4 letters one word You soon realize this is a disease to be escaping from. Though no one has told you personally, the world's word is as good as any. Of course, this is a future matter or better yet a fictional one. Right now is for laughing with friends, worrying about grades, and enjoying the best part of lunch. That cookie you've been waiting to eat ever since you saw Mom put it in your lunch box the night before. Being in the upper grades means you're one of the big kids now. I'm taller, you think to yourself as you look in the mirror. Something else has changed too, your soft porcelain skin is red? Little bumps dot your forehead and dance along your rounded cheeks. A feeling of disbelief washes over you. It's come early. You're not a teenager. This isn't supposed to happen. It's caught you early, which has caught you off guard. The next day is different. You've always just existed, never stopping to think about your physical body other than the necessary things like wearing washed clothes and having clean hair. But now, now your appearance matters. People aren't looking at you anymore, they're looking at your face. Your face is different. You don't feel like you anymore. It gets worse, this disease spreads and as it spreads across your face it seems to not be spreading to anyone else's. You don't talk about it. You pretend it doesn't bother you but everyday you get home from school you look into the mirror and wish you had a different face. Soap, gels, doctor visits. Creams, gels, doctor visits, pills. Doctor visits, different pills. It becomes evident this is not a "quick fix" like so many have told you it can be. Adults question whether you are trying, because apparently you look bad. You look dirty, so you feel dirty. Then it happens, your new school is filled with the disease. It also happens to be filled with teens. It's common. You're common, and you begin to feel less like a cell under a microscope and more like a person. It's not only that though, you've dealt with this longer. Over time you've grown mentally and emotionally. You feel more comfortable in your own skin, despite it being laced with scars. In a time where appearance is everything. Where people, peers, and friends are constantly trying to look beautiful it's important to not loose yourself. You realize that your self worth is important. Of course, there are days when you feel insecure, but you've learned to love yourself and have come a long way since that first day standing in front of the mirror. It doesn't define you, those four letters and one word; acne. *I know there are more difficult things to be struggling with. This isn't meant to be disrespectful to those in any way. This is just a story from my own experience. 5/22/17