and said that he'd come round tomorrow at 8. I'm so excited, but I have so much to do. I've got to find a dress that is sexy but also looks sexy on me (mission impossible!), so I'm going to go shopping with Dawn now to find one. My stomach will just not stop jumping, which is good, because I can't eat anything anyway if I'm to slim down to a size 10 by tomorrow (Hey, it's worth a shot!!)

Saturday

It was the most amazing night of my life! I've never seen him in a tuxedo before, but when I did, "phwoar!" Suddenly he just looked so attractive. We danced, we laughed, we kissed. Boy, did we kiss! The kiss was incredible (my first, in case youre wondering). True, I did have a little trouble when my chin painfully collided with his mouth, but what the hell! We laughed, we tried again, and God was it worth the wait!

I felt so good about myself after the Ball that I didn't even find the time to be jealous of Keely. OK, so she looked stunning in her dress, and all eyes did turn towards her when she came in, and she was constantly surrounded by a mass of people, but now I've finally discovered that that she is human after all!

Her date, Ronnie, the obvious choice being captain of the football team (a cliché, I know!) is also the clumsiest oaf alive! He tripped, grabbed onto her dress and ended up making a massive split right the way down the middle. I have no idea how he managed it, but as she stood there, a little more than should be exposed, not one of her "so called friends" went to help her. They just all stood, and laughed at her. You know what, I felt sorry for her. I actually felt sorry for her!

As it happened, Keely, with as much dignity as she could muster, ran out of the hall, for once not looking so stunning-with a crimson face, tears streaming out of her eyes, and a spotty back. I can't believe I've never noticed it before. SHE HAS SPOTS! I know this shouldn't excite me, but I just can't help myself.

By the way, my date turned out not to be "Mr perfect" himself, who turned out after all, not to be "Mr perfect" in the first place! Ok, so he came around my house early, I don't know why, and spent the whole time whining on about how it wasn't his fault the team missed a penalty. Keely was totally right! For the first time in four years I actually had a proper conversation with him, and found him a complete and utter dunce! I was about to die of passive boredom, so I told him I was having an allergic reaction to him (I blamed my acne) and that he'd have to leave. He gave me a weird look, calmly got up and left. I'm still getting over the shock of it now, but I'm so glad I did it.

Anyway, so after a few minutes of stunned silence, guess who should come to the door, but Frank. He told me that he'd liked me for some time now, but had been too shy to say anything. Frank? I'd never thought of him in that way, but suddenly it hit me how cute he looked in a tux. The rest is ancient history!

All I can say is that I'm finally happy. OK, so maybe I don't have the confidence, (it's something I'm working on!) or the legs, (but then neither does Frank!) or even the stunning smile. But you know, a couple of years, a boyfriend, a proper diet, some tooth whitener, I'm getting there!