Heather is the prettiest girl in class. She has long red wavy hair, blue eyes, and is talented. Her mom put her in pageants when she was two-years old.  

No one can compare to her. I have blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and am kind of chubby. Mom says it's baby fat and I will grow out of it soon, but heather grew out of it last year. I can't help but stare at her as she sits across from me in class.

As Ava and I walked to lunch, we run into Heather. "I'm throwing a pool party this Saturday and y'all are invited." she says as she walk by.

"Poppy want to sit next to me at lunch?" asked Ava, my best friend. 

"I'd love to!" I replied.

"We'd love to go!" Ava responses. I look at her in shock. Me in a bathing suit in front of everyone is my worst nightmare, especially in front of Heather.

"Did you hear about the pool party?" Aadila says as she runs to Ava and I. I want to say no, but Ava is already starting to make plans to go.

I was so scared. I didn't want to seem lame, and say I don't want to go. My body isn't like other girls. I'm terrified of people seeing me. Maybe Aadila will sit on the side with me so she doesn't get her hijab wet.

"Tomorrow is the party and I wanted to know if we all can have a sleepover tonight, so we can all go together." Ava says. 

Lunch ended and we walked back to Mrs. Reid's class, and I couldn't help but think of the party throughout all of class. My body isn't like other girls. I wish I can be look like the other girls. 

My best and only friends are Ava and Aadila. Compared to Heather I have no friends. She is always around a group of people. Maybe they are just drawn to her because she is so pretty.

School ended and I just wanted to hide in my room. Ava and Aadila had different plans. They came over to my house and we started to imagine what tomorrow would be like.

"Do you think there will be food or should we eat before?" Aadila asked. "If not want to get Chick-fil-a, My mom gave me money to get food."

Food? How can Aadila think about eating before the party? I can't even think about eating. Food will just make me bigger than what I already am.  What if everyone makes fun of my big belly tomorrow? What would I do if I get laughed at?

Ava and Aadila look so excited. I feel an overwhelming amount fear of what people will think or say about me.

The more I think about the party, the more I want to hide under my blanket and cry. Why can't my body look like my friends? People will make fun of me when they see me next to Heather. 

"Hey...Are you okay?" asked Ava. I want to scream, "NO OF COURSE I'M NOT OKAY, I HATE MY BODY, AND I'M ULGY COMPARED TO GIRLS LIKE YOU TWO", but the words just couldn't come out of my mouth. 

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just nervous about tomorrow." I said as calmly as I could. 

Ava and Aadila talked all night and tried to find swimsuits that we can wear so we can match. Ava and I are going to wear purple swimsuits. Hers with polka dots and mine with flowers. Aadila is going to wear a pink with purple burkini. With everything planned, it's too late for me to say I'm not going, Ava and Aadila will be mad at me.

 I can't sleep. Imaginary laughter from other people fills my head all night. Ava's curls are in Aadila face and Aadila is snoring so loud I can feel the house shake. They are fast asleep and look so peaceful. If only I can sleep.

Music from the restroom woke me up. I didn't realize I fell asleep. The girls are up getting ready. I think of ways to say I'm sick but nothing came to mind. The thought of all the pretty girls next to me made my stomach hurt. 

No one is going to want to be my friend after this party. I'm not like other girls. I'm not pretty enough to be friends with the pretty girls. Heather is going to be embarrassed that she invited someone like me.

"Girls ready to go the party is going to start soon." my mom yells from the kitchen. Ava and Aadila yell "not yet" with joy. 

"Hurry up Poppy, we don't want to be late." Ava says. I simiply shake my head yes and go to change into the outfit that will end my life.

As we get closer to Heathers house I can hear my heart beat louder and louder. Everyone from school should be there and all the girls are so pretty. I wish I could change this body that I am in. 

"Ready to have the best day ever?!" Ava glees. "Do you think Heather invited anyone from the 4th grade class? She is the most popular girl in school. Does this make us part of the popular group?" Ava rambled on.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about. Now the older kids are going to see me in a swimsuit. 

We pull up to the house and the girls are practical jumping out of their seats. Heather comes out to wave us hello. She is wearing a pink swimsuit with flowers, just like mine. Great. Now people will see our suits and compare our bodies. My worst nightmare. 

My eyes fill up with tears as we start to get off the car. Ava, Aadila and Heather are all super happy. All of them look like they can be in the cover of Teen Bop magazine. I am the black sheep. 

"I'm so happy y'all could make it! My mom made sandwiches and bought us a watermelon." Heather say as she runs out to greet us.