Blossoming Gemstones

Maiah is six years old and has a stomach the size of a pumpkin. She's always been on the slightly bigger size of things and thought nothing of it until she entered primary school. There she learned that being even slightly different is a type a sin in the realm outside her home. So she decided to stay home, where it's safe.

"Maiah honey you have to get up and get ready for school" the sweet gentle voice spoke.

"Mommy Maiah doesn't want to go," said Maiah. Her mother furrowed straight brows. She was truly a sight to see. With a palm-sized face and bright eyes and cherry colored lips, no one would think that she was a mother. Maiah's mother pondered over what is wrong with her normally obedient daughter, for she is never like this.

"Honey is there something bothering you at school." She asked. Maiah bit her lips, an exact replica of her mothers. Not wanting to trouble her already hardworking mother Maiah shook her head.

"Then why don't you want to go to school, honey?" Her mother asked. Maiah looked conflicted and lowered her head. Hidden tears filled her eyes as she thought of a lie to tell her mother.

"Maiah doesn't like the kids there, they are mean to each other and Maiah is already way more intelligent them the teacher there so Maiah is bored all the time," Maiah whined.

No that's not it mommy, Maiah is being bullied in school. The kids are evil and ruthless, all because of Maiah's belly. Maiah thought these things but didn't dare speak the words in her heart. And so, in the end, she still went to school.

Maiah's school was huge. One of the most prestigious in the county. A large majority of the students there were from noble families so it was a miracle that Maiah was able to attend at all. Her school's mahogany doors were one hundred and forty-five meters tall with a thickness of three men on steroids. Upon seeing those doors Maiah clenches her small chubby fists.

Time for battle, she thinks to herself. Maiah takes small steps approaching the doors that hide endless torment. When she is less than a foot away those heavy doors open slowly. As they open you can hear the bottom grating against the floor.

Maiah watches this and waits until they're fully open, stalling for time.

"Just keep your eyes and ears closed, your heart and feelings locked away." She whispered as she enters the one place she wished was gone.

Maiah crossed the line separating the school from the rest of the world. The moment she does that the doors slam shut with a loud bang. Grabbing the attention of all the students still the school's main hall. Their eyes immediately find Maiah scanning her with disdain all over their faces.

Maiah, seeing that she has everyone's attention calmly does a polite courtesy without any sign of emotion that a six-year-old should have. She then makes way through the ocean of people and heads to her class.

As she walks through the hallway the students make way for her. Not out of respect but because of her weirdness. She was chubby though to them she was like a giant hippo. Her dark skin contrasts to their white one. Her hair, completely different from theirs yet still she was allowed to enter their domain, allowed to wear the same uniform as them. The disgust the crowd of students was so intense that they didn't want to make physical contact with her nevermind looking at her.

With all of this pressure on her, Maiah walked to class as if the burning gazes of her classmate were nothing but air. But even if she ignored them, they would still make trouble for her.

One bold male stood in Maiah's way. Maiah's slow and steady steps stopped, and she raised her big bright eyes which held a leveled gaze. Maiah stepped to her right attempting to walk around him.

But he followed. She stepped to her left but he was insistent on causing trouble for her. Maiah huffed in frustration.

Jeez even going to class is a taboo for me huh? Maiah cried out internally.

As Maiah was having these thoughts the male closed in on her and with gloves on his hands pulled on her tie that was hidden under her blazer waking up Maiah from her dazed state.

"What right do you have to wear this uniform?" He asked indignantly.

Maiah says nothing and stares at him for a moment before lowering her eyes. Seems another hungry tiger is looking for some easy prey. Maiah sneered in her heart.

"Hm? You won't answer-"

"The school principal gave this to me personally. So if there is a problem then take it up with him." Maiah cut him off abruptly.

"Oh, the burnt fatty thinks she has the right to speak huh." The male sneered.

Hearing the jab at her weight and skin Maiah clenched her fists. But even though she felt hurt she still retorted. "Didn't you ask me to?"

The male so caught up in his arrogance couldn't even remember the words he spoke previously.

"Hehehe why would I, a pure descendant of the Orthrus want to hear the voice of your kind?" He chuckled condescendingly.

"My kind?" Maiah mumbled, "aren't I a human just like you?" She questioned.

The male laughed as if he heard the funniest joke in his lifetime. " You? A human just as I? No you are not. For your kind is lower than the beasts we originate from."

Maiah frowned at his words and opened her mouth to question him once more when he spoke again.

"That is your kind, but you, my burnt fatty are even lower than that. Perhaps as low as feces that even the dogs don't want." After saying that the male looked towards the murmuring crowd for agreement.

The students all shake their head in agreement.

Maiah's eyes leave the ground and actually looks at all the people around her. At the murmuring and the disdain on their faces.

And slowly a harsh stinging comes from her eyes and tears finally fall. With her eyes wet she looks at the people disgracing her.

Someone in the crowd of students cries out.

"Burnt fatty!"

The rest of the students copy those actions and begin to chant.

"Burnt fatty!"

"Burnt fatty!"

"Burnt fatty!"

"Burnt fatty!"

"Burnt fatty!"

"Burnt fatty!"

These cruel words echo in Maiah's head. And she commits them to memory at the tender age of six.