webnovel

In The Eyes of the Beholder

Author: Winter_Iris
Urban
Completed Β· 230K Views
  • 170 Chs
    Content
  • ratings
  • NO.200+
    SUPPORT
Synopsis

Kaia Marschall, a mute student of Fanning High is in her final year of high school, waiting to start her university life. But in the world that she lived in, only those who fit the standard of 'beauty' can actually make it far in life, whether they have the talent for the job or not. So people would trade years of their lives just to secure their limited future. Unfortunately for Kaia, she did not fit the standard and she as well everyone knows it. What she doesn’t know is what people will do just to be able to get a boost in life. So, when it was discovered and announced that killing a person will allow the killer to gain that person’s lifespan, she was killed. Only to return to the age of twelve, to the day of her mother’s death, the day everything begun to go wrong in her life, with the chance to change her destiny. Content Warning: This novel contains graphic depictions of violence and discussions of suicide and self-harm.

Tags
2 tags
Chapter 1Prologue

"I'm so excited!" Kaia signed with her fingers. Her dark brown hair danced in the wind as she twirled, blue dress swaying with her every movement.

She is going to turn nineteen in just a few minutes and with the letter from her dream university in hand.

She was at the rooftop with her friend, Dawn, who also got her letter from the same university. They promised to open it together on her birthday. So they went to their favourite hangout that night, an unfinished building in the corner of the city.

"Careful! You'll fall off." Dawn grabbed on to her arm just as she teetered off the edge.

"Sorry." She signed. "I'm just too excited."

"Me too . . . Hey, remember the announcement they made throughout the town today?" Dawn asked, sitting down on the edge of the concrete building, overlooking the town. She stared at the giant holographic clock that hung over the town.

"Which one?" She signed, sitting beside her.

"The one about how a person can get another's lifespan if they killed them."

"Oh~ That. You believe it?" She asked, teasingly.

"No! I mean. Wouldn't that be kind of neat? That way you have a longer lifespan and can use it to improve yourself without losing that much of your lifespan."

"Even if it is true. Will you be okay killing someone?" She asked, thinking about it.

"What about you? From what people have been saying, don't you want to change?" She pointed to her friend's face, irritated.

Kaia touched the lumps that covered her entire face, smiling a little. "No. Not really. Mum always told me that this is what made me beautiful, so I don't want to change."

"How many people are saying that to you now?"

The smile on Kaia's face faltered. Ever since the death of her mother, her good-for-nothing father has been anything but helpful. Her mother only ever saw her face as beautiful, while everyone else around her made fun of her for it all her life.

She got glances from people wherever she went. Some pitied her. Others became happy after seeing her. Worst were the people that believed that she required fixing, so they take it upon themselves to 'encourage' her to get her face altered.

"Apart from being mute, she also has to look like that."

"How does someone as naturally beautiful as he mother was, give birth to someone like her?"

"It will take more than forty years of her life to make her attractive. But isn't it better lose some of your life, rather than living . . . like that?"

But her mother's words always ring in her head.

"Beauty is only skin deep, what makes people like you is your personality."

"Your face will fade one day. What will you have then?"

So while everyone else became busy fixing their outward appearance, she worked inwardly, securing one of the highest scores in the Eastern Hemisphere. She survived only because of the scholarships she got, but even then, she was never given the spotlight. Her pictures remained blank, with just her name there.

The higher she went into classes, the more she couldn't recognize her classmates, even if they knew each other from kindergarten. At first, it was subtle changes on their faces; a mole they didn't like or their hair colour. Then by the tenth standard, they altered their face structures and even eye colour, body shapes, and skin tone.

They were exchanging years of their life for opportunities and she really couldn't judge them for that. She, herself, lost more and more opportunities every year because they didn't want her to be the one representing her school.

That didn't bother her much at first, as she held her mother's words very dearly, seeing the truth in them. But now, she wasn't so sure.

Years of everyone telling the same thing to her, that she wouldn't make it out there if she didn't do anything about her appearance slowly seeped into her subconscious.

She worried if what her mother had said was true or not because only those that were attractive got it all. No matter how hard she worked, she was pushed to the back.

But Dawn saw past her appearance and accepted her for who she was, so that gave her hope that there are more people like Dawn and, maybe, like her too. She just had to find them.

Kaia smiled again, "I don't mind. Anyway, I'm not going to kill someone just to be able to change my face."

"That sounds so much like you." Dawn laughed bitterly. "Even with all you've been through, you stayed the same. I didn't care at first either, but I've ready lost five years of my life just fixing up this face and it's still nothing compared to those living in the main city."

"What? You have a beautiful face and you've got something most people don't have - a beautiful soul." When Dawn didn't respond, she continued, "To be honest, many times I think of it . . . changing my appearance that is."

"You expect me to believe that? Aren't you miss 'appearance fades with time, so why change'?" She scoffed at her.

"I guess so. But right now, I've gotten the letter from my dream college and I have the nicest friend I could ever ask for. My life is complete. Mostly because you're in it." She beamed.

I just wish they were here too.

"Yeah. Just stay as you are. I hope you never change." Dawn said just as the clock chimed.

"It's midnight!"

"Happy nineteenth birthday!" Dawn embraced Kaia and gave her a box.

"What is it?"

"Open it!"

With unsteady hands, she pulled the ribbon away and opened the box to see a variety of cookies, neatly arranged by type.

Kaia gasped. "You made all these? For me?"

"Of course. Try one! Choco chip cookies are your favourite." Dawn took a cookie and held it in front of Kaia's lips.

Kaia took a big bite of the cookie, savouring the chocolate and the texture of the dough as it melted in her mouth. She makes really good cookies.

Though not as good as . . .

She shook her head, she could think of that later on.

"Oh! Do you know? You should open a bakery!" She signed, chocolate staining the side of her lips. "I can help."

"Maybe." She laughed and wiped the corner of her mouth. "Come, let's open our letters."

"Ok." She covered the box again and placed it just beside her. "Ready?"

"Aren't you worried that you might not get in? Since, you know . . . you're-" Dawn suddenly asked.

"Not really. This university says that they base their students on their abilities, not their appearance. The question should be on why they chose to send it through the mail."

"But they asked for a picture. And I think they still want to be a little old school.

"Don't all institutes do that? It is exciting to get a letter in the mailbox though."

". . . Yeah. Ok, let's open. In the count of three. One. Two. Three."

They ripped the envelope open and took out the letter, reading it with bated breath.

Kaia's face fell after reading the letter, she turned to Dawn whose face lit up, then became solemn.

"So?" She signed.

"I . . . I think I got in." Dawn jumped to her feet, holding the letter close to her chest. But she still looked a little uneasy. "What about you?"

"I didn't." Kaia grinned, showing her letter. "They said that I didn't meet the 'required' qualifications."

Dawn hung her head, looking over the ledge to the city below them. At this time, it looks like the town is deserted.

"But don't worry, I'll come up with something. It's so good that you got in. Congratulations!" She clapped her hands together.

When she still didn't respond Kaia tapped on her shoulders.

"Are you ok?" Kaia asked as she stumbled a little in her step almost slipping off the edge again.

Dawn quickly grabbed her by her shoulders, squeezing them. "Thank the heavens!" She looked up at her grinning.

"Dawn?" Her vision blurred as she tried to steady herself, she is still a little at the edge and with Dawn's iron grip, and she couldn't push her away. She felt a little scared of her at the moment.

"You have been so painfully optimistic that I began to worry that you might get in. But just as I predicted, you didn't. Not with that face of yours anyway." She began murmuring away, completely oblivious to Kaia's position at the moment.

Kaia blinked her eyes, unable to keep them focused when everything around her was spinning. She was too close to the edge.

"Everyday people asked why I am friends with you and no matter how much I tried to push you away, you wouldn't go away. Still coming to me even if I don't talk to you for months. How dense could you have been?"

She pushed her closer and closer to the edge as she continued to talk. "What are y-?"

"No! I had to learn sign language; because of you. People ostracized me; because of you. And you. You wouldn't leave me alone. They all associated me with you because of how much you stuck by me. Even after I used ten years of my life to look like this, you were still there."

"Dawn. I had no idea what you-"

"Of course you don't! It's always been only about you! That's all you ever focused on! Do you know how frustrating it is to see the ugly outcast still able to get the highest marks in the entire Eastern Hemisphere? While I was . . . just there."

"Dawn. I am so sorry. I didn't know you had to suffer this much because of me. Let's get off this ledge and talk about it calmly, ok?" Kaia blinked her eyes, trying to see past the black spots that took over her vision.

"This time . . . This time! I beat you! Me! I did that!"

"That you did, Dawn. Good job." Kaia genuinely smiled at her, but this seemed to only anger her more and something clicked in her.

"Well. I haven't exactly gotten in yet." She stepped back, releasing her grip on Kaia. The moment she released her hand, Kaia felt unsteady as she landed on the ledge on her knees.

"I thought you said that you got in?" She looked up with one eye open.

"I said that but they told me that if I could only alter my appearance a little bit more, they'll accept me." She extended her hand to Kaia, helping her up.

"That's ridiculous." She leaned against Dana's shoulder, eyes heavy-lidded.

"I know right? Still, I want it so badly. So I've come up with a solution?"

"So soon." She used her free hand to touch her forehead, everything felt like she was underwater.

"Yup. Since I made your miserable life complete, you wouldn't mind right?"

"Wha-"

Before she could comprehend anything she felt a push and in a second, she was falling off the ledge.

"Weren't the cookies tasty?"

The last thing Kaia saw was the brilliant lights twinkling from her little town. The town that rejected her existence, how could it look so pretty right now?

At least she'll get to see them again now.

She gave a bitter smile as her head collided with the pavement.

You May Also Like

Mr. President: You Are The Daddy Of My Triplets

"M... Marissa! Are they my kids?" Rafael's eyes weren't moving away from the adorable kids' faces. "No, Rafael. They are not," Marissa said with a fake smile, "They aren't yours. Remember?" she batted her lashes quite dramatically, "We were never married!" Marissa Aaron’s elder sister Valerie Aaron jilted her blind boyfriend on her wedding day and ran off. For face-saving, Merissa's family pleaded to her to marry Raphael Sinclair. The irony? She was not allowed to tell her blind husband that she was not Valerie but Merissa Aaron. On the day of Raphael's successful eye surgery, Marissa got to know that Valerie was back to take her rightful place as Sinclaire’s daughter-in-law. Marissa tried explaining to her husband that she was the one married to him, but he did not believe her. Instead of any more convincing, heartbroken Merissa decided to leave the city without telling him, her secret. Raphael Sinclair was the classic definition of drop-dead gorgeous and was the only heir of the Sinclair group of industries. What would he do when he came to know that all this time the woman who offered him, her love and her body was not Valerie but her younger sister Marissa Aaron? How would he react when he came to know that he was the father of the babies Marissa was carrying in her womb? Would he go after Marissa and win her back? And the million-dollar question! Would Marissa ever be able to forgive him and love him again?

JessicaKaye911 Β· Urban
4.6
434 Chs

After Having Everything Taken Away, She Returns As A God

[Sweet, Satisfying, and Passionate; Group Pampering; Torture Casanovas] Si Fuqing opened her eyes to find that her luck has been stolen. Everyone wanted her out of the entertainment industry too. After getting a second chance at life, she just wanted to do nothing this time. Yet, some people who didn’t know their place kept trying to rub off on her fame without any genuine talents to show for. This wouldn’t do. She had to do something about them. Si Fuqing pinched her wrist and took action. After that, the internet berated her for being shameless enough to court Yu Yao, and that her private life was indecent, but… An international songstress: I’m able to stand here today all because of Qingqing. A top-rate male celebrity: Stay away from my sister #YuYao An official international sports channel: Congratulations to Si Fuqing for securing the 13th personal gold medal. At first, Yu Yao paid no mind to Si Fuqing. But when he later learned the truth and regretted, even getting down on his knees so Si Fuqing would look his way again, he could only post a status on social media saying, [#SiFuqing, Hello, Ninth Aunt]. That day, the internet was paralyzed. In the records of history, Emperor Yin rose to fame at a young age. He was perfect, powerful, and benevolent. Yet, he died at the age of 27 due to illness, having lived only a short life with no wife or children. He was an unattainable Adonis for many. No one knew that when he opened his eyes once more, he woke up in the future where 1500 years had passed. This time, he saw tall buildings that he had once imagined before. Shortly after, Emperor Yin’s identity was exposed. When Si Fuqing learned that her idol was within arm’s reach, she was so impressed that she wanted to… Si Fuqing: I’ll work hard! Emperor Yin: Repay me with your body. Si Fuqing: ??? β€˜Here I am trying to work hard, but you want me instead?’ An all-rounder and gorgeous goddess x A resolute and noble emperor From being scorned on the internet, to being crowned as number one while she fought her Adonis one-on-one.

Qing Qian Β· Urban
4.7
1225 Chs

Young Brother-in-law Is Now My Husband

[Completed] "Lu Lijun! what're you doing?" "Shhh! Let me see where that bastard touched you," he tucked the loose hair strand behind her earlobe, "Nobody is allowed to touch my wife." "I..AM...NOT...YOUR...WIFE.." "Dare to say it again and in no time you will see yourself on that bed under me...and I'll make sure, you won't be able to rest for even a single moment, till the morning.” __ __ At the age of twenty, Jiang Yuyan married her love Lu Qiang, an heir to one of the most powerful business families in the capital. Tragically, a few months later, an unfortunate incident cost her husband's life. A series of unfathomable incidents compelled Jiang Yuyan to marry her brother-in-law Lu Lijun, who's younger than her. Her new marriage meant nothing to her more than just an act to protect the people she cared about. She planned to leave the Lu family after Lu Lijun became independent and spend the rest of her life with the memories of Lu Qiang which she treasured for all those years, but that turned out to be her wishful thinking. Her brother-in-law, Lu Lijun, realizes that he is in love with her and wants her to be his wife. What will unfold when he confessed his feelings to her, knowing that she will never accept him? Will he be able to make her fall in love with him? Will her heart come alive again? __ __ Here, you will read two different love stories of the same Female lead as the story has two male leads. Discord link- Given in the chapters. Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mynovel.20/ FB group- mynovel20's novels Note - This is not a translation but an original work written by author mynovel20.

Mynovel20 Β· Urban
4.7
1628 Chs
Table of Contents
Volume 1
Volume 2 :Then What?
Volume 3

ratings

  • Overall Rate
  • Writing Quality
  • Updating Stability
  • Story Development
  • Character Design
  • world background
Reviews
Liked
Newest
Novelcat_Wind
Novelcat_WindLv1

SUPPORT