Skin Deep

1.

" Do you smile?"
9:00 am

Today was the day , The day . Graduation day . College was over all the papers , exams , and headache stressing was finally over. Even though it was over I would partly miss it. This is the last stop to being an Adult and being well really on your own.
Will you fail or succeed ?
That was my thought process . I' am a bit of a perfectionist. Sometimes my mother's says I can be up tight and that makes me people want to run away.
Maybe I 'am a little to serious but, that got me here didn't it ?
I looked up to see my classmates smiling knowing that most of them cheated and drank and partied their way here. Well as I worked for this spot . My spot.
"And now we have a speech From Our 2019 Valedictorian, Madison Fletcher"
That's my Queue
Give me one moment.
I walked up to the mic to say my speech . It looked quiet .
"Good morning my fellow 2019 class , today is the day where we embark on a new journey , new goals and new People to meet. While we close this chapter a new one begins. We've came so close meeting genuine friends, that feel like family and those we will always keep in our heart. Walking out doesn't feel like a goodbye. It feels like a hello, hello to success , hello to a new and improve me , hello to the future. So hello class of 2019 we made it" I said with confidence and got a standing ovation.
A smiled kind of paired on my face then , fast away.

After the ceremony was over I found my parents looking bright and smiling. MY parents are definitely the very opposite of me. Mrs. Fletcher Owned a flower shop In Texas . She was a happy go lucky person who smile can bright up the room. Wearing her bangles and beautiful long skirt and Kinky curly hair to frame her gorgoues Melanin skin. I always wanted to be like her , teeth white and happy all the time. I' am happy , just on the Inside.

My dad? I know your wondering about him. The tall dark skin man who is a surgeon. Yeah my family seems Incredible. Then there is me the uptight bitch no one likes but , only needs when they have to cheat on a test.
"You got standing ovation honey" my mom smiled giving me a hug.
" yeah , maybe cause I sounded happy to be graduating with this class of no good mediocre son of-"
"Hey let's stay happy and, positive"
My dad said smiling.
"What's up Tooty pants" I heard a voice
I turned around surprise , there is one person who can smile like that
My brother . Thomas
I jumped and hugged him " Tom what the hell , I thought you were to far overseas" I said so happy whole hugging his big shoulders.
"I could not miss your graduation are you crazy and a standing ovation" he said.
Thomas fletcher , the big soldier . The ladies loved him , My parents loved him and so did every freaken teacher in my school. He was perfect.

Like I said I' am the black swan of my Family sometimes, I like it and sometimes it gets lonely that I'am not apart of that perfect bunch. Yeah I get good grades but, I' am not outgoing, not that drop dead gorgeous and guys seem to runaway.

" Mmm what are we going for dinner ? it's your special day" My dad laughed while looking at me .

" Dad I'm not really that hungry, I was kind of hoping we could just go home and , I could read a book plus I have to pack-" I starting talking but, my brother put his arm over my shoulder.

" Madi , look you have read many books your 4 years of college and you can continuing packing , mom told me your literary done , Just please don't be a buzzkill your whole life" he said looking me in my eye.

He was right and I hated to admit it .

" fine " I say giving in .

My parents kind of jumped . They were mostly happy when I wanted to go outside. I only went to my high school prom for them. I would never hear the end of it. I would do anything for them, that's why I work so hard so that , their hard work pays off . When their happy I'm happy. I never tell them but, I love them so much. I never been affectionate , I never know why.

We got in the car and I sit in the back seat with my brother.

" So... New York?" My brother ask , I smile I'm moving to New York because I got a really got Job offer at a Magazine as one of their top writers.

This is big for you" he says and I nod , he looks at me , that look , that look he knows when somethings wrong , he was the only person who could read me like a book. He was my best friend.

" Honestly it's great but.." I say looking down

"butttt" he goes

"but honestly , I don't know , What if I make mistakes? what if I publish something horrible and people don't like it" I say not looking Thomas his eyes .

" Are you kidding me? Your stuff? people wanna hear your voice Madi. Your gonna make mistakes , stop always wanting to perfect because that's when you fall. Make the mistakes and then learn. Plus If you publish something bad , don't worry I'll be your first reader" he says and I smile.

"thanks T" I say he knew what to say when to say it.

"always"