The skyline of the nation’s capital glimmered around us, like headlights in the fog. “This is perfect,” I thought, staring longingly at the congress building. “I’m in the city of my dreams, and I finally feel beautiful.”

As the sun was setting, we gathered behind the railing, watching the moonlight illuminate the monuments. Mothers started to gather children for pictures.

Everyone. All boys. All girls. All my friends.

I watched my friends posing for photos as if they were at a homecoming dance, feeling invisible. Hope ignited inside me as one of them approached me.

“Can you take our picture?”