She Makes Me - A Brian May Fan Fiction

Chapter 41: The Promenade Pt. 1

[Author]

Simone had been feeling unusually excited about tonight. None of her previous dresses had ever made her feel this beautiful, despite its simplicity. Last night, after their shopping excursion for dresses, she had returned home to try hers on once more, savoring the way it hugged her curves and accentuated her features. It was an exhilarating feeling, especially considering how often she had spent time loathing herself and enduring the cruel words her reflection in the mirror seemed to hurl at her.

But tonight felt different, not just for her but for every woman attending that prom. Though they would never openly admit it, like Simone, they all harbored a sense of insecurity about themselves. That's why yesterday's dress-shopping excursion had been such a crucial moment for them all. They needed to find dresses that made them feel like their true selves.

Simone had always punished herself for her appearance, even going so far as to deprive herself of food in a desperate attempt to avoid the judgmental stares and whispered criticisms. She hated the idea of others thinking she was too big to be beautiful. And to some extent, she had succeeded in losing weight. But the emotional scars from those days still lingered. Now, she not only feared being seen in a certain light but also worried that people would look down on her, especially now that she was dating someone she perceived as the epitome of perfection.

Alex had never been one to prioritize her appearance while growing up. She firmly believed in the power of intellect over outward beauty. Yet, she still harbored insecurities about her own worth. In the harsh realities of the world, she knew that physical attractiveness often opened doors and granted privileges. This feeling intensified after becoming a mother. The stretch marks etched across her stomach seemed to read the word "undesirable" each time she caught sight of them, and she feared that Matt might secretly feel repulsed by them.

Agnes grappled with the insecurity of aging. As the years passed, she couldn't shake the belief that her value diminished with each passing day. This feeling only intensified after her battle with cancer took its toll on her physical appearance. The simple act of showering became a dreaded ordeal, as each droplet of water seemed to carry away more of her vanishing hair, serving as a painful reminder of her illness.

Kate struggled with a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction with herself. Despite knowing she was beautiful, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was never enough. Every passing fad left her yearning to change her appearance once more. When she found herself drawn to someone new, she couldn't resist the urge to mold herself into their ideal image, further fueling her sense of inadequacy.

Stella despised her curly hair, viewing it as a constant source of frustration and ridicule. Growing up, she endured taunts about her unruly locks, leaving her yearning for the ease of straight hair. She couldn't help but wonder if life would have been simpler as a teenage girl with a more manageable hairstyle.

Ave appeared to exude confidence on the surface, but beneath her seemingly assured demeanor lay hidden insecurities. Despite knowing her own mind and desires, she struggled with self-consciousness about the scars that marred her skin. Her free-spirited nature often left behind marks on her legs and arms that served as constant reminders of her vulnerability. Despite her efforts to conceal them with clothing or makeup, the scars remained a persistent source of discomfort and self-doubt.

They became so utterly consumed by these insecurities that even as the pivotal moment arrived to revel in mirth and savour the evening's delights, they found themselves, in their disparate locations, enacting the very same ritual— scrutinizing their reflections with critical eyes, tracing fingers over the areas they perceived as flawed.

Each of them was so consumed by their own insecurities that they failed to see the beauty that radiated from within. They were so preoccupied with worrying about what others might think of them, that they didn't realize that everyone else was too wrapped up in their own insecurities to even notice.