DESCRIPTION
With the help of an overweight classmate, an underweight girl finds her hidden courage to overcome teasing and a lack of self-esteem. [877 words]
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Author of over a dozen short stories for young adults. In addition to writing, enjoys computers and reading. Studying for a degree in Information Technology. Submits work infrequently to various magazine markets. [December 1999]
Everybody stared at me as I entered my gym class. I was mortified, but managed to look straight ahead. I could hear a few muffled giggles and whispers. I felt they were mimicking my every move. Then, Sasha, the prettiest girl in school, let out a loud laugh. �Look at Jenna�s legs! They look like sticks,� she badgered. �You�d better hold on to your shorts, girl. They may fall down!� The whole class rolled with laughter. I could feel my face go red. A lot of the kids tease because I�m so thin and underdeveloped. I didn�t even look my age. Instead of fifteen, I could pass for twelve. Because of this, I wasn�t popular at all. Girls like Sasha reminded me of that all of the time. The teacher, Mr. Barker settled the class down as we started our warm-up exercises. I stood next to Marcus. He was one of the few kids who didn�t tease. I guess it was because his weight problem was the opposite of mine � overweight. Marcus looked over at me. �Hi Jenna,� he said. �Hi, Marcus,� I replied. I didn�t know him well, but he seemed to be a pretty nice guy. I watched as sweat dripped down his forehead. He panted as he strained to do a few more body stretches. �Marcus, can I ask you a question?� I asked. �Sure, Jenna. What�s up? Marcus wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. I sighed. �Well, I couldn�t help but notice the other kids don�t make fun of you anymore. What did you do to make them stop?� Marcus laughed. �They stopped? That just shows how much attention I pay them. I refuse to lower myself to people who care so little about the feelings of others. I have too much dignity for that. Hey, I know I could stand to lose a few pounds. I�m trying to. But that doesn�t lessen my self-confidence and self-esteem. Neither does what others may say about me. � �But doesn�t the teasing hurt?� I asked. �No, Jenna. It doesn�t bother me at all.� �Why?� �Because I like myself. I�m happy with who I am and what I am. If you feel good about yourself, it doesn�t matter what others may think of you. Nobody�s perfect, and that is what makes the world so great.� At that moment, �Mr. Barker asked the class to run a few laps around the gym. Marcus and I jogged side my side. �Jenna, can I ask you a question?� Marcus asked. �Yes,� I replied. �Are you happy with yourself?� I thought about it for a minute. �Uh...I don�t know.� I finally answered. �I�m not sure.� �Then maybe you should think about that. Until you can accept yourself, others will not accept you.� After saying that, Marcus disappeared behind the door leading to the boys� locker room. Throughout the rest of the day, I thought about Marcus� question. Was I happy with myself? I thought of some things I liked about myself. I received good grades, I could play the piano, and ice-skate. English was my last class of the day. I sat near the back of the classroom. After I finished an essay on the Gulf War, I watched the other kids. Sasha, who hadn�t even began her essay, peered in a compact mirror as she fixed her make-up. Karen flirted with the boy in front of her. They were so superficial. If that�s what it meant to be popular, I didn�t want to be. After class, Sasha confronted me in the hallway. �Hey, Sticks,� she said. �Be careful before you fall and break.� Her sidekick, Karen, snickered along at Sasha�s poor attempt at ridicule. I looked Sasha straight in the eye and took a deep breath. �You know, I�m really getting sick of you. If you spent half the time on your studies as you do on your make-up, you�d be better off. Your cruel nicknames don�t bother me anymore. You want to know why? Because I�m happy with myself. Think about it, many thin women become models and make lots of money.� Sasha rolled her eyes and walked away. Karen followed like a lost puppy. Someone patted me on the back and I turned around. It was Marcus! �Well done, Jenna!� he said. So you finally decided you do like yourself.� It wasn�t until then I realized what I had said. �Yes, I do,� I answered. Marcus smiled. �Have you ever considered trying out for the volleyball team?� he asked. Marcus nodded. �You get a good work out. Along with a proper diet, you�ll be sure to put on a few pounds. Hey, I may lose a few. It�ll work for the both of us.� �That sounds like a great idea, Marcus! Thanks.� �Don�t mention it. Since school�s out, I�m on my way to the Pizza Palace. I�d like you to come with me under one condition.� �What�s the condition?� �You eat the pizza and let me settle for a garden salad.� I laughed. �You�ve got a deal!� As I fell into step with Marcus, I felt good about myself. My self-confidence was soaring, and I�d made a new friend. I hoped this feeling lasted a lifetime.
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