The apology that arrives before the look
You walk into a room and the first thing you do is explain yourself. "I haven't been sleeping well", before anyone has registered the shadows under your eyes. "I've been stress-eating", before anyone has glanced at your waist. "I know I look terrible today", before a single person has turned your way. The apology is already out there, floating in the air, doing the work of a shield you have been carrying so long you no longer notice its weight.
