Feel Pretty

one

The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow across my room. I lay in bed, cocooned under the covers, my mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand—still early. It was another day in my well-practiced routine.

Sliding out of bed, I dressed in my usual outfit: a light-colored, loose hoodie and high jeans. The oversized hoodie's sleeves hung over my hands like shields, hiding the parts of me I wished I could change. I stole a quick glance at my reflection. The familiar wave of self-criticism washed over me, but I pushed it aside. I had grown accustomed to this self-imposed invisibility.

The campus was bustling as I made my way to the entrance. Eli and Tanner were already waiting near the front steps. Eli's tall, tanned frame and easy smile were impossible to miss, while Tanner's quiet, composed presence provided a calming contrast.

"Morning, Odell!" Eli called out, his voice bright and full of energy. He had this way of making everything seem a little lighter.

"Hey, Eli," I replied, managing a small smile. His enthusiasm was like a ray of sunshine breaking through my usual haze.

Tanner looked up from his phone, offering his customary nod. "Morning, Odell. Ready for today?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "What's the plan?"

"Just the usual," Tanner said with a shrug. "Classes, then we hit the café. Eli's been talking about their new pastries all week."

"Sounds good," I said, falling into step beside them. As we walked, Eli launched into a story about a particularly outrageous thing he'd seen at the coffee shop last week.

"And then," Eli said, laughing, "the barista actually tried to convince me that the latte art was a 'life-changing experience.' Can you believe that?"

"Only if it came with a side of existential crisis," Tanner quipped, rolling his eyes with a grin.

I chuckled, appreciating the lightness of their conversation. It was these moments of easy camaraderie that made me feel a little less isolated, even if I often struggled to fully participate.

In class, Eli's attention was on the lecture, but he frequently passed notes with doodles or silly comments. During a particularly dull moment, he slid a note over to me. It read: "You owe me a coffee if this lecture doesn't end soon."

I smirked, jotting back, "Deal. But if it gets worse, you're buying."

As the lecture dragged on, I couldn't help but notice Eli's frequent glances in my direction, checking if I was okay. Tanner's quiet presence next to me was comforting, a steady reminder that I wasn't alone.

After classes, we headed to the campus café. The warm aroma of coffee greeted us, and Eli practically bounced with excitement. "I swear, this place makes the best croissants. You're gonna love it."

Tanner followed, his usual calm demeanor in place. "And if you don't, you'll owe Eli a pastry."

I laughed as we settled at a corner table. Eli immediately launched into an enthusiastic description of his latest find, while Tanner listened with a patient smile. I sipped my coffee, the comforting warmth mingling with the pleasant chatter.

"So, Odell," Eli said, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eye, "I've been meaning to ask. Want to come with us to the book café later? They're having this author talk, and I thought it might be fun."

I hesitated, the idea of stepping out of my comfort zone stirring a mix of excitement and apprehension. "I'm not sure. I've got a lot of reading to catch up on."

"Come on," Eli urged. "It'll be fun, and it's a good chance to break the routine. Tanner's coming too."

Tanner nodded in agreement. "It's a low-key event. No pressure."

Their encouragement was genuine, and I could feel the warmth of their friendship pushing against the walls I'd built around myself. After a moment's consideration, I nodded. "Okay, I'll go."

Eli's face lit up with a grin. "Awesome! You won't regret it."

As we finished our coffee and prepared to leave, I felt a small but significant shift within me. It was a tiny step toward embracing something beyond my usual boundaries. The day was still young, and with Eli and Tanner by my side, I felt a flicker of hope.

Maybe today would be another step toward discovering that, despite my insecurities, there was a version of me that was worth loving. And maybe, just maybe, I was ready to start finding out.