Gen 3- When life gives you lemons...

"Explain to me exactly what happened?" Grandma sat on her balcony, simply listening. That's what I like best about her, she lets me speak...And never interrupts. I let out a large sigh, trying to let all my feelings come out but being me...it's almost a little too hard. "I thought Arley was my friend..." I started, putting my hand up to my hair. "But when I went outside, they all attacked me. It was horrible...When they were done t-they dragged me into the bathroom..." I shook my head, dropping my hand and bowing my head. "They tried to get all of the green out of my hair on their own, to make me 'Normal' But nothing can make me normal."

Grandma patted the seat next to her and waited for me to sit. She stayed silent until she was sure that I wasn't going to say anything more.

"I remember dealing with bullies...My mom was a bully. She didn't do anything like this to me, but I can tell you that I know how you're feeling." I wiped my eyes and looked up at her.

"So I'm not the only one?" She nodded, rubbing my back soothingly. "Have you talked to your parents yet?"

"No..." I knew that this was coming, keeping in the clear of my parents was my main goal for the day...But I'm sure they found that nasty picture that Riley made me write on. I didn't want them to see that...
"Why don't we go over there?" She said picking up my hand and standing up, pulling me with her. I guess this was what was gonna happen anyway.

"Adam...where is she? We've looked everywhere!"

"We'll find her...Don't worry. She's probably just venting,"

"What if you're wrong? What if she's in trouble? I knew those kids were no good!" I heard my mom cry from where I was standing behind the door...I looked up at grandma and she nodded. I pushed the door open and closed my eyes.

Immediately, I felt a pair of arms around me. I kept my eyes sealed shut as my dad joined my mom in the hug. I didn't know what to say and neither did they so my grandma started... "She came to my house this morning...Just wanted to talk." Mom let go when I opened my eyes and Dad sat on his knees, playing with my hair. "You know...You could have just asked if you wanted a haircut,"

Grandma shot him a warning look and I was asked to go to my room. Naturally, I would be the one kicked out of a conversation about me. I went straight to my room without a second word because I figured I was already in enough trouble for staying out all night. I sat up on my bed, sleepily but not tired enough to try to sleep.

It finally came over me but I was soon woken up by someone clambering clumsily around my room. "Mom?" I asked sitting up, but I didn't see my mom...I saw a woman who...looked just like me. She looked up at me, frightened. I had frightened her? How did she get in here? "Who are you?" I asked, climbing down the ladder.

"Ande, you don't even have to ask that." She said, continuing her rummaging around my room. "I'm you...Just older. You'll see, someday." I watched the older me sift through things.
"Are you looking for something?" I felt timid, as if standing in front of an older me should scare me...She shook her head.

"Just one thing...Mom is your friend. Treat her well." She pulled a book close to her chest and added "Oh, and don't let those big ol' bullies pick on you. You're much stronger than they are." with that, she disappeared right in front of me...Left me gaping. As soon as she was gone...I climbed up to my bed, convinced that it was a dream and I was going insane.

I was woken with a jolt, my dad was carrying me to his room so that I could sleep in his bed. I didn't understand but I didn't care when he laid me down and tucked me in, saying "I love you, sweetie." and kissing my forehead before closing the door slowly and joining my mom outside. I kept my ears open but my eyes closed.

"She's fast asleep..." I heard my dad whisper over Eden's giggling. "Your dad brought in the new bed and the paint..."

"Do you think she'll like it?" My mom asked, tenseness overtaking her voice.

 "I think so. She's had a tough time...She deserves a surprise."

heard at least 5 people moving around the room, and then aunty Nessa started to talk. "Tell me again what happened?" I heard the old sofa creaking as she sat down on it. "Bullies were picking on her.." Grandma said quickly while opening the door to let grandpa in with what sounded like something heavy. Another voice that I didn't recognize started to speak, a high pitched voice and when mom said "Li, could you get the pie out of the oven?" I knew that it was the aunty Liana that mom always talks to on the internet.

The bustling and moving around didn't bother me, I like the sound of people, It makes me feel less alone than I already do. I heard my door creek open and I'm almost sure that they were redoing my room. But I couldn't make assumptions just yet. They could be adding on a room for Eden, their wonder child. The one who never gets in trouble or is too pretty to be picked on. But then again, she is just a toddler.

The bedroom door cracked open and I saw a bright pair of eyes peek through the door and then a bit of pink/red hair falling over her shoulders. Then, behind Liana came two people that I knew very well...Of course, Vanessa, Kalyn and Liana were raiding my peacefulness. I pretended to be asleep when Liana crashed next to me while 2 more people were joining in. Dawn and Frella followed afterwards. "Wake up, Ande!" Vanessa cried, shaking me to a point that I couldn't keep my eyes closed.

"Why are you sleeping in here when you could be in your room?" Aunt Kalyn added, pointing to my room. "You know, you have some pretty awesome parents for doing that for you!"

"Doing what?" I yawned, pulling the blanket over my head to block out the blinding light. "YOU HAVE TO COME LOOK TO FIND OUT!" They all squealed at once, I could combust right around now and I wouldn't even mind. Oh how I hate being the center of everyone's attention. But I was dragged to my room anyway and about cried in the process...

I had never seen something that screamed ANDE as much as this room does...The walls were black with white spiral decoration and the rug on the floor matched perfectly...Along with the bedspread and everything else sitting around the room. It was a room for a teenager. So, imagine my confusion when I looked up at mom and she just smiled and pushed me forward into the room.

"Why'd you do this?" I asked, fighting hard to keep my feelings towards my mother bottled up by biting my lip. I want to show her that I'm grateful...I want to show her that I love her and that I'm sorry for treating her the way I have...But I don't know how. I've been so locked up inside myself that even showing the slightest compassion for my mother was harder than anything I've ever done. But I tried, so hard that it almost hurt. And a simple hug and a "Thank you!" Was just enough for her.

I looked around the room and wondered what their minds were focused on while decorating this room...They took every component of everything that ever made me happy and put it all in one place. My mom left the room and I looked around, alone and in this beautiful room...It, to me was almost like heaven. Besides the thought that school starts for me tomorrow...I was perfectly happy.

I climbed onto the bed and was encased in perfectness...The covers were silk and made me feel amazing. I fell straight to sleep and dreamed forever about what would happen tomorrow...at my very first day of school. I, Ande Langly...am scared.

 ********************************

When the morning rolled around, I pushed myself up on my bed as the sun peeked under the door and slid all over the floor. I looked all around the room, pulling myself out of my bed and stepping on the cool floor.

About 10 minutes later, I was dressed, ready for school, and talked to by my mom about "Being nice to the other kids, even if they pick on you."

 My dad sat up to the table with me, watching me. "When you come home, we'll do something together." I stared at him. "What kind of something?"
"Oh, something."

I heard my mom yell at me from where she was waiting outside to take me to school...Here we go...I'm ready to rumbah.

Mom dropped me off at the foot of the stairs with a quick hug, goodbye, and "I love you sweetie!" and I was off, slinking up the stairs with my eyes on my feet...Hoping for a good day.
But, not paying attention to whats in front of you is never really a good idea...I soon found myself facing the back of a girl my age wearing a hat. Great...its time to find out if I'll ever have any friends in this place.

The girl whipped around and stared at me, a blank but scared look on her face when she said, just loud enough for me to hear "Don't hurt me." I raised my eyebrow and stepped just a tiny bit closer, holding out my hand and saying "I'm Ande. I won't hurt you."
Reluctantly she grabbed my hand and shook it once "Aphrodite." She let go and looked me up and down, when I noticed a short lock of purple hair falling down her forehead.

"What color is your hair?" I asked, pushing my hand into my pocket and honestly feeling bad for this girl...I knew her position though...she reached to her hat, pulling it down, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. "Why do you care?" the scared expression she had on her face kinda broke my heart a little..."I'm guessing that you've met Riley too?" She nodded...I bit my lip and continued trying to converse with this girl..."What do you say we walk to class together?"

"Good morning kids!" The 5th grade teacher (Who happens to be Riley's mom) said, writing her name on the board. "I'm Mrs. Goodman. I know that summer is really close so this will be a very short school year but we might as well get started..." I heard people snickering from behind where Aphrodite and I were sitting.

"Looks like the two freaks have made friends with each other." Riley sneered to Jessica.

"They can't help it...Dorks attract!"

Another round of snickering broke out, but I held my head high and pulled through the best I could...Aphrodite on the other hand...didn't take it quite as well...Tears started to form in her eyes as Riley came in again.

"Who knew that purple and green could look so gross together."

The room was silent and Mrs. Goodman just watched...Seeing just how terrible her own daughter is.

I know that bullying is a very touchy subject...but fact is, there is nothing funny about it. Bullies can cause kids and teenagers to do some pretty drastic things to themselves and it is real. Take bullying seriously people...it needs to stop NOW.

Thanks for reading...please leave your feedback and I hope you enjoyed :)