Silent no More

The first day of school is always the worst, especially if you’re the new kid on the block. I’ve never been good at accosting anyone so I always steer clear. It was a warm sunny day. I gazed at the birds soaring in the sky as my dad went on and on blabbing about how I should pull my hair back and stop being so insecure. I like to have my bangs long, covering my face so no one can notice the bluish birthmark I have. “Good luck on your first day!” Dad said. “Thanks.” I murmured. I walked into my first class trying my best not to look at anyone in the eye. I felt like my heart was pumping out of my chest when the teacher introduced me as the new student. I didn’t know whether she was expecting me to stand up and say something, so I just stayed put. The bell rang and the teacher informed us to proceed to recess. I walked into the canteen and peered at the girls sitting together in groups. I had no one to sit with so I sat in a corner all alone eating my sandwich. Suddenly, I saw a group of girls approaching me. “What do they want from me? Do I know them?” I thought to myself. They stared at me with such intensity. I could hear them murmuring among each other, but I couldn’t comprehend what they were whispering about. I brushed my bangs towards my face trying my best to stay out of their sight. “Those bangs aren’t curtains you know, we can still see your smurfy face.” She bursted with such acrimony while giggling with the rest of her gang. “Doesn’t she look like she fell on her face?” The tallest girl shrieked out of nowhere. I could feel my tears rolling down my cheeks before I could stop them. I scurried down the halls trying to find a place I could be all alone as I couldn’t bear this longer.

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All eyes were on me as I turned left and right trying to get away. I couldn’t stand the pace anymore and I felt like my heart’s in my mouth. I entered the bathroom and banged the door behind me, tears rolling down my cheeks endlessly. Suddenly, a few girls rushed in. they stared at me giggling while my face turned red from embarrassment. “You don’t belong here.” They said. I closed my eyes trying to get away. I could still hear them murmur in the background. Abruptly, out of nowhere, a tall, redheaded girl walked in. I wasn’t sure whether I’ve seen her before or not. She stood in front of me and shockingly, started scolding the group of girls. I could feel a smile draw on my face. I watched this courageous girl stand in front of me defending me although we never talked and realised something. I wiped my tears with my jacket’s sleeve and stood next to her. These words don’t define me. Judging me doesn’t define who I am, it defines who they are. I pulled my hair back and tied it in a ponytail. I stood tall for the first time in my life. After this day, I walked to school every day with my hair tied up no matter who stared at me. These words don’t define me, I am beautiful just the way I am.