Hey guys, I'm back! I'm so so sorry to keep you waiting for over a year. College kept me busy from being able to write for you guys and from a few other things too. Thankfully, I now have an award for a documentary I made and a Bachelor's Degree! That's right, I am now officially a college student! Was it worth it? I hope so. Anyway, I'm here now and ready to write more chapters! I think I should have about five left. It's been a while since I last wrote, a REAL long while, but the remainder of the story never left my head. It always stayed and I still remember every single detail of what happens. I'm really looking forward to writing them. I'm not however looking forward to writing this song on my own as PikaScootaloo was too busy but here's hoping I can do it.
Other delays include my computer being a dick and making me write in spots I don't want it to, having the blinking line disappear and hitting backspace to try to delete errors only for the entire page to go back completely erasing all of my hard work. I swear this chapter has been the biggest pain in the ass I ever faced since the third chapter two years ago. It's also reminding me to start using Word more and stop relying on Doc Manager as it's not worth it. No one should ever have their hard work be erased several times and that's why this chapter has not seen the light of day yet. So with that said, I apologize if some of these passages are not as passionately written as when you write them a second time, you lose all that inspiration and immediately becomes a chore as you try to remember what you wrote and try to duplicate it.
Anyway, with all that said, I hope you enjoy it and I hope I haven't kept you guys waiting too long...
Dinner and a Song
Connie focused on homework while her parents prepared dinner. Mathematics, pretty simple. Not much skill needed. She kept all her studies organized near her; English, History, Science, all that wonderful stuff. What would take a kid about four hours to do in one night took her one. She listened, she took notes, knew what was needed, always came prepared. Then again, that's how she was raised; to study and get good grades, never to spend her time getting to know anyone or having friends. But then again, she didn't want to be embarrassed again, not since last time. Who'd want to be friends with me, she'd think to herself. I'm not... interesting. Boring? No, that wasn't a good enough word. Tedious? Monotonous? Prosaic? Bromidic? So many to choose from. They all mean the same thing... me.
This has been her daily routine for the past four months, every weekday and the occasional weekend when there was nothing to do. Go to school, go to practice, come home, do homework, and ponder on the endless notion of loneliness that slowly consumed her.
She put her pencil down, not even checking for any mistakes, got up from her desk and left.
The answers were correct. They always were.
Connie walked down the stairs and noticed the mail near the front door. It was the usual; bills, junk, letter from relative, a folded piece of paper? Never saw that before. She carefully removed the tape from the edges and read it. It was a bright and colorful flyer that read in giant yellow letters, ANNUAL BEACH CITY BOARDWALK PARADE! THIS SATURDAY AT 1PM! DON'T MISS IT! She'd never been to a parade before, let alone to Beach City. She'd always wanted to go even though as it was only a few miles away from her. There would be people too... a lot of people. Hopefully the friendly kind. She wanted to go and found herself having an argument about it in her head. Her parents would never let her. What would be the purpose? To meet people she'd probably never see again? To partake in celebrating a town she didn't even live in? What if she stood out, and in more ways than one? It's not a dance, at least. No, she wanted to go. She had the flyer and stuffing it into her pocket, she entered the kitchen.
"Oh, good. You're here." Her Mother said. "Would you mind setting the table?"
Connie got the plates and silverware and placed them neatly on the table.
"Did you finish your homework?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Good girl." Her Mother said as she served herself onto her plate. "You can help yourself now. Just be careful, it's hot."
Connie didn't realize how hungry she was and ran to the pot on the stove. Chicken curry, she sighed. She wasn't really a fan of the stuff, always too spicy and never mild or not mild enough. She never complained though. She knew how disappointed her Mother would be if she disrespected her cooking. Not worth it. Either way, Connie let it go and served herself anyway along with a handful of Naan bread freshly made. Always the best part.
Throughout the meal, and through every meal they've had, the family ate quietly. Always focused and never a single word uttered. Instead, the sounds of silverware hitting the plates, glasses of water landing on the table, swallowing, and quiet mastication; truly a symphony of perfection. Connie always wondered what would happen if she said something, anything. How would her family react to the sound of silence broken at the dinner table during a supposedly calm meal, especially from their own daughter who should know better? There wasn't even any music playing. Nothing. Connie ate slowly and spent most of the meal looking at her Mother, then to her Father, then back to her Mother. Left, right, left, right. Never once turning her head, but her eyes doing so. Ignoring the taste of the curry, a drop of sweat broke from her forehead as well as the sides of her nose making her glasses slip. Her left hand felt the edges of the folded flyer still tucked into her pocket, as if scratching an itch. She wanted to say something. What was she waiting for? For someone to get up? No, she had to. She needed to.
Screw it.
"There's a parade in Beach City tomorrow and I really want to go!"
Both her hands immediately slapped her mouth shut and pupils completely dilated as she progressed what she just did.
Her parents on the other hand looked at her daughter as if they didn't recognize her. They both looked at each other and back at her, not knowing what to do or say.
Well, now that she got their attention, might as well go all out. Connie pulled out the flyer and showed them. "There's a parade in Beach City tomorrow and I've never gone to Beach City before because I know you don't like it and think it's a tourist attraction but I wouldn't know myself unless I actually go, right? So please, I think it'd be nice if I got to see what the town was like. It'd be... fun." She sat back down looking straight ahead. Her mother however continued to look at her.
"Fun?" she said confused. "Fun doesn't you anywhere in life. It's not what put food on the table to get you good grades. Besides, what would be the point of going? You don't even know anyone. What if you get lost?"
"That's why I want to go, Mom!" Connie stated. "And I suppose that Cracker Jack compass you gave for my birthday isn't going to help me from getting lost?"
"I don't think it's a bad idea." Her Dad finally chipped in.
"What?" Her Mother turned toward her husband, shocked that he'd agree.
"I mean maybe it's a good idea that she'd get to know her surroundings. That way, she'd know who to trust and who not to trust. I mean, you want her to be safe, right?"
Mother looked at her husband, then back at her daughter who was highly anticipating her response. She got up and took her plate to the sink.
She sighed, "Did you finish your homework?"
"Last I checked." Connie replied.
"What about all your chores?"
"I still have the plants to water and the laundry to do but I can do them beforehand!"
"What time is it at?"
Connie grabbed the flyer and pointed at the time. "1PM!"
Mother turned the sink on and laid her plate to soak. She sighed in defeat, "Your father and I have somewhere to be tomorrow and we need you to look after the house. If we call you, will you promise to make it right back here?"
"Of course!"
"Okay, you can go." She commenced washing her plate.
"Yes!" Connie quietly celebrated to herself. That is, until her Mother gave her a cold glance.
"I mean, thank you, Mother." she said bowing her head. Formal but nearing satire. "Can I be excused?"
"Wash your plate first."
Connie took her finished plate and washed it as fast as she could. She then proceeded to quick hug her Mother. Then ran to her still dining Father and did the same thing to him.
"Thank you, Daddy!"
Without waiting for a response, she ran back upstairs.
Mother sat back down, wine glass in her hand.
"I blame you."
"How's she gonna learn if she's cooped up here all the time?" he said without even looking at her.
Another strained look came out of her and with that, took a huge swig of wine and swallowed it whole.
"Fine. If a day comes where she starts playing with swords, I blame you."
She got up from the table.
"I'm going to lay down."
Father just kept eating.
"Suit yourself."
It was a beautiful starry night and not a cloud was in sight, full moon too. Connie had just put her pajamas on and was getting ready to call it a night. She was watching herself in the mirror as she combed her hair. Her thoughts started up again and with each one, she slowed down until she stopped combing entirely. She looked at reflection and it stared at her right back. The excitement of being in a new environment was still there but the memory of that night remained. She remembered how pretty she looked but also how small she was reduced by a group of horrible girls. She looked at herself and didn't see herself, but someone else. Someone similar to her in height, look, color.
I look... normal, she thought.
She looked down and saw her violin lying there. She picked it up and placed it to her chin. Without breaking contact from her reflection, she placed the bow onto the strings and commenced playing a quiet calm tune. Something familiar but not heard of. Something from a dream maybe? And with that, she sang to it:
Look at me
Can you see
The girl in the mirror?
Do you care
That she's scared?
Can anybody hear her?
Her life has all been set in stone
But she's forced to go through it alone.
She approaches her nearest mirror and looks up at the starry night sky as she continues playing:
She looks up at the sky
And she sees a million tiny bright stars.
Each of them wished on several times from afar.
And what is this she wishes for?
It's simple. She wants more.
More of life, more of love,
More adventure than her heroes.
More of light, more of hope,
More beauty than a dear rose.
Is she asking for too much?
For the girl in the mirror,
It's a star she simply cannot touch.
She turns back to see her reflection starring back at her. She slowly walks toward it while still singing:
Who is she?
No one knows.
Would anybody want to?
Ugly, boring, bland,
Brown? No, blue.
She's been hurt so much before
And she cannot take it anymore.
And yet, all the same,
She knows this is what she wants.
Something near, something dear
To her heart despite its desperate taunts.
And what is this she wishes for?
It's simple. She wants more.
She backs away from it and as her thoughts become more positive, she lays on the bed and visualizes her next set of lyrics:
Someone kind, someone strong,
Someone anyone can talk to.
Someone brave, someone sweet,
Who will fight with her through troubles through.
This is what she dreams tonight.
For the girl in the mirror, she would like to be their knight.
Her head turns and spots a framed picture of her parents.
What am I to you?
Hopefully not just a burden to you.
What am I to do?
When I'm alone in a home
And without a single clue?
She sits up and focuses all of her energy onto her now opened window letting in all of its glory.
And this is what she wishes for.
It's simple. She wants more.
More of life, more of love,
More than anyone can ask for.
More of strength, more respect,
To fill me at my center core.
I'd be filled with so much glee.
For the girl in the mirror, the girl in the mirror.
For the girl in the mirror,
She just wants to break free.
Her violin drops to the ground. She sees her reflection in the mirror for the last time.
Look at me.
Can you see
The girl in the mirror?
Look at me.
Can you see
The girl is me?
Her song ends. Defeated and eyes closed, her head drops.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Connie, is that you?!" Her Mother says through the door.
Connie, now awoken from reality, reaches down and picks up her fallen violin.
"Uhh, yeah! Just practicing!"
"Well, wrap it up and go to sleep!"
"I will! Sorry, Mom!"
Footsteps are heard leaving.
Connie puts her violin away and turns off the light. She climbs under the covers and becomes lost in her thoughts once again. What would happen tomorrow? Would she be alright? Who would she meet? Would she talk to anyone? Lot of questions for an intelligent nine-year old. She never had a friend before. It would be nice to have at least one, doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl. Just someone, anyone, regardless of where they lived too. It'd be worth the trip anyway. She thought about what she said, about being their knight. The idea struck her as beautiful, being able to rescue her friend from something that was troubling them or being there for them no matter what. It wouldn't be as heroic as the heroines in her books but they'd be just as brave and ready to take on the world.
"Yeah, I can do that."
And with that, Connie's eyes closed and all of her fears temporarily went away.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed it, the song too. It's called "The Girl in the Mirror" and it's entirely composed by yours truly. I can't write music but I know the melody like the back of my head so if anyone ever wants to do something with it, let me know.
I'm also gonna go back and re-edit each and every chapter and fix a few errors that have always bugged me, even in the newer chapters as I have a tendency to finish and immediately upload so that people can finally read it. Either way, I hope this entices new readers as well as old readers and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Anyway, onto the next chapter! :D
