Sparks

There is a lot to be seen in a single look at a person. Their height, hair, and body type are usually what people notice first. Within that single look a person decides whether or not they like the other being, whether or not they would consider beginning a conversation and opening the possibility of friendship. Oftentimes these judgements are rushed and a lot goes missed.

She thought about this as she stood there before the mirror, closely examining her own appearance and wondering what the first impression others got was. She supposed it didn't matter whether or not people liked her but she couldn't help wondering what it was about her physical form that either attracted people or pushed them away.

She began with her hair. It was very long and strawberry-blonde to the point of almost being red. She usually quite liked her hair, as did others. It appeared well-kept and - as she took comfort in knowing - many girls secretly wish they could get their hair as long and maintain it so precisely.

On the other hand, sometimes long hair could be very hard to take care of. It often got tangled when let loose and could be painful to brush out again. That was really the only time she didn't enjoy the blonde waves cascading down her back, when they got messed up.

Her gaze was then drawn to her eyes and she couldn't help it, a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth and a chuckle wanted to rise from her throat though she wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was something to do with looking oneself in the eye while thinking this way. After all, not many people did it.

Her eyes in particular were a bright, clear sky-blue. The more she looked into them, the more she began to see there was an almost guarded look within them at times, hiding just beneath the general happiness. It wasn't very noticeable until that moment when she had looked for a very long time.

She scanned the rest of her appearance more quickly than those features. True, she wasn't the tallest of girls but she quite liked her height and had embraced it a while ago. She really did smile then when she took in her body once more. She had long since decided to change her lifestyle of exercise and the kinds of food she ate. The result was pleasing.

She took note of how she looked slimmer but in a good way. She didn't have the appearance of one who had lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, no unhealthy pinched form was about her. It was uplifting to see herself reaching her personal goals and achieving them in a manner that was both safe and satisfying.

Her hands placed on her hips as she turned this way and that, noticing every little detail of herself as she never had before. A feeling of confidence was growing within her and she found herself beginning to smile more and more with each passing minute.

In the past when she had looked in the mirror, she hadn't been happy with what she saw. She had been self-conscious and insecure. There was still a small amount of insecurity but it was so tiny she was barely aware of it. She knew she was going to get to a place where she would be entirely at peace with herself both physically and mentally. The changes she was making were good and fulfilling.

Then as she turned one last time to face herself fully again, a thought wandered into her mind and yet another true smile graced her lips. She was happy, she was content. She no longer felt a twinge of doubt or disgust looking upon herself. She was free.

And she was beautiful.