Mirror Image in a Jealous World

Watching him spend endless hours preening in front of his own reflection had inadvertently become a regular past time in Stacey’s life.  It’s not that she enjoyed seeing him compete with his reflection for the best trout pout or perfect his ridiculous styled quiffs. No. She simply became a spectator in a sport for one whilst trying to secure a small corner of the wall-sized mirror so that she could wash her face and brush her teeth. You know – the simple things.

Michael, on the other hand, didn’t even notice her plight. He would never admit that he took over an hour to get ready each morning. That the bench full of moisturisers and toners were, in fact, his and not Stacey’s. Or that the concealer was actually matched his skin tone and far too light for Stacey. No. It wasn’t him that took over an hour to get ready to go out each day. Because apparently,  in his warped mindset; only women took so long to get ready. And most of all, Michael would never admit that he was vain. He just liked to look good. He sure did believe that he was good looking too. In fact, he even told Stacey once, that she was lucky to have him. He told her that she was lucky that ‘he’ chose to settle. That she was lucky that he allowed her to drape herself over his arm. He only made that mistake once. She nearly left him that day. Sick and tired of his conceited nature. After all, she was not misfortunate looking in any way.

 

While Stacey loved the outdoors and adventures during the day, Michael was more of a funky cafes and fancy restaurants kind of guy. But by all accounts, they seemed like polar opposites. Michael was all brands, class and high-quality everything. All luxuries included. Stacey, on the other hand, was more of a – hiking boots, shorts and sunshine kind of girl. All adventures ahead. She didn’t care for expensive brands, material possessions or overpriced meals. Yet somehow, they worked. At least it seemed like they did for a while. Michael would pretend that he was super keen to trek 10 kilometers to the ‘most amazing waterfall you will ever see’; and Stacey in return would feign interest in the new chic restaurant they were meeting their friends at later that night. It’s not that each hated each other’s’ hobbies. Michael conceded that the outdoor activities were keeping him fit, giving him muscle definition that he was becoming increasingly proud of. Whereas Stacey, she would most likely be some forest-dwelling recluse if she didn’t go with Michael to these social interactions. And in truth, she did enjoy some of the meals; her palette had become quite advanced over the past two years.

 

But when it came down to it, Stacey felt something was missing. She wanted Michael to look at her the way he stared at his own reflection. With pride and some lust. Even just a little. She inhaled a sharp breath and moved to the lounge room to put on her boots. They had planned to hike a country trail to a supposed beautiful meadow full of small white and blue flowers like a thick carpet covering the ground. This meadow was perched high on a cliff face right at the edge of the ocean. Stacey loved the smell and feel of the salt air on her skin. She had planned this trip for months, ironing out the fine details to make it a special day. She prepared a light picnic lunch for their destination. And the weather today was perfect.

 

Michael was, however, not quite as excited. He wasn’t against the trip itself – not really; he just could care either way. His main concern was that the salt air played havoc with his hair products. Guiding his comb through one final time he muttered about needing to come home and fix everything once they got back before he could be seen in public for their dinner reservations at the fancy French restaurant that they are meeting Danika and Marko at.  As they were both heading out the front door Michael stopped by the hall mirror to check his features once more. Stacey sighed. She looked at his reflection and wished for him to notice the outside world and not get so caught up with what is behind the glass.

“I wish you would appreciate nature as much as you love looking at yourself.” She stared at his eyes through the reflection in the mirror.

“I am nature, and I appreciate my beauty” He smirked back at her “and yours” he added as he turned to face her, kissing her temple as he walked out.  Taking one last look at the mirror as she turned to walk out, she stopped mid step. As Michael had turned from his reflection to leave, she could have sworn his reflection turned the opposite direction and winked at her as she began moving past. No! It couldn’t have been so. Clearly, she was tired and needed fresh air. Michael didn’t notice. Maybe he should have…

***

Weeks went by and Stacey felt more and more alone in her relationship. Michael loved her yes – and treated her with respect.  He complimented her. But she still came second to his need to pamper and fuss over himself. Although lately, Michael was sometimes caught off guard as his reflection appeared to move in a way that did not mirror his own moves. He blamed this on stress. I mean, it was impossible. Wasn’t it?  Instead of concentrating on the world around him he found himself searching his own reflection for answers more and more. He searched everywhere, even in the windows of his office buildings in the city as he walked by on his daily commute to work.  While standing at a crossing waiting for a red light to change he could have sworn his reflection was smirking at him. He didn’t want people to think he was crazy so he shook it off and turned towards the next street. If he would have kept watching he would have noticed his reflection cross his arms with what was indeed a large sadistic smirk on his face and a set of deep chocolate brown eyes narrowing in his direction. But he didn’t notice.

***

Stacey was losing her mind. She must have been. Quite a few times now she could have sworn that Michael’s reflection moved on its own. That his reflection smiled at her when he didn’t. But that couldn’t have happened. It can’t move on its own. It isn’t real. She must be projecting her wishes that she was as important to Michael as he was to himself. She had been brushing her teeth, excited about the beautiful mountainside that held an old cave. The hike itself would take most of the morning. But the cave was supposedly so beautiful.  It was rumoured to have been a resting spot for the indigenous inhabitants of the land hundreds of year’s ago. A place they slept and shared stories before continuing their journey. Stacey was so excited to see this place. She couldn’t wait to experience history up close and personal. Michael wasn’t so fussed. He was more concerned that they wouldn’t get home in time for the football game on tonight. He was worried that the damp atmosphere of the cave – even at the entrance would ruin his hair.

 

Michael was getting creepy feeling run under his skin. Goosebumps setting in. It has been happening so much recently. He put things down on the bathroom bench, moved away, and when he came back, items were gone. The creepy part was that he could swear – Absolutely swear – that the item was on the bench in the mirror. He decided to stop drinking. It must be the wines with dinner that are getting to his head. He turned to his reflection, “You handsome devil you” he cooed, smiling widely as he switched off the light and left the room. If he stayed a second longer he would have heard a soft reply. “Why thank you”.

 

While going to sleep that night Michael relayed his concerns for his hair and time it would take for their hike tomorrow. Stacey Sighed. She just wanted him to see the beauty in the world outside the mirror the way she did. All the wonders outside. The fresh air, the trees, the grass, the oceans and even the dirt. Natures sounds, all unique and all the smells it has to offer, the textures of everything from a handful of soft sand to the rough bark of a pine tree. Once all of the nature was together it made a world of unmatched beauty that no human could ever compete with.

 

During the night Stacey got up to use the bathroom. Thoughts still swirling around like a rampant storm in her mind. She felt so alone. Although Michael was often with her, he wasn’t really there. Not with his heart.  They had been together for almost three years. Lived together for one year. But she felt that without his heart involved, there was no future for them. She made sure to be very involved in the dinner parties, the vapid conversations about fashion and the latest technology. She tried very hard to make sure she was listening and found that she was still able to enjoy her times out with Michael and their friends. So why couldn’t he make the same effort? As the sadness of the thought of breaking up with Michael struck her, she looked up at the mirror while washing her hands. Her sad reflection mirrored her moves. “I wish you could see the beauty in the world outside like I do Michael. The world outside the mirror I mean.” As a tear escaped, she turned the light off and went back to bed. In the dark bathroom, a whisper floated through the air “ok”.

 

The next morning Michael switched his alarm off. He turned to look at Stacey, but she was already in the bathroom. He could hear the shower running. While waiting he scrolled through his social media. A notification caught his attention. Some of his friends mentioned that they were going to a sale for one of his favourite designers. And after, they would all be going to the local café for lunch. He was invited of course. He looked over at his hiking clothes laid out for the day. Turning to look at the closet he began to think of how he could get out of hiking today without looking like a douchebag. He had after all promised to come with her weeks ago. He knew Stacey would go by herself quite happily or call another friend to join her if he didn’t go. But he also knew this would disappoint her.  And he was not prepared to look like a jerk.  He was also reminded that she often went to places with him that she didn’t really want to go to, but she always made an effort to have a good time, and be positive about it. She went to them all., swanky restaurants, expensive dinner parties, fashion shows. She never complained about any of them. Not once. During their adventures outdoors, he would always whine about his hair, clothes, skin and everything else.  And although he knew this, he had already made up his mind. He was going to have a shower after her and then feign a headache.  Saying he thought it was best to stay home and take some medication. Yup. He decided that when Stacey would come out of the bathroom, he would lie. A sale is much more important than a picnic at an old cave.

 

Once he heard the shower switch off, Michael started his act. Moving through the steam in the bathroom he groaned and held his head in his hands. Stacey fell for it instantly.

“Oh honey, what’s wrong?” she fussed.

“a bad headache, maybe a shower will fix it?” Michael’s heat began to beat faster as his lie continued.

“Ok. Well then, see how you go. We can always do this next weekend” She offered.

“You don’t need to stay home too” he panicked.

“I wouldn’t leave you here like this. I would look after you of course” she smiled softly.

“No babe. You have been looking forward to this all month. I don’t want you missing out” he faltered. “You could always call Narelle. She would be more than happy to get packed and go with you in an instant” Great save he thought. “I’ll go in the shower and see how I feel” making a last ditched effort to look like he wasn’t avoiding the hike, and genuinely concerned for Stacey missing out on the adventure. He couldn’t let her stay home.  She would see that he was lying so he could go shopping.

Michael turned on the shower and made a big show of how he was trying to get rid of his ‘headache’. Through the mist in the bathroom, a loud hiss caught both of their attention. Both began questioning each other. Michael came to the conclusion that it was the pipes. As he stepped into the shower, Stacey wiped a small corner of the mirror to see as she brushed her teeth. She whispered that she hopes he feels better after the shower so that he can come on this exciting adventure with her. Then she turned and left the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

 

Michael was getting out of the shower. He was practicing his lie to stay home when his reflection looked as if it reached through the mirror and began to pull him in. He hit his head and everything went black.

 

10 minutes later Michael walked out of the bathroom with a skip to his step. He was even whistling. Stacey heard him bustle about in the bedroom before he came downstairs and took her hands in his, swinging her around like they were waltzing around the kitchen.

“you seem much better” her excitement could not be contained.

“yup” popping the p at the end he gave her a magnificent smile.

“Let’s go on an adventure outside and see the world” he enthused.

Now, if Stacey had not been so overcome with shock and excitement, she may have noticed that Michael’s voice was a little deeper. His eyes a bit lighter in colour. And he stood taller. And she most definitely should have noticed that his hair was not styled, but rather, it was left natural, no product in it at all. She should have noticed that. But she was far too excited to see him show actual enthusiasm. He never usually does. She didn’t notice. Not even a little bit. They left the house, hiking gear in hand, with a spring in their step.

 

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Michael woke up. Except it wasn’t the bathroom. He was surrounded by darkness. He was looking at his own bathroom though. But it was all wrong. Everything was backward. Opposite to where it was supposed to be.  Michael pounded on the glass in front of him with his fists. He began screaming. Nothing! No one could hear him. He heard a voice. A little deeper than his telling Stacey he was excited to see the cave. He was confused. What was happening? It felt like hours lost in this darkness. Michael has never been so scared before. Suddenly, like a snap of a retracting rubber band, he was flung through darkness and over to a small window. He could see the rear window of his car.  The window moved a little and he found himself staring at his own eyes. A lighter version though. But only marginally lighter. The eyes held a wicked glint. He could see the rest of the interior of his car. The imposter who seemed to be him just smirked into the rear-view mirror.

“Let’s go, Stacey. Let’s have an adventure” it said.

Then Michael was thrust back into the darkness. Alone!