She shines.

Big, brown eyes stared around her. This was a new place full of new faces.

She had been excited for this day. Her first day at school. She knew one face, the son of her mom’s friend. She smiled at him but he stared straight ahead.

Oh well, there were so many children her age she was bound to make friends with a few. Her heart thudded in her chest. She loved people. They were interesting and curious.

The class went by fast. Her teacher was friendly and smiled at her at least once. A bell rung and they were allowed to go out and play. She took her blue lunchbox and stepped out the door of the classroom.

She stood on the grey cement porch and froze. There were hundreds of children shouting, running and playing. But no one near her. Everywhere she looked it felt like someone had someone.

She pushed her straight brown fringe away from her forehead and longingly looked back into the class. At least there she knew what to do. Out here she felt lost. On the wall a pretty little girl sat surrounded by others. They all seemed to worship her.

The brown eyed girl’s face fell. She felt invisible. Just then there was a nudge on her shoulder. She looked up and up till she found the kind face looking down at her. “They don’t see the real you.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll show you.”

Her eyes widened in astonishment as she began to glow. She shone as bright as a star. Around her appeared more tall beings all looking at her with smiles.

“Child you are a shining one. A gift to others and this earth. They cannot see it yet because they only see the surface. You are never alone. Heaven cheers you on. The earth needs you to overcome so you can bring the light to them.”

“Overcome?” She hung her head. “It’s hard. I feel sad.”

“You don’t need to do it. He did it for you. You can swap the sad parts for His happy parts. Then you will be who you truly are. The true you and not the lie.”

She looked again at the giggling girls but instead of feeling like she wasn’t good enough she smiled and sat down on her own. Her light was shining even if they couldn’t see it.

Through the years in school she endured many lonely breaktimes. She talked to Heaven. She made pretty, encouraging cards and gave it to the popular girls. She sang to herself and smiled at the world. Her light would shine no matter what.

She was a shining one.