I painted my nails black. Put on a striped shirt. Wore faded converse. Cut my hair so it was slanted over my eyes.

I wore black eyeliner, black eyeshadow. Wore a bow in my hair. Put on a rainbow-colored bracelet. Wore more than one belt.
Layered all my clothes, wore a skirt with leggings...

A guy I never talked to before commented on the change.

My friends never even noticed.

A girl I never talked to before asked if I was okay.

My friends never even noticed.

Not even when I shed all my masks.

And left, finally.

I haven't been back since.

My friends never even noticed.