3. Beauty is in the heart

 "Jasmine apologise to her right now or else you are going to be in big trouble. You should never degrade other people just because they don't have parents, she has a bright future just like you do! apologise right now.." Bright future? He thinks I have a bright future, this warmed up my heart.

"But I---"

"Jasmine apologise.." her brother cut her off 

"fine.." she mumbled, "Sorry fatso.." she gave me a death glare

"Jasmine say like you mean it and don't call her fatso she has a name.."

"Sorry Victoria." she said lowering her head.

"Jennifer Jessica you too.."

"We are sorry Victoria we will never bully you again.." both Jessica and Jennifer said in unison

"It's okay." I said my voice in a small whisper.

Jasmine looked at me giving me a dirty look while I tried to make myself small and unrecognisable

"If I ever find you girls bullying or saying mean things about  her or anyone else I will punish you and make sure I tell mom and dad got it." Micheal said sternly

"Yes brother we won't bully people." all three girls said at the same time. Micheal nodded his head and him and the other guys left.

Jasmine looked at me one more time then huffed going her way. Phew that was close. 

Thank fully, the rest of school day went by smoothly. Jasmine, Jennifer and Jessica didn't even bother me, they avoided me like a plague and I was at least happy that I won't have to deal with them for the whole year because next year they will be going to Junior high school.

***7years later..***

Today was the day I was finally graduating from high school. High school has been better than all the other grades because here no one bullied me. They just never noticed me and pretended I was invisible.

Nobody ever called me fat or ugly mostly because I still dressed the same way but this time I made a friend, Shrene.

she was really good and the only person who knew what I looked like.

The first time I revealed myself to her she didn't call me ugly instead she complimented me telling me that I had a beautiful body and should embrace it but I couldn't though she was right I once looked myself in the mirror and my sparkling silver eyes were shining brightly but I couldn't. I couldn't let anyone see me not after what those three little girls Jasmine, Jessica and Jennifer did to me. They made my childhood hell thank God I don't have to deal with them anymore.

 

Me and shrene were all dressed up ready to go to our graduation ceremony she had decided to stay for the party too but I said no.

"Come one let's go." She squeaked grabbing my hand

"Pequeño!!" mama called while we were about to go out the door. She came with a bow of ice-cream handing it to me

"Eat this it will make your day sweet." she said while I giggled 

"Gracias mama.." I grinned at her eating the ice cream. Once I was done, Shrene and I piled up in her car going to school.

Everything went by smoothly better than I expected! I got straight As in all my subjects and came out as one of the best students there.

"So what are you going to do now that you are done with high school?" Ren asked me.

"I was thinking I will try out acting school you know. It has always been my dream to be an actress and I think it's high time I achieve my dreams." I smiled while she just giggled 

"Vik if you are going to be an actress then you should get rid of these clothes.." she pointed out.

"Why? Can't I act like this?" I question. She shook her head then patted my cheek saying,

"No sweetheart you can't! people need to see your face.."

"But their are Muslim actors who wear this. Why can't?" I whined.

"Princess you are not them plus to get into Hollywood you need to have the perfect body the perfect face and you have all that but you hide it. You need to take these clothes off and show them how perfect you are otherwise if you keep on hiding they will never see."

No way ren tou want me to walk naked?" I glared at her.

" I didn't mean it like that! I meant wear something that shows your face and maybe a little bit ofyour legs and hands.."

"No way." I said hugging myself feeling self conscious, I cut let people see my body absolutely not!

"Okay then love." She shrugged her shoulders and I got lost in my thoughts

She was right all those girls I saw on TV were dressed up nicely and spoke good English but I don't dresses nicely and my English is bad since I grew up speaking Spanish with mama. I know a little bit of English I can even understand when people say it but speaking fluently, that's something else.

***2 years later.***

Finale today was my 18th birthday and I was going to try out acting. There was a movie that was going to be shot here in Baja called "Roses and Swords" a Spanish movie and plenty of directors were here hunting for new talents. I was so excited for the auditions and kept praying and hoping that they pick me.

 I have spent the last two years learning how to speak good English and improving my acting skills by watch movies of course. 

Ren and mama have been very helpful and encouraging which was just what I needed to succeed in this. I hope I get picked fingers crossed!!

"Hurry up Pequeño you will be late, Shrene will come any time soon.. " Mama knocked on my bed room door. I was still living at the orphanage and you guessed it right still the oldest. I even took care of the little babies that came in.

"Si mama."  I said brushing my raven dark hair and braiding it. Once I was done, I covered myself up like always then grabbed my phone and some money, saying a simple prayer and stepping out of my room.

Once I was in the living room, mama adjusted her glasses then looked at me from head to toe, shaking her head disapprovingly

"Chiquita why don't you wear something that the other girls are wearing?" She asked her voice laced with concern, " it's been years now Pequeño, at least let the past go and embrace your beauty.."

"No mama you know I don't feel comfortable. They already destroyed my self confidence and I am not sure I can regain it." I said to her. She gave me a sad look coming closer to me placing her hand on my shoulder

" I understand love. Even though I don't know much about acting, I am pretty sure the director will  want to see your face, they will want to see just how beautiful you are." She tried to talk sense into me but I pushed her words deep down were I can't find them. The three J's, Jasmine, Jennifer and Jessica ruined my life.

They crushed me and I don't think I will ever be able to recover.

 I might look myself in the mirror and praise my beauty but I can't be confident enough to let other people see it. I don't want them to judge me based on my looks the way  the three Js did. 

"Mama you always told me that beauty was in the heart not the face." I reminded her. I know she was trying to help but she didn't understand that I was far too gone and nobody can help me!

"Pequeño they won't open up your chest and take out your heart to see whether it is beautiful or not.." she pointed out while I sighed

"I know that mama it's just--" I sighed again, she looked at me giving that loving and understanding look and said

"It's okay I understand dear take care and good luck.."

"Thanks mama." She kissed my forehead and I went outside were Ren was waiting for me In her car. She had agreed to drive me to the auditions.

"Hurry up Vik." she honked. Ren came from a rich family and both her parents, aunt Juanita and uncle Nathan were really good people they invited me to their house once and it was one of the best moments of my life. They showed me care and love, it made me feel right at home.

"Remember  you have to show confidence good luck.." Ren said to me once we were at the place were the talent hunt was taking place.

"Thanks Ren I hope they choose me." I excitedly bubbled out.

I was super excited and jittery, this was my chance at finally achieving my dreams! I was already day dreaming and thinking about how even more excited and jumpy I will be once I get chosen. I will be so famously well know around the world as Victoria Chlicton.

I could already see myself walking around town and parazzi flanking me from all sides wanting to take a shot of Victoria.

" Bye Ren." I went out of the car and stood in line which was extremely long if you ask me.

There were lots of people who were auditioning and some of them looked super hot! Dressed in fancy clothes with their make up perfectly done making me feel like I don't  stand a chance  but I wasn't going to let that fact discourage me, they were looking for talent and that's something I had.

"Or look even she is here." I heard some girls whispering to each other and giggling. I simply ignored them taking a deep breath and trying to give myself a Pep talk.

You can do this Victoria don't let people bring you--- My pep talk got cut off by what I heard next