The "Perfect" Acne Story (On Hold)

🌹Fifteen 🌹

True confidence starts within.
How you see yourself and
How you treat yourself
- thepurpleluna

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    Being friends with a fashion designer really brings benefits. We were both given front row seats, which is just near the T stage which will give us a better view of the show that was about to happen in 5 minutes.

    To say I was not anxious is a total lie, the moment I sat down my hands could not stop picking and piling on my nails, if Jessica was here she would definitely kick me in the head because this habit of mine will "destroy the beauty of my hands", according to Jessica.

    Jared, who was seating calmly beside me suddenly took notice of my action as he reach out his delicate hands and place them on mine, he leaned sideways from his seat and whispered, "Relax, I'm right here beside you." 

    I turned my head towards him to come face to face with his right side view, he was not looking at me but staring ahead. It was like he put some kind of spell on me as I took my time to admire his defined side face, admiring his high rise bridge nose, smooth skin texture ,long lashes and a small teardrop mole just right below his right eye which I never noticed before.

He was just too perfect.

Unlike me.

An ugly duckling.

   Two fingers touch my forehead smoothening out the crease made by my eyebrows. I focus back to Jared as he was closely observing my face.

No.

Don't look. Don't touch my face.

    I pulled myself away from his touch and gaze at the same time bunching the edge of my hoodie cap to cover the side of my face.

   Seeing myself distancing away from his touch, Jared was going to say something when the lights suddenly dim and only a few spot lights were shown on to the stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 2022 Edgdewood Fashion Week!" announced by the host. Pop music started play in the background indicating the show is about to start.

    I shifted backwards into my seat and from my peripheral view Jared also turned his sight to ths stage. Both of us didn't say anything as we get ready to watch the show.

***

I was fascinated.

   Watching all the models confidently walking on stage exposing their acne full face. Everyone below stage was amaze and giving encouraging claps to the models.

Somehow I also started to clap my hands.

Admiration.

   I want to be like them, without any fear exposing their defective side to the world. They are beautiful.

I want to feel beautiful too.

I wonder, am I able to achieve that confidence?

     The show was a success, at the end Ryan came out on stage with his models to give his thanks to the audience. As he walked past by our row, Ryan saw us and gave me a wink, in return I gave him a shy smile and wave.

     The lights were turned back. Everyone was either mingling around or leaving the hall.

"It seems Ryan is gonna be buzy for awhile. Do you want to go to the after party?" asked Jared.

"I don't kn-" I was cut of when I Ryan (who was supposed to be buzy) had one arm around me and the other on Jared.

"Guyssss, you have to come to my after party. Especially you Rose, I want to introduce you to so many people. Oh, by the way have you ever thought of becoming one of my models? I mean you have the height and-" a hand slapped onto Ryan's mouth stopping him from rambling.

"Dude, chill. Don't make her uncomfortable." Jared scolded him. He looked worriedly at me, but I gave him a reassuring smile.

I wasn't uncomfortable. To be his model? I think he was just trying to be friendly.

"Afnyfawyyoffustfome" Ryan said even with Jared's hand still over his mouth.

"Dude! That's disgusting your saliva is all over my hand now!" immediately Jared took his hands away and wipe it off on Ryan's suit while he just sheepishly look at the both of us.

     Before I could open my mouth to reject Ryan's invite, he beat me to it " Nah-ah, you are not rejecting. Now come along, the party is just right behind stage."

With that Jared and I (unwillingly) was drag by him to the after party.

This night is gonna be absolutely great.

****

Surprise update?

I just had a feeling to pick up writing again. I know this story has been on hold for so long and readers are probably tired of waiting now. I guess is my fault, being busy is not an excuse. Well, I'm still going to try finish this story. I hope by then my lovely readers are still here to accompany Rose's journey.

~A