Mrs. Funny Voice

I wish high school was easier.

Because of my squeaky voice, I don't have a lot of friends. It either annoys them or sends them running in the hall.

My weird voice wasn't an accident. I was born with a vocal tremor that never really went away. My mom and I tried our best to fix it, but nothing improved.

I was at the hospital for two weeks. I never talk unless I absolutely have to. Of course, my peers make fun of me, but what surprised me was the teachers. They also made fun of me too. I heard them laughing in the teacher's lounge one time.

People just don't understand that I didn't want this. I didn't want the bullying. I didn't want the laughter. And I really didn't want the stares.

"Anna!"

My dreams disappeared as I shook my head. I looked around and realized that I was in class, but no one was there besides the teacher.

Oh crap.

It was time to leave school.

I thanked the teacher for waking me up and left the classroom. I went down the hallway to get my stuff.

As I got there, my locker was covered with notes. It was too good to be true If I wasn't bullied, but that never happened.

I would read the notes on the bus just because I was bored.

I put the notes in my backpack and ran to the bus line.

All of a sudden I ran into someone and fell backward.

"Hey, watch it, weirdo!"

I recognized that voice.

It was Jack, my bully, and enemy.

I wanted to say something, but then my voice. It's hard to remember sometimes what's wrong with me.

I stood up, ignored him, and went inside the bus. I decided to sit in the back where I was invisible.

I sat down and sighed. Why does it have to be me? What did I do to deserve this?

Maybe the notes will answer those questions.

Usually, these notes don't bother me, but one note, in particular, struck me.

Anna, I just wanted to say... you're worthless. You're ugly. You're the dumbest person I've ever met. You will never commit to anything, and that is why you have no friends and no one likes you. Go ahead and kill yourself.

I heard snickering ahead of me while I put the note into my backpack. I looked up and saw Jack and his group of friends looking at me and laughing.

I opened my mouth to yell at them but nothing besides air came out. I say one word and they go into another laughing fit. Luckily, there are other ways to communicate.

I whistled to get Jack's attention. Once he looked back I put both middle fingers up. He made an angry face then turned around.

That'll show him.

I took out my phone and listened to some music. As the song played my emotions came into check. I looked at the moving landscape and started to sing along to the lyrics.

Despite having a freaky voice, this freaky voice can sing. This freaky voice can also play instruments. All this love for music came from my dad. He owned a music studio that I loved as a little kid. We would sing our favorite songs and play our favorite instruments.

But one day he got promoted and became obsessed with money. Now he owns a lot of businesses, but I've never seen them in person. He spends all his time at work and never hangs out with the family. I miss him, but sometimes I don't. He's become very abusive and not used to my voice.

Many people need to understand that just because I have one thing wrong with me, it doesn't mean that everything else is too. One day I'm going to prove to my dad and Jack that I can do anything that I set my mind to.

The bus groaned as I jumped off the step and onto the gritty driveway. I got my keys and opened the front door. My home was a nightmare dressed like a daydream. Yes, it was my safe place, but it was also hell. The only thing that makes this place bearable is my mom. She doesn't care about my voice and loves me for who I am.

"Mom I'm home!" I yelled into the dark house.

My mom came in, greeting me with a wide smile.

"Hey Cherry! How was school baby?"

Oh right.

Cherry, my nickname since 1st grade. Mom thought it would be funny to nickname me cherry because of my red hair. I personally don't mind it, but in public I do.

"It was ok mom! Got a shit ton of homework to do though."

My mom scrunched her face. "Language! Have fun with your homework, dinner will be ready soon."

I smiled and ran upstairs to my room. I put my backpack on my bed and sighed. I remembered the notes and took them out of my bag. I ripped them apart and put them in the garbage can.

My family can't know that I'm being bullied. My mom knew it would be too good to be true if I wasn't bullied. I don't want her to pity me. I want her to look at me and see that I can take care of myself.

The time said 7:56 when I finished my homework. Crap, I was going to be late! Because of my dad's stupid rules, dinner starts at 8 p.m sharp. If someone's late then they have to feel dad's wrath.

I ran downstairs, everyone waiting for me to join them at the table. Once I sat down, the conservation started.

"Honey," my mom started to say.

"Dad has a new job now! He'll be working late of course, but at least we can have a bit more money."

My mind went blank. This is not what I wanted. This is just an excuse for dad to not see us anymore! He doesn't care about us, he only cares about his money.

"Congrats, dad! I'm so proud of you," I said, lying.

"Daddy's got a new job? Sweet!" my brother, Sam said.

Sam was young and stupid. He didn't know that dad would be working late and not seeing us much anymore. I hope Sam turns into a good person, unlike my dad.

I can only hope.

I finished dinner and went back to my room. It was beginning to look dark outside so I put my pajamas on. I turned my ceiling fan on and got into the bedsheets. I stared at the ceiling, wondering what would happen tomorrow. I wondered if anything different would happen at school or maybe even at home. I wondered if this was would be my life forever.

We'll see.