My Mechanical Romance

by Alexene Farol Follmuth

I step back with all four bottle caps in my hand, bumping into someone as I turn. “Watch it,” says the voice belonging to the body I’ve just collided with.

Do I sense some chemistry?? ;)

TEO

Yessss, if he's the latter of the dual POV, then there is definitely chemistry ;)

he never texts or calls me, he pings me.

Umm, what??

does it

Comma

bot I

Comma

but I like Taylor Swift, too. I’m human, after all.

So, wait, I'm not human then?? Because I do NOT like her.

dudebros

Umm what?? I've literally never heard of a dudebro.

or pulling Kai aside to tell him he can do better when Lora, who got the same grade, didn’t get a pep talk after class and therefore didn’t improve when Kai did.

So the teacher is sexist.

Mac’s eyes slide to mine and he gives me an expression like, Women, am I right?

Omgosh, literally sexism

“And I think climate change is actually really damaging to our generation’s collective psyche.”

Preach!!

K?”

That should say "'kay"

(Not a crush, not a crush, not a crush.)

Hehehehe, suuuuuuure

“It’s bread that’s been baked again,” Dash informs her, aghast. “It’s essentially the perfect food.”

(Stuffing) So true!! :P

You’re this new color I didn’t know existed and now I see it everywhere and I’m like, thank god I can see it now. Such a bummer if I never did.”

I realize I’m watching Bel fall in love (with robotics, obviously)

Not just robotics ;)

I’ve never seen eyes that make me think about the mysteries of the universe the way hers do. It’s like walking through the redwoods. Like feeling the earth beneath your feet while knowing there are things flying free above you, and things living and breathing below you, and for a moment you just feel connected to everything. Like there’s some sort of unstoppable tide of existence and you’re part of it, even for just a second.

(I let her play DJ and she, thankfully, is much better than Dash, even though there is admittedly a little more Taylor Swift than I’d like.)

How about NO Taylor Swift??

I should have kissed him while I had the chance.

Hehehehe *evil grin*

LA it’s

Comma

It’s all about the blossoming of love and friendship and all that,”

Foreshadowing?? ;)

hello it’s

Comma

does we’ve

Comma

Nationals you’d

Comma

“And you don’t understand how hard it is to be a girl competing with boys who don’t even realize that they, unlike us, are perceived as more competent no matter what they do.”

Preach, girl!!

I’ve been told every single day to act like a lady, to smile and be polite, to be pretty and dainty—and what boy ever has to hear that? Not once,”

Yessss

out he

Comma

If I want the world to recognize what I am truly capable of, I have to show them.

them I

Comma

Community college is free in California,

Ummmm what?!?!

button it’s

Comma

“I mean, I get it, losing is embarrassing,” I add with a lift of my chin, “but hey, we’re just glad that boys are getting the opportunity to try.”

Omgosh you go girl!!

There’s a lot more kinds of strength than just being outwardly tough, and it’s a lot to ask of anyone to succeed when most people in the room are waiting to see you fail.

I’d prefer a knockout, obviously,

Foreshadowing??

you can stand up without standing alone.

I wrote this for us, for the girls that we are and the ones that we were. For the women we will be; for the many who will come after us and find, if we do our job right, that there is room for them here. For those who battle each day with impostor syndrome; with doors that slam shut; with criticism from others who doubt us. For those who try and are tired but who hope and aspire because we, for better or worse, have that rarity, that gift, of creativity and curiosity and wonder. For those who can and will change the world. I am grateful if I can give voice to even a fraction of your story, so thank you for letting me try.

Is she literaly speaking to me?? <3