Feel Pretty

five

The next day dragged on slower than I'd ever thought possible. Each class felt like an eternity, and every tick of the clock seemed louder than usual, mocking me with how much time I had left before Everly's so-called "date."

By the time my last class ended, my stomach was a tight knot of anxiety. I couldn't concentrate, my mind racing with what she might have in store. Shopping? A makeover? She had hinted at it yesterday, and the thought of it made me want to curl up in a ball and hide.

"Hey, you okay?" Eli's voice broke through my thoughts as we walked out of the building together.

I glanced at him, trying to manage a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

"About Everly?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed. "Yeah. I just don't know what she's planning, and it's stressing me out."

Eli chuckled softly. "Relax, Odell. It's just Everly. She might be a little intense, but she's harmless. Besides, if she gets too carried away, just tell her. She'll back off."

"Easier said than done," I muttered.

"Look, I get it," Eli said, giving me a reassuring nudge. "But she's not out to torture you. She just wants to spend time with you—and probably make you wear something other than your usual hoodies."

I grimaced at the thought. "Yeah, that's what I'm worried about."

Eli shook his head, still smiling. "You'll survive. And who knows? Maybe you'll even have fun."

"Doubtful," I replied, but his words did help ease some of the tension building inside me.

We reached the parking lot, and there she was—Everly, leaning against her car, scrolling through her phone. When she saw us approaching, she slipped her phone into her bag and waved excitedly.

"Della! Eli! Ready for some fun?" she called out, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Eli patted my back as if sending me off to war. "Good luck," he whispered with a grin, then turned to Everly. "Don't wear him out too much, okay?"

Everly rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry, I'll return him in one piece."

I took a deep breath and walked over to the car, my nerves getting the better of me. "So, where are we going?"

She flashed me a smile as she opened the passenger door for me. "You'll see. Now hop in!"

I glanced back at Eli, who gave me a thumbs-up before walking off, then reluctantly slid into the passenger seat. Everly quickly got in on the driver's side and started the engine.

The ride was filled with Everly's chatter about her day, her classes, and a hilarious story about some guy who tried to impress her with a terrible pick-up line. I nodded along, trying to focus on what she was saying, but my mind kept wandering to what was coming next.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled up to our destination—a small, stylish boutique that I'd never noticed before. My heart sank as I realized exactly what she had planned.

"Shopping," I murmured under my breath.

Everly grinned, clearly catching my tone. "Come on, Della. It'll be fun. You could use a few new things in your wardrobe."

I hesitated, but there was no getting out of it now. I followed her into the store, where we were immediately greeted by the sound of soft music and the sight of perfectly arranged clothes that looked far more expensive than anything I owned.

Everly wasted no time, pulling me toward the racks with a gleam in her eye. "Okay, let's start with something simple. I know you're not into anything flashy, so how about this?"

She held up a light gray sweater that was soft to the touch and simple in design. It wasn't bad, actually—just different from what I usually wore.

I nodded, and she smiled approvingly. "See? Not so bad. Now, let's find a pair of jeans to go with it."

As she sifted through the racks, I found myself relaxing just a little. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Everly's energy was contagious, and though I wasn't thrilled about shopping, her enthusiasm made it bearable.

"Try these," she said, handing me a pair of dark jeans. "And go ahead, try them on. I'll wait out here."

I took the clothes and walked into the fitting room, taking a deep breath. The sweater was surprisingly comfortable, and the jeans fit well. I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling a strange mix of emotions. I didn't look like me—not the usual me, at least—but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

"Come on, let me see!" Everly called from outside the door.

I stepped out hesitantly, and she immediately grinned. "See? You look amazing, Della! It's perfect."

I smiled shyly, feeling a bit of pride despite my reservations. "Thanks, Everly."

She clapped her hands together, clearly pleased with herself. "We'll get these, and then we can grab some coffee. My treat."

I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Maybe this wasn't as terrifying as I'd imagined. Maybe... it was okay to let someone help me see myself differently, even if it was just through a new sweater and a pair of jeans.