I stared at the screen for a long time.
Then I put my phone down.
I realized I no longer needed anyone’s approval to feel comfortable in my own body.
A week later, Grandpa invited me to the pool again.
This time, my aunt, cousins, and their children were there too.
Shop Home Spas
The moment I saw so many people, I wanted to turn around and go home.
Grandpa noticed my anxiety.
“Emily, let me ask you something. Do you truly not want to swim, or do you want to swim but you’re afraid of what they might think?”
I remained silent for a moment.
“I want to swim.”
“Then why should you miss out?”
I took off my oversized dress.
My heart was pounding.
But just then, my little cousin called from the water:
“Emily! Come play with us!”
Find Swim Classes
And I stepped into the pool.