Hold Your Head High

 ∏ Short Story ∏ 

Is it possible for someone to hate themselves so much that they wish they were invisible to the rest of the world?
That they could just crawl up in a corner and die?
Or worse, that they were never born?

For Elaina Mills, these are the thoughts that constantly haunt her mind. That she's ugly. That she's fat. That she's worthless. After a long battle against these insecurities, a battle that she lost, she has given up trying to deny the fact that nobody will ever love her. Not even her mother, the woman who brought her into this world. Or her father, the man who was supposed to be her protector, her Superman. If her own parents can't find it in themselves to love their only daughter, then what can she expect from anyone else?

Just when Elaina is about to lose hope completely, she meets Connor. The cheerful, good looking, kindhearted new boy who befriends her when everyone else has abandoned Elaina. He shows her what it feels like to be loved and cared for by someone. The question is, is that enough to save this fallen angel?

This story is a message. A message to everyone out there hanging onto the last shred of hope. Don't give up just yet, because you are amazing in your own special way. If life gives you ninety nine reasons to let go, hang onto that last bit of hope for the one reason that tells you to stay. Hold your head high and stay strong.