Leggings | Teen Ink

Leggings MAG

December 29, 2014
By freda BRONZE, New Orleans, Louisiana
freda BRONZE, New Orleans, Louisiana
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment

I walked down the damp sidewalk to my friend’s house, stepping to the beat of my headphones. I was almost there when I heard a long honk from a car. It sounded broken and old, and when I turned I saw a man who fit the same description. The smirk on his face made my stomach turn and my feet stumble out of rhythm.

Sweetheart. Nice ass. His words followed me along with his car. I was 14. I walked the wrong way down a one-way street to escape his pursuit.

When I got to my friend’s house I told her the story, almost in tears. I was scared. She laughed and said I should be happy that I already attracted attention, like it was a blessing to be followed by a man more than twice my age. She said I should have said thank you and moved along. If only she knew that my knees were shaking and my breath was caught in my lungs.

I tried to imagine turning and saying thank you to the man, his twisted smile and proud eyes gleaming as he leered at my body. I clutched the chair as my friend talked about how jealous she was. I wanted to leave, but I felt paralyzed by the idea that the man was out there, that any man or woman could be like him. We turned on the television and never talked about it again. But it happened again, then again, and again, each time flooding me with a mixture of shame and fear. I told myself that I shouldn’t walk alone, that I needed a man with me, that my body put me in danger.

I realize now, but wish someone had told me then, that it was not my fault. That what happened had nothing to do with how I dressed. That my body did not defined me. That I have control. That I should not say thank you when people objectify me.



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This article has 7 comments.


on Jan. 9 2016 at 12:02 pm
Skyler.rawr SILVER, Brooklyn, New York
6 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how you did it".

Wow, this is an amazing story. I was able to understand your fear.

zoe22 GOLD said...
on Oct. 16 2015 at 9:01 pm
zoe22 GOLD, Vienna, Virginia
15 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
"A drop in the ocean, a change in the weather," Ron Pope

It takes courage to make sure that we don't rely other's opinions and that our body should be keep to ourselves. I too was approached by strangers the way you were, but I learned to not bother with them.

on Oct. 3 2015 at 11:55 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.” - Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Whoa. What a total creep. Good for you for seeing things the way they really are.

on Oct. 2 2015 at 10:04 pm
GillianBorromeo PLATINUM, San Pedro City, Laguna, Other
24 articles 0 photos 38 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The reward of a thing well done is having done it."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's a good realization! God bless you :)

on Jan. 4 2015 at 1:46 pm
TheBassist SILVER, Syracuse, New York
9 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality." -Edgar Allan Poe

You're completely right. I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. I'm sure you've thought what made them this way? I think maybe it's because they have a similar past. Most child molesters were molested as children themselves. Or you know it could be because they can't get any genuine girls for themselves because they think there is something wrong with them. They start believing that and then they become that. Idk im just rambling.

chari GOLD said...
on Jan. 3 2015 at 4:43 pm
chari GOLD, Saint Charles, Illinois
19 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. -Mother Teresa

You are absolutely right. It's wrong. Girls shouldn't feel in danger by simply walking down the sidewalk. Kudos to you for sharing this.

on Jan. 2 2015 at 1:28 pm
EmilytheBelleofA. DIAMOND, Athens, Georgia
81 articles 5 photos 1486 comments

Favorite Quote:
To love is to be vulnerable; Triumph is born out of struggle; We notice shadows most when they stand alone in the midst of overwhelming light.

Oh, pssh posh my applesauce. This is amazing too. You were just honest, filling it with emotion. I sincerely hate that people do that. It's just not respectful and it's wrong. You do have a talent and greatness and light and a beauty that is your own; and so much more. You are an amazing and wonderful and talented and beautiful writer and person. Your body doesn't define you, seriously. You define yourself. Congrats on the Editor's choice because you truly deserve it! Thank you so much for sharing this, my friend. :)