"can you do me a favour?"

she asked.

"look at me."

•••••

I went shopping after that, filling a cart with various articles of brightly-coloured clothing.

Most of the things that I bought, I barely looked at, just checking to see if it was my size, and if it didn't have ruffles or glitter. I may have made a sort of transformation, but ruffles and glitter would not do.

•••••

The next day, I wore a lacy red t-shirt over a butter-yellow tanktop, and a pair of camoflauge pants.

I walked to school at 7:10.

And I kept my head up the whole time.

wanting everyone to look at me.