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Nen opened his eyes to see moonlight drifting in from the window, which was ajar as he had left it earlier that evening. He turned to look at the clock.
'11:56, perfect' he muttered groggily. He approached the window and stuck his head out into the wintry night. Breaths of cold air caressed the gentle angles of his face.
He looked down at the pond that took up half the garden and saw his own reflection. He pulled his long fringe back from his face and stared at his the reflection, focusing quickly on his own eyes, those deep turquoise eyes.
'Freak!' It rang in his head like a siren. He dropped his fringe back into place and turned away, unfortunately catching a view of himself in his mirror.
'Freak! Weirdo!' He let out a cry of anguish and fell to the floor letting rattling sobs break free of his chest. He reached out to the bed post, and pulled himself up, with a shuddering sigh. Gentle footsteps were making their way up the stairs towards his attic room He threw a blanket at the mirror and shut his curtains with a snap. He climbed between his bed covers and closed his eyes, feigning sleep. The door opened carefully revealing his mother in a long night dress.
'Nen? Nen, are you awake?' Nen rolled over and made a loud snoring noise.
'Love, I know you don't snore, you're not in trouble.'
Nen gave up the charade and sat up.
'Is something wrong love?'
'No, nothing!' He answered to quickly. His mother walked slowly across to him and lifted a few strands of his hair. As she touched the hair, the black die faded into its natural red. Nen turned away, not wanting to see it.
'Silly boy,' His mother chided, 'You should be proud of who you are!' Nen simply turned away, to weep silently into his pillow.