My Couch Ate Me | Mariah Sturdivant

It wasn’t painful, there were no teeth, no pain, just pure darkness.

As I began descending, the sensation felt like an unexpected and almost unwanted embrace. It was as if the earth had wrapped its arms around me, pulling me closer and closer to its core. The suffocating enclosure made me feel small, well smaller than usual. My breaths were shallow and quick, and my heart raced with anticipation and fear.

I couldn't help but feel like Alice going down that rabbit hole, falling further and further into the unknown. The cold and unrelenting darkness enveloped me, making me feel as if I was floating in a void. Every sound was muffled, and every movement felt sluggish and difficult. I could hardly see my own hands in front of me, but I could feel the rough and jagged walls pressing in on me from all sides.

But amidst the darkness, there were warm memories that flooded my mind, reminding me of my place in this vast and mysterious world. I remembered the people I loved, the places I had been, and the moments that had shaped me into who I was today. Their faces and voices brought me comfort and solace, even as I continued to plummet into the unknown.

It was a surreal experience, one that left me pondering the deep mysteries of life. I wondered about the nature of existence, the meaning of our brief time on this planet, and the infinite possibilities that lay ahead. As I fell deeper and deeper, I felt a sense of both fear and wonder, knowing that whatever lay at the end of this descent would be a new and unfamiliar experience.

As the summer sun would beat down on my skin, the leather of the couch would stick to my bare legs, creating an uncomfortable sensory experience. But to my surprise, in the winter months, the same leather surface would create a cooling effect, making the couch even more appealing. It was like a two-for-one deal, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. The couch was much more than a piece of furniture to me; it was my little sanctuary, my escape from the mundane world around me. As a child, my imagination would run wild, and I started to think of this couch as a portal to another universe. The galaxy-patterned couch seemed like a gateway to memories, and it held on to them dearly. The dents and curves on the surface of the old white couch were evidence of the countless memories that were made on it. The stains from spilled juices, the imprints of bodies that had rested on it, and the marks of scratches left behind by mischievous pets were all recorded on the surface of the couch. It was the perfect canvas for my imagination to run wild, and I loved nothing more than to snuggle up on it and create stories in my head.

Sinking turned me flexible. My limbs were folded into on another. I was a contortionist. I was bending my body to fit into this new feeling. I was going

Down

Down

Down

I was going so far down that it felt like I was going up. My small limbs maneuver through the couch, the uncomfortableness is getting comfortable. I was getting used to being… a being.

As I was settling into the cozy embrace of the couch, I caught sight of a flickering light. It seemed to be calling to me, promising an escape from the comforting hold of the couch.  Euphoria has been reached and ended just as quickly. Suddenly, the couch started lifting me upwards, like it was letting me go. I found myself immersed in a clear, viscous liquid that felt like it was enveloping me in a protective cocoon. Memories of happy times came flooding back, racing through my mind at a dizzying pace. With great effort, I managed to extricate my arms from the couch first, feeling the coldness of the air as the goo clung to my skin. The need for air became overwhelming, making me struggle to pull my head out of the gooey substance. Finally, like a zombie, I crawled out of the couch, feeling strangely disoriented and out of place.

As I stood in my living room, I couldn't help but notice how fresh and clear my eyes felt. However, there was an indescribable feeling inside me that made me feel different as if something had changed within me.

As I stood in front of the TV, I realized that I had grown a little bit taller. The TV screen that used to tower over me was now looking up at me instead of the other way around. I couldn't help but notice that my old favorite shows, such as That’s So Raven, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place, were no longer occupying the screen. Instead, unfamiliar shows were taking up my vision, and I couldn't help but wonder what they were about. I noticed that the TV was tuned to a show called "Dog With A Blog". After a while, the channel changed and a new show called "Girl Meets World" started playing. The name seemed familiar, but as I looked at the actors, they appeared different from what I remembered. I felt a sense of unfamiliarity and confusion, as if I had been transported to an alternate reality. The only thing that seemed familiar was the unfairness of the world, which was mirrored in the parallel vortex of the couch. As the fear took hold of me, I reached for the remote and turned the TV off. My throat felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to swallow. Despite feeling parched, I couldn't seem to produce any saliva to moisten my tongue and throat. It was as if all the moisture in my body had evaporated, leaving me feeling dry and helpless.

As I gazed down at my legs, I couldn't help but notice how much more curvy they had become. They looked more like my mother's legs when I used to sit between them as a child, while she styled my hair. The scent of the hair oil and lotions she used would linger for a while, but it was quickly overtaken by the strong chlorine smell of the pool. The pool, a familiar place where I often find myself engaged in friendly competition with other girls who share my ambition and drive. Despite our similarities, each of us still maintains a unique perspective colored by the hopeful imagination of a young woman. The texture of my hair stands out from the other girls, with a distinct coarseness and thickness. My skin has a dark hue that adds depth and character to my appearance. My nose has a unique shape that sets me apart, with a slightly wider bridge and prominent nostrils. My lips are full and luscious, giving my face a strikingly beautiful feature.

As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but notice that the curvature of my hips had become more pronounced than before. It almost seemed as if they were sculpted to bear the weight of a child. The realization was startling, as my body seemed to be undergoing changes meant for someone much older. I couldn't fathom why this was happening to me at such a tender age. I still felt like a child myself, yet my body was preparing for a role that I wasn't ready for. The unease and confusion that I felt were palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder how this would affect my life going forward.

As my body underwent changes, it felt as though my chest had grown bigger and was now swollen. The sensation was almost as if rocks had taken up residence on the top part of my body, causing my body proportions to shift and become unfamiliar. As a woman, I knew that this was simply a natural part of the transition from girlhood to womanhood. However, it still felt like a sudden transformation that I needed to get used to. I found myself standing in the middle of my living room with a body that had changed in ways I never thought possible, covered in a film that made it difficult to see what lay ahead. It was a strange and disorienting feeling, but I knew that I had to face it head-on and embrace my new form.

The couch was no longer white nor leather. It has disappeared. The once pristine white leather couch seems to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of its previous existence.

 The leather couch that once graced the living room had been replaced with a gorgeous grey couch. Its fuzz was incredibly soft, reminiscent of a kitten's fur. Although it was sad to see the old couch go, it was necessary as it had been messing up the living room's overall aesthetics. The old stains that had accumulated over time were still visible in its creases, and they seemed to tell a story of their own. As I sank into the plush cushions, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and familiarity. It was as if I had found my own little escape from the world, where I could rewatch my favorite memories like a movie. The deeper I sank into the couch, the more I felt myself slipping away from reality and into a world of fantasy. The creases in the cushions became my pillow, while the stains became my cover. The couch was my home, and I reveled in its glory.

The new couch fitted in better. The gray complemented the light hue colors of the living room.  The house felt cozier and new. The addition of the new couch has been a perfect fit for the living room. The light gray color of the couch blends beautifully with the subtle shades of the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The overall effect of the new furniture is an instant sense of coziness and freshness, making the house feel rejuvenated and uplifting.

A restart.

A refresh.

The sound of the leather as I shift my weight and rise from the couch resonates within me, leaving a lasting impression. It's a sound that's difficult to describe but it's as if a marker is being dragged across a dry erase board. As I sit on the couch, I can't help but admire the perfect view it provides of the TV - it's like having my own personal at-home theater. It's so comfortable that it's easy to doze off while watching TV, and it's a feeling that I've come to cherish. The couch has also played a crucial role in my mealtimes, with dishes like saucy spaghetti and garlic bread being best enjoyed while sitting on it. However, it's time to say goodbye to the couch, and although it's bittersweet, I'm not entirely sad to see it go. After all, it has probably been around longer than I have. It's time for a change, and not just in terms of the couch.

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Mariah Sturdivant is a writer from Chicago, IL, and the youngest of six children. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Valparaiso University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Roosevelt University. Her passion for reading and writing began in childhood, and she's spent many years honing her craft. Through her work, Mariah aims to build a community for fellow creatives, offering an outlet where people can freely express themselves and share their experiences. In the future, Mariah aspires to become a journalist, with the goal of having her work published for a global audience to enjoy.