There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path. - Buddha
Chris let the other girls choose which dress she'd wear to the prom and sat patiently while they did her hair. Only Shelby was allowed close to her face, to put on the little bit of make-up they'd been allowed to use.
"There you're done... and I'd say we did a great job!" Shelby announced, making the others admire her work.
"Wow, Chris you're beautiful!" Gushed Juliette.
"All of you are stunning too. You're just shocked to see me look like a girl, is all," Chris said, downplaying the compliment.
When she received praise or compliments, it made her uncomfortable. Did they want something from her? Would it hurt her? It simply increased the distrust, that always lay dormant inside. This was something the one on one sessions with Peter had yet to be discussed.
No one noticed that Chris was uncomfortable, everyone was just excited about the upcoming dance. "I'm going to break my ankle walking in these heals. Why can't I just wear my running shoes? The dress is long enough to hide my feet."
"Awe come on Chris, it's just a few hours," Daisy chided.
"Alright don't get your panties in a twist," Chris replied with a sigh.
Juliette asked, "alright it's time to go make the boys blush!"
They left the dorm together, Chris lagging behind the other girls. Both Sophie and Peter noticed that she wasn't as enthusiastic as her friends were. He kept an eye on her reactions, when the guys from the Cliff Hangers said hello. When the compliments came forth, she was the only girl to turn away from the attention. Making a bee-line for the refreshments, Chris removed herself from any social contact.
Peter casually poured himself a cup of juice, "are you having fun Chris?"
She shrugged and said nothing.
"Everyone looks pretty and handsome tonight right?"
He got a nod of confirmation, but still silence.
"You look lovely in a dress," Peter said.
Immediately Chris began to fidget and show discomfort.
"You don't think so?"
Finally she spoke, "no I guess I do."
"But...?" He probed gently.
"But it makes me feel weird when someone compliments me. Like why are they saying that, what do they want from me. I'm just not normal." She knew admitting that to Peter, would open the can of worms.
"Did I try to get something from you by complimenting you?"
Chris answered, "no. And I suppose neither did Shelby. It's just how I immediately feel when it happens. I get guarded. Most people from my past would say something nice, but they had an ulterior motive."
"Do you trust your friends and myself?" Peter asked.
"You know I do."
They were interrupted by Scott asking Chris to dance a slow song with him, since Shelby was dancing with Ezra. "Chris that colour of dress makes you're eyes look awesome."
Peter watched her reaction and raised an eyebrow at her, when she looked his way. He heard Chris thank Scott and then the pair danced out of hearing distance. It was a little bit of lack in self confidence and a bit from trust issues, that caused these uncomfortable feeling in Chris. He'd make it a topic for group discussion, but for tonight he let Chris choose whether she wanted to talk to him about it or not.
"Dance me down the path of happiness that you've found Scott," Chris said cryptically.
Scott smiled, "happiness is the path and you're already on it. Don't rush yourself, it's okay to take your time. Just enjoy every moment as it comes." He put her into a dip and was rewarded with a giggle and bright smile.
"Alright Buddha, thanks for imparting your wisdom on me," she teased.
"Anytime... and I mean that. Whether you're here or graduated, I'll always tell you how it is." Scott's teasing, also held words of comfort.
Again Chris laughed, "you'll be busy training, studying and working. When you're not doing that, there's sleep, eating and Shelby."
The girl in question, danced by. "You're right Chris, but we've got your back."
Scott smirked and said in her ear, "it's a sexy back."
Chris laughed, "so that's what inspired Justin Timberlake's song!"
Once the song ended, Chris danced with Auggie and then Ezra too. The girls danced together and accepted invitations from the other groups' guys too. After dancing a few songs with Mark, feet hurting from the heals, Chris took off the shoes. She walked over to Peter.
"I'm beginning to understand myself more. I realize that when I'm not feeling jealous of someone else's achievements, my compliments come more freely."
Peter nodded. "That's a valid observation. When you're confident in yourself, you aren't threatened by other people's success. Relationships can add to your identity, but they don't define you."
Sophie added, "complimenting someone is one of the easiest ways of being social with those around you. When they are given in a genuine way, it's amazing how much positive energy gets created."
"Right. Being social, not introverted. Being aware of good things around me and not dwelling on the negative."
Daisy overheard and added, "Chris has become a tiny Buddha... but, how'd you do receiving the compliments?"
Chris smiled, "isn't that Peter's line?" After a few moments, she added, "I'm working on it... realization is half the battle. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to ask Mark to carry me back to the dorms after this dance."
Sophie danced with Peter. "It's incredible how quickly Chris has improved, after her secret came out."
"As you know, that truth is half the battle we have with our kids. We have to listen to what they don't say first. We're their cipher."
