When I woke up to the sun creeping into my room like a kidnapper waiting for you to be alone so they could snatch you up, I knew it was going to be a bad day. I trudged out of bed and shuffled into my bathroom. I stared at what I had to work with, my hair was in knots, it seemed like ten more pimples had appeared on my face since last night, my hog-nose was filled with snot from all the crying I had done, and I looked like I had a lifetime supply of bacon and donuts. I gasped at the hideous sight before me. As many times as I'd seen myself in the mirror, I'd never prepared to see myself again. I quickly turned away from the sight of agony and sighed.
"Don't be a coward," I told myself in a lousy attempt to comfort myself, "Just be yourself and get through the day."
I'd done everything possible to make myself look slightly approachable. I'd taken a shower to wash my face and hair, raked through my knots, and tried on the outfit my sisters had picked out for me in an attempt to make me happy, those stupid perfect brats. As I pulled the bright pink shirt over my body I heard a menacing rip, I ran to the mirror to see a giant hole in my new shirt. I felt like crying but I didn't want anyone to hear. I tore off my clothes and threw on an old sweatshirt and sweatpants. I realized didn't care anymore, in fact, I was pleased, it wasn't like clothes would make me any more pleasing. My junior year was here and I knew no matter what I wore or did differently, I would be the most hated, ugliest girl in my grade.
As I drove into the school parking lot I could almost hear the whispers and taunts that would haunt me when I walked in. I dreaded every second of high school ever since I'd started it. In high school, people actually start to care about the cute and ugly factors. Sadly I'd been cursed with an ugly body and face. No one ever had a crush on me, no one wanted to be partnered with me, and no one ever wanted to be my friend.
As I drifted into the school I noticed all the girls wearing their best outfits with their hair done as perfect as possible. This year would be easier to be me, my sisters had graduated the year before so I'd had no one to compare to. They were twins, equally beautiful, everything they did was cute, even their sneezes sounded like little kittens. When I sneezed it sounded like my mouth was crying for help.
The people were just as I thought. Laura Jenkins and her friend Giana Reynolds snickered as I passed them.
"When is that fatty patty ever going to glow up? I wouldn't ever let myself look that fat!" Laura said out loud so I would hear.
Truth is I'd tried to lose weight, I've tried to get rid of my pimples. Nothing I do is ever good enough. Like I said, I'd been cursed with this hideous body for eternity.
Giana laughed, "Hey Maya!" I looked up, "Trolls go under the bridge. Maybe you're better off there so we don't have to stand the sight of you."
I kept my head down and trotted off to my first class.
I sat down in the back of the room and opened my tearing-at-the-seams copy of Black Beauty, paying attention to no one. I tuned everything out and let myself go into the book. I imagined myself as the horse, Black Beauty, running as fast I could away from all that worried me. A beautiful horse, running with the wind in my mane.
I was zapped back into a reality by a crumpled piece of paper hitting my head and roll onto the floor beside me. I looked up to see several faces laughing at me, but they were silenced by the teacher who was suddenly there teaching. I picked up the paper and stuffed it into my pocket, the kids turned back to their conversations after a minute. I undid the paper when I was sure no one else was looking.
You know...Maya's a rare species. Half human, half elephant!
I crumpled the paper back up and got up to throw it away, as I walked through the aisle, a tall boy Dallas stuck his foot out and tripped me, I sprawled onto the floor, leaving the class laughing so hard that some were in tears. I ran through the door and slammed it behind me.
