stretch marks - yuta

-25-

Yuta dived into the pool making a big splash. She squealed as the water hit her clothes.

"Come in," he said motioning her to join him with his hand. She shook her head.

"I don't even have a swimsuit. Also, I can't swim."

"I won't let you drown. Come in with your underwear. I won't mind," her mouth dropped as he winked at her.

"You're nasty." He laughed swimming closer to the border where she was standing. She moved away not letting him touch her. It was no secret that he was the type to pull her inside the water.

"You're missing out." He was right. Truth was she really wanted to be in the water with him. It seemed fun. But she was too insecure to show any ounce of skin. "It's just the two of us. It's warm,"

She bit her lips. Her complexe had taken over her life and in a way it was like she was torturing herself. She closed her eyelids in frustration. She should live her life, right?

She opened her eyes and gave him a small smile. He stayed quiet. Slowly she reached to the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head letting it fall on the wet tiles. Removing her pants was a harder task. It took a lot of courage but she did it.

She felt naked but she wasn't. When she looked at Yuta, she realized that what she had done was a big deal. He wasn't looking at her body but at her. He was happy because she was happy.

She grabbed his hands as he pulled her inside the pool. Her head went under the water and when she came back at the top she felt proud.

For some people she was dumb for being so insecure about something so silly. And maybe they were right but you don't choose you're insecurities, they choose you. They take over your thoughts and make you do things that later on seem to you as crazy and useless.

She knew that she wasn't a hundred percent comfortable with her body yet but she was getting there.

"How do you feel?" He whispered holding onto her tightly. They were floating together.

"Good. They're ugly aren't they?"

"What are?"

"My stretch marks." He shook his head. He didn't give them a lot of attention. They were noticeable and they were many of them. There was nothing you could do about them. He didn't care.

"They're natural. So many people have them." Then he raised his legs to show her the small ones he had on the side of his knees. "I have some."

"I have a lot. Do you think I have stretch marks on my heart, too?"  She was joking but he actually started thinking.

"Hearts aren't elastic so probably."

"I like an intellectual. You did yourself dirty by becoming an idol. Should've been a doctor." He was about to loosen his hold on her. In fear, she quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"Okay okay I won't let go of you. I can't breath!"

"Promise?"

"Listen, we're both gonna die if you don't stop choking me."

"I thought you'd be into that kinky shit honestly."

"Oh my God."

[I wanted to talk about stretch marks without glorifying it or romanticizing it. They are natural and normal. Most people have them. Don't let your insecurities live your life for you. I think angel by NCT 127 fits this chapter.]