Jaqueline, By Ella P.

Jaqueline
By Ella P. 

There was once a girl named Jaqueline. She was 14 years old and going into her freshman year. She was shorter than most girls her age and very skinny. She had heard from her friends how much fun high school was. She was excited for a change! What set Jaqueline apart most from other girls was that she was dyslexic. Although it did set some challenges in her reading, it didn't really bother her.

On her first day she was so excited. She had bought a bunch of new clothes the day before and was proud of her outfit. She was confident that it was going to be a great day! In the hallways, she got a lot of smiles and waves which made her feel welcomed and happy. She met 2 new girls in her algebra class and 1 in her art class. She sat with all 3 of them at lunch. As they were talking and getting to know each other, Jaqueline casually mentioned that she was dyslexic. The girls gave her a weird look. "You're dyslexic?" one of them asked.

"Well, um.. yeah." said Jaqueline.

Another girl she had met also gave her a look and said she was done with her lunch and left. The other girls followed. She brushed it off and figured it was no big deal.

On her way to 6th period she noticed a change. No more smiles or waves in the hallways. No one was being mean, but no one was making eye contact with her. She felt a little invisible. Once again, she just assumed people were shy because it was the first day and let it go.

The next day was even worse. People were "accidentally" bumping into her causing her to drop her stuff. She even got a looks from people implying that she didn't understand what they were saying. In English class the students had to pair up and both write a story and have each other edit it. She was paired with a boy she didn't know.

When she read the first sentence of his story it said: "There once was a BOY with a DOG named BUSTER that had a BALL." He said to her "Is that to hard to read? I'm sorry let me help you.. B- oy, D-og, B-uster, B-all."

It made her feel bad. How did he find out that she was dyslexic? She thought "That wasn't even a real story... He was just using words he knew I'd have a hard time reading..."

At lunch she sat down at a table and said "Hey guys!" Everyone just left without a word. She sat and ate alone. She was beginning to think that people hated dyslexics...

When she got home she knew she would be safe from the drama. She went on her Facebook page and found 4 hate comments. One saying "Dyslexics don't belong. What are you even doing at this school?" The 2nd saying "Do us all a favor and go die." The 3rd said "YOU'RE SO RETARDED WHY AREN'T YOU IN SPECIAL ED?" And the last said "Having fun being 'different'?"

She felt horrible. People began texting her terrible things. She was beginning to think they were true. Everyday was worse and worse. She began crying herself to sleep every night wondering if it would ever end.

One day she accidentally tripped a girl who was quiet and never really talked to anyone.

She was always carrying a Bible and wore a cross necklace everyday. "Oh my god, I'm SO sorry!" Jaqueline exclaimed. She help her pick up her things.

"Thanks..." she said softly. As Jaqueline was walking away she heard the girl say something. "You're not alone. I know what it's like to be different."

Jaqueline stopped and said "No you don't... I can NEVER escape it. I'm alone."

"You're not alone. God is with you, and he loves you."

"There is no God... And he doesn't love me..."

"Why do you say that?"

"If there were a God he would protect me. And if he loved me, he wouldn't have made me this way."

"Made you like what?"

"Stupid...Ugly....Dislexic...Worthless.... The list goes on and on." "God made you in the image of him. That means he's in you. And that means you are beautiful."

"If I were beautiful, I would be popular. Do you see all of the popular girls? They're skinny, have perfect skin, have perfect hair, and all the guys LOVE them. And what am I? Nothing..."

"1 Peter 3:3-4" She said. And she was off.

Jaqueline looked up the Bible verse when she got home and it said: Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." It touched her in ways she had never felt. She suddenly knew God was there watching over her. She thanked the girl everyday for a year for what she had shared.

Jaqueline began to pray, read the bible, and go to church. God's love filled her everyday. She also became best friends with the girl who she had talked to. She had finally found meaning to her life. And she had finally experienced true joy.

Though the bullying continued for the rest of the year it no longer mattered to her. She was beautiful, she was amazing, she was with God and was surrounded by people that loved her.

As a lesson to all of you girls out there: God is with you, God loves you, and he made you wonderfully. So don't give up. You're never alone. <3