Silver Side

A girl's journey with her best friend... or is she?

The moment my parents leave the house, I rush to the bathroom, smiling when I see my friend, slipping onto the countertop next to the sink, "I have to tell you about my day!" I say, leaning in to meet her ice blue eyes, hair long and straight, cheeks rosy, eyelashes perfect. She was a pretty girl, one I could never be.

"Tell me!" she giggled, her chin resting on her hands, "Is it with Trevor?" She teased, reaching out to shove my shoulder but missing slightly.

I smile, tossing my head back, feeling my hair slip from my shoulder, "Maybe," I sing, "We didn't talk or anything, but he did open the door for me." I said, sighing.

She listened, and that's what I liked about her. She supported me and boosted my confidence even when I was down, "June!" she said, wrinkling her nose in that cute way, freckles adding more personality, "He likes you!"

I laugh, "Sure~" I say, but the idea is in my mind, sticking there like a leech, "Want something to eat?" I ask, "I could cook up some popcorn."

She raised an eyebrow, "Popcorn? Do you know how many carbs and bad stuff that is in it?" she asked.

I shrugged, smiling, "You're right, some lemon water?"

She nodded, "Helps with digestion!"

I head downstairs, slipping off the counter and bounding down, pouring two glasses of lemon water, and going back to the bathroom. She smiles and I set the glass next to her, sipping on the lemon water, "I wish I had your self-control," I said, "If you weren't here, I'd probably be living my five-hundred-pound life." I laugh.

She laughs along with me, "Okay, June," she said, "You better keep me here then," she laughs, not touching her water, "Especially when summer hits, those cravings are going to hit hard!" she laughs, "You don't want to gain any more weight."

"You are so right." I said, "God, I wish I had your metabolism, you're so skinny and perfect!" I sigh and look at her.

She was the picture-perfect girl, freckles, a nose ring, her ears pierced to her fourths, belly ring pierced, hair long and straight, brown with caramel highlights. She had a thigh gap, nice sized boobs, everything I wish I had. While my tummy hung a little, and my thighs brushed a little.

I don't know why she hangs out with me; the popular girls at school are so much prettier.

"June!" I hear a voice call from downstairs. I sit up and look at my friend.

At the same time, we say, "Sorry, my mom is calling me," we both laugh, and then head downstairs.

"Were you on the phone?" My mom asked, carrying bags of groceries inside I helped put them away.

"Ya," I lie, I wasn't allowed to have friends over.

She nodded, and minutes later, we were sitting on the couch, a bag of chips in between us as we watched a movie. I kept thinking about what my friend said and didn't touch a single one. When the movie was over, my mom was asleep on the couch. I turned off the TV, lights, and tossed a blanket over her shoulder, then, heading to the bathroom, turned on the light and saw my friend.

"Did you touch the chips?" she asked, teasing.

I shake my head, "Sodium and carbs are NOT good," I say, laughing quietly, sliding back onto the countertop, looking at my pretty friend, wishing I were her. She nodded, and I sighed, "God, I wish I looked like you," I said, letting my thoughts flow freely.

She gave me a look, "Well, you're one step closer, skipping those chips, I think it's working, your face is slimmer." She and I touch our faces in unison, and she smiles, "I think Trevor notices too."

My heart flips, and I smirk, "You think?" I ask.

"Hell ya, just drop like to five hundred calories a day," she said, "You'll be sexy in no time."

I giggle and look at the time, "Damn, it's almost midnight." I said, "My mom's sleeping."

She nodded, "Mine too." We both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

I don't realize that I woke my mom until she walks in, "June! Who are you talking to?"

I look at my friend, and she's smiling the same way I'm smiling... I tilt my head, she does, I blink, she does. My mom is behind her just like mine is behind me at the same time.

"June..?" My mom asks, touching my shoulder, "There's no one there."

My mouth is dry and I can't speak.

But I realize.

The freckles. The brown hair. The way she never eats.

It's all just...

Me.

A version I made.

A girl in the mirror I let live too long.