The clock says 1:03 A.M. Another late night study session for this ridiculous class called Chemistry. I swear I will never understand this stuff. I finish reading the last section then shut off the lights and go to bed. I wake up the next morning still exhausted. Five hours of sleep just doesn’t cut it for me. I stand in front of my closet contemplating my outfit for the day. I’m not exactly in the mood to squeeze into those tight jeans and that awkward fitting top, so I pull out my white Victoria Secret sweat pants and my super soft, blue American Eagle t-shirt. I feel immediate comfort in my outfit as I finish pulling my sleep deprived self together and head off to school. In my favorite comfy outfit I feel so relaxed and carefree. It doesn’t matter to me that I’m not the most fashionable girl at school; as long as I’m comfy, I’m happy.
I enter the building and stop at my locker, getting my books for first hour. I walk down the familiar hallway where I see my friends huddled together talking and laughing. That same relaxed comfort comes over me, knowing that these awesome girls are going to be there for me no matter what. And they could care less about what I am wearing.
They greet me with warm smiles asking how my night went. I tell them about my rough study session and how tired I am. Brittney suggests a sleepover this weekend with lots of chocolate fondue and wild cherry Pepsi. The idea of a night with the girls sounds so refreshing to me, considering how tough this past week has been.
The bell rings and we all disperse to our classes. As I’m walking down the hall, I look down noticing the small hole that had formed on the hem of my shirt from so much wear. It doesn’t faze me a bit, I feel happy in this outfit and I don’t care what other people think of it. Today it’s just about comfort.
As my mind begins to wonder, I sit down in my desk waiting for class to begin. I think about how fortunate I am to have the friends I have. It doesn’t matter what shape or size they are, I know I can always turn to them for advice or a laugh or anything and that’s all that matters. All dressed up in our cutest summer dresses and strappy heels, the girls and I may go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant and Chandler will show up in her sweats and slippers. I may give her a slightly dirty look providing her with a hint of my disappointment in her fashion choice, but it’s Chandler, one of my best friends. She could come wearing a straight jacket and I would just accept it. I may be a little concerned, but I wouldn’t think anything different of her. The bell rings and my thoughts are interrupted as class begins.
I exit the room bounded for that dreaded chemistry class when I see Mandi in the hallway. We stop and chat for a moment, then head to our classes. I think of what people must think of me and Mandi since we are such different people and still the best of friends. Mandi is into rock music, while I’m all about country. She shops at Hot Topic and Spencer’s; I shop at American Eagle and Hollister. We can, however, go to the mall together and just accept that we are into different clothes. We always manage to find common ground with those adorable pink wedges from Charlotte Russe, because even if we are so very different, we are still both girls. I find it amazing, however, that when we are together, we can talk about anything, even though our interests are so mismatched. It’s like my current outfit. It may not match perfectly, but it doesn’t matter, because with my true friends and my comfy clothes it’s not about looks, it’s about the comfort I feel in that outfit and the happiness I feel when I’m around that person.
Comfy clothes and close friends are one and the same; it’s not about how they look on the outside, it’s about the way I feel when I’m with them. They both make me feel comfy and confident and not afraid to be myself.