Story of the day

Dear Diary

My name is Ling. I am not very pretty. In fact, I am not pretty at all. I do not have the best skin. I am short and own a short bob. On the contrary, I own a very long uniform, one uniform. I am what everyone calls “nerdy”. I am what everyone calls “weird”. I am what everyone calls “loser”. I am unlike the others.

Day one.

I set foot today in this new school, hoping that it is a good enough escape from my previous. While walking to class, I watch the strangers and their mannerisms closely, and try to predict if I will receive better treatment here. So far, none have stared or pointed, which is a good sign. I think.

But ah, as expected, things always change when I step into the classroom, because that is when I receive my first stare.

Day five.

The people here are slowly starting to send me signals that they are no different from the monsters at my previous school. They are already coming up with the nicknames, which are nothing like endearing pet names. It is free period. I am secretly overhearing the two popular girls in class discussing what to call me.

“No la, since she looks like her ma doesn’t feed her enough rice like that, we should call her ‘skinny ling’.”

  

“But she very short also.”

“I know, I know!”

I only hope they never come to a decision.

Day ten.

Nobody even knows my name is Ling anymore.  They call me something I do not even dare to put down in this diary. It is like nothing I have ever been called. I dare not trust anyone for fear that they all wear masks and will never unmask. I fear that behind their kindness is mockery and deceit. I have already gotten a slight taste of how that mockery and deceit feels like on day seven.

What have I gotten myself into?

Day thirty.

Things are very bad.

I do not know why they dislike me so much. They trick me every Thursday. I now have more than one “pet name”. I have had vulgarities being thrown on me for being short, skinny and ugly. The worst reason was for being a “nuisance”.

I come to this school looking for change and the only change I get is the intensity of the bullying. It is worse now. There is no one I can trust.

Written by Sharmaine