Short Stories

Mask

You wear it every day. Whether you realize or not. Everyone has one. You pretend that the mask is who you really are so people don't judge you. Most people don't know what you look like under the mask. They don't even realize it's there. They think they're the only one with a mask.

The one you reveal your face to, it's unexpected. It's like you didn't even need the mask with them to start with. You can't comprehend why, but you show them everything.

And they stay.
In fact, they never had their mask on for you either. Neither of you felt it was needed.

Sometimes you don't know who you are without the mask, but they help you find yourself. They help you find the identity behind it. You do the same for them, or so you hope.

You love them, but in a strange way. Most love your mask, so you find it odd that they prefer the face underneath, when you feel it's flawed, broken. Too many pieces missing to be loved.

But they do.

You do the same for them, they hate their real face, think it's unlovable. You can't see why.

But you feel the same way.

You love them and understand them and they love you and understand you. So it doesn't matter that you don't like your identity.

Because you know at least someone does.