Reflection

I flip on the light of my tiny bathroom as I groggily make my way to the sink. The girl in the mirror staring back at me has a tear-stained face and tired eyes, dark with lack of sleep. The long hair is a knotted, greasy mess and is clearly in need of a good wash and comb. I tilt my head at the girl in the mirror as her face changes from helpless to furious and she begins to bang on the glass from her side. I shrug at her and say, "Sorry. I had to be your reflection for 18 years. The least you can do is take a turn". She lets out a soundless shriek as I brush my teeth and splash water on my face. I dry off and examine the face twisted in dispair and rage. I sigh as I take my phone from my pocket and open the front-facing camera to see how I look. I fix my hair before looking back in the mirror. The girl in the mirror is crying, bracing herself against the glass as she heaves with sobs. I roll my eyes as I slip my phone back into my pocket. "If you can't learn to be a good reflection, I'm going to break this mirror and you can stay in there forever."

I turn on my heel and switch out the light as I leave the bathroom. The girl in the mirror continues to silently cry.