Revelations

Chapter one

Raphael sat in front of me looking like he had simply stepped off the catwalk. He was pure hotness, as always. "Baby, you rock my world! Never have I wanted to be someone's man as I desire to be yours; I'm nothing without you, Harriet."

I slammed the book shut and pushed it away.

I'm not Harriet, I'm Gracie Carteri. I'm seventeen and the most unpopular girl in the world-what could be worse than that? It could be a lot worse. Who was I to complain? I mean, it's not like it bothers me anymore.

I have the best parents ever. Yes, they comfort me with all the love, affection, conversation a girl needs, but at times I just wish I was a part of that clique group, or even a social butterfly.

But, no! I'm just plain old me. I think my only chance of that would be to dye my hair lime green or magenta pink. I giggled inwardly.

Mum and Dad try to comfort me, saying I'm not any of those things that I think about myself; but it just doesn't help. They're biased; I'm almost 5ft 10 with a wide frame; long legs. I have long flowing dark brown hair, but what sets off my whole look is my blue eyes. I have a slight birthmark on my left cheek Mum says I was kissed by an angel the day I was born. Which, if I'm honest, isn't all that bad, but others seem to think I look hideous. It sticks in my mind. So I've gotten to the point now where I get nervous about going out, even just to a shop in case people stare.

Ever heard of a girl hiding away? Well I do, in black normally, hiding in others' shadows. Or I just stay indoors, dancing to YouTube music videos, reading my mountain of books, or creating Gracieland, wherever that may be. Over the years, I've also created a boyfriend-of- the-week system; this seems to work out pretty well actually.

Books are very much my favourite pastime. Imagining I'm the actual lead role in them, but not just any character: the leading lady in Romance novels or the one who got bitten in the vampire books.

I also enjoy daydreaming a lot, making myself look how I want to look to fit in, being a part of something bigger and better.

See, society today assumes you have to look a certain way to fit in. Well, you know what I say when they assume-they make an ass out of you and me.

I turned round to look at my bed, where Mum had neatly folded my uniform.

I had school in an hour, but I really didn't want to go; I was quite happy daydreaming.

I was at a fancy dress party with some really fit guy having a slow dance... A girl can dream, right? I giggled to myself. Life was so much easier when I was a baby or even a toddler maybe.

I never had to worry about trying to make friends or fit in; I may have once had friends, but it was one of a very faint memory if I'm honest.

When I started nursery, it was a different matter. I felt like the odd one out from day one. I was a lot bigger than the other children, so kids noticed, making remarks I never fully understood, but it did make me feel uncomfortable, feeling somewhat out of place. However, nothing I did to try to fit in made one bit of difference.

It never got any easier. I was hoping things would but in fact, it just got worse; the torment and bullying started the very first day I attended primary school. I started to believe the things they were saying, like, "Go back to fat land." Was there such a place? Would I be accepted there?

They would trip me, bursting out laughing with their friends, jeering, making comments like, "It won't hurt you; you'll just bounce or roll." Where did kids learn such nasty things.

I would never hurt anyone like that. It's just cruel. I was becoming more and more withdrawn, spending time in teachers' rooms, or in the toilet.

I never ate at school either, god forbid the reactions or comments I would get. I never made any friends, nor did I want to. I really think it was for the best, no matter how much it pained me to be so alone.