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The Color Of The Inside Of My Mouth Magazine

I wipe at my stupid eyes with the back of my hand, and it startles me for a second that my tears are gray. I dunno why it surprised me; I mean, I buy the s***ty mascara that’s $1.99 in the 20 Items or Less checkout lane. Why spend oodles of green on something I hardly ever use?

I just wanted to look nice, you know? Like those girls who’re just naturally fake pretty. The girls who can blend shades of eyeshadow like no one’s business, and match their lipstick to the exact color of their toenail polish or whatever. Seemingly effortless, yet impeccably coordinated.

This is good stuff, I should write for a living – solely on the subject of beauty queens with superiority complexes, of course.

I just want … God, what do I want? I want to feel the sun on my face and paint the clouds and hear the music in the trees and love myself and love someone else and just feel perpetually beautiful.

But that requires the $14.99 waterproof, fire-retardant, Grade-5-hurricane-resistant mascara, not the tube that’s two bucks in Lane 4.

My shoes are dirty and outdated, but that’s how I like them. I like these shoes. They’re comfortable. Why do I need new, expensive, fashionably appealing shoes in order for someone to say, “Hey dogg, you look nice today”?

And why is it that whenever I get deathly bored and slather cheap, pore-clogging makeup all over my face everyone suddenly says, “Wow, you look pretty!”? Since when is “pretty” about whale blubber and cocoa butter?

I’ll tell you one thing, though. I most definitely am not crying about some stupid XY.

Definitely not.

I’m crying for all the whales that have to give up their fatty insulation so that some fugly anorexic super bitch can paint herself pretty every freaking day, giving him something halfway decent to oggle all the time.

Seriously, I’m not leaking saltwater over a guy.

I just think it’s cruel and unfair that the fat-endowed marine life population doesn’t even get the slightest warning that they’ll soon be on a cosmetics endcap at K-Mart.

He could have at least broken it to me gently, you know? We’ve been friends since the George Bush/Al Gore debacle.

I mean come the Bette Midler on.

I spill my blood, guts, and viscera out to this guy and he throws down the “Let’s just be friends” card without a second thought?

It’s just … it’s common courtesy to ease someone into heartbreak, not smash it over their head like a whiffleball bat.

You know what? I’m going to take my $1.99 checkout Lane 4 mascara and chuck it right at her big, stupid square head.

Magazine This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.




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This article has 445 comments. Post your own!

LaurenE.VIP said...
Jan. 29 at 8:05 pm:

I loved how vunerable you made yourself by telling the reader how your story was from you journal. It made me read it differently, and I absolutly loved it =) Good luck in your future writing endevors.

 
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Dolly9471VIP said...
Jan. 29 at 2:55 pm:

Absolutely adored your piece! Super true!

 
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peaceoutVIP said...
Jan. 29 at 12:32 pm:

Seriously, this was one of the best pieces i have EVER read. your metaphors, the writing itself is so good and TRUE. i LOVED it.

 
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Bookworm1997VIP said...
Jan. 29 at 12:21 am:

It's really easy to relate to this piece. Fantastic!

 
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M-starVIP said...
Jan. 7 at 10:12 pm:

This piece is different and fresh but so good! I don't know too many people who write like this. "I just want… God, what do I want?" That's my favorite line!

 
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firstsnowfallsVIP said...
Jan. 7 at 9:38 pm:

"I just want … God, what do I want? I want to feel the sun on my face and paint the clouds and hear the music in the trees and love myself and love someone else and just feel perpetually beautiful"... love this!!!

 
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Fia-fiaVIP said...
Jan. 7 at 11:59 am:

This is really good! The writing in this and the consistent reference to the whale is amazing. I love it. You are a wonderful author and i hope i get to see more of you work soon! Thank you :)

 
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Def_Leppard_fan120VIP said...
Jan. 7 at 1:11 am:

Come check out my article called THE BATTLE and comment on what you thought about it.

 
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duckypoodle said...
Jan. 3 at 4:33 pm:

The one guy I ever poured myself out too was actually understanding. That gives me confidence, because after reading everything that other girls go through, I was scared to tell him. But, you know, you just gotta go through with it, because even though this guy didn't like me, he still hung out with me and joked. And makeup is seriously for people who need confidence. Those who have confidence don't need makeup.

 
LaurenE.VIP replied...
Jan. 29 at 8:01 pm :

I disagree. In my personal opinion, I know not everyone will agree, I don't think wearing makeup reflects my confidence. I wear makeup for me, not to impress anyone else. I feel grungy without it. I am a very confident person. You may disagree, but we make up girls aren't all the same.

 
star2briteVIP replied...
Jan. 29 at 9:16 pm :

I agree with LaurenE, but for a slightly different reason. I like experimenting with makeup to create light and shadow and color. We makeup girls definitely aren't all the same :). But I agree that makeup should not create confidence, it should add to it, kind of like what LaurenE. was saying. By the way, good for you for telling the guy, duckypoodle. :)

 
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BlueRainVIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 6:16 pm:

The sad part is is that when they say "Let's be friends", that really means "Okay, I know you, but it's too weird to talk anymore because.. well... yeah, so let's go be on separate universes and then be all surprised when I realize halfway through the school year that you share a class or two with me."

Well, that's what they're usually thinking. But with less courtesy.

 
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BrokenBreeVIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 4:11 pm:

This is pretty good. I really enjoyed this. I also love the title. Keep adding stuff from your journal! 

 
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Everyone_Desrves_A_Chance said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 3:22 pm:

Wow This Is Really Good I Think You Should Make This Into A Series Or Something Like That Or Maybe Try To Publish It I Seriouslly Would Buy This If You Made It Into A Book Or Series :)

 
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Nolanje80VIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 1:58 pm:

i agree with blueeyedgirl18. this also sounds like my journal. and i get where you are coming from ont he fact that soo many guys play the "i just want to be friends" card even aftr you tell him all your idrty little secrets. how is that at all fair?

 
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Blueeyedgirl18VIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 12:32 pm:

This sounds like my diary:) lol I love it:)

 
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kairi.kaylynVIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 11:04 am:

A little mean but I loved it. You're really good at writing.

 
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AdnamaVIP said...
Dec. 16, 2011 at 9:50 am:

I really love this because it is true about a whole bunch of people including myself.  This just comes out and speaks the truth.

 
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OurSTORYVIP said...
Nov. 27, 2011 at 9:31 pm:

ahhh love it!

 
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mylifestoryonmywristVIP said...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 8:32 pm:

I laughed at the part where you said, like the girls who are naturally fake pretty

 
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ksaurus200VIP said...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 6:20 pm:

it seemed incompleat for some reason

 
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harrypotter143VIP said...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 3:14 pm:

wow. i mean, really, wow. (:

 

fantastic story!! it totally got to me ! you just explained my life :$

 
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prettylittlewriterVIP said...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 10:47 am:

Wow, this is very heartfelt and very good writing

 
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jobros4eva said...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 9:55 am:

PLEASE DON'T READ THIS. YOU WILL BE KISSED ON THE NEAREST FRIDAY BY THE ONE YOU LOVE. NOW YOU'VE STARTED READING THIS SO DON'T STOP.

THIS IS REALLY FREAKY!!!

1)say your name 10 times

2)say your mom's name 5 times

3)say your crush's name 3 times

4)paste this on 4 other posts. if you do this your crush will kiss you on the nearest friday. if you don't do this after reading this you will get bad luck

send this to 4 other post in 143 minutes when done pre... (more »)

 
GoGreenGirlVIP replied...
Dec. 9, 2011 at 10:21 am :

what?

 

 
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TcoolgirlVIP said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 4:45 pm:

It's good! :)

 
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Malloy213 said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 2:01 pm:

All I can say is that this story is amazing

 
XxkierstanxX replied...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 11:42 am :

agreed great story haha

 
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VivaLasMariposas said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 12:20 pm:

This article is so AMAZING! It's such a clever piece, very well-written, full of wit and beauty. I love so many lines, like "I want...God what do I want?" and "I'm not leaking saltwater over  a guy" and the usage of "XY". All I can say is...awesome! It's like I could have written this, the feelings...but I never could have, I'm not that great of a writer! 

A++++++!!!

 
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Gingersnap777VIP said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 10:12 am:

Amen to that!  I loved that XY reference...very witty.

 
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annmarie's the best said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 10:03 am:

i really like this exept you should add what xp means

 
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lit.roxVIP said...
Nov. 2, 2011 at 7:00 am:

Very nice.I like the way it's written.

 
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WrenAlasterVIP said...
Oct. 12, 2011 at 1:02 pm:

Awesome! It's got a lot of attitude.

 
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SecretSearcherVIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 8:11 pm:

Awesome! Loved it!

 
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writingmagic26VIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 7:55 pm:

Wow, this is a journal entry?  You must be a kick-butt writer, if this is a journal entry for you.  I'm glad you shared this with us- most people would feel embarrassed- and your writing (even is it wasn't meant for anyone to see) is so inspiring!

 
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she-is-a-strange-duckVIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 4:24 pm:

Thank you for being honest this is so real... poor whales. stupid guy.

 
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iluvrockandroll2 said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 3:45 pm:

girlie, thank u for not being superficial, and giving a new unique voice in the crowd. and keep writing! that guy is gonna be srry he broke ur heart.

 
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Kelso1093 said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 12:39 pm:

I know I'm only one voice in the crowd, but oh my goodness, this was amazing! I love it towards the end when you're denying the fact that you're upset over a guy bt saying that you care about the whales. This is simply beautiful :)

 
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AngelHeart654VIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 12:34 pm:

Wow that is good You know what your doing. Good Job!! 

 
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Wildflower30VIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 8:50 am:

Wow! I know half of how you feel! The nerdy-yet-cool references... I do that, too! I won't say amazing work, because this is real emotion. Great job at expressing them! :):)
P.S. This reminds me of the song "Perfect" by P!nk. :P

 
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Libra97VIP said...
Oct. 11, 2011 at 6:28 am:

Wow, I love the raw emotion in this!  I've been trying to keep a journal, but I just can't do it, definetly not as good as you can.  Keep writing, this is AMAZING!  You capture the feelings perfectly :)

 
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Claydub said...
Sept. 19, 2011 at 10:02 pm:

Wow this is really good, and I rarely call poems good. Really, perfect. Great job.

 
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Silence Me Not said...
Sept. 19, 2011 at 9:49 pm:

Freakin awesome? No....

amazing? no....

beyond perfect? YES!!! :D

Wish i could write like that, I can't even freakin' WRITE a journal entry but trust me im going to try

 
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fall3n_aNg3l said...
Sept. 19, 2011 at 4:26 pm:

Love it. Love it. Love it.

 
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Chrissa5 said...
Sept. 19, 2011 at 3:19 pm:

I really liked it :)

 
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ayeshamuzaffarVIP said...
Sept. 19, 2011 at 2:59 am:

I love the raw emotion. There's some thing in your words that makes me want to workship them, if you know hwa I mean. Great article.

 
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SecretFlameVIP said...
Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:52 pm:

THIS IS AMAZING! I LOVE THIS!!!!!! Now I know someone feels the SAME WAY AS ME!!!! YES!!!

Description is perfect. The flow is wonderful, and the voice is fantastic! I absolutely LOVED IT!!!

 
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mercebeinyata said...
Sept. 8, 2011 at 10:34 pm:

You have too much potential to just throw away by using curse words. Even if you did bleep it out, we all still know what it says. I feel sad that I was inundated with such profanity as soon as I read the first sentence. I don't know if I should read any of your other works because of a shocking quintessence such as this on your part.

 
starlightstarbrightVIP replied...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 10:17 am :

"Fear of a word increases fear of the thing it said." -Albus Dumbledore, correct me if I'm wrong. Her "explicit wording" gives strength to her language, raw emotion to her story. If you read her little info post, this is an excerpt from her journal. Why would she moderate her language in a jornal? If you wish to read something without swears, don't even bother touching classic literature. A writer needs passion, and the words - ALL words- supply it to her.

 
starlightstarbrightVIP replied...
Nov. 24, 2011 at 10:20 am :

I apologize. In the first line, that was supposed to be "itself", not "it said."

 
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