"Isn't it hot, Lenny?" My friend turned to me. Yes, it was a hot day, but I wouldn't take off my jacket for anything.

"Nah, I'm fine."

"There's no way you're not hot."

"Oh, thank you," I winked at her.

She slapped my shoulder, "oh shut up!"

We laughed and continued talking about other things. I was thankful that we didn't talk more of it. There was a specific reason I always used jackets.

---

It was the day to swim. Oh shoot, I have no long sleeve swimming suits. Well, I guess it's fine then. Just. Don't. Think. About. It.

I looked at my reflection in my mirror. It was like tiny red fire ants were crawling up my arm. I was disgusted at the bumps on my skin. People always had clear, soft skin. I had these ugly scars. Every time I didn't use jackets, I would start to pick them out of anxiousness. I hated it.

"Lenny!" I shook out of my frozen stare.

"Lenora! Let's go!" My friends called for me again.

"Yeah, um. I'm coming!" I pulled my towel over my arms and headed out.

---

"Hey jump in with us! Or we'll push you in," We laughed, I took off the towel and immediately jumped in the pool. The faster I get in, the less time they have to look at my arms.

"First time I've seen you without any sleeves," Freya told me.

"Hehe yeah, I'm just usually cold."

---

"Lenny, what's wrong with your arm?" Iyana asked. I froze.

"I don't know what's wrong. Haha, I hate it. It's weird. My mom said it might be skin allergy or something."

"Eh, it's not that weird. It's like, um, unique, I guess?" I felt like she was trying to comfort me, but it didn't do anything. I still hate it, but I can't change it.

• Jeans