I woke up and sprang to life, my first sight I caught was of me with old-fashioned curlers in my hair. I pulled the covers off of me, and immediately began getting ready. I took the curlers out and smiled, my hair was perfect! I inspected my braces, only to become anxious on how this day would really go; picture day.
“Natalie, dear, time for breakfast!” her mother sang from downstairs. I quickly, but of course carefully got dressed. My special picture day outfit that I was saving for today was a pink button up sweater, with flare sleeves and ruffles on the ends of them. I also wore a flare denim skirt. In the stylish color of orange. I looked at myself in the mirror.
“Perfect!” I whisper-screamed to myself, marveling at my wonderful fashion sense. I hurried downstairs. On the table was bacon, eggs and pancakes waiting for me. Oh by the way, my name is Natalie Elaine Rae Darcy, yes, I know that spells NERD. Elaine is my mom’s middle name and Rae is my dad’s middle name. How could I help it? My parents both wanted me to have their middle names, and they loved the name Natalie. And unfortunately, my ancestors left me with the last name Darcy, finishing off my initials perfectly. The year was 2001 and I was a Sophomore at the Hart Ridge Senior High. And like my initials say, I am a N.E.R.D. I ate the rest of my breakfast, thinking of smiles and poses that would work best for me. A horrible thought then crossed my mind--what if the popular people would try to sabotage my picture?!? But the thought left when I knew they would be trying to fix themselves the whole day before their perfect shot is taken, so they wouldn’t have time to screw my picture up. I brushed my teeth and my parents drove me to school. I was silent the whole way until we got there and saw everyone anticipating picture time.
“Have a wonderful picture day, dear,” my mom said and kissed me on the forehead.
“We can’t wait to see how it turns out, honey! Have a nice day,” my dad added and also kissed my forehead.
“Yeah, same here,” I whispered to myself.
“What honey?” My mom asked me.
“Oh, nothing, bye, love you!” I said to my parents. They answered with “I love you” as well. I stepped out onto the blacktop, and started walking, with my head up, towards the main doors.
I finally reached the double doors, which seemed to take a million years. I confidently forced them open and stepped inside. The school was swarming with people. I noticed the popular group, and walked towards them. They noticed me and looked at me with that snotty look like they do everyday.
“Oh look, its NERD!” They all sneered and everyone else joined in. I adjusted my brown circle glasses, which were actually quite large on my face.
I directed my face to the floor and gripped my binder even tighter. I sighed, I made it to my locker alive. I looked up, relieved, only to notice Caution tape all over my locker, what made it worse was that next to Caution, it said. “N.E.R.D Crossing.”
“A little…a little immature, isn’t it?” I finally stood up for myself. They obviously didn’t care, and carried on their inspecting of themselves. I went to the bathroom to look in the mirror before I opened my locker; I was afraid a “surprise” would pop out. I had chin-length blonde hair, today it was curled. My braces were your typical silver boring color. After checking myself, I cautiously walked toward my locker. They weren’t watching, so I though that there was no surprise. I opened my locker and BOOM! Paste covered feathers popped out and I moved out of the way just in time. My right arm was covered in feathers.
“Ha, looks like Nerd is a chicken. Baak bakk,” Alana said while smirking. I couldn't help but gasp, and my face flushed red.
"Great!" I yelled, not really meaning to, but the words just escaped my mouth. I hadn't realized I actually did yell, so I kept on with the rage.
"It's picture day, and I picked out this outfit just for two minutes or less of posing, and NOW my arm, my beautiful arm, is covered in BIRD FEATHERS! I can't believe, I just," I stopped, realizing what I did. Every face was turned on me, holding back smiles. The populars smiled, they knew that I wasn't happy, obviously everyone knew I wasn't. But I SOOO wasn't go to let this one slide.
"Ya know what, I have had enough of your silly childish antics!" My face as red as a tomato, I yelled at Alana and her friends. They stepped back slighty. Great, now I was the school psycho! I guess I wasn't quite done yet..
"What a lovely dress you have there, Alana," I smirked.
"Dont...you...dare!" She whispered. But I did. I took my red raspberry juice, which stains, and splashed each and every one of the populars with some of it. Equally, ofcourse! I was just about to go around for another time when Principal Griffins stepped in. I just about splashed him, but my mind came back to reality.
"Natalie, and the rest of you, in my office. NOW!" He hissed out the words, and let me tell you, he didn't look happy!
We all sat down and the receptionist got Alana and her group towels.
"Now, I know we can work this out if we all tell the truth," he began. Mr. Griffins was a very nice prinicpal, but discipline with him was strict, so I was hoping that telling him about everyone the populars have done to me, might let me off the hook...maybe.
"So, Natalie, you first," he said. I took in a deep breath and began. I told them about Elementary School and Middle School, and how the bullying and teasing continued all the way to this day. The day I was hoping it would stop. Alana and the group all looked red faced, well, darker than raspberry, since the juice also stained their face, ruining their makeup...and hair. Wow, I did more damage than I thought. Way to go, Natalie! Alana and the rest all stuttered out buts, and ifs, and ands. But Principal Griffin voted in favor of my side of the story. I had to stay after school a few days to tutor some students, but it wasn't as bad as the Popular's punishment...three weeks of detention, no wearing makeup, and they all had to wear uniforms. I guess Mr.Griffin really did know students. I got picture day, without the glasses, and it turned out fabulous. They did to, but with the uniforms. I made some new friends, and I feel like new. My word of advice to you? Embrace who you are, and those weird initials you have? Wear them proud.
