The Different Normal

Peculiar

Peculiar. That's what she knew she was. Quedia was normal on the outside, but inside, she's hiding something. Something she has been hiding ever since she knew she had it. She knew she had to hide it or else people would call the cops and she would be locked up, shipped to many places, and tested on. And she did not want that. It was one of her many fears.

Quedia had abilities that were very peculiar. She could turn invisible, control fire, and make people see things that aren't even there. Quedia kept these powers well hidden and away from the public. It was hard, but she managed to keep them away. But at night, Quedia would sneak out and use her powers just to let go of hiding it. She would make little animals see a little light on the ground and watch them chase it. She would make fire and use it for light in the darkness. When she heard rustling in a bush, she would turn invisible. At this time, Quedia would have so much fun. And turning invisible is useful to her. When she comes back in when her parents are awake, she turns invisible and quietly goes upstairs and pretend nothing ever happened.

Being different sometimes scared her. She thought people were going to come after her and take her away. She thought she was going to be bullied just for being different. Peculiar. She thought her parents were going to want to disown her if they found out about what she was hiding. Quedia was scared that she would fail in life. She wouldn't get a job, no house, no friends. She had suicidal thoughts every now and then, but she was scared to even do it.

Quedia was woken up by her soft alarm from her dreamless sleep, as always. She got up, got dressed in her normal hoodie and jeans, brushed her hair and teeth, and went downstairs. Of course, she was the only one awake at this time, so she spends her time eating breakfast and watching the news. Apparently, more than four families died in the same night. No one knows why but Quedia thought she knew why. Satan was getting upset for some reason.

Quedia wasn't sure about it, but she thought that when good people died, they went to heaven. Though, bad people went to hell. But when people died suddenly, no cause known, Quedia thought Satan wanted more people to torture since the other people couldn't take it and disintegrated. This thought scared Quedia, so she shook it out of her head and got ready for school; the last place she wanted to be.

When she got on the bus, the kids all stopped talking and playing and just stared at her. Quedia tried to be polite and ask for a seat, but all the kids said the seats next to them were taken. Just for their bags. Quedia felt like she wanted to be homeschooled and that she wasn't meant to be here. She didn't fit in anywhere in school and she sat alone at many times. When teachers wanted to give the students new seats, the kids groaned slightly when they had to sit by Quedia.

"Hey, Ghost Girl," said one of Quedia's bullies, David. "How's life for you right now? Pretty depressing, right? Glad I don't live like you do." A few snickers were heard. Quedia just kept looking out the window.

"Hey, Ghost Girl, nice backpack!"

Quedia's My Little Pony backpack was covered with stitches and patches from bullies ripping it up.

"Did your mommy fix it up for you?" David said like he was talking to an infant. More snickers were heard.

"Hey, Mister Larry! I think Quedia's got brain issues!" David called to the bus driver.

"David, don't talk about her like that," Mister Larry replied. "Follow the 'Golden Rule' or you'll be off this bus for good."

"Aw, did you hear that, Ghost Girl?" David leaned in and whispered, "you got yourself a bodyguard! But don't get used to it because soon enough, you'll no longer have any bodyguards!"

Quedia felt a tear threatening to spill over. She wiped it away.

How Quedia hated this life.