Writing Prompt

She smiles, a little sadly. The picture was worn with time and dull with age. The edges were frayed and the image was dusty. It felt papery in Melissa’s fingers and delicate, like it’d tear at any moment.

Carol looked exactly the way Melissa remembered her. Her hair was out, wild, and tangled. Her dress, a pastel green that flapped in the wind.

She was smiling, a radiant smile that seemed to carry over to Melissa even through a worn picture. She was carefree, confident, and bold. Always making a statement.

Melissa looked at the image of her younger self next to Carol. She was diligent. A stiff look never off her face. Posture perfect, hair well done, having too much make-up even when she was way too young for it.

While it never seemed like it, Melissa could still remember the burden and expectations that were weighing on her shoulders, still remember how she acted like everything was perfect and great when she threatened to collapse at any moment. How no one ever seemed to notice or know the real Melissa.

Except Carol.

Carol took one look at a nervous Melissa on the first day of school on kindergarten, strode confident steps right up to her, and said a big loud, “Chillax!”

While they grew up, Carol always repeated the same line over and over to Melissa. “Be yourself,”

Melissa used to shun the words, tell Carol that she had no idea what she was talking about, that she didn’t have the same problems. The same burdens. The same expectations.

But Carol was right.

Melissa never realized it until fifteen years ago, when Carol died. Melissa still remembered the grief, the devastation, and how for once Melissa didn’t hide her emotions. She was done hiding emotions. She was done being perfect for someone else and shattering inside.

Melissa grew. She became better. She became herself. She became free.

And even though Melissa missed Carol so, so much, she was glad she stumbled upon this picture.

Carol changed the way Melissa thought about herself. Carol changed the way Melissa showed herself. Carol dampened on Melissa’s fears and anxieties.

It didn’t matter if Carol was gone, the impact she made still lived on. The impact she made on Melissa. She changed everything for her.

Everything.

About Ivy, my second girlfriend, who dumped me after only a month of dating but still managed to rip my heart to shreds, the only ex girlfriend I was still really good friends with out of the whole list. She broke my heart but I still hangout with her and my guy best friend. I’ve been out as bisexual for nine years and I’ve dated two girls so far. Ivy has been the only girl that was able to break my heart if I even have one. But jake my best friend he stood by my side this whole time, it’s been two years and we are graduating in 3 days wow.

“Jasmine are we hanging out today or are you going to get your nails done” Jake asked at my locker.

“We are hanging out but you are also going with me while I get my nails done” I replied as we were walking to my car since he still can’t drive. “What’s wrong” Jake asked as we got to my car. All I could do is shrug because I’m in love with him I have been for a year but he wants me to give Ivy another chance and I don’t know what to do.

I pulled over and turned to Jake I can’t keep hiding it “Jake I know you want me to give Ivy a second chance but I can’t... because I’m in love with you I have been for a while I just didn’t know how to tell you how happy you make me and that I wanted you not Ivy.” When I was done he just looked at me not saying anything so I started driving to the salon to get my nails on with out saying anything.

We didn’t talk the entire time but it wasn’t as awkward as I thought it was going to be I just got pink ombré nails with gems on the ring finger. I drove home and we didn’t talk about what I said but when I got home I realized the door was locked and my dad wasn’t home and I didn’t want to waste gas driving down the block so Jake walked with me and when we got to the building next to where my dad works at he stopped me saying that he had something to say.

“I have loved you my entire life I mean you have always been my best friend, we have the same birthday but I was so surprised when you told me earlier because I watched you for two years be broken over Ivy. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything then.” He gave me a long hug. Then he walked me over to daddy’s office.