she had a normal childhood
with a loving family and fun adventures
everyone loved her for her pudgy red cheeks and huge green eyes
she never lost those things
even when she grew up
but she started to notice that instead of gaining her love
these traits were making her a target
for all the hateful words of others to practice their aim on
no one noticed the changes in the poor girl
but they were there
she stopped buckling her seatbelt
she started to swallow her toothpaste
she didn't look before crossing the street
and they were so subtle,
so small
that by the time anyone noticed
it was too late