ugly duckling

birthday surprises

zack doesn't let you walk home alone after that.

despite your reluctance to let him know where you live, you can tell in some strange way he was just trying to make it up to you and mostly to Mira who refused to speak with him after the brawl

he walks 5 steps in front of you two, diligently 'scouting' the area before you two follow in pursuit.

"I'm sorry about what they said to you" Mira starts suddenly, looking at her feet sadly

you gulp, hoping to avoid the conversation but knowing if you did that you'd just worry her more "It's whatever, not the first time and won't be the last." you try to joke, but it falls flat when the girl clenches her fist her teeth grind together tightly, her body reacting naturally to the building frustration.

"Right, I just- I guess I'm just never sure what to do in situations like that. I know telling you what they said wasn't true won't do anything to change your mind but..." she sighs, looking up at you "it isn't. You're not boring, you're not a 'second-rate' girl or anything. if it means anything, I think you look fine, they were horrible for thinking it was okay to lie to you like that"

while she was right, you didn't believe a word she said, you felt lighter with her attempt to make you feel better "Geez, you sound like my mom" You roll your eyes, and the girl flinches, believing she offended you "It's fine, like I already said, I'm used to it"

she sighs and goes back to staring at the floor. when you spot your house you part with a forced smile and wave goodbye, Mira doesn't believe you for a second but feels it isn't her place to force the issue. so she lets you leave, watching you disappear into your home.

your drying off after a shower when you check your phone, and see a new number has texted you. your first and most irrational thought was that the boys from earlier had somehow gotten your number and were texting you profanities for some reason.

thankfully that wasn't the case

'Mira gave me your number' the single text says simply. and from that it became obvious it was Zack on the other side, the boy likely wasn't expecting or wanting to be friends but was willing to make peace for Mira's sake.

'cool' was all you responded before dropping your phone to get dressed for bed.

the next day you arrive at class, nodding in miras direction, you walk to your spot silently seeing Daniel hasn't arrived yet you sigh in disappointment, unusually excited to see the boy despite your clear reluctance to speak to him. looking up enough to glance out the window you jump when you meet eyes with Zack who doesn't react at first provoking you to awkwardly nod in his direction

he doesn't say anything but shrugs before turning to face the window

sighing you sit in your seat, taking your things out as usual, and open to the last page you drew in your new sketchbook.

Since Daniel's insistent on seeing your art, you figured it wouldn't hurt to try and draw things other than clothes and models. more than you'd care to admit, the fashion aspect of this class was something you enjoyed immensely, The clothes were fun, the styling was fun, and it was all interesting.

while you knew now Mira felt the same, you still weren't sure Daniel was that sort of guy. Was he the type to respect your interests even if they were cringy in his mind? you shiver when you think about your first and only interaction with Vin Jin, the boy tore you apart when he caught a glimpse of your sketchbook. it was humiliating and one of the only times people looked at you and perceived you outside of class.

such a moment was seared into your brain making you extra careful where you sketch and design.

you don't realize the commotion going on beside you or the fact that Zack had willingly left one of his ex-victims alone to help Jiho from his friends, but you realize Daniel walks in when the class begins to stir