Who Am I?

Chapter 1

It was raining. I remember the raindrops dripping down the car window and I used to think they were in a race. Eventually, the two racing raindrops collided and formed a giant glob of water before sliding down off the window.

The very first day of kindergarten was nearing, the drive there was nerve-wracking yet exciting. As we pulled up to the school the butterflies flooded my stomach and the blood rushed to my cheeks. There were plenty of other kids and I was overwhelmed.

My mom and dad walked me up to the teacher and left. I was clueless at the time wondering why they left me with a stranger. The teacher lead me to the classroom where all the other kids were and that's where the story began.

I was wearing my butterfly shirt that matched with my purple leggings. My soaking shoes lit up every time I stepped which was my favourite part. But no one in the class seemed to like my outfit today.

All the girls had their hair nice and straight with bangs and pigtails. Mine fell in curls in front of my face. All the other girls brought their Barbie dolls but I brought my Lego blocks.

At lunch I wanted to sit with the girls but their table was full. I tried to sit with the boys but they said, "No way! Girls have cooties!" So I decided to sit alone on the floor.

I slowly ripped the crusts off my sandwich longing to go home. The other kids were talking and laughing but I wasn't allowed to be a part of it. The tears started to cloud my eyes.

The teacher came to me. I probably looked ridiculous with a bite of a sandwich in my mouth and my eyes and nose bright red. I wanted to go home.

Nap time was next. We got in trouble if we didn't sleep. I looked at the girl laying beside me but she turned away as if she were disgusted by the sight of me. I realized the girls' sleeping bags were pink but mine was purple.

Dinner at home was terrible. Mommy asked how my first day was and I broke into tears for the second time. Her warm arms comforted me as I sobbed into her shoulder.

"Mommy, the other kids don't like me. I think it's because I'm different. I don't like being different."

"Kory, as long as you're being who you are, being different doesn't matter." She kissed my forehead and led me to my bedroom to tuck me in and say prayers.

When she left I took out my journal and pencil out of my pillowcase. I promised to write in it starting this day.

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2005

Dear Diary,

Today was awful. I had to go to school today and nobody liked me. I was different with my curly hair, my Lego blocks, and my stupid purple sleeping bag. Good thing this is my own journal because Mommy would get super mad if she saw that I put the 'S T' word. I hope that the other girls will like me so I can have friends.

Love,

Kory Frey

As I fell asleep that night the wise words my mother had lovingly shared with me repeated over and over again. 'Being who you are...' The unanswerable question was, who am I?