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“Easier said than done when I have a library of memories that told me differently”

28

Stella

Fifteen Years Old

“You cannot honestly be thinking about wearing that,” Catherine remarked as she walked into o the school dance in It was yellow, Maht above my knees

I looked in the one for the past week on a work , so the house was filled with only Catherine and her negative thoughts about me

Even though Rosalina and Denise were long gone, their negative thoughts still ran through my head more than I’d wished they would

“What’s wrong with it?” I asked, knowing I should’ve never engaged but feeling a level of insecurity that I wasn’t sure what to do with I thought I looked good Pretty, even Though, Catherine made sure to tell me otherwise

“You look chubby in it And your kneecaps are odd Plus, it’s too short Girls like you shouldn’t wear dresses that short It’s not very lady-like of you Also, you wouldn’t be able to walk in those heels if you tried forlike a turkey in heels”

My sto up in knots as her words settled intoonly: you’re not good enough

She walked over to me and placed her hand beneath my chin She raised my head and frowned in disappoint up with the skincare routine I created for you?”

“It’s over twenty steps each night,” I said, annoyed “And some of the stuff burns when it sits on my skin”

“Beauty is pain, Stella” She eyed me up and down “But it’s clear you haven’t experienced that much pain”

I felt like crying as she looked my way Did she realize it? How much her words hurt me?

“Why don’t you like in to overpowerinto her eyes that looked nothing like mine Tears fell down my cheeks as I parted my mouth My words were shaky and unstable “What did I ever do to you? Why ah for you?”

Catherine’s eyes flashed with emotions I didn’t even know she’d been able to feel She blinked them away “Oh, sweetheart” She cupped ainst h to point out your flaws That’s love, you know? Having so to tell you the truth”

She gave ht