Dear Janet, You're Ugly

California Dreaming

Janet's POV

There are days where I would sit in my room. Large t-shirt on, hair wrapped in a messy bun, no makeup. Just a torn picture of California, in my hands as I looked at it for hours. I traced the lines of the green-blue ocean and could feel the grainy sand beneath the sole of my feet.

I yearned for it desperately because I wanted it to consume all that I was. And although it made absolutely no sense, it was crystal clear to me. And that was how I spent the majority of my Saturday mornings. A wonderful start to a long day, with a deep sigh I got up from the floor.

I spent most of my Saturdays at the bakery. On the weekends the shop could get busy which is why Ms. Freckle has put up a hiring sign. She always complained about needing more help as it was only me and another scrawny guy named Anthony.

He only worked a few days out of the week and wasn't much help at all. Peeling off my large shirt I grabbed a towel and headed to the shower. Turning the water on I let it run first for a few minutes, I was caught off guard when I looked at my reflection.

Dewy pale skin and tousled hair. Lips cracked from the lack of moisture it suffered. A dark red blemish covering half my face stuck out like a sore thumb. I traced the ugly mark, the texture feeling different almost rough and hard.

I was always reminded of just how ugly I looked. I wasn't a sight to behold in fact I was the nightmare that haunted kid's dreams. I clawed away at my face a deep growl escaping my mouth. The blemish becoming more prominently redder than before.

Gasping for air I turned away from the disgrace and entered the shower. I erased away the feral moment of anger consuming me. I covered my nose and body with a strawberry and cream body wash.

And when I was done I let the brown mane of hair become my curtain. Scrubbing my scalp I was reminded of why I kept my hair long. So that no one could see the beast that hid behind the curtains. I hopped out of the shower keeping my eyes away from the horrible contraption.

Mirrors

I dressed in some old overalls with a yellow top. I leave my hair down to air dry as I grab my small pocket mirror to apply some foundation. I liked the size of this mirror because it was so tiny, too tiny to show my imperfections. Grabbing some old battered sneakers I was finally out the door headed towards the bakery.

A cold chill wrapped around me making me pull my wool coat closer to me. I made it to the bakery in just ten minutes, it wasn't that crowded yet. I saw Ms. Freckles sitting at one of the tables, a notepad, and a pen with her. That was when I saw the back of a guy's head sitting across from her.

With a small wave, I make my way to the back to put my things away. Anthony was busy rolling out some dough when I came into the kitchen. His broken glasses sitting at the bridge of his nose a slight red coming to his cheeks. "Hello Janet" he whispered a nervous smile gracing his lips.

I smiled saying nothing else. I got to helping him roll out the dough and then turning them into perfect croissants. We then coated them in some special sweet garlic butter before sticking them into the large oven.

Besides Ms. Freckles delicious blueberry muffins. Her sweet buttered croissant recipe was my second favorite. "I'll make another batch you can go take orders" I directed to Anthony. Nodding he awkwardly ran out of the kitchen leaving me to roll several pans of dough.

I spent another hour rolling out dough when a pair of footsteps reached my ears. Ms. Freckles enters the kitchen a large smile gracing her face. "Good news! I hired someone so you and Anthony we'll have lots of help"! She squealed a satisfied smile never leaving her face.

"When will they start"? I asked wiping the sweat off my brow bone. I could feel the dewy foundation sinking down my face reminding me to freshen it up.

" He's willing to start today! I want you to show him the ropes as you did for Anthony". She babbled on clearly happy at finding more help for the bakery. I dismissed myself to go on break needing to get away from all of Ms. Freckles' chatter.

Heading towards the bathroom I passed by a skittish Anthony working cashier. The dark-haired new guy stood next to him. It was then that our eyes connected and I felt the world stop before me.

I stared Erin dead in the face.