All You Need is Acceptance

Chapter 1

Romance is pushed on us from the moment we're born, it's something society tells us we should all desire one day. When you don't want anything to do with it, everyone tries making you feel like you're doing something wrong because of it.

When I was five, I was introduced to the concept of romance when I saw two adults kissing on TV. The television had been invented only a few years ago and I remember everyone's excitement when it first came out. It was the invention that promoted itself as the new and innovative way to experience stories. Because the tv is a new and interesting thing, it captivates everyone but I can't relate because every time I see people like me being played on the screen, I always see myself portrayed as a monster or someone to avoid just because I don't desire romance. I feel more joy when I look at the miniature Christmas village adorned on top of our fire place and imagine myself as a little figurine coming to life while exploring the quaintness of its cozy atmosphere.

I'm not sure if maybe the reason I don't like romance is because I don't fit in with the characteristics that go along with it, or if it's because I'm jealous of the way people love each other in the movies. I fear that I will never be loved the same way they are loved, so maybe I only convinced myself that I don't have any romantic desires, so that way I wouldn't have to deal with it, and it wouldn't seem like I was the one getting hurt. I mean, how can you be hurt by something if you didn't want it in the first place?

As I was walking home from school, I smelt the delicious aroma of strawberry apple pie. My mom makes it every Friday and puts it on the windowsill to cool. Hopefully consuming some will lighten up what happened to me today during school.

"Hi Minerva, how was your day at school today?"

I sat down and put my backpack on the floor next to me.

"It was okay" I prayed, oh I hoped she didn't investigate any further into my answer. I didn't want her to know I've been teased for not having any romantic feelings. My classmates never stopped giving me a hard time about being a heartless monster for supposedly skipping the romance part, and going straight to the sex part which is weird because we just started learning about said topic. The scent from the food awoke me from my daydream.

"Your dad will be home soon. He went to pick up a paper at the newspaper stand"

"Can I have five cents?"

My mom looked at me puzzled as she undid her apron and placed it next to the ham radio that was sitting next to the kettle.

"What do you need five cents for?"

"I want to buy a Hershey chocolate bar. Speaking of Hershey, did you know that the person who founded the company, Milton Hershey was supposed to board the Titanic but an urgent matter caused him to cancel his ticket at the last minute"

"That seems rather interesting. Where did you hear such information from?"

"I read it in an interview on the newspaper where he talked about how grateful he was that his voyage got cancelled"

My mom suddenly turned sorrowful, like the stars in her eyes that was glistened, now turned dark, like a candle that had its light burned out.

"Is everything okay?"

"Every time I'm reminded of that awful day, it always brings tears to my eyes. I was about your age when it happened. I remember it being the only thing that got news coverage for months after the ship had sunk. The most painful part was being at the New York docks in person and seeing all those people waiting for their loved ones that had embarked on the ship to embrace them in their arms. I could see some of the faces suddenly turn gloom when they saw everyone else being reunited while wondering where their friends and family were, drawing to the horrific conclusion that the reason they weren't there was because they died during the sinking. I never seen so many broken hearts in one place. I weep every time I think about it"

Next scene

I was in my room reading an autobiography about a girl who was just like me, and felt the same way I felt about romantic topics. The writer talks about her struggles in dealing with a forced marriage but being scared to tell anyone. I love when she mentions how she would rather spend the rest of her life strolling through a field of flowers rather than being tied to someone by a ring because to her, flowers represent love more than a diamond ring ever could. Another reason I love reading it because it was written in the 1800's, which means the idea of not being into romance isn't new or abnormal.

Although that may be the case, some people will still never be accepting, and that's what breaks my heart the most, not stories about broken up relationships. If I can't relate to happy romantic stories, then I sure as hell can't relate to the sad ones.