The first time Donna Noble cut, she was 16. Her creative writing assignment, that she had worked so hard on, got a D.
Now, she was a fairly good student, not exceptional, but good enough that this came as a shock.
But it was the note that came with it that made it all the worse. I know you can do better. Try harder next time.
The twelfth time Donna cut, it was her 17th birthday. Her boyfriend left her for the most popular girl in school. His parting words: It was a dare, you fat ugly slut.
The hundredth time Donna cut was a few years later. She was 18 and her best friend was valedictorian.
"I'll never be as good as you!" She said jokingly.
But no one denied it.
The first time Donna thought of suicide, she was 20. She got in a shouting match with her mother over exactly how hard she was trying.
The words her mother screamed: "Why can't you do anything right?"
The one time Donna tried to commit suicide, she was 23. She ran away and tried to jump off a bridge.
She never found out who stopped her, but she could remember how thin he was. Not fat and ugly, like her.
The last time Donna Noble cut was the night she got engaged. It's different this time, she thought. I deserve this. I am good enough.
The best day of Donna's life was the day she saved the world for the last time. She was important. She found out that she was amazing, that she was there for a reason.
And then, she forgot.