“Do you think I’m pretty?”

And, Joel freezes — right in the middle of whatever he was doing. The question made eyebrows narrow, hesitating. All of the sudden ; everything else slows down or maybe it passes right by him. Body stiffening with some sort of alertness. Joel doesn’t look up right away, although, he hears it and it’s clear by the look on his face.

A look that’s almost vulnerable.

“I think you know I think you’re pretty.”

He tries to keep his tone light. But, it rasps like gravel.