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Museum of Living Statues Pt. 1

TRIGGER WARNING: Character death, manipulation, and creepy ending.

This was my final project for my creative writing class, and I was pleased with how it turned out, so please enjoy!

Being ugly has made my life pretty difficult. I was bullied in school, of course. The other kids loved to make fun of my crooked teeth and pudgy belly, and most of all, my height. They’d ask me why I was still fat, despite the fact that I was tall, and that my model height was wasted on someone as ugly as me. Probably the best part of being ugly is that people’s eyes pass right over you when walking down the sidewalk. People always notice me pretty quickly because of my height, but once their eyes travel to my face they become disinterested in a second. They may think that I don’t notice, but I do. I always do. My teeth were crooked because my family was too poor to get me braces, and my pudgy belly ran in the family. Once I, the eldest, entered high school my parents would always send me out to do various odd jobs to bring in some extra cash. Things like dog walking and babysitting, lawn mowing in the summer and snow shoveling in the winter. My parents were always eager to use me and my siblings as a means of extra funds.

One day when I came home from school my parents immediately bombarded me with another odd job, this one a lot more unusual than the things they usually had me do. A wax statue museum had opened up in town a little less than a year ago, and it had quickly become well-renowned for the beauty and detail of their works. My parents shoved a flyer in my hands that had information about becoming a model for the museum. I laughed.

“As if I of all people could be a model.” I scoffed.

“Look! It says right here that they’re looking for everyday people to be featured in their new ‘low class citizen’ collection!,” They persisted. “Besides that, they’re offering one grand and no experience is necessary!”

“So why don’t you do it?” I said dismissively.

“You seem like you’d be better suited for it.”

“Oh yes, I’m definitely model material” I said sarcastically.

“Well, at least you have the height!”

Valley Of Stars - Milky Way arch, aurora and Magellanic Clouds over the Tasman Valley, New Zealand

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logic

Museum of Living Statues Pt. 2

TRIGGER WARNING: Character death, manipulation, and creepy ending.

This was my final project for my creative writing class, and I was pleased with how it turned out, so please enjoy!

That weekend I found myself outside the door of the Museum of Living Statues. I looked down at the flyer that my parents had forced into my hands a couple of days ago. Once inside, I was promptly greeted by a pleasant worker.

“Hello, and welcome to the Museum of Living Statues! Ticket purchases are right down this hallway and to the right,” They held their left arm out straight as a gesture, “and the application room for aspiring models is around the corner and through the door.” They stuck out their other arm in the same manner, and I hesitated.

“Um, I’m here to apply as a… model, I guess.” I said sheepishly, and their smile widened.

“Perfect! If you just head through the door marked for modeling, then someone will be right with you to help begin your application. Have fun, beautiful!” They flashed their strikingly perfect teeth as they continued to hold both their arms straight out from their previous gestures.

“Yeah, thank you.” I nodded at them hesitantly and headed around the corner. The door was very large and purple, and the sign read ‘Modeling Briefing’. I tried the sturdy metal handle, but it was locked. I knocked loudly and hurt my hand on the surprisingly hard metal door. As soon as I stopped my knocking someone yanked the door open and I came face to face with the most beautiful person I had ever seen. I could feel my face growing hotter and a lump formed in my throat. Just as I began to seriously consider turning and running away, they smiled a heavenly smile and clasped my hands in theirs.

“Hello, dear! Are you here to apply to become a model?” Their voice was like velvet, and my knees began to shake.

“Uh, that’s what I came here for, but...” I swallowed to try and clear the lump that had doubled in size. “but, uh, I’m not sure if I can.” They furrowed their brow and let go of my hands, which then dropped heavily to my sides.

“There’s no reason to worry, dear. We are willing to work with models of all levels of experience!”

“No, I mean, uh, I don’t exactly look like the typical model.” I said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Their confused expression sharply changed into that of amusement.

“Oh, now that’s just silly. Your face is very handsome, not to mention your height! You’re perfectly suited for modelling work, and I won’t hear any more complaints!” They flashed a smile and took my hand once more, leading me into the large open room.

~Goblet Inscribed with the Names of King Amenhotep IV and Queen Nefertiti. Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign: reign of Akhenaten Date: ca. 1353–1336 B.C. Geography: From Egypt

Besides, how many times have white people been cast to play people of color, and no one protests? Suddenly when it's the other way around it becomes a huge issue?

Sophie Okonedo in The Hollow Crown

[images via]

Apparently I should be checking out this miniseries adaptation of Shakespeare’s history plays, immediate-style. 

When I go into a clothing store with a friend I follow them around like a lost puppy because I know that whatever I try on/buy from this store is going to make me look as gross as I feel.

As a taller than average girl (5'10"), I definitely struggle with this notion A LOT. It's not that I would mind dating a shorter guy, but I just can't deal with the stigma surrounding it, especially the judgment from others. The idea that girls need to be cute and petite, neither of which I am, is a source of the majority of my physical insecurities and it just sucks royal ass.

*sources (1)(2) - view in high resolution

via Jennifer Bin (@jenniferbin) • Instagram photos and videos

ravenclaw//black & white