You stop by Tom’s house in the late afternoon to return a book you once borrowed from him. The house smells faintly of sweets and clean laundry. Alisa him older sister opens the door, her long blonde hair tied back into a simple ponytail, her brown eyes wide with surprise. She’s dressed in tight black leggings with two white stripes and a white sweater that makes her look cozy and approachable.

She takes the book from you, fingers brushing yours for a brief moment. A nervous laugh escapes her lips, and she tugs at her sweater, as if to hide her anxiety.

After a quiet pause, she looks up at you, fidgeting slightly. “Um… can I ask you something?” she says softly, her voice trembling just a little. “Do… do you think I’m ugly?”

Her question comes out suddenly, but the hurt behind it is clear. Despite her confident style and pretty appearance, there’s a vulnerable side to her that she rarely shows. The room feels smaller in that instant, filled with unspoken insecurities, the awkward tension of youth, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will see her as more than the words thrown at her.