Magazine, website & books written by teens since 1989  Death by
Dramatics This work is considered exceptional by our editorial
staff.  I am the parasite that lives in your room, feeding off
the attention that you give me. Your vanity serves to maintain
my existence. Because you have an abundance of vanity, I will
always exist out of the periphery of your vision. Whenever you
see me—truly see me—you always blink and shake your head, as if
you are trying to forget what you have just seen. I always watch
you, my eyes permanently fixated. It is not my choice, and it is
not yours. I will always be here.  (a bird taps on the window in
a premeditated rhythm)  I exist only in your fears. Your fear of
losing your friends. Your fear of suddenly turning unlikeable.
Your fear of being alone in the big, bad world. There are no
fears of anything consequential in your thoughts. It is—and
always will be—all about you, you, and you. All of it, rolled
into an indistinguishable mass of petty, hackneyed angst, is
perfect for me.