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Characters:
Black: the Magnificent Miranda, a well-known online photographer
Green: Laureate, who wants to be a photographer like Miranda
Blue: Bethany, one of Laureate’s closest friends
Red: Lily, one of Laureate’s closest friends
Yellow: Random Stranger 1
Orange: Random Stranger 2
Purple: A young person who is interested in photography
Public Posts:
Hey, hey, hey! It’s me, the Magnificent Miranda!
Here’s my brand-new image:
Alt: A cute little puppy.
Isn’t my photo talent amazing?
Hi, I’m Laureate, and I’ve been a fan for literally ages. Your amazing posts have inspired me to take photographs myself. It took ages to get right, but here is the final product.
Alt: A radiant flower with shiny, exquisite petals.
Oh hello, your picture isn’t that bad. Meet me in my talent group.
Inside Laureate’s friend group:
Guys, guys, you won’t believe it. I showed Magnificent Miranda the flower I’ve been working on, and she asked me to join her talent group! It’s all my dreams come true!
Great job! I knew you could do it, Laurie.
Yeah, we’re all totally rooting for you, both of us.
I hope you do well.
I hope I do too. Maybe I’ll improve even more.
You’d better go. She’s probably waiting for you.
Inside Magnificent Miranda’s group:
I knew you would soon come. Why don’t you take a selfie? Show me your stuff.
Alt: This is a picture of Laureate. She has red hair and a pink dress. She has removed her shadow.
Great, let’s use this for our initiation ritual: the selfie swap!
Alt: A beautiful picture of Miranda. She has wonderful, silky brown hair. Her face is spotless and her pose is graceful. She is at the beach.
Wow! You really are up in the world.
And soon you will be too. Just stick with me, and do what I tell you to do.
Public Posts:
My latest work: Vincent Times
Alt: An old-timey bookshelf
Amazing work: it seems you have some real talent!
I love it! What’s your secret?
Laureate, can we have a talk in private?
Miranda’s work group:
I’m here Miranda! What did you want me for?
Don’t post pictures in public. I lose my ability to make sure your progress is steady.
But, I wanted to have some independence.
Laurey, do you remember why I’m here?
My nickname is actually Laurie, and you’re here to help me shine.
So let me help you shine. I have experience, okay?
Okay. But I still want to show my work.
Of course, you can show your work. Post it here and I’ll make sure it reaches the public domain safely.
People can get jealous if you aren’t careful. Jealousy is dangerous.
3 months later...
This one took a while to set up.
Alt: A reflection of a reflection of an object.
Excellent idea! Keep up the good work.
Miranda, this is my 20th image. When can I finally start showing them?
When the time is right. Be patient.
And can I lay off a bit? I don’t have time for anything else right now.
A good photographer needs to be committed.
Public Posts:
Hey, hey, hey! It’s me the Magnificent Miranda!
This one took me ages to set up but it was worth it.
Alt: A reflection of a reflection of an object
Hang on! That’s my photo!
What are you doing?
Let’s talk about this somewhere else.
Miranda’s work group:
You claimed my work to be your own. You fraud!
I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. It was beautiful.
How many times have you been doing this?
This is the first, I promise.
I think I should go and check.
You know what, why don’t I give you a cool editing app to make up?
Why should I trust you?
I’m telling you, it was a one-off.
I could change your status to “friend” if you like.
Fine, but don’t steal my opportunities anymore.
Deal; meet me at 28 Headword Road.
Online Secret Diary:
Dear Diary,
Today I didn’t do much other than work, work, and work. I haven’t been able to focus on my grades or eat or sleep properly, and I’m sure my parents are worried about me. But I kept thinking, “Things will get better soon, right?”
And I was wrong. I realised it today when I went to Miranda’s house. Her sister greeted me at the doorway and invited me in. I waited and worked and waited and worked, wondering when Miranda would come.
Miranda’s sister sat me down and asked me to have some wine. I was busy, but I took it just to be polite. It was only after three glasses that I remembered I wasn’t allowed wine. I tried to explain, but I was starting to get dazed.
And then she told me the truth, the whole truth. She was Miranda. She had manipulated me. She had over-edited the photo she showed me. It wasn’t a real photo of her. She really had black spiky hair and freckles. It was just a lie. But it was a lie I fell for.
I was exhausted from work and dizzy from the wine. She took advantage of my incoherence and grabbed my phone. Then she added on her so-called editing app before handing it back to me. “If I see you doing anything other than what I tell you to do,” Miranda warned, “I will ruin your online life, and I have already made sure you don’t have a real one to come back to. Is that clear, Laurey?” She was right. I hadn’t talked to anyone in ages or paid attention to my work. I had time and time again snuck my phone into class. I’d abandoned everything.
That is why I can’t type in you anymore. This is my last entry. Miranda doesn’t want me to. I want to, but what I want doesn’t matter. It never has to her. This is it. The day I dreamed of was all but an illusion covering today. And I’ll never have a second chance to shine.
Public Posts (epilogue):
Hey Laureate, I saw your photo.
Alt: A radiant flower with shiny exquisite petals
You remember it right? What’s your secret?
She gets tuition from me.
Oh, hi Miranda, I’m talking to Laureate.
She’s busy.
Oh pretty please, just one question.
Fine, but only one.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting photography?
A good photographer needs to be balanced.
Always remember that.
I will.
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