Luv Yourself

Chapter 3.

It feels like an eternity but the bus finally pulls up and I exit as fast as possible, making a beeline straight for the op-shop. I pull open the door, welcoming the familiar cheery door chime that marks the beginning of my quest to find the cheapest, most basic, most normal, most blend-in-y outfit possible.

As I browse through the racks, a few people drift in and are greeted by the lady on. She's new and younger than the usual ladies, maybe late 20's. I can't make out her name tag from here but she's wearing some faded denim overalls and sporting some seriously wicked eyeliner. I must have been looking too long as she notices me and walks over. I blush in embarrassment and put my head down, hastily working through the rack not even paying attention anymore.

"Hiya honey, can I help you there"

She eyes the pile of single colour men's shirts all a size to big, I had carelessly draped over my arm.

I keep my eyes trained on the floor.

"No ma'am" I mumble "just looking"

She seems about to say something further, when i see movement out of the shop, shortly followed by muffled laughter

My heartbeat quickens and the colour must drain from my face, as the lady looks concerned and turns to see the cause of my distress.

Brittney and her group of friends flounce by, arms overflowing with designer bags and fresh matching manicures. I freeze, praying to the gods they don't see me.

For once luck is on my side and they continue unassumingly on their way.

However after this encounter, the lady's eyes visibly harden and she turns back to me smiling understandingly.

"Jared!"

"What?"

"I'm gonna take my break now, your on front!"

A guy, obviously the aforementioned 'Jared', sticks his head out from the back office and groans goodnaturedly. She grins at him before her attention falls back on me.

What's your name honey??"

"Mia"

"Well, Mia my name's Bailey"

She reaches for the shirts on my arm.

"And we're gonna find you something a bit more fierce" she states determinedly, before turning and working through the racks with an experienced hand.

I stand there in shock.

"What's the occasion sweetie?"

She asks, over her shoulder as more of an afterthought than anything.

"Uh, casual day" I manage.

Next thing I know I'm being assaulted by a barrage of clothing.

Shirts, jackets, trousers, hats, shoes, it's piled so high I can't even see where I'm going.

I am then bundled by her unseen hands into one of the stores changeroom.

I stop and stare, dumbfounded at the mountain of clothes heaped haphazardly on the single chair and hooks, unsure where to start.

As if she could read my mind, Baileys' voice drifts over the top of the stall.

"I've arranged them in outfits"

"When your dressed come out and we'll do a montage just like in the movies".

The rest of the next few hours passed in a blur, time only represented in the many instant photos taken on the small polaroid camera Bailey found somewhere in the shop.

I reach for the final bundle of clothing.

A long sleeved maroon skater dress with a cropped leather Jacket and some adorable floral docs.

I emerge from the changeroom to a small gasp from Bailey.

"This is it, we've found the one"

"Hit it girl!!!",

I laugh and strike a pose for her. She takes a snap and then hurriedly ushers me over to the floor length mirror positioned nearby.

"Wow, I breath. "I look not bad, nice even"

"Honey you look stunning"

I lose myself in my reflection, for once actually ok with how I look.

My mud brown eyes hold a golden glow and my curvy figure is complemented by the simple cut of the dress, and to put it simply the jacket makes me look badass.

Movement in front of the store window, catches my eye briefly, a girl a few years older than me low waisted jeans and a crop top, slim, with a thigh gap, waiting for the bus. I self consciously smooth at the dress, pull the jacket down a little, suddenly hyper aware of all the flaws I had briefly forgot.

I lower my eyes away from the mirror and turn to get undressed suddenly feeling awkward and bulky in the outfit. "Thanks-for-the-help-this-arvo-but-I-think-I'll-stick-with-those-t-shirts". I babble retreating into my shell faster than an olympic sprinter.

"Woah,woah, be sensible now" Bailey says softly,"you look absolutely gorgeous".

I continue to fidget nervously, doing my best not to make eye contact.

Seeing she wasn't getting through to me she takes my arm and pulls me to face out the window towards the girl.

"Does her body make you judge your own?? She asks me forcefully.

She takes my shoulders in both of her hands and looks me straight in the eyes.

"Maybe that's your problem"

"But here is what I want you to know."

"You are bold. You are brilliant, and you are beautiful.

There is no other woman like you because you are your own kind of woman.

Never let anybody tell you "NO".

Never let anybody tell you "you can't". Be you. Be real. Be authentic.

Be your favourite kind of woman.

Don't let anybody else take that job."

"Okay?! Now you take this outfit and you wear it tomorrow, ALL OF IT, including that confidence I know you have buried deep."

"You do all these things and YOU SLAY!!!"

She hands me the photos and a bag for the outfit

"On the house"

I gape at her.

"Uh uh no arguments!"

She points to the changerooms.

I change in shock, her words ringing through my head.

As I go to leave I hear her yell

"Just remember you is fineeee!!!"

The bells drown out whatever she says next and Iwander home accompanied by my own thoughts.

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"Be sensible now" - Advertisement 1 quote #3

"You are bold. You are brilliant, and you are beautiful.

There is no other woman like you because you are your own kind of woman.

Never let anybody tell you "NO".

Never let anybody tell you "you can't". Be you. Be real. Be authentic.

Be your favourite kind of woman.

Don't let anybody else take that job." - Ashley Graham (Motivational speech for body positivity)