Feel Pretty

three

The walk home was a blur of disjointed thoughts and heavy footsteps. The sting of Chloe's words replayed in my mind, a relentless loop that seemed to drown out everything else. Each step felt like an echo of her cruel comments, growing louder with every beat of my heart. I wanted nothing more than to escape from the discomfort and the lingering self-doubt, but it felt as if they had attached themselves to me, refusing to let go.

By the time I reached my room, the weight of the day seemed unbearable. I slammed the door behind me and sank onto my bed, hoping that if I stayed still and quiet, the pain might fade. I lay back and stared at the ceiling, trying to clear my mind and calm my racing thoughts.

The silence of my room was supposed to be comforting, but instead, it felt suffocating. Chloe's words echoed relentlessly. "Why does he even hang out with someone like that?" "A walking fashion disaster." The insults looped endlessly, punctuating my every thought with their harshness.

I sat up abruptly, my chest tightening with frustration and sadness. I rubbed my eyes, trying to banish the sting of tears that threatened to surface. "Get a grip," I muttered to myself, but it was no use. The whispers of self-loathing were louder than my attempts to calm myself.

I tried to focus on the mundane tasks that usually brought me some semblance of peace—organizing my desk, rearranging my books—but everything felt hollow. The frustration built up inside me, a pressure I couldn't seem to release. I began to thrash around on the bed, tossing my pillows and kicking at the sheets.

It wasn't long before my father's voice called up the stairs, laced with concern. "Odell? Is everything okay?"

The sound of his voice only heightened my sense of urgency and despair. I didn't want him to see me like this, but the tumult inside me felt impossible to contain. I didn't respond, instead, I continued to thrash, my movements becoming more erratic.

Within moments, the door to my room burst open, and my father rushed in, his face etched with worry. "Odell!" he exclaimed, moving quickly to my side. "What's going on?"

I could barely look at him, the shame of my outburst making it difficult to meet his eyes. I could only manage to mumble through my tears, "I—I can't... I can't stop thinking about what she said. I feel... I feel so worthless."

My father's expression softened, and he gently placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "Son, look at me."

I forced myself to meet his gaze, and the concern in his eyes was enough to break through the walls I'd built around myself. "I know it's hard," he said softly, "but you can't let what others say define you. Chloe doesn't know you like we do."

"But it hurts," I choked out. "I try so hard to fit in, but it never feels like enough."

My father sat down beside me on the bed, pulling me into a comforting embrace. "I know it hurts," he said gently. "But you're not alone in this. You have people who care about you—Eli, Tanner, Mom and me. We see you for who you are, not what others say."

His words were a balm to my aching soul, and I clung to them like a lifeline. The storm inside me began to settle, replaced by a fragile sense of calm. My father's steady presence was a reminder that, despite the harshness of the world outside, there were those who saw and valued the real me.

"Thanks, Dad," I said quietly, feeling the weight of my emotions slowly lifting. "I just need to remember that sometimes."

"Exactly," he replied, his voice soothing. "It's okay to feel this way, but don't let it consume you. We're here for you, always."

I took a deep breath, feeling the comfort of his words begin to ease the tension in my chest. It was still a struggle to fully believe in myself, but in this moment, I found solace in knowing that I wasn't facing it alone.

As my father sat with me, I realized that despite the hurtful words of others, there were still small victories in finding support and understanding. It wouldn't erase the pain entirely, but it was a step toward healing—a reminder that, even when the world seemed harsh, there was a place where I was valued for who I truly was.