Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Prologue

Note: This is a late prologue for the story's ending to tie things together 😂 I wasn't originally going to add this, but oh well.

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"Just get him a personal nurse who will comply with everything he asks! He's wasting our time!"

"He's our son!"

"Yes, but are you willing to let go of this opportunity for him? Because I'm not!" His father yelled.

The five-year-old boy stared up at the blank ceiling. He was lying in a hospital bed while his parents fought nonstop— and it was all because of him.

He hated how weak he was.

That afternoon, he dragged his IV stand, the wheels squeaking as he pushed it down the hall and into the elevator.

The boy wanted to go outside for a walk. He wasn't supposed to, but he didn't care. He sneaked out.

Other kids were running around, and he felt a pang of jealousy. How unfair could life be?

He walked on, ignoring the others around him. But then he saw a group of children surrounding someone who was huddled on the ground. A frown creased his forehead.

"You stupid, ugly duckling! Why did you let the bird fly away?" A blonde-haired boy shouted at a girl who was crying.

Another child threw dirt at her, and she covered her face with her hands as more dirt rained down.

The sick boy couldn't just stand there and watch. He yanked the IV tubes out of his hand and marched over to the bullies. He tugged at their shirts, pulling them off balance and sending them tumbling away from the girl.

"Stop it!" he yelled, glaring at the other children.

"His hand!" one of the kids gasped, staring at the blood dripping from the boy's hand. The sight of it frightened them, and they scattered.

The girl looked up, her eyes widening in wonder as she saw the boy's calm gaze and his bright smile.

"You should learn how to stand up for yourself," the sick boy said, offering her his bloodied hand.