SHORT STORY LITTLE MISS PERFECT

A story about life’s little, imperfect expectations.

BY ROSE GOODLAND

Little Miss Perfect has an older brother, Mr. Letdown. He was bornfirst,neverthebest,andis alwayscriticizedbyhisparents. LittleMissPerfectlearnedfrom a young age that in order to receive love you have to be the best,andthat’sexactlywhatshe did. There are photos on the fridge displaying her every achievement since kindergarten while her brother’s high school diplomagetstuckedaway.With her being nothing less than perfect, you can see how detrimental a D on a chemistry quizcanbe.

“You know your sister is top of her class again?” nagged mom. “Youo couldn’t even get into college yet she has dozens of scholarships.” Mr. Letdown smiledandcontinuedeatinghis unseasonedpotatoes.LittleMiss Perfect took a deep breath and heldbackthebilebuildingupin her throat. She used to love beingparaded,butlookingatthe fridgeshefeelslikeafraud.

“Seventeen and already more successful than you. I can’t believe we saved that much money when we should have been saving for her. If we had known-”

“I failed my chemistry quiz.” LittleMissPerfect’sworldfroze. Shewasexpectinghermother's voice to break the silence but wasshockedtohearherown.

“I’vebeenperfectsincedayone, an absolute scholar but where hasthatgottenme?Soscaredof failure that I don’t allow myself topause.Nooneshouldgotheir wholelifedyingtobeperfect.I deserve your love and affection unconditionally,notbecauseofa grade,” she took a breath and plowed forward. “So, while you bothsitthereandgapeatme,