The pain....it was so unbareable....I couldn't take it.....

-"AHHH! My teeth!!" I screamed.

-"Just hold still boy, I'm almost done with you!!" the hideous dentist said to me.

I was strapped down to a filthy detists chair, with this monster tightening my braces until i fel like my sharp green teeth were about to rip out! I struggled against the urge to tear up.

Finally, after a grueling hour, I was sent off on my way.....

With my new black and silver braces.

Now my nerd look is complete. I was the definition of a geek now. Just go ahead and look up 'nerd' in the dictionary. You'll find a picture of me, Nergal, next to the definition.

-"Dear, I'm going to bring you back to school now." my demon mom said from the front seat of the car. I whimpered at her.

-".....but....mom...I...can't....ta-" I tried to finish, but she stopped the car and unlocked the doors.

-"Have a good time sweetie!" I was so shocked we got to school so quickly, I hadn't noticed that I was flung out of the car and onto the sidewalk in front of the school! Before I could look back, the car was gone.

'hmpf, seems like mom WANTS me gone...' I dusted off my shirt and that was when I realized it was stained with tears. I couldn't go into school like that...

-"Nergal!!! There you are!!" I heard a familiar voice. I was relieved to see it was Sapphire, my vampire friend. She ran over and hugged me tightly.

-"Hello....friend..." I spoke softly. Sapphire looked me over and frowned.

-"You're mom made you get braces finally, eh?" she said, pointing to my mouth. I nodded. "And she made you come to school even though you can barely talk without being in pain, am I right?" I nodded again wordlessly. Sapphire looked down and then gasped. "Awh!! You stained your shirt with tears!!!"

She hugged me again, rubbing my back. I was very lucky to have such a good friend. And she was pretty popular. And yet, she still saw me as a friend, someone to talk to, and confide in. I felt like I was useful when she talked to me.

Fortunatly, Sapphire ran into school and grabbed one of my other shirts (spilling things on my shirt is actually a daily ritual for me since I'm so clumsy) and we went back into school. It was around 11 and I was exhausted. I rested my head on the desk for a split second and the teacher went off on me.

-"Nergal! Pay attention!! You know the rules, no sleeping in class!!" the teacher whacked me on my head and I felt tears swell up in my eyes.

-"Hey, don't let her get you down." said a voice next to me. I looked over and a skeleton child smiled at me. " she whacks me on the head everyday...you'll get used to it.." he said to me. I blushed as I rubbed my head akwardly.

-"GRIM!! No talking in class!!!" The teacher whacked the skeleton boy's head so hard, it fell off and landed in his lap. I was horrified, but the boy named Grim just stuck his head back on and sighed.

-"See what I mean?" he whispered to me. I smiled softly, but stopped midway because there was a sharp pain in my teeth.

I stayed quiet the rest of the class. I occasionally looked over at Grim. He seemed so intent on his schoolwork, that he hadn't even noticed I was, so that was a relief. He wore a silly red bowtie and yellow shirt along with patched brown slacks and suspenders.

He must be a loser....like me maybe??

The rest of the day went the usual way. Getting called on when I didn't know the answer. Being tripped by Boogey. Getting tormented by Sapphire's older sisters. The usual. But now, I couldn't try to stick up for myself. I was helplessly bullied around all day...

Then it was lunchtime...not very enjoyable today though....

I didn't eat anything this morning, because I was too afraid about the dentists....now I could hear my stomach growling angrily at me. I looked at the lunch menu....

Apples? Corn? CARROTS? owhhh...my teeth are aching alreadly.

I tried to hush my stomach as I sat down at an empty table far away from the others. I watched all the happy pre-teens and teens chatting excessively with their....

Friends.....

....The object I desire. Friendship. So out of reach for a loser like me....

-"Hey..." I heard someone say in front of me. I lifted my drooping head warily and blushed. Grim smiled at me sheepishly and rubbed his neck a little. "Sapphire told me you just got braces..." he said. I blushed more.

-"....yes...." I struggled out. Grim smiled sadly and handed me a glass of some strange liquid.

-"My granny makes great drinks and elixirs for me so I can stay strong, but I think you might need it more than me today..." he told me softly. I took the drink quickly and looked down.

-"....thank you...." I whispered painfully. He flashed a timid smile before walking calmly away. I looked at the peculiar drink.

It was completely clear. I could see myself in the reflection of the liquid. I looked...perfect....flawless. No braces....I didn't look geeky anymore... I was astounded.

I looked up at where Grim was sitting. He was talking to a spider girl, but he looked over briefly and waved to me. I blushed again and actually smiled softly at him, showing my new braced teeth. Then I took a sip of the drink....it felt warm and comforting in my sore mouth.

I smiled more at the feeling. The feeling of love...of belonging...of friendship...

I don't know how so many emotions came out of that single drink, but I knew one thing...



Right then, I felt like I had been loved all along by unseen eyes.

He saw me for who I really was as well....