Image courtesy of Sandra Crook
I slick my lips red and spray on vanilla perfume before choosing a little black dress that should help me blend in with all the other clubbers. Shame sits heavy in my stomach. Why can’t I be proud of who I am?
In my wardrobe, a multi-coloured dress I designed myself catches my eye. Zigzags weave together, the pattern as intricate as my emotions, and before doubt creeps in, I slip it on.
There’s a knock on the door.
‘Matthew, are you ready?’
I take a deep breath and run my palm over my chin checking for stubble.
I’m ready.
I am absolutely delighted The Sister has made it to the semi-final of The Goodreads Debut Award 2016. If you’ve read and enjoyed my novel I’d really appreciate a vote here.
‘Embrace who you are’ is a reworking of an idea I originally had for Friday Fictioneers a couple of years ago. To join in, or read the other entries in this 100 word story challenge, inspired by a photo prompt, hop over to host Rochelle’s blog.
fabricating fiction 
Dear Louise,
A good message to all. Be yourself. Well done with a surprising twist. Congratulations on your book.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks very much Rochelle.
Great unexpected twist at the end, and a good moral. Well done, and congratulations 🙂
Thanks on both counts!
Ah, the DQ and trans I know always shave first! It’s the highest priority.
I suppose it should be. Thanks for reading.
I wish him luck. Nicely written.
Thanks Claire!
Thanks Claire
We both took something similar from the prompt, but used it in very different ways. I love the unexpected reveal at the end.
Thanks Clare. I have just read yours and love the voice.
He’ll get there. If he’s come this far, he’ll go all the way. Nicely and sensitively done.
Thanks Sandra.
Beautifully done! Embrace himself absolutely!
We all need to love ourselves, right?
Absolutel’y!
Dear, brave Matthew! Here’s hoping his first outing as himself is a success. Very nicely written and congrats on the nomination – fingers crossed for you 🙂
Thank you Lynn, on all counts.
My pleasure 🙂
Congrats on the award Louise.
Your story in reminiscent of a Broadway show I saw this summer, Kinky Boots.
Your story is just as uplifting, only briefer 😉
Thanks Dawn. Only a nomination at the moment, but thrilled to be in the running.
Great minds think alike. We both must have seen the same thing i.e. someone being different, standing out, individual and not worrying about it. I’m proud to have experienced similar story ideas with a best selling author!
What a delightfully unexpected end. Thank you!
Thanks very much Alicia!
P.S. Congrats on your nomination. Fingers and toes crossed.
now, let’s wait for what he says. 🙂
and congrats on your continued success.
Thank you. It really is a dream come true!
Great story and message, and the title is perfect.
If only they could bottle confidence!
You literally floored me. So many nuances!
Thanks for reading!
A glorious catch on the well-written story. Surreal!
Thank you Matthew.
Beautiful. That’s the way to be happy.
It really is. Thank you.
Great piece of writing. Loved that twist at the end – very clever.
Oh great story… I hope he can be proud of who he is soon… well written!
Loved the twist. I was feeling a lot of sympathy for her and even more when it became a him.
Brilliant, what a rainbow of emotions.
Love what you’ve developed from the prompt, great piece well handled AND congratulations on the nomination😃
Thanks Poppy. Much appreciated.
A well-written story and an elegant twist set up both by your misdirection and the prejudice and assumptions we bring to it.
A message for us all that we don’t know others (and their desires and fears) as well as we think we do.
Nice twist I didn’t see coming. Exactly right though, everyone should be who they are but there’s always stubble to overcome somehow.
Louise, this one is flawless in the delivery and punch. Love the subtlety in which you deliver it. And SO very excited for you and the success of your novel! You’ve worked hard for this! Mazel tov!
I love the way you sparked a new story from the image… wonderful
Oh, I didn’t see that ending coming. Brilliant idea, beautifully and sensitively told. And congratulations on your book’s success.
Congratulations on the continued success of your book, Louise. Good story with a great surprise ending. Good writing always. 🙂 — Suzanne