Days turned into weeks, yet no one ever spoke to little Julie.
She tried to smile at the other kids, tried to be friendly—but they always avoided her. Some whispered when she passed. Others pretended she didn't exist.
Julie didn't want her parents to worry. Even with her young mind, she already knew how to hide her pain. And slowly, she began to notice the girl who always called her fat.
"Hey, fat."
Julie looked up.
It was Veronica Celeste Montaire—everyone called her Vee. Two other girls stood behind her, their eyes scanning Julie from head to toe.
"My name isn't Fat," Julie said quietly, nibbling on her biscuits. "It's Julie."
Veronica raised an eyebrow. "I don't care what your name is. You're fat. Haven't you noticed? No one talks to you. Everyone's disgusted by how you look."
Julie glanced around.
Some kids whispered. Some looked away. Others simply stared.
Then Gaia Ysabelle Velasco suddenly grabbed her lunchbox.
"You're so cheap," she sneered, throwing it to the floor.
"Don't waste food," Julie said softly. "Mom says it's bad to waste food."
Before Julie could pick it up, Gaia stepped on the biscuits, crushing them under her shoe as the others giggled.
"Here," Jea Lorraine Velgado sneered, shoving Julie's head closer to the crumbs. "Eat it if you really want it."
Julie gasped, coughing as they pushed her down.
"Ew—look at you," Veronica laughed. "Just like a pig, digging through dirty food."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Julie cried, her voice trembling. "I didn't do anything to you."
Her mouth hurt from where they shoved her. Tears burned her eyes—but she stayed quiet as whispers filled the room.
Some laughed. Others turned away.
"Yeah," Veronica whispered in her ear before leaving, "you're disgusting."
Brother… Mom… Dad… I don't want to be here anymore, Julie thought as she wiped her tears.
When class ended, her father was waiting.
The moment she saw his warm smile, she ran into his arms.
"Dad," she whispered, clinging tightly.
"What happened?" he asked gently.
Julie wanted to tell him everything—but she couldn't.
She shook her head and hugged him tighter.
At home, her mother greeted her with a smile.
"How was school, baby?"
"It's okay, Mom," Julie replied, forcing a smile.
"Are your classmates still calling you fat?"
Julie froze.
Then she nodded—lying, because she didn't want to see worry in her mother's eyes.
Her mom studied her face. "Are you telling me the truth?"
Julie smiled wider.
"If you're smiling like that," her mom said softly, ruffling her hair, "then Mommy won't ask anymore."
"Maybe… Cielo already forgot about me," Julie murmured.
Her mother smiled gently. "When you're classmates again, you'll be friends like before."
Julie nodded.
She wanted to believe it—but she also knew Cielo forgot things easily.
That night, Julie stared at herself in the mirror.
She turned side to side.
Am I really disgusting?
She pinched her chubby cheeks, stared at her soft arms and round belly.
I take a bath every day… I brush my teeth… I wear clean clothes.
Her reflection only stared back, confused.
"Julie."
She turned—it was Chris.
"What are you doing?" he asked, arms crossed. "You've been poking your cheeks and stomach."
"Ah… nothing," she said. "Just looking at myself."
"Why?"
"Because… I just want to."
Chris studied her carefully, then sighed. "Come on. Dinner's ready."
Julie blinked. "Brother… should I skip dinner tonight?"
Chris froze.
"I–I'm joking!" Julie laughed nervously. "I'm hungry too!"
She ran ahead.
At the table, her mother smiled. Julie thanked her for the food.
When she was with her family, the world felt safe—as if the bullying didn't exist.
But at school, it only grew worse.
Things hit her back when teachers weren't looking. Notes appeared on her desk. Crayons snapped. Pencils disappeared. Lunch was thrown away.
And every time she was scolded for things she didn't do—Veronica smirked.
Why are they like this?I didn't hurt them. Why do they hate me?
"Hey," Veronica called again.
Julie ignored her, focusing on her drawing.
"Deaf now?" Veronica mocked, snatching her paper and throwing it away.
"What do you want from me?" Julie asked quietly.
"Don't say my name," Veronica snapped. "It's disgusting when it comes from you."
Julie turned away—but Veronica grabbed her hair.
"You're really fat. Gaia, Jea—help me!"
They surrounded her, pulling her hair and pinching her cheeks.
"This suits you, piggy!" Veronica laughed.
Julie panicked. She pushed Veronica away—
Gasps filled the room.
"What's going on here?" the teacher demanded.
Veronica cried instantly, hair messy.
"Julie hurt her," Gaia said quickly.
Julie shook her head—but no words came out.
"Let's go to the clinic," the teacher said sternly. "We'll call your parents."
Her heart sank.
When her father arrived, confusion filled his eyes. Veronica's mother looked furious.
Julie hid behind her father, tears falling silently.
At home, her father knelt in front of her.
"Julie… did you really do it?"
She burst into tears.
Her mother pulled her into a hug.
"Shh," she whispered. "Daddy's not mad. We just want the truth."
Her father stroked her hair. "It's okay, sweetheart. We'll talk later."
Julie nodded weakly, burying her face in her mother's arms—
Where it was warm.Where it was safe.Where the cruelty couldn't reach her.