Mirror

There is more to a mirror than reflection.

I blinked once. I blinked twice. Every time I closed my eyes, even for that split second, I wished that I would change, that I would be pretty, that all my blemishes would disappear.

I blinked again.

No change.

Collectively my body slumped, like the elastic band that was pulled taut around my wrist suddenly released. It takes a moment before I could even bear to look at myself.  I flinched.

 

I am small and silver. I hover there before her. The girl stares into my depths, searching. Searching for something, anything but her own face that she believes to be so grotesque. I can only show her  an honest, exact image. I bear no need for furnishings or other decor. What I reflect is truth, the final depiction.

 

Slowly I raised my head.  The moment my gaze fell upon my reflection, I fought the immediate reaction to recoil. Taking a deep breath I steadied myself. I stared dead straight. I looked into the depths of my own eyes. The large black pupils, surrounded by a steel blue. My only decent physical trait.

But yet, even my most favourable attribute is imperfect. My eyes are empty. With glimpses of pain and suffering flickering through them with the light. I stared into one eye, saddened, at the sight of the black of my pupil leaking down into the untainted colour below.

 

She holds back tears with great difficulty. A sharp intake of breath and an aggressive fidget of uncomfortable hands.  I try to show her the beauty before me. Clearly showing every detail of her sparkling blue eyes, filled with care and attention. I am persistent, I cause the light to dance across her eyes. But no, a lone tear escapes the corner of her pristine eyes and leaves a trail along her cheek.

 

I raised a hand to dry my tear. Pausing, I traced a finger as gentle as a feather across my lower lip. I smiled, a gentle smile. Turned my lips up ever so slightly at the corners. But the momentary facade did not last long before the smile gradually dissipated back into my neutral expression. I shook my head gently, the soft copper curtain of hair swaying gently in the movement. Falling across my eyes.

 

The girl looks lost now, she tries to find herself, tracing her face gently to find where the path left off. She finds it, the edges of her soft pink mouth. Almost happy with herself she smiles! A joyful moment indeed. With relief I try to reflect how beautiful she looks but it is almost impossible to capture it fully. I did not succeed....her smile drops as the pretty girl returns to hiding behind her flamed hair.

I stared. I identified and noted every single blemish and imperfection. Catalogued each and every one to an ever growing mental list. One that tormented me daily.  I fell to my knees. The tears come pouring from my eyes.I pull at the short hair, I claw at my face and arms with the remains of nails that have seen much stress.  A moment of silent quivering as my shoulders shake with the fear of a thousand thoughts unspoken.

 

Just when I think the girl is improving, she falls. A scream that nearly shatters my surface escapes her. I watch, disturbed, as the frustrated and angered hands claw desperately at skin, pull harshly on clumps of shimmering hair. Once again I reflect it all, hoping the girl will see it and stop. A moment of silence, the girl shakes quietly. I watch horrified.

The eyes of a world.

Author's Note

Still some editing to do but this was a burst of inspiration.

Reviews

[Trigorin]

You have a good concept, but I don't really like the present tense - feels a little odd. Stick to past tense, I'd say. Also, your narrative feels a little like you were trying to be impressive when you wrote it, but because you were actually trying for it, it seems forced. I'd go back over this and simplify a little - it'll become more powerful if you do.

[Rachelle]

Thank you very much. It was a rough draft, my English teacher hates my writing style is encouraging to try different things like this. I appreciate your help! But thank you very much, that was really helpful and I will take this on board and aim to improve. Much thanks!:)