Mona was different from the rest of the other girls. Her coily hair defied gravity, reaching for the tumultuous sky and her birthmark spanned from her right temple across to her left cheek. It was like the shape of two islands that meet at the bridge of her nose then dwell in their separate places. Once upon a time, Mona hated these things. She does not love them now, but she is learning to accept them.

“You’re so beautiful, sweet Mona,” Reggie would say. But how can you feel that way when none of the other girls look like you? None of the other girls have coily hair, dark skin or a birthmark 3 shades later than your skin tone, Mona would think.

The bells chime as the morning in Roading School begins. Time to start a new day with the same facial features that Mona can’t seem to disguise with makeup, humour or acting invisible…