4 YEARS AGO
Haerin stood at the edge of the schoolyard, clutching her notebook tightly against her chest. The other kids were scattered across the playground, their laughter and shouts filling the air. Haerin preferred the quiet corner where she could read in peace, away from the chaos.
But today was different. Today, Danielle had spotted her. Danielle, with her group of friends who followed her everywhere. She was the queen of the school, and everyone knew it. Haerin had hoped to go unnoticed, but fate had other plans.
"Hey, nerd!" Danielle's voice rang out, sharp and mocking. Haerin's heart sank as she looked up, meeting Danielle's icy gaze. The other kids stopped what they were doing, their attention now focused on the unfolding scene.
"What are you doing over here all by yourself?" Danielle sneered, stepping closer. Her friends giggled behind her, eager to see what would happen next.
Haerin's fingers tightened around her notebook. "Just reading," she mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady. She knew what was coming, but she hoped, maybe this time, Danielle would just leave her alone.
"Reading? Of course you are," Danielle said with a roll of her eyes. "You always have your nose in a book. Don't you have anything better to do?"
Haerin felt a lump form in her throat. "I like reading," she said quietly.
Danielle's face twisted into a cruel smile. "You know what I think?" she said, snatching the notebook from Haerin's hands. "I think you're just a weirdo who can't make any friends."
The words stung, and Haerin's eyes filled with tears. She watched helplessly as Danielle flipped through the pages of her notebook, mocking the neat handwriting and careful notes.
"Look at this, guys!" Danielle called out, holding up the notebook for everyone to see. "Haerin's writing love letters to her books!"
The laughter that followed was like a dagger to Haerin's heart. She wanted to disappear, to melt into the ground and escape the humiliation. But all she could do was stand there, frozen, as Danielle continued her torment.
"You're such a loser, Haerin," Danielle said, finally tossing the notebook back at her. "Why don't you try being normal for once?"
With that, Danielle and her friends walked away, leaving Haerin standing alone, her notebook lying at her feet. She wiped at her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. She bent down to pick up the notebook, her hands shaking.
In that moment, Haerin promised herself that she would be strong. She wouldn't let Danielle's cruelty define her. One day, she would show everyone that being different wasn't a bad thing. One day, she would make them see her for who she really was.
And as Haerin stood up, clutching her notebook once more, she knew that day would come sooner than they all expected.
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Very sorry for not posting for 3 days😿 first day, I went to meet up with my sister's friend with my cousin and brotha, second day I went to SM😭 3rd day I went to Robinsons, again very sorryy
