THE GIFT - (a short story about a girl getting her first piercing)

The Gift

Emma had always wanted to get her nose pierced, but she was too afraid of the pain and the reaction of her parents. She admired the way it looked on other girls, especially her favorite singer, Kaitlyn Bristowe. She thought it was pretty, feminine, and unique.

On her sixteenth birthday, her best friend, Rachel, surprised her with a gift. She handed her a small box wrapped in pink paper and a card. Emma opened the card and read:

"Happy birthday, Em! You are the best friend I could ever ask for. You are always there for me, no matter what. You are smart, kind, and beautiful. You deserve to have everything you want in life. And I know one thing you want is a nose piercing. So, I got you this. It's a titanium nose stud with a tiny diamond. It's the safest and prettiest metal for your nose. I also booked an appointment for us at the best piercing studio in town. They are professional, clean, and friendly. They use a needle, not a gun, which is less painful and more hygienic. Don't worry, I already asked your parents, and they said yes. They trust you and they love you. They want you to be happy. And so do I. So, what do you say? Will you let me take you to get your nose pierced for the first time? It will be fun, exciting, and empowering. It will be a bonding experience and a way to express yourself. It will be the perfect gift for your sweet sixteen. It will be something that you will remember forever. Please say yes. I love you, Rachel."

Emma looked at Rachel, and she felt tears in her eyes. She hugged her best friend, and she said yes. She said she loved her too, and that she was amazing. She said she was grateful for her, and that she was supportive. She said she was happy with her, and that she was lucky. She then opened the box, and she saw the stud. She said she loved it, and that it was beautiful. She said she was ready, and that she was excited.

Rachel and Emma went to the piercing studio, and they met the piercer. He was friendly, and he explained the procedure. He showed them the needle, the jewelry, and the aftercare instructions. He asked Emma to sit on the chair, and he marked the spot on her nostril. He asked her if she liked it, and she said yes. He then asked her to close her eyes, and he pierced her nose. Emma felt a pinch and a twinge, but it was over quickly. She opened her eyes, and she saw the stud in her nose. She saw her reflection in the mirror, and she smiled. She said she loved it, and that it looked amazing. She said she was proud of herself, and that she was brave. She said she was happy with herself, and that she was lucky.

Rachel hugged Emma, and she congratulated her. She said she loved it too, and that it looked amazing. She said she was proud of her too, and that she was brave. She said she was happy for her too, and that she was lucky. They then took a selfie, and they posted it on social media. They said they had a surprise for their friends, and that they wanted to share it with them. They said Emma had gotten her nose pierced for her birthday, and that they wanted to show it off. They said Rachel had given her the gift, and that they wanted to thank her. They said they had done it to celebrate their friendship, and that they wanted to express themselves. They said they had done it to have fun, excitement, and empowerment, and that they wanted to inspire them. They said they had done it to remember their bond, and that they wanted to cherish it. They said they had done it to say yes to life, and that they wanted to live it. They said they had done it to be themselves, and that they wanted to love it. They said they had done it to be happy, and that they wanted to share it. They said they had done it to be lucky, and that they wanted to spread it. They said they had done it to be amazing, and that they wanted to be it. 💎.

(1) GETTING MY NOSE PIERCED FOR THE FIRST TIME!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj5D4MCgk0Q.
(2) Nose Piercing Cons You NEED To Know Before Getting Your Nose Pierced!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHlEC2Wvwk.
(3) Getting My Nose Pierced For the First Time! *I Was Nervous!!*. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE0ZLnUvSPs.
(4) 17 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Got My Nose Pierced. https://tatring.com/getting-pierced/Fifteen-Things-I-Wish-Id-Known-Before-I-Got-My-Nose-Pierced.
(5) I Did It! I Got A Nose Piercing on Redhead Mom Blog. https://redheadmom.com/2018/06/06/got-nose-piercing/.
(6) Thinking of getting your nose pierced for the first time? Here's all .... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/thinking-of-getting-your-nose-pierced-for-the-first-time-heres-all-you-should-know/articleshow/106330223.cms.
(7) Should I Let My Teenager Get Her Nose Pierced? - InkedMind. https://www.inkedmind.com/should-i-let-my-teenager-get-her-nose-pierced/.
(8) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_piercing.