3 My insecurities

"It's getting late. I gotta go" I stood up when the movie credits came on.

"Nerdy needs to go home to study!" Marcus mused.

"Yeah!! What a spoil spot." Jerome added on while some of the older boys laughed.

I felt all my blood rushed to my face and at that point, I really wanted to escape as fast as I can. I was internally screaming and cursing at Marcus and Jerome.

"Well, at least I listen to my Mom!" I tried my very best to look tough. But as soon as those words left my mouth, I realised how incredibly stupid i sounded. "Shit! What a lame comeback!" I mentally scolded myself. Marcus and Jerome looked at each other and started busting out into laughter, while the rest of the people looked at each other awkwardly. But in my defense, that was really the meanest thing that I could think of. I mean come on, what smart comeback do you expect a 12-year-old to say?

"Erm… It's really getting late. I think we should call it a day!" Kellina saved the situation. Some stood up and started packing up. I took the opportunity to escape through the nearest exit. As I turned and close the door behind me, I swear I saw Jerome sneered at me.

I made my way outside and headed to the bus stop. It was a cold and breezy night. The street seemed a little too empty. I stared down at my feet and started thinking. Suddenly all sorts of insecurities and emotions overwhelmed me and I felt like crying. I instinctively tiled my head up so that tears would not flow down my eyes.

I was never the prettiest and never the slimmest. I looked really nerdy with my frameless spectacles on and hair combed back into a tight ponytail. I caught myself staring at my reflection against the bus stop advertisement board. I was wearing a pink coloured v-neck T-shirt that seemed too tight and short for me. My beige coloured shorts was a few centimeters too long to be called a pair of shorts, and few centimeters too short to be called a pair of bermudas. I tried to smile and immediately got disgusted with what I saw. My silver coloured braces were so glaring and ugly. I shut my lips quickly, only to see that my mouth was puffed up from the effect of the braces. "Oh my… " I screamed internally.

It was one of those rare times that looked closely at my reflection and I must say I did not like what I saw. I would totally laugh at me when if I were Marcus or Jerome.