THE PERFECT GIRL IN THE MIRROR

Chapter 2

My Wish

I stepped out of my car, smiling sheepishly like a child who’d just been gifted a lollipop. I was happy because I’d just met the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen, and he likes me too... I think.

I walked to the door and opened it, only to hear my mom talking to my dad about my incompetence. Yeah, she does that a lot. I'm never enough or up to her standards.

"I don't think she'd get the job," my mom said. I just stood by the door, waiting to hear my dad’s response.

"Gracie, she’d get the job. Our daughter has worked really hard to get qualified for the interview, and I’m sure she’ll get it," my dad said with so much confidence in his voice.

This is why I love my dad so much. He understands me more than anyone ever has.

I opened the door slightly, clearing my throat to signify my presence. But, as expected, my mom didn’t take the bait. She kept going with her words of frustration.

"She needed my help to get herself interviewed. Who’s to say she won’t need my help to get the job?" she said, not even bothering to look at me, as though she didn’t notice my presence.

"Gracie, stop it," my dad said, walking up to me.

"Hey, baby, how’s the interview?"

"It’s okay. I mean, there’s every chance I’ll get the job," I tried to smile a little to reassure him.

"That’s good. I know you’ll get it," he said, hugging me.

I really needed that hug, because I was about to retreat into my shell where no one would see or notice me.

"Okay, whatever. But you better get the job, because I won’t help you out when you ask for it," my mom said as she walked past me toward the kitchen.

"Oh, she noticed me," I whispered to myself.

"What did you just say, young lady?" she snapped, her voice filled with anger. I could tell she was ready to hit me again, but honestly, I didn’t care anymore.

"I said, 'Oh, she noticed me,'" I replied, staring deep into her eyes, waiting for her reaction.

"Young lady, as long as you're in my house, you will respect me!" she yelled, stepping closer, raising her voice as she always did.

"Okay, that's enough," my dad said, trying to calm us both down.

I was already boiling with anger and irritation.

"Whatever, I'm going to my room," I muttered, storming out of the room and straight to my bedroom. I could hear my mom screaming at the top of her lungs in the background.

I closed my bedroom door behind me and threw myself onto the bed, emotionally and mentally exhausted.

My mom has a way of making me wish I wasn’t even here, as if I didn’t exist. She complains about everything I do—never satisfied.

I walked up to the mirror and saw the girl again. The one standing there in all her glory. The girl I wish I could be.

She doesn’t have a mother who doesn’t see her worth. She’s loved by everyone. She looks so carefree, unlike me. I try so hard to impress everyone, wanting to be the best. I want to prove to everyone that I’m the perfect girl. But deep down, I cry at night, wishing to be the girl in the mirror. She’s the perfect version of me. She’s my wish.

Just then, I heard a knock at the door.

"Baby, it’s Daddy," my dad called from the other side of the door.

"Come on in," I replied.

He walked in and sat on the bed.

"Come sit," he said, patting the space beside him.

I walked over and sat down next to him.

"You know your mom loves you, right?" he said.

No, she doesn’t, I thought.

"Hmm," I muttered, trying not to sound too mad.

"She’s just way too caring, that’s ’s why she talks like that sometimes. But she doesn’t mean it," he said, patting me on the back.

"Yeah, whatever," I replied.

"Pookie, darling, I believe in you. I understand you, and I know you’ll get anything you want," he said, giving me those puppy eyes—the ones I can’t resist, even though I hate when he uses them to manipulate my feelings.

I can’t help but stop being angry.

Those damn puppy eyes!

"Fine, I’ve heard you. I’m no longer angry, but I still don’t like her," I said, letting him know my decision.

"It’s fine. I’ll love her for both of us," he said, giving me that sheepish smile.

"You look weird," I laughed.

"You love me," he replied, and then kissed me on the cheek.

He’s right, I do love him.