Feel Pretty

eleven (Eli)

The afternoon had flown by in a blur of activity. I had been busy all day, trying to prepare for the surprise I had planned for Odell. My mind raced with anticipation and a touch of nervousness. I wanted to make this moment count, to show Odell just how much he meant to me.

I met up with Tanner at the café just before the arranged time. Tanner, as usual, was easygoing and ready to support whatever wild plan I had in mind.

"So, what's the surprise?" Tanner asked as we sat down with our coffees. "I'm curious."

I grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "It's something I've been working on. I just hope Odell likes it."

Tanner raised an eyebrow. "Does it involve you singing 'Sweet Caroline' again? Because if it does, I'm going to need earplugs."

I laughed, shaking my head. "No singing this time. It's a bit more... subtle but meaningful. I just want to make him feel special."

With that, I checked the time and got up to head to the agreed meeting spot. The plan was to take Odell to a small art gallery downtown that had recently opened. I knew he had an appreciation for art, and I hoped that the tranquil setting would give him a chance to relax and enjoy himself.

When I arrived at the gallery, I found the space buzzing with quiet conversations and the soft hum of classical music. I looked around, ensuring everything was set up. The gallery had a small section dedicated to local artists, and the atmosphere was perfect for a peaceful evening.

As I waited for Odell to arrive, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious. This was my chance to show him that he was important to me and that he deserved to feel appreciated and valued.

Finally, I spotted Odell approaching, his usual hoodie and jeans looking comfortable and casual. He spotted me and waved, his face lighting up with a smile.

"Hey, Eli," he greeted, looking around curiously. "This place looks... nice."

"I'm glad you think so," I said, grinning. "I thought it would be a good change of pace. Let's take a look around."

We wandered through the gallery, admiring the various pieces. I kept glancing at Odell, watching his reactions. He seemed to relax more as we moved through the exhibits, his eyes brightening at the artwork.

"This one's interesting," Odell remarked, stopping in front of a painting that depicted a serene landscape. "It's so calming."

"It is," I agreed, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I thought it might be nice to get away from the usual hustle and bustle. Art has a way of making things feel more... peaceful."

Odell nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it does. I've always liked art, but I don't get to see it often."

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it," I said. "I wanted to do something a little different today, something that would hopefully make you feel a bit better."

Odell glanced at me, a small, grateful smile on his face. "It's definitely working. Thanks, Eli."

As we continued through the gallery, I noticed Odell seemed more at ease. His posture was relaxed, and he even started engaging more in our conversations about the art. It was a positive change, and it made me feel that the effort was worth it.

After a while, we ended up in a quiet corner of the gallery where a few more personal pieces were displayed. I took a deep breath, deciding it was time for the final part of the surprise.

"There's one more thing I wanted to show you," I said, leading him to a small, private exhibit I had arranged. "I hope you like it."

Odell looked intrigued as he followed me. The exhibit featured a collection of local artists who had created pieces inspired by personal experiences and emotions. Each piece had a short description that provided insight into the artist's thoughts and feelings.

"I thought this would be a good way to show you that art, like people, has a lot of depth," I explained. "Sometimes, what we see on the surface is just the beginning."

Odell studied the pieces thoughtfully, his eyes reflecting the quiet understanding. "This is... really something. It's like each piece is telling a story, and you can almost feel what the artist was going through."

"That's exactly it," I said. "Sometimes, we all need a reminder that there's more to us than what's on the surface. You're a lot like these artworks—there's so much more to you than you might realize."

Odell turned to me, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thanks, Eli. This has been... really special. I needed this."

I felt a warm sense of fulfillment. The day had gone well, and seeing Odell's genuine reaction made it all worthwhile. "I'm glad you think so. I just want you to know that you're appreciated and that you matter."

As we left the gallery, the night air was cool and refreshing. We walked together in comfortable silence, the weight of the day settling into a peaceful memory. I felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that I had taken a step toward helping Odell feel a bit better about himself.