Feel Pretty

sixteen (Eli)

Morning sunlight filtered through my blinds, casting a warm glow across my room. I reached for my phone, and saw a new message from Odell.

Odell:  "Good morning! Still thinking about last night. Hope you're having a good day."

I couldn't help but smile. It was heartwarming that he was still thinking about our time together. I quickly typed back:

Eli:  "Good morning! I'm having a great day, thanks to you. Got any plans today?"

I got up and went through my usual routine. My mind kept drifting back to our time together at the art exhibit. I was looking forward to spending more time with Odell.

By late morning, I decided to give him a call. I dialed his number, and it rang a few times before he picked up.

"Hey, Eli," Odell's voice was warm but still a bit sleepy.

"Hey, Odell! Just checking in. Any exciting plans today?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Not much. Just planning to catch up on some reading," he replied. "How about you?"

"I'm pretty free today. I was thinking of doing something different. How about we check out that new street market downtown? I heard it has a bunch of cool food stalls and unique stuff," I suggested.

"Street market? That sounds fun!" Odell said, his voice brightening. "I'd love to go."

"Great! Let's meet there around noon?" I proposed.

"Perfect. See you then," Odell agreed.

I spent the morning preparing for our outing. I picked up a few things to make the day more enjoyable—a small portable speaker for music and some snacks. I wanted to make it a little special.

When noon rolled around, I picked Odell up from his place. He looked casual but stylish, as always. We drove to the street market, and his eyes lit up when he saw the colorful stalls and bustling atmosphere.

"Wow, this place is amazing!" Odell exclaimed as we walked through the market.

"I thought you'd like it," I said, smiling. "Let's check out some of the food stalls. I hear they have some pretty unique treats."

We wandered through the market, sampling different foods and checking out the various vendors. Odell seemed to enjoy the lively atmosphere and the different flavors.

"This is incredible," Odell said, taking a bite of a spicy taco. "I never would have found this place if it wasn't for you."

I laughed. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. I figured we could use a change of pace."

We continued exploring the market, talking about everything and anything. At one point, I noticed some handmade jewelry at a stall, and I picked out a simple bracelet that I thought Odell might like.

"Hey, look at this," I said, holding up the bracelet. "I thought it might suit you."

Odell's eyes widened in surprise. "It's beautiful. You didn't have to, but thank you."

"It's nothing," I said, brushing off his gratitude. "I just thought it would look nice on you."

As the day went on, we ended up at a small park area within the market. I spread out a blanket and we sat down, enjoying the food we had collected. I watched Odell as he ate, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction knowing he was happy.

"You know," I said, wiping a bit of sauce off his lip with a napkin, "you always seem to have a bit of food on you. I'm glad I could help."

Odell blushed slightly and chuckled. "Thanks. I guess I'm just a bit messy sometimes."

"It's cute," I said with a smile. "Not messy at all."

We continued eating and chatting, and the conversation flowed easily. I felt like I was getting to know Odell better, and he seemed to be more relaxed around me.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the market, I realized how much I enjoyed these moments with him. There was something special about our time together, something that made me look forward to seeing him again and again.

When it was time to head home, I packed up the blanket and we walked back to the car. I could tell Odell was in a good mood, and that made me happy.

"Thanks for today, Eli," Odell said, his voice soft.

"No problem," I replied, feeling a smile spread across my face. "I had a great time. I'm glad we could hang out."

"Me too," Odell said, looking at me with a warm smile. "I really appreciate all the effort you put into making today special."

I felt a flutter in my chest at his words. "It was my pleasure. I'm looking forward to our next adventure."

As I drove him back to his place, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I enjoyed being with him. I knew that this was just the beginning of something meaningful, and I was excited to see where it would lead.

When I said goodbye and watched him walk inside, I felt a sense of anticipation for what was to come. I