The spacious hallway was desolate, not one soul in sight, as she walked towards her class. Juno knew that she would get stared at walking into class late. This knowledge made her feel queasy. She hated being the center of attention. Just talking to someone new could make her feel close to vomiting. This was her freshman year and because of the constant bullying; she grew accustomed to the whispers and stares she always received. Juno had platinum hair and her contrasting eye color made people think of her as a freak. She was born with this abnormal appearance; she couldn't help it... But others didn't see it like that. Many thought she bleached it and would make up crazy rumors about her. When she was in elementary school people would call her a witch or hag... anything they could think of really... Except Grace...
{Flash back}
Growing up with the constant staring and abusive words Juno had no choice but to take it. Even her parents would barley look at her and when they did it was never a pleasant conversation... She was constantly told it was her fault and she cursed them... That everything wrong was because of her. Slowly Juno began to believe it and when people became physically abusive she barley retaliated. Coming home with multiple wounds that just got worse every day. Without a single word from her parents she became more and more timid. Eventually she stopped talking all together...
Then one day a girl approched her as she sat limply on the playground floor. She picked her up and wiped the dirt off of her and asked her a question.
"Why don't you beat them up too!? I see them hit you every day! Why don't you tell a teacher or your parents? What's wrong with you!?" She blurted out Glaring at Juno furiously. Under her fierce stare Juno begins to hiccup soon turning into a full out cry. "Stop crying!!!" Grace says raising her voice! "I-I- (hiccup) I-I'M... (hic) I-I... (sniffle) S-..." Juno stuttered through her sniffles. "What!? Just say it already! You're so quiet no wonder they think they can do whatever they want!" Grace says cutting Juno off. Stomping her feet as she drags Juno to the teacher. "Miss teacher!!?" Grace yells straining her neck as she looks up trying to meet her teachers eyes. "Grace? What is it sweetie? Do you miss your father?" The teacher asks Grace squatting down to speak to her. "I can understand why... He is such an exceptional man..." the teacher mumbles under her breath.
"Miss teacher is the girl behind me invisible or are you just blind!?" Grace questions furiously. "Do you not see her boo-boos!?" Grace asks frowning with a pout. "O-Of course your teacher noticed Juno as well!" The teacher says nervously. "Let me see your bruises little Juno. Please come over here." The teacher says beckoning Juno closer. After looking at Juno with little attention the teacher stands back up. "Juno is fine she just has a few bruises. Probably from falling and playing to hard." The teacher says not giving Juno a second thought or glance.
"No need to worry Grace. Everyone under my care is like my own children. I would never let any of you come to harm." The teacher says with a gentle smile that didn't reach her eyes. Pulling Grace closer she hugs her tightly. "I'm so glad you're such a caring child. To even go so far as help this... um... shy little girl... you really are such an angel Grace! That father of yours must be so proud! I would love if you would stay after class with you father so I can tell him how kind you are!" The teacher says fawning as she hugged Grace tighter.