Tears in Silence

Jared trudged into school with a heavy heart, his small shoulders slumped as if carrying the weight of the world. The usual chatter of the school corridors sounded distant to him as he made his way to his classroom. Today, they were learning about family, a topic that made him feel uneasy.

As the teacher began the lesson, Jared’s mind drifted away, lost in his own thoughts. He knew what was coming, and he dreaded it. Each student would have to stand up and talk about their family, and Jared knew that when his turn came, he would face ridicule.

The minutes ticked by slowly until finally, it was time for the dreaded task. Jared’s heart raced as he listened to his classmates share stories about their loving families. He felt a pang of jealousy, wishing he could have a story like theirs to tell.

When his name was called, Jared hesitated for a moment before slowly standing up. His hands trembled as he began to speak, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Um, my family... well, it’s jus