Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall.....

Am I Really a Monster?

When school was over I made my way over to Janice and Iliana who were waiting for me by the door. "Hey girl", Iliana said. "Are you ready to go to Wendy's with us?" I nod my head. "Yeah, but, do you mind if I bring Heidi and Angel along? I'd like them to come too", I said. They look at each other and shrug. "Yeah that'd be fine", Janice said. "Cool, I'll go get them", I say, and race back inside the school. I was about to turn the corner to Heidi's locker when I heard Angel's voice. "Hey, you're Heidi right?" I stay back and peek over the corner. Angel is standing by Heidi, and he looks concerned. I frowned, thinking it was a little odd, but I stayed back and listened.

"Yeah I'm Heidi. And you're Angel, the dude that's dating Arielle?"

"Yeah, listen you've been hanging around with Arielle for a while right?"

"Uh-huh, why?"

"Well, I've noticed a bit of a change in Arielle since we started dating."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you haven't noticed?"

"Well.....she has been a little salty lately, I'll admit, but that isn't too big of a change."

"I know, I'm just saying because, she's not really the same person she was before. I mean, before she was shy, awkward, sweet and cute, and a little sassy."

He laughs a little and I just stand by the corner, absorbing his words.

"But now, she's well.....I don't want to believe it, but, she's acting more and more like Autumn."

Oh.

A cold fist seemed to wrap it's icy fingers around my heart. I clenched my jaw and my legs felt weak. I listened some more.

"Like Autumn? Really? How?"

"Well you saw her when she burned Autumn with Autumn's own secrets that day. She's never done anything like that before. And it sounds like something Autumn would do. And when she suddenly became close friends with Autumn's minions and all of a sudden, they just ditch Autumn. And at that party, she drank until she got sick. The nerdy Arielle I used to know would never do that. And now, she got into a big fight with Autumn and she didn't even get in trouble. I don't know, she's just become meaner, more coarse, rough around the edges. She's not that.....sweet girl I knew back in second grade."

I turn my head and bite my lip to keep from crying. Me? Turning into Autumn? That can't be true. Autumn is a spoiled, selfish, demonic monster. I always thought her real parents were wolves. And now, my boyfriend is comparing me to her? I know I haven't always been the same girl I was before, but I never thought I was turning into a monster. 

No, I can't be. 

I am more of a good person than Autumn will ever be. Sure I'm destroying Autumn, but she deserves it after everything she's done to me. After everything she's done to so many innocent people over the years. I'm simply taking what should've always been mine.

Heidi was silent for a long time. Then she spoke. "Well, I'm sorry you feel this way about her. I mean, I haven't known her for very long but, I know she's still a good person. Just give her a chance. She might surprise you."

I hear Angel sigh. "I hope so. I mean I really like her, and I really want to see a small part of the old her back."

I slid on the floor, trying to process what Angel just said. I took a sharp inhale and stood back up. If Angel is saying it, it must be true. I looked at my reflection in the locker I was leaning against. I expected to see myself, but I didn't. I saw Autumn's scheming, snarling face. Grinning sinisterly, mocking me. I shook my head violently, trying to wake myself up. I looked at the locker again, and I saw my brunette hair in it's side ponytail, my light spray of freckles, my brown eyes. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Arielle, are you okay?", Arista's voice rang in my head. "Yeah, I'm fine", I whisper quietly. I put on a giant fake smile and turn the corner and walk towards them.