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The Skirt MAG

March 8, 2008
By EmilytheAuthor DIAMOND, St. Francisville, Louisiana
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EmilytheAuthor DIAMOND, St. Francisville, Louisiana
55 articles 20 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be who you are and say what you feel because those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind. -dr. seuss

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I will be the first to say that I am not materialistic. My friends label me as a goody-goody; my parents say I am conservative and modest when it comes to clothes. I don’t wear bikinis, and none of my skirts or shorts end above my knees. That is my choice.

So why, why did I feel so tempted? My family and I were in Target, and there it was, waiting. A skirt, specifically designed not to cover anything. It was tan and looked like something one of those anime schoolgirls would wear.

I checked my purse. The skirt cost $10. I had the money. I could buy it. I imagined walking into school and my pals’ jaws dropping. Guys would ask me out, and I would be happy. I could buy it – no, I should buy it.

I showed my mother. She was surprised but said it was my decision. My sister looked on enviously.

I went into the dressing room to try it on. So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be. I slid my jeans off and put it on. Now for the decisive moment. I looked in the mirror. There I was – a geeky girl in a Superman T-shirt and sneakers. My glasses fogged up as I started to cry.

The skirt did not change me. Though it fit well and might make me look good in the eyes of ­today’s world, it was not me. I am not a girl who flirts or wears cool clothes to fit in.

I took the thing off and slid back into the ­comfort of modesty. My mom knocked on the door. “Emily, are you okay?”

I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine.” I looked in the ­mirror again and saw a blond skinny girl with dorky ­glasses and a ponytail. I saw myself.

© Marisa S., Alexandria, VA

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This article has 341 comments.

CaseyLeigh PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 8 2009 at 3:25 pm
CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
31 articles 6 photos 137 comments

Favorite Quote:
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

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I love this piece, and how you're willing to be yourself, even with the temptation of the skirt.
Phantom_Girl GOLD said...
on Nov. 4 2009 at 11:33 am
Phantom_Girl GOLD, Ft. Carson, Colorado
14 articles 0 photos 279 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If it comes out of the lion&#039;s mouth...it will be on the test.&quot;<br /> -Mr. Bala

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This piece is very interesting and very relatable. I love it! 5 stars!
tennisislovee34 GOLD said...
on Oct. 18 2009 at 10:37 am
tennisislovee34 GOLD, Sterling Heights, Michigan
15 articles 3 photos 91 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Every moment of your life, you&#039;re writing. Even in your dreams, you&#039;re writing. When you walk the halls in this school you meet various people and you write furiously in your head.&quot; -Frank McCourt

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This is a really good piece, kept straight to the point. I reallly like it and can understand where the girl is coming from. Keep up the good work! :D
flawsversesperfection BRONZE said...
on Sep. 26 2009 at 11:16 am
flawsversesperfection BRONZE, Bloomfield, New Jersey
1 article 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;The world is an awful, ugly place not to have a best friend.&quot;~Sarah Dessen

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This was really honest and I understand what the girl is going through. You're a good writer.
write4life GOLD said...
on May. 21 2009 at 5:44 pm
write4life GOLD, Macon, Georgia
12 articles 0 photos 45 comments
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this story is so inspiring! so many people, especially teenagers, are desperate to fit it, but they don't realize that the only people who really matter are the ones who like them for who they are. keep up the great attitude :)
fear_is_a_state_of_me SILVER said...
on Apr. 8 2009 at 3:00 am
fear_is_a_state_of_me SILVER, Monte Vista, Colorado
9 articles 0 photos 3 comments
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this is a really good peice a lot of people including myself can relate to this in many ways.
Sara said..... said...
on Apr. 5 2009 at 4:31 am
i love this i can relate alot to this i mean alot lol i love your writing u keep it simple and nice keep writing...
makemebleed415 said...
on Apr. 4 2009 at 9:03 pm
This is one of thost amazing things ive read in a long time. i think i just fell in love with you. I have seen to many friends and even girlfriends change and go down the drain because of the type of thing that you resisted. your a great girl. anyone would be lucky to have you.
MorningStar15 DIAMOND said...
on Apr. 4 2009 at 8:39 pm
MorningStar15 DIAMOND, Orange, Vermont
71 articles 2 photos 179 comments
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don't change, anything could happen for you, maybe its not looks, but you have something much more rare than that you are a pretty good writer
MaximumRideGirl'12 said...
on Apr. 4 2009 at 12:50 am
hey sweets, don't ever change what you look like or who you are for someone else. being yourself is the most important thing out there. you don't need to be afraid to stand on top of a roof and say "hello world. this is me, this is who i am and you can't change that." i know exactly how it feels to be a "dork" or a "geek". but you know what? i'm proud. my friends are the kind where we have read all the harry potter books, and instead of partying or going to get the "newest pair of shoes", we're watching some dorky movie or just having fun being ourselves. don't be afraid to show people the real you. and that's how you can tell your real friends. all i can sweetie, is be proud of who you are and don't let anyone tell you who you should be. this is an amazing piece of writing and i think that everyone should read it. great job sweetie!!! =D
converselove77 BRONZE said...
on Apr. 4 2009 at 12:11 am
converselove77 BRONZE, Farmington Hills, Michigan
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
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I loved this piece. It was really, really amazing.=]
totalprocrastinator said...
on Jan. 12 2009 at 2:40 am
I quote what Maggey said. :)
Maggey said...
on Dec. 21 2008 at 4:36 am
This is an amazing story. I was like that but then I did change. I changed the outside but not the inside. I may appear crazy, outgoing and materialistic, but on the inside you can never change!! Beautiful piece!!!
the muffin man said...
on Oct. 24 2008 at 1:52 pm
I really liked this story, because I feel that way too. This article was really well written, and I thought that it was really courageous of Emily to write an article like this and have send it in to published by Teen Ink.
ellyxx said...
on Oct. 22 2008 at 4:49 pm
Wow=] this article is really good. even though i cant relate, i still think it's great.
starghos4 said...
on Oct. 9 2008 at 8:17 pm
wonderful story. I can really relate. Keep writing, I want to read more from you.
dolly diamond said...
on Oct. 9 2008 at 4:19 pm
this is the geatest article ever
Hannataro said...
on Oct. 8 2008 at 3:18 pm
Welcome to my world! You've got talent!
Joy said...
on Oct. 5 2008 at 11:36 pm
This was wonderfully written.
bubble gum girl 222 said...
on Oct. 1 2008 at 8:16 pm
I really liked your story. It is the way I think I lot of people feel. They think things like clothes or makeup will change them but when they look in the mirror it is the same person.