Sometimes it's hard having awesome friends
Don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly, but I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy whenever I'm with them.
At Chicago, one of the cast members said that her son had been to see the show and he had shown a great interest in my friend Ruby. Ruby just nodded, acting all nonchalant about it, as if it happened all the time... Which it does.
She has this X-Factor which just appeared one day, while I was still off on exchange in France. Seriously, when I left she was as awkward and embarrassing as me... when I returned she was Ruby! Sexy, flirty, X-Factor Ruby. Ruby, who gets complimented on everything from the way she wears her hair to her belly button ring. Ruby, with the million dollar smile and the long legs shown off in tiny shorts. Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! She even has songs written about her...
Then there is Hannah. Hannah is at ease with everybody, and is a total clown, so people love her enough already, and then there are her looks. She is a total goofball, and yet she walks around with this amazing gracefullness, her hair long and soft, her face worthy of a modeling career. Seriously, she is stunning, and the fact that she doesn't take notice of her own awe-inspiring beauty just makes her even more fabulous.
Aleesia is my best friend, and yes, I love her to bits, but again the jealousy strikes. It's made even worse in this case, because she has such a low sense of self-worth. Boys meet her and get all giddy inside and talk about how pretty and sweet she is... and yet she is in denial. She doesn't believe that she is beautiful. She has these wonderful curves that look fabulous in anything drawn in at the waist, and her beauty is exotic; high cheekbones, dark skin, green eyes... GAH! Why can't I be like that! And Aleesia is so quiet that she comes across as really kind (which she is 90% of the time!) and intelligent (she is!!!) A+ student, accomplished musician, church goer, and a total sweetheart. How an Earth am I meant to compete with that??
Fun Ruby, Relaxed Hannah, and Sweetheart Aleesia...and then there is me. I've never really been called beautiful. I've never had a guy fall head over heels in love with me. Or even crush on me. I am goofy like Hannah, wild (at times) like Ruby, and as informed about the world as Aleesia. But I am not confident. I don't find it easy to make small talk with strangers. I can't play piano and I certainly don't get A's at school. I'm crazy and funny and noisy around those I know well, and yet I am reserved and miserable and aloof with others. I am chubby, silly, extremely loud, extremely awkward Jess.
And I guess I'm okay with that. But surely I could teach myself to feel comfortable around new people? Surely I could learn to think before I speak, or to make people laugh with wit rather than gruesome faces (I can pull some horrendous heads)? Surely I could re-establish myself as awesome, sexy, funny, slender Jess?
I want to. And apparently if you want something enough, it happens.