Everyone around her was full of colors. Girls her age had beautiful black, brown or blonde hair.
The sun was her enemy and the moon which brings darkness haunted her. She was surrounded by many myths and was called a devil.
Many gazed at her with fascination, some with astonishment, some with disgust, everyone gazed at her differently.....
Yes, she was, is and will always be different...
Yes, she is an 'albino'.
It was early morning she was a normal 15 years old girl.
After getting freshen up she ran downstairs..
"Mom, I'm getting late for the school.. Christy must be waiting for me... Hurry and bring the breakfast please." Autumn said.
A girl who had skin as white as snow and blue eyes with a hint of red. Her smooth and long white hair that flow down to her waist with Blunt Bangs. She had a cute and loveable face.
"Wait up.. Your little brother is also coming down... You should have breakfast together." Mom said.
Someone came rushing down from upstairs, the room right across Autumn's room.
It was her little brother. Alex Lee was in the Ressa elementary school, in grade 5 and Autumn was in grade 9, in Rihita High school. He was 11 years old.
" Mom... Do I really have to eat sitting right next to her.. My entire day will become full of misfortunes." Alex said as he saw her elder sister Autumn.
He was full of contempt, it was clear by the way he was looking at her that he doesn't like her.
"Alex, she is your elder sister.. Don't talk like that." Mom said trying to coax him.
"Have your breakfast quickly... You both are running late." Mom said.
"Argh! Fine... I'm running late today but next time I will have my breakfast alone." Alex said irritatingly.
Autumn was silent the entire time. She was already used to this.
Her parents were supportive but somewhere they were conscious of the society. They were somewhere somewhat embarrassed.
'Alex was a nice child when he was little but as he grew up his friends started to bully him and teased him for being my brother. He use to come back home every time, crying and because of that he started hating her. He blamed her for being his sister, he was always ashamed of introducing Autumn as his elder sister. That was the reason why he was more than happy when we moved. He was only 3 at that time. I don't blame him because he is a little boy who use to get bullied because I am his elder sister. ' Autumn thought.
She had her breakfast quietly and left. Her neighbour was her only friend. Her name was Christy Seo. Since they moved here Christy was the only person who was good to her and slowly they became friends.
She was a good looking girl with black hair and brown eyes.
" Hey Autumn.... What took you so long? We are late.. Let's hurry up or we will miss the last bus..." Christy said.
" Autumn... Don't forget your umbrella." Her mother shouted through the main door.
Autumn didn't said anything but nodded after opening the umbrella.
"Oh! Slept late last night.." Autumn replied.
As she walk down the street everyone's gaze turned to her. She was accustomed to their gaze. She walked with confidence along with Christy. Although it was still uncomfortable people gawking at her but she was strong enough to embrace herself as she was.
Her parents and Christy always use to suggest her to wear contact lenses or to dye her hair but she always turned blind eye to those suggestions. She knew she was different but she didn't wanted to hide herself.
* - - Rihita high school - - *
It was her first day in grade 6, she was only a year away from being a middle schooler. She never let her to be consumed by useless thoughts, because of this she spent her free time studying, reading novels or drawing things. She never once draw a living thing, all she ever draw were lifeless objects or beautiful sceneries.
She use to wear glasses due to her farsightedness which is quite common problem most of the albinos face.
She sat down in the first seat because of her farsightedness. Christy sat right beside her. Christy had a huge friend circle whereas Autumn only had Christy as her friend. She always felt quite envious but she knew that even if she felt that way there is no way she will ever be able to have more friends.
Class started as usual and the homeroom teacher entered the class and introduced herself.
"Hello everyone.. I'm your homeroom teacher Sharon Gu. I'll be teaching you Mathematics... You can call me either Miss. Gu or teacher Gu...." Miss. Gu said.
'She looks quite young... Maybe she is 26 or 27.... She is quite attractive and is unmarried.... She look quite strict will I be alright this year.....' Autumn thought.
She was worried because since she was a child she faced criticism everywhere... Her classmates use to avoid her and even gossiped about her.. None of her teachers ever paid any attention to her.... She was worried but was already used to this type of treatment. These things were like scares to her heart and mind but she never loosed her demeanor.
"For today we will get familiar to each other... Everyone should introduce themselves one by one.... Alright? Then we will start from the first bench..." Miss. Gu said.
"We will start from the boy in the right side.." Miss. Gu said.
A chubby guy stood up. He was my classmate in the previous grade.
"Hello everyone, My name is Leo yang. I like playing video games and I don't like studying." Leo said.
"Hello, My name is Leia kim. I love make up that's why I want to become a makeup artist so that I can meet all the idols" Leia said as she giggled.
"Hello everyone my name is Christy Seo. I like dancing and I want to become an idol and enter entertainment industry."
It was her turn to introduce herself to the class. She was ready for the reaction of everyone.
"Hello everyone, My name is Autumn Lee. I love studying and drawing. I want to become a jewellery designer. Nice to meet you all."
As she sat down everyone began to whisper. It was not her first time to face such situation so she was calm.
'This girl have such a sweet and soothing voice.... I bet she can also sing well...' Miss. Gu thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the students whispering. She could hear everything clearly as to how the children were calling her a white monster, a cursed person and what not..
'This is not good... Students should help each other and be friendly with each other.... May be I should say something..' Miss. Gu thought.
"You want to become a jewellery designer?" Miss. Gu asked.
Everyone became silent.
"Yes Miss." She replied.
"Very nice choice. Not many people go for this career choice."
She nodded her head with a smile. One by one everyone introduced themselves and as the introduction ended the bell rang.
The next teacher was was also quite predictable... He disregarded her.... It was as if she was merged with the background....
Soon it was the lunch period.
The cafeteria was already bustling with students. As always everyone avoided her as if she was a plague. She was already used to it, so Christy was the one to put food on her plate. Then she walked to the corner most seat of the cafeteria and Christy followed her to accompany her but she stopped her from following and asked her to go and eat with rest of her friends.
Christy left without even resisting once.
'Sometimes I find it weird because Christy is never there for me when I needs her. When someone bullies or play dirty pranks on me she is nowhere to be found... It's as if she just disappears in thin air. Just like today she never tries to approach me first, until I do. She always tries to run away from me until she has some favor to ask. She tries not to associate with me in school. I'm not that naive that I can't see that she uses me but she is my friend so maybe helping her a bit is fine..... Maybe I'm just being paranoid.' Autumn thought.
Christy left to be with her friends and Autumn silently sat down on her table and had her lunch.
After they had their lunch, Autumn went back to her class and started studying.. The class was empty because lunch period was still not over yet.
Soon the lunch period was over and classes resumed...
It was time to go home now and Autumn and Christy packed their bag.
As Autumn was walking out few girls walk past her and tried to push her... Autumn realised this and stepped aside before the girl could push her...
'Although I'm used to this, it doesn't mean that this treatment have no impact on me emotional.. I also feel hurt but that doesn't mean that I should get angry at them or shout like crazy... it just make them pitiful..and I'm already used to it so I can say I'm experienced now after so may hurtful experiences.' Autumn thought.
She just walked out and went towards the bus stop... Christy also approached her after parting with her friends.
"Autumn.... You just left like that... I thought you would wait for me." Christy said.
"I thought you were going for Karaoke with your friends like always." Autumn replied.
"Oh.. Don't say it like that.. I don't go always.." Christy said.
"..... The bus is here. Let's go." Autumn said.
Autumn tried to ignore her insecurities behind her smile. She didn't wanted to be suspicious of her only friend. She use to let every single mistake of Christy slide because she was the only person who was ever willing to talk to her.