When I was brought out to the world for the very first time, everybody was in disbelief. Not because I was born, but because I barely looked anything like my parents;perfect golden blonde locks, and mesmerizing ocean blue eyes.
My family was the embodiment of perfection, but I ruined it the day I came out. I was born with wispy dark hair and amethyst colored eyes. I was called a disgrace.
By the time I became 2 years old, I was abused by my parents, mentally and physically. To them, I was nothing but a worthless, and useless, created disappointment.
I became a laughing stock in the neighborhood. No kid dares to befriend me or go near me.
And, I was grateful enough that my parents even sent me to school when I became 5 years old. I hoped that it would go well, but I expected too much.
My parents were far too famous for everyone to hear all about me. There were bullies, everybody disliked me. Except for the fact someone stood up for me, and we became friends and I actually felt protected, loved, and cared for the very first time. but it wasn't so long 'til they were gone as they had to transfer schools.
I've been treated a servant everywhere. By my family, at school, anywhere. I hated my life, hated that it was so suffocating, unbearable. I wanted to end it all.
But, I couldn't. I was too scared.
The only time I could savor a few hours of peace, solitary, and solitude was when I took walks to forests or lakes or beaches at sunsets, social media, and my bedroom. I also enjoy sleeping, just so I could dream of sweet moments that one day I'll be treated nicely, and have tons of friends.
I first discovered social media because of my first friend I had, the one whom stood up for me. She showed me her phone, and when she realized I don't know what that is, she offered me one. I hesitated because if my parents found out, they'll hammer it.
But she insisted, so I couldn't decline it.
She told me how to use it, apps to download, and gave me her contact. When I tried it for the first time by myself, I felt amazed. There were apps where you could do so much stuff. One day I came across an app named TikTok, you could post videos there and express yourself.
I decided to give it a try. I first made my first post by telling everything about my life. Then the very next day, I was brought with a large amount of notifications from the post I dropped. It brought me to tears as I read every word that comforted me, cheered me on, and more. There were comments saying I was doing all this for attention, but people would defend me.
I gained more followers and likes and started posting more stuff and by the time I reached 10 years old, I went live for the first time. Hours into the live, my mother banged on the door yelling, "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO YOU DISGRACE?!" I had to end it as fast as I could but I was too late. She had already broke the door open.
"You.. a phone?. Where did you get that?! Don't tell me.. you've been stealing.."
My eyes widened, I couldn't tell her the truth. I was trembling hard that the phone dropped to the floor. "YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE YOUNG LADY, FIRST YOU EXISTING IN THIS FAMILY WAS THE PROBLEM BUT STEALING? THIS IS ABSURD!" She roared, stomping towards me.
"YOU ARE GETTING A BEATING. AND I'LL THROW OUT THAT STUPID STOLEN PHONE OF YOURS!" she dragged me out of my room by my hair. I cried out, the whole scene was caught on live. "no no no no no no no no.. PLEASE... DON'T..!" I wailed, my voice rasping from tears.
The voices became faint, but screams were heard by everybody from the live, the voices were harmonizing with the sound of a whip smacking, sobbing, and discipline. Live views came rising up, most people thought thought it was just an act. Some felt guilty and bad.
The voices just went on and on. Until it finally stopped. Mother had gone inside my room, taking the phone with her. Father brought of the hammer, and I laid down on the floor. Weak and helpless. My body was covered with harsh bruises. And scars. The pain was unbearable.
I watched them break the phone, it was the only way I could stay in contact with her. But now there was no way.
I reached out, one last time with all my remaining strength. But it's too far for me to even reach. My eyelids were getting heavy by the time, and my vision was getting blurry.
On that very time, I woke up in the middle of nowhere. I stood upon a field. The grass was reached up to my ankles, and it was colored lime green. I was surrounded mesmerizing poppies, specifically Opium Poppies, My favorite flowers. There were many colors of it everywhere.
The Day Sky had the prettiest shade of baby blue, with the sun shining brightly. Birds and butterflies flew across the sky, there were trees, lakes, ponds with fishes in it, empty cottages, and basically everything in nature.
It felt like a dream. But, I felt a gush of wind brush the grass and my hair. I looked down on my appearance, everything was still the same, I still had the bruises and scars from the beating. But something was different—my outfit. I was wearing a loose, baggy dress that reached up to my knees that looked similar to a hospital gown, the only thing difference was the color. It was purple with a dark blue ribbon pattern. The colors are fine, but I hate the way the shades didn't match each other.
My gaze dropped to a girl, she looked young. She was laying down on the field, her eyes closed but she was smiling like she enjoyed it. It seemed like she was listening to the birds chirping and humming and the sound of the gentle wind. She was wearing the same dress as me.
Curious, I walked towards her. The noise of my feet stepping on grass was loud enough to hear. But she didn't budge an inch. I stood beside her, looking down at her in awe.
By the moment her eyes fluttered open and took one look at me, she jumped and we both bumped each others head.
"ow ow ow.." she whined, rubbing her palms against her slighty bruised forehead gently.
When she opened her eyes once again, she noticed me. She looked at me in surprise. Did I look haggard to her?..
"OH MY GOD!." The girl hastily crawled towards me, and I was startled by her sudden loudness and movement. "ARE YOU—" She raised her hand, but I flinched and looked away because of reflex—covering my face with both my hands as a defense mechanism.
"E-eh?!..." The girl let out. my lips were trembling with fear, body shaking, I took one peek to look at her face;all I saw was confusion, and her head tilted. The girl scratched her head. "P-please don't hurt me!.. I'm-.. I.. I didn't do anything wrong!.." I stammered.
"H-huh?! No.. I'm not gonna hurt you! I would never!"
I paused. My eyes widened in surprise.
Not gonna hurt me?.. her words.. or just her whole sentence.. sounds like something she'd say.. but, then again.. most people can say that..
When I realized, she wasn't gonna hurt me—I slowly lowered my arm, and took a look at her. "See? I told you! I'm nice don't you worry!" She smiled brightly.
I was surprised to see her face. She looked—exactly like her.
"My name is grace!" She said. it left The words echoed in my mind.
Her medium-lengthed pink hair and her teal shaded eyes that harmonized with her hair. She even had the same personality as her, had the same sweet voice as her,and acted just like her. On top of all that, she had the same name as her.
It was as if she was actually her.
"What's your name?" Grace questioned. I didn't know how to answer, I just stared at her blankly. "My parents refused to give me a name when I was born, they just call me disgrace.." I responded.
She stared at me blankly.
"Oh.. well is that so? Then I'll call you Darlene! Cute right?! It rhymes with Darling!" Grace giggled.
I felt a surge of emotions wash over me, confusion, surprise, happiness, and an undescribable one. "Darlene.." I muttered under my breath. "Thank you."
"By the way.. may I ask?. What happened to you and why do you have all these bruises and scars?.."
My heart dropped the moment I heard that question. It felt nauseating.
"If you don't wanna talk about it, it's alright. I'll wait for you to open up." Grace pulled me into her embrace, she felt warm to hold just like back then. Just her embrace was enough to calm me down.
Her words made me feel guilty, I don't know why but if I did, I wouldn't know how to describe it. I didn't feel comfortable enough to talk about my problems to somebody face to face. I can do it normally on the internet net, but with actual people?.. nope.
"Well.. My..."
Grace pulled away from her embrace, carefully listening into my problems.
"My parents.. they gave me a beating. With a whip. Because they thought I had stolen a phone.. from someone. But actually, my–" I paused for a moment.
Would she be confused if I said she gave it to me?
"Friend. Gave it to me."
For some reason, I felt like a heavy weight laying on my back had gotten lighter.
"I see." Grace gently squeezed my hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. It felt like we've been holding hands since forever.
"Come with me! I have something to show you." She said, rising up. I was confused, but also for what she was planning to show me. Grabbing my hands—she dragged me to a cottage. Flowers and vines were in every inch of the exterior of the house.
Grace slowly opened the door, peeking inside before opening it wide. She dragged me inside, revealing a cozy and gentle atmosphere inside. I was mesmerized. I lived in a mansion because my parents were rich, but I think this is better than a mansion.
"You can sit down on the couch over there, there's a fireplace near it. I'm pretty sure the wind made you cold out there." She pointed towards the direction of the living room.
I slowly walked my way to couch, while she headed towards the kitchen. I sat down, my eyes wandering the area. The cottage looked like someone had painted a storybook with the low stone walls, a worn, red wooden door with a brass knocker shaped as a crescent.
"Would you like mushroom soup?" Grace spoke, snapping my eyes back to normal. My eyes dropped to Grace; standing by the stove. she stared at me, Arms crossed as if waiting for an answer.
"Oh.. uh.. sure."
Mushroom soup sounds interesting.
Grace turned around and pulled out the required equipments, and ingredients. She poured water inside the pot and placed it atop the burning stove. Next thing I saw, she washed down the frozen mushrooms. Then placed it in an clean and empty bowl.
She inclined her head towards me and walked towards my direction. "What about the food? It might burn"
She rested her chin on her hands, staring down at me. "Silly." She nudged at the center of my nose, "It won't burn yet! I'm just waiting for the water to boil."
"Ah.. Is that so?.. may I ask a question?."
"Go on."
"What is this place?"
Silence.
There was a brief moment of silence. She