“I had the worst and best day ever,” the young boy told his father as they both entered the bus to go home.

Unlike other days, today was different. Antonio seemed like he had a lot to say when his father picked him up. Antonio José Castillo was raised differently compared to the other kids around his age. From the moment he began to read voraciously, he listened more and more to others and spoke less. And with fewer words uttered, the boy’s passion for learning continued soaring to newer, scarier heights. The boy knew he was different from those around him because they were normal and he was not. Whereas, most boys in his math classes had joined sports teams, Antonio’s parents let him get lost in libraries whenever he wanted. These hours spent lost in books shocked the president of the PTA the most. Antonio’s parents also took him to see plays from the moment in which he could sit still and listen. And that was unheard of where he was from. When Antonio was not writing, he was reading and it was within the stories he stumbled on that he was able to trade our world for other ones. Antonio knew more about himself then most of the parents who judged his family. So earlier today when he overheard his classmates making fun of him, the boy tried to take no offense. He knew it was their parents speaking. But nevertheless, he was still upset. He was angry how the perfect uniformed robots in front of him thought they knew everything about him. Or at least they believed. But in reality, they actually didn’t know anything about him. Antonio’s parents were not traditional. And that’s what surprised his friends’ parents more than anything, they couldn’t understand how a parent could allow their children to think for themselves. Very different from other families who just smiled at Antonio and his parents when they walked by and whispered jokes when they were out of sight, Snow’s parents were the most openly vocal about their confusion.

They believed fools who didn't make their children in the likeness of themselves were not true parents and it was their calling to save the damned. And though the kids in Adrian's classes never truly understood what they overheard, kids were smarter than they appeared. While Antonio filled up hundreds of notebooks full of poetry and drawings, his friends spent the same amount of time playing video games. Soon enough, Antonio's closet had more than just clothes on hangers, it overflowed with books that awoke each time the door was opened. Soon enough Antonio’s stories and poems became the topic of discussions at the end of the school day. Teachers could not believe how well Antonio was able to articulate his thoughts into words. They were in awe. And the less attention the other kids got, the more upset their parents became. It was one thing for them to have allowed for their children to be with Antonio. But what they could never understand nor ever accept was how Antonio could have any spotlight bestowed on him when his life in their opinion was not planned out. Snow, on the other hand, her life was perfect because her parents wanted her to become a doctor, a wife, and a mother. That was Snow’s future because Snow’s parents had a vision. And since they knew more about Snow than Snow knew about herself, they had always felt the need to speak for her. They wanted perfection and Snow would become what they were not. And that was the main difference between Antonio’s parents and the parents of other students, his parents never told him what to do. Being unapologetically happy was how they lived and that was the mantra they held before all. And it was that confidence placed on a pedestal for everyone to see that made the larger community feel uncomfortable.

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” the much older gentleman responded to his son.

“They tried making fun of you...You know, just forget it,” The son said.

“I’m sorry for not empathizing with you more. Can your old guy get a do over? Why didn’t you have a good day today?"

“They asked me if I felt sad because I didn’t have a mom and dad like they do.”

“How did that come up in conversation? What did you say?"

“I told them that having parents like you guys made me appreciate others.”

“What did they say?”

“They said that their parents said that they thought they overheard you say that we didn’t like them.”

“I’ve never said anything bad about them. They rarely talk to me."

“Exactly, I knew they were lying. So I told them about our family."

“Son, I’m proud of you for trying to stand up for me, but you shouldn't have. Let them think what they want—”

“—I told them having two dads was better than one and having the same thing as everyone else was boring.”

“Did you? That's very brave of you. But again you didn't have to do that...I’ll never forget when I adopted you. You were the most beautiful baby I had ever met. You had the cutest little cheeks.

“Dad, I think they'll stop spreading rumors. Their eyes looked curious.”

“I don’t ever want you to forget that you’re a caring kid regardless of what they do. Their opinions of you are not a reflection of you."

“I know.”

“And since I've always been honest with you because I believe in the truth, I'll tell you a little secret I wanted to tell you when you were older."

“Go for it!"

“Being liked by everyone sometimes means not standing up for anything."

“I know.”

“You’re very wise for your age, but you just remember although we are all different, I’ve taught you to respect every simple person you meet."

“There’s nothing wrong with you guys though, so I wanted them to know how we actually are.

“I’m proud of you for doing that. But those kids and their parents are different then you and me and your father, and that's alright."

“Dad I borrowed a new book today. Why don’t people read more?”

“People are busy. I’m glad you got that trait from me.”

“Who else would I get it from? I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”

“The next stop is ours.”

“Thanks for actually listening to me dad.”

“Absolutely son. Count on me for anything. You make me proud!”

Twenty years came and flew by since Antonio and his dad spoke last about the incident that occurred in school earlier that quite peculiar day. And Snow, despite what we thought she would be, actually did not go on to live the life we envisioned. Having become close friends with Antonio months later, Snow saw a life for herself where although she was born a part of channel normal, she could make her own identity. Please do not become confused, Snow always respected her parents and those around her. But everything she took in, she did so with moderation and that's what grounded her as a teenager. Snow became a successful artist after graduating. She was able to infuse her love of music and activism together and she believed she was trying to make a change. What she did know with absolute certainty however, was that the idea of having kids were not in the horizon and she smiled. Being with the others gave her hope, Snow became at peace with having her own thoughts.