God, a girl called Libby in high school and a girl called Emma in college who blossomed over the summer of year eleven.
At the time they were the envy of all. Girls wanted to be them, boys wanted to go out with them.
I found some old pictures recently and Libby had somehow developed an underbite and full braces whilst Emma had a very stern, malicious squint whenever she looked at you (caught in one picture). In hindsight, both weren't nice girls, they were very gossipy, cliquey and knew how popular/pretty they were. High school is a very strange vacuum of time and we remember it with rosy tinted glasses.
Often when we look back in the cold light of day it was our own insecurities that made these girls so amazing. Libby's mum was a hairdresser and would do her hair for school every morning whilst I struggled so much so whilst I had a wonky pony tail and a dismal side fringe Libby had an ornate messy bun and a wonderfully styled Hilary Duff 2008 bangs.
Emma had a really close relationship with her Dad and always talked about them going to gigs, how funny he was, days out, holidays etc when my Dad died during high school and I was so envious of that.
In hindsight both were just very plain and average girls with something I desperately wanted in myself. I'm sure it was the case for many others. You were all beautiful in school.