I thought confidence would make me feel taller or more poised. I thought my voice would get a bit deeper and my chin would be permanently fixed in an upward tilt. But no. Confidence feels like relief. Goddamn relief. That finally the way I feel about myself is more important than Mason’s dissatisfaction, Palmer’s condescension, or my parents’ blatant lack of interest in me. I’m beautiful to the core. I’m worthy of my own approval.
