As Lila was ready to celebrate her 17th birthday, she received an unexpected and creepy gift from her stepmother: a pink funerary urn. Like the type you keep ashes in? Yes, that’s the one. But that’s not all! Lila learns that her college fund was given to Monica to open her salon. What will Lila do?
Let me tell you, I’ve been sitting on this one for a few days, just trying to make sense of what went down.
I always thought my stepmom, Monica, was the worst, though not Disney villain evil. She was the kind of person who talks over you, forgets your birthday, and calls you “kiddo” when you’re practically an adult.
A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
But, what she pulled on my 17th birthday? It shattered whatever shaky truce we had.
At least, that’s what I thought. Turns out, things weren’t exactly what they seemed.
Here’s how it all went down.
My mom, Sarah, died when I was ten, and after that, it was just Dad and me. We were a solid team. The type of team that has pizza for dinner half the week, late-night movies, and this unspoken agreement that we’d always have each other’s backs.
Two boxes of pizza on a coffee table | Source: Midjourney
Then came Monica, about three years ago.
At first, she wasn’t horrible; she was just… there. Like a stray cat that never leaves, so you have no choice but to adopt it. Monica moved into our house, took over the bathroom with her fifty bottles of face serums and creams, and slowly pushed her way into my dad’s world.
Monica had big dreams of opening a hair salon, which was fine. I wasn’t against people having dreams. I had my own dreams waiting for me, but she treated me like I was just this annoying piece of furniture that came with the house.
A woman’s vanity | Source: Midjourney
Honestly, I was counting down the days until I could escape to college.
Dad had promised me since middle school that there was a college fund waiting for me.
“Don’t worry, sweet girl,” he told me. “Your mom and I put together the fund when you were five. There’s more than enough, and every year on your birthday and Christmas, I add more.”
A smiling little girl | Source: Midjourney
“Thank you, Dad,” I said. “I just want to study and make something of myself, like Mom said.”
“You only have to worry about your grades, Lila,” he said. “I’ll handle the rest.”
Naturally, I worked my butt off in school, knowing that in a few years, I’d be out of here.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
College was my golden ticket, and no one — not even Monica — would stand in my way.
At least, that’s what I thought.
On the morning of my 17th birthday, I came downstairs expecting the usual lukewarm effort. By lukewarm, I mean a sad card, some pancakes, and Monica forgetting my favorite syrup. Dad was at work, so it was just Mon and I.
A plate of pancakes and a card on a table | Source: Midjourney
She handed me a gift bag, which was already weird because Monica wasn’t exactly the thoughtful or sentimental type.
“Happy Birthday, kiddo,” she said, flashing one of her tight-lipped smiles.
I wasn’t expecting much, but I sure as hell wasn’t expecting this.
I reached inside the bag and pulled out… an urn.
A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
A funerary urn.
You know, the kind that people store ashes in. Cold, heavy, and, well, pink. It was pink.
I just stared at it, my brain short-circuiting.
“What the hell is this?” I asked, holding the urn like it was cursed.
A pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney
Monica leaned against the kitchen counter, smug as ever.
“It’s symbolic,” she said as if that explained anything.
“Symbolic of what?”
Monica’s grin widened.
A smiling woman in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“It’s time to bury your dreams of college, kiddo. Your dad and I talked about this, and we decided to put the college fund to better use.”
“Better use?” I asked, a cold shiver running through me.
“Yep. We’re investing it in my hair salon. College is a gamble, Lila. A business? That’s something real, sweetie.”
A hair salon being renovated | Source: Midjourney
She sipped her coffee like she’d just said the most reasonable thing in the world.
I was frozen in place, trying to make sense of what I’d just heard. Had they really taken my future, everything I’d worked for, and sunk it into Monica’s salon dream?
“How could you do this?” I whispered.
Monica just smiled, a little too pleased with herself.
A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
“Life’s full of disappointments, kiddo. Better get used to it now,” she said.
Wow.
That was it. I was done. I ran upstairs, slamming the door behind me so hard that the walls shook.
I cried so hard it hurt. What else could I do? Everything I had been holding onto was gone, and the only person I thought I could count on, Dad, had let this happen.
An upset teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
My mom wanted me to get out and make something of myself. And now? It was all over.
The next few days were a blur. I didn’t speak to Monica or my dad unless I absolutely had to. Every time I looked at that stupid urn sitting on my desk, my stomach twisted.
I couldn’t even bring myself to throw it out. It felt like some kind of morbid evidence. Like proof of the betrayal I didn’t see coming.
A pink funerary urn on a desk | Source: Midjourney
At school, my friends tried to cheer me up.
“Maybe she thought it was funny, Lila,” my friend Kira said. “Like, who really knows what Monica is thinking?”
“And anyway, there’s nothing stopping you from throwing it out! Just do it! Don’t overthink it,” Mel said.
Three teenage girls | Source: Midjourney
But still, I couldn’t focus on anything other than the fact that Monica was prancing around, acting like she was the queen of the house, while I sat there with no future.
Then, a few days later, something strange happened.
When I got home from school, there was a note on my desk. Not in an envelope, just folded, with my name written in Monica’s messy handwriting.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
Meet me at the salon at 6 P.M. tonight. No questions. Just trust me. -M.
I almost laughed out loud. Trust her? Yeah, right.
But something about the note gnawed at me. Maybe it was the fact that I wanted to confront her one last time, tell her exactly what I thought of her.
Against my better judgment, I decided to go.
A note on a table | Source: Midjourney
When I got to the salon, the lights were off, and the front door was unlocked.
I hesitated for a second, wondering if this was some elaborate prank. But curiosity got the best of me.
I stepped inside, and there they were. Monica and my dad, standing side by side, both grinning widely.
“Surprise!” Monica shouted, throwing her arms up like this was the happiest moment of her life.
The entrance to a salon | Source: Midjourney
I just stared at them, completely lost.
“What is this?”
Monica stepped aside, and that’s when I saw it — a shiny, brand-new sign mounted on the wall.
Dream Cuts: A Scholarship Fund in Honor of Sarah
I blinked, feeling like the room was tilting on its axis.
A hair salon | Source: Midjourney
“What… what is this?”
Monica smiled, but it wasn’t her usual smug grin. This one was softer, almost real.
“We didn’t use your college fund, kiddo. It’s all still there. The salon? It’s not just for me. It’s for you, too. For other kids like you, too.”
I couldn’t breathe.
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
“But then, why would you make me think otherwise?” I asked.
Monica winced, putting her hand on her head.
“Yeah, so, the urn thing… That was not my best idea. I thought it’d be motivational, like, bury the past and embrace the future. You know? But it turns out that it was just creepy.”
A woman with her hand on her head | Source: Midjourney
I stared at her, speechless.
My dad stepped forward, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“We’ve been planning this for months, Lila,” he said. “Your mom always wanted to help kids get to college. This salon is going to fund scholarships. For you and for others in her name.”
“The salon has been my dream, Lila,” Monica said. “But it was never going to come at your expense. This way, a great portion of all our profits in the future will go to the fund.”
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t know what to say.
Or what to think.
Just that I felt a warm haze take over me.
Monica laughed softly.
“I’m not a monster, darling,” she said. “I just didn’t want you to think that I was trying to take over your mom’s role.”
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
For the first time in a long time, I smiled.
It wasn’t perfect, but things with Monica probably never would be. But, at that moment, standing in the middle of a salon named for my mom’s dream, I realized that she wasn’t trying to ruin my life.
She was trying to build something bigger than any of us.
A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
And somehow, against all odds, it felt like a new beginning.
And yeah, I kept the urn. But I planted white peace lilies in it, thinking it would be symbolic after all. And who knows, maybe I’ll take the urn to college.
What would you have done?
Peace lilies planted into a pink funerary urn | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
I Transferred $24K to My Daughter for Her College Tuition, Only to Discover She Never Enrolled — What She Spent It On Made Me Pale
Caroline had been saving for her daughter’s college fund since Angela was born. But after a classmate of Angela’s reveals that Angela is not actually enrolled in college, Caroline must uncover what her daughter is doing and what she used the money for.
Children are always going to break your heart. This was something that I learned the hard way after trusting my daughter, Angela, completely.
A close-up of a smiling girl | Source: Midjourney
Since Angela was born, I have been saving for college. I needed to know that irrespective of what life threw my way, I would be able to educate my child.
“I think you can wait until she’s a little older,” my husband, Holden, said. “We can do it together.”
“You can add to her college fund later,” I said, looking at my baby girl. “But I’m going to start from next month. I wasn’t able to study, Holden. And it was because we didn’t have the opportunity to do so. Angela is going to get that opportunity.”
A smiling baby girl | Source: Midjourney
“Okay, Caroline,” my husband said. “You start it now, and I’ll add to it in a year. The house will be paid off, and I’ll be able to put that money into the fund.”
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Taylor Swift Apologizes to Fans: ‘I Didn’t Know Endorsing Kamala Would Be Such a Buzzkill’
Pop sensation Taylor Swift publicly apologized to her followers, acknowledging that she had greatly miscalculated the backlash following her recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. The move has left both Swifties and political junkies stunned. Given her previous vocal political positions, Swift’s statement that surprised many was, “I didn’t know endorsing Kamala would be such a buzzkill.” Swift appears to be discovering the hard way that combining politics and music doesn’t always make for a harmonious blend.
Swift has positioned herself as a supporter of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and social justice for many years. Some have praised and others have attacked her progressive credentials, but up until now, she has been able to successfully negotiate the turbulent waters of public opinion without alienating her audience. Swift is already rushing to repair significant damage after it seems that a sizable portion of her fan base is offended by her recent support of Kamala Harris for president.
With a well-meaning Instagram post, it all began. In keeping with her trademark approach, which included tasteful wording, subdued lighting, and a picture-perfect cup of coffee in the background, Taylor Swift backed Kamala Harris, hailing the vice president as a “champion for women and justice.”
Swift said, “I believe in Kamala Harris,” pleading with her millions of fans to back the vice presidential candidate in the next election. As predicted, the post received millions of likes in a matter of hours. However, Swift was unprepared for the storm of criticism that followed, which came from her own followers.
Fans who were dissatisfied, incensed, and even heartbroken promptly left comments. One fan wrote, “When I became a Swiftie, I didn’t sign up for politics.” One more person said, “I adore your music, but this? This is excessive.
Some were less forgiving of Swift, even as many applauded her for utilizing her position to push for change. It turns out that some of Taylor’s followers were not happy with her endorsement, and they expressed their disapproval. Swift felt as though her ideal PR opportunity had vanished out of the blue.
Swift, who is normally so poised and collected, seems taken aback by the ferocity of the criticism. Thus, in an attempt to right the wrong, the singer released a self-aware and regretful statement.
“I apologize, everyone, I really had no idea that supporting Kamala would be such a downer,” Swift said in a video that was uploaded to her Instagram story. “I believed that everyone here shared our commitment to justice for everyone, women supporting women, and other positive ideas. However, I suppose that wasn’t what everyone wanted to hear from me.
Despite being playful and informal, the apology was obviously an attempt to win back some of the supporters she had offended with her political post. Although Swift is adamant about her support for Harris, she conceded that not everyone looks to her for political analysis. Swift remarked, seeming bashful, “You come to me for empowerment anthems, breakups, and love songs.” “I understand. I went too far.
Some fans were understanding of Swift’s effort to heal the rift, but others weren’t as kind. One former admirer wrote, “Too little, too late,” and said that Swift’s apology seemed “disingenuous.” Nevertheless, a lot of people applauded the pop singer for admitting her discomfort and trying to make apologies.
The apology itself seems to add further fuel to the flames. Swifties, who have always taken great satisfaction in their steadfast devotion to the singer, discovered that they might be divided into two groups: those who welcomed her apology and others who thought she had betrayed them by entering the political sphere through their beloved music.
One devoted follower said, “I’m glad Taylor’s owning up to her mistake.” She is human, and everybody make mistakes occasionally. She is still one of the greatest artists of all time, regardless of this.
For some, though, Swift’s apology fell short. Another admirer who has since stopped following Swift on social media stated, “She can apologize all she wants, but she’s lost me.” “I just want to listen to her music and not have to hear about politics.”
Swift’s apologies appeared to some to be an attempt to retrace her steps without completely withdrawing her support. Swift has made it apparent that she still supports Kamala Harris, despite the fact that she is now aware of the negative effects of her political stance. Swift declared, “I’m not withdrawing my support for Kamala.” But I apologize if it caused discomfort for a few of you. I never intended to do that.
Swift is hardly new to controversy, but it seems that this most recent incident has caused her to consider the difficult balancing act between her career as a pop singer and her advocacy for political causes. She apologized, acknowledging that she might have miscalculated the desire for political endorsements among her audience.
Swift stated, “Maybe I should keep in mind that not everyone comes to me for that. I’ve always believed in standing up for what I believe in.” It’s acceptable if some of you just want to groove to “Shake It Off.” I swear I’ll resume creating the songs you enjoy.
Swift is obviously attempting to balance upholding her morals with admitting that she might have gone too far in fusing her private life with her public persona. She said, “I’ll definitely think twice before making a political post again.” “I never want to cause alienation among my fans.”
What next steps does Taylor Swift take? Although it’s unlikely that this incident will have a major negative impact on Swift’s career, it’s obvious that she has gained important insight into the dangers of combining politics with entertainment. Swift’s apology may be a step in the right direction toward striking a balance between her private convictions and her public persona as a global pop icon in a world where every action made by celebrities is closely watched and analyzed by the public and the media.
Swift is getting back to what she does best for the time being: music. She hinted that the universal themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery would take center stage on her upcoming album instead of the challenges facing the entire world. She chuckled, “I think we all need a break from the heavy stuff.” “I swear, my next album will not feature any political content at all.”
It remains to be seen whether Taylor Swift’s apology can heal the split with her fan base, but one thing is certain: she is back in damage control mode and eager to put the politics behind her and focus on her music, which is what initially made her a success.
Ultimately, Swift may have needed to tell her most devoted Swifties that her endorsement of Kamala Harris was a “buzzkill” for them. After all, even famous pop stars occasionally misjudge the situation.
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