Melissa had landed her first job as an intern at the advertising agency of Thompson and Thompson. At 18 years old and a freshman at University of Penn this was a huge accomplishment. Melissa had always been a very shy and awkward kid for years. Known as the ugly girl in school because she was awkwardly tall, had very long red hair and freckles. She also wore these glasses that were too big for her face and braces full of colors. To add misery to her pain Melissa had three older sisters that were beautiful. They were the most popular girls in school and in their community. Some people believed Melissa was adopted. For Melissa to go away to college in Pennsylvania was big for a girl from a small town in Florence KY. This was finally her time to get from behind her sisters shadow and be herself.
She knew landing this dream internship would only help her come out of shell. Melissa wanted nothing more than to be known better yet seen. However in the world she was entering it was far from what she was expecting. You would have to do a lot more than just show up to be seen.
On her first day she was so excited, this was a new beginning. Melissa even thought about dating for the first time in her life. That morning before her classes she picked out her outfit for her first day. A plaid skirt with tights and a white button up shirt. She thought it would be very modest for her receptionist job. 1:00pm arrived and in she walked into this 22 stories building ready to take on the world. She was greeted at the front desk by security that directed her to the HR office on the 13th floor. When she got off the elevator she knew she picked out the wrong outfit. Everybody looked like they just step out of Vogue magazine.
When she stepped to the counter she could barely speak. The receptionist never looked up but was able to give her clear instructions on where to get her badge, where to place her belongings and to report back to her when she done. Melissa did as she was told, when she reported back, there was someone different at the desk. An older woman who made eye contact with her. She introduced herself as Linda Hines and said you must be Melissa. All Melissa could do was nod; she was so taken back by how beautiful the woman was she was speechless.
Linda stood up turned Melissa around and said, “Why would you cover up so much beauty with all of these ungodly things?” Melissa didn’t understand what she meant until she took her hair out of bun, took her glasses off unbuttoned her top two buttons and toss her hair. “Your beautiful” she gave her back her glasses back and told Melissa “Follow me! We have a ton of work to do and your internship is only 3 months!”
Melissa could only think to herself, I knew I wouldn’t be the ugly duckling forever.
August 21, 2002
Dear Diary,
Today has changed my life forever. I will never see myself the same again. The once ugly duckling that I thought I was all those years was just hidden behind clothes and glasses. My mother told me I would see one day what she seen, I can see that now. I’m a beautiful woman, even more beautiful than the Barbie twins. The ugly duckling has turned into a beautiful swan. I’m so happy for Linda she helped me discover me. Get ready Diary the depressing entries are over!
Author Biography Page
My name is Dionne Anderson. My current position is Sr. Director of Environmental Services for 52 Hospitals in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area. I’m also a fulltime student at Full Sail University study to receive my Bachelors in Arts for Creative Writing in October 2014. Writing has been a passion for mines for a very long time. I can’t remember when I didn’t love what words could do.
My biggest goal in life is to become the first African American Woman to win an Oscar for original screenplay. I have always dreamed that I would win and even know 39 years later I still the same way. I have come across so many people in my lifetime, so many characters with many different personalities my imagination is always on go. My biggest problem has always been time. AS much as I have the ideas and the wants and desire to make this dream a reality my “real” life has taken priority. I have a family to take care of, which always seem to put my writing on the back burner. In 2012 I made the ultimate decision that no matter was going on in my life it was time for me to put my dream of winning that Oscar first. It was time for me to share with the world all the stories in my head that kept me up at night because they had nowhere else to go. It was time for me to finally be me. I enrolled at Full Sail University in the Creative Writing Program and never looked back. I have less than 7 months to go and I couldn’t be more proud of what I have accomplished. It’s only the beginning of my dream come true.
The Ugly Duckling Page 2