On my dresser lies the empty journal I got for my birthday three summers ago.

_Not yet_.

Stacked neatly in boxes are stickers collected from yearly doctor appointments.

_Not yet_.

Perched on my shelf is the still-full bottle of rose perfume I got for graduation.

_Not yet._

Sitting in my vanity is the unused makeup I got as a gift last Christmas.

_Not yet. I must wait for the perfect time._

__

I must wait until I find the perfect words to fill the empty journal.

until I find the perfect place to stick my unstuck stickers.

until I find the perfect occasion to wear my prettiest perfume and most expensive makeup.

So no…not yet.

_Spoiler: the perfect time never came._