Not So Snow White Meets Queenzilla - A Beginning by K. Sean Jennkrist Page B

imagination could I have
imagined such a horrible day. I closed my eyes and wished for Tina
to disappear so I could disappear out of this room and this
building.
    "So, what's the problem, Snow White ?
Are you so desperate to have friends that you make ones up and talk
to them in the mirror? How sad. How very sad and pathetic."
    I refused to open my eyes, but I heard her
witchy cackle and then the footsteps as she walked away. When I
heard the door close, I crumpled down to the floor and let the
tears flow once more. My life was ruined. Before the day was over,
I knew one thing for certain. Everyone would learn how I talked to
mirrors. Everyone would think of me as a freak. Everyone would know because Tina Ford would tell them, her and her
fire-breathing Queenzilla self. She would tell the story with a
smile because that's what she was like. And I hated her for it. I
shivered. And I feared her because of it.
    Be patient. Just be patient and in time all
will be fine.
    My head jerked up and I stood again. Wiping
my eyes with the back of my hand, I looked at the mirror.
"Dad?"
    No, not him. Not human, not your average
kind of guy.
    I twirled around to glance at every corner
of the room, but saw nothing out of place, nothing moving. "What's
going on?"
    You don't have to talk out loud. I can hear
your thoughts just fine. And you can hear mine. It's nice that way.
A private conversation with nobody listening.
    I frowned and decided maybe Tina was right.
I was insane.
    Not insane. Besides, why do you care what
she has to say? She's too into herself. Not worth the heel of her
Gucci shoe, if you ask me.
    I don't know how it happened, but an image
began to form in my head. It started with colors, pink and green.
And then there was the tiniest dress, a tutu with wings to match.
The funny part was the face. It had the dark five-o'clock shadow of
beard stubble. Not exactly your average guy was right, I
thought.
    Now I'm offended. I realize I look a little
bit off, but I will have you know as far as fairylike creatures, I
am one of the best at what we do. I can brighten your mood, give
you my wisdom of the ages, and maybe even make your problems go
away.
    Huh. Okay, try this. I want you to bring
back my dad. You think you could manage that? I let my thoughts
run free.
    Sorry. That is one thing I can't do. You
see, your dad has some important business to attend to. He can't
return until he finishes. But that shouldn't take too terribly
long. In the meantime, I'm here to keep you company.
    Oh, well that makes me feel SO much better.
Now, leave, will you? My brain is obviously damaged enough without
letting you overtake it.
    I can't do that, either. But I can let you
have time to process all of this. I know it's a tall order, but
…
    Just GO!
    All right, all right. I'm going.
    My head seemed to clear of the cobwebs and
fuzziness. I felt drained. Looking one more time in the mirror to
see only sad, pathetic, crazy me, I somehow felt relieved. I was under a lot of stress. Anyone would be a victim to
strange behavior in this circumstance. Right? I sighed. I could
feel angry. I had a right to be angry and a whole lot more, I
figured. I slammed a fist against the wall.
    "Damn straight, I do." I let the tears flow
again and sobbed one last time before leaving the restroom. "Take
care, Dad," I whispered and let the door close behind me.
    Third period class had started, but I had no
desire to go there. Instead, I went to the nurse and complained of
a headache. It was true enough. I stayed there until fourth period
and lunch. Swinging by Benny's locker, I found him and Abby.
    "About time you showed up," Benny said.
    "We missed you in Home Ec." Abby smiled and
nodded.
    "I had a headache," I explained as we walked
to the cafeteria. I didn't really think food was the best idea. My
stomach felt no better than my head. Instead, I sipped my
strawberry Fruitopia and watched Benny and Abby eat their
lunch.
    "Did you hear about the vandalism in the
upstairs