Not Worth It

Submitted into Contest #74 in response to: Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.... view prompt

223 comments

Sad Fiction Contemporary

Trigger warning: Suicide, death


Things to do before I leave:


1.   Hug my mother. Say I love you to her, even if I don’t mean it, because I won’t. She never loved me. She always loved her other children more than me. But she tried, I’m sure she tried to love me. It is my fault that I’m so unlovable. It’s my fault that I was always so moody and depressing, that talking to me was more of a chore than a pleasure. I didn’t deserve the same love that my siblings always got, I know that. But I wish I had gotten at least a fraction of it. It’s too late. If you’re reading this Mom, you know I’m being honest. I’m always honest, no one ever believed me when I was alive. But now they will. Everyone believes a dead girl’s last words.


2.   Hug my father. Say I love you to him and mean it because I will. I will hold his photograph and kiss it. I will leave today with it tucked into my jacket’s inside pocket. He knew me, even though he didn’t. I knew him, even though I didn’t. We are the same. He reached the same conclusion as me, knowing that leaving was better and easier than staying. He did it too. I was always ‘the girl whose father killed himself’ growing up. I guess I always knew that I would end up the same way, whether I wanted to or not. It’s in my blood.


3.   Go to all of my siblings’ rooms and take the stuff they’ve stolen from me over the years. All the t-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, pens, books and ink they’ve taken without asking me at all. I’m going to take it all back. I’m going to smell those items in the privacy of my bedroom, and I’m going to try to see if those smells trigger some memories, at least a single happy memory. If it does, then I’ll return the objects back to their previous positions. If it doesn’t, I’ll stack it all up in my bedroom for them to find after I leave, just for them to realize that they should have asked me when they had the chance.


4.   Eat a filling dinner. I have not been eating very much at all for the past few days, in anticipation of what I’m about to do tomorrow. I realize that if I don’t eat enough, they will put down the cause of my death as an eating disorder. I will not cause them to make such a blunder. My body must be in a healthy condition so that they immediately conclude that I have committed suicide. I am not going to ruin their investigation; I want to help them as much as I can.


5.   Try to talk to my siblings. My older sister especially. She’s always too busy to or has other people much more of her mindset to talk to. It’s not even like I’ve ever wanted to talk to her. Okay, I'm lying. I've always wanted to talk to her, I've never seen anyone more perfect than her. But whenever I even approach her, something more important comes up. This time I’m going to be firm. I’m going to hold a conversation with her and see if anything comes out of it. I want to see if making an effort would change our dynamic, at least for a few minutes. I want to see if I would think about talking to her again. My younger siblings can't be reasoned with. They shun me, even though they aren't even old enough to know what they're doing. They do know, however, that spending any time with me is totally pointless. So they stay out of my way, and I stay out of theirs. That’s how it’s going to be, and I better accept it.


6.   Study a subject I hate. My mind is leaning towards Geography or Physics. I shall decide later. But I must do it, although I’m quite hesitant. I must see for myself, if all the teachers who’ve said that I have the potential to do better were just yapping for the sake of it, or whether they knew what they were yapping about. I want to see – if I decide against leaving – whether I can even begin to learn something from these evil, cruel subjects. I want to see if it’s worth it.


7.   Watch an inspirational movie. Preferably one which makes most people cry. That way, it will make me laugh. I hate the sappy ones, so I’m going watch one of those, not a romance one though. One with a deep message about life and death or some crap like that will be ideal. Maybe it will change me. Ha. I make myself laugh sometimes. But what if it does? What if by the end of the movie, tears flow down my face without my own volition? What if the movie convinces me not to go? How do I stay?


8.   Talk to the girl who sits next to me in class. She seems nice enough. I always get the pity eyes from her whenever I have one of my outbursts in class. But maybe she isn’t pitying me or feeling sorry for me, maybe she is putting herself in my shoes. Maybe she understands me, maybe she feels the same things I do. I need to talk to her, at least once. I need to understand if she’s gone through what I’m going through right now and if she would come to the same conclusion.


9.   Write a will. I’m leaving everything to my father as a practical joke, which I hope is taken the right way. All my clothes, journals and the rest of my belongings, I leave to my father, who is gone too. Ha. I should take them with me. That way, I’ll be able to give it to him directly. I’m leaving everything to my siblings and my mother. I need to give them something. I’m leaving after all. They need something to give company to their guilt. Something to smell, run between their fingers, to cry in, after I’m gone.


10.  Live. Don’t die. Please. Not worth it. I know now.

December 25, 2020 06:57

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223 comments

Annette Lovewind
17:24 Dec 26, 2020

Somber but it was well written! I'm proud of you because I avoided this prompt and you came up with an idea for it! Nice job!

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Writer Maniac
17:26 Dec 26, 2020

Thank you, I appreciate it!

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Emma Harris
16:01 Dec 26, 2020

My kind of story. I love how well written it is! It seems so thought out and put into the perfect words. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is because of how much I can relate to it. It seems like most of your stories are contemporary, which is my favorite genre to read and write because they're, mostly, very relatable! Nice job!

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Writer Maniac
16:41 Dec 26, 2020

Thank you so much! Yeah, my stories are usually contemporary, it's my comfort zone :) I'm glad you liked it, thank you for reading!

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Leya Newi
22:47 Dec 25, 2020

This was definitely a powerful story. I was reading it, and I was absolutely amazed at her bravery. I don't agree with suicide, not one bit, but yet I still found myself admiring her list of things to do. Keep writing, Writer!

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Writer Maniac
01:46 Dec 26, 2020

Thank you so much! I'm so glad it resonated in some way with you!

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21:10 Dec 25, 2020

This looks like my life list, minus the dead dad. My siblings always take my stuff and I almost murder them when they touch my books. :)

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Writer Maniac
01:46 Dec 26, 2020

Same:) Siblings never change in that aspect, no matter what happens

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18:19 Dec 26, 2020

LOL

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18:20 Dec 26, 2020

Yeah.

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17:10 Dec 25, 2020

Aw, love this one! It really tells a story even in this format. I love how the end is the girl deciding not to kill her self. Great job!

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Writer Maniac
17:21 Dec 25, 2020

Thank you so much for reading it, I'm glad you liked it!

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Aaina Aleszezyk
07:52 Dec 25, 2020

wickedly funny. Loved it!!

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Writer Maniac
08:00 Dec 25, 2020

It wasn't supposed to be funny, but I'm glad you liked it :)

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Aaina Aleszezyk
08:09 Dec 25, 2020

I meant I really liked your dark humor :)

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Aaina Aleszezyk
08:09 Dec 25, 2020

I meant I really liked your dark humor :)

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Aaina Aleszezyk
08:09 Dec 25, 2020

I meant I really liked your dark humor :)

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Writer Maniac
08:13 Dec 25, 2020

Oh, well thank you! That really means a lot!

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17:37 Mar 26, 2021

This is truly beautiful! I thought the last line was really sweet. It sends an important message that a lot of people need to see. You have a voice and strong opinions and I hope you continue to share it with the world :)

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Writer Maniac
17:38 Mar 26, 2021

Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it!

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17:41 Mar 26, 2021

Of course! Your work is so good!

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Writer Maniac
17:43 Mar 26, 2021

Thanks :) Could you maybe read 'Game Over'? I feel like I'm asking too much from you

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19:53 Mar 26, 2021

No your not! And I’ll do that right now :)

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Kanika G
13:04 Mar 25, 2021

I like how deeply you've delved into the mind of a young person who is contemplating suicide. Two paragraphs in and the reader cannot help feel for the main character. You've wisely chosen the first person narrative for the story. It is a very unique story. Well done! I would love to know your feedback on my first story 'The Curse.' Thanks!

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Writer Maniac
14:49 Mar 25, 2021

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I'll be sure to check out your story soon, could you please leave feedback on my story 'Game Over'? Thanks :)

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13:06 Mar 23, 2021

wow, his is deep, and your stories keep me reading! that's a hard thing to do when I barely read books!

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Writer Maniac
14:26 Mar 23, 2021

Thank you so much, I appreciate the compliment!

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Tera King
11:44 Mar 18, 2021

Oh. Okay. Phew. I- how- HOW ARE YOU SUCH A TALENTED HUMAN BEING AND I'M JUST NOW READING THIS? You sent me here from another one of your writings and boy oh boy was that a good idea. I relate to this a lot (especially with the first one) and It really strikes a chord with me. You're such a great writer and did a great job portraying your characters and their emotions. Keep writing!

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Writer Maniac
11:49 Mar 18, 2021

Aww thank you so much, I'm really glad you liked it! I would recommend reading 'Game Over' or 'Black and White' next, if you want to :)

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05:21 Mar 18, 2021

This is a great story! The only problem was the transition from wanting to die to not wanting it. What caused the change? What made the protagonist realize it wouldn't be worth it?

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Writer Maniac
05:32 Mar 18, 2021

Thank you for reading! The way I wanted it to be was that she did all those nine things she planned to do and realised that it wasn't worth it to die. I hope that makes sense.

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16:40 Mar 17, 2021

wow, beautiful, like..., wow it pulled something especially the last bit like, but i am weird, i never react like a rational reader... i got a idea that 'whatever we do, we will die, maybe at 20 or maybe at 200, we will die, so we have to live before we die, we should not be planning or working like a robot in auto pilot, we should live... i know it's not what you intended, sorry, i am weird, sorry

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Writer Maniac
02:28 Mar 18, 2021

Thank you! I don't think your suggestion really matches with the style I intended the story to be in, because I wanted it to mainly be about this main character realising that even though her life isn't that great, maybe she should put in more effort to make it better instead of resorting to suicide. I hope that makes sense. Don't be sorry, you can have an opinion :)

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04:22 Mar 18, 2021

XD it's no suggestion, just an interpretation. i got it, thanks

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Writer Maniac
04:25 Mar 18, 2021

:)

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Writer Maniac
04:26 Mar 18, 2021

I left feedback on your story, by the way :)

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05:02 Mar 18, 2021

oh, i didn't see, so sorry! Thank you so much! by the way, you are called mania, right? so a nickname.... ania? mani? oh, i got it!, can i call you Ani?

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Writer Maniac
05:32 Mar 18, 2021

Yeah sure :D

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R. B. Leyland
17:52 Mar 16, 2021

Love this! The list seems to do everything to show us she should stay, but she still doesn't realise it until it's too late. Such is depression I guess :( you seem to have a knack for the dark stories though, this one is deep yet again! Great stuff!

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Writer Maniac
02:41 Mar 17, 2021

Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it!

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Amarah Friedman
18:27 Mar 14, 2021

Dark... A nice mix of cynicism and sarcasm. I appreciate that your character interprets the world through humor-- it makes them...relatable. I feel a little dirty for enjoying this piece, especially the crossed out words about leaving everything to her father. That moment makes it for me. This is beautiful and sad and funny; somehow, you managed to carry all of that through in a few short paragraphs.

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Writer Maniac
02:17 Mar 15, 2021

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I wanted it to be as realistic as possible, so that everyone would be able to relate to it in some way. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it, thanks again!

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Sage Alden
17:09 Mar 10, 2021

This was a really great story and enjoyable read. I liked how they wanted to give their family a second chance. I hope this doesn't sound rude, but I feel as if you could've gone into more detail about why the protagonist felt the need to commit suicide and delved deeper into their emotions to have a stronger portrayal. But other than that, I did enjoy reading this, and I love your writing style.

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Writer Maniac
17:20 Mar 10, 2021

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I will definitely take your feedback into account :) I would love to hear your thoughts on a story of mine called 'Game Over'

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15:34 Mar 08, 2021

Wow. I enjoyed reading this, ngl. Some bits even made me smile and laugh (like 2 and part of 9). I love all of the internal thoughts of the mAiN cHaRaCtEr (do you ever mention names in your stories??). I also love the way the things are listed. The theme is also memorable and well-written. One thing though: I'm guessing you can't edit this, but I feel like #10 feels a lil' too sudden. The other 9 numbers don't show any doubts of suicide. Maybe in #10, you could have made the character recall certain memories that discourage suicide. Maybe i...

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Writer Maniac
15:36 Mar 08, 2021

Thank you so much for your thoughts and feedback! I try not to name people as much as I can so that people can connect with them easily. I'll take your suggestion into account, thanks again!

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15:38 Mar 08, 2021

Yw! :)) Ohh that makes sense. Np! :D

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Unknown User
12:40 Jan 04, 2021

<removed by user>

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Writer Maniac
12:47 Jan 04, 2021

Thank you so much, I'm really glad it resonated with you! I would love to know your thoughts on my story 'Game Over' whenever you get the time :)

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Susannah Meghans
07:43 Feb 26, 2022

Very well written. I like the sense of humor, how the character shows hopeless determination & the fight to live on after all!

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15:29 Mar 08, 2021

W-wow. This was incredible. You could feel the character getting anxious, and a little angry/frustrated throughout the list. I never thought a format of lists for a story could give out so much emotion. This was beautifully written. Amazing job!

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Writer Maniac
15:31 Mar 08, 2021

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

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