I love the striking differences between the first and second paragraphs!!

in ur last sentence the unless should be unlike, but other than that good job!

Thanks for the edit! I can’t believe I missed that one!

Hey, not everyone is the classroom is a loser!

Anyway, I loved her voice.

That was brutal but a stingingly accurate portrayal of the simultaneous pipe dreams that keep us going and the bitter resignation that acts as self-fulfilling prophesy.

Break out, I say! Break out, and chase that better dream!

At the very least, don’t sleep with your therapist.

Wonderful. And wonderful that you got here before someone who didn’t get Maria stole her. I love the difference between the dream and the fate she seemingly resigned to.

Awesome. I love how clearly you understand Maria’s voice as a narrator, it really adds color to the piece.

Wow. You have developed Maria so well as a character…I’m impressed. This made me sad, but your writing is stunning! And her narrative voice is perfect.

Thanks for your kind words, guys! This was easily the hardest challenge yet, and I’m glad that it went over so well. Everyone’s bringing their A game!