Treasure

When given a choice, anyone will choose the prettier option: or would they?

Napoleon once said: ’A beautiful woman pleases the eye, a good woman pleases the heart; the one is a jewel, the other a treasure.’
Napoleon was obviously a moron.
Because when you’re faced with two choices: Jennifer, beautiful, golden Jennifer who’s been trying to hook up with you for months, or Rosemary, pleasantly odd Rose who you’re pretty sure wouldn't want to be anything more than friends with you; when you’re faced with that kind of choice, of course you’ll pick...
Well.
Jennifer sure is pretty. She has long honey-colored hair and big hazel eyes, with skin that makes her look like a Sun goddess. Beautiful, really. And yes, maybe a little uneducated in the music department �" I haven’t managed to get her off Rihanna, and maybe a tad superficial (if we count the fact that she carries a mirror, hairbrush and makeup kit everywhere she goes, that is), but she’s very pretty. We went out a couple of times, and I never even snored. Fine, maybe once or twice, but come on. She’s really, really pretty!
And Rose is kind of weird. Her hair isn't the color of caramel, it’s black and dry �" shorter than mine... Her eyes are this penetrating green color, a bit spooky, as if they see more than the rest of us. Her skin is paler than flour, with no less than three (and a half) freckles at the very tip of her nose. We spend most of our time listening to rock and jazz, analyzing the Beatles’ songs. She’s scary smart and gets good grades; and she’s fun and likes to laugh (and what a cute laugh it is...), but she can be serious and sympathetic. Rose is peculiar, and amazing and she makes something in my chest hurt a little bit. She comforted me after my parents’ divorce and when my cat George died.
Jennifer doesn't know my parents are divorced. She doesn't know I even had a cat.
Rose is a treasure.
Napoleon was, obviously, a genius.

Author's Note

This is a story I wrote at 14, with the purpose of entering a national short story competition. To my horror and embarrassment, I won, and had to read it in front of a huge crowd of people. It's not my best work, but it has sentimental value, I guess.

Reviews

[Amaya Sullivan]

You gave a wonderful short story to a single quote. It gives more meaning to the quote because there are a lot of people out there who passes this judgement everyday. I love your description of Rose's skin. I would never have described skin being paler than flour.

Also, I like how at the end he realizes he is in love with Rose. I love how you describe the slight tug of the heart. I would have to say that is my favorite part.

Congrats on your win at 14!

[Lola M]

Thank you very much (it was as much of a surprise to me, believe me). I love using quotes as writing prompts, they're always good for a story or two. You should try it.

[Amaya Sullivan]

I will accept that challenge.

[Lola M]

Awesome, can't wait to see it