Student Publishing Program ::

Nikita Nadkarni

Loser

I spend a lot of time looking in the mirror. A lot of girls my age will, especially to check hair, makeup, etc. It’s not uncommon for me to look at a passing window, not from curiosity at what is inside, but rather to look at what is outside; myself. I confess to checking my hair in a window reflection, or even in a puddle. Last week, I asked to go to the bathroom before Biology, in order to see if I had smudged my eyeliner, messed up my bangs or needed to tie my hair. I went to the bathroom only to stare at the blank wall above the sinks and realized there had never been a mirror in this bathroom. I resorted to looking in the soap dispenser and then the paper towel dispenser for my own reflection. Girls, myself included, are so obsessed with seeing our reflection, that we opt for the ridiculous.

On my way home from an excruciatingly long dress rehearsal, (the third that weekend) I casually looked in the rear view mirror on the side of the car. Please keep in mind, I was exhausted during this ride home. I looked at my forehead to check my bangs which I had pinned back. Imagine my surprise when I clearly saw the word LOSER branded across my forehead. I sat up quickly and rubbed my forehead. Looking back again, I comprehended what had happened. I had been slouching in my seat, and the words on the mirror had set against my forehead. What I took for LOSER was actually the word CLOSER. As in, part of OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR. The ‘C’ had disappeared in my black hair, leaving only LOSER on my forehead.

I learned a lesson that day, despite my ditzy-ness. Its true, if you’re going to look in the mirror that much, it should only be to see the words LOSER on your forehead. Its not that important to look at ourselves all the time. We, more or less, look the same from one minute to the next. More important and interesting is to see what is inside the window; what is inside ourselves.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2010 EDITION]