This story was inspired by my own childhood, when I found it easier to not interact with my peers and do solo activities, like reading at the library. I also had a lot of anxiety and had a lot of trouble speaking up in class. I put these traits into the character of Beatrice, along with a bunny I added that is a significantly larger version of a small rabbit I've had since I was a child. It's a bit of a wish-fulfillment story for me personally, since I would have liked to have someone reach out to me like in the story as a child.
Beatrice & The Bunny
Beatrice, a young girl with hair that always seemed to cover her face, walks slowly towards the school with a packed lunch and a tiny stuffed bunny. Through the noise of the people inside the building, she keeps looking at the ground while fiddling with the bunny. She arrives in the classroom first, sitting at her desk and playing with the bunny.
During class, Beatrice continues to play with the bunny while the teacher talks. She suddenly hears the class laughing and looks around in confusion. The teacher is standing above her, staring at her, annoyed. She shrinks into her seat and doesn't meet her eyes. She keeps staring down into her lap, where the bunny is, for the rest of class.
When the bell rings for recess, Beatrice remains in class and starts to pull out her snack. A tall girl comes over with her posse and plucks the bunny out of Beatrices hands. Beatrice looks up in shock, watching as she dangles the bunny over her head. Beatrice reaches up to grab it, but the girl keeps it just out of reach. The girl cackles and taunts her, and Beatrice starts looking down into her lap, her lips moving with no sound coming out. Beatrice runs out of the classroom with tears streaming down her face, the girls laughing in triumph.
Beatrice sits down outside the building, sobbing loudly for the people who won't listen. When she runs out of tears, she stares down at the ground in silence, continuing to hiccup every once in awhile.
After almost an eternity of sitting out in the brisk air, a girl with spiky hair walks over. She holds the bunny out towards Beatrice with slightly bruised arms. When Beatrice doesn't take the bunny, she places it by her feet and introduces herself as Yvette.
They sit in silence, remaining outside even when the bell rings.
Eventually Beatrice puts her hand atop of Yvette's hand.
A few hours later, the teacher comes over to them, angry at the two delinquents, but Yvette and Beatrice remain smiling.
The next day, Beatrice walks to school, her hair tucked behind her ears, walking at a slightly faster pace than the day prior. She arrives in class early again, continuing to play with the bunny.
When recess begins, Yvette comes over to Beatrice, and asks her to come play with her. The bunny remains sitting atop of her desk as Yvette and Beatrice run out onto the playground laughing.