Shape
shifting
I shuffled my feet one by one along the orange leaves. My feet began to grow more and more tired, as it had been a long walk back from school. I looked down at my clothes, and I was no different from anyone I had just been in the same classrooms with. It was the same as it had always been: a grey, black, white, or red polo and the same repetitive black pants that lacked liveliness. Although we dressed this way to appear and act more professional, it just left me feeling bland. I looked back up to see my house in the distance. I picked up my pace to get there faster. The faster I got home, the faster I could change into clothes that reflected the person I was, not the person I was expected to be at school. Although I should be able to feel like myself regardless of what I wear, the clothes I handpicked and mastered enhanced my feeling of completion. Wearing clothes you love reflects your soul in a way that a camouflaged uniform simply cannot.
So I went faster, faster up the stairs, faster through the hall, and faster to my bedroom, which held my beautiful closet filled with what seemed like endless possibilities. I gazed at my closet for a good while and heard my blue ruffled shirt calling me in hushed whispers, and my favorite dark blue jeans too, crying out my name! I jumped and twirled into them and felt her smile; my soul. Then I slipped on four different shoe options before deciding on the perfect pair to match my outfit. Suddenly my day was perfect, and I could feel her twirling along with me. I walked over to my vanity and picked up two clips that brought creativity to the outfit, something I wouldn't have thought to do with my hair for school. As I added accessories, I felt not only complete but also seen. I felt seen by my soul, not by other people. More so, I felt that I had seen my soul. Once the outfit was put together, she and I were both dancing in a harmonious symphony that could only be reached through this state of happiness and uniqueness. I felt like all was well in the world. I think she did too.
We looked back at the closet with a shared sense of purpose. We knew that every day held a new possibility for greatness and expression for both of us, as a whole. We also knew that once school was over the next day, we would be able to find each other again. I looked in the mirror and saw myself, but so did she. We agreed on the masterpiece we had put together and felt a deeper sense of connection. She watched me walk back down the hall and down the stairs until I reached the door to go outside.
I stepped onto the sidewalk once again, but this time I was heading somewhere new. I made my way to my friend's house and knocked on her door. She swung it open wearing a new outfit, and it was as though we had both shapeshifted for the better. I could see her soul through the smile her outfit had brought her, and we could both see it in each other. I stepped inside to find her mom in the kitchen, writing in her planner at the table. Although she was focused on what she was doing, her soul was expressed through what she wore. And although her soul could have been hiding behind her outfit, that wasn't the case when she turned around and welcomed me in, her outfit matched the warmth of her soul. I realized that everyone's clothes can connect them more closely to their soul, if they are chosen with the soul in mind.
I looked at my friend's outfit and saw an enlightenment within her. I looked at her mom and saw the same thing. Then I looked down at my own outfit and felt peace because I saw her again, and not just the pieces of clothing.
- Carmel Gray
