Unwritten: Diary of a Lean Green Plumber

Two-Sided Coin

16 March 2007

MK

Dear Diary,

Jas was ushered into the world of double-digit-dom in style! A handful of Toad retainers had picked up her and her parents in their car and drove her to Peach's Castle, where many more Toads were lined up, applauding for her. There were ribbons dangling out front, along with a giant banner that read HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY JASMINE. Jas herself was clad in a Cyan, scoop neck princess dress, with minimal, wash-off makeup applied to her face. Her fingernails had been freshly manicured and painted with sparkly nail polish. Jackie and Jules were also dressed like royalty, with the mom in a purple, V-neck dress and the dad in a fancy tuxedo with a white bow tie and white gloves. He'd even added a fake sword, just because.

Hand-in-hand with her parents, the birthday girl walked into the castle to find it just as well-decorated as the front. Star-shaped, sparkling confetti lightly showered onto her, and even more Toads lined the walkway on both sides, cheering. Jas blushed and walked further down the hall, her mouth flying open when she was met by none other than Peach herself.

"No way," she gasped in disbelief.

Smiling, Peach glided toward Jas and her parents. Jas started to curtsy, but Peach stopped her.

"You don't have to bow or curtsy on your special day," said Peach, removing a tiara one of her retainers held on a pillow and placing it on the birthday girl's head. "Today, you're the Princess."

"I'm the Princess..." Jas repeated to yourself. "Does that mean I can stay up past midnight?"

"No," her parents said in unison.

"But anything else you wish will be yours," smiled Peach. Off of Jules's and Jackie's looks, she amended, "with reasonable restrictions, of course. Happy birthday, Jasmine."

"Thank you," beamed Jas.

"All right," said Peach. "Let the festivities begin."

Everyone cheered.

The party started with the Toads giving Jas and her parents a tour of the castle. When they got to the kitchen, one of the cooks gave Jas a free pastry. At the end of the tour, they went outside, where several rides, games, booths, exhibits and a DJ were set up. The first thing Jas did was ride on the swings till she almost got sick.

"Hey, Luigi!" she cried later, running up to me as her parents tried to keep up. "Guess what—I'm a princess for the day!"

We high-fived, and then I said, "Wow, Jas—you're growing up. You're not a little girl anymore. And after tomorrow, you won't be dressed like a Princess anymore—but will you still be able to act like one?"

"Well..."

"And that doesn't mean barking orders at people," I said. "Acting like a Princess means listening to your parents, staying in school, not getting into fights..."

"And what if someone attacks me and tries to—hurt me?" challenged Jas.

"If it comes to that, you have every right to protect yourself," I said. "Other than that—if someone tries to provoke you, ignore them. And if something doesn't work the first time—ask for help. That's what I mean by acting like a Princess."