The cost of being yourself

The cost of being free

Written by Amira Rose

 

“Freak!” one male kid spat, kicking another one on the ground. Causing the other bullied to roar in laughter.

The injured boy opened his mouth but was unable to speak. He could only whimper to the nearest corner, hoping the pain would stop sooner than later while eyes closed.

“You’re nothing but a joke, you know that?” The bully continued.

 “Nothing!” He screeched before striking the final blow to his stomach.

This caused the poor boy to groan and cough in immense pain. His face was getting more crimson by the second and tears started to run down his face. All the bullied laughed, before leaving the injured boy in the corner. This reality has dawned on him the cost of being himself would lead to being persecuted.

By now, the poor injured boy was covered in dirt for being on the floor for over thirty minutes. To think no one from school came to his aid, only cemented his hatred towards school. Why is no one helping? What did he do to deserve this ill-treatment?

All because he dared to be himself for once in his life.

 

………

 

“Daniel, dinner is ready!” A female voice called from his room door.

The woman named Elizabeth Blake, who is a single mother and works full-time to support her only child named Daniel Blake. They live in England at Thornton Corner Hertfordshire in a small apartment. Unfortunately, things have not been so easy for the duo. Elizabeth’s husband died of prostate cancer 4 years ago when Daniel was only 6 years old. This bereavement may contribute to his withdrawal from his peers.

The boy did not answer to his mother calling for him. Instead, the boy was occupied playing video games to take his mind off what happened earlier. Daniel had to cover his black eye with shades, and arms with long sleeve jumpers.  He just wanted to forget about the bullying he received earlier making his way back from school.

“Daniel, can you hear me?” His mother called again, footsteps now closer to his bedroom. From the sounds of the steps, Daniel could tell his mother is wearing high heels.

“Argh, what now?” The pre-teen thought to himself with annoyance.

Daniel was always careful with his words, especially towards Elizabeth who he loves deep down. Despite being diagnosed with a mental disability, he still wanted to be thoughtful enough to provide appropriate responses accordingly. Unfortunately, this effort goes unnoticed and teachers at his school still find Daniel to be too blunt. Mistaking it as him simply being boorish. 

Elizabeth finally arrived and knocked at the bedroom door once.  “Sweety, are you coming downstairs?” she asked in a gentle tone. The boy had to think about that. Daniel did not want to trouble his mother by the sight of his injuries. Even if he is all covered up, he cannot outsmart his own mother in the slightest.

Finally, the boy has put his game controller down. “Not right now Mum, I’m a little busy.”  Daniel answered back.

“Too busy to have dinner?” His mother quipped back. Attempting to lighten the mood.

Daniel was silent for a moment, arms somewhat sweating and his heart started pounding due to nervousness.

“Look, Daniel…I haven’t seen you all day and you’re acting off. What’s wrong?” Now her tone of voice sounding more concerned.

The boy was still silent.

“Do you mind if I come in for a bit?” The mother asked.

Daniel's heart sank after hearing that. What is his mother going to say? How is going to react to him wearing sunglasses?

“S-sure…” The boy in shades was hesitant with his answer.

Elizabeth proceeded to open the bedroom door to see her only son. Daniel gulped, mentally preparing himself for what is about to happen next. He tried his best to look his mother in the eyes, prompting her to stare back. Neither of them said a word for a few seconds. The mother examined her pre-teen son, questioning to herself his odd attire.

“Daniel, why are you wearing shades?”  Suddenly breaking the silence.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” He lied.

“You know it’s not good to lie, right?” She replied, seeing right through the façade.

Daniel rolled his eyes at that comment, looking away in shame.

The mother continued, “I can tell when you are hiding something.” She paused, noticing something on her son’s left arm, but said nothing. “As your mother, I need to know what’s the matter.” Being stern in her tone.

“But Mum…” Daniel protested, not sure what else to say. Elizabeth tried her best not to interrupt Daniel, so she waited patiently for his response. He still did not utter another word, due to how futile it all is. Feeling no one would listen to him anyway.

“Darling...” She started before sitting next to Daniel, gazing towards him with a warm presence.  Placing a hand on his right shoulder.

“If there is anything on your mind, you can tell me.” She prompted with a calm voice.

The boy gazed back at his mother, who he can trust in a time of need. However, this alone does not take the anxiety away completely.

“I…I…” he stammered, casting down his head in embarrassment. The mother listened attentively, waiting for him to finish his sentence. At last, he found his voice to answer his mother who waited for a minute.

“I was bullied before I got home.” He confessed. Upon hearing this, Elizabeth was saddened by this statement, but unsurprised by the harsh reality. The world did not take too kindly disabled people in general and Daniel, despite his intelligence, is no exception. The mother knew this would happen due to her son’s condition, despite trying her best to raise him to the best version of himself. No point acting shocked when this was present to her since Daniel’s diagnosis.

“I see.” Is all she could say. Processing on what was said earlier. “Does anyone else know about this?” She asked calmly.

“Yeah, but teachers don’t care.” He said bitterly, still looking down.

“Why would you say that?” Elizabeth challenged that thought.

“I told the teachers about the bullies, and they know what’s going on. Yet, do nothing. This is why I hate school. I tried to be myself for once and now I’m getting bullied!” The boy was visibly upset at this point. Hiding his face from his only parent, filled with a touch of anger.  

“I guess I am a freak, right?” He said quietly, internalising what the bully said to him earlier.

This statement caused Elizabeth to grimace at those hurtful words. The mother wrapped her arms around her precious son, giving him the biggest hug.

“No honey, you are NOT a freak. You are MY son who is spiritually gifted and kind.” She cooed, trying to comfort Daniel, which did not seem to work. The boy scoffed at that remark. This must have triggered him because this caused the hug to break up.

“Gifted?!” He echoed, not pleased with that observation. “Does a “gifted” person have people attacking you like this…?” Prompting Daniel to take his shades off, exposing his black eye, gesturing around his bruised eye. He did not stop there, the boy continued.

“Or this…” Now exposing the boy’s left arm covered his bruises the mother noticed earlier.

“Or even this...” showing his bruised stomach that was kicked earlier.

“And yet I never fought back, not ONCE!” Daniel’s face was filled with tears while making this speech.

Elizabeth observed with empathy, attentively listening with a calm expression. Even though seeing her son this upset saddened her greatly, she had to be the rock of his foundation. It is apparent the boy’s self-esteem has taken a toll on him. The mother was silent for a moment, until she spoke up.

“People can be cruel to one another sometimes, but that says more about them than you.” The middle-aged woman stated simply.

“What do you mean?” He asked, inclined to listen for his mother to elaborate.

Elizabeth explained further. “The truth is, the world does not understand special and gifted people, so they attack. This is not a reflection of you, but on their character. Daniel, the fact you never fought back is a sign you are a gentle person. That IS strength alone.” A warm smile formed on Elizabeth’s face. Reminiscing the days when a 4-year-old Daniel used to carry snails, placing them in a safe place. Her son truly is a blessing, if only he saw that in himself.

The boy softens his features, paying attention to his mother.  Perhaps she is on to something there.

“Being gentle…. is a strength?” He questioned.

“Yes, it is.” She answered almost abruptly.  “But Daniel, it is not right for you to hide something this serious.”

“Sorry, Mum.” He apologised. “I was scared you were going to tell me off or something.”

Elizabeth was now puzzled. She would have accepted the apology if it was his fault, but that is not the case. The kids picked on HER child, not the other way around.

“But why apologise? None of this is your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.” She comforted him once more.

“Mum, if being so different is all great, why am I bullied by James and his loser friends every day?” This was a genuine question from Daniel. Puzzled at the thought of gifted people being bullied.

“Is it a possibility that they might be jealous of you in some way?” Elizabeth suggested.

“Hmm?”

“Believe it or not, you have something they do not. You have charisma and your own personality. You are not fake and sometimes it rubs people the wrong way. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop being yourself.”  Eilzabeth now gazed upon her son’s wide azure eyes, witnessing his face no longer harden, receptive to her message.

“I know this is your first week of school, but please give it time. Not everyone there is a bully and will meet potential friends soon. Especially friends who also love…. these machines you kids play.” The single mother gestured to her son’s game favourite console PlayStation 5 with a smile. This made Daniel roll his eyes, while chuckling a little.

 

“Tell you what…” Elizabeth paused for a moment to really cheer her son up. “I will make you your favourite ice cream after dinner.”  This perked the boy up, but he had one more question.

“What do we do about….” The boy paused, but luckily Elizabeth knew what the boy was going to say. The mother had a plan.

“We will go to the Headmasters Office tomorrow to sort this out together." Elizabeth suggested.

Daniel thought for a while, until he nodded his head ,before giving his mother a hug. 

"Thanks mum, you're the best!" He chippered.

"You're welcome hun."

The End