Ellie sat on the edge of her bed, her small frame shaking as silent tears streamed down her face, expecting her parents to notice her distress and come to comfort her. Yet, the silence of the grand mansion enveloped her, leaving her feeling abandoned and alone. Filled with frustration, she awoke the next morning, her resolve hardening. She hurried into her impressively large bathroom, its marble countertops and glimmering fixtures reflecting her anxious spirit. After quickly preparing herself, she emerged and began her quest throughout the mansion, seeking reassurance.
"Mrs. Laura, do you think I am ugly?" she asked her maid, her voice laced with uncertainty. The maid’s eyes widened in surprise, and in a panic, she stuttered a response, “Of course,” before hastily retreating, aware that further discussion could jeopardize her position. Ellie understood that beneath the surface, the maid was likely afraid to speak honestly due to the precariousness of her job. Undeterred, Ellie traversed the expansive hallways, encountering numerous maids and asking them the same haunting question. Each time, they evaded her inquiry and fled, leaving her to grapple with feelings of sadness and rejection.
On the following day, as Ellie prepared for school, her maid entered her bedroom, carrying a well-organized school bag and a perfectly packed lunch in hand. The maid smiled, but Ellie could sense a lingering discomfort in her demeanor. After expressing her gratitude, Ellie donned her crisp school uniform, the fabric soft against her skin. She felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach as she rushed toward a luxurious vehicle that stood ready to transport her to school, a symbol of her family's wealth and status. The driver, an efficient man dressed in a smart uniform, opened the car door for her, and she stepped inside, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety swirling within her.
Arriving at her school, Ellie stood before the classroom door, her heart pounding against her chest. With a deep breath, she gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight that greeted her was overwhelming: the teacher’s expression morphed from neutral to one of clear concern upon seeing Ellie’s appearance. Trembling, the teacher stammered, “Please, introduce yourself.” As Ellie took in the stares of her classmates—eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and disdain—she felt a familiar wave of shame wash over her. These looks mirrored the expressions she had endured from her parents, and she instinctively braced herself for their judgment.
Gathering her courage, she introduced herself firmly, “Hello, I am Ellie Malcolm, and it is a pleasure to meet you.” Just as she hoped for acceptance, a little girl in the back of the class shouted, “Why do you look so strange? You seem ugly. I will tell my mom.” The room fell into a shocked silence, the weight of her words heavy in the air, but no one dared to respond.
Calmly, Ellie replied, “I was born like this, but I am a human being, too.” The teacher, eager to quell the mounting tension, directed Ellie to take her seat. As she walked to her desk, her heart weighed down by the girl’s harsh words, she could not shake the hope that blossomed within her: perhaps, in time, she would find friends who could see beyond her exterior and appreciate her for who she truly was.
YOU ARE READING
The Accepted Outcast
Teen FictionEllie Malcolm was born with unusual features: she had no body hair, pale skin, and wide blue eyes, which made her seem unattractive to others. As a result, her classmates bullied her, and she felt unloved by her parents. However, everything changes...
