Show Yourself Novels & Stories

Suzanne said as a matter of factly. Tom Banks lectured on, pointing a penlight at his screen. A simple black and white illustration by Tucker Nichols was shown, with overlapping circles taking up the whole screen. On the left circle were the words ‘MUST BE’, in the overlap was the word ‘REAL’ and on the other circle were the words ‘CAN’T BE’. “What is real and what is not?” Tom asked the class.

She let the quiet hold for a beat. ZARA (cont’d) “I’m still figuring all of this out. Not just… being a wife or becoming a mother, but learning how to show up for myself. That’s the hardest part, I think. Showing up. As you are. Not as people want you to be.” She looked down, then back at the screen. Her voice barely above a whisper now. ZARA (cont’d) “I got scared. Really scared. For a long time, I thought I had to disappear just to survive. But lately… something’s shifting. And I’m learning—it’s okay to be seen. Even when you’re not perfect. Especially then.”

Now I would do anything to trade this for intensity. I searched my head frantically for something nice and cheesy. Something from all the romantic short stories I'd been stuffing my brain with. "Um... Just be you. Have you ever heard of the phrase: Be-You-Tiful?" "No." It was my turn to give a smile, "Great. Let's try that. Maybe that's what you've been missing. Maybe that's what he wants to see. Maybe all it takes is for you to just show him that you're quite confident in who you are."

"It's your fault for not being good enough to keep your man. Besides, they're just pictures. Who would believe you?" I chuckled at her shamelessness. In today's social media age, it would only take minutes for her reputation to be destroyed, regardless of whether people believed the screenshots were real. As I opened my social media app, pretending to upload the images, Sheena finally cracked. She lunged for my phone and screamed, "No!" I stepped back, causing her to stumble and fall. Other sales associates rushed over to help her up. "Sheena, are you okay?" they asked, concerned.

Kael glanced at me after a short pause and quietly said, “See? I told you! People should recognize you for your true self.” I leaned towards him slightly, grinning. “Thank you, Kael…for always believing in me.”

“Someone who can see the amazing person who you truly are. I know we just met, but trust me, your true self shines through. Right now, everything seems to be falling apart, but you have to have faith that the Goddess has a plan for everything.” “Thank you.” I say, sniffling. It’s getting harder for me to be able to keep all my emotions in check.

I put my mental wall up which I had been practising with my mother throughout the years. “I’ll be right back” I run of towards to the bathrooms and yep.. I vomitted. Typical. I go somewhere new and the first thing I do is vomit. This is not how I planned for this to go. I walk out of the bathroom stall and wash my face with cold water. I walk back out and see Elder Michael has our bags on a trolley and we are able to leave. “All good?” He asks, showing some genuine concern for how I’m feeling.

“They won’t be able to hear you over the noise unless you believe your own voice louder.” He nods. “I do.” “Good.” I step back. “Then go show them.”

It felt like we were being held in place long enough to say what mattered. I took a breath, steadying myself before speaking. “I choose you,” I said. My voice did not shake. “I chose you, knowing exactly who you are,” I continued. “Not the version you show the world, but the one that stands here with me.” He did not look away. “I choose you because you do not hide behind control anymore,” I said. “You let yourself be seen, even when it is uncomfortable.” I stepped closer. “I will not disappear into you,” I said. “I will not lose who I am to make this easier.”

It wasn't a fight; it was a Synchronization. "I am the only one who can hold you without breaking," she challenged. "Prove you're an Alpha. Prove you can handle the woman who carries your soul."