Nobody opts for braces. Not at 12, not at 18 and not in their 40s, unless of course they are Tom Cruise. It's just not an accessory that people put in the winning column. And so, it would be down right donkey bullsh*t for me to tell you that your braces don't have any impact on your look. But that said, it might not be the metal ten foot sign you see when you glance in the mirror. You are not on lockdown while you are braced up.
I think one thing that helps immensely is physically owning the fact that you are wearing braces at the moment.. There's nothing more cringy than seeing someone sort of bat at their mouth and hide behind their lips because they're ashamed of their braces. Of course, I am giving those under 17 a pass, but at a certain age, you must own what you've got. You are still you, just you with -for the time being - braces.

And that's the other point I want to make. When your 11 and your teeth are imprisoned behind metal it does feel like a social death sentence, time moves slower than a dentist's drill and you feel nastier and more stuck than a rotting piece of ham between your back molars. But, at your age you have perspective. You know this is temporary - a matter of months. Yes, maybe 26 of them. But there is a beginning, middle and end to this thing. At the end of it your teeth will be gorgeous and for those months in between, you are still very much you. As for this specific guy: just be you. Yes, double check you don't have an entire spinach quiche lodged in your grill, but beyond that let it go. He in turn, will let it go too.