But Alex wasn't like her friends. She identified as lesbian, and the world seemed to be figuring itself out around her. She had come out to her close friends and family, and while it wasn't always easy, she felt a sense of liberation in being true to herself.
Jamie smiled back, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I can appreciate that. I have a similar approach to photography – I like to capture the beauty in unexpected things."
Alex felt a warmth spread through her chest. No one had ever complimented her feet like that before. "Thanks, Jamie," she said, smiling. "That means a lot coming from you."
As the class drew to a close, Alex realized that she had been staring at Jamie's feet for a significant amount of time. She quickly looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. But Jamie just laughed and said, "It's okay, I think your gaze was pretty friendly."
During a particularly long critique session, Jamie leaned over and whispered to Alex, "Hey, I love your shoes. They're so... colorful." Alex looked down at her feet, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "Thanks," she said, smiling. "I like to express myself through my clothes and accessories."