I felt naked. I kept putting my hand up to brush hair behind my ear that no longer existed. This was a dumb idea. I stood next to the bookstore at seven o’clock that evening, where Ben and I had agreed to meet. My car was parked in the nearby lot. I wore a Hawaiian shirt, but it was a newer one. A pair of not-so-old jeans and loafers completed my attire.
I tried to remain calm and appear confident instead of the scared person I was on the inside. I’m not sure how successful I was, though.
“Wow, you clean up really well, don’t you?” A voice said behind me.
I turned to see Ben, a welcoming smile on his face. He was dressed in a bright green T-shirt and yellow jeans, along with an orange and olive striped mesh scarf around his neck. He was as vibrant as ever. Maybe I was getting used to hi
