Why don’t I ever have anything to wear??
I’m standing in front of the mirror trying to decide on a shirt.
One is a deep red with a plunging neckline.
The other is a light blue that’s cute and flirty.
But I know neither would be flattering on my chubby frame.
I groan and toss them on the ever-growing pile of clothes behind me.
And then I collapse on it.
Before I can wallow any further in my self-pity…
It’s a FaceTime call from my best friend, Dylan.
And feel better when I see his friendly face.
He surveys the scene behind me.
Dylan
Woah, did a tornado hit your room?
Dylan
What is it this time?
Maddie
I have nothing to wear.
Dylan
Um, have you checked your floor?
Maddie
I have a date later…kind of.
Dylan
That clears things up.
Maddie
It’s not set in stone.
Maddie
Jake said he might try to call after he gets back from lacrosse practice.
Dylan rolls his warm brown eyes.
Dylan
What are you, a last resort?
Maddie
Anyway, I’m glad you called.
Maddie
I’m trying to find an outfit…
Maddie
And I need a guy’s perspective.
Maddie
I want something that says I’m daring and adventurous…
Maddie
And maybe a little dangerous.
Dylan
But you’re none of those things.
Dylan
Your idea of a good time is wearing sweatpants…
Dylan
And watching a Harry Potter movie marathon.
Maddie
I know, but I don’t want Jake to know that!
Maddie
I actually want him to like me.
Dylan
But isn’t that the point?
Dylan
To get him to like the real you?
Maddie
Please, who would like the real me?
But I don’t give him the chance to say whatever smart comeback he was planning.
I hold up the two shirt options for him.
Dylan
I guess I’d have to see what they look like on you.
Without thinking, I take off the shirt I’m wearing…
Leaving me in my floral-print bra.
Dylan
Er, Maddie, you know this is a video call, right?
I can’t believe I just did that.
I let out a yelp and frantically pull my shirt back over my head…
Trying to shield my doughy body from Dylan’s view.
Maddie
Oh my God, I’m so sorry!
Dylan tries to play it cool…
But I can tell by the faint flush of his cheeks that he’s a bit flustered.
Dylan
Nothing I haven’t seen before.
At this, I nearly drop my phone.
Dylan grins mischievously.
Dylan
Remember when you used to go streaking through my backyard…
Dylan
And then cannonball into the koi pond?
Maddie
Oh my God, I was six!
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes.
Maddie
I’ll be right back.
I pick up the red shirt first…
Then step off to the side to put it on.
It’s very tight and difficult to get into.
But I like it because it sucks in all my tummy fat…
So I don’t look like I have a food baby.
I come back into the frame.
Maddie
Okay, what about this?
Dylan scratches his chin reluctantly.
Dylan
You look…uncomfortable.
Maddie
That’s the adjective you’re going with?
Dylan
I’ve never seen you wear it before.
Maddie
If you must know, I got it from my mom’s closet.
Maddie
It has a built-in corset.
Dylan
Can you even breath?
Maddie
Okay, what’s this about, Dylan?
Maddie
Do you not like the shirt or something?
Dylan
It just doesn’t seem like you.
Maddie
Well, that’s perfect then.
Maddie
I don’t want to look like me.
Maddie
I want to look like the cool, skinny girls…
Maddie
That Jake is always dating.
Maddie
Not, you know, like some sort of bridge troll.
Dylan
God, will you stop it!
I’m startled by his sudden outburst.
Maddie
Jeez, I was just kidding.
Dylan
You weren’t though, were you?
Dylan
I’m tired of you always putting yourself down, Maddie.
Dylan
Go stand in the mirror and tell me what you see.
Maddie
I don’t have time for this, Dylan.
Maddie
Jake might call any minute.
I sigh, but reluctantly step in front of the mirror.
Dylan
Now tell me what you see.
Maddie
A fat girl with bad hair and big feet.
Dylan
You really don’t see it, do you?
Dylan
Someone who’s brilliant…
Dylan
And can make me laugh so hard it hurts my stomach.
Dylan
Someone who’s kind and supportive…
Dylan
And who will always go out of her way to help a friend.
Dylan
Someone who is absolutely beautiful…
Dylan
Regardless of what she’s wearing…
Dylan
Just as long as she’s happy.
I can’t help but break into a smile at his words.
Dylan
And someone who has a smile that lights up a room…
Dylan
And makes me weak in the knees.
I look at Dylan in amazement.
Dylan
You don’t have to be thinner or prettier to impress Jake.
Dylan
You just have to be yourself.
Dylan
The real you, that is.
Dylan
And if he doesn’t fall head over heels for the real you…
Dylan
And he’s not worth your time.
In that moment, it feels like he’s sitting right next to me…
And like we’re the only two people in the world.
So when I get a notification that says Jake is calling me…
