People say that I'm as beautiful as a princess. They have even started calling me Beauty. On my first day here, everyone I walked past had jaws that fell halfway to China.
I think they maybe short sighted…
I mean, I always have my head in a book so half the time you can't see my face anyway. I weave through the hallway like some sonic boomerang which means I never really interact with anyone. The teachers say that it isn't very healthy.
But I think I'm well enough.
That means that today I was oblivious to any massive gossip that had the tongues of the rest of the population here in knots. So now I'm very unprepared.
Oh no, trouble approaching. Iceberg dead ahead.
"Hey good-looking". I might be in for chance. He sounds like he's talking to his mirror.
"Fancy a date tonight?" Not the mirror. Okay, just make an excuse.
"We've got that big test coming up so I'll be studying all this week" I say, not looking up once because I know I'll burst out laughing if I see that pompadour. I have pulled the wool over his eyes once again. All in a days work.
I reach the classroom and sit down in my seat. Second day in the year and his bothered me 3 times already. He has got to give up some day. He'll probably set his sights on Cindy next week. Then I'll be free.
The guy next to me is staring at one of the books on my desk. Moby Dick, I think. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. New, definitely.
"Is that a first edition?" he asks. His voice is dark, monotone, and almost sad.
"Yes. My father got it for me" I reply, actually lifting my head from my book. I rarely do that.
I must have screamed loud enough for the whole town to hear.
He was disfigured, almost unrecognisable. His hair covered most of it though it was badly mated and dirty. A true monster.
But his eyes were kind. Beautiful even.
"If you want another book like that, I can lend you one" he whispered. He understood. He was still upset.
"Oh" I said "That sounds great."
He stayed silent until the teacher entered the class room. I was shocked, that was all. I didn't mean it. I unconsciously wrote Sorry on a blank piece of paper and placed it on his desk. He stared at it for a while before scribbling a note back. It said:
That's okay. Most people react like that. About that book, I have a giant library at my house. You can pop round anytime you like.
But promise me this; believe in yourself. You are beautiful, Belle. I've seen what you can do. You are amazing. – Adam
I smiled. I was never, ever going to forget that day.
And I was never going to break that promise.