THE DIARY OF ALERO

ACT 1, SCENE 5.

(Alero is seen wearing a long face as she enters the house)

Mrs Williams: Alero dear, how was your first day in school?

Alero: Horrible mum!

Mrs Williams: What do you mean by horrible?

Alero: Mum, it started like this. Immediately I went through the school gate and into the passage, I met these two huge girls a class ahead of me who started bullying me. Then I had a tough time looking for my class. And, as if that wasn't enough, mum. Our history teacher who is very strict called Shilah and I fools because we engaged in a little chit- chat.

Mrs Williams: Is that all? Look, never mind what anybody tells you especially when you know it's not true. You just have to be confident and put on a brave face.

Alero: Mum you don't understand.

Mrs Williams: How?

Alero: I am just too shy.......

Mum: No....... that is not a problem. Just don't be, okay?

Alero: I'll try

Mrs Williams: So, did you make any new friends?

Alero: Friends? You mean friend. Her name is Shilah and she is very nice. She is the only one who bothered to even know a little about me.

Mrs Williams: Well, that's nice. It is better to have one friend that you can trust rather than having many that you can't trust.

Alero: I see how you mean. But, I am very worried.

Mrs Williams: Worried, about what?

Alero: Just look at how most people treated me today. I wonder how they will treat me when they find out that I am suffering from dyslexia. I doubt that Shilah will even be my friend again. I know I can't hide it forever.

Mrs Williams: Don't bother about that, I have told you not once, not twice. What people say should not matter to you; it is what you think about yourself that should matter. You are a brave and intelligent girl, don't ever forget that. And for Shilah, if she is really your friend and cares about you that shouldn't bother her. Love knows no defect.

Alero: Thank you, mum.

Mrs Williams: Anything for my girl, now go and freshen up.

(Lights out)