7days7authors

Thursday: "Pretty is as Pretty Does" by Mandatory Volunteer

I wandered over to the large desk furnished with hardbound and paperback books of everything I’ve read, and some I haven’t. A new LCD flat screen computer and wireless keyboard and mouse sat next to it, and a shiny new laptop, sat on top of the desk, in case I needed to work away from my computer.

I sat down in the chair in front of the large vanity full of makeup and other various cosmetics in complete shock. This whole room was worth more than my house and everything in it. And it was only my room. Just imagine…

I glanced sideways into the mirror and stared at my haggard reflection for a moment. The girl looking back at me had boring brown hair that needed the touch of a brush. Her bangs were awkwardly in her eyes, which were hidden behind a pair of thick, black-framed glasses. The dark circles under her eyes were partially hidden, but still very pronounced, like purple bruises. But still, the girl staring back at me was very plain. Ordinary.

“You know, they say that reflections can tell a lot about people. They show how people really look.” My hand flew to chest as I took in a surprised breath.

Clairissa was standing in the doorway of my room, leaned up against the frame, still playing around with Rubik’s Revenge. “What do you see in your reflection?” She paused and crosses her arms before turning to look at me with a smirk on her face.

“A very ordinary, plain looking girl? I wouldn’t call you ugly… I’ve seen ugly before. But you’re pretty close.” She wrinkled her nose at me and walked in closer to me. I tried not to let her words hurt me, but it was pretty hard to not listen to her. All girls try to protect their self esteem.

I turned towards the mirror again and then back towards her. “What do you see when you look in the mirror then?”

“Me?” She stopped a few steps short of the mirror and threw a screechy laugh as well.

“All I see is a beautiful girl, in the perfect family. Well, perfect until now. I’m absolutely drop dead gorgeous, I don’t need to look in a mirror to know how beautiful I am.” She reached her arm out and poked me in the forehead and turned around to leave. When she pushed me I could’ve sworn I saw claws reflected in the mirror where her hand was.

After she was gone, I shook my head and breathed out a sigh. Maybe I was too tired and seeing things. It was starting to get dark out anyway, I might as well get ready for dinner.