I just really hope you read this because I should have written this a long time ago, but now I'm sitting here on my laptop as a soon-to-be- freshman in college with nothing better to do, so I think you should know. :) When I was a sophomore, my creative writing teacher was out for a long time and my whole class was annoyed that we had a long-term sub who did nothing but hand out Teen Ink magazines everyday. I was, too, until one day in class when I came across this article. Because I was going through a breakup and had never in my life read something that I could relate to so much, I actually became madly obsessed with this piece of work. I ripped it out of the magazine, folded it up, and took it with me. And whenever I was bored in class I would sit and rewrite it over and over again in my journal. It was, like, the best thing that had ever happened to me. See, when I'm emotionally broken, I have to get my feelings out. Like many of us on this website, I do that by writing. But I couldn't write anything that would put my feelings into words better than this did. So all I could do was sit there and read it and, when that wasn't enough, copy it word-for-word over and over. "The Price of Painted Toenails". I will never forget that title. I remember bringing the folded up article to dance and making everyone read it during our break. "Isn't it amazing???" Everyone thought it was great but I don't think they fully understood my overwhelming obsession. But anyone going through this would understand. You put my emotions into words better than I ever could and you had no idea I existed. It amazed me. Whenever I broke down I'd take out this folded up article, eventually covered in wrinkles and tears, and it would make me feel content. I just think you deserve to know that your piece had such an impact on me. This is nearly three years later and I've honestly thought about it ever since. I even think that this one piece of yours has had a great impact on my writing style and really inspired me to grow as a writer. They say "write what you want to read", so thank you so much for showing me exactly what I want to read AND write. You are very, very talented!

"You liked the cracks. 'Leave them,' you said. And you laughed with that laugh that made us tower above the small flat world so we could avoid the breaks in the sidewalk and count the stars with our smiles." This. Just...this. It's beautiful and it's gorgeous and it's poetic but it's more than all those things.

so beautiful

Lovely... absolutely lovely... extreamely poetic! Maybe you could read my story sometime and give me some advice!

Please never stop writing :) i loveeddd this!

Great symbolism!!! :)

I fell in love with this piece. I can't even find the words to describe why. It's wonderful. Keep it up. xoxo

That was really sweet :) Comment on some of my stories?

Wow, this is really amazing. This is a phenomenal piece! I'm very impressed. Your story is very poetic and you can almost interpret it any way you want to. Great job!!

this beautiful writer is my best friend in the whole world so ha ha ha, your writing is great risa

I'm usually one of those people who you can't get to shut up. This left me speechless. That just shows how amazing you are, please write more and never change you brilliant person you!!!

Yet again, wow. This gave me goosebumps. It's great. Reading this made me want to write. Thanks for igniting the spark again.

Wow. That was amazing. I didn't relaize exactly what was going on until the end, but then...Wow. Blew my frickin mind. Keep on writing.

Wow. I really like this. It's just so real I can't help but relate. It's not a Edward-and-Bella-Forbidden-Romance sort of nonsense, that's comepletly alien. it's kinda how I think. the best kind of writing is where a reader can connect and relate. Good job!

oh my goodness thank you so much! you don't know how much your comment means to me:) 

...I have absolutley no words for this peice. I can tell you that I am crying right now. You just wrote my thoughts in a way that I would never be able to say them... This is my favorite peice I have ever read on this website. It's...it's amazing! I'm breathless right now. The minute I finish writing this I am going back and reading it again. This is amazing...you're amazing... PLEASE write more. The world deserves to hear what you have to say.

so. good.

I love your style!

great story i loved it!

I like this a lot. I think I understand what youre saying, but I'd love see an explanation. 5/5 stars!! Goooood job!!!!