Here’s a short story a written by a teenager, Rebecca D’Souza and budding author that is full of hope.
Life had never been kind to Hope. For the longest time, she had been hospitalized as she had been born with a debilitating heart disease. Her parents had named her Hope because they had hope that their daughter could someday be cured, and live a normal life. However, Hope never had much hope herself. The doctors had tried everything they could to cure her. But there seemed to be no cure to her condition.
When she was fourteen, Hope had to undergo surgery that would improve her condition. “It won’t cure her” the doctor had told her parents, “but after the surgery, she will be well enough to go to school again.” Hope was happy to be able to get back to school again. The surgery took place and it was a success. Finally, something seemed to be going on well in her life.
On her first day at her new school, Hope was extremely nervous. She hadn’t been to a school in a long time. She hoped to make new friends. The teacher introduced her to the class. “This is Hope,” she said “She has missed a few years of school, as she was hospitalised for a long time. So I want you all to be extra nice to her.” “I don’t want them to be extra nice to me,” thought Hope. “I want them to treat me like a normal person.”
But she was quickly disappointed when she heard other students whispering about her. During her Maths class, the teacher called Hope to solve a sum. As she came forward, her hands began trembling. She began to feel nervous. “Ah! I am sorry Hope, I forgot you missed a few years” said the teacher. “Can anyone else come up and solve this sum?” Hope went back to her place and she heard more whispering.
During Physical education class, she was told that she could sit down if she was unwell. Some of the students began whispering again. “She’s so lucky, she gets to skip P.E.” One student said. “I bet she acts, so she can get favours from the teachers”. “Oh, that’s true,” remarked another.
Hope turned red with anger. Enough was enough! She was a normal person, just like them. However, she pushed herself too hard and ended up fainting.
When she came back home, she cried on her mother’s lap. “I don’t want to go back to that school,” she said. “The kids always whisper behind my back.” “My dear, I am so sorry,” said her mother. “Don’t worry, you will make new friends there soon.”
Hope went to school the next day, expecting the same treatment. She noticed a young girl sitting on the bench next to her. Hope hadn’t seen her the previous day. The girl looked at her and smiled. “Hello,” she said, “My name is Grace. Are you new here?” “Yeah,” said Hope. “I came here yesterday. My name is Hope” “Oh what a beautiful name!” exclaimed Grace. Hope blushed. No one had really told her that before. “Thanks,” she said.
During recess, Grace sat with Hope. “So which was your previous school?” asked Grace. “Um … I went to an all-girls school before” said Hope. She wasn’t going to tell this girl the truth yet. “Oh really, tell me about it,” She told Grace about her previous school. “I never really had many friends there” she added. “That’s so sad!” rued Grace. “If that’s the case, then I will be your friend” Hope had nothing much to say. She never had friends before.
“Thank you” was all she said. During P.E. hour, Hope was made to sit down, in case she pushed herself too far again. From her place, she noticed Grace doing her exercises, a bit weaker than the others. Suddenly she fell down, Hope rushed to her aid. “Grace,” the teacher said, “you will have to sit this one out.” “I’ve always been weak since I was born,” said Grace. “I was hospitalised for two years, I have always been treated differently from others. They even said that I was pretending to be sick, so I could skip classes and stuff”. “I know how you feel” Hope asserted. She told Grace about her condition and her disappointing first day. “Wow! It seems that we have more in common than I thought” said Grace “Finally I have someone I can confide in.” “You don’t have to be alone anymore Grace” said Hope. “I will be with you from now on.”
“Thank you Hope” Grace replied. “You don’t have to be alone either. We have each other.” Hope smiled with all her heart, for the first time, in a long while!
Finally, it seemed her name truly lived up to its meaning.
About the Author
Rebecca D’Souza is a teenager, who has been an avid reader for many years. Having completed her twelfth grade in Kuwait, she has enrolled herself for her under graduate studies at the famous S. P. Jain College in Singapore. Rebecca says that she wants her readers to be able to connect with her stories.
