I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the opposite wall. I absently run my fingers through my hair. You're always doin' that. Doing what? Fixin' your hair or makeup. So, what's wrong with trying to look good? Nothin', unless it becomes an obsession. I put my hands down, wishing I could superglue them to my sides. I'm not obsessed. He shrugs. Is it so important that people think you're beautiful? I don't care what people think, I lie. 'Cause you are…beautiful, I mean. But it shouldn't matter so much.
The protagonist catches a fleeting reflection of herself and instinctively smooths her hair, prompting a conversation about her appearance. Someone close to her comments on her habit of fixing her hair and makeup, questioning the necessity of such actions and suggesting it could be an obsession. She insists that her fixation is not an obsession and feels pressured to justify her desire to look good.
The discussion reveals an inner conflict regarding self-image and societal expectations. Despite downplaying her need for validation, she secretly seeks affirmation, as noted when her friend compliments her beauty. This exchange illustrates the tension between self-acceptance and the desire for others' approval, emphasizing that while beauty is acknowledged, it shouldn’t define one’s worth.
