A Peculiar Beginning

Kiana-

I was lying in bed, and the soft light in the room took me to a dream world where the past came back to me like a vivid memory.

I was standing in front of the packed school's enormous gates as a five-year-old. My platinum blonde hair was in ringlets around my face, and my eyes were a strange shade of purple.

I saw the scene play out. Before I went into the schoolyard, I paused. My small hand held the strap of my backpack. The sound of laughter filled the air. But the laughter turned to whispers when the other kids saw me as the new kid who looked different.

"Look at her hair! Is it even real?" One child sneered, triggering giggles from the others.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, trying to shrink away from the prying eyes. The teasing continued, making me feel even more self-conscious. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was strong and unique. That's what Mum told me.

"Hey, purple eyes! Are you a vampire?"

Another child called out, causing the laughter to escal