Show Yourself Novels & Stories

"No matter what else you say or do, I won't be attracted, you're still arguing in front of me or fighting. He pushed me, and I grumbled a little, so he got up. "Art, am I not gorgeous?" It states, "Look at yourself in the mirror then question yourself." The yes/no response is even more acceptable to me because, even if it's a little unclear, at least it's a little more sober than this! I'm going to ask myself honestly because I know what the response will be if I do. Since I'm so attractive, I shouldn't do it myself, right?

Deep down, I realised this was my moment to either prove myself or to drown in the shadows of my own making. Rylan continued, “It’s time for you to show us you can grow from this, that you’re not just a brat looking for attention.” I just had to try.

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.

I picked up my towel from my wardrobe and slipped into the bathroom. I dropped my gaze upon my two-week old wounds and hissed. I dropped the bloodied bandages into the waste bin and landed my eyes on my pale reflection of my miserable self. I gripped the sink in a pitiful attempt to calm myself. You're more than this, you're better than this. Am I? Was I? You might not be Oscar but you can be a greater version of yourself.

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.”

Sandra stood on the stage feeling lost, not knowing how she could defend herself. It seemed like whatever she said would be useless. It would only make matters worse. It was just like before. Due to Ivy wanting to seek revenge, the hard work of the entire team would be futile because of her. Sandra would not allow such a thing to happen again. Keith stood up to defend Sandra, but he saw Zachary rush over to Sandra first. Zachary took Sandra's hand and gave her a reassuring look. He moved the microphone toward him and tapped on it to make a loud sound.

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.