Some kids were creative.
Most were just cruel.
I learned to walk through school pretending I couldn’t hear them.
I learned which side of my face looked smaller in photographs.
I learned to turn my head when strangers looked at me for a second too long.
I volunteered to take group photos instead of being in them.
I avoided selfies.
If someone unexpectedly held up a camera, I instinctively tilted my face away.
Those habits stayed with me long after graduation.
People thought I was shy.
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