Finding a Fit

Time Six: Turn That Frown, Upside Down

Taiga stared.

He squinted his eyes. He tilted his head. He bit his lip.

And he stared.

He knew looking in the mirror wouldn't have helped matters. It never did. But despite that he stared right back at the reflection of himself in the glass.

When one stares into a mirror, the only thing you expect to see is what others see when they look at you. He was constantly reminded of his good looks and charms by many. Taiga was supposed to see this handsome man, with chiseled abs and ruby red eyes to die for. He was supposed to be confident. He was supposed to be happy.

But he wasn't.

He couldn't.

Taiga knew that he was appealing to the eye. So why did he look... why did he feel... so ugly?

His eyes couldn't help but narrow down to his most unappealing features of himself. Red and yellow tossed hair that hung like wet noodles when it wasn't slicked with hair gel (which he had ran out of.). Elongated canines that stuck out from his mouth. Blood red eyes making him look like a demon. And right bang in the middle of his face, a wide rugged dark pink scar stretching all across the bridge of his nose.

Look at you. What even is this? You're disgusting.

N-No he wasn't-

Who the hell are you kidding? Just look at yourself. Who even has teeth like that, you freak.

His teeth didn't matter, he was fine, he was alright-

Sure you are. Last time I checked, no one has a nasty ass scar on their face like you do.

It was just a cut, that didn't mean anything-

Doesn't mean anything?! You remember how you got that scar, don't you? You got it because he was angry at you. You didn't listen. You deserve that scar.

That- that wasn't true-

Who the fuck are you trying to fool? You know, it might've been a little better if you were ugly but nice. But no. Not even your personality is appealing. You're nothing but a mean asshole that doesn't know how to be decent.

...

Look at the time, you're late. Quit moping and get a move on.

Today was not going to be a good day.

"Dynamite! There ya are, what took you so long?"

Taiga trotted into the canteen, his hoodie obscuring anyone seeing his mangled hair and sad expression. He numbly gave Yoichi a shrug of his shoulders as he sat down at the table.

God, he hated days like these, where the small little voice in his head gained power and volume, consuming his every thought. He thought it had gone away after his reconciliation with everyone at camp last year, but apparently not.

Taiga was too wrapped in his own mind to notice Yoichi raising an eyebrow in suspicious concern. He let out a small cough.

"So... Torch-Head was texting me about that burger place you love. They've just got in this boneless rib burger. Sounds pretty cool, right?"

"Heh, yeah, we should definitely-"

Really? Is food all you think about? Not even Hiro is this bad, you fat fuck. Who said they wanted to go with you anyway?

"-y-you guys go ahead. I should probably stay behind."

"Psh, what c'mon man, you really passing up on this? I thought you loved burgers. They're legit all you eat."